Students and staff at Endeavour Elementary School packed the gym with excitement and positive energy on February 6 to celebrate the school’s adoption by the 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The partnership between the school and the 87th Air Base Wing is part of the national Partnerships in Education initiative, which brings military units and schools together to create and build strong collaborative partnerships. The 87th Air Base Wing provides installation management to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the nation's only tri-service joint base. The wing also consists of more than 3,100 officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel from the Air Force, Army and Navy.
The connection to the district is special, with 767 students currently enrolled at Endeavour who are children of active military at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The North Hanover Township School District thanks everyone for making this opportunity possible, including the morning’s special guests:
Master Sergeant Harris kicked off the program with welcoming remarks and the pledge of allegiance, and Colonel Stefanovic and Chief Master Sergeant Conner gave remarks about the partnership to the energetic crowd.
In their remarks, Endeavour Principals Jason Danley and Monica Hittinger expressed their excitement about the partnership and what it means for Endeavour students.
Following their remarks, each special guest signed the proclamation of adoption, officially establishing the Air Force Adopt-a-School program. The program is a voluntary partnership between local military units and schools designed to foster community relations, support education, and provide mentorship. Volunteers, such as those from the 87th Air Base Wing, engage in activities like tutoring, mentoring, and assisting with school events to boost student success.
“We are grateful to the 87th Air Base Wing for this incredible opportunity and look forward to collaborating with them to enrich the school community here at Endeavour,” said Superintendent Michael B. Maschi, Ed.D. “Our students are at the heart of it all and we are excited for the future of this impactful partnership.”