We’re talking class action; and, it’s not about a lawsuit — more like suiting up for a class picture.
That’s what they did back in the early 1970s. Well, at least one in this shot suited up in the literal sense. Figuratively speaking, though, this Sickles School sixth grade shot of Gary Verwilt’s class encapsulates that picture day mindset of the past.
On the cusp of the start of the school year, Fair Haven lost one of its most popular former longtime teachers.
Fair Havenite and retired 25-year Knollwood and Viola L. Sickles schools teacher Patricia “Pat” Egan passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 4. She was 82.
Pat Egan Photo/family via John E. Day Funeral Home
“Patricia devoted her life and love to family and to children of all ages. She had a boundless faith in God and was a parishioner of the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. Patricia’s enthusiasm, love, humor, and smile touched the lives of many, leaving a legacy of innovative education, dedication to family, and a loving devotion to all who were blessed to be by her side.”
Born in Teaneck on Christmas Eve 1939 to Elwyn and Marguerite Norton, Pat was one of eight children. She graduated from William Paterson University with a bachelor of arts degree in Education and taught first at the Longfellow School in Teaneck and then for 25 years in Fair Haven at both the Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood schools.
Pat was pre-deceased by: her beloved husband, James S. Egan in 1986; her parents, Elwyn and Marguerite Norton; and two brothers, Robert and Roy Norton.
She is survived by: her four cherished, loving children and their spouses, Kevin Egan and wife Anne, of Westborough, MA, Richard Egan and wife Carolyn, of West Long Branch, Christen McMahon-Vota and husband Tim, of Little Silver, and Michel Chojnacki and husband Jerzy, of Shrewsbury; her 12 cherished grandchildren, Kevin (Meghan), John and Adelene Egan, Jaimie, Jessica and Emily Egan, Jack and Cole McMahon, Violet and Rowan Vota, Christian and Reed Chojnacki; five siblings, Richard (Camille) Norton, Ronald (Virginia) Norton, Kevin (Barbara) Norton, Kathleen (Joseph) Mobilio, and Dennis (Patricia) Norton; and many nieces and nephews.
— Photos/Family, Eileen Kubaitis and Jeni Weber
Family and friends may visit on Friday, Sept. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Church of the Nativity, Fair Haven, followed by burial at Fair View Cemetery, 456 State Route 35, Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia’s memory to Grace Healthcare Services, 105 Fieldcrest Ave, Suite 402. Edison, NJ 08837. Email: info@gracehcs.com
Rest In Peace, Pat Egan. Thank you for all you have taught so many Fair Haven kids that will endure their lifetimes. You are remembered.
— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home
Fair Haven eighth grade graduation from Willow Street School (Sickles) circa 1946 Photo/courtesy of Jane Croft
It’s an unprecedented graduation time in Rumson and Fair Haven this year. These pandemic days, in Fair Haven, eighth grade students are being met with a diploma, Superintendent Sean McNeil, Knollwood School Principal Amy Romano and a mini front-yard graduation snapshot in time and ceremony. It started this week.
While eighth grade graduations have taken place in various venues over the years, from what was Willow Street School (now Viola L. Sickles School) to Knollwood and then to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, there’s never yet been a front lawn march to Pomp and Circumstance. Yet, this year’s comes close.
So, in honor of the eighth grade students graduating Knollwood School’s Class of 2020, we take a look back in a reprise of an eighth grade graduation post from June 18, 2018, featuring the Class of 1946.
A Knollwood School kindergarten class of 1956 or ’57 Photo/courtesy of George Martin
Well, school is back in session. Students are settling into the classroom routine. And for some, it’s a new experience. We’re talking kindergarten kids.
While many, or most, in this era have already been to some sort of pre-kindergarten class, that was not the case years ago. In fact, the first day of school really was a first day in a school for kindergarteners. And it could be traumatic for both parents and students.
Yes, it was only half a day of school, but it was all new: the drop-off (or rope walk), the first-day outfit and haircut, the new friends from the other side of town, the teachers, the classroom. All of it.
Then there was the school itself. There was a time when there were three school buildings in Fair Haven.
Sickles student Elle Ahrens with USA Lacrosse Team member Megan Douty at the Math Olympics
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Sickles School second-grader Bryce Oullette explores new math learning tools at Family Math Night as his mother Holly Oullette looks on
Photo/Fair Haven School District
USA Olympic swimmer Tom Wilkens and Sickles student Jessie Martinelle at the Math Olympics
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Sickles School second-grader William Kuskin, second grade teacher Kate Gagliano, second-grader Piper Duffy, and Piper’s mother Megan Duffy explore new math learning tools at Family Math Night Photo/Fair Haven School District
With a collective “Let the games begin!” Family Math Week 2018 at Fair Haven’s Viola L. Sickles School paid homage to and culminated in a nod to the Winter Olympics.
Young readers listen attentively as Sickles School Third Grade Teacher Sheri Kleinman demonstrates Making Connections — Text-to-Self/Text/World.
Students raised their voices in song during the Campfire Sing-Along —Storytelling Through Music event hosted by Sickles School Music Teacher Vincent Mottern.
Enjoying the Sickles School Wild West Book Fair are Samuel Sztoser and Summer Key and (back row, l. to r.) Sienna Key, Arianna Torrone, and Tyler Gilbert.
Wild West was the theme for this year’s Book Fair at Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven.
Marlena Redling, co-owner of Firefly Yogis, demonstrates a pose for the Sickles School third graders.
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Suzanne Mazzucca and Jess Patel left to right join the Sickles School third graders in a dance for peace.
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Shown at the Sickles School Pose for Peace event are: Julie Lombardo, Josie Lombardo, Olive Patel, Isabelle Mazzucca, Suzanne Mazzucca, Heather Lombardo, Jess Patel and Marlena Redling.
Photo/Fair Haven School District
The atmosphere was fun and festive at “Lunch with a VIP” at Viola L. Sickles School in Fair Haven.
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Sickles School first-grader Orian Shorshi and his nanny Sharon Cooper at “Lunch with a VIP.”
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Sickles School first-graders “Just Dance” to a song by Elvis Presley during the “Lunch with a VIP” event.
Photo/Fair Haven School District
Fair Haven kids recently did lunch with a VIP.
It’s an annual school event dubbed Lunch with a VIP. It offers students the opportunity to connect with a loved one during the school day in a celebratory atmosphere.
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