Brielle School Board Celebrates Soccer Triumphs and Honors Outstanding Educator
- Meeting Overview:
The recent Brielle School Board meeting showcased the district’s pride in its students and educators, with significant recognitions for the boys’ soccer team’s achievements and a celebration for an educator nominated for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award. These highlights were accompanied by discussions on policies affecting grading and lunch budget controls.
The meeting’s most prominent moment was the recognition of the Brielle boys’ soccer team, which achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming three-time champions in the MCAL league. The superintendent addressed the audience, expressing immense pride in the team’s accomplishments, which have set an impressive precedent in the school’s history. The celebration highlighted the life lessons the players learned through the sport, such as teamwork and resilience, which are crucial both on and off the field.
Certificates of achievement were presented to the soccer team members, including notable players like Gavin Atnes, Robert Booth, and Russell Clayton. In total, 17 players were acknowledged for their contributions to a successful season. The team’s coach took the opportunity to reflect on the journey, expressing pride not only in their athletic prowess but also in their growth as individuals. He emphasized the importance of family support, encouraging the players to appreciate their parents, particularly their mothers. The coach highlighted the program’s value, which extends beyond soccer, focusing on developing respect and kindness among the players.
The coach shared anecdotes from his experiences with the team, noting their impressive statistics, such as 59 wins and only 2 losses over five years, along with multiple division championships. Key players, such as Decker Sites, the goalkeeper, and Braden Sabatello, were commended for their pivotal performances. The leadership qualities of Patrick Healey were also highlighted, underscoring his consistent contributions to the team’s success. The presentation concluded with a sense of celebration and gratitude for the values instilled through participation in the sport.
In addition to the soccer team’s achievements, the meeting celebrated Mrs. Prendergast’s nomination for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award. The nomination process involved input from the school community, and her dedication and effectiveness were highlighted as reasons for her recognition. Mrs. Prendergast, a reading interventionist and former first-grade teacher, has been with the school since 2003. Her commitment to fostering a love of reading among young learners and her individualized approach to lesson planning were praised. The presentation included a reserved parking spot for Mrs. Prendergast, a tangible acknowledgment of her impact. She expressed her gratitude, acknowledging the community’s role in her success.
The meeting also delved into policy discussions, particularly concerning advanced math grading. The curriculum committee is in the process of gathering information from other districts to inform potential adjustments. While no changes have been made yet, the need for a formal codification of the grading policy was emphasized. The board aims to establish a rationale that aligns with the district’s educational philosophy.
Further discussions centered on school lunch budget controls, with adjustments considered for the external information from the vendor. The current system allows parents to set spending limits for students’ lunches, but the practicality of manually entering these limits was questioned. The board plans to survey families to gauge interest in this feature, considering its potential impact on the lunch line process.
The meeting included an administrative report highlighting recent school activities, such as a successful holiday concert. Preparations for the 2026-2027 budget were also mentioned, with a mid-year review scheduled for early January.
Stacie Poelstra
School Board Officials:
Kurt Becker, Sarah McDevitt, David D’Ambrosio, Lisa Huch, Juliana Rieth, Tedd Vitale, Christin Walsh, Sean Wohltman, Kelly Baldino
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
12/17/2025
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Recording Published:
12/17/2025
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Duration:
46 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Monmouth County
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Towns:
Brielle
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