Children are learning very important lesson

I am in my sixth year on the Board of Education. I wanted to serve because it would give me the opportunity to continue to create an atmosphere where children could develop into good citizens, responsible adults and parents.

Every time I walk through the halls of a school in the Man-alapan-Englishtown Regional School District, I see this happening and it makes me feel contented and proud of what is happening. We are fortunate to have fine teachers, administrators and supervisors who are helping to make this to happen. I take my hat off to them.

Something else is happening in the district that makes me feel like a proud grandfather. Children are learning something that is not a state requirement. It is admirable that the students are learning the importance of helping others. This year the children of Clark Mills School, under the guidance of Principal Stephanie Kuhns and the help of the teachers, have collected 156,000 grocery coupons to send to overseas commissaries.

The PTA was gracious to pack these coupons in 18 boxes and mail them. This will enable the military families to save money when they buy groceries. Many military families are using food stamps because of their meager pay.

Last year, children at Milford Brook School collected 130,000 grocery coupons that I sent to 10 commissaries overseas. I am sure that this year Milford Brook will equal or surpass this record.

Other schools in the district are also joining in collection efforts. It will be great if we can send grocery coupons to 60 overseas commissaries to help military families.

The district’s schools have also collected food and sent food baskets to needy families in the district. It is a very important lesson that children need to learn about helping others and getting joy from that action.

Martin I. Spindel

board member

Manalapan-Englishtown

Regional School District

Board of Education

Manalapan