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Wednesday , January 24 , 2024

by Dan Russoman

GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — The newest class of Hammonton High School Hall of Famers was celebrated on January 21 , as 10 individuals and three teams were inducted as the Class of 2023 .

Brian Castone , William Castone , Lou Corgliano , Nick Crescenzo , Jane Donio- Enscoe , Anthony Guerere , Pete Lancetta , Jeff Longo , Greg Parker and Gary Sarno were inducted for their achievements as athletes , coaches and supporters of Hammonton athletics .

Along with those individuals , the 1997 girls soccer team , 2009 football squad and 2012 baseball team were all enshrined in the Hall of Fame .

“ We ’ re overwhelmed with the turnout today to help us honor our new class of Hall of Famers ,” Hammonton athletic

by Craig Richards , Dan Russoman , Mohammed Fuad

GAZETTE STAFF

HAMMONTON — Hammonton Town Council opened the Jan . 22 meeting with a presentation that spoke to the “ heart and soul ” of Hammonton . A $ 100,000 grant served to inform Hammontonians of what they already know — Hammonton is a great place to live . Hammonton Heart and Soul was

by Mohammed Fuad GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

See HOF , Page 2 fortunate enough to receive a grant that allowed the organization to conduct research to develop the principles that define Hammonton . The presentation during the council meeting expounded on the data collected over months of research .

The council showed their appreciation in ordering a plaque with the 10 values Heart and Soul defined , a plaque that will be displayed in city hall . Heart and Soul will next begin a

See COUNCIL , Page 12

HAMMONTON — Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel was sworn in as president of the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Organization ( ACCPO ) during the ACCPO reorganization meeting on Jan . 17 . Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos was sworn in as vice president .

Officers of the ACCPO are elected to two-year terms . The ACCPO meet in all different municipalities as each municipality take turns hosting meet-

See FRIEL , Page 10

Courtesy Photo

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel ( left ) was sworn in as president of the Atlantic County Chiefs of Police Organization on Jan . 17 .

New members of the Hammonton High School Hall of Fame celebrate their induction at the end of a ceremony held on Jan . 21 .

by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Board of Education approved several finance items during the meeting on Jan . 18 at the Samuel A . Donio Memorial Library .

Some of the finance resolutions include to “ ratify the purchase order lists for November and December 2023 and January 2024 in the amount of $ 541,275.26 ”, “ approve the bill list for January 2024 in the amount of $ 880,052.44 ”, “ ratify the check lists for November and December 2023 in the amount of $ 1,320,603.07 ”, “ ratify the December 2023 payroll in the amount of $ 4,001,423.85 ” and “ approve a contract with Dynamic TINT for the installation of security film and windows / doors in all four schools in the amount of $ 28,975 based on lowest quote .”

Board President John Lyons called the meeting to order and six board members , the Folsom representative and one student representative were present at the Samuel A . Donio Memorial Library . The three board members , Thomas Attanasi , Barbara Berenato and Kelli Fallon and Waterford Representative Roe Hunter were absent .

After roll call and the flag salute , Early Childhood Education Center ( ECEC ) Principal Dr . Darla Salay gave a presentation .

Salay discussed the 3-year-old preschool program that was started this school year . The class is being taught by Amanda Oliva , who is in her eighth year teaching preschool at ECEC .

“ Opening this classroom was actually the next step in our overall preschool expansion efforts , which we began two years ago of January 2022 . That ’ s when we expanded our 4-year-old program from a two-and-ahalf-hour program to a full-day program . With a longer day , we can now better prepare students for kindergarten , and we can

Dan Russoman / THG

cover the curriculum in more depth ,” Salay said .

According to Salay , the 4-year-old students are now having daily STEM ( science , technology , engineering and math ) classes . In one lesson , they learn how tornados form by creating one in a bottle .

Preschool students are also receiving self-management and social skills lessons , which include lessons on how to manage disappointment , how to manage anger and how to play fair .

“ The next step for our preschool program is of course to bring together our preschool students from kindergarten and first grade in our new wing that ’ s being added onto the ECEC ,” Salay said .

The preschool wing is currently under construction .

After Salay ’ s presentation , students from the theater club at the Early Childhood Education Center performed in front of the school board . They danced to songs “ I Just Can ’ t Wait to be King ” from The Lion King and “ Un Poco Loco ” from Coco .

Next , board solicitor William Donio congratulated fifth grader Dominic Cushinotto , who was one of the winners of the Cooper Levenson holiday card contest .

During the superintendent report , Superintendent of Schools Robin Chieco discussed the difficult decision to open or close the schools during snow days .

“ I will always err on the side of caution to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff ,” Chieco said .

When it was time for committee reports , board member Kelly Donio discussed the 10-point grading scale versus the sevenpoint grading scale .

“ I ’ ve noticed in news more schools that seem to be going to the 10-point system , and I just wonder why they ’ re choosing to do that because I do think some parents feel like it could be easier to understand ,”

See BOE , Page 8