Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hazlet students describe buddy program and report $18,500 fundraising for heart charity
Summary
Fourth graders and middle-school buddies described a year-old 'Best Buddies' partnership and community service activities; the district also reported the Road Runners raised about $18,500 for the American Heart Association and had high participation in hands-only CPR training.
Students and administrators at a Hazlet Township Board of Education meeting highlighted a student-to-student “Best Buddies” partnership and a large fundraising achievement by one elementary school.
At the March meeting Mrs. Egan, the school principal, introduced fourth graders who described the Roadrunner/Hurricane Best Buddies program, a partnership started in fall 2024 with a Hazlet middle-school class. "It's basically a collaborative environment for us all to learn together," Mrs. Grabski said as students outlined visits, joint novel studies and shared projects.
Fourth graders recounted community-service activities including Operation Cookie Drop, saying they baked more than 900 cookies to send to service members. Aurora, a fourth-grade student, told the board the classes "read Family Under the Bridge" and held a French celebration after the book study.
The superintendent read an email from James Schumanker, a district physical education teacher, reporting that the Road Runners set a school record by raising $18,500 during the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge and ranked near the top statewide for student completion of a hands-only CPR mission. The superintendent said the accomplishment reflected strong community effort.
Administrators said the buddy program helps middle-school students serve as role models and supports acceptance for peers with atypical needs. The board applauded the students and expressed interest in expanding similar partnerships to other classes.
The section of the meeting devoted to these student presentations concluded with board members and staff thanking the students and educators for the program and fundraising work.
