The first-ever district-wide Montville Township Educational Foundation [MEF] grant was earmarked for STEAM. The $60,000 MEF contribution has provided a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics [STEAM] tools to Montville Township High School, Robert R. Lazar Middle School, and each of Montville Township Public Schools’ five elementary schools.
At each of the district’s elementary schools, state-of-the art audio/visual equipment has given rise to the creation or expansion of A/V Clubs. These clubs focus on both the technology behind the A/V equipment as well as enhancing and refining individual and group communications skills.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, the MTPS elementary schools incorporated both news and creative video coverage into the culture of each elementary building.
“We would like to thank the MEF for the equipment that has allowed us to do this,” said Cedar Hill Elementary School teacher and A/V Club Co-Advisor Lisa Accardi. “It’s been fun and it’s been a great educational addition to Cedar Hill School.”
Comprised of eleven 5th grade students and two advisors, the Cedar Hill A/V Club has developed a News program for Cedar Hill Elementary School.
“We cover everything from special events to fun stuff happening inside the classrooms,” Dennis Khalilov, one of the A/V Club members, explained during a Montville Township Board of Education meeting on April 16, 2024.
The Cedar Hill A/V Club students described for the Montville BOE how they use the MEF grant equipment. They described planning, filming, interviewing, and editing their projects. The club also screened a video they produced.
“This initiative has created excitement throughout the school,” noted teacher and Cedar Hill A/V Club Co-Advisor Maureen Moran. “We are frequently asked, ‘Is there News today?’”
At Hilldale Elementary School, the A/V equipment has documented the school’s special events.
“The MEF donation of the audio/visual equipment has allowed teachers and students to collaborate with each other,” A/V Club Advisor Gary Dedoussis said. “It has also allowed our school to capture all the amazing events we participated in. We look forward to incorporating it more for years to come!”
William Mason Elementary School has also used the A/V opportunity to document special events in the school year. The team’s May installment allowed for elementary students to interview Montville Township High School [MTHS] students. The MTHS students interviewed were all William Mason Elementary School alumni. The MTHS students shared their memories of William Mason with the elementary interviewers, and provided impressions of the school now that they are seven years beyond 5th grade.
“This was a very special opportunity for both the elementary students and the high school students,” the William Mason A/V Club Advisor Scott Brennan said.
Valley View Elementary School’s A/V Club produced six videos this year that centered on the schools character education curriculum. On May 21, 2024, the Valley View A/V Club members, who are 4th and 5th grade students, and the club’s advisors, made a presentation to the Montville BOE.
“Thank you to MEF,” said Valley View A/V Club Co-Advisor Samantha Ivins. “Thank you for providing this equipment which has allowed our students to dip their toes into news casting and learn more about the development of strong communications.”
“We have been learning about different aspects of creating news broadcasts,” Valley View fifth grade A/V Club member, Drea Lohninger, explained to the Montville BOE.
“Our efforts have made it possible to bring Valley View School’s latest happenings to our school and the public,” A/V Club member, fifth grade student Zoey Leibowitz added.
Woodmont Elementary School has a long history of video production. In the past 10 years the school has produced more than three dozen school-wide videos.
“This year our team was able to expand the scope of the production thanks to a district-wide grant by the MEF,” said Alyson Coppola, third grade teacher, A/V Club Advisor and Assistant Director of the school’s February video “Woodmont Willie”. “With the new video equipment it has been possible to create a video that features unique and intriguing storytelling from a variety of angles and perspectives.”
“The videos bring joy,” Principal Dominic Esposito said of Woodmont Elementary School’s tradition of sharing videos with the community. “They spark student creativity and emphasize team work. They build school spirit, and are a way for the Woodmont students and staff to give back to the community at large. The video productions also enhance our STEAM curriculum.”
The MEF grant brought new STEAM technologies to all seven Montville Township Public Schools. In addition to the introduction of state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment at each of the district’s five elementary schools, Montville Township High School received a Pen Lathe, Scroll Saw, Dovetail Jig, 3-D Printer, Photo Enlarger, Kiln, Film Camera, and a Master Forensics Kit from Kemtac Science., and Robert R. Lazar Middle School received Digital Drawing Tables, Color Accurate Display Monitors, ECA Science Kits, a Hovercam and an Epson Eco-Tank InkJet Printer.
The final cut of the A/V Club video productions for Cedar Hill, Hilldale, Valley View and William Mason Elementary Schools can be found at the Montville Township Public Schools YouTube Channel.
Woodmont Elementary School has been creating videos for over ten years. Their entire collection can be viewed at the Paws The Wildcat YouTube Channel.