A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the announcement that both West Essex Middle School and High School were invited to receive an award for becoming a “No Place for Hate” school. The district is looking forward to participating in the Banner recognition ceremony, set to take place in New York City on May 22nd. This accomplishment reflects the district’s ongoing efforts to improve the school environment and promote a culture of respect and inclusion among students and staff.

The board also discussed the partnership with the School Culture and Climate Initiative at St. Elizabeth University. This collaboration includes conducting surveys to assess and enhance the school atmosphere, which is foundational to student well-being and success. The results of these surveys are expected to be presented at a subsequent board meeting, to evaluate progress and identify areas for continued improvement.

Furthermore, the board celebrated the achievements of students recognized at the Essex County unsung hero awards. This event honors students who make a positive impact on their school and community through non-academic contributions. The board members expressed their appreciation for the event and the importance of acknowledging students who excel in making a difference beyond academic pursuits.

The meeting also included a report on the upcoming “Take Your Child to Work Day” on April 25th. This event is anticipated to provide meaningful interactions between students and teachers, as well as a glimpse into the professional world for students. In addition, the student report highlighted recent and upcoming activities, including the National Honor Society ceremony, academic achievement and induction day, prom, and decision day, along with the success of the school’s media day for spring sports.

A presentation by a student involved in an independent study in journalism focused on political messaging, objectivity, and story selection in the media. The student’s research aimed to explore the interest in political journalism and media literacy ahead of the presidential election. The importance of avoiding bias in media consumption was emphasized, with the student providing resources on the topic to the school community and citing Timothy E. Cook’s book “Governing in the News” as part of the discussion on objectivity in journalism.

Another student presented their research on making independent study more accessible to students not enrolled in the AP Capstone program. Interviews with AP research students revealed that such programs empower students to take ownership of their education and aid them in other classes and extracurricular activities. It was hypothesized that independent research could mitigate student apathy and broaden academic success views.

Notable activities included project-based and performance-based assessments, social-emotional learning in the curriculum, and various cultural celebrations and field trips. The department’s initiatives were illustrated by an alum’s testimonial, which praised the program for building critical thinking skills and providing a strong foundation for further education.

Miss Josephine Soluchi, a junior accounting major and West Essex alum, shared how the Italian program prepared her for college-level Italian. She expressed gratitude for her Italian teacher and the strong foundation she received, highlighting the program’s impact on her college experience.