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235 Hope Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  /  732.542.4777

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A New School Year Begins


Ranney School once again welcomed back more than 800 students – a total of 818 – for the new school year on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. Students could be seen smiling from the Early Childhood classrooms to the Upper School as they reunited with friends and teachers and met new classmates. Despite the cloudy skies and rainy day, Ranney students beamed with happiness and excitement as they walked through the colorfully decorated hallways and classrooms. Upper School students arrived early and boarded a fleet of buses that would transport them to their annual retreat in the Pocono mountains, Frost Valley in upstate New York, Boston and Washington, D.C. At the Lower School, children were greeted by numerous faculty and long-time administrators including Patricia Marshall, Head of the Lower School and Associate Head for Academic Administration, as they posed for pictures with Head of School, Dr. Lawrence S. Sykoff. Middle School students organized their lockers and settled into their classrooms as they prepared for an eventful day. Both the Lower School and Middle School held assemblies in RSPA Panther Hall, where they were greeted by administrators from their respective divisions.

As Head of the Middle School for more than 10 years, David Fischer greeted the students and welcomed them to the beginning of another exciting school year at Ranney. He opened by asking: “Do you know what it means to have a successful school year?” As students pondered the answer, he stated the importance of asking this question continually throughout their education. He spoke of his childhood experiences when he was their age. With confidence, Mr. Fischer advised the students to “start each day willing to let the people and environment around you help.” He recognized the incredible academic program at Ranney along with the caring and dedicated teachers and endless opportunities offered through activities, clubs and after-school enrichment—delivering the message of the mission-promise: every child will be known and valued. Mr. Fischer then proceeded to introduce the Middle School advisors for the 2012-2013 school year and welcomed Middle School Dean of Students, David Ketcham, to the podium. Mr. Ketcham expressed his excitement for the new school year and listed several goals for students to accomplish. Number one on the list: “Please try something new.”

As the students from grades one through five filled RSPA Panther Hall with enthusiasm about their first day back, Shana Lindsey, Assistant Head of the Lower School, greeted the Lower School students. “I can’t wait to see what kind of leaders you will be in this division and what kind of imprint you will leave,” she told them. After celebrating the August and September birthdays of the students and teachers, Mrs. Marshall took the stand and immediately asked students, “Did you share your hopes and dreams today?” Mrs. Marshall spoke to the students about the importance of hopes, dreams, goals, and having confidence. She referenced the beliefs of the Cherokee Indians and their symbol of the eagle. “The eagle strives for higher,” she stated. “It does not escape the storm but uses it to lift it higher.” She concluded by encouraging the students to find the “good” in tough situations and to find hope in their days.

As students made their way into the buildings, they were introduced to several improvements around the school. The Early Childhood Center was filled with smiles as the youngest Panthers were introduced to the new Beginners Wing featuring an expanded space and more open floor plan. The playroom is colorful and bright, filled with toys as well as new technology for Beginners and Pre-K students. With three teachers in a classroom, expanded use of technology (such as iPads and Smartboards), improvements in the math/science center, a dramatic play area with new puppet theater, and an abundant library, the Beginners will navigate through their day moving to a variety of centers and having more opportunities to experience small group and even 1:1 instruction.
 
In addition, the Lower School has also added a new outdoor playground. Lower School music and art classrooms also changed their location within the Early Childhood Center. Classroom spaces are centers where students will create, innovate, express ingenuity, explore, inspire – and where they can express themselves for contribution to thought that will be generated by faculty and will multiply through collaboration; all significant qualities of a 21st century school, according to Mrs. Marshall.
 
Beyond the excitement of the students, faculty and administration were thrilled to have the students back and were eager to begin another year. Dr. Sykoff, now entering his 20th and final year as the Head of School shared, “Great schools help children reach for the stars, and exceptional schools help them arrive at those often elusive destinations. We are an exceptional school. Perhaps the first day of school is one of the most exciting for me; it has always given me the chance to see the future…standing side by side with children and their parents, gazing at the same stars." On behalf of the entire Ranney community, welcome back and best of luck to our students in all they aspire to accomplish this school year.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.