School Days

The PRAC 4th Annual Scholarship Program, a program that supports high school seniors of Hispanic descent, who are planning to enter into a two or four year college or university, is seeking applications. The program provides financial support to two graduates, one each from Salem County and Cape May County, in the amount of $500.00.
“We look forward to assisting today’s Hispanic youth in their quest for higher education and helping them to achieve future professional goals. Since the inception of our high school scholarship program in 2007 we have provided four scholarships for a total of $2,000.00.
“We are able to provide these scholarships through the support of our sponsors and our annual fundraisers,” said David Rodriguez, Executive Director of PRAC. “It is heartwarming when past recipients and their families return to PRAC to share their college successes.”
Applications for the scholarships are available at the high school guidance offices or our web site, www.pracnj.com. You may also contact Mrs. Karen Richards, Program Coordinator at 856-299-5800 ext. 16 for more details.
Bishop McHugh
Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week through Friday, Feb. 5. There was a theme each day with several coordinating activities planned. Some of the themed days included Student Appreciation Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, and Grandparents’ Day. The week was a celebration and recognition of Catholic education. The week came to a close with Mass on Friday.
Cape May City Elementary
January was Career Education Month here at our school. We invited several owners and workers from local businesses to visit the classrooms.
Mr. Michael Clark, Branch Manager of Sturdy Bank in Cape May, and Ms. Meg Tornetta, Head of Marketing, came to speak with 1st and 3rd graders. They shared with the students their experiences and expertise in the banking world and explained how important a good education, especially having great math skills, is to having a career in banking and managing your money.
Michel Gras, owner and baker of La Patisserie in Cape May, talked with Mrs. Tarr’s kindergarten class about becoming a baker. Mr. Gras shared some fascinating stories with the children as he explained the fun and hard work involved in being a world-class baker in Cape May.
The children were amazed at how many wedding cakes he bakes each year.
Ms. Gail Wilsey talked with Mr. Eppenbach’s 4th grade class about the use of technology in real estate. Ms. Wilsey showed the students how effective technology has become in buying and selling homes. The students got a chance to go onto real estate websites and search for homes from all over the world.
Tricia Hendricks from Wilsey Realty spoke with 1st graders about the exciting process of buying and selling homes. She talked about how much fun and hard work it is to become a real estate agent. The students were very excited when they saw the sign that Mrs. Hendricks brought in to share. Most of them said that they’ve seen that sign around town many times.
Cape May County Technical High School
Fotios Tsarouhis, a senior at Cape May County Technical High School, placed second out of 3400 essays entered state wide in the Veterans of Foreign Wars “Voice of Democracy” essay contest for students grades 9 through 12. The award ceremony took place January 30 in Cherry Hill where he had the opportunity to meet the other 20 VFW District finalists prior to the judging.
Fotios was Cape May’s County District 17 Veterans of Foreign Wars and their Ladies Auxiliary winner sponsored by Townbank VFW Post 3725. His essay was judged against the sponsored essays from the other eight VFW posts in Cape May County and was selected a the best representation of this years theme which was “Does America Still Have Heroes?”
Fotios was awarded a $3000 college tuition aid, and plans to attend “Rutgers” after graduation.
Crest Memorial
Seventh-grade student Rocco Disilvestro and fourth-grade student Bobby Belansen were the winners of the 2010 Crest Memorial School Spelling Bee held on February 3rd at the school.
Disilvestro, who won the competition for sixth through eighth grades, will go on to compete in the countywide spelling bee, which will be held at The Richard Stockton College of NJ on March 13th. Belansen took top honors for the competition for third through fifth grades.
Second- and third-place winners for grades 6 to 8 were Joe Farmer and Jamie Ficke, respectively. Colin Hamlin won second-place and Dennis McAllister won third-place for grades 3 to 5. Winners received certificates of participation and trophies as awards.
Glenwood Avenue Elementary School
NBC 40’s meteorologist, Dan Skeldon, visited with Glenwood Avenue Elementary School’s third grade students on Monday, February 1. He spent some time teaching the students about extreme weather such as tornados, hurricanes and lightening storms.
Did you know that during Hurricane Gloria, Mr. Skeldon decided to become a meteorologist? It all began when a tree landed on his house! Mr. Skeldon also spoke about the many hours he works each day in order to be ready for his four-minute weather broadcast, and he shared some of the behind-the-scenes activities at the news center.
Students know that it takes education and an enormous amount of hard work to be a meteorologist on television. As the presentation ended, cheers rang out when the students learned that they would be on television during his nightly weather broadcast.
Lower Township
The students in Maud Abrams School are collecting Pennies for Haiti. The third and fourth graders are hoping to fill the five-gallon container to help out with the earthquake relief.
West Cape May Elementary
West Cape May Elementary School 2010 spelling bee winner is Mason M. Mason is a 5th grader in Mrs. Calabro’s class. He will compete in the Tri-County Press of Atlantic City spelling bee at Stockton College on March 13. Congratulations, Mason!
Compiled by: Jen Cambell
Send your school news, updates, and photos to jcampbell@cmcherald.com