Health & Fitness
Clap 'Happy' with Woodmont Elementary School
Song reflects mood of students and staff after overcoming challenging year.
“Challenging” is the word many would use if asked to describe the winter of the 2014-2015 school year. But, at Woodmont Elementary School in Montville Township, Principal Dominic Esposito would say “Happy.”
Despite a record seven snow days, a shortened spring break, countless Fun Fair reschedules due to rain, and pilot PARCC testing in addition to ASK tests, Esposito asked his staff to choose to remain happy.
Two weeks ago, on a Saturday night, while working on his summative evaluation, Esposito acutely saw what he already knew. His team had not only remained committed to being happy, but, one after the other, they had also remained committed to developing and delivering innovative, student centered, initiatives.
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As Esposito wrote, the Pharrell Williams Song, Happy, began playing somewhere in his house. That’s when the Woodmont School is ‘HAPPY!’ video idea popped into his head. Within minutes Woodmont’s first-year principal imagined a light-hearted and cooperative, student centered, activity that would capture the essence of the Woodmont Elementary School community.
The next day, staff and students began making the idea a reality.
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Esposito said he saw the video “as a way to sum up our philosophy for dealing with the changes imposed upon us by outside forces.”
Within the week, production began, and yesterday, the Woodmont School is ‘HAPPY!’ video was released.
According to the credits, Woodmont’s cover of Williams’ Despicable Me 2 song stars: “Mr. Esposito, the students, faculty, staff, supervisors and parents of Woodmont School.”
Media Specialist Toni-Ann Raj directed and edited, while second grade teacher, Danielle Stoveken choreographed the staff, students, supervisors and parents.
“I saw the video as a great way to keep the students and staff motivated during the end of the year,” Esposito said. “Rather than focus on leaving at the end of the year, we directed our attentions to create something to give to everyone who made this year a success.”
Montville Township Public School Supervisors: Edward Fleischman (Arts), Lisa Howard (World Language), Leslee Schenckman (Guidance) and David Tubbs (Humanities) each made cameos in the Woodmont video.
“Every grade and homeroom participated,” Esposito noted. “It’s the start of a new Woodmont tradition.”
The Woodmont School is ‘HAPPY!’ video can be viewed above or at YouTube.com
