Foundation aids media center

PLUMSTED - The New Egypt Primary School has been awarded a $5,000 School Library/Media Center Enhancement Grant by OceanFirst Foundation of Toms River.

According to a press release, the grant will provide the school with money for maintenance and upgrades to the media center and will benefit the entire school community. In particular, this grant will allow the school to purchase additional non-fiction books and non-fiction "read-alouds."

"I am very excited about this grant. It allows me to share my love of reading with my students and helps create a state-of-the-art facility in our school," said Mary Dancer, literature enrichment teacher and grant writer.

New Egypt Primary School Principal Toni Ferry said, "This is just one more instance where a teacher goes above and beyond their normal duties. Mary Dancer's passion for reading and commitment to our students is evidenced in this grant award. This grant will go a long way in furthering the New Egypt Pri-mary School media center."

Founded in 1996, OceanFirst Foun-dation is the first foundation in the country to be established by a bank as part of an initial public offering, with a grant of $13.4 million in OceanFirst common stock. OceanFirst Foundation provides grants to local organizations that make a difference in the lives of their customers and neighbors.

New Egypt Primary School opened in September 2004 to over 300 students in grades pre-kindergarten through first. The Plumsted Township School District educates more than 1,800 students in pre-kindergarten though grade 12, including special education students.