Now, Maria is marching toward fulfilling her ultimate goal: becoming a licensed attorney.   

The Bound Brook School District is excited to launch a new spotlight series on our talented alumni, who have excelled and broken barriers to become professionals in their field of studies.  

Get to know more about Maria: 

What is your career/college path?   

My current role is at Horizon BCBS as a Paralegal in the Government Programs Legal Department. I obtained my Associates in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from Raritan Valley Community College. Through my educational and practical experience, I was able to receive an offer of employment. This is particularly exciting for me, as I am currently enrolled at Rutgers in the Bloustein Public Policy program and wanted to find a career within the healthcare industry. 

How did Bound Brook prepare you for your future?   

Bound Brook is so diverse that it allowed me to be confident with my own diversity. As a Costa Rican native, I always felt like I fit in with my peers. 

Did any teachers or staff mentor you along that path?   

I love world languages, so naturally, my language class was my favorite class. I would like to recognize Mr. Abd for always making French class fun and interactive. To this day, I still practice my French and look for moments to connect with the culture. 

What was your most memorable moment at Bound Brook?   

I have many fond memories at the school, one of my favorites would have to be the Girls Senior v. Juniors flag football game. It was intense but fun, and of course my Senior class won that year! 

What advice would you give Bound Brook students looking to enter that career?  

My advice would be to take some legal classes at Raritan Valley and see if anything strikes your interest. The legal classes at RV are taught by attorneys who have ample experience in the field, and therefore offer keen insight into what it is like to work within the legal field. 

What are some future goals or aspirations that you have for your own career?  

My ultimate goal is to obtain my Juris Doctorate and become a licensed attorney. I still have a long road ahead of me, but with patience and discipline anything is attainable. 

Each year, New Jersey school districts nominate their educators for the prestigious Governor’s Educator of the Year Award through the New Jersey Department of Education. The program seeks to recognize educators “who have gone above and beyond in their service to New Jersey’s students” and to create a culture that recognizes excellence and brings public attention to the work of outstanding educators.

“On behalf of the district and Board of Education, I want to say, ‘congratulations’ and ‘thank you’ to the 10 teachers and educational services professionals who were recognized through the program,” said Superintendent Alvin Freeman, Ed.D. “Their hard work and dedication to student success is what makes Bound Brook School District and its students bound for greatness.”

The Governor’s Educator of the Year recipients are:

Teachers:

Samantha Melesurgo, LaMonte/LaMonte Annex Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Stephanie Ackley, Lafayette Elementary Art Teacher

Gina Petrusky, Smalley Elementary Gifted and Talented Program Instructor

Kim Kredatus, Community Middle School Science Teacher

Joelle Smith, Bound Brook High School Mathematics Teacher

Educational Services Professionals:

Alma Pena, LaMonte/LaMonte Annex Teacher Assistant

Renee Jacobs-Grauer, Lafayette Elementary Speech Therapist

Lee Eaton, Smalley Elementary School Counselor

Genesis Picado, Community Middle School Teacher Assistant

Deborah Paulsen, Bound Brook High School Student Assistance Counselor

“We are incredibly honored to continue growing our relationship with Rutgers University and to streamline the path for classroom aides and paraprofessionals in Bound Brook to earn their teaching certificates,” said Superintendent Dr. Alvin Freeman. “Bound Brook’s educational support professionals already contribute so much to our schools and students, and this grant provides them with the financial support and mentorship to advance their careers as educators.” 

The state DOE awarded Ramapo College and Rutgers University in New Brunswick $400,000 each to partner with eight school districts. Funding will be used to offset the costs associated with tuition, books and materials, mentorships, and structured on-the-job training. 

Chief Academic Officer Robyn Griffin said this opportunity is important to BBSD as schools across the state and country look for ways to recruit and retain K-12 teachers amid shortages. The program came from recommendations of the Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages in New Jersey. 

“We hope that one of the outcomes of this program will be a stronger and more diversified teaching staff in BBSD,” Griffin said. “Not everyone follows a traditional path to become a teacher, so this program provides the support and mentorship for our classroom aides and paraprofessionals to become teachers and play an even greater role in the lives of Bound Brook students.” 

Paraprofessionals in the program can typically earn their state teaching certification in two to four years, depending on their level of experience and education when beginning the program. The program targets fields disproportionately impacted by staff shortages, such as special education, science, math, English as a second language, and bilingual education.  

“We are excited to begin this work and to continue growing our relationship with Rutgers,” Griffin said. “This program stands to benefit many paraprofessionals and classroom aides in Bound Brook.” 

Students from Lafayette Elementary School attended the grand opening at 155 Promenade Boulevard and represented Bound Brook School District by wearing spirit attire. As part of the store’s ribbon-cutting event, Burlington associates presented the giant check to the teachers while colorful confetti rained over the group.   

A representative from AdoptAClassroom.org reached out to the district and school administrators and helped to secure the donation for Lafayette Elementary School. The school will split the donation among 22 classrooms. 

Principal Deirdre Kehayas said the teachers will use the funds on a number of new classroom items including art supplies, physical education equipment, and classroom games and activities. Lafayette Elementary School teachers will receive an invitation to the AdoptAClassroom.org marketplace that includes over 20 vendors such as Staples, Lakeshore Learning, and Scholastic.   

“At Lafayette we believe that every student deserves access to high-quality resources and enriching educational experiences,” said Principal Kehayas. “The donation helps give our teachers the resources they need to inspire, support and reach each child in their educational journey.”  

Burlington District Manager David Morgan welcomed the students, teachers, administrators and customers. He explained Burlington’s national initiative to donate to deserving schools at the grand openings of new store locations and also during the back-to-school season.    

“On behalf of the Bound Brook School District, I would like to welcome our new local Burlington store to Bridgewater and thank them for their generous donation to our school through their partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org,” said Superintendent of Schools, Alvin Freeman, Ed.D. “Our teachers are so excited to purchase the tools they use to enhance teaching and learning in their classrooms this year. We are thankful for the support we received from Burlington and AdoptAClassroom.org.”  

Sensory hallways provide a safe, friendly space for students to have a calming moment during school hours. Students who feel overwhelmed can take a short break, venture to the sensory hallway and participate in activities that allow them to return to instruction time focused.  

LaMonte/LaMonte Annex Elementary School introduced the school district’s first sensory hallway during the 2022-23 school year. That hallway boasted tactical boards, decals to promote movement, and a balance station. 

“All our students benefit from the sensory hallway, but it’s an incredible tool for our occupational therapists to use. Students who receive therapy services can work on balance and fine motor skills in that designated area,” said Hipolita Hernandez-Sicignano, principal of LaMonte/LaMonte Annex.  

Sensory hallways help engage students’ minds and bodies, which can improve their cognitive functions, memory, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The spaces make for a more inclusive, calming culture at the schools.  

This fall, Lafayette Elementary School added a sensory hallway for its students. Like the one at LaMonte, it has physical aspects through floor decals. The hallway also uses texture to provide another stimulant like the sequin wall that reflects light and changes colors when students touch or draw on it.  

As you walk into the new Lafayette cafeteria, you pass through an empty hallway connecting the addition to the original school building. Principal Deirdre Kehayas said when she saw that space, she wanted to make it functional for her students. Her goal: expand the space to bolster more opportunities for students.  

Some spaces, like a light therapy activity, are still being installed in the hallway but Kehayas says students already naturally gravitate there.  

“I love that we can provide calming areas where students explore independently, practice skills, and have a little fun,” said Kehayas. Even the staff have a blast visiting the hallway.  

More areas designed for students 

Designated calming corners adorn each classroom at LaMonte/LaMonte Annex and Lafayette schools, offering yet another spot for students to retreat when overwhelmed during class time. 

Guidance Counselor Janeen Kinney decided to build off the popularity of classroom calming corners and construct a similar space in the Lafayette cafeteria, where students with sensory difficulties may feel most overwhelmed. Flexible seating, a rug and a fountain make up the new Chill Zone that opened in the fall. After lunch, students visit the area and read or socialize in small groups. Especially during winter when lunch and recess are often held indoors, these areas provide respite from the hustle and bustle of students engaged in play. 

A communication board on the playground at LaMonte/LaMonte Annex further enhances inclusivity by enriching student interactions. The large board has different symbols on it and can be used as a menu to suggest things to say, clarify speech, or as a replacement for verbal speech. Communication boards can also facilitate young children’s learning of new vocabulary and reading. 

“Some students that are nonverbal and use an iPad to communicate, use the board to communicate with our speech therapist and even other students,” said Hernandez-Sicignano. “They simply point or touch to the images and they can share how they feel.”

Funding for the Lafayette Elementary School sensory hallway came from the regular operating budget. Lafayette used Scholastic Dollars, earned for hosting a Scholastic Book Fair, to fund accessories for other spaces like the Chill Zone in the cafeteria.   

• Welcome Letter English 2024-25
• Welcome Back Letter 2024-25 Spanish
• Lafayette First Day Reminders
• Lafayette Drop and Drive Parking Procedures
• Lafayette Lunch Form