Same duration as that of the students and not less than 30 minutes. How do our kids get a reasonable contract for a 30-minute lunch with our school district? Do I need to convince my 9-year-old to get 500 kids to walk out of CLES? Should we get the high schoolers to walk out? Would we then suspend them or expel them because of the student discipline policy where it's now going to be a suspendable or expendable offense to walk out or sit in all over 10 minutes of lunch. This is where absurdity comes into play. This is why satire exists. It shouldn't be difficult to give our kids enough time to eat. 30 minutes on the schedule, 20 minutes in their seat so they can take a break so the 24% of our kids who may not get other food throughout the day can take all of the food that is coming to them, enjoy it, refresh, and get back to classes.
And I know we share services with the city. So I believe a new contract has been signed for next year so we can get things at a lower rate. Um we have our custodial Oh, sorry. Can you go up just a little bit? Let's see. Our custodial supplies were a little over because we start buying for next year. our supplies, cleaning supplies for during the school year when we clean up the school and do whatever else we have to do for them. Each of the schools, okay, we have our building improvements. Um, we also have one um can we go down to the enrollment impact and yeah, I think our building improvements are over here. We also have one time items in here. And let's see, our magnet school, we will not be budgeting in the uh general fund because we have the magnet school grant and um we're using those funds first.
If the game rigged, then I still [music] pivot. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, tell me who's going to rise and fall. I've been running from my flaws, [music] still I'm standing 10-ft tall. Mirror, mirror, don't you lie. I can see it [music] in my eyes. Truth going to surface every time, even when no Mirror, mirror, on the wall, tell me who's [music] going to rise and fall. I've been running from my flaws, still I'm standing 10-ft tall. Mirror, mirror, don't you lie. I can see it in my eyes. Truth going to surface every time, [music] even when They want captions, not scriptures. They want clout, not pictures. They want pain, and a filter. So I bleed through the pics like [music] scriptures. You can't cancel what's already broken. You can't mute what's been out spoken. I spit truth with a chip. I'mma show you how I chew my own tongue in a world getting colder.
Keep your device at chest level and do not obstruct the view of others. Do not stop or block the vacuum. Today's ceremony will be streamed live and will be available on the district's YouTube channel, so you can watch it whenever you want. At this time, please stand for the presentation of the colors by our Naval JROTC cadets . M. I would like to introduce Carlos Rz president. This fall he will be attending the University of California Berkley majoring in media studies.
Cruel, goofy. I I went ahead and went to all the staff and I asked, um I asked them about some things that they wanted to share about Marshall. And our probation officer, um Casey M shared that Marshall has matured tremendously. He keeps um his company positive. He's made an impressive amount of credits. He's mentioned that um he's been a really positive presence on campus. He immediately goes and grabs the basketball and plays basketball. Every break, every lunch, he's out there dunking and schooling the kids. Not schooling me, but the kids um on our campus every day. Our registar fawn said that North Ali has seen Marshall through many ups and downs since freshman year. He was there and then left and then now he's came back. Um but this year has been the most growth that she's seen in him as a student and as a person.
I've been witness to meaningful and also difficult conversations with students where Kevin provides guidance when they seem to be struggling to find their way and make positive decisions that will impact the rest of their lives. One student in particular shared, "I have never had a father or someone who has talked to me and encouraged me the way you have. Thank you." >> [clears throat] >> It is perhaps one of the most significant moments >> [clears throat] >> I've been a part of in my entire career and exemplifies Mr. McKay's determination to make a difference in all that he does. Please join me in thanking Kevin McKay for his service and congratulating him on his recognition today. >> Were you trying to get out of it by seeing in the back then? To the ceiling. Thank you. Hold that for the We're going to take a picture of you.
Keep up the great work, Hudson. Okay, now our kindergarten student of the month, Luna Spinelli. >> Congratulations, man. There you go. Luna is a determined learner who never gives up. She works so hard and keeps going even when it is tricky. She is a leader in our classroom and often speaks up for herself and her classmates. Luna is a wonderful example of both kindness and confidence in our classroom. Congratulations. Our first grade student of the month is Regina Andrew. Congratulations. Regina is a hard-working student who is always helping her classmates. She is super kind friend and always makes sure that everyone is included. Congratulations. Our second grade student of the month is Willow Hail. There you go. Congratulations. Another good handshake. Willow may not always be the loudest in the room, but she is truly an unsung hero in our classroom. She is a hard worker who always tries her best.
Whether adapting instruction, working alongside support staff, or finding creative ways to meet the individual needs of students, Miss Kirk has always led with empathy and determination. Her philosophy has always been simple and powerful. Let them sing if they enjoy it. The spirit of inclusion has become a part of her legacy. For many students, choir has been more than a class. It's become a home, a place where they're accepted, encouraged, and empowered. Her influence extends beyond students, beyond the students as well. Through initiatives like singing Scotties, she founded ways to bring the staff together, strengthen the sense of community through the district. She reminds us all that music has the power to connect people and create something greater than ourselves. As this year marks Miss Kirk's final year before her final year of retirement, it's especially meaningful that we honor her tonight. Her legacy will live on in every student whose confidence she's built, every voice she's helped strengthen, and every life she's touched in her dedication to education of the arts.
And with the career plans he grows up, we have another police officer in the making. Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> Thank you. >> And next up for Lafayette School, we have Miss Kenny. >> [applause] >> Miss Cahess is sorry she can't be here today. However, for our second grade student of the month, and I'm not sure if she's actually here, Daisy Reyes Sandoval. Is she here today? >> Daisy! >> [applause and cheering] >> Daisy's in second grade in Miss Zimmerman's class. She has two sisters and one brother. Her favorite favorite subject is ELA. Her favorite hobbies are playing soccer, and her career plans are taking care of animals. >> [applause] >> And our third grade student of the month is Hayler Bello Hernandez. He is in third grade in Miss Wars' class. He has one sibling, Thomas. His favorite school subject is math. His favorite hobbies are playing tag.
Walman, and Miss Baldino. Um, we talked about the NJSA, NJSLA testing which is now been completed um, successfully. Um it was a learning experience as the test was new but um they gave feedback to the state and you know anything that's new is is an adjustment. So all things said it went pretty well. Um the change to specials being offered for grades 6 to 8 um is underway. That's a go. So banning choir will be um offered now during the school day as an elective. Um the information has been rolled out to students and parents and parents are encouraged to fill out the survey um if they are a six to eight parent uh grade six to eight parent um to decide which class their their child will be enrolled in for next year. >> Question about that. >> Sure. >> Is that pre was Were we previously allowing younger younger grades to do chorus and band and now that's no longer >> Well, they will get some that they'll get that through their general music class and then as the year goes on fourth and fifth have an early introduction to the band.
Our afterchool program is going to look a little bit different next year. One thing uh that is going to be different is that we are going to be offering morning care. Morning care will start at 7:30 every morning in all of our elementary schools. And we will also um open up the morning care and after care to three and four year olds. something that we had not been doing this year. We want to welcome those families and those students into the morning care and afterare program. Um as well if you take a look at page five, page five, if we take a look at resolution number 23, we are appointing all of the staff for our extended school year and summer school program. Big thank you to Mrs. Calibri building uh principles and a few of our supervisors for helping out um with the scheduling of these classes and teachers.
This group in particular has been such a pleasure to work with both in fourth and fifth grade. There is so much talent in this group and I'm so excited to see all the great things that they're going to do next year and beyond. We're going to do a very quick transition to get our orchestra students on. So, if you could just bear with us one moment, we have a quick transition. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Next on our program tonight is Ann Jaws fifth grade orchestra. Our group meets every Wednesday and is made up of violins, violas, and cellos. This year we've improved a lot on our instruments and are really excited to share our hard work with you. The pieces we've chosen to play for you tonight are all very different, but interesting and exciting in their own way. >> [applause] [cheering] [applause] >> Samba is a lively style of music and dance from Brazil that is often played at parades and celebrations.
So, once again, welcome to our 8th grade promotion ceremony. >> [applause] >> Let us now turn to two students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and exemplary character throughout their time in Aho Elementary School. It is my honor to introduce the valedictorian of the class of 2030. Please welcome Ellaine Biong Gibara. >> [applause] >> Good evening, members of the board, administrators, and your sweet families, and your faculty, staff, friends, and classmates. If I had to tell myself one thing, it would be that I wouldn't have ever thought being a valedictorian. But, as my daddy, Mancho, says, with every day comes a challenge. You can either let the loss define you, or you can achieve glory. I believe all it takes is one step and we start a new story. And it's always been waiting for us. And if all my plan is to change to claim glory, just take aim on victory and challenge to go closer to not only our goals, but to our future.
I'm out of my pocket. Houston, we got a problem. I ain't perfect. Let them watch me elevating. Got the pilot in the [ __ ] diving in the house. Watch how I get a hit. Watch how I get a hit. Watch how I set it up. Bet you shut it down. Watch. I don't really want to come against the winner. Got a finger up on a line. I need to wrench. Yeah. Got to keep on moving no matter how hard it gets. Yeah. Better move out the way cuz I'm coming hard. My head is as hard as a brick, but I'm harder than all it is. You better move. You might get knocked out. Knock out. You better move. You might get knocked out. Knock out. Better move. You might get knocked out. Knock out. You better move. You might get knocked out. Knock out. Hey, hey, hey.
Before we begin, please join me in thanking the Greenway Band for their entertainment this evening. Tonight is the start of a future filled with endless possibilities for each graduate. This commencement is a culmination of four years of their hard work and dedication and is just the beginning of what is sure to be many more memorable moments. As we celebrate this milestone, please help us keep this ceremony one of dignity and memorable for all of our graduates. Thank you. And now, the moment you have all been waiting for. To enable all of our guests to see each graduate as they come in, we ask that you please remain seated for the processional. Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present to you the Greenway High School graduating class of 2026. >> [cheering] >> Heat. Heat. High Hallelujah. Happy birthday. Oh my god. Heat. Heat. What? Huh? Heat. Heat.
And I know [music] the wicked never rest. So I always try my best. But there's some lessons hard for me to learn. Like good boys don't play with bad girls. Good boys stay away from them bad girls. Them bad [music] girls. The good ones just can't get me high. So I be falling all my life for one of these bad girls. You bad girl, but you [music] do me so good. Cuz [music] my mother told me as a child, boy, don't play around with fire. You might just end up [music] getting burned. And I know it can never end. So I always try [music] my best. But there's some lessons hard for me to learn. Like good boys don't play with bad girls. Good boys stay away from them bad girls. Bad [music] girls. And good me. I be falling on my one of these bad girls.
Basically help raise on the floors. That's a person job. I'll make a motion. I'll second. All in favor? Aye. Carries 4-0. All right. Uh other old new business. Consider I got a couple things. Graduation Saturday. Uh 10:00 is when it starts. Um going to be there early for photo assistant all that good stuff. Uh school board election has to be the three. I think it's Johnny, Susie, and Chris. I have to file by June 19th. Was that when the date was? Yeah. June 19th. I was out there the other day, the other day. And of course while I was out there, they were on lunch. >> Yeah. And other thing is the June 18th meeting. Uh going to need to move that. I will be in Florida on the 18th. Uh I'd like to go to the 25th if at all possible. I'll be back on the 19th, possibly the 20th.
Give you a moment or two. No? Okay. Well, thank you. I appreciate that. Uh we'll start with old business. Uh we don't have any scheduled appointments for tonight. Uh so, let's discuss the the May 19th, 2026 town election. Bring that up. Thank you. Appreciate it. Sure. Okay. Sure. Thank you. Um so, I'm just looking at the official election results which were posted to our website today. >> [music] >> Um just as we look at the total number of votes, we had 2,914 um votes voters come out and that's out of a total of 13,163 registered voters in Ashland. The percentage of um that voted was 22.14%. Um and looking down the list of those that um ran and were elected. For select board, Claudia Bennett um was reelected for another 3 years. For the um Board of Assessors, David Rosenblum was elected. For School Committee, Chantal Corcoran is a new member for for School Committee.
So runner in scoring position with one out here for Westwood. That was a second baseman. Beerman with the play. Now Brooke Benjer will bat. 273 on the season. She's driven home 12 runs. She'll be at second base today for Westwood. The first pitch is a strike. Great. >> Nice to get that first one across there. If we can stay ahead of the count, that's going to be critical for us today, I think. appeared like she had a little bit of trouble with the release on that first batter. >> Yeah, couple balls rolled in there as that one is low. Good stop behind the play by Vendetti. It's a ball and a strike. >> Well, if Nico can get in the groove here and start throwing strikes, I think it's going to be a totally different ball game for her. And she may have had a little rust that had to get off too in the in that first battle.
Again, Rebecca Kriegsman headed off to Bates and Taylor Kotch and Quinn Herder are both headed off to Syracuse University. So, impressive schools as well for these three. Very impressive schools.