Dennis Township Roving Reporter

DENNIS—There will be an actual contest for seats on the Dennis Township School Board this election. Jamie VanArtsdalen and Dr. James Manlandro announced their candidacy on Sept. 23.
VanArtsdalen, running for one of a trio of three-year seats in a field that includes three incumbents, is a teacher in Atlantic City. The Belleplain resident has a daughter who will be entering Dennis schools in the near future.
“We don’t have any teachers on the school board and I think that is an important perspective to bring to the table,” says VanArtsdalen, who holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Rowan University. “I understand how school policies can impact the classroom and will use that understanding to ensure our children receive the best education with the resources we have.”
Her running mate, Dr. Manlandro, is a longtime township resident. He is running for a one year, unexpired seat in a contested election. He served as the school’s physician for over 20 years.
“Many school board decisions need public discussion allowing residents to bring up issues and concerns the board can respond to,” he said. “Having an open and honest conversation about these decisions will go a long way to helping the public feel their tax dollars are being spent carefully and wisely.”
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Dennisville Historic Homeowners Association is combining its next meeting on Oct. 12 with a field trip to the Bayshore Center at Bivalve (near Port Norris). Tours of the facility will be given by Dennisville resident Rachel Dolhanczyk. And if there’s time, perhaps they will stop off for a bowl of oyster chowder at the Oyster Cracker Café.
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Dennis Township students in grades 4-6 recently enjoyed a musical visit with two members of the Ocean City Pops.
Percussionist Mike O’Kain and pianist Jeff Uhlig performed for almost 200 students in a grant funded, “music in schools” program hosted by the school’s music teacher, Marcia Dunlap.
“The Ocean City Pops assembly is one of my favorites each year,” Dunlap said. “Students, especially the ones beginning to learn an instrument, interact with professionals who are masters of their craft.”
A little Liszt and a few grains of Gershwin were part of the magic formula to make for a memorable experience for Dennis Township students.