• In just a few short weeks, we will begin another school year!   My name is Dr. Saxton, and I will be your child’s 5-6 principal when school opens in September.    I want to clearly share the vision of the 5-6 building that was created with the reconfiguration.  

     Welcome to an exciting new year!  

    First, let me introduce myself:   I did both my undergraduate and graduate work at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  In 1983, I was hired as an English teacher in the  Lacey Township School District  where I worked for twenty years.   I loved working in the classroom with teenagers, striving to make real life connections with what we did in class and what they experienced in life.  My passion was teaching writing and working with low-level ability students.   Over the years, I have spoken at various workshops on self-esteem, motivation, and working with teenagers.   In 1997, I received the New Jersey Governor’s Teacher Award for Teacher of the Year.

    My foray into administration began in 1998 as a Vice-Principal, where I learned the basic responsibilities of school administration.   Hired as a planning principal for a  brand new Barnegat high school in 2003,  I spent 2003-2004 getting ready to open a high school in the 21st century!   During this time, I completed my doctorate at Seton Hall University in 2006.  In 2011, I presented at a Professional School Development Conference to discuss developing a true Professional Learning Community at the high school level.     In 2012, I presented at the ASCD National Conference in Philadelphia, Pa on creating university-School partnerships with Dr. Harvey Allen.

    This year I will continue working on behalf of the Barnegat School District to continue to develop Horbelt Elementary School into a 5-6 building.   I am very lucky in that I am surrounded by a host of very talented people, and the process has begun with the invitation of the stakeholders to be part of this momentous event.  Most exciting to me is the invitation to the students for them to have a say in this re-envisioning of their school.   Already, they have had the best ideas...  

    Over the past thirty-seven years, I have learned of the tremendous power we have to radically change young people's lives.   My goal is to continue to envision others to catch sight of the possibilities of what can be!    As an educational leader moving into this new circumstance, it is my job (no, it is my duty) to envision "places" I did not know existed, and boldly lead those I am responsible for to where they did not know they needed to go.  We want school to feel “different” for our young learners!

    This is exactly what I see with the 5-6 building.  It is a “new place” for all of us!   

    Regular day school hours are: 7:40 AM – 2:20 PM.

    Early dismissal hours are: 7:40 AM - 11:40 AM

    Delayed opening hours are: 9:40 AM - 2:20 PM

    Students should not arrive to school before 7:25 AM*, since teachers are not on duty until that time.   

    I am looking forward to partnering with you in the future!