Submitted by Jamie Miller
The Cranford Rotary recently held its ninth annual R U Smarter Than a Cranford/Garwood 5th Grader Event. Representing Cranford were students and parents from Brookside Place School, Hillside Avenue School, Livingston Avenue School, Orange Avenue School, and Walnut Avenue School. Representing Garwood were parents and students from the Lincoln School.
The questions focused on the subject matter the fifth graders were currently studying in school which ranged from math and science to art, geography, and literature. The goal of the event is to provide a game like environment for each school to study current curriculum. All the students received team tee shirts with different colors representing different schools. Each school also received $200 from Cranford rotary to be used toward any current project. There were several door prizes given out along with honorariums for the participating teachers and principals for all the work and effort they put into making this event the success it has become.
The Cranford Rotary would like to particularly thank Dr. Scott Rubin, Superintendent of Cranford Schools and Mr. Michael Klimco, Principal of the Brookside Place School for coordinating the event. Additional thanks go out to fellow principals and associates Mr. Kevin Deacon, Dr. Curt Fogas, Mr. Marc Edery, Ms. Jennifer Santa, Mr. Steve Van Dam and Ms. Michele Cammarata, Executive Secretary to the Board of Education. This is the third year that the students from Garwood’s Lincoln School have participated in the event and that is due to the tireless efforts of Mrs. Mary Emmons, its principal, and the support of the Garwood Superintendent, Dr. Teresa Quigley.
This event would not be possible without the financial support of the Cranford Rotary and its outstanding sponsors. Special Thanks goes to Ms. Carmen Rivera, VP of Business Development and the Investors Bank Foundation for its $3,000 donation to the event.
In addition, we’d like to also thank our tee shirt sponsors Bruce Bergen; Brookside Place School PTA; Cranford Gas Light Heating and Air Conditioning; David del Vecchio, architect; Feder Insurance Services; Flynn Advisory Group; Garretson Financial-Jamie Miller; Goodman Realty; JEC Consultants; the Kilkenny House -Barry O’Donovan; Livingston Avenue PTA; Joe Starkey, Cranford Rotary; Kathy Willis, Cranford Family Care; and Think D’Sign Print.
It was a fun night for all, delightfully emceed by Bernie Wagenblast and photographed by Kevin Papa.
(above) Cranford Rotary Presents ‘R U Smarter Than a 5th Grader’
