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District reports high student connectedness; staff outline steps to expand mentorship and engagement
Summary
Superintendents' staff presented metrics showing high participation in extracurricular activities and described next steps to expand mentorship, celebrate students and grow middle/high‑to‑elementary mentoring. Board members praised unusually high engagement rates.
Gloucester County Public Schools staff presented data Thursday showing high levels of student engagement across grade levels and outlined next steps to build mentorship and cross‑grade connections.
Dr. Stamm and Dr. Ford framed school connectedness as a key performance indicator under the division strategic plan. Staff reported that a large share of middle‑school students participate in one or more clubs, sports or activities, and that high‑school participation is even higher — figures the presenters characterized as “above typical” for comparable jurisdictions.
The presentation cataloged opportunities used to strengthen connections: performing arts (the meeting opened with a county‑wide choir performance), robotics and STEM competitions (Page Middle School), Key Club and Kiwanis partnerships, Renaissance and SCA activities, athletic teams, and extracurricular competitions. Dr. Ford emphasized cross‑grade mentorship programs — high‑school students visiting middle schools and hosting advisory activities — as a priority for expansion.
Board members repeatedly praised the participation metrics as unusually strong. Several members encouraged further expansion of mentorship and recognition programs and asked staff to reach elementary grades with cross‑grade activities where possible.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said the district will keep the metric as a strategic goal indicator and pursue next steps including expanding mentorship, continuing recognition events and extending high‑school‑to‑middle‑school mentorship into elementary grades.
