Red Bank, NJ– October 27, 2011– Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, hosted a food drive in October to raise awareness and boost the local relief efforts of the Red Bank Salvation Army.

“At the Red Bank Charter School, we saw thearrival of Hunger Action Monthas an opportunity to educate children and the community on the growing challenges so many of our neighbors face simply to feed their families,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal. “With an estimated 14 million children in America in need, the work of organizations like the Salvation Army have become a crucial lifeline.”

Among the most important missions of the Red Bank Charter School is a Service Learning Curriculum that provides the opportunity for students to volunteer at food banks, senior centers Habitat for Humanity, and other service organizations. This month, eachRBCS class hosted a “food silo” where students and families collected over 1,300 food items and hand-delivered them to the Red Bank Salvation Army.

“This is a tremendous gift,” said Capt. Stewart Dalrymple, corps commander. “In recent months, we have seen the demand for assistance rise significantly. Just a few months ago, we were aiding about 30 families a month. Now we are providing food to around 50. What the RBCS has given us will greatly increase our ability to carry out our mission.”

The food drive culminated with a community-building event, Hoedown for Hunger, with RBCS parents, faculty and students proudly displaying their “food silo” collection on their Barnyard Float in the Red Bank Halloween Parade. Following the parade, they gathered at the Red Bank Salvation Army to deliver remaining donations and celebrate their achievements with a chili cook-off and square dancing.

“We’re very proud of our partnership with the Salvation Army, which not only helps to serve the community at large but provides an invaluable learning experience to our students about the very real needs right here in our community,” Ms. Pennotti added.

RBCS wishes to thank the following businesses for their support with the Hoedown for Hunger: Sickles Market, That Hot Dog Place, Cupcake Magician, Delicious Orchards, Mr. Cupcake, Pat Boag Landscaping, AWT Environmental, A&M Industrial, AV Murphy Builders, Sugarush and Java&Dogs. 

For additional information please contact Red Bank Charter School at (732) 450-2092.  Photos are attached.

Media Contact: Caryn Cohen, Wall Street Communications +1.732.936.0968 caryn@wallstcom.com

ABOUT THE RED BANK CHARTER SCHOOL

The Red Bank Charter School is a K-8 public school serving children in Red Bank, N.J. Founded in 1998, the school has a current enrollment of 180 students with a highly qualified faculty and staff numbering more than 40. New Jersey Charter Schools are free public schools that are open to all children and which typically offer their students more individualized attention, longer school days, longer school years, and innovative programs with substantially less funding than conventional public schools. Further information is available at www.redbankcharterschool.com.

ABOUT THE RED BANK SALVATION ARMY

The Red Bank Salvation Army is an inclusive community offering both church and social services. Though anyone is welcome to attend our church services, we extend our hand of service to those in need who live in Anthonystown, Atlantic Highlands, Beacon Beach, Belford, Colts Neck, East Keansburg, Eatontown, Everett, Fair Haven, Highlands, Keansburg, Leonardo, Lincroft, Little Silver, Locust, Middletown, Monmouth Beach, Navesink, New Monmouth, Oceanport, Port Monmouth, Red Bank, Rumson, Scobeyville, Sea Bright, Shadow Lake Retirement Village, Shrewsbury and Tinton Falls. Anyone who would like to donate food to the Salvation Army can call the corps center at (732) 747-1626 to find out what kind of items to provide and then bring them to the center any weekday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Red Bank, NJ– April 19, 2011 – Ann Gradman, the seventh grade teacher at Red Bank Charter School (RBCS), was awarded a [$500 / $1,000] UnitedHealth HEROES Grant from Youth Service America (YSA) and UnitedHealth Group, which supports youth-led service-learning initiatives addressing childhood obesity and healthy lifestyles.

Receiving one of 333 grants awarded nationwide, Ms. Gradman’s 7th grade childhood obesity project encompasses videos and presentations to younger students. A highlight of the project  was a health fair on April 15th at RBCS. The semester-long initiative culminated with Global Youth Service Day, the world’s largest and longest-running youth-led service campaign.

“These grants were extremely competitive, but Ms. Gradman’s exemplified service-learning and the UnitedHealth HEROES program,” said Steve Culbertson, President and CEO of Youth Service America. “Young people in Red Bank want to make a difference, and UnitedHealth Group, in conjunction with Youth Service America, offers them resources to make a positive, measurable impact on their community.”

In its 23^rd year, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) engages millions of young people via partnerships with schools and community and faith-based organizations. This April 15 through 17, events took place in more than 100 countries and all 50 states addressing the most challenging local, national and global issues facing the world including health, literacy, childhood hunger and the environment. 

“With UnitedHealth HEROES, we are helping young people take action to improve their overall health and quality of life in a way that’s not only educational, but beneficial for their communities.  As people become more aware of health issues through health literacy and advocacy initiatives they will make positive changes to live better lives,” said Kate Rubin, UnitedHealth Group vice president of Social Responsibility. 

“We believe these grants will empower teams of students to collaborate with teachers and community leaders to develop their own awareness of how to make their schools and neighborhoods healthier. In reviewing the grant applications, we were inspired by the creative ideas young people came up with to help fight obesity and encourage healthier living,” said Rubin. “The UnitedHealth HEROES grants are part of UnitedHealth Group’s overall commitment to help stem the rising tide of obesity, and related chronic health conditions like diabetes.”

For more information about this project and the overall Wellness Initiative at RBCS, please visit http://redbankcharterschool.com. For more information about Youth Service America and Global Youth Service Day, visit www.YSA.org.

For additional information please contact Red Bank Charter School at (732) 450-2092.  For photos please contact caryn@wallstcom.com.

Youth Service America improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of children and youth, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles. Founded in 1986, YSA is an international nonprofit resource center that partners with thousands of organizations in more than 100 countries to expand the impact of the youth service movement with families, communities, schools, corporations, and governments. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

UnitedHealth Groupis a diversified health and well-being company dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making health care work better. With headquarters in Minnetonka, Minn., UnitedHealth Group offers a broad spectrum of products and services through six operating businesses: UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement, UnitedHealthcare Community & State, OptumHealth, Ingenix and Prescription Solutions. Through its family of businesses, UnitedHealth Group serves more than 75 million people worldwide. Visit www.unitedhealthgroup.comfor more information.

ABOUT THE RED BANK CHARTER SCHOOL

The Red Bank Charter School is a K-8 public school serving children in Red Bank, N.J. Founded in 1998, the school has a current enrollment of 180 students with a highly qualified faculty and staff numbering more than 40. New Jersey Charter Schools are free public schools that are open to all children and which typically offer their students more individualized attention, longer school days, longer school years, and innovative programs with substantially less funding than conventional public schools. Further information is available at www.redbankcharterschool.com.

RED BANK, N.J. ­ March 24, 2011­ Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, recently hosted an event to introduce a school-wide health and fitness initiative that involves a community partnership with Whole Foods Market Middletown.

With national rates of childhood obesity skyrocketing, the need for health and fitness to become part of children’s every day at school is more than ever a concern for parents. RBCS is using grants and community partnerships to introduce fresh salad bar options for student lunches and to launch a school-wide initiative called Healthy Habits. The new program involve activities like Water Wednesday, where students pledge to drink no beverages other than water for one day, and One Minute Workouts, where the entire school, students and staff alike, stop what they’re doing for one minute and engage in 60 seconds of exercise, such as jumping jacks or hopping on one foot.

Whole Foods Market in Middletown has contributed food for the new salad barthat RBCS was awarded as a grant from The Great American Salad Bar Project (www.saladbars2schools.org.). For their part in Healthy Habits, Whole Foods Market Middletown supplies a new vegetable weekly on Tasty Tuesdays and rounds out the week with Fruit Fridays by supplying a new fruit for the kids to taste at lunch.

“Awareness and access to healthy fruits and vegetables is essential in educating children about the importance of considering eating healthy at every meal,” said Sue Henderson, marketing team leader for Whole Foods Market Middletown. “In working with the Salad Bar Project and TheLunchBox.org, Whole Foods Market is very proud to assist our local schools in offering healthy and delicious food choices for our kids.”

Students and staff have enthusiastically embraced the changes around RBCS.

“We’re grateful to the community partners that have helped to make Healthy Habits such a success,” said Meredith Pennotti, Red Bank Charter School’s principal. “We strive to educate the whole child at RBCS, and now health and fitness is another piece of the already rich curriculum we’re providing.”
 

Whole Foods Market Middletown is located at 471 State Route 35 North in Red Bank.

For additional information please contact Red Bank Charter School at (732) 450-2092.  For photos please contact caryn@wallstcom.com.

ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET®

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s nearly 60,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America by FORTUNE magazine for 14 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2010, the company had sales of more than $9 billion and currently has more than 300 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

ABOUT THE RED BANK CHARTER SCHOOL

The Red Bank Charter School is a K-8 public school serving children in Red Bank, N.J. Founded in 1998, the school has a current enrollment of 180 students with a highly qualified faculty and staff numbering more than 40. New Jersey Charter Schools are free public schools that are open to all children and which typically offer their students more individualized attention, longer school days, longer school years, and innovative programs with substantially less funding than conventional public schools. Further information is available at www.redbankcharterschool.com.

RED BANK, NJ – March 9, 2011 –Red Bank Charter School is one of just 18 charter schools from across the country to be honored by the New Leaders for New Schools’ Effective Practice Incentive Community (EPIC) program for accomplishing breakthrough student achievement gains. Educators at the school will receive individual financial rewards in exchange for working with New Leaders for New Schools to document and share the strategies and practices that led to their successes.

This year, 18 schools were selected from the 175 charter schools from 23 states and the District of Columbia that competed in the EPIC National Charter School Consortium for $1.8 million in incentive funds. School leaders will receive awards ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 while most teachers at each school will receive awards ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. Once this fourth cohort of schools is awarded, the total amount of EPIC incentives distributed to charter educators will top $6.4 million.  A complete list of EPIC award winners is attached.

Founded in 1998, Red Bank Charter School is a tuition-free K-8 public school open to all students in Red Bank. With a diverse student body and small class sizes, Red Bank Charter School is among the highest performing charter schools in the state and is one of the few schools in New Jersey that offers performance pay. All teachers are awarded a base salary and have the opportunity to earn performance incentives.

“This recognition externally validates what we’ve known to be true at Red Bank Charter School all along,” said Meredith Pennotti, the school’s principal. “We’ve made steady, sustainable progress over the years. Now we want to replicate and share it. This grant helps to spread the innovation with other public schools. We impact 180 kids; now we can impact thousands.”

The power of EPIC lies in the opportunity for educators to learn from one another about the practices that contribute to achievement gains. All EPIC award-winning schools engage in a thorough investigation with the EPIC team to study and document the school practices and leadership actions that contributed to student success.  Case studies and profiles from all 18 award-winning charter schools will be posted on the EPIC Knowledge System, a rich online professional development resource that educators can use to build capacity for school improvement and impact student achievement.

EPIC partners with Mathematica Policy Research, an independent, nationally recognized research firm, in the creation and refinement of a Value-Added Model to measure the impact of a school on its students over time. EPIC awards are based on a school’s annual gains rather than their overall proficiency rates for students.

The EPIC value-added model for charter schools is unique in that it compares gains from schools in 23 different states and Washington D.C. Award winners are selected solely based on growth made over the previous three years in student test scores.

New Leaders for New Schools launched EPIC in 2006 to link principal and teacher incentives to the wide-scale sharing of effective educational practices.

EPIC’s National Charter School Consortium, currently in its fourth year, comprises up of 175 eligible schools in 23 states and the District of Columbia. In its first three years, the EPIC National Charter School Consortium awarded more than $4.8 million to more than 1,200 educators in 47 schools in 13 states.

The EPIC program is also active in Memphis City Schools, D.C. Public Schools, and Denver Public Schools. EPIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Incentive Fund (TIF), school district and charter school partners, and private philanthropic funders.

New Leaders for New Schools is working to address the national crisis in urban public education by selecting and prepar­ing outstanding leaders and supporting the performance of the urban public schools they lead at scale. New Leaders for New Schools has set clear goals and strategies to help schools led by New Leader Principals succeed while also support­ing the success of its partner school systems and, over time, education practitioners and policymakers nationwide.

Its strong focus on mission and long-term goals is allowing New Leaders for New Schools to make a powerful contribution toward its vision that one day every student will graduate from high school ready for college, career, and citizenship. Additional information about New Leaders for New Schools can be found at www.nlns.org.

RED BANK, N.J. — Feb. 28, 2011 — Red Bank Charter School (RBCS), a non-profit, nonpartisan, K-8 public school, today announced new milestones in its Nutrition Project to provide meals prepared on-site to its students and faculty.

RBCS has wrapped up construction of a new kitchen, complete with appliances, storage, and basic equipment. The school has additionally completed a review of US Department of Agriculture and food industry guidelines for preparing food on site while meeting Federal Nutrition Program Guidelines. The first step will be to introduce the Pilot Breakfast Program. RBCS is also receiving support for its program from the Great American Salad Bar project, which is giving the school salad bar equipment worth more than $3000 and a two-year start-up collaboration with Whole Foods.

“We are thrilled with the progress we’ve made on our Nutrition Project, which owes so much to the support of our Charter Community Organization, donations from individuals, Kevein Kelleher’s leadership, and the tireless physical labor of Mike Woods and a number of parents,” said Principal Meredith Pennotti. “Our message for 2011 is RBCS: Leading the Way. We are very proud of our excellent test scores and academic growth. We are equally proud of the ingenuity, sacrifice, and continued commitment our charter community maintains for ensuring the excellent development of the whole child.”

RED BANK, N.J. ­ February 14, 2011 ­ Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, will hold its fourth annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Sunday, March 13. Corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, and Irish stew will be served along with Irish soda bread and dessert. Traditional Irish music will be provided by the Irving Place Players. The dinner will be served 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the school’s building at 58 Oakland Street, Red Bank.

“This is the third cultural event we have hosted this school year,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal, “and it provides another opportunity for the community to visit our school, enjoy good food, and have fun together.”

Proceeds from the event will go towards RBCS enrichment programs.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $7 for children and will be available at the door. For more information about the dinner program please contact Red Bank Charter School at (732) 450-2092.

RED BANK, N.J. — Jan. 4, 2011 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, is hosting its third annual Martin Luther King Community Service Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 15th from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

“This annual breakfast celebrates the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. by encouraging people of all ages to get involved in community service activities,” said Principal Meredith Pennotti. ”The event additionally serves to reinforce Red Bank Charter School’s guiding principles that all children can learn, all must care about themselves and others, and all must contribute to the larger community.”

Local non-profits, including Lunch Break, Bridge of Books Foundation, Clean Ocean Action, Surfrider Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, The Community YMCA-Y Team Achievers, Red Bank Safe Routes, Realmama, and the Red Bank Public Library will be present to distribute information about their organizations and recruit volunteers. Bridge of Books will also be accepting donations of gently used books at this event.

“This annual breakfast not only commemorates Dr. King and his important work but also encourages us all to do our part and give back to our local, national, and global communities,” said Lisa Cureton, a Red Bank Charter School parent.

The breakfast event will take place at Red Bank Charter School’s building at 58 Oakland Street, Red Bank. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, coffee, and tea will be served. Special guest speaker will be Pastor Terrence Porter of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Tickets are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children and will be available at the door or in advance. All proceeds go to the Red Bank Charter School CCO Fund.

RED BANK, N.J. — Dec. 2, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School will host an Open House event on Saturday, Dec. 4. Beginning at 10 a.m., the school invites prospective students and their families to come and explore all the school has to offer.

Principal Meredith Pennotti, members of the Charter Community Organization (CCO) and teachers will present the school’s philosophy, curriculum and social and academic achievements. Red Bank Charter School Ambassadors, who are current students, will lead a tour of the building. Light refreshments will be served. The school is located at 58 Oakland Street in Red Bank.

“At Red Bank Charter School, we believe that celebrating individuality, appreciating cultural diversity, mastering conflict resolution, and insisting on accountability by all are the foundation for good citizenship,” Pennotti said. "Our children benefit greatly from experiencing the rich culture of Red Bank and deep connections we foster throughout our community."

RBCS holds high expectations for each student’s academic, behavioral and social performance. Classes are small, with 20 students in each grade. There is one class for each grade level, and each is taught by a teacher and adjunct teaching team.

Red Bank Charter School students benefit from a progressive instruction model that ensures every student receives a high level of individual support. RBCS school wide performance on State Assessments shows extremely steady and sustainable growth

"We are particularly proud of our test scores for the 2009-2010 academic year," said Pennotti. “This solid academic foundation is extended through an array of enrichment opportunities such as Project SOAR, Pennies for Peace, and other programs that gear students to be globally informed and service oriented.”

Red Bank Charter School capitalizes on the rich resources of the surrounding community to further learning beyond the classroom. Extensive school partnerships include Two River Theatre, Count Basie Theatre, YMCA, Red Bank Parks and Recreation, Kathryn Barnett School of Dance, Kateri Environmental Center and The Language School of Red Bank.

ADMISSION LOTTERY

An admission lottery is held every January for openings in Kindergarten and for the waiting list in Grades 1 through 8. To apply for an opening, interested Red Bank families must complete an application by Jan., 13. 2011.

RED BANK, N.J. — Nov. 9, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, nonpartisan, K-8 public school, hosted its seventh annual International Day at the school on Thursday, Oct. 21. The emphasis of this program, which was held on United Nations Day, is to create an awareness of global issues and the conversations shaping the 21st century.

For weeks, the students at Red Bank Charter School researched countries around the world and learned about their customs, politics, religious practices, and languages. On Oct. 21, each of the school’s classrooms was transformed into a different country, showcasing what the children learned. The chosen countries included Haiti, China, South Africa, South Korea, Nepal and the United States. Activities included performances and samplings of specialty food items. Each student used a “passport” to visit these countries, ending the “trip around the world” at a closing ceremony in the school’s courtyard.

RBCS also presented the “Crane Project,” a school-wide endeavor which involved students and their families creating 1000 origami cranes, to be sent to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. This project honors the memory of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who died from the effects of the atomic bomb. Teacher Jessica Kerber won a grant from Donorschoose.org to fund the needed supplies, and the colorful cranes were strung up throughout the first-floor hallway.

“International Day is one of the many ways in which we begin to prepare our young learners to have a richer experience in the complex and expansive world in which we live,” said Meredith Pennotti, Red Bank Charter School’s principal.

RED BANK, N.J. — Oct. 6, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, nonpartisan, K-8 public school, offered a comprehensive gardening class during its summer program to introduce students to sustainable growing practices. The course was part of Summer Institute, a program consisting of fun, hands-on classes for elementary and middle school students.

The garden was suggested at a meeting between Principal Meredith Pennotti, Board of Trustees Facilities Chair Kevin Kelleher, and Red Bank Charter School Foundation member Michael Stasi, who were brainstorming ways to incorporate healthy eating and sustainability practices at the school. The project was conceived as an extension of the school’s nutrition program, and horticulture is now an elective offered to the middle school students.

The effort demonstrates RBCS’s belief in utilizing the rich resources of the community to support student learning. Ms. Pennotti and Mr. Stasi reached out to the Estate of Florence Forgotson, the late philanthropist, which generously agreed to allow the school to use its land on a temporary but long-term basis. Stasi Landscaping led the project and solicited help from local vendors. Taylor Fence donated fencing lumber, and Carchesio Greenhouses of Manalapan donated the plants. Parents helped prepare the land, erect the fence and maintain the garden.

Under the guidance of parent master gardeners, students in grades 5 through 8 learned how to prepare the soil and design the plot. They planted cucumbers, yellow squash, eggplant, bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, and a number of herbs. For five weeks they watered, weeded and solved problems in the garden, located on Sycamore Avenue in Shrewsbury.

“We realized we had an intruder that was eating many of the leafy plants and discovered it was a rabbit,” said teacher Devon Worster. “We researched online how to make a home-made, environmentally friendly spray that wouldn’t hurt it. It was made of milk, pepper sauce, eggs and garlic. We sprayed it around the perimeter of the garden and it seemed to work.”

The produce was harvested, and the school shared the bounty with Lunch Break in Red Bank. “The learning possibilities from this project are limitless,” said Ms. Pennotti. “This is a large step towards our goal of encouraging healthy living and eating habits among our school community.”

RED BANK, N.J. — Oct. 5, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, nonpartisan, K-8 public school, is holding its second annual Costume Exchange Program to raise money for its educational programs and provide parents throughout the community with a low-cost costume resource for the Halloween season.

The school is collecting donated gently worn Halloween costumes now and will be offering them for sale at the school on Oct. 14 and 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. “At RBCS we focus on environmental issues throughout our curriculum and encourage the idea of recycling and reuse with our school community. The Costume Exchange is a great way to model this principle and provide inexpensive costumes to families for use this Halloween,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal at Red Bank Charter School.

Costumes can be dropped off during business hours at the school, which is located at 58 Oakland Street in Red Bank. Donated costumes will be accepted starting now as well as after Halloween 2010 to get a head start on the 2011 program.

RED BANK, N.J. — Oct. 4, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, nonpartisan, K-8 public school, is hosting its annual Spanish Heritage Dinner to raise money for educational programs and to offer the community the opportunity to enjoy authentic, home-cooked Spanish and Latin American cuisine. The event is being run by the Charter Community Organization.

“We created a warm, festive atmosphere last year, and everyone loved the food, music and dance,” said Sherry Delgado, world language teacher.

The dinner will be held on Friday, Oct. 15th, at Red Bank Charter School. Two seatings will be offered, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children. Admission includes dinner, dessert and beverages. A 50/50 raffle, auction and door prizes will also be offered.

“We are fortunate to have a beautifully diverse community at RBCS,” said Principal Meredith Pennotti. “What better way to come to know and appreciate one another than through sharing food and culture.”

RED BANK, N.J. — June 29, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, today announced that its recent Luau on the Navesink River event raised more than $8000 towards the purchase of a new outdoor message board for the school.

“Our Charter Community Organization, which sponsored the Luau event, plays an invaluable role not only in raising money for the school but in maintaining the warm sense of community for which Red Bank Charter School is so well known,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal. “We’re so grateful for the participation of all its members and for the wonderful local merchants who donated items for our chance auction and food for the dinner. All of us in the Red Bank Charter School family thank them for their extraordinary contributions to our Luau event.”

Restaurants and merchants supplying food for the Luau dinner included Boondocks Fishery & Grill, Danny's Steak House & Seafood, Edible Arrangements, Gaetano’s Restaurant, Gianni.s Pizzeria of Red Bank, Local Smoke BBQ, Monticello Bistro, Readie's Fine Foods, and Sickles Market. Businesses and organizations contributing auction items included 90.5 The Night, A Time To Kiln, Aloha Grove, Bobbie Kingsley Photography, Clearview Cinema, Cool School, DS&D, Front Street Trattoria, Frozsurt & The Language School, Funk & Standard, Honey Child Music, Jay and Silent Bobs, Kidegories, Liberty Science Center, Long Branch Bungalow Hotel & Tavolo, Lulu Rose, Monmouth Museum, Monticello, Nails Plus, Promenade Beach Club, RBCS Foundation, Red Bank Frameworks, Residence Inn, Shaka, Ship Ahoy Beach Club, Soap Market, Sparkling Lady, Stroller Strides, Sue Barr Photography, Sweetest Sin, Ten Thousand Villages, The Bee, The Sea Grass Cottage, Toymasters, Tropicana Casino and Resort, and Two River Theater. Individual and family contributors of goods and services included Patti Balderas, Anna Barfield, Darree Clark, Bob Cronin, the Gosden family, Mike Havay, Dee Holiday, Steve Houck, the O’Donnell family, the Riddle family, Adrienne Welch, Bruce Whitaker, and Pat McCrink Whitaker.

Red Bank Charter School’s second annual Luau on the Navesink River, which took place May 22, featured a night of dining, live music, and a chance auction supported by donations from local businesses. Local restaurants and markets donated all the food for the meal, while the menu showcased and advertised all the local contributors.

RED BANK, N.J. — Mar. 10, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, will be holding its third annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Gift Auction on Sunday, March 21 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Red Bank Charter School’s building at 58 Oakland Street, Red Bank. Featuring a traditional menu of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes, with shepherd’s pie for the kids, proceeds from the event will help the school to complete work on a new school kitchen.

“As one of the cultural events we host every year, this annual dinner provides an opportunity for the community to visit our school, enjoy good food, and have fun together,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal. “We’re also excited to be presenting a chance auction that will help us meet our fundraising goals for a new nutrition program.”

Red Bank Charter School actively invites local businesses to contribute items for the chance auction, and all such donations will be tax deductible. Participating merchants will also be highlighted in an upcoming issue of the school newsletter.

Tickets for the dinner are $10 for adults and $7 for children and will be available at the door. For more information about the dinner program, or about contributing items for the chance auction, please contact Red Bank Charter School at (732) 450-2092.

RED BANK, N.J. — Jan. 26, 2010 — First graders at Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, are selling pencils, erasers, and related items this week to raise money for children in Central Asia through Pennies for Peace, an international service-learning program that helps educate American children about the world to show them they can make a difference “one penny at a time.”

Through the Pennies Through Peace program, Red Bank Charter School first graders have experienced language arts, social studies, mathematics, and geography activities designed to heighten their awareness and understanding of how children live in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Teaching tools included interactive white boards, video clips, and a reading of the book “Listen to the Wind,” which tells the story of building an elementary school in the small Pakistani village of Korphe.

Pennies for Peace is a program of the Montana-based, Central Asia Institute (CAI), a non-profit organization that promotes and provides community-based education and literacy programs, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. As part of their Pennies for Peace activities this week, Red Bank Charter School first graders are also attending a talk by CAI co-founder Greg Mortenson at Brookdale Community College.

“The Red Bank Charter School has always believed in the power of children and their ability to care for others while contributing to their larger world,” said Meredith Pennotti, principal. “With the Pennies for Peace program, our first graders are seeing for themselves their ability to make this world a better place while providing a cross-cultural experience that shows their common humanity with children everywhere.”

RED BANK, N.J. — Jan.12, 2010 — Red Bank Charter School, a non-profit, non-partisan, K-8 public school, is hosting its second annual Martin Luther King Community Service Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 8:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

The breakfast celebrates the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. by encouraging people of all ages to get involved in community service activities. The event additionally serves to reinforce Red Bank Charter School’s guiding principles that all children can learn, all must care about themselves and others, and all must contribute to the larger community.

Local non-profits, including Lunch Break, Bridge of Books Foundation, Clean Ocean Action, Surfrider Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, The Community YMCA-Y Team Achievers, Red Bank Safe Routes, Realmama, and the Red Bank Public Library will be present to distribute information about their organizations and recruit volunteers. Bridge of Books will also be accepting donations of gently used books at this event.

“This annual breakfast not only commemorates Dr. King and his important work but also encourages us all to do our part and give back to our local, national, and global communities,” said Lisa Cureton, a Red Bank Charter School parent.
The breakfast event will take place at Red Bank Charter School’s building at 58 Oakland Street, Red Bank. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, coffee, and tea will be served. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $3.00 for children and will be available at the door or in advance. All proceeds go to the Red Bank Charter School PGNET group.