At times, Laurie Anne Coletti fought back tears as she reflected on her 37 years as an educator.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” she said.
The Board of Education, at its meeting on Sept. 15, approved the retirement of Coletti as principal of James A. McDivitt Elementary School effective after the new year.
Coletti shared she remembers waiting anxiously to be approved for her first Old Bridge teaching position. She has spent the last 18 of those years leading McDivitt.
“Over the years I have worked with so many wonderful, knowledgeable people from all walks of life and all capacities who have made our school district a high performing educational environment dedicated to learning, growing, and social, emotional awareness,” she said. “It’s been a joy to know so many young little humans who have grown into the most outstanding adults.”
Coletti has always championed “good character, kindness and respect.”
“Character is the great equalizer,” she said. “Character determines how far one will go and how much success one finds.”
Coletti said it’s important for everyone to take responsibility for their own lives.
“Who you are and who you become is up to you,” she said. “Integrity and honesty are non-negotiable. Refuse to engage behavior that evades honesty and responsibility. Integrity determines your credibility.
“You are judged by the company you keep.”
At McDivitt – staff, PTA, and community – Coletti said they have found the “balance needed to include our student’s learning and well-being.”
“The passion our teachers have for education are unmatched,” she said. “Our dynamic PTA is phenomenal, and our community is all about our students.
“Everyone comes together to use strategies for good character, to find success, show responsibility, and value honesty and kindness along with exhibiting compassion,” Coletti said.
Other recognitions
The board also recognized the retirement of Katherine Gill, a noon hour supervisor at Raymond E. Voorhees Elementary School, for 19 years. Her retirement was effective Aug. 31.
The board recognized Marianna Dennis as part of the district’s new Alumni Recognition Program, celebrating Old Bridge High School graduates who continue to make a positive impact in the district’s schools and community.
Dennis is a 2017 graduate of Old Bridge High School. She returned to the district she once called home as a student to begin her career as a kindergarten teacher in 2023. Today, she continues to serve Old Bridge students as an Interventionist at Grissom Elementary School, providing support and helping students build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
The board recognized Brooke Abate, a Grissom Elementary teacher, for connecting the district with Costco Marlboro and helping facilitate its generous donation.
The board recognized Mark Palmieri, district technician, who was named the 2026-’27 Middlesex County Educational Support Professional of the Year.
The board recognized Sharvani Dara, a fifth grader at Madison Park Elementary School, for her outstanding achievement in the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge. She was recognized as the New Jersey State winner (Track I-Elementary), advanced to become the Northeast Regional Champion, and ultimately competed at the National Competition in Washington, D.C. for her AI project app, “School Cafeteria Buddy.”
As part of her achievement, Madison Park Elementary School was also awarded a $2,000 prize through Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) on behalf of the Presidential AI Challenge.
Sharvani shared her app came out of her experience with cavities in kindergarten and first grade.
“I was eating junk food,” she admitted, noting her dentist warned her to stop.
She created the “School Cafeteria Buddy” app to help other students budget during lunch time and to eat healthy foods.
John Daly, principal at Madison Park, said Sharvani’s achievement, her dedication, countless hours of practice and refinement of the app, is remarkable.
“We could not be more proud of you,” he said.
Sharvani Dara, a fifth grader at Madison Park Elementary School, created an AI program app, “School Cafeteria Buddy,” and competed in the 2026 Presidential AI Challenge. She created the app to help other students budget during lunch time and to eat healthy foods.
