Parsons adds some respect to its morning breakfast
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Using manners. Doing what teachers ask you to do.

Raising your hand. Helping with math. Cleaning up the classroom.

A student from every kindergarten through fifth-grade class at Parsons Elementary School was honored at a breakfast April 17 for being selected the most respectful student in his or her classroom.

"We're here for such a good reason - to celebrate the success of your children," Principal Bruce Rothenberg said to the parents of the 28 students being honored. "We feel it is honoring you because most of what they learned about respect came from you. We reinforce it, but it came from you. You are role models."

Character education is taught during the school year and each marking period a different word is selected. So far, caring and responsibility have been studied.

"We include the community so hopefully this will spread even more," said counselor Sandy Roberts.

Joohee Jo, a fifth-grader, said she pays attention in class and does not call out. She said "if people are not respectful, then people are going to feel bad."

She also said that "if we don't [have respect], the teachers are going to have headaches."

Second-grader Jasmine Galindo said she "was kind" and "stayed in line quietly and I did what the teacher said." She said she helps friends with their math, reading and social studies.

Her mother, Sylvia, a native of Peru, said she is proud of her daughter because these traits are integral to her culture.

"I always taught them to respect people," she said of Jasmine and her son, Pierre. "I always tell them every morning to say good morning to everybody at school. I tell them to be kind to their friends because it is not nice to fight with their classmates. I always tell them to be respectful to their friends' parents."

Another parent, Ramon Pinales, agreed, saying that his culture also holds respect in high regard. He said he is extremely proud of his third-grade son,Max, who is normally on top of his homework, does it as soon as he can, has perfect attendance and has always been very dedicated to school.

"He may be a little shy but he gets things done," Pinales said.

Max agreed, saying he chooses to act respectfully because he likes to "help people a lot."

Each of the students, who were nominated by their teachers, received a certificate. Their pictures were also placed on a hallway bulletin board.

The other award recipients were fifthgraders Marissa Seguerra, Jocelin Delaluz, Ashley Joga-Paulino and Sarojini Rao; fourth-graders Nain Ladak, Jose Morales, Anna Alcantara and Jessica Domar; third-graders Devin Bongiovanni, Priya Kavia, Akkul Agarwaland and Christine Caballero;

Also, second-graders Aastha Kannan, Rijul Shinde, Sean Telepo and Deeksa Ajeya; first-graders Parth Patel, Jack Cortez, LixyMontoya, Jasmine Rodriguez and Alina Akhtar; and kindergartners NikhilMurali, Luke Eiland, Kelly Salazar and Olivia Lopez.