Sign helps school stand out Woodbine Avenue Elementary School unveils new entrance sign BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer PHOTOS BY KATHY CHANG School officials and students of Woodbine Avenue Elementary School No. 23, Mayor John E. McCormac, Superintendent Vincent Smith, Board of Education Vice President Brian Molnar, Seth Grossman of Colonia Natural Pharmacy, and Peter Catelli, a master craftsman in Edison, stand with the new sign in front of the school in Avenel on Jan. 30. WOODBRIDGE - With a new sign, Woodbine Avenue Elementary School No. 23 is not "that school behind Avenel Middle School" anymore. "The sign reflects everything our school represents," said Maureen Bevilacqua, co-president of the school's Parent Teacher Organization. "We are diverse and we are a community of caring school." Bevilacqua joined other PTO members, Mayor John E. McCormac, Superintendent Vincent Smith, Board of Education Vice President Brian Molnar, Principal Mary Jane Small, teachers, Peter Catelli, a master craftsman from Edison who made the sign, Seth Grossman of Colonia Natural Pharmacy, who sponsored the school for the sign, and over a dozen students to unveil the school's new sign on Jan. 30. A new sign, unveiled Jan. 30, directs people to Woodbine Avenue School No. 23 in Avenel. "We want people to know that we're Woodbine and we are here," said Bevilacqua, who added that she was constantly talking with the school administration and with Catelli over a period of six to eight months to get a sign for their school. Small added that the diversity of the school keeps their school going. "We can only become stronger, and this sign will help us globalize our community," she said. Smith said Woodbine School is one of only a few schools left still needing a sign, and the administration will continue to obtain signs for the remaining schools. McCormac joked that he and theWoodbine School had something in common. "I was born in the same year the school was built [1958]," he said. "This partnership between the public [school administration] and the private [Catelli and Colonia Natural Pharmacy] sectors shows how government and business can get together and carve a niche for themselves." Catelli, who created a sign for the (former Mayor) Frank G. Pelzman Memorial Park in Avenel in October 2006, has created signs for sites throughout the township. "This is quite touching," said Catelli, who received a gift from the students. "I'm just proud to say the township is great to work with among the many townships I work with." The students performed a skit to show that the Woodbine School family is filled with hearts, kindness and trust, and they also sang their school song.