CMS Celebrates Kindness With Annual Event

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Second graders, teachers, the school community and all whose lives were touched were smiling under their masks on March 25, during the Chester M. Stephens Kindness Celebration.

Held every year for the past dozen years, the CMS Kindness Tour is just that…one-of-a-kind. This was the 13th year for the elementary school’s traditional event. Due to COVID 19, the tour was held virtually for the second year in a row.

Near or far, virtual or in-person, kindness is the key element that is embraced, taught, learned and carried on every year with the CMS Kindness "Tour,” this year renamed as a celebration.

“The theme of kindness launches our school year and finishes our school year,” says CMS Second Grade Teacher Ann M. Scotland, founder and organizer of the CMS Kindness Tour. “We look for it and celebrate it every single day. Sometimes we see it in each other, stories we read, and or at home. That’s why we wanted to celebrate it… as it turns out it is a key ingredient daily. The children understand that it makes a huge difference in all that we do.”

This year the tour was held earlier in the school calendar, on March 25, explains Scotland, just to make sure there was enough time to celebrate.   

“Field trips are not permitted at this time due to the pandemic,” she says. “A good chunk of children were back in school. You never know when that could change. Now was the time.”

All five second grade classes at CMS participated in the celebration, she says. About 63 students were in person and the rest shared in it virtually. The event took up the entire school day. 

This year’s celebration involved Kindness t-shirts, serenading, butterfly magnet clips, heart shaped pretzels, fundraiser for children in Uganda, outreach to homeless people in New York City, money and canned goods for the food pantry, positive messages displayed and kindness bags to neighbors.       

Celebration Breakdown 

“All the kids were given shirts that they voted on,” explains Scotland. “The shirts said: “Plant Kindness/ Gather Love… with the image of a tree on it. In the center of the tree was a heart. They all got one… whether they participated from home or in school. These were gifted to us by the NJEA.”

A kindness pledge was shared during school announcements: “I pledge to myself, on this very day, to try to be kind, in every way, to every person, big or small, I will help them, if they fall. When I love myself, and others, too, that is the best, that I can do!”

First graders were also included under the second graders wing.

“Second graders made butterfly magnet clips for their first-grade friends in their school wing “Buddy Boulevard,” explains Scotland. “They were clipped on a board that said: ‘Soar High With Kindness, Love a flutter of second grade friends.’ Our students wanted to encourage their younger peers to live their best “ME” by incorporating kindness in their day.”

Songs Spread Kindness. 

“Our music teacher Mr. Christopher King taught the children the song “You Got a Friend In Me” from Toy Story,” says Scotland. “He took a few 2nd grade classes at a time down the hallways of our school singing Christmas Carol Style. Classrooms had their doors open so they could hear the friendly reminder that we need to stick together and support one another. K-5th grade was offered this encouragement with the message and melody presented outside their classroom door.

“After returning to class we had individually wrapped heart shape pretzels from Philly Pretzel Factory in Hackettstown,” what a kind gesture.

Students at CMS stretched their wings of kindness to help their peers in Uganda, a country in East-Central Africa. They helped raise money for Love +One International, an organization that provides medical care to critically ill children in Uganda.

“After learning about the program for children in Uganda, the students were invited to bring in $1,” says Scotland. “We collected $182.80. They then made helping hands to send to the organization with our money raised.” The students had explored slides weeks prior to the celebration to learn about needs of children in Uganda.

They learned that $10 can provide rice for five children for one week; $25 pays for one medical visit and treatment; $50 pays school fees and requirements for one child, for one term; $100 provides food for one family for a month.

Feeding The Hungry

CMS students reached a little closer to home by supporting a local food pantry and homeless in N.Y., as they have done in previous Kindness Tours.

“After lunch students watched a video about a group known as “The Midnight Run;” they bring clothing and food to the homeless in NYC every two weeks,” explains Scotland. “After learning about this mission, the children decorated lunch bags with encouraging messages and illustrations. These bags will be given to the Midnight Run crew to place meals in.

“We also continued with the message: Plant a seed of kindness and watch it grow. All month we had a “garden.” Kids would plant canned goods in it. These goods will be donated to the Food Pantry at Trinity Church that supports Mt. Olive and other surrounding towns. We also gave a $300 Shoprite gift card using grant money towards this endeavor.”

Pictures Breed Kindness 

“Thankfully it was a beautiful day outside,” says Scotland. “We were able to go outside with sidewalk chalk and create heartwarming messages with pictures and our words for kids to see when leaving for home on the buses.”

For fun and learning, students played Kindness Bingo, featuring a bingo board that “highlighted individuals that spread positivity in our world (past and present/ Nonfiction/Fiction).” Individuals included noteworthy figures such as Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, service men and women, scientists, Ruby Bridges, Harriet Tubman, President Abraham Lincoln, Jackie Robinson, President George Washington, police officers and more.

Sharing With Neighbors

“Every child went home with a Kindness Bag to distribute to a neighbor,” says Scotland. “At the start of the week, the children filled it with our garden themed supplies…Tissue flowers, seeds & note, butterfly garden decoration, a decorated rock with words of wisdom, rainbows and a challenge card. Neighbors are challenged to keep the kindness going.”

Neighbors were given goodies, asked to refill the bag or create their own act of kindness, share with another neighbor, place a rainbow in their window or a yard sign to encourage kindness.

By Cheryl Conway   

Not all members are on board for the preliminary budget introduced at the last Mt. Olive Board of Education meeting.

Two actually jumped off the spending track that carries a $203 annual increase in school taxes for the average property in Mt. Olive. 

The BOE voted 7-2 to approve the 2021-2022 tentative budget at the March 22 meeting held at the Mt. Olive Middle School in Budd Lake. Board members Dr. Antoine Gayles and Elizabeth Ouimet voted against the $104.6 million total base spending package.

The total operating budget for 2020-2021, generated on April 29, 2020, was $93.6 million.   

More than 40 people, mostly parents, attended the meeting that ran more than four hours. Hot topics taken away from the evening included the budget; vandalism report; curriculum updates that steer more students to engage in AP courses with less offerings at the honors’ level; and request for more transparency on personnel agenda items so BOE members can be informed on what they are voting on.

The BOE meeting can be viewed in its entirety by going to  https://www.youtube.com/MtOliveTelevision

The last meeting was held on the evening that all students returned to school for a traditional day with social distancing after a year-long pandemic disrupted normal operations within the Mt. Olive School District.

“Things went swimmingly today,” says Mt. Olive Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Zywicki at the beginning of his report.  “It was great to see our kids back in school today.”  He shared the optimism of one Chester M. Stephen’s Elementary student who said: “Everything is better when I’m back at school with all my friends.”

Zywicki continued his report by introducing the proposed 2021-2022 Mt. Olive School District budget. He mentions the six goals that drive the budget for the district’s strategic plan.

Last year the district switched to Zero Based Budgeting which requires the reconstruction of the budget every year.

It is a “tremendous amount of work to reconstitute the budget every year,” says Zywicki. Work on the spending package begins in November, with meetings through February by the budget committee. In March, the district receives information from the state on funding. The preliminary budget then goes to the Morris County Executive Superintendent for approval.

On Monday April 26, a public hearing will be held to discuss the proposed budget. 

Budget Details

The proposed budget carries a Total Base of $104,568,998. That breaks down to a General Fund of $98,077,195; Special Revenue Fund: $2,066,403; Debt Service Fund: $4,515,400. The proposed 2021-2022 budget results in a General Fund tax levy of $71,382,059 (inclusive of an enrollment adjustment of $638,308) and a Debt Service tax levy of $3,993,145.

According to Zywicki, the school tax levy increase would be 2.92 percent. He explains the increase is from 44 additional students that moved into Mt. Olive School District last year.

“People are being drawn to Mt. Olive leading to an increase in costs,” he says.

He also shares that 80 percent of the budget’s operating costs is related to personnel; zero increase in health benefits.

State aid increased to $3.9 million but the district receives just 72 percent
“of what we are supposed to be funded at,” he says.

Pleased with the proposed package, Zywicki says “credit goes to this board who for all these years made decisions and was really good with their tax dollars and put forth this fantastic product despite the fact that we’ve not been funded fully with state aid in the past 20 years.”

The proposed school budget carries a tax increase of $12.74 per month, or 2.3 percent, for the average homeowner, says Zywicki. The price for the average home in Mt. Olive has increased by $2,000, he adds.

In 2020, the average assessed value for a home in Mt. Olive was $320,800; in 2021, the average home is now $322,000. This translates to a jump in the annual school tax rate of $7,234.04, for the averaged assessed home, in 2020 to $7,437.32 in 2021.  

What Drives The Budget?

“Big ticket items” in the budget has been a priority on safety in the past, says Zywicki. 

This year, the MOSD is reloading on curriculum, new technology, new pedagogies, and new learning spaces, he explains.

New curriculum materials and textbooks will cost $1.2 million; K-8 science program; K-5 social studies program; K-5 writing workshop; new bus lease of $248K; and new Chromebooks for K-5 totaling $71K.

Some additional personnel positions are being created. A new $55K position for a Dean of Students to manage the extended school year of the Mt. Olive Success Academy will be added. Instead of depending on site managers and the stipends allocated to them, the Dean of Students will be in charge of administrating those programs before and after hours, explains Zywicki.

Other new positions included a Mt. Olive Middle School guidance counselor of $65K; a new computer science teacher for $65K; three special education positions totaling $194K; K-12 Music and Performing Arts Department chair for $10K; and two building and grounds positions for $124K.    

Concerns

Some board members are opposed to the increased tax levy in the proposed school spending package. 

“We are coming out of a pandemic and our community is still recovering,” says BOE Member Dr. Antoine Gayles. “Our residents, who knows what their financial situation is? With nearly four million dollars in additional state aid, why are we using bank cap for a third year in a row as opposed to budgeting within our needs?” 

Zywicki responds by saying “I would suggest it is within our means because we are educating the students so otherwise we’d have to then cut other areas of the budget to have to make up for that amount. Those students are here and there are more students moving in.”   

He explains that although there is an increase in state aid, that just covers the fixed cost of contracts that have been negotiated by the BOE, particularly the teachers’ contracts, so there is not extra money from the state aid. In addition, he says last year the school district did not receive a full allotment of the state aid and therefore postponed capital projects.

“So last year we forwent a whole bunch of things because of the decrease in state aid; so that marginal adjustment aid is because we have more kids moving into the district and we are serving them,” says Zywicki.

“And we need 11 new positions?” questions Gayles. “We need them? We have to have them or we will not survive? We need department chairs? We need a new one; we need all of this to justify an increase in levy to parents?”

Zywicki responds, “That was the recommendation and was supported by committee. If you want to maintain; three years ago this district was ranked 90, 88 [in the state]. We are now ranked number 31 and we are providing tremendous services to the students. Could we survive without those positions? Yes, but then you lose things like Mt. Olive Success Academy; going to lose the Aspire Program. It’s going to be services that kids are now experiencing. We would lose those services, so surely we can go back and do that but parents are not going to be getting the same product that they are receiving now or better.”

BOE Member Liz Ouimet says that if there is an increase in computer science and social studies courses then there is usually a decrease in something else.

“What is there a decrease in since students are going for the computer science and social studies?” asks Ouimet. “Usually in the past we always did readjust,” she says, because of the worry about teachers affected as there would not be as many sections to cover.

“I’m not comfortable especially with the increase,” says Ouimet. “There’s many people without jobs; there’s people at the food pantry and we’re increasing. I think a better lens should’ve been used to look at this.”

Zywicki says “We can run an analysis to see where they are coming from. There’s more of a shift to computer sciences. The kids are enrolling in these programs. They are not taking as many study halls.”

Ouimet questions the $10K stipends to music and performing arts. “Aren’t their stipends already there?”

Zywicki responds that the $10K stipends cover the “robust level of our award winning music and performing arts programs,” and to take on extra administrative duties such as scheduling, running the totality of the program like going to Carnegie Hall, evaluations.     

As far as the $71K in Chromebooks for students in grades K-5, Ouimet questions whether the teachers are getting the best equipment.

Zywicki specifies how teachers in different departments get different technology to meet their needs. The desktops that were used in the art, photography and music departments at the high school have been replaced with Mac computers, he says, “to enhance the experience of the students.”

BOE Member Christopher Zeier questions the staffing of two new Buildings and Grounds positions totaling $124K.

“I also have a problem in the tax levy as well,” says Zeier. “How much are we spending in overtime now?”

Zywicki explains that overtime costs in maintaining the high school dome, alone, has resulted in $40K to $60K a year.

MOSD Business Administrator Gail Libby clarifies that one of the those positions is for an HVAC position to avoid hiring outside vendors to take care of HVAC issues in the district.  

Despite the criticisms, BOE President Dr. Anthony Giordano is pleased with the proposed package.

His one inquiry is whether the Mt. Olive Middle School principal and vice principal can get their salaries bumped to 12 months verses the 10 months they receive, in lieu of the stipends they get during the summer months.

Ouimet asks what the additional duties would be of these two administrators during the two summer months.

Besides that, the budget gets a thumbs up by Giordano.

“It’s not easy,” he admits. “Great job” by the budget committee, central office administrators. Each year it’s tough. We are extremely mindful of tax dollars we are spending; why Mt. Olive creates such a great product.”

As a 14-year BOE member, Giordano says “It used to be embarrassing,” in 2001-2006, with “nightmare stories,” rooms they used to teach in for special education classes, lack of materials. “At one point, K-5 schools had next to nothing curriculum; it was kind of all over the place.

“Over the years, this board has made an effort to extend that tax dollar,” says Giordano. “Unfortunately, this system to fund education is archaic; it’s on the back of property tax owners. We are mindful of tax dollars but we also want to present the best product, the most efficient and thorough product that we can.”

Anxious to get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise after a long cold, snowy winter?

Mt. Olive is home to six trails, stretching about 12 miles in total throughout the area of Flanders and Budd Lake. Naturalist David Alexander, a volunteer member of the Mt. Olive Open Space Committee, presented a free virtual presentation on Wednesday, March 10, at 7 p.m., via Zoom.  

Many residents probably know about the paved walkways at the area parks, but many are not familiar with all the different trails, usage and distinguished characteristics. The Mt. Olive Democrats hosted the event to educate the community about all of Mt. Olive’s wonderful trails and natural areas.  

“Many residents use the trails for recreation, nature exploration, exercise, dog walking but many residents aren't aware of where they start and end,” says Alexander. “The trails are now written up with an interactive map and promoted on the township recreation website:” https://www.mountolivetwpnj.org/recreation-department/pages/trails

“Because our trails are municipal and not state parks and they don't have charismatic summits they don't get written up in guidebooks or put on top ten lists,” says Alexander. “They are shorter trails and of great value within our community especially as more and more areas get built out.  Hiking has grown exponentially in popularity due to the restrictions COVID put on organized gatherings, more and more people are grateful for the local opportunities and fresh air.”

Involved in the Mt. Olive Open Space Committee for six years, Alexanders says he moved to town because of the area and its offerings.

Enthused by nature, Alexander has taken great interest in the trails that run through Mt. Olive.

“I'm a naturalist and nature enthusiast and care about our town, both the people and the land,” says Alexander, who has lived here since 2014. “Having access to nature is important for recreation, exercise, mental health and education opportunities. Also, the open space is valuable for the ecosystem services it provides in terms of clean air and water and storm-water storage. The open space provides wildlife habitat for species biodiversity and also helps to maintain and even increase property values as people flock out of the city in search of more suburban and rural neighborhoods.”

About 45 people attended his presentation about the trails on March 10.

He says trail goers can access the interactive trails on their cell phone. They can click on the various icons to learn about the trails and even use GPS to navigate their way.

“I'm a trail user myself so that makes it easier to monitor and be a steward of them,” says Alexander. “I've recorded GPS of the trails and made an interactive Google map so you can explore the trail routes at home or along the way on a smartphone.

“I've worked with many scouts to organize clean-ups, trail work and projects to better these areas and make the access more inviting and accessible for a broader audience of trail users,” he adds.  “I'd say that I'm also just one team member and took the opportunity to promote lots of work done before I ever joined the committee. So many of these trails are in areas that someone else stood up for and made the effort to protect for the benefit of our residents.” 

Hop On A Trail 

In Mt. Olive there are “Six trails with the White Trail being the longest going from Rt. 46 behind Adam's Bagels to the High School and then around Maiers Pond behind Turkey Brook.”

The trails extend approximately 12 miles, he says.

The trails include: White Trail, Maires Pond, Orange Trail, Budd Lake Vista Trail, Silver Springs Trail and Morris Canal Greenway.

Living near other towns with trails also provides longer stretches for exploration and exercise.

“Some towns have great trails like Byram, Chester and Long Valley and the volunteer committees often communicate to create connectivity that improves the quality of trails for all,” says Alexander. “Hikers are enjoying the physical features of the natural landscape geographically and not necessarily based on any municipal property line.”

As a naturalist, Alexander can identify different species and amphibians found on these trails.

At Maires Pond, he says there are fish and beavers, as well as some invasive water with chestnut “that’s choking out the water way.”

He talks about Budd Lake, a pond “only 12 feet deep” with algae blooms. Jersey fish such as northern pike, yellow perch and white perch is found in Budd Lake and it has attracted ice fishing.

“I’ve eaten yellow perch out of Budd Lake and I’m doing ok,” says Alexander.

On the Budd Lake Vista Trail, Alexander says visitors will find some old cars. He says there is a “car graveyard out there.” He suggests the entranceway would be a good project for the Boy Scouts to clean up.

The entrance to the Silver Springs Trail begins by Matt’s Glass off Route 206 in Flanders. It was there that Alexander found a Box turtle.