On February 12, 2013 Middletown High School North was visited by two esteemed guests, the superintendent of Middletown Townships schools, Dr. William O. George, as well as the recently reelected Mayor of Middletown, Gerry Scharfenberger.
Dr. George, a regular at Middletown High school North, often hosts town-hall-style question-and-answer sessions with students. During this transitional year for North, with the adoption of block scheduling and school dysfunction from Hurricane Sandy, these Q&A sessions have given students a medium for expression.
Students at North had an expanded medium of expression with the addition of Scharfenberger. The mayor, a man with children in the Middletown schools and a college professor himself, connected many of his responses to his own experiences and self investment towards success in education.
The Middletown North Library/Media Center, the forum for this discussion was filled with Members of the North administration, teachers, and Students. During the 3rd block, or transitional period during the school day, the entire school had the opportunity to attend the event.
Individual students as well as student clubs and organizations were represented in the audience. The TV production Club, Newspaper, Model United Nations, and Environmental Club dominated the discussion. Students focused on a myriad of community matters, beginning the discussion asking the mayor directly, “What does my municipal government do for me?” Mayor Scharfenberger responded by discussing economic development and the infrastructure of Middletown. Moreover, with many Middletown North students unemployed, the mayor continually reiterated his talking points of growth and positive development in the Middletown Township throughout the discussion.
The Superintendent of Schools Dr. George faced questions concerning specific curriculum, concerns from many students. Issues such as mental health, and technology in the classroom constituted the majority of Dr. George’s presentation. These issues are vital to North, composed concerns on the health of the student body through basic instructions on how to deal with stress, and how to practice healthy relationships. Dr. George also spoke heavily on technology in the classroom, pledging significant funds to improve internet speeds, computer software, computer maintenance, and to bring tablets to the classroom.
The Environmental Club offered solutions to not only make Middletown Public Schools greener and more energy efficient, but also the entire township. From improved recycling bins and sorting to water collection systems, the Environmental Club offered impressive solutions to deal with the problems faced by both the township and school district. Both Dr. George and Mayor Scharfenberger were eager to discuss the Environmental Club’s initiatives.
Mayor Scharfenberger, an advocate for environment protection, was passionate speaking about recycling initiatives, and ways to improve and modernize the town’s infrastructure. He expressed great enthusiasm towards the Environmental Club’s reach beyond the confines of Middletown High School North.
The discussion closed with excitement over the 350th year anniversary of Middletown Township in 2014. There was back and forth with administrators, faculty, students and Dr. George and Mayor Scharfenberger, over ways to celebrate in schools and in the community. Many students were excited to have these distinguished guests come to Middletown North.
Hopefully, forums such as this will occur again in the future and on a regular basis, providing Middletown High School North’s students a necessary outlet for community discussion and outreach.