Chiropractor in Marlboro, NJ

The community celebration featured cultural displays and performances, food, music and more for audiences to enjoy.

MARLBORO, NJ — Dozens of Marlboro families and community members filled Marlboro High School on Sunday to celebrate the town's 16th Annual Multi-Cultural Day event.

From 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, attendees were able to enjoy a variety of cultural performances ranging from Kathak Classical Indian Dance to a Polish Christmas Medley played on the accordion to a Chinese Yo-Yo Demonstration.

Following the performances, attendees were welcomed back to the cafeteria from 3-5 p.m. to view cultural displays, sample foods, and learn fun facts about some of the participating countries and cultures.

“It is truly an honor to stand here and celebrate this diverse and beautiful community that makes Marlboro such a special place to live,” Rita Verma, Co-Chair of the Marlboro Multi-Cultural Day Committee, said at the event.

“In a world where differences can sometimes separate us, today reminds us that those differences are actually our biggest strengths,” Verma continued. “When we learn from one another, share traditions and celebrate cultures with respect and trust, we grow together as a community.”

Throughout the day, audiences enjoyed a variety of cultural performances that ranged from dance to music and martial arts.

Countries and regions represented in this year’s Multi-Cultural Day event included China, Nepal, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Ukraine, Italy, Georgia, Ireland, India, the Middle East, Latin fusion, the United States of America, Poland and Lithuania.

Photos of some of the performances can be seen below:

“It’s wonderful to be able to showcase and share our cultures,” Alice Ng, Marlboro Multi-Cultural Day Committee Co-Chair, told Patch. “We have such a diverse community. It’s amazing that we’re on our 16th year.”

For this year’s Multi-Cultural Day, Ng said that although the committee faced challenges such as a change in venue (due to flooding in the auditorium), they also had their largest number of performances to date and added some new features to the event.

One of those features is fun facts that were posted about each participating country/region at their exhibits in the cafeteria.

While people love tasting different foods at Multi-Cultural Day each year, Ng said the event exhibits are also intended to teach attendees, a goal the committee aimed to achieve through the fun facts.

“Instead of kids just going around with their event passports, getting a stamp at each country and getting a gift, we’re asking them a question [about these countries] and helping them answer it,” Ng said. “We really want the children to learn something or to be interested in geography in another country.”

Overall, Ng and Verma said Multi-Cultural Day is a way for the local community to come together and celebrate the things that make us different, as well as what connects us to one another.

Going forward, the committee is also looking to recruit more people who would be interested in helping with Multi-Cultural Day, as Ng said they’re always open to and looking for new ideas.

“This event continues to flourish each year because of the enthusiasm and support from all of you,” Verma told Multi-Cultural Day attendees. “Families return annually for all the vibrant performances, cultural displays and the variety of delicious foods that bring everyone together. Each year, even more countries join the program, showing how far-reaching and inspiring multi-cultural spirit has become."

“I encourage everyone to support our performers whose commitment helps us to bring this Multi-Cultural Day again and again and stronger,” Verma continued. “Most importantly, the presence and spirit of our community members make this day what it is: a celebration filled with pleasure, learning, and sheer joy.”

To learn more about Marlboro Multi-Cultural Day, you can visit their Facebook page.

The event brought together over 600 students, families, staff and more for an evening centered on kindness, connection and shared purpose.

MARLBORO, NJ — Marlboro Township Public Schools recently hosted its second annual Community Unity celebration, bringing together 600+ students, families, staff, dignitaries, and community partners for an evening centered on kindness, connection, and shared purpose, while also recognizing the birth of the nation for America250.

On Nov. 13, the celebration opened with a kindness-focused video set to Matisyahu’s song “One Day,” setting the tone for a night that highlighted the district’s commitment to empathy, inclusion, and unity.

Superintendent Michael Ballone also welcomed attendees to the event with a message underscoring the power of community and discussed the values that the event celebrated.

“Your presence here tonight speaks volumes about the strength and spirit of Marlboro,” Ballone said. “This evening celebrates the heart, creativity, and humanity that make this community such a special place to live, learn, and grow.”

For 2025, district officials said the Community Unity celebration aligned with the district’s vision and connected to America250, a celebration honoring 250 years of unity, community, and kindness.

As part of this observance, Marlboro Township Public Schools launched an initiative encouraging 250+ acts of kindness across all schools, visually represented through a districtwide paper chain display created by students.

The evening also featured student performances, a Veterans’ Day tribute, presentations promoting kindness, and opportunities for families to explore community tables, engage with district partners, and visit the Monmouth NJ 250 traveling exhibit.

Cultural and faith leaders, local officials, and district educators were also recognized for their support and partnership in strengthening the district’s mission of unity and respect.

Visiting author Tracey Roegiers joined the celebration to share her book, The Paper Chain of Kindness, which connected directly to the evening.

In his closing remarks, Superintendent Ballone reflected on the significance of the evening.

“Tonight reminds us that unity isn’t a moment — it’s a responsibility we carry forward together,” Ballone said. “One act of kindness at a time, one connection at a time, we can continue to build a community where everyone feels they belong.”

Marlboro Township Public Schools extended its thanks to students, families, staff, and community partners for making the second annual Community Unity event a meaningful success and looks forward to continuing this tradition in the years ahead.

To learn more, you can visit the Marlboro Township Public Schools website.

Jenna Sciabica alleges that school district officials violated her constitutional rights by forcing her resignation without due process.

MARLBORO, NJ — A former Marlboro Township teacher who was accused of molesting one of her students but later cleared has filed a federal lawsuit against township and school officials as well as the student’s parents, alleging violations of her civil rights.

Jenna Sciabica, who was a special education teacher at Marlboro Memorial Middle School, was accused at a Board of Education meeting in April 2024 of molesting one of her students in a school hallway on March 13, an incident authorities said was caught on camera.

After the girl’s parents made their accusations public at the board meeting, Sciabica was charged with harassment-offensive touching. She was later found not guilty of the charge after prosecutors found there was no sexual offense committed in the hallway.

In May 2024, the girl’s parents filed a lawsuit against Sciabica, the school district and several other people in connection with the incident, which Sciabica followed with a counter lawsuit in October 2024 against the girl’s parents, school officials and community members who spoke negatively about her online.

On Nov. 6, Sciabica filed a second lawsuit in U.S. District Court under the Civil Rights Act, which names more than 30 defendants and alleges that school district officials violated her constitutional rights by forcing her to resign from her teaching position without due process.

Sciabica alleges that school district officials conducted a “cursory investigation” designed to reach a predetermined conclusion, sent false and stigmatizing information to state licensing authorities, and withheld video evidence of the incident from her for over five-and-a-half months, despite repeated demands.

A request for comment from Marlboro Schools Superintendent Michael Ballone had not been answered as of Wednesday afternoon.

"Ms. Sciabica was denied her fundamental constitutional right to due process," said Jonathan B. Behrins, Sciabica’s attorney.

"She was presumed guilty, forced to resign under duress, and branded with career-ending accusations — all without a fair investigation or the opportunity to defend herself," Behrins continued. "The video evidence was withheld for months, and it simply does not depict what the alleged eyewitnesses said happened."

While the lawsuit acknowledges an interaction between Sciabica and the student in the school hallway in March 2024, the complaint maintains that the interaction involved a “playful reference to a dress fitting” that had occurred the previous week in the presence of the student’s mother.

Despite the incident being described as innocent in nature, the lawsuit alleges that a teacher made false statements to law enforcement about the encounter that contradicted available security footage.

Sciabica resigned from her teaching position in March 2024 following the accusations.

"Jenna's case shows what happens when lies are leveraged for profit and an angry, misinformed mob subverts due process to cancel a teacher," Behrins said. "We will vindicate Ms. Sciabica’s cancellation, restore her reputation, and ensure that those who nearly destroyed this woman by mob rule are held fully accountable."

Through the federal lawsuit, Sciabica is seeking compensatory damages, the restoration of her employment benefits and pension credits, declaratory relief, attorney’s fees and injunctive relief requiring a retraction of defamatory statements and removal of stigmatizing accusations from her employment and licensing records.

In a statement sent to Patch, Nima Ameri, the attorney for the student’s family, said filing the lawsuit while the exact subject matter is pending in state court shows either “a lack of understanding of the law” or an attempt to continue “frivolous positions.”

“The recent attempt to file a suit in Federal Court, while the exact subject matter is pending in State Court, shows us either a lack of understanding of the law, or an attempt to continue these frivolous positions,” Ameri told Patch. “The lack of accountability by Miss Sciabica is shocking to our clients.”

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The 8U Marlboro Mustangs won the Fall Central East Division Championship in early November, finishing an undefeated season. See details:

MARLBORO, NJ — A local travel baseball team is celebrating an undefeated season after capturing the 8U USABL Fall Central East Division Championship in early November.

The 8U Marlboro Mustangs (primarily comprised of seven and eight-year-old players) won their division championship after defeating the Woodbridge Barrons 13-8 on Nov. 2, capping off a perfect 10-0 fall season.

In an interview with Patch, Team Manager Bob Zoller discussed the team’s victory, and what it’s been like getting to this point of the season.

“It was an exciting game,” Zoller said. “We worked hard this season to get where we are and finished an undefeated season. That culminated in the championship versus the Woodbridge Barrons, and we came out on top.”

Before the team captured the Fall Central East Division Championship, Zoller said he, alongside other coaches and parents, pushed fundamentals with players throughout the season.

Whether it was encouraging players to think about where the next play would be during a game or just cheering each other on when they played well, Zoller said their approach was to play hard and play the game the right way.

“In our practices, we push fundamentals – we want them to think to themselves what they’re going to do before the ball is hit to them or where the next play is,” Zoller said.

“We also want them to encourage their teammates to play the best they can,” Zoller continued. “At the end of the day, the outcome is going to be the outcome. But as long as they play hard, that’s all that we’re looking for.”

Alongside encouraging players to support each other, Zoller said support from Marlboro Little League and the local community has also been a big part of their season and the team’s success.

For the championship game at their home field, Zoller estimated that about 200 people showed up to watch and support the team. Online, Zoller said many community members have also supported them through liking and sharing their posts.

"Last year was our first year playing together as a traveling team, a tournament team, and they [the players] put a lot of work and dedication in to get to where they are," Zoller said.

"Last year, we kind of took our lumps and didn't have the best season. But this year, we were able to build their confidence, and they really played well together as a team," Zoller continued. "It's just been fun to watch them grow and become better ball players."

Following the 8U Mustangs’ team victory, Zoller said the team will go on to compete in the USABL’s Pumpkin Smash tournament over the weekend.

To learn more about the Pumpkin Smash tournament, you can click here.

MARLBORO, NJ — Voters have approved a bond referendum from the Marlboro Township Public School District to bring air conditioning to classrooms at Asher Holmes and Robertsville Elementary Schools, according to unofficial results in the 2025 General Election.

As of Wednesday morning, unofficial results show that 8,407 voters (63.56%) approved the referendum while 4,819 voters (36.44%) rejected it. Results are not official until certified by the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office.

With voter approval, district officials said this referendum will complete a district-wide air conditioning goal, providing all students with comfortable learning environments that help them maintain focus and learn better.

“The Marlboro community has shown its support for providing comfortable, energy-efficient learning environments for all of our students and staff,” Superintendent Michael Ballone said. “With this approval, we can finish the districtwide goal to add air conditioning in each school. We can bring state funding to Marlboro to help cover the cost.”

According to district officials, the voter-approved referendum ensures that Marlboro can gain up to $2.1 million in state aid to help offset part of the referendum’s total $5.3 million cost.

Combined with the district’s capital reserve, officials said this will allow Marlboro to complete air conditioning additions without increasing the tax rate.

“The approval of this referendum reflects what we can accomplish together when we put our students first,” Board of Education President Brian Cohen said. “It shows that our community understands that students learn best when they're in a comfortable environment. We are very grateful to everyone who helped share the message and build understanding throughout our community."

Over the past several years, Marlboro Township Public Schools has gradually added air conditioning to schools that didn’t have it.

Six of the district’s eight schools currently have A/C throughout their buildings, and while some large areas at Asher Holmes and Robertsville Elementary Schools are cooled, most classrooms are not.

With approval from voters, district officials said the next steps in the referendum process include:

Bonds would be sold to investors, who provide up-front funding for capital improvements, officials said. The district would also capture a kind of state aid that comes with bond funding and would then pay off the loan with money saved up from the district's capital reserve account.

Marlboro Township Public Schools aims to begin A/C installation in summer 2026, with completion targeted for spring 2027.

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