Acupuncture in Jamesburg, NJ

JAMESBURG – The Jamesburg Public Library will temporarily close after Saturday for a much-needed makeover.

The upper and lower levels of the library, located at 229 Gatzmer Ave., will be redesigned and reconfigured with new furniture.

The project will take roughly 50 days to complete, with an anticipated reopening around May 31, said Councilman Thomas J. Emens, a member of the library’s Board of Trustees.

"This project is a bold and long overdue investment in our library, which will ensure that the JPL is an asset to our community and a destination for residents for many years to come,” Emens said. "We look forward to working with all of our community partners to build a bright future for the Jamesburg Public Library."

The reconfigured upper level will house an updated book collection with a permanent children’s section, a redesigned patron service area, and stations for technology. The lower level will become a community center with a lounge reading area, tutoring and studying space for students, and a meeting area for the public, according to the library's website.

The project includes replacement of the library’s restroom toilets and sinks and painting the library’s main room, break room, office, bathrooms, hallway, vestibule, doors, trims, exterior overhang and railing.

The project also includes upgrades to electric and landscape, as well as new flooring.

The past few years have been difficult for the library as it navigated the pandemic and a recovery storm damage, library officials said.

In November 2022, the library began thinking about ways to optimize space to meet the community's current and future needs.

"This renovation project is our way of turning these challenges into an opportunity to upgrade our facilities to better serve the residents of Jamesburg," Emens said.

The Board of Trustees allotted $145,000 for capital improvements in the library’s 2023 operating budget, repurposing funds that were unused when the library was closed during the pandemic.

"The library is thrilled to write its next chapter," said Library Director Gabriella Oakley. "We look forward to seeing everyone during our grand opening later this spring."

Jamesburg residents with library cards will be able to check out books at any other consortium member libraries in neighboring towns. They will also be able to access e-books and other digital media online through Hoopla and Libby and sign up for temporary library cards.

email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

JAMESBURG – For the first time one of the district's two schools was named a Blue Ribbon School.

John F. Kennedy Elementary School is one of only nine schools in the Garden State cited as an "Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School" for 2021.

Schools in this category have made significant advances in closing subgroup achievement gaps in English, language arts and mathematics over the past three to five years, JFK Principal Kristy DeFazio said.

The designation was surprising and affirming, said Diana Sanger, special education resource teacher and president of the Jamesburg Education Association.

"This award is the direct result of the individuals who dedicate their careers to providing nothing less than the best educational experience for all," Sanger said. "My colleagues and I at JFK Elementary School are proud of the efforts and rich, diverse cultures of our students.

"It’s through our school’s vision that these achievements are possible. And it’s through the compassion and commitment of the members of the Jamesburg Education Association that JFK catapulted into the national spotlight."

The district's demographics include a 54% population of Hispanic learners, as well as students who fall into populations of 34% white, 7% Black, 3% Asian and 2% two or more races.

The Front Street school houses about 465 students.

"Because we are such a tiny little school," Sanger said. "And for us to close the gap, it's enormous. Sometimes schools struggle in different areas. For us, we have a very high Hispanic population. So, we have a lot of English language learning students and we closed the gap. That means that we now are on level with other schools for performance. So, we are one of nine schools in New Jersey to get the blue ribbon and the only one of the nine in New Jersey to close the gap."

"Our students are so proud," Sanger continued. "It takes a long time to complete the process to be awarded a Blue Ribbon."

To celebrate, the district hosted a ceremony on March 22 and a parade on April 1. Every student was given their own Blue Ribbon and made a heart depicting what they love about their small town. The hearts are now displayed on the walls of the school.

"They are beautiful," Sanger said.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.

For 2021, Walter M. Schirra Elementary School in Old Bridge received a Blue Ribbon designation, in the “Exemplary High Performing Schools” category.

In all, 325 schools were honored from around the country. Other Garden State schools recognized were North End School in Cedar Grove, Hillside Elementary School in Closter, Weymouth Township Elementary School in Dorothy, Lucy N. Holman Elementary School in Jackson, Torey J. Sabatini Elementary School in Madison and Wemrock Brook School in Manapalan.

Email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin.