Washington Township - Last Graduating class at Lawrence High School - June 2007

   In 2004, Robbinsville High School opened to freshmen only. Each year, another grade was added to RHS. This September will mark the first time that RHS will have all four grades in the same building.
   Sean, who played the horn in the school band, said he would still miss his days at LHS.
   "My experience at Lawrence High School was thoroughly enjoyed," he said in an e-mail. "I've felt comfortable since freshman year, having older kids from our middle school ... to ease us into the culture shock of going from Pond Road (Middle School) to Lawrence High."
   Following graduation, Sean and his twin brother, Glenn, expect to be "bringing some Jersey" down to James Madison University in Virginia, where Sean will study biology. He said his experience at LHS has prepared him for college life and work.
   "Lawrence's teachers have taught me more thesis statements, textbook definitions and logarithms than I may ever use, but most importantly they taught me real-world and survival tips for outside of the classroom," he said. "I've met wonderful people, both students and teachers, who have introduced me to so many things. I've sat in the office waiting for SAT applications as a junior thinking, 'This is rough, I'm ready to graduate.' Now that I am graduating, it is dawning on me that I'm leaving the place where I have had and have met people who have showed me some of the best times of my life."
   Washington Township Superintendent Jack Szabo was expected to be present at the Lawrence graduation (which occurred after The Messenger-Press' Tuesday deadline) in order to present a plaque of appreciation to LHS for its 17 years of hospitality.
   "It's been a good relationship," Superintendent Jack Szabo said. "Lawrence does a great job with our students. We're very pleased with the academic programs they've received in the Lawrence Township Public School."
   He added that while Washington educators were grateful to Lawrence, they were still excited about finally having Robbinsville High School.
   "The nice thing about having your own high school is that you are able to control curriculum and provide programs for students in the high school more readily than we would have been able to in the past," Dr. Szabo said. "We will also be able to have direct representation of the school board governing the high school now so that other areas, such as policy, can be quickly addressed."
   In addition to Washington students leaving the Lawrence district, Washington's representation on the Lawrence Board of Education will also be eliminated. Mark Setaro, current Washington Board of Education president and liaison to Lawrence, said he would not miss having an extra meeting attend, but added that he would certainly miss the experience of working with two boards.
   "For me, it certainly lightens my schedule on a monthly basis, but at the same token, for me, it was a very unique experience that I had the opportunity to see how two boards work," he said. "Lawrence, being a more seasoned board from having a K-12 district for many years, was able to give me a lot of tidbits of information that I could share with the Washington board as we grow into our K-12 district. (Lawrence) gave a lot of insight of what we may need to do or issues that may pop up during the course of our high school."
   Mr. Setaro, who served as the liaison for about five years, is also the parent of a LHS graduate from Washington Township. He said his daughter's experience was "absolutely memorable" and that he was very pleased with the quality of education that Lawrence Township provided.
   Lawrence Superintendent Phil Meara said he will miss working directly with Washington, but that the lines of communication would always be open.
   "It's been a wonderful relationship with nothing but positives," Mr. Meara said. "We complement each other in terms of districts. Washington students have contributed in classrooms, on the sports field, to our band and they work with us on community service projects. They will be greatly missed."
   He added that he would still make himself and the district available for any help or advice that Washington Township School District may need.
   "We had a great partnership and I'm sorry to see it end," Mr. Meara said. "We wish Washington Township tremendous luck and we'll see them on the playing field."

 

©PACKETONLINE News Classifieds Entertainment Business - Princeton and Central New Jersey 2007