Welcome Back

Mr. Frank Vanalesti CSA

“A BEACON SCHOOL DISTRICT”

Dear Parents, Guardians and members of the Ocean Gate community:

We not only welcome you back if you have been a part of the Ocean Gate School family before, but we also bid you a warm welcome you if it’s the first year that you have children in our school or the first time you visit our internet web site.  Whether you are a newcomer or returning family, we have always known that the Ocean Gate School is the best and that we have something very special here. But now, The United States Secretary of Education also knows we are special because on September 10, 2010 we received the official announcement from Secretary Arne Duncan that our little Ocean Gate Elementary School has been awarded the highest honor in the land.  We are what is known as a “Blue Ribbon School”.  That means we stand in the top 1% in our nation.  We are all a part of an historic event in Ocean Gate, in Ocean County, in the state of New Jersey and in our nation.

So as we begin the 2010-2011 school-year, I would like to start by offering an appropriate theme for our small school district and then also, If you would indulge me, assign some homework to everyone. First, I believe we can honestly call ourselves a “Beacon School”.  We have much to be proud of as we have had many accomplishments throughout the last several years.  Last year, the work that was done by everyone, resulted in our being designated as a “High Performing School District”, under the state of New Jersey’s NJQSAC monitoring system. On June 11, 2010, The Ocean Gate Elementary School was also recognized by the New Jersey Department of Education who nominated us for our “Achievements in Education” and as a “Blue Ribbon School”, under the nations No Child Left Behind Act. Our Board of Education, administration, teachers, staff, parents, and especially our students have collectively worked very hard to accomplish this acclaim and everyone deserves big congratulations for their concerted effort.

The term “Beacon” is defined in Webster’s Dictionary as “A signal device emitting light and guidance” but also as “A source of guidance and inspiration”.  Pride in our school continues to be a bastion in Ocean Gate, but while we continue to work hard with our instructional and administrative practices, we must also never forget the reason for our existence.  It is the children that are the most important commodity for the future of our world, our town, our schools and our families.

These days, money seems to be the main focus of our voters and our politicians.  But I have often said that it’s not just about us… “It’s all about the kids.” Therefore, I would ask that we consider this: Research proves that students learn best when their academic, emotional, physical, and social needs are met. For each learner to be successful, we know that what works is for children to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged. In the Ocean Gate Elementary School, because of our size, we have more of an opportunity to be child-centered and focus on the child’s individual needs, which we often demonstrate. In our classrooms, our kids not only develop cognitively, but also socially and emotionally. These are all learning processes that must be dealt with at home and in school. This year I am urging the staff and teachers to focus on signaling to our students that we are the light of guidance and a safe harbor for them in every word we speak, every lesson we teach and in our own actions. That we remember that our kids must ALL be engaged and challenged at whatever level we can reach them.  Not that we haven’t done so, but a reminder and renewal can’t hurt at all. Parents, I ask that you focus on supporting your school and your child’s teachers in every way you can.  This does not only have to be financially.  It can be giving an extra effort with homework, reading with your children and volunteering at school. We must also remember that kids must have good health and nutrition in order to be prepared to learn. I’m also asking our paraprofessionals and custodians to focus on safety and security. Every person, whether it is at home or in school, has a job to do and to make sure every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged so that they may learn.  This is how we have become a Beacon Blue Ribbon School. And parents, I have said it before.  The single most important thing you can do for the education of your children is to GET INVOLVED!

Shouldn’t educating children also be a focus of our governing bodies?  Anyone who does not sincerely place learning and education at the forefront of their agenda but chooses to focuses mainly on money is way off base and does not have an enlightened vision for the future. One cannot be gluttonous when it comes to the needs of children and their education. Isn’t it time to put students first, align our state and national resources to students' multiple needs, and to advocate for a more balanced approach to education? When will we experience sincerity in Trenton instead of attacks on our teachers and our great schools? There is a National initiative growing for everyone to consider that I urge you to support.  It’s called “The Whole Child”.

It is with a strong belief that we are a great school and that we can all come together to build a stronger and more prepared learner that I entitle our school a Beacon School district. After all, we know we are a special school, in a very special place. Let us remember that we must all be a Beacon… a source of guidance and inspiration to our students. So I urge you to remember that, although we are a great school we can always strive to do better. Our children deserve it. Our future demands it.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the talented and dedicated members of our staff and administration, The Board of Education, our community leaders, and our wonderful parents for your continued support.  So in the year ahead, we must continue to focus on each child.  I am certain that 2010-2011 will be a great school-year for your children as we all face it together and with great pride…pride in the past, pride in the present and pride in what’s to come.  Have a GREAT and successful year.