Students at Arbor Intermediate School met their “new favorite Olympic athlete” when Olympic trailblazer and medalist Gail Marquis made an inspiring visit on Tuesday, March 10. Ms. Marquis was a member of the 1976 women’s basketball team that won the silver medal – the first time that women’s basketball was included in the Olympics – and participated in the Olympic torch relay for the 1996 Atlanta Games. She shared her inspiring journey – from standout basketball player to successful businesswoman and education leader – while encouraging 4th and 5th graders to pursue their goals with determination. Thanks to 4th-grade teacher Neal Bennington for arranging the visit, which fit in perfectly with our district’s celebration of Women’s History Month. Ms. Marquis spoke during two assemblies about the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and managing emotions both on and off the court. 

Congratulations to all the students whose work was selected for this year’s Permanent Art Collection. A student from each K-8 school and several from Piscataway High School were celebrated on Thursday, March 12, along with their families, in a ceremony in the newly renovated Piscataway High School Media Center. The event displaying their beautiful artwork was hosted by Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts Rebekah Sterlacci and attended by the Board of Education, Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and district administration, and the students’ principals and art teachers. “It was so joyful to celebrate our student artists with our community and to engage with our students’ storytelling through art!” Ms. Sterlacci said. “Thank you to our art educators for all of their work with our student artists.”

Congratulations to Piscataway High School wrestling for an outstanding showing at the NJSIAA State Tournament in Atlantic City. Senior Jane Rodrigues became the first Piscataway girl to reach the podium at the States when she took 8th place in the 120-pound weight class. She was still able to finish on the podium even after sustaining a shoulder injury. On the boys side, Sean Love finished 3rd in the 157-pound weight class. Along the way, he avenged a loss he sustained in the Regional Tournament by beating the champion from Region 5. He is just the 10th wrestler in Piscataway history to place in the Top 3 at the State Tournament. Congratulations to head coach Dan Smith and his staff for reaching some team milestones at the tournament the weekend of March 14. This was the first time since 2012 that Piscataway had more than one placer on the podium at States, and the first time the current coaching staff had two wrestlers on the podium in the same year. Sean is the highest placer this coaching staff has ever had.

Congratulations to the Piscataway High School “Empty Cups” event for raising $1,900 to help feed the hungry of Middlesex County. The event on Saturday, March 14, was organized by PHS ceramics teacher Mary Wartenburg. Cups designed and created by her students were sold along with hot beverages to raise money for Feeding Middlesex County. About 40 community members and families attended the event to purchase handcrafted cups, enjoy a hot beverage, and participate in interactive art activities. A team of about 115 ceramics and sculpture and National Art Honor Society students and supportive friends and family volunteered to operate the event, including coffee and snack stations, student artwork sales, and interactive art activities.