Public
School #14
33 East
24th Street
Bayonne,
New Jersey 07002
(201) 858-6281
History is the "story" of real events related in chronological order. This is the story of the history of Public School # 14, which begins fittingly with these "once upon a time" words of the poet, Walt Whitman: "..to girlhood, boyhood look - the teacher and the school." Whitman's belief that education was the vessel that carried the hope of the future was the same belief that prompted the launching of Bayonne's School for the Gifted and Talented, now housed at 311 Avenue E and called P.S. # 14.
It was in September of 1996 that the refurbished Gifted and Talented Program set sail in the renovated building at 24th Street and Avenue E. At its helm was Principal, John Wanko, assisted by his faithful navigator, Catherine Quinn. After they and their coworkers attended training sessions with the Arts Genesis Program and reviewed effective procedures for cooperative grouping, Mr. Wanko guided the small vessel, with its enthusiastic crew of faculty members and its precious cargo of inquisitive young minds, through changing waters. The enriched and compacted curriculum engaged students from fourth through eighth grades in one of five designated areas including: art, music, psychomotor, tactile learning, and intellectual giftedness. During nine daily periods, students were occupied with math, reading, English, spelling, science/environmental science, social studies, art and art history, vocal and instrumental music, physical education, tactile learning, and a host of mini-courses. Beside these subjects, students could elect to sing with the junior or senior choir, perform in the orchestra or jazz band, try out for cheerleading, participate in girls or boys basketball, join the softball team, or play chess; and all fourth graders were given the opportunity to play the violin.
One of the highlights of this period was the Renaissance Fair, which engaged the entire faculty and student body, as well as the community, in its many activities. This festival was the culmination of a school-wide study as students attended classes to learn about the customs, foods, literature, mathematics, science, music, art, and recreational activities of the Renaissance. Dressed in costumes of the period, students and faculty as well as parents and invited community guests gathered in the schoolyard and the neighboring park to watch children dance around the Maypole, play a life size game of chess on a gigantic board, listen to madrigals, engage in science experiments, sample foods of the period, and attend a performance of "Shakespeare in the Park" before a castle built by the tactile students. This event was an excellent expression of the multiple intelligences approach and cooperative learning styles of education.
In 1998 Dominic Zampella was appointed principal, and he assumed command of the P.S. # 14 vessel. Under his leadership and direction, application was made to designate the school as one of New Jersey's finest, a Star School. This honor was granted in 1999, and the small P.S. # 14 vessel was now a "starship." Guided by Mr. Zampella and a talented and dedicated faculty many nominated by their students to appear in Who's Who Among America's Teachers and several nominated for the Disney Teacher of the Year award students continued to garner awards in academics, art, athletics, and community activities.
Janice Lo Re joined the "Starship" journey in 2001 as acting principal. She was long an associate of the program and true to her role as a dedicated captain; she led her faculty as they renewed their training in the field of gifted and talented education. Then in 2002, Mrs. Lo Re was appointed principal of P.S. # 14 and assumed full responsibility of the school, which she supervises with a firm gentleness. With the implementation of new classes, as well as new Gifted Area Programs, the vessel continues to move forward.
During the six years that the gifted and talented program at P.S.# 14 has existed, its teachers and students have been honored with numerous awards. The following list cites only a few:
The Student Council was recognized by the National Association of Elementary School Principals as an Honor Council for seven consecutive years from its inception to the present.
The Academic Challenge Team won first place in the citywide Academic Bowl for seven consecutive years.
P.S. # 14 was named a "Do Something Champion School" in 2001 and 2002 for its participation in the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kindness and Justice Challenge."
In the Marist Scholastic Olympics 2001-2003, P.S. # 14 students placed first in the competition.
Two students had their artwork featured on the cover of the "It's Elementary" school supplies catalog.
In December 2001 a seventh grade student won the District Spelling Bee and in 2003 a sixth grader placed second.
In the last seven years, students have accrued many bronze, silver and gold medals in the Hudson County Science Fair, as well as numerous honorable mentions and awards sponsored by industry.
An eighth grader, one of three winners from among two thousand entrants, had her work painted on the wall of a New York City school as part of a mural contest sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger. MTV and local New York stations televised this event.
Another student won the City, County, and State Fire Prevention Poster Contest and was awarded a computer and printer.
The New Jersey Association of Superintendents awarded a P.S. # 14 student a prize for winning its poster contest.
P.S. #14 placed first in the 2002 and 2003 District Elementary Chess Tournaments.
Students also show their school spirit by participating in community and civic activities.
P.S. #14’s 2003 Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment scores earned the highest ranking in the state.
Just as Columbus sailed into unchartered seas many years ago, so did James McNally bravely pilot his vessel, the School for the Gifted and Talented, into new educational waters in 1977. Daniel Doyle and Mary Meaney continued the work he began, at the former Vroom Learning Center. In 1996 the school moved to its present location.
And so the "story" of P.S. # 14's history continues as we heed the words of the poet, Walt Whitman who wrote for the dedication of a school, "Sail, sail thy best, ship of democracy, of value is thy freight. - ..to girlhood, boyhood look - the teacher and the school." Principal Lo Re and the staff of P.S. # 14 will continue to write our school's history each day, always recognizing the preciousness and fragility of those entrusted to our care, the children who accompany us on our journey of intellectual exploration.
