05/09/2026
Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week. With your help, we were able to make the week beyond special for our teachers and staff. Our theme was Target! In order to have pulled off such a successful week, I have a bunch of people I need to thank! To the families of Malcolm Camel, Logan Carhuayo, Jonah Estafanous, Brooklyn Reid, Kayden Jordan, Jace Barden, Anthony Mienkowski, Giovanni Reyes, Kimberly Januario, Rafael Polanco, Daniel Dossantos, Shea McGuire, Irie Lindsay, Olivia Roberts, Quamazzi Motley, Jordan Gomez, Serena Quinones, Maria Montero, Casandra Jupiter, Crismely Tapia, Ahmad Richardson, Lennox Lyall, Madison Pena, Sofia Ramalho, Amber Delgado, Kaleesi Perez, Alexander Burke, Stuart Reed, Prince Me**es, Layla King, Nalin Beaumont, Anthony Windham, Jasrah Wray, Madelyn Corpuz, Ariana Young Harris, Ava Ogbaje, Luke Scimanico, Clifton Mosley, Chinememumma Anopueme-Enem, Chinechendum Anopueme-Enem, Zuri John, Mateus Deus, Aiden Tenzin, Theo Chrysostomou, Wyeth Meadors, Kaylin Martin, Avery and Ayden Cunha, Jaiden Chase, Luz Elena Leiro, Natalie Figueroa, Chelsea and Miranda Dias, Emily Lozada-Kirlew, Sophia Casale, Brielle Jessika/Jeen Pabololot, Terrance Statham Jr., Sydney Ellis, and Nyla Butler, thank you for your generous, heartfelt donations. There were a couple of Amazon deliveries that did not have anyone's name attached to them; thank you!
A big, thankful shout out to Union Target North and their managers, Tony and Jen. They went above and beyond helping us pull off our target theme. They generously donated many supplies and even let us borrow two shopping carts. Manhattan Bagel and First Watch graciously helped us with our grab-and-go breakfast Wednesday morning, while Shake Shack (located by Best Buy and Shoprite) gave us an added bonus of lunch for the staff on Friday. A few special shout outs to the people who made the magic of Teacher Appreciation Week and the Sneaker Ball happen!
Karen Faria not only stepped up to help during the week when an extra set of hands were needed, but she also did the balloon arch for Teacher Appreciation Week and the Sneaker Ball! If you need a balloon arch and are looking for a local parent to work with, check out Karen Faria. Her IG profile is at SPM Luxe Balloons and Events.
My husband, John, who not only was a single parent for a week but also scooped all the ice cream for the floats, helped me set up and clean up the ice cream floats, stuffed eggs for the egg hunt, and did many other things that I am grateful for.
Deanna's husband, Matt Chase! First, thank you for letting me borrow your wife for a week straight. Between set-ups, calls, planning, and such, I probably saw her more than you. Thank you for picking up lunches for the staff on Friday and for helping us set up for the dance. Also, did you know that Matt ran our Super Bowl pool and donated $1,000 to Jeff for the pool party? Thank you!
Cake Artist Cafe in Cranford came through for us in a pinch when we needed last-minute edible cupcake toppers for Teacher Appreciation Week and the Sneaker Ball. Check them out! They have more than fair prices and great work.
To the UHS honor society volunteers, thank you for your hard work Friday night!
To Ms. Oates, thank you for embracing our crazy! Our board has a lot of big ideas, and you have let us run with them. We might seem over the top, but we do it all for the kids and staff.
Finally, THANK YOU to my fantastic board! Deanna Chase, Shakeeta John, Katie Carlson, Dawn Casale, and Alicia Waltz! None of this past week would have happened without you. The brainstorming, late nights, set-ups, take-downs, shopping, and everything else you have put into not only this past week but all year, thank you! You have been an amazing board and I am lucky to have had such great women to have collaborated with all year.
