Next Week: Check your mailbox Wffhe^peWftraduation Issue! It Plainlield erver VOL 14, NO. 42 Member New Jersey Press Association 60 CENTS JUNE 24, 2011 Esteemed Pastor Bids Farewell to Community Wesley Church's longtime pastor, the Rev. Dr. Nchemiah Thompson, will be leaving South Plainfield for Miiltown United Methodist Church in the Township of North Brunswick. His last sermon will be on Sunday, June 26 at the 10:30 a.m. service. A farewell dinner will be held on Saturday, June 25 (by invitation only) and attended by church members, community church leaders and bor- ough leaders. Rev. Thompson has been visible in die South Plainfield community and was very ecumenical. "I cared deeply about South Plainfield," he said. "The founder of the Methodist brand of Christianity, John Wesley, Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Thompson said that the world was his parish. So Methodist pastors have an eye on the Darfur issue. Tracy Murray is presented a Fantasia poster after the SPHS Music Department's spring concert. welfare of the community at large," he "Together we kept the church -Photo by Louis Mormile added. He felt that an emerging need vibrant. Children's ministry was in South Plainfield was to bring to- strengthened. We kept the worship gether all people around fun activities, experience meaningful. The church Music Teacher Earns Kudos for 22 Years so he organized the South Plainfield grew. We started a second service. We started a ministry in Kenya. We By Libby Barsky present the musical, West Side Story/' students at Immaculate Conception, he Coalition of Cultural Diversity' which recalled Murray. Sister Maureen, who was also performing on weekends with conducted three successful multi- supported the denomination in its Most teens aren't eager to wake up was aware of Murray's schedule, nixed Hester Street, a Jewish Klesmer band, cultural events. "Unfortunately, this mission to New Orleans and Haiti. and get to school earlier than needed, the idea. Murray was working with- playing percussion and singing Yiddish organization had to end temporarily We did not turn anyone away when but the members of South Plainfield out any books and had brought in an songs, a situation he still finds humorous. because of my departure, but God they came for some help. We contin- High School's A.M. chorus consis- electronic keyboard to accompany his "I was teaching students Latin to will raise a new leader to continue ued the shelter for homeless people tently make the 7:15 a.m. class. They students. Later, the principal brought understand and sing the music for this vital ministry," he said. at church. The church became more are always ready to perform, repre- in a record playing stereo. Murray Mass while I was learning Yiddish Rev. Thompson opened the mis- diverse," he said. senting SPHS on their own time on brought in his own records to use in songs to sing with the Hester Street sion of die church to the community. Rev. Thompson, a native of India, weekends and after school for public class. He also had die school purchase Band," Murray said. "Of course In die aftermath of die Indian Ocean has been ministering in the U.S. for events like singing Christmas carols their own plastic recorders to help the they got all kinds of bookings be- tsunami in 2004, Wesley invited the the last 30 years. He will start his new at Spring I^ke Park, and for public students learn to play an instrument. cause they wanted to see the 'black community to participate in a send- ministry in Miiltown on July 1. patriotic events like Memorial Day. While Murray was teaching the (Continued on page 6) off service before the mission team de- "I will definitely miss South Plain- Vocal music teacher Tracy Murray, parted for India. Attendees included field," he said. "It was a delight to who is retiring after teaching for 22 church members, other churches of serve Wesley. I met a lot of people years at SPHS, has been conducting I the community', school principals and here. Everyone was kind to me. But these morning groups since he began borough leaders. A youth mission I look forward to a new beginning. his teaching career at Immaculate team went to India and started an I will do the same thing there. I will Conception High School in Upper orphanage for tsunami victims which work hard, go into the community Montclair in 1985 after graduating is still going strong. He also involved and will help that church to grow. I from Montclair State College. high school students and teacher Fran will challenge myself to try to be the "Sister Maureen Crawley-the Flannery on Wesley's Peace with presence of Christ in that town as principal-wanted to start a chorus Justice Sunday in which the students well," said Thompson. program that year. Everyone in the talked about their involvement in the school would be in the chorus. I was responsible for teaching the entire student body. Each class had a session Grand Marshal Nominations Sought once a week. The classes were held South Plainfield's 54th annual concession stand or informational every day in a trailer parked in me Labor Day Parade will be quickly table at the middle sckx)l at the con- parking lot across from the school. upon us, and the Public Celebra- clusion of the parade, complete an I was responsible for the Christmas tions Committee is seeking nomi- application available in Borough Hall holiday and spring concerts, the Glee nations for honorary grand mar- or at www.southplainfieldnj.com. Club practice before school began shal. The theme of this year's pa- Send application to the Public Cel- and a rock band after school, and the Future Stars Preschoolers perform at graduation ceremonies. See page rade is "Honoring Our Heroes." ebrations Committee, Borough of school trustees wanted the school to 10 for story and photos. If you know of an individual you South Plainfield, 2480 Plainfield Ave., feel has contributed outstanding South Plainfield, N.J. 07080. service to the Borough of Soudi Plain- field, send the committee a detailed BOE Reinstates Seventeen Teachers letter stating the reasons why this Seventeen of the 21 tenured teach- Returning to Grant School are School will have Samantha Nicolay person should be considered for Job Fair ers whose positions were eliminated teachers Megan Basile, mathematics; back in the classroom. honorary grand marshal. Include for the 2011/12 school year due to Carolyn White, science and math; The four teachers who were not candidate's name, address, evening Postponed budget reductions have been recalled. Scott Culver, social studies; and reappointed are Grant School music phone number, your phone number The job fair sponsored by the They were approved with salaries Michelle Rafalowski, who taught teacher Diane Lee, middle school and detailed list of volunteer activities retroactive to September 1, 2011 English at the middle school. music teacher Sarah LiVecchi, Grant and accomplishments. Deadline for Borough of South Plainfkki, orig- through June 30, 2012. Franklin School will see the return School social studies teacher Elizabeth nominations is July 25. Nominations inally scheduled for Sunday, June High school teachers include Mat- of kindergarten teacher Karen Masczak Mills and Roosevelt School kindergar- may be sent to The Public Celebra- 25 at the PAL Building on Maple thew Connell, physical education; and reading teacher Christine Warian. ten teacher Patricia Santillo. tions Committee, John Sorrcntino, Avenue, has beat postponed due Stacey Closterman, social studies; At Kennedy School, computer Acting Superintendent of Schools Chairman, 225 Hopkinson Street, to scheduling conflicts. A date for and Nicholas Deremiah, English. teacher Laura Von Till-Smith, kinder- Dr. Gary Bowen called the return South Plainfield, N.J. 07080. a new job fair will be announced Deremiah previously taught in the garten teacher Janine Turrise, reading of the teachers "a concerted effort The Labor Day Parade is also a sometime in the future. middle school. teacher Ann Johnson and elementary on the part of the administration to great opportunity for all to meet the Returning to the middle school will teacher Alicia Vurchio will return. our promise to bring back teachers." community. If you or your organiza- be Katie Wilson, English and Patrick Rilcy School will see the return of Bowen added that the effort to bring tion is interested in marching in the II Sarullo, math. teacher Jennifer Gaster and Roosevelt back teachers is ongoing. parade, building a float, having a 4879 "18848 •To subscribe to the South Plainfield Observercall 908 668 OOIO Juno 24,2011 Want to stay informed about the business of your Council and BOE? BorOUQh Council meetings air on Comcast Channel In My Opinion C ^ 96 Mondays at 7 p.m. BOE meetings air on Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those ol the publisher, nor da we guarantee accuracy. Thursdays at 7 p.m. To the Editor: this year, as in years past, taunted our FYI Submit Your Letters to the Editor I would personally like to thank To purchase a complete copy of a council or BOE meeting, contact the Observer. team players. They yelled and taunted (Check Comcast community bulletin board for last minute time changes.) the listed Community Emergency die South Plainfield players while they Send your letters to South Plainfield Observer, Response Team (CERT) and Office were in the field and up at bat, making 1110 Hamilton Blvd., Suite 1B, South Plainfield, of Emergency Management (OEM) comments when balls were dropped, NJ 07080, or fax to 908-668-8819, or via council email: [email protected]. Deadline is members whose assistance at several not caught in the outfield or when Monday.