On Monday, November 4, the Marlboro Middle School presented “The 8th Annual Power-Up Night” for all Marlboro Middle School Students and their parents. Marlboro Middle School students sent their parents “back-to-school” while experiencing career exploration activities/workshops. The night was free to all who attended and started at 5:30 p.m. with a pizza dinner provided by the Marlboro Middle School PTA. This year over 272 people attended this event.
This special night began with Debra Clinton, Marlboro Middle School’s Principal, welcoming parents and students. Next, teachers explained how the Marlboro Middle School was in the process of applying to become an Essential Elements Schools to Watch. This process allows the Marlboro Middle School to reflect on their programs and be recognized for what they do well and shed light on areas of improvement.
Parents were then invited to attend workshops from 6:15 - 8 p.m. which included topics such as: Strategies to Help Anxious Children, Intro to Sign Language, Project Lit Community Book Club, Math, How to Help Your Child in Math, Show Me The Resources! Safety and Cyber Security, Benefits of Learning Another Language,, The Teenage Brain, FCCLA 101, and Drugs in our Community. All this took place while their middle school children played Bingo and then participated in the career exploration workshop of their choice.
Chole Gaer, sixth-grade student, thoroughly enjoyed the evening. She said, “I had a lot of fun at Power-Up Night. I attended the culinary arts class. I learned a lot about owning a business. Teddy, owner of Brix, was really entertaining and informative. My mother really enjoyed the night as well.”
Gael Vega said, “ Power-Up Night was great. BINGO was fun. I attended Mr. Cantone and Meuser Engineering Class. I learned about air pressure and facts about air. It was so interesting.”
Career workshops included the Culinary Arts Program, Fashion and Interior Design, Digital Design & Advertising, Engineering & Computer Science, and Exercise and Sports Medicine. Students were able to experience what these careers would be like with hands-on demonstrations. Babysitting services were provided for children ages 4-10 by the National Honor Society students and Marlboro Middle School staff. Marlboro Middle School teachers, Heather Nikola and Kassia Messina organized the night with their colleagues and with help from Principal, Debra Clinton, Assistant Principal, Demian Stanmyer and Director of Curriculum for the Marlboro Central School District, Robin Hecht.
The Power-Up Night Committee would like to thank the following presenters for volunteering their time in making this event such a positive experience for parents and students: Marlboro Middle School Faculty: Lisa Cracolici, Tom Kulaga, Kathleen Keane, Sue Weiss, Candace Jordan, Nicole Wurster, Melissa Carbone, Raquel Piazza, Barbara Rounds, Thomas Tarchine, Megan Kalmes, Alicia Hudak, Chelsea Wolfert, AnneMarie Giacoia, Andrea Garitta, Kathy Arotta, Christie DeNatale, Connie Kane, Harrison Colandrea, Andrew Mayce, Travis Buley, Christine Kelly, Officer Fulton, Marlboro Central School District faculty: Robin Hecht, and John Marallo, Michael Brooks, community members: Teddy from Valley Diner and Brix, Officer Watt, Clayton Menser, Joe Wiles, Jim Kane, and MCSD Board Member, John Cantone. A special thank you to Mr. Michael Brooks Superintendent of Schools, and Board of Education Members; Joann Reed, Frank Milazzo, James Kuha, and Karen Brooks for attending.