Kids can jump from the ocean floor to outer space with the push of a button.

HARRISON TWP. -- A class of eighth-graders stared at a shark near the tropical ocean floor, shortly before glancing around on the surface of Mars. A few minutes later, the students took a closeup look at a rhinoceros beetle in its natural habitat.

An audible excitement filled the room, with the occasional "whoa!" punctuating the giggles and gasps. Then it was back to reality.

Clearview Regional Middle School on Thursday hosted the Google Expeditions Pioneer Program, a free educational event the company is offering to select schools around the world. Teachers used Google Cardboard, a smart phone app that employs cardboard goggles similar to the classic View-Master toy, to take their students on virtual field trips to exotic locations across the globe.

The technology adds a modern element to the 3D photos, however, by employing video and allowing the viewer a panoramic point of view. Users simply place their phones inside the goggles and use the app to display stereoscopic images.

"Who wants to see underwater?" asked Peter Burgio, an eighth grade science teacher.

"Yes!" called back a chorus of kids. Burgio, using a tablet synced to the phones Google had provided, advanced to the next image.

While there is no concrete timeline for when Google Cardboard might be available for permanent, widespread use in schools, Clearview was able to get a special preview for what might be a standard classroom tool in the near future.

"In the library, they were standing up and bumping into tables," Burgio said. Some of the students had briefly forgotten they were in New Jersey as they stared at closeup views of Europe.

Mike Cockrell, an English teacher at the school, was responsible for applying to the program. He signed up after seeing an article in Wired magazine.

"Those 'wow' sounds, that's what you want to hear in school," he said. "This gives my students a view of something they'd never see. It takes the old View-Masters from my childhood and brings them to a whole new level."

Jasmine Dickson, 13, of Mantua, sat in multiple sessions of the virtual field trips.

"I'm interested in technology and science," she said. "I like that this takes you to different spots -- even ones that aren't on Earth. You're not just sitting in a classroom all day."

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Brian Crist writes that expanded licensing requirements would be unfair to some security professionals.

To the Editor:

In the new state legislative session, lawmakers, mostly Democrats, are hawking bills concerning security personnel -- to the detriment of some hard-working New Jersey citizens.

First is Senate Bill 884, which expands the scope of security guard registration. This proposal directly affects numerous licensed security professionals and possibly would impose a financial hardship on them.

The bill requires security guards who work directly for private employers to complete the requirements of the Security Officer Registration Act (SORA). As I know it, contract security firms require their personnel to maintain state licenses at their own expense. If in-house security guards (those not supplied by outside security contractors) must be licensed, shouldn't the employer be required to pay the licensing cost?

Also, under this bill, the word "SECURITY" would have to be printed on the back of any uniform shirt or outer garment for armed security officers. I understand that law enforcement has begun displaying words like "POLICE or "SHERIFF" on uniforms. But, this would detract from the professional appearance security guards must project to employers, customers and guests.

As a 19-year industry professional, I feel that SORA licensing should not be required for in-house security, although the same standards should apply. That is, those barred from SORA licenses should also be ineligible to work for private employers as security guards.   

A second Senate bill, S-86, creates a Special Law Enforcement Officer (SLEO) Class III. Currently, there are only two classes: Class I has limited authority while on duty but cannot carry a firearm. Class II can exercise full police power while on duty, including firearm use.   

Under S86, a Class III officer would have the same powers as Class II, but would be limited to the grounds of a school, and to emergencies off the grounds. Class III would be open only to retired law enforcement officers age 65 and older.

In my opinion, Class III should be available to all armed security professionals in New Jersey.   

Brian A. Crist

Pennsville

Send a letter to the editor of South Jersey Times at sjletters@njadvancemedia.com

A red carpet-worthy event to plan for your 2016 prom.

GLASSBORO -- This 2016 prom season is almost here and will offer an extravagant array of timeless textures and fabrics woven into today's cutting-edge prom fashions.

Find that perfect prom dress and everything from the haute couture influences from Hollywood's red carpet to the dramatic head-turning looks for prom. Save time and find exactly the look you want for prom at Glassboro's 'Promposal' for local teens.

Shop 'Promposal' when Courtyard Marriott, 325 Rowan Blvd., Glassboro, hosts a Prom Showcase of South Jersey on Feb. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

The evening will feature fashions from local dress shops, makeup artists, spas, limousine companies, and other vendors at this free, red carpet-worthy event to plan for your 2016 Prom Night.

The event showcases offers free admission, giveaways, and a grand prize.

Participants may enter to win:

• $100 off Prom Dress (Treasures on Broadway)
• Prom accessories gift basket, bow tie, cuff links ($75 value) (Lifestyle Tuxedos)
• $100 value credit savings accounts (South Jersey Federal Credit Union)
• Gel manicure and spa pedicure ($75 value) (LUSH Nails and Spa)
• Hair and makeup package ($150 value) (The Boulevard Salon)
• $100 off booking (VSR Limo)
• Free facial ($100 value) (Hand and Stone)

Find out how these New Jersey couples got together, in some cases long after they first met.

Valentine's Day is almost here, and to celebrate we asked New Jerseyans to share their love stories. We wanted to know how they met, where they had their first date, when they knew they were in love: all the good stuff.

All of those Jersey love stories are below. Some couples had an online connection, others met in school, on the job, or down the shore. Others reconnected after years apart, and some of these are just stories of true love. Click the boxes below to read each couple's story. We used initials to respect everyone's privacy.

Share your Valentine's Day love story in comments.

John Shabe can be reached via jshabe@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

Commodity certificates available for farmers beginning with the 2015 crop in some situations.

By Al DiBella

Producers who have crops pledged as collateral for a marketing assistance loan can now purchase a commodity certificate that may be exchanged for the outstanding loan collateral. The authority is provided by the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, legislation enacted by Congress in December. Commodity certificates are available beginning with the 2015 crop in situations where the applicable marketing assistance loan rate exceeds the exchange rate. Currently, the only eligible commodity is cotton.

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) routinely provides agricultural producers with marketing assistance loans that provide interim cash flow without having to sell the commodities when market prices are at harvest time lows. The loans allow the producer to store and delay the sale of the commodity until more favorable market conditions emerge, while also providing for a more orderly marketing of commodities throughout the marketing year.

These loans are considered "nonrecourse" because the loan can be redeemed by delivering the commodity pledged as collateral to the government as full payment for the loan upon maturity. Commodity certificates are available to loan holders having outstanding nonrecourse loans for wheat, upland cotton, rice, feed grains, pulse crops (dry peas, lentils, large and small chickpeas), peanuts, wool, soybeans and designated minor oilseeds.  These certificates can be purchased at the posted county price (or adjusted world price or national posted price) for the quantity of commodity under loan, and must be immediately exchanged for the collateral, satisfying the loan.

Producers may contact their FSA office that maintains their loan or their loan service agent for additional information. Producers who do business with Cooperative Marketing Associations (CMA) or Designated Marketing Associations (DMA) may contact their respective associations for additional information. To learn more about commodity certificates, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.

Al DiBella is the Salem/Gloucester County Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Woodstown at 51 Cheney Road. He can be reached at 856-769-1126.

The woman opened several cellphone accounts in another woman's name.

New Jersey State Police hope the public can help identify a woman suspected of identity theft.

Authorities released grainy security camera images of a woman they say entered a Verizon Wireless store in Turnersville on Jan. 13 and opened multiple cellphone accounts using another woman's name.

She also used that woman's date of birth and Social Security number.

The suspect is black, with a thin build, police said. She wore black boots, jeans and a hooded jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Buena Station Detective Bureau at 609-561-1800, ext. 3403. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Glassboro Schools band director featured in special Olympic Conference concert.

Eight students from three of Glassboro's public schools performed in the 2016 Olympic Conference Senior and Junior High School Honors Band Concert on Feb. 2 in Washington Township High School's Investors Bank Performing Arts Center. The students auditioned alongside students throughout the region.

This year's concert also featured Glassboro School District's Art Myers, who was selected through a competitive application process, to direct the senior high school section of the concert. (Williamstown School District's Nick Fantazzi lead the junior high school section.)

Glassboro student performers included:

From Glassboro High School

Olympic Conference Senior High School Honors Band

• Veronica Menna - Clarinet (1st chair)
• Bianca Jurek - Clarinet
• Peter Hodson - Euphonium

From Glassboro Intermediate School

Olympic Conference Junior High School Honors Band

• Mayooran Mohanakanthan - Tenor Saxophone (1st chair)

From Thomas E. Bowe School

Olympic Conference Junior High School Honors Band

• Logan Stockl - Bassoon
• Brenna Somdahl-Sands - Clarinet
• Douglas Tranz - Trumpet
• Anna Holland - Alto Saxophone

Myers directs the concert band, marching band, pit orchestra and jazz ensemble at Glassboro High School and also serves as the band director at Glassboro Intermediate School. Outside of school, he plays the cornet with the Atlantic Brass Band. At Thomas E. Bowe School, Glassboro students perform under the direction of David Fox.

Law firm give scholarships to students who embody the service ideals of the program.

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to a half a million dollars to its "Gift of the Heart" Community Service Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester and Salem County high schools have been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2016 "Gift of the Heart" Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Clayton High School.

Congratulations to Jazmyn and Fernando, as well as to their proud family and friends. Their dedication to others exemplifies what a Gift of the Heart is truly all about.

Jazmyn Scott  

Jazmyn loves to volunteer. Since 2012, Jazmyn has volunteered at the Cumberland County SPCA helping others to adopt pets through her dedication to the animals at the shelter.

Jazmyn helps get the animals ready for adoption by walking, socializing, cleaning and working with them. If an animal is too aggressive to be safely adopted, she will often stay with the dog providing love and support during the animals last hours of life.

Jazmyn is a member of the marching band, student council and the environmental club. She participates in basketball, track and field as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, teaching Bible lessons to others.  

Fernando Marinero

In 9th grade, Fernando began his career of volunteering by helping children learn the basics of soccer. Fernando plays soccer as well as winter and spring track. 

In his junior year, Fernando was accepted into the National Honor Society. In school, Fernando tutors a student who struggles with math and science, because English is the student's second language. He also mentors incoming 6th graders on responsibility, maturity and other important life skills.

In the community, Fernando distributes food to the less fortunate at the food pantry and took great care cleaning up his community through the Town Clean-Up.

Next week's featured recipients will be from Clearview Regional High School.

TSgt Tim Land came home from deployment with the Air Force and surprised his stepdaughter, Morgan, at school. Watch video

MONROE TWP. -- A student at Williamstown Middle School got a special surprise Thursday when her stepfather, who had spent several months on deployment with the Air Force, came home early and met her in class.

TSgt Tim Land was deployed to the Middle East just before Christmas and came home Thursday morning. He was part of a flight crew responsible for refueling other aircraft. After months away, Land and his wife, Corey Land, knew he would be coming home six days earlier than he'd originally expected.

Morgan Bruynell, 11, had told her family that she didn't want any advance notice of Land's return home. She was counting down the days, however, on a calendar in her fifth-grade classroom. With that in mind, the couple started planning.

"At first, we were just going to call her down to the office," said Land.

"She had been saying she want to be surprised," Corey added. "But we didn't know how to pull it off."

Plans changed when Land heard that Morgan's classmates had supported her as she coped with his absence.

"Her teachers said her classmates were helping her get through it," he said. "So we decided to show up to her classroom."

Land walked up behind Morgan as she worked on a laptop at her desk.

"I didn't know it was him at first," she said afterward. "I was really surprised."

Land had already met Morgan's brother, 14-year-old Noah, in a hallway at Williamstown High School before going to see his stepdaughter.

"I'm just glad I didn't cry in front of my friends," Noah said.

Morgan gave Land a tearful hug, and her classmates applauded.

"I just feel lots of joy," she said. "My friends told me about the things they had gone through, and that made me feel better. One of my friend's dads has to travel a lot for work, so she knew what it was like."

The first thing she wants to do now that Land is back is go on a cruise -- after the family goes out to dinner together.

Land has been in the Air Force for 19 years.

"This was my first deployment while having a family," he said. "I'm just so happy to be back."

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

A little planning will help ensure a fragrant outdoor area all year long.

By Lorraine Kiefer

Can't see it, can't hear it, can't feel it, but it is everywhere. It can stir emotions, evoke memories, set a mood... Written and sung about, fought over and given in love... Fragrance!

I love natural fragrance from plants! Not all plants are fragrant, but many are and they come in many sizes, shapes and colors. They are like the popular kids at the playground -- everyone likes to be near them. 

Some plants give off their fragrance when the leaves or stems are brushed (mint, lemon verbena, rosemary, marjoram and Cleveland and fruit sage), but others, like lemon trees and lavender, have both fragrant blooms and foliage. Some plants, like peony, tuberose, freesia, glossy abelia, lilac and  magnolia, have very fragrant blooms, but little fragrance at all in the foliage.

Everyone is watching and longing for spring, so when a plant such as winter sweet, Chimonanthus praecox is in bloom there is quite an air of spring in the garden. Ours often blooms from early January till late spring. Sometimes I worry that the cold temperatures will damage the blooms, but it seems even when they seem to freeze others come in their place to bloom and perfume the air. Our plant is old and has been blooming for years. The small ones we have in nursery took a long while until they showed a few blooms.This light yellow plant is quite a show stopper in any winter garden.

Winter sweet, Chimonanthus praecox often blooms from early January through late spring.Lorraine Kiefer 

Folks can also enjoy potted fragrance. Containers of sweet olive  (Osmanthus fragrans), gardenia, jasmine, passion flower, scented geranium or lemon verbena can all be grown outdoors in winter and on a deck or patio in summer. Although some tropicals, like lemon and orange trees, night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum) or stephanotis vine will grow outdoors year-round in some climates, most people have to bring them in to sunny window in a cool room before frost. 

Spring Fragrance

A little planning on paper will help ensure a fragrant outdoor area all year long. Start with the previously mentioned late winter first blooming shrub to perfume the air in our southern New Jersey garden, fragrant winter sweet (Chimonanthus  praecox). This plant sometimes blooms as early as January in the National Herb Garden at the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. I first experienced the delightful fragrance of wintersweet at a meeting of the herb garden committee because Jim Adams, garden curator, had cut some branches to grace the lunch table. 

As the season progresses, various witch hazels (Hamamelis) and winter hazels (Corylopsis) begin blooming and perfuming the air with a gentle fragrance. An evergreen that blooms in the spring is the sweet box (Sarcococca), a low-growing plant with shiny green foliage and tiny whitish, fragrant blooms. Oregon holly (Mahonia bealei) has the sweetest-smelling yellow blooms ever! Since they bloom while it is still cold, Mahonia often goes unnoticed by gardeners unwilling to brave the weather.

I was presenting a talk on fragrant plants at the Philadelphia Flower Show several years ago and was scouting the outdoors for early blooming fragrant plants. This one was so sweet in mid-March during a mild winter that bees were covering it. I kept sniffing the spring air and wondering if the dryer vent was the source of the fragrance.        

Wildflowers not often found in gardens can also fill the air with wonderful scents in natural and wooded areas. Most will not grow in gardens, but some will if tucked in under trees and around shrubs. Trailing arbutus ( Epigaea repens), often called mayflower, is a fragrant beauty that I have tried to propagate from cuttings from time to time. It sometimes roots and grows for a few years, but usually misses its unique woodland environment.  

Bulbs sometimes have a fragrance that can be enjoyed on warm days when they are kissed by the sun. The fragrance often is more noticeable indoors than in the garden. Even delicate snowdrops (Galanthus) have a mild fragrance and a large clump can scent the air on a sunny February afternoon. Many spring bulbs have a mild fragrance, but hyacinth, daffodil and Iris reticulata are a bit more significant in the fragrant garden scheme.

Early spring scents also fill the air where fragrant violets (Viola odorata) and yellow primrose (Primula veris) grow. Fragrant violets are not to be confused with wild, or wood violets that are scentless. Both of these like a semi-shaded area in which to grow. Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) does well in and around violets. The flowers of sweet woodruff are fragrant, but only when they are wilted and soaked in May wine or when they dry later in the season. 

My favorite scent by the time May arrives is the combined fragrances of lilac and lily of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis). The latter spreads so quickly so it is a good ground cover and will scent the air even when planted nearby under trees and shrubs or anywhere a ground cover is needed. Lily of-the-valley thrives in most soils and all types of light. The plants in sun bloom earliest, while those in deep shade are last to bloom. I have one patch in a cool, very shaded spot under trees and shrubs that we pick for wedding bouquets long past the bloom season; however, both the lilacs and the lily-of-the-valley can be refrigerated to keep them for special dates that are just past their bloom time. 

There are many kinds of lilacs, but the sweetest perfume is from the old-fashioned, or common lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Lilacs grow best in full sun or a little dappled shade, and prefer sweet to neutral soils. They are undemanding and such a joy to experience. Pruning just when the flowers fade encourages bushy new growth, as does cutting out old canes to the ground.

Trees and shrubs to link the seasonal scents

Fragrant trees spotted around in the landscape help provide charming scented air in a garden in their season. Pay careful attention to bloom time in order to spread the luxury of fragrance throughout the growing season. When the lilacs finish, the fragrances of sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia. virginiana) and then Southern magnolia (M. grandiflora) fill the air. They take us from spring into summer when the American fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus) delights all on a summer day with its sweet-scented white flowers. Another summer bloomer is the Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia), with a very delicate sweet odor that comes from its two-inch wide white blooms. In early summer, the linden tree (Tilia)produces unusual, cream-colored, fragrant blooms that are used for a medicinal tea in many parts of the world. 

There are many shrubs that bloom throughout the seasons and perfume the air. Carolina sweet shrub (Calycanthus floridus) blooms with the lilacs and lily of-the-valley in May, joined by a fragrant viburnum (Viburnum carlesii), one that sometimes reminds me of arbutus. Some roses butterfly bushes and clethra all scent the garden too. 

These few should be a start when you plan and plant your fragrant garden. Join me at our first spring garden walk and talk and smell the wintersweet on March 20 at 1 p.m. This event is free and includes a cup of homemade soup at end of walk.

I will be teaching a six-week Wednesday night class through Gloucester County College, beginning March 16 and one or more sessions will deal with fragrant plants. Email me at lorrainekiefer@gmail.com for more information on this  class.

Lorraine Kiefer is the owner and operator of Triple Oaks Nursery in Franklinville. She can also be reached by e-mail at Lorraine@tripleoaks.

A lot has happened in New Jersey this past week. Do you recall it all?

Sick of winter weather, Super Bowl 50's aftermath and Bernie vs. Hillary? That's awesome, because none of those topics are in this week's NJ.com news quiz. Actually, the presidential election does make a teensy appearance, but it's just one question of the seven below and no current presidential candidates are involved. Oops, I think that was just a spoiler alert. Anyway, once you finish the quiz, share your score in comments to see how you stack up with other NJ.com users. And as always, no Googling.

There's a fresh local news quiz each Thursday evening on NJ.com.

Do you recognize the person in this photo?

GLASSBORO -- Borough authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying an individual wanted for burglarizing a small local business.

Glassboro Police Department are seeking the identification of the individual in this photo, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 (Photo provided by Glassboro Police Department | For NJ.com)
 

Glassboro Police released photo surveillance of an unidentified person who broke into the business Feb. 2.

Authorities did not provide any more information on the actual burglary at this time.

Seen this woman? Cops say she's an identity thief

Anyone with information or who can identify the individual in the photo is asked to contact the Glassboro Police Department using Tip 411 by texting GLASSPD to 847411.

Nursing students take oath acknowledging their role as caregivers

DALLAS, PA. -- Mikhayla Michigan, of Mullica Hill, is pictured here with 51 other Department of Nursing students at Misericordia University at its inaugural White Coat Ceremony for Nursing. Fifty two sophomore students were cloaked who began the professional portion of the nursing program in the spring semester.

At the Misericordia University White Coat Ceremony, family and friends, as well as faculty and administration watched as sophomore nursing students took an oath that acknowledges their essential role as caregivers. Students also received white coats and lapel pins, a stethoscope in the shape of a heart surrounded by the words "humanism in medicine," to remind them compassion and empathy must be the hallmark of their clinical practice.

The university offers three undergraduate nursing programs: traditional, full-time nursing students; part-time evening program for adult students; and the RN to BSN Expressway Program. The undergraduate nursing programs are designed to meet the special educational and scheduling needs of adult and traditional students. They all lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

For more information about the nursing program at Misericordia University, please call 570-674-6400 or log on to www.misericordia.edu/nursing. 

Students commemorate 100th day of school by donating 100 canned goods to United Way.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Grenloch Terrace Early Childhood Center in Sandy Peloso's class turned in the 100th day of school and Valentine's Day, into a day of celebration and community service.

Decked out in homemade T-shirts of 100 things -- including sports stickers, jewels and even eyeballs -- the students also collected 100 canned goods that will be donated to the United Way.

Peloso used the canned good collection and a Valentine's Day theme to incorporate counting and sorting activities into the "helping heart lesson."

Franklin Township School District STEM teacher devoted to education of students.

Michele BuslerCourtesy photo 

FRANKLIN TWP. -- Michele Busler has been selected as the 2016 Caroline L. Reutter School Teacher of the Year.

Busler has devoted herself to the education students in Franklin Township over the past 12 years. She is a sixth grade STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) teacher, teaching at both the Main Road School and currently at the Caroline L. Reutter School. Busler has earned a degree in elementary education from Rowan University.

Principal Ted Peters said, "Mrs. Busler is a very dedicated and caring teacher for all students at Reutter School. She has been instrumental as a teacher leader through her innate ability to foster a collaborative process of discussion and innovation among her department."

She lives in Franklinville with her husband Charlie and daughters Carli, who is currently a Delsea Regional High School freshman and Cassie, who is  currently a third-year medical school student.

Police say Lynnette McGuire, 32, and her cousin Denise Coyle, 34, torched a home on Lafayette Court the evening of Dec. 10.

WASHINGTON TWP. -- Two women have been indicted for allegedly torching a house and attempting to kidnap a small child, the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday.

Police say Lynnette McGuire, 32, and her cousin Denise Coyle, 34, both of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, torched a home on Lafayette Court the evening of Dec. 10.

Firefighters were called to the house shortly after 8:30 p.m. that night. Investigators charged the pair with setting the house ablaze in hopes of kidnapping McGuire's three-year-old daughter, who was living with her grandparents and her three siblings. Two adults and four children were forced out of the home.

The homeowners, Jeanette and Brian McGuire, said at the time that although they were "shocked," they were grateful that everyone made it out alive. A pet turtle died in the fire, however.

McGuire and Coyle were held in jail on $100,000 bail. They are charged with arson and related charges, along with burglary and attempted kidnapping.

Andy Polhamus may be reached at apolhamus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajpolhamus. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

Local sixth grader earns swing role as 'Zack' in Broadway's 'School of Rock'

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Washington Township native and former district student Gavin Kim has earned a swing role as "Zack" in the Broadway production of "School of Rock."

Gavin attended kindergarten at Grenloch Terrrace Early Childhood Center and elementary school (grades 1-5) at Bells Elementary. He began this school year as a sixth-grader at Orchard Valley Middle School (OVMS) before earning his Broadway role and transferring out of the district. He's being  home-schooled, while his three siblings continue to attend district schools.

The musical is currently showing at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway in New York City, with Gavin performing three or four days per week.

In the Playbill Gavin writes, "Thanks to Tara Rubin in Casting, Christ Flaherty and Matt Hunger at Resonance School Music, Dez Childs at Musically Speaking and my Mom, Dad, Evan (OVMS eighth-grader), Grace (OVMS sixth-grader), and Kathryn (Bells fifth-grader) for the support and sacrifices to make my dreams come true!"

Students of the Month, academic achievement and money to launch STEM programs.

CLEARVIEW

The Clearview Regional High School District announces the January 2016 Pioneers and Students of the Month. Pictured, back row, from left, Andrew Jarrett, Dylan Kelly and Anthony Maciocha. Middle Row, Chelsea Lane, Miranda Clark, Alivia LeVine, Madison Mills, Tatianna Sweeney and Kathryn Lee. Front row, Pioneers of the Month, Khyon Roane, Holly Gregg, Theresa Luu and Josef EngelhardtCOURTESY PHOTO

Listed below are the fourth and fifth grade students that earned academic achievement for the second marking period at Kindle Elementary School in Pitman.

Fourth Grade -- Neely Anderson, Anna Bogardus, John Brown, Chase Crowe, Jessa Elford, Olivia Green, Rory Guice, Philip Hackett, Beatriz Horner, Nicholas Keblish, Cole Kelly, Mia Miller, Benjamin Newcomb, Shawn Nienstedt, Sydney Ross, Dominic Sheridan, Sean Timothy, Bryce Trosky, Nola Trosky, Victoria Tullio, Ella Wentzel and Anna Wisniewski.

Fifth Grade -- Sofia Caliari, Nathan Campisi, Sophia Datz, Christopher Denney, Sarah Ennis, Andrew Hirst, Andrew Hoffman, John Keefe, Sean Monteith, Caroline Pirrone, Adam Poloney, Abigail Post, Logan Powell, Annabelle Sargent, Jillian Scardigli, Cody Shelanskey, Hailey Sykes, Delaney Williams, Gilbert Williams and  Brayden Yordy. 

PENNS GROVE

Penns Grove Middle School congratulates the following students:

Students of the Month for the month of January, 2016: Seventh grader Tayvyan Bush-Nyame and eighth grader Alondra Del Olmo Martinez.

Most Improved Students for the month of January 2016: Seventh grader Angie De La O Juarez and seventh grader Eduardo Torres

In addition to being recognized at school, these students will be honored at a Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District Board of Education meeting. 

WESTVILLE

Shady Lane Elementary School "Students of the Month" for January include:

Mekhi Huff, Gianna Nelson, Angelina Bentancourt, Emily Gambino, Skylar Pina, Daniel Ramirez-Garcia, Eddie Dugan, Sydney Gonzalez, NaKayla Angelicci, Brianna Boyle, Austin Mills, Christopher Clifford, Zaria Clement, Alexander Johnson, Morgan Driver, Samuel Ciaccio, Michael Faulls, Peyton Wallace, Saaron Perry, Jacob Hoopes, Beverly Phillips, Alicia Ly, Dashayla Pierce, Halle Pine, Nick Buffetta, Meagan Crothers, Aliyah Wallace and Haylie Croak. 

PAULSBORO

Five New Jersey schools are recent recipients of highly competitive Verizon Innovative Learning Grants designed to accelerate innovative learning opportunities in under-resourced schools.

The winners are:

• Nathan Hale School in Carteret
• Academy of Urban Leadership Charter High School in Perth Amboy
• High Tech High School in North Bergen
• Paulsboro High School in Paulsboro
• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community School in Atlantic City

This program is a part of Verizon's commitment to the White House's ConnectED initiative. The company has pledged up to $100 million in cash and in-kind contributions over three years as part of this program. Each school was awarded $20,000 for the 2015-16 school year to support and better engage students' interest and understanding in STEM subjects.

The grants will help the schools launch or accelerate STEM programs that incorporate experiential learning, train teachers on the effective use of mobile technology to help increase student achievement, and create more personalized learning environments to help students succeed.

The national grant program is open to any public elementary, middle or high school in the United States in which at least 70 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Learn more about Verizon's commitment to New Jersey at www.VerizonUpdateNJ.com.

Capital Transit Investment Plan assists municipalities with purchase of new buses.

Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented new buses to Mantua and Paulsboro recently as part of the county's Capital Transit Investment Plan (CTIP).

The Freeholder Board instituted the CTIP bus match program, a 50 percent dollar match with the municipalities, in 1992 to assist municipalities with the purchase of new buses.

CTIP provides county funds to municipalities for the purpose of providing transportation to senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

These buses cost each municipality $38,604.

Pitman Manor couples treated to a special Valentine's dinner.

PITMAN -- The Community Life Department at Pitman Manor wanted Valentine's Day to be extra special for the married couples who live there. Jessica Hepner, along with volunteers, Cindy Kern, Sandy Landwher and Theresa Romeo organized a homemade dinner. The married couples' combined years of marriage equaled 864 years.

Hard working volunteers take a break from serving a very special Valentine's dinner at Pitman Manor. Front from left, Sandy Landwher and Cindy Kern. Back, Theresa Romeo (left) and Jessica Hepner.Pam Mezis 

The auditorium was decorated with colorful table cloths and flowers while the couples had an opportunity to dine on salad, New England Clam chowder, fresh baked bread, and chicken parmigiana which was provided by Pitman Manor's Dietary Team. For dessert a homemade Italian Love Cake was served. The occasion was toasted with sparking apple cider.

The Community Life Department routinely organizes luncheons in honor of special occasions or to celebrate a particular group like former nurses, teachers or veterans. In addition to the dinner, each couple was sent home with a chocolate treat.  

United Methodist Homes is a not-for-profit organization guided by a volunteer board of directors affiliated in ministry with the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. With over 100 years of continuous operation, the organization has grown to 10 communities.  To learn more about Pitman Manor, visit www.PitmanManor.org.