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School Year Begins With Talk of Making Connections

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Intermediate East staff (above) had every reason to applaud proudly and enthusiastically, as their very own Domenic Innarella (right, photo by Allison Goodwin) performed a stunning rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to kick off the Sept. 3 all-staff back-to-school event at RWJBarnabas Arena. Story below.

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Sept. 3, 2024-- As it did last year, the 2024-2025 school year began with an all-staff assembly at RWJBarnabas Health Arena.

It was a picture-perfect morning as buses arrived from schools with their staff members-- everyone from teachers to nurses to custodial staff and more. It was a party-like atmosphere inside, with DJ Phil Walsh providing the tunes, and friends and colleagues who hadn't seen each other since June greeting one another with hugs and handshakes.

The assembly began with the Junior ROTC Color Guard's presentation of the flag, followed by a positively stunning rendition of the National Anthem by student Domenic Innarella. Assistant Superintendents Pat Thomas and Cara DiMeo spoke, highlighting district goals and laying the groundwork for the upcoming year.

They ceded to Superintendent Mike Citta who, after giving an honest assessment of where the district stands in its lawsuit against the state, remained reassuring and steadfast, focusing on how this year's kindness campaign and the impact of making individual connections with students and one another.

And like last year, this assembly ended in fun and raucous fashion, with a packed arena of more than 2,000 people chanting "We are TR!" which was recorded on Citta's phone (right) as ongoing proof of the district's remarkable resilience and resolve.

An event like this is intended to get folks pumped for the new school year, and it seemed to accomplish just that. Additional photos below.

District teacher "Sam I Am"-- as her friends and students know her-- joins Superintendent Citta on stage, helping him lead the crowd in a "We are TR!" chant.