MAY 2002

	In your town: Buena, Buena Vista - Kindergarten signups scheduled (Press of Atlantic City, 5/3/02)
	Tax hike not as bad as once projected In Buena (The Daily Journal, by Giselle Sotelo 5/8/02)
	Kindergarten artists exhibit portfolios (The Daily Journal, by Deborah Marko 5/16/02)

In your town: Buena, Buena Vista - Kindergarten signups scheduled

Buena Regional School District has scheduled registration for kindergarten and preschool for next year. Signups will be held:

· 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at John C. Milanesi Elementary School on Harding Highway, Buena.

· 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at Collings Lakes Elementary School on 620 Cains Mill Road, Collings Lakes.

· 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 11, at Buena Regional High School on 125 Weymouth Road, Buena.

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Tax hike not as bad as once projected In Buena

BUENA -- School and government officials adopted a resolution Tuesday that slashes more than $500,000 from the Buena Regional School District tax levy.

School taxes will still go up in both Buena and Buena Vista, just not as much as once projected.

Owners of a $100,000 home in the township will see their bill climb from $1,737 to $1,846.

That same homeowner in the borough will see school tax bills rise from $1,584 to $1,701.

Voters rejected Buena Regional's $29.5 million budget in last month's school election.

Under law, a defeated school budget goes to municipal lawmakers to see what cuts, if any, can be made to lower the tax burden.

Municipal and school officials authorized about $410,000 worth of cuts -- none of which will eliminate existing school staff or programs -- and the use of $94,000 in surplus to help close the budget gap.

That effort saved an extra $58 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home in the borough, and about $60 for that same homeowner in the township.

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Kindergarten artists exhibit portfolios

James Damiano Jr., 5, enjoys cake Wednesday after showing off his art at the Buena Tavern Ballroom.

BUENA -- Milanesi School kindergartners were feted Wednesday at the Buena Tavern Ballroom for their creative achievements.

The young artists, dressed to impress, exhibited selected pieces from their portfolios.

Gina Testa, 5, giggled with classmates as they sampled finger foods.

Robert Panco, 5, was more subdued as he explained his drawing, "The Badge of Bravery," to his captivated parents.

It's part of the school's Crayola Dream Maker program.

Each year, Crayola provides a suggested art curriculum that supplements other subjects such literacy and character building.

This year, students focused on friendship, respect, responsibility, acceptance, tolerance and kindness, said Linda DiPasquale-Morello, one of the district's kindergarten teachers.

During the school year, students accumulated a collection of work. Youngsters pick their favorite piece to be matted, framed and featured in the annual exhibit.

The work is taken home after the show to become an heirloom, DiPasquale-Morello said.

The atmosphere in school Wednesday was "beyond excited" as students couldn't wait to show Mom and Dad what they created.

"They're bonkers," DiPasquale-Morello teased.

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