The Energy Bus

This year, staff and students at Horbelt are coming together to read Jon Gordon's book, The Energy Bus. 

"The Energy Bus takes readers on an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment - at work and at home. Everyone faces challenges. And every person, organization, company and team will have to overcome negativity and adversity to define themselves and create their success. No one goes through life untested and the answer to these tests is positive energy—the kind of positive energy consisting of vision, trust, optimism, enthusiasm, purpose, and spirit that defines great leaders and their teams. Throughout the book, author Jon Gordon infuses engaging story with keen insights, actionable strategies and a big dose of positive infectious energy. The Energy Bus provides a powerful roadmap to overcome common life and work obstacles and bring out the best in yourself and your team. When you get on The Energy Bus you’ll enjoy the ride of your life!"

As the teachers read the chapters to the students, they discuss ways to overcome obstacles and keep a positive outlook while helping each other. Throughout the year, assemblies will be held to reinforce the messages the students read about and to highlight the staff members, who each month showcase what it means to be an ENERGY BUS DRIVER.

To learn more about The Energy Bus, click here.

2024-2025 Energy Bus Drivers

Let’s take a “drive” and look at what the staff is saying about these Energy Bus Drivers!

May

“Mr. Sayther consistently goes above and beyond to assist everyone in the building. Anytime we have an issue with technology, he is there to help and assist and I feel like the second that I fill out the technology form, he appears. His responsiveness, reliability, and problem-solving skills make a huge difference in our day-to-day operations. He truly exemplifies what it means to be a team player and is an invaluable part of our staff.”

April

"Mrs. Kempa is a leader in our school building and balances the load of activity in the main office with the utmost professionalism. Anytime anyone needs assistance with something, the task is completed in a timely manner and with grace. She is so easy to approach because she wants to serve the school community. Mrs. Kempa is always hard at work but when you need it, she will stop and talk to and help you take care of anything you need.”

March

"Mrs. Hayes is not only a great coworker in our school, but she is the face of the Barnegat community. From co-running safety patrol to working with Paws for a Cause, she is always taking care of staff, students, and the families in the community. If you ever are stuck and need an extra set of eyes, or a good idea to engage students, Mrs. Hayes is the go to person for help because she has so many tools and tricks up her sleeve. She is so easy to work with and the students love her because she has a heart of gold, and always goes above and beyond for everyone."

A woman proudly displays a certificate recognizing her achievements as a bus driver.

"Mrs. Altomare dedicates so much time making the school's atmosphere a positive one. She is always willing to help decorate for dances or for anything else that needs to be done to make the school a more inviting place. She is the definition of a team player and always goes above and beyond. She is a mentor to so many students and has a fantastic rapport with both the students and staff. Mrs. Altomare is more than a special area teacher. She is a SPECIAL teacher who puts students first. We are lucky to have her at our school."

A woman displays a sign expressing gratitude, stating "thank you for your support."

"Mrs. Cooper is the epitome of positivity. Not only is she a great teacher and mentor for our students, but she is a supportive colleague. She is always ready to jump in and help out with anything that is brought to her attention. She is someone that exudes energy and happiness and makes others around her want to be and feel the same way. Her knowledge and approachability make her a go-to resource for anyone seeking guidance."

A woman in a red shirt proudly displays her certificate, showcasing her achievement and joy.

"When I met Peggy as a new staff member, she was an amazing help. Anything I asked of her, no matter what the task, it was always possible...she found a way to get it done. What I found out quickly was that Peggy was like this all the time...not just a help to a new staff member. As I thought about a deserving person to nominate this month, I thought of Ms. Peggy, a steady presence to students, parents and staff. I wish Peggy a well-deserved retirement and hope she knows that she has left a great legacy of dedication and commitment."

A woman proudly displays a sign reading "lisa flores" in a public setting.

“Ms. O'Neill is always going above and beyond for her students and colleagues alike. She constantly asks what she can do to help! She looks for ways to support our students and is kind, but firm. She is great at creating relationships. She never complains and walks into school every day with a smile; determined to make a difference. She also makes really amazing anchor charts!”

A woman proudly displays a sign reading "lisa flores" in a public setting.

"Raise your hand if you have two jobs in two different languages? There's only one…Mrs. Flores. She teaches, she tests, she emails us and keeps us abreast of the things we need to know about our multilingual students and communicates with the families. She has great resources for us to use to help our kids along the way. We have needed someone like her for so long! She's definitely driving her own autobus."

A proud man displays a certificate, celebrating his son's achievement with a joyful smile.

"Thank you for your continued help with technology.  Not only did you stay many mornings in my room to try to get the board to connect, but you took over my class and told them about your experiences on 9/11 and introduced them to a play that connected to a part of 9/11 that most of them did not even know about.  You are always there to lend a helping hand.  My kids love to go to band.  Thank you for being a coworker I enjoy spending my day with, and a teacher children love to come to."