Midland Park July 13, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Former Midland Park Music Director Gordon MacDonald was recently inducted into the Midland Park Education Hall of Fame. His photograph will be displayed in the Education Hallway of Fame at Midland Park High School. MacDonald was the fourth former district teacher to be selected for the award since former Superintendent of Schools William Heebink initiated the program in 2009 to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Midland Park School District’s students in prior years. He was nominated by Anne Schaper, the administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools, and by the current high school music director, David Marks. Schaper, whose two daughters were music students under the gifted educator since they entered the fourth grade at Highland School, credited MacDonald with providing them with an “early music preparation that inspired and served them well for many years.” “While students of Mr. MacDonald, they learned the value of ‘practice, practice, practice,’ which was his mantra. During their high school careers, both daughters participated in the marching and concert bands and went on to participate in the marching bands at their respective colleges,” Schaper said.” She also praised him for “treating all his students with the utmost concern and respect.” “As a long-time employee in the board of education offices and since Mr. MacDonald literally taught music lessons right outside our office door, I was privy to the Gordon McDonald inducted into Education Hall of Fame dedication and commitment he exhibited toward his young students. He always stressed the importance of learning and caring for their instruments, as well as the importance of practicing. From the early days of school in September until the end of the school year, I witnessed the progress of not only his students’ individual music lessons, but of the band as a whole,” Schaper said. She noted that over the years, MacDonald had been instrumental in providing period costumes and developing an original program for the Bicentennial year celebration at the high school as well as participation of the elementary band’s performance at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in town. He also arranged for the elementary school band to perform in area elementary school band competitions, always followed by a picnic for his students. Marks called MacDonald “one of the most influential members of the Midland Park Music Staff in history… and the guiding force of the instrumental music program that allowed the program to continue.” “As the current Director of the Midland Park High School Band since 1997, 1 was personally able to see the true results of his efforts. Every student came to MPHS from Highland School with a love for band and an understanding of their instrument. He always instilled musicianship and a work ethic in each student that entered his ensembles,” Marks said in his nominating letter. “He was a wonderful teacher who spent 35-plus years dedicated to the students of Midland Park. I never could understand how a man who played in the US Army Marching Band could teach the flute-a-phone to third graders,” commented board of education President Robert Schiffer in awe at MacDonald’s patience and dedication. MacDonald was a member of the West Point Band while (continued on page 14) The Midland Park Alliance Committee, in cooperation with the Midland Park Board Education, will provide counseling for Midland Park students this summer. Craig Rush, student assistance counselor for Midland Park Public Schools will be on hand for students in kindergarten through grade 12 on the following days: July 20 and 27, and Aug. 3, 10, 17, and 31. Hours are from noon to 4 p.m. in his office at the high school, 250 Prospect Street. Students or parents may schedule a summer meeting by calling (201) 444-7400, extension 206, or by e-mailing CRush@midlandparkschools.k12.nj.us. Alliance Committee provides counseling Recreation director (continued from page 5) “I plan to reach out to the community to get a feel of what families are looking for,” LaMonte said, including perhaps activities for young adults in the 18 to 30-year-old range. Thus far she has surveyed other recreation departments in the area to see what programs they offer that could be adapted to Midland Park’s needs. Dave Lancaster, chairman of the Recreation Committee, said the committee recommended LaMonte because she seemed to be “a perfect fit” for the position. “She was the best candidate for what we were looking to fill. She was well aware of our programs through her involvement at the barn, and she will bring long-term stability to the program,” he said. Lancaster added that the committee was eager to get LaMonte on board early on in the summer so that “she could get her feet wet” with the camp program. Lancaster said one goal the board has which he’d like to see implemented is to offer programming beginning at 3 p.m., instead of the current 6 p.m., and continuing until 9 p.m. Selected from a field of 35 candidates, LaMonte will be working an average of 20-25 hours a week at a salary of $25,000 a year, without benefits. She will be responsible for all the recreation programs, the summer camp, and special events, such as Midland Park Day in September, Halloween parade and costume contest, the holiday tree lighting, Easter egg hunt and Olympic Day. A 17-year Midland Park resident, LaMonte grew up in Saddle Brook, and was a medical transcriber before retiring to raise a family. In addition to her local volunteer activities, she has also been a volunteer for the March of Dimes since 2000 and was active in the March America program.