• 2008-09 Points of Pride

    • Washington Township High School Designated as a Model School in the Arts by the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership: Washington Township High School has been tabbed as a Model School in the Arts by the New Jersey Arts Education Partnership (NJAEP). The award acknowledges the excellence of the school’s Visual Arts, Dance, Theater, Orchestra, Band, Chorus and Music Technology programs. The NJEAP is designed as a statewide arts education advocacy model that applies new technologies and communication strategies with “best practices” to create a vibrant organization to advance arts education in New Jersey.

    • Washington Township High School Repeats as Recipient of 5-Star Exemplary Technology Education Program: Washington Township High School was named as one of seven high schools in the State of New Jersey to be recognized with a 5-Star Exemplary Technology Education Program award from the New Jersey Technology Education Association (NJTEA).  Washington Township, which had received the same distinction in 2003, is the first school in the entire state to receive renewal of its 5-star status.  Only one other program in South Jersey, Gateway Regional High School, was recognized as a 5-Star program.  The other honorees were schools located in Central and North Jersey.
    • Bells Elementary School Counselor Named Gloucester County Elementary School Counselor of the Year: Bells Elementary School Counselor Frank DeFamio was named the Gloucester County Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the Gloucester County Professional Elementary School Counselor’s Association (GCPESGCA).  An elementary counselor in Washington Township for 29 years, DeFamio has distinguished himself through his exceptional handling of student issues, parent conferencing and classroom guidance. 
    • Orchard Valley Middle School Counselors Named Gloucester County Middle  School Counselors of the Year: Orchard Valley Middle School guidance counselors Barbara Smith and Mickey Shaw were named co-recipients of the 2008 Guidance Counselor of the Year award from the Gloucester County Middle School Counselors Association.
    • WTHS Science Teacher Among 10 Cited in Nation: Washington Township High School Science Teacher Amy Carpinelli was selected as one of 10 semifinalists in the Shell Science Teaching Award program. The national award recognizes one outstanding classroom science teacher (K-12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school and community through exemplary classroom science teaching.
    • District Social Worker Appointed to New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools: Chestnut Ridge and Bunker Hill Middle School Social Worker Camy Kobylinski was appointed to the 14-member New Jersey Commission on Bullying in Schools. In addition to hosting three public hearings, the commission reported its findings and recommendations, along with any legislation it desired to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, to Governor Jon Corzine.
    • WTHS Athletic Director Honored by NJSIAA: Washington Township High School Director of Athletics Kevin Murphy was recognized by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association as a recipient of a Service Award. 
    • WTHS Captures First State Indoor Track Championship Title: Washington Township High School captured the school’s first indoor track state championship title with a win in the State Group IV Indoor Track Relay Championships on January 17, 2009.  The 4x400 relay and sprint medley relay combination of Tim Carey, Devon Carter, Nick Krauss and Xavier Fraction were first-place winners.
    • Washington Township Tabbed 58th Best Place to Live in Money Magazine’s “America’s Best Small Cities” Ranking:Washington Township, New Jersey was honored in the August 2008 issue of Money Magazine as one of America’s Best Small Cities in which to live. Washington Township placed 58th among 716 towns across the nation with populations between 50,000 and 300,000 based on several factors, including jobs/economy, safety, education, housing affordability, and leisure/arts. According to the magazine, Washington Township scored its highest mark in education and its second-highest mark in safety.