Superintendent Of Millburn Schools Has Message For Graduates

MILLBURN, NJ — After possibly the strangest school year in modern history, Millburn Superintendent of Schools Christine Burton shared a positive message to graduates Wednesday.

"What a perfect day for a commencement ceremony!" she wrote. "Culminating a week of moving up celebrations for fourth and fifth graders, and the promotion of the Millburn Middle School eighth grade to the high school, the crystal blue sky today served to underscore my message to the Class of 2021 to always look for the silver lining."

She added, “As difficult as aspects of the last 15-plus months have been, there have been silver linings as a result of the pandemic, in that we have the new-found knowledge that we have the strength and the stamina to see ourselves through a prolonged time of seclusion and difficulty...As you go forward, there’s a chance to rediscover or even reinvent yourself."

She also noted that High School Principal Dr. Miron also addressed "the 3 R’s that remain a cornerstone at Millburn High School, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. He exhorted students to use the lessons they learned from this year to provide direction and hope for the future. He reminded the class that, “Attitude – not aptitude - determines your altitude."

Award For The Almgrens

This year's Sally S. deVeer Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching is usually given to a Millburn teacher in memory of Sally deVeer who was a Board of Education member and parent. But Burton noted, "This year it was movingly awarded to a family who exemplified the attitude of 'grace under pressure.' "

She added, "The loss of classmate Robbie Almgren, in December, had a huge impact on this class of 2021, and on the school communty. Dr. Miron promptd the students to remember the composure, kindness and grace of the Almgren family during their time of tremendous loss, to care for his friends, classmates and the Millburn High School staff. Thank you to the Almgrens for the reminder to all of us of the ability to gather the resilience to get through difficult times."

Almgren, a senior and athlete at the school, passed away suddenly in December from a form of Leukemia. Find out more here.

Watch The Graduation Ceremony And A Farewell To Retirees

• To see the graduation ceremony, watch it here.
• Burton wished "farewell, best wishes and 739 years of collective thanks to our 2021 retirees for their decades of service and dedication to the Millburn Schools. These 36 staff members have received the traditional rendering of their school building signed by their colleagues, and we celebrated them at Monday’s Board of Education meeting with this slide show."

Burton also said:

• Much appreciation goes to Board of Education Member Caroline Updyke for her years of volunteer dedication to the students and staff of Millburn Schools, most recently as a member of the Board. Congratulations to your family on the graduation of Jacob and Lauren. We wish you all the best and will miss you.
• Thanks to Evan Abramson, Director of Technology, for his support and advancement of innovation through technology in our district over the past 4 years. We wish you well in your next endeavor with the Morris Union Jointure.
• Ricardo Nazario is also moving on up from our technology department to the Director of Technology in Morris Plains. Our loss is their gain!
• Brittany Amoscato, secretary in the Technology department, has found an opportunity closer to her home and family. Best of luck to you.

Board Meeting Thursday

A Board of Education meeting will be held in person at the Millburn High School Auditorium Thursday. It will begin with an Executive Session at 6 p.m., followed by the public meeting at 7 p.m. It will be social distanced. Candidates for an appointment to Updyke's seat will introduce themselves. If you are unable to attend, you may email comments by 12 noon on 6/24 to publiccommentsboe@millburn.org

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