Jud Elementary students, teachers showcase projects and programs at board meeting

Jud Elementary School hosted the North Brunswick Township Board of Education on May 8, presenting a series of student and staff showcases that highlighted classroom projects, inclusion efforts and extracurricular programs.

Dr. Glover, speaking as the host, framed the evening around "the holistic development of our students," and introduced teams from kindergarten through fourth grade who displayed student work and short videos. Kindergarten teachers Fran Alvarez, Don Enler and Steph Marosa shared a video and described the measurable growth students show from September to June. "It's really rewarding and we love to see the growth of the children from September to June," Alvarez said.

First-grade teacher Shannon Myers described a nonfiction-writing unit in which students interviewed peers, used interview etiquette and produced individual non-fiction books; English-language learners received visual supports. Third-grade grade-level leader Joanna Campana presented a biography 'wax museum' where students researched a historical figure, wrote speeches and performed to teach peers about their chosen person.

Cross-grade teachers Kylie Ary and Christen Balone summarized April's autism-awareness activities, including a schoolwide bubble kickoff and a sensory-friendly family night. Fourth-grade teachers Stacy Al and Gwen Ken demonstrated a hands-on empathy activity that allowed students and visitors to experience sensory sensitivities (texture, smell, taste) to deepen understanding of autistic peers.

The school also highlighted student leadership and enrichment: the newly created safety patrol introduced student members and advisers; a student council summary noted over 180 food items collected for a Middlesex County drive; gifted-and-talented coordinator Ali Welch showcased cultural-game projects and third-grade enrichment; and second graders presented a Sandy Hook field trip tied to science units on states of matter and erosion.

Instrumental music teacher Megan Major gave a preview performance from the Advanced Orchestra and announced the school concert scheduled for Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the new middle school.

After the presentation portion, the board thanked school staff and attendees and proceeded to regular meeting business, including public-session procedures and consent-agenda votes.

The presentations emphasized student engagement, inclusive practices and curricular connections to real-world experiences; no formal board action was taken on the classroom items during the showcase portion of the meeting.