Today is a special day and one we are excited to celebrate together. This ceremony is both a joyous and solemn occasion. Please let us remember to be courteous to those around us. We need to be respectful through our seniors during the ceremony. So, no air horns or noise makers. Please remain seated while filming or taking photos. And remember to keep recording devices at chest level to not impede the visions of others seated around you. Please keep the aisle or walkways open throughout the ceremony. Today's ceremony is being live streamed and will remain on the district's YouTube channel to view at your convenience. It is so great that we can all be here together to celebrate the class of 2026. Without further ado, let us begin.
Good morning of 2026. Good morning, class of 2026. moment. I'm sure we have all watched this exact moment playing out in different movies such as in the third movie of High School Musical in the newest season of Stranger Things. But after a long four years, we have made it. You have all worked hard for this accomplishment and I want you to know that your classmates, your family up on the bleachers and even your relative who's currently running late are all proud of you. Today marks the end of an important chapter in our lives, but the beginning of a new one. I want you all to remember. Think of all the friendships you went through, the homework you turned late, the tears you shed, and the times you laughed until your stomach was hurting. These past four years have shaped you into the person you are today and despite the hardships, you managed to get through them.
The teachers in the schools see the kids almost more than the parents do. And the teachers have to have the highest sense of morality and ethics to make sure that the kids receive a proper impartial education. And it's very unfortunate that I had to file this. I don't like doing it. I'd rather be at home with my son right now. This district has done very brave decisions in the last three or four years. Even in the in the face of great public opposition, this board has done very good things, moral, ethical things, and the right thing. Even before I filed my complaint, um I heard it's possible this teacher may or may not return to the district. They may or may not be even in the state in the near future. That's irrelevant. That is irrelevant. The record must show the teachers performance while he was attached to this district.
Stephanie makes every important decision with her heart. Some students are often with us for just a few days after having a difficult week, but she speaks to them as though she has been part of their lives for years. Her compassion for others, especially during their most vulnerable and challenging moments, is truly humbling and inspires me to bring that same level of care to every interaction I have each day. It never ceases to amaze me when she tells me her experiences with students and families in her previous roles in Chico Unified and those experiences have provided her the opportunity to be the best office manager in the business. Her work ethic serves her well and I'm so very grateful to call her in my boss. The Aldine family loves you, Stephanie, and everybody please join me in saying thank you and congratulations to Stephanie Bullock. >> [clears throat] >> That's obvious.
She is kind, hardworking, and always willing to lend a hand, a helping hand to both her peers and teachers. In her quiet way, Janelle demonstrates a respect for learning and has clear goals and aspirations for her future. She is thoughtful, sensitive, and genuinely cares about the people around her. Janelle also brightens our days with her sweet gestures, and she never leaves for the weekend without offering a hug, a small act that speaks volumes about her character. We are so proud to recognize Janelle and all that she brings to our school community at DVD. Congratulations to Janelle. And last but not least, our eighth grade student of the month is Jiad Champion. The eighth grade team is proud to nominate Jiad Champion for student of the month. Jiad is an enthus enthusiastic learner who consistently works hard. Jiad continuously demonstrates good character and what it means to be a good friend.
He understands that supporting students requires teamwork, flexibility, and heart. He is the kind of person college trusts completely and students feel comfortable around. Mr. Zach, we thank you for your dedication, your reliability, and your compassion, as well as your countless ways that you support others. Your commitments to the students and staff represent the best of educational service. Congratulations on being named the governor's education service professional of the year for Bord High School. This is welld deserved as well. Okay, at this time we're going to call Mr. Spray, principal, please. Um, thank you. Uh congratulations to all of our teacher of the year and educational services special of the year. Um been a board in town for my whole career. It's it's uh Dr. Al couldn't say any better. It's the staff that makes this place go the culture that we have and uh how much people just genuinely care across the district.
>> [applause] [applause] >> And last but not least, we have Miss Mrs. Larson for our high school. >> [applause] >> Good evening. I would like to recognize our first student of the month, Ava Puga. Ava has two sisters. >> [applause] >> Her favorite subject in school is geometry. Her favorite hobby is volleyball. And her career plans when she um finishes high school is to go become an OBGYN. >> [applause] >> Mom and Dad, you want to come up? >> [laughter] [applause] >> Our next Crusader of the month is Arnal Munoz. Arnal has one sibling, Alexander. His favorite subject in school is phys ed. His favorite hobby is listening to music. And his future career plans is he's considering becoming a lawyer. >> [applause] >> Here comes Mom. >> [applause] >> Our last two students of the month cannot be with us. They both had to work tonight, but we would like to recognize Brody Alair.
Um it is something that uh we are keeping top of mind and want to have an active priority in short order. Um so we we talked about had a couple of strategic approaches for its development. Um the administration has surveyed staff on current tool usage and plans to continue to do so. We also know that Manisquan has passed a district policy largely in line with the the outline that Strauss SMA provided um in terms of you know academic standards and uh uh code of conduct and all those types of things. But we also think that this is an interesting time to understand how forwardleading districts are embracing and and considering the technology throughout the state and elsewhere. Um and so the recommendation is to have an advisory committee formed in the fall um to guide the continuous updates and adjustments to our operational AI policy.
Uh, Steve Fogerty is with um one of the, I would say, most recognizable, well-known, and respected law firms dealing with educational law in all of New Jersey. He's been instrumental in helping each of us um navigate difficult challenges. Um and Steve is uh officially or unofficially uh retiring, but we wanted to thank him for the work that he has done for the Cliffside Park Board of Education as well as many other districts across New Jersey. So, we do have an official resolution thanking him for his 20 plus years of service to this district. and page number 26. So page number 26, this was another resolution um that we added and this one is focusing on the healthcare crisis and the financial crisis that we're seeing across the state. New Jersey school boards reached out to all districts and all counties and they want to urge the government in New Jersey to make this more of a priority.
Um before I hand over the microphone to Mrs. Davidson and we get going with the choral portion of tonight's program. Um, there are so many important people I need to thank who make uh, the arts so alive and well in Ewing. Um, first I'd like to thank our building administration, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Maleki, Ms. Rodriguez, our office and custodial staff as well as our district staff, uh, Dr. Gentile, Dr. Bogus, uh, Mr. Miss Lynn who's here tonight, um, and our entire Board of Education who's able to keep these awesome programs running for these students. I also want to give a big shout out to Mrs. Brindle and Ms. Vento. They had an awesome display of art out front. So, if you didn't get a chance to take a look at that, please get a chance to do so. I need to thank our fourth and fifth grade teachers, um, for not only being so flexible and accommodating, but also so supportive of these students.
Without your dedication, you would not have been able to reach this point. This guidance and support is very much appreciated. I would also like to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to my family. Thank you to my parents for encouraging my creativity and supporting me in everything I do. I would like to thank my mom not only for writing this speech, but for showering my love of learning and encouraging me to seek knowledge both inside and outside of school. I would like to thank my dad for teaching me that any possible word is achievable. >> [screaming] >> For giving the greatest solutions to our problems, for being brave, and for picking me up on the way to school when I was upset. If not for him, there would have been many things where I would have done it in the school and they would have done it for me.
But if high school has taught me anything, it's that no matter where you're going, it's a drive that shouldn't be alone. We are here today not only because of our motivation and our dedication, but because of those who were with us along the way. Those who guided us when we felt lost, those who encouraged us when the road got difficult, and even those who just made the ride just a little bit better. I've learned if you want to go fast, you go alone. But if you want to go far, you go with others. And I know some of you are looking at me like, "What's with the driving analogies?" He doesn't even have his license. And it's true. I'm a certified passenger princess. But if there's something that everyone else will tell you when you walk outside today, it's that it's not about where you start.
Additionally, you'll notice a number of students walking across the stage with special medallions. These medals represent their achievements on the ACT, earning a composite score of a 21 or higher, which is significantly higher than the state average. Students, I commend your achievements. Whether that's being ranked in the top 10%, wearing an ACT medal, earning an art seal, joining the military, or earning a famous gold jeep for being part of a varsity sport for three seasons. This class is incredible and have earned $15 million and counting in scholarships and grants. [applause] And with that, that brings us to our first speaker this evening. Please join me in welcoming Miss Chelsea Brand. [cheering] >> [applause] >> Hello families, guests, and graduates. My name is Chelsea Bran, and I'm so honored to be speaking here today. I want to begin with one of my favorite songs, Let It Happen by Tam Paula.
>> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Yeah, heat. >> [music] >> Hey. [music] Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. [music] Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. >> [music] >> Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. I want it. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. [music] Heat. Heat. [music] Come on. >> [music] >> Hey, [music] hey, hey. [music] Hey, hey, hey. [music] Hey. [music] Hey. Hey. >> [music] [music] >> Hey, [music] hey, hey. >> [music] [music] >> Welcome to forever, man. Let's go. It's forever. No surrender. No surrender. Yeah. You know that this right here forever. [music] And there will be no surrender. Now allow me to reintroduce myself. They call me J O N to the E. Know that we undefeated. Y beneath them speeds trying to air quad. Better check the air for clearing quarter tower. This is our clear.
We're not sure if I've gone over there and looked at it. To see how if those panels could come out and it would be a job to get those panels out because they're they're painted and there are screws that hold them metal ones or if it was metal water screws that were painted so you probably have to remove them. Do you know if the building was ever divided? Was there electric to that? For some reason it looked like there would be. They What is it? I cannot remember. Just the way it looks. It looks like it would have light bulbs on it. It would be under there. It would be underground in the jam part of the building. I bet they did too. I can't remember if there was if that sign was lit or if there were spotlights on it. For some reason I remember it being lit but I don't know if it was.
So thank you to everybody. >> [snorts] >> It was a little stifling for sure. Brandy? Yeah, sure. Yeah, I just want to you know, thank everyone that came out and voted. I wanted to thank um you know, anybody that voted for me and even those that didn't that you came out and voted regardless. Um you know, it is what a democracy is about is coming out to vote. Just to echo a little bit of what Paul said we um we're really good community a real strong community and while we worked on behalf of the school override um it's not without understanding the consequences and the challenges it might make for some community members but ultimately you know, I think I still believe that it was the best path forward that it is um better for the community going forward in terms of never having or not having to ask in a couple of years for a larger amount that it would be more it would harder on people than than it than it is right now.
>> Especially that runner on first. You don't want to make a mistake in a free pass as that strike three got her looking >> and that is a two strikeout first inning for Nico. Well pitched >> and and you know the the risk of getting that intentional walk uh by coach Sasso pays off. They give the free pass with first base occupied and two outs uh to one of the best hitters on the Westwood team. And Nico answers the challenge by getting her second strike out of the game. And and she looks pretty good for a kid who hasn't pitched a whole lot of innings right now. >> Yeah, really impressive. That change up uh to get a swing and a miss earlier in the inning was a very nice pitch. And like you said, if she gets that working, we could have a very good outing on the mound depending, you know, how long she does pitch.
We hope to get the invitation out by the end of the week. So, that way we could begin our first committee meeting in June. So, that's where we are there. Great opportunity to see the talented artists at Wiskaneer last night at the art show. It was beautiful. They they lit up the hallways and I'm just so amazed, you know, all the way from the art show at the elementary level to the middle school level and just the fine arts that our students produce. I draw stick figures. They draw some very elaborate things and I'm impressed. Spring concert last night at Brookfield High School. Again, outstanding performance. Really just bringing everything together. Again, seeing it from the elementary, middle to the high school, you understand why we are a music program that gets the accolades that it does because we have extraordinary professionals and teachers you know, working with our kids, but then very talented students who you can tell put in the work to make it all come together.
>> Okay. looking under um I'm not sure what page it is, but the the uh other purchase services broken out the 102 line. Um what line is it here? Uh 5560. >> Okay, >> there. Yeah, right there. Tuition sped private. Yeah, >> we were we were about 975,000 over our our balance in um in February from February. >> Again, there must be a delay in invoices coming through. >> Yeah, I I can certainly follow up with Kelly to find out what that one was, but you know, we get tuition bills at different time periods. Um it could be a new placement and a new tuition bill. It could be related to um services already performed but build. So there could be a variety of different things that have made it jump up. But I do know that they are seeing a little bit of a of a tick.
At this time, I would like to invite Hannah Tran to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. Please remain standing for the pledge of allegiance. Please place your right hand over your heart. Ready? Begin.