NETCONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 26 College Road, Netcong, NJ 07857

Contact: Dr. Gina Cinotti, Chief School Administrator FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Email: [email protected] May 26, 2016 Work: 973-347-0020, x211

Netcong, NJ - Netcong School Teacher Meets Songwriter

Netcong Elementary School English Language Arts Teacher, Darrell Sandrue, uses connections, comparison, and contrast, as part of the PARCC preparations and the Common Core State Standards. Mr. Sandrue is renowned for challenging his students’ level of understanding of literature. This year, he went so far as challenge his students to make connections with a character in a novel with a musical song.

While teaching The Outsiders last year, Mr. Sandrue recognized that the relationship between Ponyboy and Sodapop resembled that of the brothers in ’s song “Twin Brother.” Students were given the lyrics, listened to the song in class, and wrote about these two sets of characters described in different genres. On May 16, Mr. Sandrue had the opportunity to meet up with and share this assignment with none other than singer/songwriter himself.

John Doe is a member of the bands X and The Knitters and has recorded as a solo artist for over 25 years. Last month, John Doe released a new album of music, The Westerner. In addition, he released his first book, , where he and various members of the late nineteen seventies and early eighties Los Angeles punk scene shared their stories of the time. To promote his book, he appeared at Bookends, a bookstore (remember them?) on Monday, May 16, 2016, in Ridgewood, NJ. To promote his class, (and to say hello to one of his favorite artists again) Mr. Sandrue attended the signing with both book and school work in tow.

Mr. Sandrue had the opportunity to share with John Doe both the writing task he has been using and an an essay based on the task, written by Tara Charette, Netcong School 7th Grader. After “way too thoroughly” reading the writing task, said Mr. Sandrue, Mr. Doe shared, “This is pretty cool,” and it was apparent to Mr. Sandrue the sentiment was genuine. After reading Tara’s response, he autographed it and had it returned to its owner.

In describing the meeting, Mr. Sandrue said, “I’ve been a huge fan of X and John Doe since I was a teenager, and to be able to present to him both how his music has influenced me, and now my students, was quite a moment. To see him reading my words that were using his words to teach writing was something I’ll never forget.”

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Dr. Cinotti, please call Mrs. Liz Juliano at 973-347- 0020, x220 or email at [email protected].