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Board honors preschool program and two Blackwood second-graders who started 'friendship club'
Summary
The board recognized the district’s preschool program and presented certificates to two Blackwood Elementary second-graders who formed a 'friendship club' to include peers during recess; assistant superintendent Tim Trowe and teacher Miss Horan described the program and students' work.
Gloucester Township Public Schools used part of its board meeting to recognize early-childhood programming and two second-grade students credited with improving inclusion at Blackwood Elementary.
Assistant Superintendent Tim Trowe told the board he was proud to highlight preschool programming and called the evening’s recognition a highlight. Preschool supervisor Nicole Petrangelo described routines that support self-regulation and social-emotional learning and said kindergarten teachers notice the preparation preschoolers bring to early elementary classrooms.
Miss Horan introduced Gabriela and Cassidy and said the two second-graders formed a "friendship club" six weeks into the school year after noticing some peers had no one to play with at recess. "The mission of the friendship club is simple but powerful. Everyone is included," she said, outlining the club rules and the students’ posters and efforts to expand inclusion across grades K–5.
The board paused business for photographs and presented certificates to the students. Several board members later praised the preschool program and the student-led friendship club during board comments.
No board action was required for the recognition; staff said a short recess allowed for photos and the board then returned to executive session to complete closed items.
