Montclair High School Celebrates Campus Revitalization Project

Above: Standing, back row, from left: Susann Connors, Sarah Vogel, Darlene Sneden, Alyson Wasko, Principal James Earle, Robin Schlager, and Michelle Snyder; Seated from left: Assistant to the Superintendent Dr. Felice A. Harrison, Kate Khachaturian, Rachel Perlmeter and Julie Jackson.

Montclair High School celebrated the MHS Campus Revitalization Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Mon., June 11. Through generous donations, the new elements include the Mountie Pride Patio at the front entrance, the electronic sign board, new walkways, dedicated benches in memory of MHS student Mitch Perlmeter), school spirit banners hanging from the lampposts all around the campus and Woodman Field, flower beds, plantings on the patio and irrigation system and the installation of six new trees.

“I’m so happy and pleased that this all came together with such a team effort,” said Montclair Fund For Educational Excellence (MFEE) associate director Robin Schlager. “MFEE was thrilled to be part of this effort to make a permanent imprint on Montclair High School.” In addition to the MFE, which facilitated the project, the following groups and organizations collaborated to make it a success: The Garden Club of Montclair; the MHS Principal’s Office; Montclair Board of Education, Buildings and Grounds; Project Graduation Class of 2010 and 2011; New Jersey Tree Foundation.

“The best part is that the kids can use this area every day,” said Susann Connors, MFEE board member and key coordinator of the garden project, along with Darlene Sneden and Sarah Vogel who are all members of the Garden Club. “It’s made a huge difference already in giving Montclair High School a warm, welcoming feeling.”

“Things can’t happen without a group effort,” added Sneden. “You can’t do something like this in a vacuum. You need a team, and we had that here and with the community. When it comes together like this, there’s nothing better.”