At the Board of Education meeting last Night, there were multiple presentations made during the Board meeting. The Burlington County Student Spotlight recipients were recognized by Senator Jean Stanfield who presented a Proclamation from the NJ Senate to BCSSSD student Jaxon Keefer and another on behalf of Assemblyman Michael Torrissi Jr., a Proclamation from the NJ Legislature to BCIT student Audrey Lehman.  Congratulations.

The second presentation was from BCIT West Principal Joseph Venuto who presented a certificate of appreciation to the Board which was awarded to Dr. Nagy, Mr. Venuto and the BCIT West Staff and Culinary Students from the Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan and State Board of Education President Kathy Goldenberg on May 17, 2023 at an NJDOE awards ceremony hosted at BCIT West. THE NJDOE and all in attendance were so impressed with BCIT, the students, staff and particularly what the culinary students were able to prepare and present.

The third presentation was made by Security Director Veldon Harris to honor the Security Leads of the Year, namely, William Dutch Braun at BCIT West and Quincy Hendryx at BCSSSD West and Officer of the Year Award to Darlene Colquitt at BCIT Medford. The awards recognize the important work of our security team in both districts. Pictured in all three pictures are

Director of Security, Veldon Harris and Assistant Director of Security, Domenick DiLeo presented:

Security Officer of the Year to Darlene Colquitt, BCIT Medford

Co-Security LEAD of the Year William “Dutch” Braun, Security Command Center at BCIT West

Co-Security LEAD of the Year Quincy Hendryx, BCSSSD Westampton

BCIT’s Fashion Design program led by teacher Kyra Baider has been engaged in a project to make Angel Gown pockets at the request of Angel Gown representative Jean Lee to honor the deceased babies at birth or shortly thereafter in the delivery rooms. These pockets the BCIT made will be distributed among the hospitals in New Jersey. It was an incredible presentation.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate and thank our student BoE representatives whose last meeting is tonight and we will have others serve for the next school year. In this the inaugural year of having students on the Board we could have been prouder to have you represent your fellow classmates and to be a voice for them. Our perspectives have been enriched as a result. We wish you Favour Oyelade and Jaxon Keefer the very best. 

On behalf of the Board, Dr. Nagy acknowledged all those on the agenda who announced their retirements. We thank each and every one of you and wish you good health and happiness in your next endeavors.

Dr. Nagy referred to the calendar for the next school year. Though approved back in January 2023, a clarification to the calendar was provided regarding the early start for all staff which will take place the last week of August. That Friday, September 1, 2023 will be a day where only 12 month employees on respective campuses report to get ready for the first day of students who arrive the following week.

This year, the reorganization meeting will take place on July 6, 2023 at 9am.

The Board approved the Board and District goals for both Districts. Dr. Nagy thanked the the Board, administration and the staff who provided input.

The Board approved a number of Statements of Assurances as per requirements.

The Board approved the Assistant Superintendent contracts and Business Administrator as well as the Board Self-evaluation and completion of superintendent evaluation.

Among other approvals, the Board approved a job description update for the BCSSSD Assistant Principal position, a shared service agreement between BCIT and BCSSSD as well as resolutions for generation services.

A school-based behavioral threat assessment and management training program has been signed into legislation by Governor Murphy.  The purpose of a threat assessment team is to provide school teachers, administrators, and other staff with assistance in identifying students with behaviors of concerns, assessing those students’ risk for engaging in violence or other harmful activities, and delivering intervention strategies to manage the risk of harm for students who pose a potential safety risk. Veldon Harris, Director of Safety has put together a Threat Assessment Team on each campus and these individuals will be invited to attend a training course within the next few months.  The Board approved the Threat Assessment Team participants and their trainings.

Dr. Nagy thanked all those administrators and staff who made it possible to honor our staff during Teacher Appreciation Week. The various acts of kindness and words of appreciation went a long way to say “Thank you for a job well done.”

This past week, the County Governor’s Educator of the Year Awards program took place at the Westin in Mt. Laurel. Many of our campus staff honorees were present to receive their award at the catered breakfast. This was the first time in three years since the pandemic that this event returned to in-person. Congratulations to all awardees.

As we look to the end of the school year, please find a schedule of the Graduations for BCSSSD and BCIT:

·      BCSSSD 8^th Grade Graduation Ceremony: Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:30 am Burlington County Amphitheater

·      BCSSSD Daycare Ceremony: Monday, June 12, 2023 at 10:00 am BCSSSD Media Center

·      BCSSSD Preschool Ceremony: Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:00 am BCSSSD Media Center

·      BCSSSD Westampton and Lumberton Graduation: Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 10:00 am at BCIT Westampton campus.

·      BCAS Graduation Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 4:00 pm at BCIT Westampton.  

·      BCIT Westampton Graduation: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 5:00 pm

·      BCIT Medford Graduation: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm

In addition to the report by our student representative Jaxon, Dr. Nagy wanted highlight a few additional items for the past month.

He congratulated our Custodial/Maintenance collective bargaining unit which just settled with the Board of Education the agreement of which is on the Board agenda for approval.

We anticipate that the playground construction should be done by sometime in August. We are also looking at the completion of HVAC upgrades during the summer.

The work-based learning program on Transitions now has 22 students who are in paid placements and who have earned $76k so far this year compared to $48k last year. In our community-based Instruction (CBI) program where students are unpaid, we have 43 students involved placed with 14 business partners. This is exceptional news.  Congratulations to all involved.

As a follow-up to the AAC presentation to the Board and subsequent proposals to furnish appropriate equipment to support the program, we are proud to announce that 40 Ipads and carrying cases were purchased and the new Eye Gaze system will enhance student engagement and success. We are grateful to the Board for their support.

As we approach the long weekend for Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, Dr. Nagy noted at the Board meeting for all visit this blog which encourages all to pause and think about the impact made by our servicemen and women who have given up their lives to protect our freedoms we enjoy today as well as a shout out to those in the armed services and reserves. As we look back at the year, he encouraged all to take the 30 Day Gratitude Challenge.

Dr. Nagy noted that we have much to be thankful for, but sometimes we do not stop to consider how much we have – it provides a shift in thinking toward a more positive outlook. He wished all a Happy Memorial Day.

As we prepare for the approach of the Memorial Day weekend and the last leg of the school year, I am reminded of the words written by author and journalist, Tamra Bolton, "This is the day we pay homage to all those who didn’t come home.  This is not Veterans Day, it’s not a celebration, it is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom". 

I would like to take a moment of our time to reflect on Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, which honors the men and women who have died while serving in the military. We thank those on our staff who served or who are serving in the armed forces in the reserve and we remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. 

When looking back to the start of the school year, we have much to be grateful for and for how much we have accomplished and grown throughout the year.  On behalf of the Board and Administration, I thank our parents, guardians and students for their dedication, support and confidence in us to bring our very best each and every day to lead, guide, nurture and inspire.

As we anticipate the end of the school year, I leave you with a 30 Day Gratitude Challenge to complete one phrase each day.  If you have time during the summer, I recommend Shawn Achor’s book, “The Orange Frog”, because an attitude of gratitude creates blessings.