The meeting commenced with an overview of the Winslow Township Public Schools’ self-assessment for compliance with the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. A detailed presentation highlighted the evaluation process, which involved each school assessing its anti-bullying policies and implementation. Scores varied among different core elements, with high marks on training regarding board-approved policies. Discussion ensued about the variability in scores, attributed to staff changes and differing levels of community involvement. The board unanimously approved the self-assessment report, which will be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Education.

Public comments brought to light concerns over peanut allergies within the schools. Tiffany Guy, a parent, expressed frustration over her daughter Navy Fisher’s frequent absences due to exposure to peanut butter in her classroom. Guy urged the board to implement a peanut-free classroom policy. Her concerns were echoed by Navy’s grandmother, Franchella Simmons, who questioned the absence of a comprehensive ban on peanut products. The board acknowledged the issue, explaining that while they respect parental choices regarding children’s lunches, they do not currently enforce a peanut-free policy. They assured the public that the matter had been elevated to higher administrative levels.

The Citizens Advisory Committee proposed a grandparents program aimed at involving grandparents as aides in preschool settings to ease children’s transition into school life. However, concerns about administrative hurdles, such as necessary background checks for volunteers, were raised. The committee also discussed action plans resulting from a climate survey conducted the previous year. Calls for increased transparency and public updates on these plans were made, with suggestions for follow-up assessments to evaluate their effectiveness. Superintendent Dr. H. Poteat acknowledged the value of these recommendations while highlighting the administrative nature of these responsibilities.

The board also covered a variety of extracurricular achievements. The Winslow football team was celebrated for its ranking as fourth in the state with an undefeated 8-0 record. The athletic committee requested an academic performance report on fall sports to ensure that sports positively impact students’ academic achievements. The Winslow marching band was lauded for securing third place in a recent competition, and the cheerleading squad’s high participation numbers were noted.

Further discussions touched on a proposal to underwrite expenses for a student trip to explore cinema careers, scheduled for March 2025. Ms. Peterson suggested that the administration begin preparations, with formal approval to be sought later. The meeting concluded with a report on a voter registration initiative that registered over 100 students as voters and poll workers, emphasizing civic engagement and collaboration with the Camden County Board of Elections.