Band Notes - MHS Marching Cougars to Perform Pictures at an Exhibition
It’s halftime on a Friday evening and you can feel the excitement from the moment you hear the beat of the drum line cadence. You may want to put down the popcorn for a moment and take in the nearly 100 talented MHS Marching Cougars as they take the field at Cougar Stadium.
The MHS Marching Band has been planning for and working on this season’s program since before the end of school last June. Music was distributed and section leaders have been getting together with the members of their sections to rehearse. The sections typically meet several times over the summer to get a head start on the music along with practicing marching fundamentals. This is especially useful for new members, and gives everyone an opportunity to get to know one another long before the start of band camp in August.
The 2009 field show will feature music from Mussorgsky’s well known orchestral work, Pictures at an Exhibition.
The Montgomery High School Marching Band was founded in August of 2003. They have since doubled in size and gained tremendous respect and recognition. Over the last two seasons, the band earned all superior ratings at local and regional festivals and a number of awards, including best overall effect, best music, best marching, and best color guard.
With over 300 hours of rehearsal time over the marching band season, don’t miss the impressive results of the awesome talent and hard work of the 2009 MHS Marching Band.
The band is under the direction of Mr. Adam Warshafsky. Associate Director is Mr. Kawika Kahalehoe. Color Guard Director is Mrs. JL Johnson. Visual Instructor is Mr. Matt Mingle and the Percussion Instructor is Mr. Wayne Campbell. The music was arranged by Mr. John Arientano and the show designed by Mr. George Colon.
The MHS Marching Band student leaders are Drum Major, Megan Harless, Band Captain, Kirsten Rarich, Drum Captain, Kris Hopkins, and Color Guard Captain, Mara Cige.
This year’s varsity football home games will be Sept. 11, and Oct. 2, 16 and 30. Kickoff is at 7pm.
Stay tuned for news about marching band festivals and competitions coming up in October. These events are a great way to see the MHS Marching Band along with other area high school marching bands. If you happen to attend the last Somerset Patriots game of the season on Sept. 20, you will hear the band playing our National Anthem.
To learn more about the band and see the schedule of performances, visit the district website www.mtsd.k12.nj.us and go to the Music Dept. page to find information about MHS Bands.
Voters Approve Montgomery Board of Education Referendum
On December 8, Montgomery and Rocky Hill residents voted to approve the Montgomery Township Board of Education’s referendum to raise funds for capital projects by a margin of 57%, with 1,032 voters in favor and 868 opposed. The referendum was approved in all voting districts except Rocky Hill, where it lost by roughly ten votes.
The approval will allow the Board to issue $14.8M in bonds to fund $24.3M in capital improvements on the District’s four older schools, with help from a 40% matching grant ($9.5M) from the State of New Jersey. Montgomery Township Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim notes that the 40% grant from the State is guaranteed. The monies must be used as specified in the ballot question, unlike State Aid to New Jersey schools.
Referendum Vote Sidebar
By Cliff Moore
Evidently, some Township voters don’t think that the taxpayers are carrying too much bond debt.
This had been a campaign issue in the recent Township Committee election. Township taxpayers are now on the hook for an extra $163 a year for the next 15 years. Borough residents will pay, on average, another $94 a year.
Township Superintendent Earl Kim said, “I’m elated it passed. I think it will do a great to aid educational programs in Montgomery and I’ll do my very best to make sure that the money will be used for educating Montgomery kids.”
Rocky Hill Mayor Ed Zimmerman said after the vote was tallied, “Personally, I’m glad it passed. It’s good for the kids. But it proves down the road that Rocky Hill doesn’t have a chance when we’re 5% of the turnout. What rights do our voters have?
“The voters are still pretty angry that the school board was taken from them. And it wasn’t properly explained to them. A pretty significant number of voters were seniors. When it comes to a referendum on taxes, seniors come out. Younger voters tend to think, ‘What’s another $100 as long as my kids get a good education?’”
By approving the referendum, the voters have avoided forcing the school board from paying for these improvements at the cost of reducing educational programs and laying off staff.
Montgomery High School Vice Principal Appointed
Skillman, New Jersey – On Tuesday, December 15th, the Montgomery Township Board of Education appointed Cory Delgado as a high school vice principal. His appointment is effective January 1, 2010, and he will replace vice principal, Mr. Paul Popadiuk who has been appointed principal of the high school. Mr. Delgado, who received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Rutgers University and a Master of Arts Degree from Seton Hall University, has served as K-12 Supervisor of Health/Physical Education, Family & Consumer Sciences, and Nurses and as Assistant Athletic Director at Montgomery High School since 2008. He previously taught physical education at the elementary and high school levels in Montgomery Township School District.
Mr. Delgado has taken on many roles within the district in the 14 years since joining MTSD. In addition to being an administrator, he has also served as teacher and coach for football, golf and baseball. He has been actively involved in developing creative and meaningful curriculum, mentoring new teachers, strategic planning, forming partnerships with community organizations, and most importantly building strong bonds with students, teachers, colleagues and parents. The shift in focus of the MTSD curriculum from team sport activities toward lifelong wellness activities, the $20K Allstate drivers education grant, and the multi-faceted work of the MHS Strategic Planning Implementation Team on Wellness are a few of the innovations in which Mr. Delgado was integrally involved. Throughout his tenure, Mr. Delgado has been known an innovative, collaborative, thoughtful and motivating educator.
“Mr. Delgado possesses a wonderful combination of vision, intellect, enthusiasm, leadership and management skills that will benefit the students of Montgomery High School. He is not only knowledgeable about the community, but has built a strong connection to the greater MTSD community that can only enhance the overall educational experience of all Montgomery students. We are indeed fortunate to have Mr. Delgado’s enthusiasm and experience as he takes on this role of vice principal,” said Earl Kim, Montgomery Township School District Superintendent.
VES PTA Presents MONTGOMERY’S GOT TALENT Variety Show
Everyone has a talent, what’s yours?
Come join the show and show Montgomery your TALENT!
Students interested in performing in an act for the first “MONTGOMERY’S GOT TALENT” Variety Show should register on-line at www.vespta.org from January 12th to January 29th. Entry is $10 per person, per act.
Children can choose a suggested talent on our list or they can select “other” on the registration form. The PTA knows there are talents that we haven’t even thought of, so if you choose “other”, please give a brief description of what the child is planning to showcase. All acts MUST be appropriate for an elementary school talent show.
The total expected time for each presentation is as follows… If you have a…
o Singing act/skit/lip sync…………..3 minute/max.
o Dancing/martial arts………………3 minute/max.
o Band performance………………..3 minute/max.
o Jump rope/pogo/juggling…………2 minute/max.
o Piano/instrumental………………...2 minute/max.
o Joke telling…………………………1 minute/max.
Copy of on-line payment or a check, signed waiver, music, video and/or script must be delivered in a gallon zip-lock bag to the VES PTA by January 29th. Completed material can be sent in via backpack mail or dropped off in the main office at the Village Elementary School.
Show’s Emcee – The VES PTA encourages UMS and MHS Students to join the show. If you are in 7th grade or up you can audition to be the Show’s Emcee. Auditons will take place in February. Please email Annie Michaelson at anniemichaelson@yahoo.com to sign up.
Please note, rehearsal dates are April 13th for April 23rd show and, April 20th for April 30th show and, are MANADATORY! Any parents interested in helping with our show may sign-up by emailing Annie at
Pre-show tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids and the DVD is $20. On the night of the performances, tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for children and the DVD will be available for $25.00. Performers do not need tickets on their performance night. Refreshments will be sold at a nominal cost.
Montgomery’s Got Talent is a fundraising event for the Village Elementary School and is replacing the Lip Sync. If you would like more information please contact Annie Michaelson at anniemichaelson@yahoo.com.
Middle Schools Earn the ENERGY STAR for Superior Energy Efficiency
Both campuses of Montgomery Township’s Middle School have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) prestigious ENERGY STAR, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. Commercial buildings and industrial plants that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency may qualify for the ENERGY STAR.
“Montgomery Township School District is pleased to accept EPA’s ENERGY STAR in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Mr. Earl Kim, District Superintendent. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our commitment to environmental stewardship while also lowering our energy costs.”
Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 40 percent less energy than typical building and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. MTSD improved our energy performance by managing energy strategically across our entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to our buildings. MTSD has saved over $2.2 million in annual energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity use from over 1,400 passenger cars per year*.
“Whether you are running a grocery store, a school, or an office building, getting the most out of your energy dollars – while reducing your carbon footprint – just makes sense,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson,
To earn the ENERGY STAR, MTSD took the following actions:
· Coordinate usage of facilities and monitor operational efficiency of equipment vs. design.
· Audit buildings during unoccupied times.
· Monitor building usage during occupied times
· Track & analyze consumption for building efficiency
· Use diagnostic loggers to track waste and troubleshoot problem areas
· Maintain energy policy and guidelines
· Minimize consumption and demand charges
· Evaluate usage trends for abnormalities
· Increased employee awareness through education
EPA’s national energy performance rating system provides a 1 – 100 scale that helps organizations assess how efficiently their buildings use energy relative to similar buildings nationwide. A building that scores a rating of 75 or higher is eligible for ENERGY STAR. Commercial Buildings that can earn the ENERGY STAR includes offices, bank branches, financial centers, retailers, courthouses, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools, medical offices, supermarkets, dormitories, and warehouses.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY START label can be found on more that 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $16 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 37 million vehicles.
For more information about ENERGY STAR visit www.energystar.gov.
* To calculate greenhouse gas emissions, please visit http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html
Stuart Country Day School Announces Patricia L. Fagin As New Head Of School
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart announced that its Board of Trustees has appointed Patricia L. Fagin as 7th Head of School, effective July 1, 2010. The Board's decision followed the enthusiastic and unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee.
Dr. Fagin is currently Principal of Villa Duchesne High School in St. Louis, MO, an all-girls, grade 7-12 institution that is a member of the global Network of Sacred Heart Schools, of which Stuart is also a member. An experienced educational leader and administrator, Dr. Fagin will succeed Frances de la Chapelle, RSCJ, who last year announced her intention to retire.
Steve LeMenager, chair of Stuart's Board of Trustees said, "This is an exciting moment for Stuart. Patty Fagin understands and lives the values of Sacred Heart education, and she has the experience and leadership skills to build on Stuart's tradition of academic excellence. She has already been embraced by the many parents, teachers and students who met her as part of our search process. We are delighted that she will be our next head."
In accepting her appointment, Dr. Fagin said, "It is a great honor to be invited to work with Stuart's exceptional students and faculty, and to succeed Sr. Fran de la Chapelle, whose accomplishments at Stuart are nationally recognized. As a product of all-girls education myself, I believe that Stuart can do even more to empower the young women we educate, and to prepare them for lives of leadership and service."
Dr. Fagin has served as Principal of Villa Duchesne since 2004, overseeing all aspects of the school's academic program and student life. Prior to that, she was Executive Director of Guilford Day School in Greensboro, NC, a school serving students with learning disabilities in grades 1 through 12. She has also been a classroom teacher at several institutions, at both the middle and lower school levels.
Dr. Fagin holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She received an M.A. in media communications from Webster University in St. Louis and her B.A. (highest honors) from Fontbonne College, also in St. Louis. A laywoman, Dr. Fagin will be the first head of Stuart to come from outside the ranks of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the order of Roman Catholic sisters who founded the school in 1963.
"I am delighted that Stuart will continue to be headed by someone with such a deep commitment to the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education," said Sr. Frances de la Chapelle, RSCJ, who is completing the final year of 26 she has spent at Stuart in a variety of roles, including 17 as head. "Stuart has many exciting opportunities for change and growth over the next few years. Patty is the ideal person to lead Stuart forward."
Dr. Fagin's appointment concludes a 14-month national search, led by a Search Committee made up of eight Stuart trustees and three faculty members and chaired by Anne Murray Patterson, a Stuart alumna and trustee. Wickenden Associates of Princeton, NJ assisted Stuart as search consultants.
Dr. Fagin's husband Tim will be accompanying her to the Stuart campus in July. The couple has two grown sons. Between now and the beginning of Dr. Fagin's term as head in July, she will be visiting Stuart regularly to meet with faculty and administration, and to prepare for a smooth transition to Stuart's new leadership.
About Stuart: Stuart Country Day School is an independent Roman Catholic school for girls in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as a coed preschool and junior kindergarten. Now celebrating its 46th year, Stuart is a member of the National and International Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Stuart offers an education deeply rooted in the goals and criteria of the Sacred Heart that enriches, inspires and empowers its students. While academic rigor is emphasized at Stuart, values are also placed on physical, social and moral growth.
VES PTA Presents “MONTGOMERY’S GOT TALENT” Variety Show
Friday, April 23rd and Friday, April 30th
More then 200 students from Orchard Hill, Village and the Middle Schools are preparing for the First Annual MONTGOMERY’S GOT TALENT Variety Show at Montgomery High School on April 23rd and 30th from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Joining the students on stage will be High School Seniors Annie Herman and Rachel Kalb as the shows emcees.
To volunteer to help back stage, email Anne Michaelson at anniemichaelson@yahoo.com. For ticket information log onto www.vespta.org. Refreshments will be sold at a nominal cost.
MHS Students Continue Holiday Cheer
In just two years of community involvement, the student-run Holiday Cheer Foundation (HCF) has found ways to brighten the holiday season for those in need of some extra spirit.
Founded by Aileen Jiang, currently a Montgomery High School junior, The Holiday Cheer Foundation serves as a form of tribute to Vicky Tzeng, who unfortunately lost her battle with cancer in August 2007. Vicky had always demonstrated a tremendous passion and enthusiasm for helping others and had involved herself with many local nursing homes. When Aileen created HCF in August 2008, she committed herself to not only continuing Vicky’s outreach, but also preserving her passion.
Over just the past two years, HCF has created and donated more than 550 homemade cards, snowmen frames, and felt stockings to various nursing homes and hospitals. In addition, the Foundation organized a team in memory of Vicky Tzeng for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at MHS last May. The team held a Friendly’s Fundraiser and was able to raise over $1000 for the American Cancer Society.
The Foundation organizes an annual winter celebration for the residents of Foothill Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in collaboration with the Young Musicians for Volunteer Action, who provides music for the celebration. Last year, the Foundation delivered a felt stocking to each resident, while this year the Foundation created snowmen frames.
A drive held in conjunction with the MHS Interact Club collected toys and art supplies for the patients at Bristol Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital and household supplies for the nearby Ronald McDonald House of New Brunswick, which provides free housing for family members of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital inpatients. In mid-December, efforts turned to the kitchen when a group of members cooked dinner for the several families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
After Aileen attended an engineering summer program at which she designed specialized toys for special needs children at the Northwoods Pediatric Rehabilitation Center at Niskayuna, the Foundation decided to reach out to the New York center and fulfill their wish list for special hooded poncho towels. Fundraising for The Holiday Cheer Foundation’s efforts came from wrapping gifts at Borders and Barnes & Noble during the holiday season.
Foundation membership topped 45 this year with a familiar group of Board Members: Aileen Jiang as President, Sophia Yang as Creative Director, Wesan Chang as Secretary, Katie Strair as Public Relations, Lisa Joseph as Treasurer, and Jessica Li as Logistics Director. The Foundation added new leadership opportunities by creating Fall Festival and fundraising chairs and continued have Ms. Wittmann, a Montgomery High School teacher as the Advisor. In addition, HCF also received much appreciated help from the seventh graders of Girl Scout Troop 103, who designed some of the cards and snowmen frames donated this past season.
As The Holiday Cheer Foundation continues to grow, it seeks only to expand its commitment to volunteerism. As HCF members have learned, even the smallest efforts of volunteers can brighten the lives of those in need, particularly during the holiday season.
For more information visit http://sites.google.com/site/theholidaycheerfoundation/ or email theholidaycheerfoundation@gmail.com
RVCC TO OFFER YOUTH FINE ART CLASSES
The Corporate & Continuing Education division at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) will be offering a variety of fine art programs this spring for children ages 6-12. All programs will be held at the College’s Branchburg Campus.
Cartooning: Students ages 6-12 learn the skills necessary to create their own cartoon character. Cartooning techniques using pencil, markers, acrylic and watercolor paints, inks and clay are explored. The class will be held Fridays, February 19 to March 26, from 4-5:30 p.m. The fee is $97.
Basic Drawing: Students ages 6-12 learn to create drawings showing a sense of space on a two-dimensional surface. Participants learn to create designs using one-point perspective, two-point perspective, elliptical perspective and more. The class will be held Thursdays, February 18 to March 25, from 4-5:30 p.m. The fee is $97.
Introduction to Art History: Students ages 6-12 are introduced to the basic structures of art that help people understand an artist’s vision from early times to the present. The class will be held Wednesdays, February 17 to March 24, from 4-5:30 p.m. The fee is $97.
For more information, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404, or e-mail cce@raritanval.edu. Youth program brochures also can be picked up at the CCE office, located in the lower level of RVCC’s College Center, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Kids' Musicround Offers Free Sample Classes
Kids' MusicRound, an award-winning music and movement experience for families with young children, ages infant - four is offering free sample classes at The Dance Factory, 10 Vreeland Drive, Suite 107, in Skillman. Come preview a class and experience the fun first-hand before the start of the spring semester.
The free, 30-minute classes are scheduled for Monday, 3/8, 3/15 and 3/22 at 10 am, and Tuesday, 3/9 at 9:30 and 3/16 at 9:30 & 10:30. These free sessions encourage adults and children to explore the joy of music play and movement. Led by experienced faculty, families with infants and children through age four will have opportunities to sing, clap, dance and play rhythm instruments while learning about early childhood music development.
The Kids' MusicRound 10-week spring session begins April 5 in Montgomery. Included as part of the program tuition, is a songbook and two CDs of traditional, original and world music that can be enjoyed at home and in the car.
To reserve a space in a free class, request a brochure or for more information, please call (609) 333-0100. Or, for a full schedule with information on Kids' MusicRound philosophy, teachers and videos, visit the website at www.KidsMusicRound.com.
New Horizons Montessori School Organizes Fund Drive For Haiti
New Horizons Montessori School in Montgomery organized a funds drive to help the victims of the recent devastation in Haiti's earthquake. Children had seen this tragedy unfold on their TV screens but when they brought these checks for the American Red Cross to school, it provided an opportunity for them to talk about it in the classroom. They expressed great sense of participation by helping people in need.
Montgomery Students with Disabilities Meet Nearly All State Requirements
According to the State of New Jersey Department of Education (DOE)’s “No Child Left Behind”/Title I report using 2008-2009 data, students with learning disabilities in Montgomery Township’s Upper and Lower Middle Schools (UMS and LMS) did not make “adequate yearly progress” (AYP). These groups passed 40 out of 41 indicators for mathematics or language arts (LA) proficiency on the NJ Assessment of Skills and Knowledge. Village Elementary School (VES) met the State’s “safe harbor” criteria based on improvement from the previous year. As a result, it was deemed to have made AYP despite failing to meet one of the 41 LA requirements.
Montgomery High School juniors met all 41 indicators measured on the High School Proficiency Assessment. Regarding the middle school students, Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim says “We take it seriously if any of our students do not meet standards. While the number is very small, we are concerned.”
A total of thirteen Montgomery students with disabilities did not meet LA requirements while one student at LMS did not meet mathematics requirements. Special needs sixth graders at LMS met 40 out of 41 indicators, and so did not qualify for AYP in LA. UMS students met 40 out of 41 indicators, failing to make AYP in mathematics. The DOE does not follow special education achievement in lower elementary schools such as Orchard Hill Elementary.
Montgomery Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim states “We need to do better for these students. We know we have more work to do.” To address the situation, “We look at individual students, their learning environment, and what programs they are instructed with. We are calling comparative districts that were successful and asking them what they are doing. Administrators as well as instructors are involved in analyzing the problem and crafting solutions.”
Kim notes that “Our larger schools make us more likely to be flagged,” since schools with less than 30 special needs students for each group of grades are not tracked. “Also smaller schools make it easier to provide individual attention and be directly involved with more families. Only four of our 23 comparative districts met AYP; all those that did not were flagged for performance of special needs students. And more of our special needs students are required by the district to take the exams rather than be exempted. Our reasons for this practice are well founded despite the adverse impact they have on the ‘statistics’.” Still, Kim states “We want to explain the variance. These are children with the greatest learning needs, and they deserve every advantage we can provide.”
To view the DOE’s Title I 2008-2009 reports, go to www.nj.gov/education/title1/accountability/ayp/0910/.
MHS Interact
The MHS Interact Club is a school based branch of the Montgomery Rocky Hill Rotary Club which helps to raise money and supplies for organizations and charities throughout the area. Club advisor Christine D’Amore explained, “Our motto is ‘service above self’ and our goal is to create leaders and to make students aware of the importance of service. We are lucky to have the strong support of the Rotary Club and our school administration. In addition to the club at MHS, there are Interact clubs in the lower schools, which are also extremely active.” So far this year, the MHS Interact Club has been very successful in achieving its goals of serving the community.
Smear-a-Senior was one of their most popular events so far; over $300 was raised for Shelter Box providing supplies and shelter for displaced or homeless disaster victims. This event consisted of smearing a senior with a whipped cream pie, which was fun to participate in and funny to watch. The Interact Club recently made a $500 donation to Shelter Box which helped victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
The club members also put together over 100 bagged dinners for LEAP Academy Charter School in Camden. The meals included over a dozen homemade apple pies from the MHS Food and Nutrition class. Additionally, they raised over $400 by selling over 85 “Hoodies for Hope” to MHS students. The money raised through the sweatshirt sales went to Homes for Hope, an organization that builds homes for the impoverished in Ecuador.
The Interact Club is currently preparing for their most anticipated event, Man of the Year. Male students at MHS will compete in a male beauty pageant, and the money raised will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which helps grant wishes to children with critical medical conditions. This year will be even more exciting because teachers will be allowed to participate in the competition as well. The men compete in talent, swimsuit, and formal wear competitions, as well as many other entertaining events. Man of the Year will take place on April 22 at Montgomery High School, and it will be a fun way to contribute to a wonderful charity. The Interact Club hopes to see you there!
Calling all Students for the Trash-to-Art Contest
On March 17, the Montgomery Students for Environmental Action will be holding the annual Trash-to-Art contest. Students of all ages from the Montgomery Township School District are invited to submit their recycled art masterpieces for prizes and awards. In addition, there will be booths set up with kid-friendly activities to promote environmental awareness. Trash-to-Art is not only an opportunity for students to show their artistic talents, but is an event that promotes recycling and sustainability in our community.
Montgomery Students for Environmental Action (MSEA) is a student club at Montgomery High School. This year, it is led by Michelle Liu as president, Aileen Jiang and John Cho as vice presidents, and Mr. Christopher Resch as the teacher advisor. Each year, MSEA continues to advance its goals in promoting environmental advocacy and youth activism in the community. Through programs such as the Trash-to-Art event, beach clean up events, hikes in the Sourland Mountains, and participation in the New Jersey Envirothon competition, MSEA has striven to fulfill its mission of environmental awareness.
The Trash-to-Art event will be held at Montgomery High School on March 17 where students from Kindergarten through 12th grade will submit projects composed of a minimum of 75% recyclable and waste materials. The event will last from 5 to 7 pm with art submissions accepted from 5- 5:30 pm, and awards announcements starting at 6:30 pm. The judging panel will consist of respected adults in the Montgomery community who will pick the winners in each age category. Prizes will include gift-cards and eco-friendly products. MSEA invites everyone to come to the annual Trash-to-Art event! If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us at mseaboard@gmail.cmseaboard@gmail.comom.
MHS Raises $2500 for Haiti
In the wake of the January 12, 2010 earthquake near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, people all over the country are thinking about the Haitian people and looking for ways to help. Montgomery students and teachers included. Linda Gesek, the Supervisor of Social Studies at Montgomery High School, is one of those teachers.
Ms. Gesek shared the “60 Minutes” segment “Haiti Relief Aid Unfurls” with her senior honors class and her tenth grade advisory period class, so they could learn more about the challenges facing Haiti and the various relief efforts. She then challenged her students to do something to help. She committed to match any donations raised by the honors class, up to $150. She and Karen Beetham, who co-teaches the advisory class, offered to match the advisory class donations as well, up to $50 each.
The students took this challenge to heart, and raised $1,251, including the match from the teachers. The next step was to decide how the funds could best help the Haitian people. The teachers found out that the Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotary Club was involved in ShelterBox. ShelterBox, an international disaster relief organization founded by a Rotarian in 2000, responds to emergencies by providing boxes of supplies to those in need. Each box contains a ten-person tent, blankets and other linens, a tool kit, dishes and a stove, and even craft supplies for kids. Other supplies, which may include water purification systems, are tailored to the location and nature of the disaster.
Ms. Gesek contacted the local Rotary Club, and they offered to match the school’s donation. The now $2,500 covered the cost of two full ShelterBoxes, with the additional funds going towards a third. The boxes each have numbers that can be tracked online through ShelterBox.org. Ms. Gesek is very proud of her students. “They are beginning to think globally and to understand that it is important to reach out to others in time of need.”
The Junior League of Greater Princeton Seeks Volunteerism Scholarship Applicants
The Junior League of Greater Princeton is now taking applications for its 2010
Volunteerism Scholarship Award. Since 1999, the Junior League of Greater
Princeton has been awarding scholarships to female high school seniors who
demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and voluntarism. The two
scholarships that the applicants may apply for include a $1,000 award for
Excellence and Leadership in ongoing volunteer activities and a $1,000 award for
Demonstrated Leadership in a single community service volunteer project.
Applicants must reside in the Junior League of Greater Princeton service area
(Mercer County, New Jersey, and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, as well as
neighboring portions of Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Somerset Counties
in New Jersey). The awards are to be used for study at a four or two-year college,
university or vocational school.
For further instructions on how to apply and to download an application, please
visit the Junior League of Greater Princeton website at www.jlgp.org or contact
them at grantsandscholarships2010@gmail.com or 609-771-0525. Please note
that all applications must be received by March 15, 2010. Scholarship recipients
will be notified no later than April 2010.
The Junior League of Greater Princeton is an organization of women committed to
promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving
communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The
Junior League of Greater Princeton is a recognized leader in the community for
developing projects and partnerships that increase the literacy skills of young
children and their parents. This has been the focus area for all of their community
service activities in the Greater Princeton area since 2004. The Junior League of
Greater Princeton is able to support training programs, community projects and a
Community Grants Program as well as its Scholarship Program through its fundraising
efforts. Women over the age of 21, committed to voluntarism, regardless of
race, religion or national origin are welcome as members. The Junior League of
Greater Princeton is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, which
includes 293 Junior Leagues in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Great
Britain. For more information please visit www.jlgp.org.
“The Lewis School’s Chess Team Takes 2nd Place”
Princeton, NJ— The Lewis School’s Chess Team captured 2nd place in the 5th Holland Brook Scholastic Tournament held on January 30th in Whitehorse Station.
Team members Shannon Bain, Jared Groder, Alec Mabie Jacob Resnick and William Whitefield-Smith scored 91/2 points to bring home the team trophy.
Three team members also received trophies in their individual divisions: Jacob Resnick, 1st Place in the Masters Division; William Whitefield-Smith, 1st Place in the Unrated Division; and Jared Groder, 2nd Place in the Unrated Division.
The Lewis School Chess Club began in early January. Coached by Martin Resnick, the club meets weekly and focuses on learning the fundamentals and strategies of the game.
Waldorf School of Princeton announces New Nursery Program
Program will be Open to Younger Children and Will Include a New Class
For the first time in its 26 - year history, the Waldorf School of Princeton will open its nursery program to children who are three years old by December 31. Previously, the nursery program was only open to children who were three by June 1. The Waldorf School of Princeton is located at 1062 Cherry Hill Road in Montgomery Township.
"For years, we have had parents requesting that we lower the entrance age for children in our nursery program. For the 2010-2011 school year, we are pleased to finally be able to open up this program to accommodate more children.
With more families needing two-incomes, the reality is that parents must find an appropriate place for their young child to be during the day. Our nursery program is unique because it combines a nurturing home-like atmosphere with the structure and resources of an established school curriculum. We look forward to welcoming new families into this program," said Diane Barlow, Director of Admissions and Development at the Waldorf School of Princeton.
Beginning in September, the Waldorf School will also be adding a nursery class, so that there will be two nursery classes-- a three-day program and a four/five-day program. As with all of the School's early childhood classes (with exception of parent-child), there will be a half-day and a full-day option. For more information about the Waldorf School early childhood program, please contact Diane Barlow at 609-466-1970 x115, admissions@princetonwaldorf.org
RVCC TO OFFER GED TEST PREPARATION CLASS
Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) Corporate & Continuing Education (CCE) division is offering a General Education Development (GED) test preparation class. The class will be held Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 22 to April 15, from 7-9 p.m., at the College’s Branchburg Campus.
Students age 16 and older may enroll in the course. Those under the age of 18 must have parental consent to participate. The fee is $149.
The course is designed for anyone interested in taking the General Education Development exam leading to a GED. The course offers a study skills review and comprehensive instruction of the subject areas needed to pass the GED. Practice exams, pre-testing and post-testing evaluations are provided. GED exam testing is also conducted at RVCC.
For more information, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404, or e-mail cce@raritanval.edu. Youth program brochures also can be picked up at the CCE office, located in the lower level of RVCC’s College Center, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
MONTGOMERY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM - Summer Plans
SUMMER PLANS, JUST A CLICK AWAY FOR MONTGOMERY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
SKILLMAN, NJ, JANUARY 25, 2010:
While the weather may be chilly outside, the Montgomery Township Summer Enrichment Program (“MTSE”) is warming up plans for its fifth summer of exciting educational programs. On-line registration for MTSE is open, and it’s just a click away! Simply go to www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/se to see all the exciting course offerings and register for classes. Once registered, students entering grades 1-12 will have the opportunity to design, write, create, cook, sing, dance, and learn through a variety of course offerings.
Montgomery Township teachers have designed interactive and fun programs intended to delight the students, all the while teaching a variety of topics. “Secret Agent Lab”, for example, allows a student to take a fascinating journey into the world of spies, detection and classified information. “Kids in the Kitchen” has students whipping up tasty treats and “Rocket Design Blast Off” tests the limits of student imagination and design. Looking to prepare for the SAT? There are courses prepared to help your child ace both the Verbal and Math sections.
“Amazing courses are being offered this summer. Each year the teachers provide innovative courses that the students find educational and fun”, says Meredith Quick, the Summer Enrichment Program Coordinator.
The Summer Enrichment Program is offered at Montgomery Lower Middle School, but it should be noted that the program is not exclusively for Montgomery students. Any student from the local area can take a Summer Enrichment Course. Registration is available online for the Summer Enrichment right now. Space is limited, so sign up early and join in the fun!
RVCC TO OFFER HIGH SCHOOL TEST PREPARATION CLASS
Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) Corporate & Continuing Education (CCE) division is offering a High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) test preparation class. The class will be held Saturdays, January 30 to February 27, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the College’s Branchburg Campus. The fee is $150.
The course is designed to prepare students for New Jersey’s rigorous High School Proficiency Assessment, which is administered to students in the spring of their junior year of high school. The Language Arts, Science and Mathematics sections of the exam are covered. The students learn valuable tips and strategies for scoring well on standardized tests. All topics covered are in alignment with New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Content Standards.
For more information, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404, or e-mail cce@raritanval.edu. Youth program brochures also can be picked up at the CCE office, located in the lower level of RVCC’s College Center, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Kevin Sun Picked For Grammy® Jazz Ensembles Program
Will Perform At Extraordinary Range Of Prestigious GRAMMY Week Events In January 2010
The GRAMMY Foundation announced that Kevin Sun from Montgomery High School has been selected for a position in the 2010 GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles. His selection launches him into the spotlight surrounding the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, and provides him with unparalleled opportunities to perform in front of some of music's biggest names.
Since 1993, the GRAMMY Foundation has provided students with this extraordinary musical experience. The students, representing 26 cities and 12 states, will travel to Los Angeles for a weeklong musical adventure under the direction of Justin DiCioccio of the Manhattan School of Music, Dr. Ron McCurdy of the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and Dr. Leila Heil of Colorado State University.
"The GRAMMY Jazz Ensembles program brings together exceptionally talented high school vocalists and instrumentalists from across the country to create a jazz choir, combo and band," said GRAMMY Foundation and Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "These young people play with their peers as well as with GRAMMY-nominated and GRAMMY-winning artists during a once-in-a-lifetime GRAMMY Week experience, and in many cases, members of the Ensembles go on to promising professional careers. This program truly underscores the GRAMMY Foundation's mission to foster the next generation
RAMBLING PINES DAY CAMP OPEN HOUSE Feb 7, 21
Rambling Pines Day Camp will be hosting OPEN HOUSES on Sunday, February 7, 2010 and February 21, 2010 from 1 - 3 PM. Parents and children are invited to attend the open house, tour the facility and meet some of the staff members. Applications are being accepted for the 2010 summer season. Parents are encouraged to register as soon as possible to assure availability.
Rambling Pines is a family owned and operated day camp now celebrating its 35th season. Located on Route 518 in Hopewell, NJ, Rambling Pines offers an extensive camp program for children ages 3 to 15 and an exciting teen program for young adults, 8th through 10th grades. Transportation and lunch are included in the camp tuition.
For additional information or a brochure, call the camp office at (609) 466-1212 or log onto our website at www.ramblingpines.com.
MTSD Announces First Public Forum on 2010-2011 School Budget Jan 25
Montgomery Township School District Board of Education invites the public to a Special Meeting of the Finance and Budget Committee on Monday, January 25, for a presentation and discussion of the 2010-2011 School Budget. The presentation will begin at 7 pm in the Media Center of the Upper Middle School on Burnt Hill Road.
“We really hope a good number of folks will come out for this meeting, as their input is so vital to the process,” says Committee Chair, Charlie Jacey). “We are very interested in their perspectives and this is a perfect time for the public to let us know what programs or initiatives are important to them,” he continued.
“The goal is to provide the best education possible and people need to understand that they absolutely have a voice in this process,” says Superintendent Earl Kim. “The more folks who speak up, the better the end result will be,” he said.
Please join the Finance and Budget Committee on Monday, January 25 at
7 pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a public dialogue on a most important facet of our district’s school system.
Rutgers’ RU27 Glider and Professor Visit Village School
Professor Scott Glenn of Rutgers University’s School of Environmental and Biological Sciences brought the RU27 glider, the first underwater robot to traverse the Atlantic Ocean, to Village Elementary School for its morning broadcast, VES News, on January 14. Last year, the glider was launched from the coast of New Jersey on April 27 and made history when it was recovered from Baiona, Spain – Christopher Columbus’s destination after discovering a new world 500 years ago – on December 4. VES was privileged to be the first stop the ‘Scarlet Knight’ glider – named after Rutgers’ mascot – made on its educational tour through the United States and Europe.
Scientists at Rutgers’ Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (RUCOOL) were the first to use underwater robotic ‘Slocum’ gliders to explore the ocean, successfully deploying gliders all over the world in many missions that typically lasted over a month for distances from 500 to 1000 km (Joshua Slocum was the first person to sail solo around the world). But in 2006, Dr. Richard Spinrad, Assistant Administrator of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association, gave them a challenge they couldn’t resist: “For the good of your country, you need to fly a glider across the Atlantic."
As Sputnik spurred interest in science and engineering many years ago, RUCOOL scientists hoped to motivate a new generation of American students to learn the skills needed to remain competitive in the global marketplace. A transatlantic crossing by an autonomous glider would spark that interest. And the internet would allow anyone anywhere to follow the glider and come along on the journey.
Crossing the Atlantic - a distance of over 5,000 km - required the scientists to reengineer their glider and change its method of flight. Their first glider to attempt an Atlantic crossing, RU17, was lost off the coast of the Azores. RU27 is 93 inches long; nine inches longer than typical gliders. Unnecessary instruments were removed, and batteries were added. The Scarlet Knight was outfitted with a pump, so it can dive up to 600 feet – double the depth of typical gliders. By taking on or expelling water, it changes its buoyancy which allows it to float and sink.
RU 27 does not have a propeller, but uses its wings to “fly”. A ‘digifin’ rudder on the tail helps steer the glider. Environmental sensors take measurements such as ocean depth, temperature and salinity. It can operate for over one year with very little power and in extreme weather conditions.
Every day of the mission, Rutgers students analyzed ocean currents surrounding the glider to determine the optimal route and new coordinates needed for the glider. Surfacing about four times a day, the glider would check its GPS position and ‘phone home’ to scientists in Rutgers’ ‘COOL room’, using email to receive new instructions if needed and send new data collected back.
VES teacher s Virginia Lucas and James Dolan got their students interested in RU27’s mission. Last spring, Lucas’ class wrote a letter - one of many by American schoolchildren – which came along on the journey via a jump drive inside the glider. Dolan regularly checked the glider’s website and location on Google Earth and even arranged a videoconference with the COOL room, all broadcast on VES News. Because of their communications, Dr. Glenn decided to bring the glider to VES for an appearance on VES News and in Ms. Lucas’ class before it heads to Washington, DC, one of many stops on an international tour. As Dr. Glenn notes, “RU27 may have Jersey roots, but she sure has global reach.”
During the VES News broadcast, Dr. Glenn told students about the mission. When asked about the condition of the glider upon recovery, he smiled. “All the seams had barnacles growing in them. They would hold on and go for a ride…like a buffet dinner. The barnacles had a great time. When we were in Spain when the glider was recovered, they gave us barnacles for dinner.”
Dr. Glenn pointed out that marine science facilitates the study of climate change and its impacts on weather and food production, which will become even more important as the world’s population continues to grow. He told the students, “Hopefully we’ll help you learn and you’ll go out and save the world.”
During its 221 days at sea, the glider collected much information about the conditions of the Atlantic Ocean. This knowledge can be used to further understanding of climate change, pollution, and weather patterns. The flight of RU27, and its predecessor RU17, demonstrate that science is not just about the end result accomplished, but also the painstaking process researchers must follow to get there, and the discoveries made along the way.
Dr. Glenn said RUCOOL’s next mission - Challenger - will be to continue the glider’s journey all the way around the world. He told the students “you’ll probably be in college by the time we finish.”
A televised documentary on the RU27 mission, and a local screening, is expected in the fall of this year. To view the January 14 VES News broadcast, go to www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/villagees/site/default.asp. For more information on the Scarlet Knight RU27 glider, go to www.rucool.marine.rutgers.edu/atlantic/index.html.
MHS Production of Once Upon A Mattress Feb 26, 27
Are you ready for a night of laughter, love, and royalty? Accept this royal invitation to attend Montgomery Players Production of Once Upon a Mattress! This beloved musical is filled with comedy, conflict, and great music. It is based on the traditional fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea.
Once Upon a Mattress is centered around a prince’s struggle to please his mother and kingdom. Prince Dauntless the Drab is put under pressure to find a “true” princess to wed. His overbearing and comical mother, Queen Aggravain, tests princesses to prove that they are legitimate. Finally, the Prince believes he has found true love in Princess Winnifred the Woebegone despite the Queen’s efforts to prove that the maiden is not a true Princess. Meanwhile, Lady Larkin and Sir Harry, two nobles in court, encounter a “bump” in their relationship! This charming and entertaining musical is sure to be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages!
This exciting musical features a full cast of Montgomery High School students including Christina Fakes as Princess Winnifred, Kai Okada as Prince Dauntless, Marisa Desa as Queen Aggravain, Bobby Booth as King Sextimus, Kevin DiRocco as Sir Harry, and Alyssa Egstrand as Lady Larkin, as well as many other cast, crew, and orchestra members. Along with the exciting, talented cast, this show features a variety of musical numbers including: “In a Little While”, “Shy”, and “Happily Ever After.”
Including the efforts of: Director and Producer, Tara Handschin; Vocal Director, Jeff Woodworth; Sound & Lighting Director, Jeff Brooks; Choreographer, Susan Niedt; and Conductor, Kawika Kahalehoe.
Once Upon a Mattress will run February 26, 2010 at 8 p.m and February 27th at 2pm and 8pm at Montgomery High School’s Performing Arts Center. Be sure to get your tickets early so you don’t miss out. Join in the fun, come dressed as a prince or princess and receive a surprise! Tickets are $6 for students, children, and senior citizens and $7 for adults. For more information about tickets, call (609)466-7194.
2010-2011 MTSD Kindergarten Registration during March
2010-2011 Kindergarten Registration
Orchard Hill Elementary School
Montgomery Township School District
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010 ~ 10:00 am to 1:00 pm or
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 ~ 11:00 am to 2:00 pm or
Thursday, March 11, 2010 ~ 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Orchard Hill Elementary School
244 Orchard Road, Skillman, NJ 08558
609-466-7605
Documents needed at Registration:
· Child’s original birth certificate (with raised seal) or passport
· Proof of township residency
§ Deed, property tax bill, lease, or contract) and
§ Utility bill
· Immunization record
· Registration confirmation sheet (print after completing online registration)
· Copies of above documents for the school to keep
Age: Children must be five years old on or before October 1, 2010.
To begin the registration process, please go online at www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/kgregistration beginning February 3, 2010. Registration packets may also be picked up in the Main Office.
RVCC BOARD WELCOMES Frank T. Araps
Raritan Valley Community College’s Board of Trustees welcomed new member Frank T. Araps at its meeting held Tuesday, January 26. Araps, an attorney, was appointed to the Board by former New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine.
A resident of Belle Mead (Montgomery Township), Araps is a Member of Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A. in Bridgewater. He concentrates his practice in the following areas of law: construction; commercial project development and delivery; hospitality, catering, hotel, restaurant/diner, food purchase and warehouse distribution; professional liability and malpractice; and the negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation of complex commercial disputes. He previously operated his own law firm in North Brunswick, where he also practiced in the areas of corporate and commercial mergers and acquisitions; real estate and land use; and estate planning and administration. Araps is a member of the American and New Jersey State Bar Associations; an Associate Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and the New Jersey Professional Engineers in Construction; and the New Jersey Restaurant Association. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Hellenic American Bar Association of New Jersey.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Allstate partners with MHS to promote safe driving awareness
Each year, nearly 5,000 teens die in auto accidents. Allstate New Jersey Insurance Company has teamed up with Montgomery Township High School in Skillman, NJ to help ensure local teens don't meet the same fate.
This past summer, the company sponsored an Action Against Distraction Driver Challenge that gave Montgomery High School students the opportunity to experience first-hand how distractions such as cell phones and iPods can negatively impact their ability to drive safely. At the conclusion of the event, Allstate New Jersey donated $20,000 to the school to fund future safe driving initiatives for students.
Recently, Allstate New Jersey President William P. Ballinger visited with the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and spoke with parents about the importance of discussing safe driving habits with their children.
“Through research, we know that teens listen to two groups when it comes to driving: their peers and their parents,” said Ballinger. “It is so important that parents not only set a good example behind the wheel, but that they talk to their teens about the responsibility that comes along with a set of car keys.”
In 2010, Allstate New Jersey will continue its partnership with Montgomery Township High School in an effort to bring awareness about the importance of safe driving habits to local teens.
Stuart's TartanTones Lend their "Voices for Haiti"
The TartanTones are again lending their voices to raise funds for a worthy cause.
Fresh off the success of A Princeton Christmas, which raised funds for the United Nation's World Food Program, the vocal ensemble from Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, will be singing at the Philadelphia Academy of Music on March 8th. Entitled, "Voices for Haiti," the benefit concert will raise money for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The benefit concert will feature the voices from several other Philadelphia-area choirs including, the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (a sister Sacred Heart school in Bryn Mawr), the Brandywine Singers, the New Hope Revival Choir, the Bala Cynwyd Methodist Church Choir and the Washington Memorial Pipe Band.
The event will be hosted by CBS-3 (KYW-TV) personality Bob Kelly. The concert will begin at 8:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.kimmelcenter.org. Proceeds from the concert will benefit victims of the Haiti earthquake through the American Red Cross.
"Stuart is pleased to participate in this event," said Dr. Nancy Graham, Stuart's Upper School music teacher and director of the TartanTones. "The students at Stuart are committed to making a difference in the world. This vision is central to our unique mission and community service is a large part of how our girls can contribute to the betterment of our global society."
About Stuart: Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart is an independent Roman Catholic school for girls in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as a coed preschool and junior kindergarten. Now celebrating its 46th year, Stuart is a member of the National and International Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Stuart offers an education deeply rooted in the goals and criteria of the Sacred Heart that enriches, inspires and empowers its students. While academic rigor is emphasized at Stuart, values are also placed on physical
PJS CELEBRATES YOUTH ART MONTH
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY: March is YOUTH ART MONTH, a national observance of K-12 Art Education. Sponsored in New Jersey by AENJ (Art Educators of New Jersey), a professional organization, and run county by county, YAM showcases the artistic talents of children. The event aims to emphasize the benefits of arts education in all NJ schools.
PJS Art Teacher, Eileen Marin, has entered the art work of our Grade 5 students into the MERCER COUNTY EXHIBIT. The student submissions, “Vase of Flowers” coordinate with the Grade V flower study in science class. The project reinforces environmental practices at PJS by using, or re-using, old wallpaper and fabric sample books. It included an exploration of Principles of Design, such as balance and unity and the relationship between figure and ground. Students cut out flowers and vases from the wallpaper and fabric samples to create a beautiful composition. The vases and some flowers were then stuffed to create a 3-D effect. The artwork can be seen at the ARTS COUNCIL OF PRINCETON from Monday March 8 to Friday March 12 during regular hours. A CLOSING CEREMONY will be held on FRIDAY, MARCH 12 at the Arts Council from 6-7pm. All are invited.
Congratulations 5th Graders on the acceptance of your artwork into the county show, and good luck on making it to the State exhibit.
The Princeton Junior School is an independent school offering the highest standard of education for children in Pre-school through Grade V. The School is situated on six acres near the intersection of the Route 206 and Fackler Road in Lawrenceville. The site, near a branch of the Shipetauken Creek, includes meadows, woods and wetlands.
For additional information on the School, please contact Deborah Agnew, Director of Admissions,(609) 924-8126.
Paul Popadiuk Named New MHS Principal for 2010
Montgomery Township High School (MHS) Vice Principal Paul Popadiuk will assume the role of Principal at MHS in the New Year, replacing Jim Misek who retires in December of this year. Popadiuk has been in Montgomery as a Vice Principal and social studies teacher since 1996. He also served as coach for girls’ basketball, softball and football and as a class advisor. His first jobs were in Somerville, teaching history at the High School for a year and at the Middle School for three years.
Popadiuk grew up in Raritan and graduated from Bridgewater-Raritan High School West. He received a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education – social studies from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in educational leadership, management and policy from Seton Hall University.
Popadiuk explains how he was inspired to choose education as a career. “My high school biology teacher and basketball coach, Vaughn Stapleton, was very influential regarding my decision to become a teacher. He was an outstanding educator who stressed the development of the whole child. He was always there to help his students develop socially and academically into productive young men and women. I wanted to do the same.”
Regarding his first teaching positions in Somerville, he says “I enjoyed my time there, forming close bonds and relationships with the community.” During his time in Montgomery, serving as a coach and class advisor has been especially gratifying to him. “I have had the opportunity to watch so many of my players and students grow and develop. We have shared priceless memories that will last a lifetime.”
Parents, students, teachers, and staff in Montgomery have noted Popadiuk’s vision, intellect, humanity and leadership and management skills. “Mr. Popadiuk’s creativity, competence, commitment, and caring meet the needs of MHS. Mr. Popadiuk knows the strengths of the MHS school-community as well as the challenges that it faces, and he will not miss a beat in dealing with them through the District’s strategic plan. We are fortunate and excited to have an administrator of Mr. Popadiuk’s caliber and character taking on the role of High School Principal,” says Earl Kim, Montgomery Township Superintendent of Schools.
Popadiuk adds “I have been truly blessed to be a part of the Montgomery family, and I look forward to continuing to serve as the Principal of MHS.” He lives in Hillsborough with his wife Karen and sons Matthew and Luke, both in elementary school.
MHS Docents at Rockingham
Rockingham is a historic site in Rocky Hill where George Washington stayed during the 1700s, right before the Revolutionary War ended. Because of its historical background, Rockingham is a popular site for people who are interested in the history of the United States.
Members of the Montgomery High School Live Historians Club volunteer as docents at Rockingham to provide tours and information about the site. During their major annual event, called Candlelight Christmas, Rockingham is decorated to look like Christmas during the 1760s.
There is music and entertainment, and it is interesting to take part in this event and learn historical background about the 18th century. Mrs. Bonnie Lieu, head of the Live Historians Club, stated, "The event is important because it brings to life colonial times and the history of the community. While Rockingham is opened year round for visitors to experience the history, there are several programs throughout the year that allow the history really to come alive. Candlelight Christmas is one of those days. The MHS docents, Rockingham staff, and Rockingham Association are able to partner together to put together something that the regular staff can't do."
The docents from MHS dress up in clothing from the 1700s and give tours to people of all age groups. Senior Dee Seethamraju is one of the leaders of the group, along with senior Sarah Sheldon. Seethamraju stated, "Often this place is dismissed, and few take action to figure this out. So as docents, we try to help people realize why this place is so historic and memorable."
It sounds as if this is a great event for people of all ages. So come to Rockingham for the Candlelight Christmas and see what it's all about! The occasion takes place on December 13 from 11 am to 4 pm. There is a suggested donation of $5. Call 609-683-7136 to make advance reservations for the tour!
Teachers' Contracts Renegotiated
Receive 4% Average Increase
The teachers' salary and benefits contract for the Montgomery Township School District was renegotiated this fall, as it is every three years, with teachers receiving an additional 4% in salary and benefits on average. Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim says, "We are investing in our most valuable asset - our teachers."
Changes to teachers' benefits include increased prescription copayments and limiting new teachers to the Direct, or Paid Provider Organization (PPO), plan for their healthcare.
The traditional healthcare plan, which allows teachers to go to any doctor they choose, is no longer available to new teachers; instead they must choose from doctors who participate in the PPO plan. Kim explains that the changes noted above will save the District $400,000 per year. While employee healthcare benefit costs went up 9% this year, these changes bring this year's increase to 4%. The traditional plan costs approximately $15,000 per employee per year while the PPO plan costs about $10,000 per employee per year.
Montgomery pays new teachers more than comparable districts to attract better teachers. However, teachers with 10 to 20 years experience in the District are paid less than in comparable districts; therefore this group received the highest salary increases to help retain them.
PDS Announces $1.75 million Gift in Support of Outstanding Teaching
Donors create Minerva Grants and Sabbatical to enhance professional development
Princeton - Princeton Day School Head of School Paul J. Stellato today announced a $1.75 million gift has been devoted to dramatically expanding professional development opportunities for teachers at Princeton Day School.
"This magnitude of generosity and support is remarkable," Mr. Stellato noted, "and a gift of this scope demonstrates a profound understanding of the importance of great teachers and teaching. It shows, as well, the deep, genuine affection and respect that our families - and one, in particular - feel for their children's teachers."
The gift, received as part of the school's recent $53,000,000 capital campaign, was made by a Princeton Day School family wishing to remain anonymous. The funds will provide professional development opportunities for faculty through both an annual grant program and endowment for faculty sabbaticals.
The "Minerva Fund for Professional Development" will provide up to three grants of $5,000 to faculty with 12 or fewer years teaching experience, including at least four years in a Princeton Day School classroom. Grants will be awarded by the Head of School based on proposals submitted by members of the faculty.
The "Minerva Sabbatical Endowment" will augment the school's sabbatical program, which promotes the professional development of faculty who have served the school well over many years. The sabbatical will fund an annual year-long off-campus opportunity for a teacher to enhance and further develop his or her teaching expertise and skills.
"It is fitting that this program is named for the Roman goddess of wisdom," Mr. Stellato said, "as this most generous gift reflects the wisdom, long-held and practiced at Princeton Day School, that through and with great teachers, all things are possible for our students. It allows Princeton Day School to renew and reaffirm its commitment to the professional growth of its faculty."
Activity Fee Causing Concern
An annual $75 student activity fee for Montgomery Township Upper Middle and High School students who participate in extracurricular activities has had mixed reactions. The Montgomery Township Board of Education initiated the fee for the 2007-2008 school year to help fund these activities. This school year, payment is required before students can participate in them. Meanwhile, bill A1489, which would prohibit New Jersey school districts from charging activity fees, was reviewed a second time by the New Jersey State Assembly in June. However, it is not known when either House of the State Legislature will again review - or vote on - it.
Students who wish to register for afterschool activities are required to pay the fee to the Board once per year. These activities include sports, Student Government, Robotics Team, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society and service groups like Interact Club, which is sponsored by Rotary International and TREND (Turning Recreational Excitement in New Directions). Some parents and students disagree with fees being required, especially for honor and service activities. Colleges often look for a student's participation in these activities when considering applications.
The Board will waive the fee if a parent informs the Board that it presents a financial hardship. However, some residents are concerned that families may not want to admit that they are financially overburdened. So far, the fee has been waived for 33 students and any student in the Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program. When the fee was voluntary, roughly 80% of students who took part in activities paid it.
Montgomery Township School District spends less per pupil than comparable districts for academic expenditures but more for extracurricular activities. For the 2007-2008 school year, Montgomery spent $305 per pupil for extracurricular activities compared to the state average of $235 per pupil. The District spent a total of $1.4M that year for these activities.
One parent stated, "We do offer an above average number of opportunities. If the community wants to keep these activities, they must be funded. However, I object to them being mandatory."This year's fees are expected to generate $100,000 which is roughly 7% of the District's extracurricular budget.
Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim says "the decision to require an activity fee was one of political will and financial capacity." Kim explains that aid payments expected from the State of New Jersey at the end of last year were never paid to New Jersey school districts, and that they have had to find the money elsewhere. He noted that teachers, administrators, and parents all participated in the budget process which resulted in a decision to enact the fees. "We couldn't find another $100,000 in spending to cut, or another $100,000 in revenue which would have enabled us to not charge the fee. The Board would prefer not to charge a fee but no one - neither the Board nor parents - wants to cut extracurricular offerings. And our residents do not want their taxes to rise."
According to School Board Member Andrea Bradley, "We felt it was fairer to those families whose students do not participate and for all those families in town that do not have students in the school district at all for the participants to shoulder some of the costs. We are aware that there are those in our community who do not like the activity fee, just as we are aware that there are those in our community who would oppose the increase in school taxes if we eliminated the activity fee."
Both Kim and Bradley have stated that the Board will re-examine this issue when developing the new budget next year. Kim adds that if the Board's December 8 capital projects referendum passes (see related story), the Board could use monies normally earmarked for capital expenditures to fully fund extracurricular activities and abolish the activity fee. Roughly a dozen other New Jersey school districts require students to pay activity fees ranging from $50 to $300.
Bill A1489 was introduced to the New Jersey State Assembly in January of 2008 and is sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli. Assemblywoman Joan Voss, Vice-Chair of the Assembly's Education Committee, is also a proponent of the bill. The bill was read a second time in the Assembly on June 22 of this year and an amendment was passed on it on June 25, but it awaits further action. State Senator Stephen Sweeney introduced the bill as S1135 to the State Senate on February 14, 2008. The Senate has not reviewed it since then.
Municipal Alliance Hosts Community Leaders’ Conference to Help Youth Succeed in Life
On November 17 The Montgomery/Rocky Hill Municipal Alliance and Youth Services Commission sponsored a conference for leaders in the community to discuss how to make the towns’ youth more likely to thrive and avoid high-risk behaviors. The Community Leaders Working Together conference, held at the Elks Lodge, brought together 80 local businesspeople, school representatives, health care workers, religious leaders, police officers, government leaders and parents to work toward this common goal. Jim Conway from the Search Institute, the keynote speaker, discussed the developmental assets that teens need to succeed in life, and how communities can provide them.
Jennifer Haftel of the Municipal Alliance opened the conference by stating that building connections in the community provides a network which can strengthen the community and its youth. Tina Renga and Ann DeGennaro of the Montgomery Township High School (MHS) Guidance Department then spoke of initiatives they have introduced to MHS to help the students thrive. Renga described the presentation on social and emotional character development that Dr. Maurice Elias of Rutgers University gave to MHS and Montgomery Upper Middle School (MUMS) teachers in October and the climate survey that was recently given students and teachers at MHS and MUMS (see article in the November issue). She noted that Montgomery schools have the support systems students need in place, but that with a coordinated framework, greater success could be achieved via synergy between schools, families, and the community.
Ann DeGennaro spoke about the social norms survey developed by Rowan University that MHS students took last year and again this November. The results of the survey show that actual drug and alcohol use is much less than what is perceived. For example, students believed that nearly 90% of their peers used alcohol on a regular basis, but the reality is that 60% never do and 35% do only once or twice a year. The belief was that 94% of students use marijuana but the fact is that 94% never have. Students thought 65% of their peers smoked, but in truth 77% never do. When the truth is communicated to students with positive messages such as “3 out of 4 of us have never used marijuana”, healthy behavior is reinforced and consumption of these substances can be reduced.
Vasanthi Rao of the Municipal Alliance then presented the results of an informal community survey on the community which attendees had taken. Attendees thought that schools, community groups, and houses of worship were doing enough to prevent at-risk behavior. Half thought the lack of a consistent message concerning risky behaviors and not enough strength in families and neighborhoods were obstacles to protecting the community while half thought these were not obstacles. Shortfalls for the community were that too many parents look the other way; the first use of alcohol and drugs is very early; there are not enough constructive ways to spend time or safe places to go; and that there is too much pressure and stress.
Jim Conway of the Minneapolis, Minnesota based Search Institute then explained that the Institute strives to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources needed promote healthy youth and communities. By evaluating 1,250 studies on youth the Institute has identified 40 developmental assets possessed by teens who thrive and choose not to engage in risky behavior. These assets are positive experiences, relationships, opportunities and personal qualities. Half of the assets are external – they need to be provided by the child’s environment. These provide support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, or constructive use of time. The other half - internal – are skills or beliefs the child has which foster commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.
Conway stressed the importance of relationships for children’s development, noting that one of the most important developmental assets a child can possess is support from at least three adults other than parents who have known the child for at least two years. Only 43% of youths possess this. Reading for pleasure and participation in a house of worship (with its intergenerational setting) are two of the assets, and demonstrate their variety. The fortieth and last asset points out that kids (72%) are optimistic and hopeful. As Conway notes, we can help them find their way.
The more developmental assets a child possesses, the more likely they will be to avoid at-risk behavior and thrive. Conversely, the fewer assets they own, the more likely they will be to make poor choices and not succeed in life. Conway showed that these principles apply regardless of ethnic group or whether the child grows up in an urban, suburban, or rural area. The average number of assets possessed by kids was 19.4 – half of the assets - across all the above demographics. Only 8% of kids possess three-quarters or more of the assets; while 17% possess 10 or less of them.
The assets also affect academic success. When a student acquires more assets, grade point average rises regardless of the student’s prior performance.
Conway gave examples of the power of one, or individuals who reached out to youth. One police officer handed out “positive” tickets to kids who did good deeds, redeemable for “treats” like a swim at a pool. The kids chose not to redeem the tickets, but to keep them posted on their walls. One pizzeria printed positive messages - similar to the one described by Ann DeGennaro - on its pizza boxes, knowing that teens would have plenty of time to see and discuss them. Conway noted that a simple act such as praising a parent when they support their child is a positive message.
Conway also explained the power of many. As individuals, organizations, and networks are stimulated, supported and strengthened, the capacity to build assets increases. He noted that it is important to see kids’ strengths as well as their problems and to view them as resources, especially when pursuing asset-building initiatives. Ann DeGennaro illustrated this when she shared a story from an MHS Peer Educator meeting. Students were questioning their effectiveness in helping their peers change unhealthy behaviors when one of them said “If we can change one person’s life, then we’ve succeeded.”
Those who attended found it upliftting to see many different groups collaborating with so much positive energy for the community’s young people. A majority of the attendees signed on to continue building a coalition that will seek to increase the developmental assets of youths. A follow-up to the conference is scheduled for January 7, 2010 from 8am to 9:30am at a location to be decided.
The Municipal Alliance is committed to preventing violence and alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse while the Youth Services Commission serves at-risk youth in the community. The Alliance is funded by Somerset County and the State of New Jersey and with cash matches from the Montgomery Township Board of Education and the Montgomery Township Committee. The Alliance wishes to thank the Elks Lodge for making it financially feasible to hold the conference in their newly renovated meeting room.
For more information about the Search Institute see their website www.search-institute.org or call 800-888-7828.
RVCC PLANETARIUM TO DISPLAY NEW HUBBLE IMAGES
The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium in Branchburg will take visitors on a journey to the center of our galaxy when it unveils unprecedented mural-sized images of the Milky Way’s core as seen by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory.
The images will be on display as part of the Planetarium’s permanent exhibit beginning November 10. The stunning photographs of the central region of our galaxy commemorate the International Year of Astronomy.
This year celebrates the 400th anniversary of Galileo turning a telescope to the heavens. Since Galileo first used his spyglass, telescopes have grown ever larger and ever better, and have moved to mountaintops and into space. NASA’s Great Observatories represent the crowning achievements of astronomy four centuries later and are honoring this legacy with a national image unveiling.
A giant 6' x 3' image presents a unique view that showcases the galaxy in near-infrared light observed by Hubble, infrared light observed by Spitzer, and X-ray light observed by Chandra. This combined image was carefully assembled from mosaic photo surveys of the core by each telescope. It provides the most wide-ranging view ever of our galaxy’s mysterious hub.
The RVCC Planetarium also will unveil a matched trio of Hubble, Spitzer and Chandra images of the Milky Way’s center on a second large panel measuring 3' x 4'. Each image shows the telescope’s different wavelength view of the central region of our galaxy that illustrates not only the unique science each observatory conducts, but also how far astronomy has come since Galileo.
Within these images one can trace the spectacle of stellar evolution: from vibrant regions of star birth, to young hot stars, to old cool stars, to seething remnants of stellar death called black holes. This activity occurs against a vivid backdrop in the crowded, hostile environment of the galaxy’s core, the center of which is dominated by a super massive black hole millions of times more massive than our Sun.
These multi-wavelength views provide both stunning beauty and a wealth of scientific information that could not have been dreamed of by Galileo.
Additional information about the Hubble Space Telescope is available at http://hubblesite.org/.
Information about the Spitzer Space Telescope is available at http://www.spitzer.caltech.edu/. Information about the Chandra X-ray Observatory is available at http://chandra.harvard.edu/. To learn more about NASA’s celebration of the International Year of Astronomy, visit http://astronomy2009.nasa.gov/.
For additional information, call 908-231-8805 or visit www.raritanval.edu/planetarium.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Kids' Musicround Offers Free Sample Classes
Celebrating 10 Years Of Making Music
Kids' MusicRound celebrates 10 years of making music with children and their families. KMR is an award-winning music and movement experience for families with young children, ages infant - four. Sample classes are offered at The Dance Factory, 10 Vreeland Drive, Suite 107, in Skillman to give adults the opportunity to preview classes before the start of the winter semester.
The free, 30-minute classes are scheduled for Tuesday, 12/1 at 9:30 & 10:30 am and Monday, 12/7 at 10:00 am. These free sessions encourage adults and children to explore the joy of music play and movement. Led by experienced faculty, families with infants and children through age four will have opportunities to sing, clap, dance and play rhythm instruments while learning about early childhood music development.
The Kids' MusicRound 10-week winter session begins January 11 in Montgomery. Included as part of the program tuition, is a songbook and two CDs of traditional, original and world music that can be enjoyed at home and in the car.
To reserve a space in a free class, request a brochure or for more information, please call (609) 333-0100. Or, for a full schedule with information on Kids' MusicRound philosophy, teachers and videos, visit the website at www.KidsMusicRound.com.
KIDS' MUSICROUND OFFERS FREE SAMPLE CLASS
Kids' MusicRound, an award-winning music and movement experience for families with young children is offering free preview classes of its winter program at The Dance Factory, 10 Vreeland Drive, Suite 107, in Skillman.
The free, 45-minute classes are scheduled for Tuesday, 11/3, 11/10 and 11/17 at 9:30 am. These free sessions encourage adults and children to explore the joy of music play and movement. Led by the program director, Barbara Lysenko, families with infants and children through age five will have opportunities to sing, clap, dance and play rhythm instruments while learning about early childhood music development.
The Kids' MusicRound 10-week winter session begins in early January in Montgomery. Included as part of the program tuition, is a songbook and two CDs of traditional, original and world music that can be enjoyed at home and in the car.
To reserve a space in a free class, request a brochure or for more information, please call (609) 333-0100. Or, for a full schedule with information on Kids' MusicRound philosophy, teachers and videos, visit the website at www.KidsMusicRound.com.
RVCC CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS SET FOR TEACHER’S CONVENTION
Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) Corporate & Continuing Education (CCE) division will offer daytime classes for school-age children during the Teacher’s Convention break in November. The following classes will be offered at the College’s Branchburg Campus:
Wearable Art: Using stenciling and transfer techniques, students ages 6-12 design wearable art that reflects their own personal style. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $50.
Portrait: Students ages 6-12 learn the skills necessary to create portraits of themselves or others, employing both traditional and unusual materials and approaches. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $50.
Multi-Media Painting: Students ages 6-12 investigate different approaches to painting with acrylics, tempera and watercolor. The class will be held Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $50.
Fun Making Sculptures: Students ages 6-12 explore construction, form, function and process as they create a work of art, choosing a type of work, subject matter and materials. The class will be held Friday, November 6, from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $50.
Mother Earth Meets Mother Nature: Students ages 6-12 investigate the basics of geology and all of the Earth’s forces. Participants create and take home a string of ultraviolet beads and a colorful layered sedimentary tube. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $98.
Crazy Chemistry in Your Kitchen: Students ages 6-12 use common household items to create exothermic reactions, sidewalk chalk and a crystal garden. The class will be held Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $98.
Rocket Robotics”: Students ages 7-12 build and take home a real robot that works by the clap of their hands or the sound of their voice. They also build a wide assortment of additional robots. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $162.
Lego Star Wars & Motorized Machines: Students ages 7-12 recreate their favorite Star Wars adventure. All students will take home a Lego project. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is $162.
Creating Effective Reports with PowerPoint: Students ages 9-12 create imaginative presentations using computer graphics. They also gain confidence about making oral presentations. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The fee is $84.
Chess I (Newcomers/Beginners): Students ages 7-14 learn the rules of chess and get a quick overview of how to win a chess match. This class is geared toward youngsters who don’t know anything about chess and those who know how to play, but want to improve their skills. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $108.
Chess II (Advanced Beginners): Students ages 7-14 are introduced to checkmating positions, basic opening move ideas and other chess tactics. Participants should already have taken a beginner’s course or have some basic chess playing experience. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $108.
Rev Up Your Thinking with Puzzles & Games: Students ages 7-14 play such games as Scrabble, charades and Monopoly. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m. to noon and repeated from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $108 per session.
The Manners Guide: For Girls Only: Students ages 10-17 learn the gracious rules of proper etiquette. A tutorial lunch is served and students take home an illustrated workbook. The class will be held Thursday, November 5, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The fee is $125.
Boy’s Game Plan for Success: Students ages 10-17 learn specific strategies that will increase their ability to express themselves and develop more effective relationships. A tutorial lunch is served and students take home an illustrated workbook. The class will be held Friday, November 6, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The fee is $125.
For more information, call 908-526-1200, ext. 8404, or e-mail cce@raritanval.edu. Youth program brochures also can be picked up at the CCE office, located in the lower level of RVCC’s College Center, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Folk Tale Puppet Troupe at Waldorf School Nov 22
On November 22 at 2 pm Waldorf School of Princeton will host the Folk Tale Puppet Troupe for a marionette performance of The Devil and the Three Golden Hares. This tale recounts the adventures of a “child of good fortune” who manages through his kindness and cleverness to solve riddles and win the hand of the beautiful princess.
The performance will take place in Hagens Hall at Waldorf School of Princeton, located at 1062 Cherry Hill Road in Montgomery. Admission is $5 per person, payable at the door. The show is appropriate for children ages 5 -15. For more information please contact the Folk Tale Puppets at 609-466-1365.
OHES Head Custodian Paul Harvey Publishes Children's Book
Ask any student at Orchard Hill Elementary School (OHES) about Mr. Harvey, the School's Head Custodian and you'll likely get a smile and a laugh. Yes, Paul E. Harvey, Jr. runs a tight ship at this large school and tries to create order from chaos, but he also brings enthusiasm and a love of children to his work. He has used his experiences with the children to pen a children's book, "The Adventures of Shamus the Leprechaun: Shamus Goes to School."
According to the book's publicity release, Harvey "spins a delightful tale in his first children's book about a crafty little Leprechaun who leaves his precious pot of gold in order to fulfill a very important and secret mission. Cunning little Shamus loves nothing more than to spend his day counting and polishing gold pieces, but one day he receives a very important task, and Shamus is asked to leave his home (and his precious stores of gold!) to find out if humans still believe in leprechauns. With a clever human disguise and a few leprechaun tricks up his sleeve, Shamus visits a little elementary school where he finds a delightful surprise that is far more exciting than all the pots of gold in the world!"
Harvey notes that the energetic, high-spirited students at OHES were a source of inspiration for the book. Much to the student's delight, it seems a mischievous leprechaun sneaks into the school the night before each St. Patrick's Day, overturning chairs, leaving footprints, and the like. Two years ago, Harvey put the story on paper. He wondered, "Was I good enough? Was the story good enough?" When OHES teachers read it, they pushed Harvey to get it published. The final impetus to publish came after he ran into former OHES students at Wawa, one of whom was a freshman in college, who asked "Tell us Mr. Harvey, you were the leprechaun, right?" OHES teacher Jessica Gillis assured him, "You have to do it."
Harvey submitted a draft of the book to six publishers. Five of them agreed to publish it but only upon payment. An agent in New York referred him to Strategic Publishing, who offered to publish it for free. The publisher has asked Harvey to write five Shamus the Leprechaun books; each will have a lesson for children. In the first book, after ascertaining that humans do believe in Leprechauns, Shamus goes back to shining his gold coins but finds he misses the schoolchildren. So he becomes a human custodian except once a year on St. Patrick's Day when he turns into a leprechaun to bring the children joy.
When Harvey learned he was going to be a published author, "I was almost in tears. The best part was when my son told me a proofreading (or first) copy had arrived at home." Harvey's book was published in September. On October 14, it was shown at the World Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany; later this fall it will appear in England; and next summer it will be exhibited at the New York Book show. "It's going on tour like a rock band" laughs Harvey. Harvey proudly notes that Barnes and Noble customers have given the book four and a half out of a possible five stars.
While some would view Harvey's job at OHES as unexciting, he chooses to make it something special. He is often doing silly things for the students' enjoyment, especially during lunch, transforming mundane moments into fun and memorable ones. When asked about his positive attitude, he simply states, "We're all here for the kids. We want the kids to feel comfortable with us and to come to us if they need help. I remember being scared of the custodians in my school!"
Another member of the OHES family, literacy support teacher Kathy Grover, illustrated Harvey's book. When she showed Harvey her leprechaun drawing that became the cover illustration, Harvey was deeply touched and said "I have a face for Shamus now." Harvey recalls, "She drew 24 illustrations over Christmas break last year and I signed a contract with Strategic on New Year's Eve. Kathy's illustrations are so great. Strategic said the pictures matched the story and went perfectly together. They made no changes." Grover says "I feel honored to have brought his character - and his dream - to life." This is the second children's book Grover has illustrated.
Harvey notes "If it weren't for these kids and the excitement they have for St. Patrick's Day this book wouldn't have happened. They were 100% a part of this whole adventure. The teachers have been supportive and the parents have been excited about the book. That's what makes Montgomery special; everyone pulls together."
Harvey was born and raised in Harbourton, New Jersey. When asked about his childhood, he notes he has "too many good memories." He lives with his wife and children in Bordentown, New Jersey. He used several family members' names in the book. "My daughter is Shamus' sister; and my nephew is in the book too."
To obtain copies of "The Adventures of Shamus the Leprechaun: Shamus Goes to School" (48 pp. $15.50), go to any Barnes & Noble bookstore or the publisher's website,
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/TheAdventuresOfShamusTheLeprechaun.html.
Rutgers’ Dr. Elias Discusses Social and Emotional Learning with Montgomery Teachers
During their October 12 in-service day, Montgomery Township teachers heard a presentation by Dr. Maurice Elias, a professor of Clinical Psychology and Interdisciplinary Health at Rutgers University. Dr. Elias founded Rutgers’ Social and Emotional Learning Laboratory and the Developing Safe and Civil Schools (DSACS) Initiative. He is known throughout the world for his dedication to social and emotional character development. Montgomery High School (MHS) Guidance Director Tina Renga has been spearheading the effort to bring the initiative to Montgomery with the assistance of MHS Student Assistance Counselor Ann DeGennaro.
Why is social and emotional learning important? Dr. Elias pointed out that many high-performing schools are preparing our children for a life of tests, but not the tests of life. After he asked faculty to voice what they hoped their legacy would be upon retirement and few volunteered to share their answers, he explained that apprehension about others’ reactions kept them from answering, and is also the biggest obstacle to learning for the students.
Elias said that one day students’ college drop-out rates, not their test scores, will be the criteria by which schools are measured. He told of schools in Singapore that reached out to him, saying “We’re turning out smart students but they don’t have life skills.” Students need to feel capable, valuable, and valued to be able to move into the next stage of life and succeed. They need a sense of purpose and pride in school; to feel attached, engaged, and committed; and to know that their presence in school is noticed more than their absence. Possessing the ability to express themselves and to contribute to groups both as a leader and as a member is crucial.
He added that it dangerous to produce smart kids who don’t have the necessary social and emotional skills, as headlines can attest.
How is social and emotional learning accomplished? Evidence shows that academic skills must be based on service learning and character education and supported by a partnership between schools, families, and the community, Elias explained. Education on sex and health as well as violence and drug prevention protects students from at risk behaviors that can undermine their education as well as their lives, and gives them the self-control to delay gratification in pursuit of higher goals. He notes that students engage in risky behavior because they don’t feel they have a place in society.
When Elias asked the faculty to choose what children needed most in life, they selected friendship, wisdom, and family. But he noted that beauty, popularity, and wealth, options not selected by the faculty, are the values that students are bombarded with 24/7, 365 days a year from birth via many types of media. He also noted that economic forces are driving parents away from their children, whether in an affluent family where the possessions are prioritized above the members or in an over extended one trying to make ends meet. Other forces working against children include the breakdown of families, neighborhoods, and extended families.
Elias showed examples of schools with successful social and emotional learning programs from George Lucas’ education foundation, Edutopia. Such programs can result in a 10% rise in academic scores because students want to come to school and are more open to learning and interaction. Ultimately, they have a better chance of success in their future lives.
Elias closed by asking the teachers to share similar experiences. Ann DeGennaro told of MHS teacher Zoran Milich, whose student received a 92 on a test. Milich told the student, “Your parents must be so proud of you!” The student answered “They don’t care.” Milich responded “Well I do!” and asked DeGennaro to post the test in her office. DeGennaro noted that the student looked for the test in her office every day. Another teacher recounted his distress when his son became angry after spending most of a game sitting on the bench, failing to recognize his teammate’s improvement and his team’s success. The father pointed out, “We don’t live life in isolation.”
On October 20, during advisory periods, students and faculty at MHS took a survey developed by DSACS to determine the social and emotional climate at the school. Montgomery Upper Middle School (MUMS) students and faculty will take the survey during advisory periods sometime before Thanksgiving. MUMS teacher Kevin Armstrong, Principal William Robbins, and Assistant Principal Jason Burr are leading the DSACS initiative at MUMS. After DSACS processes the surveys, the findings will be used as part of a one year initiative to assess the climate at the schools and determine which skills students should develop to help them attain success in life
MHS Spirit Week
Homecoming is always a fun-filled time at Montgomery High School. The week of October 13 to October 17 was Spirit Week at MHS, where students were encouraged to show their school spirit through a series of activities and events.
Spirit Week kicked off on Tuesday, October 13 with college shirt day. Then, Wednesday was class color day. Freshman dressed up in red, sophomores in blue, juniors in white, and seniors in black. This was the most class competitive day of Spirit Week because that night was the big seniors vs. juniors powderpuff football game! The game was fun for all to watch, and the turnout was huge, including an audience of both parents and students. One main attraction was the male cheerleaders. Boys from each class danced their way down the field as they competed for first place. Finally the senior boys won the competition, with sophomores in close second. As for the game, the senior girls played a good game, winning 14-0. However, the game was called off in the beginning of the second half due to an injury of one of the players. Although the game was short, it was a lot of fun and a great way for all the students to come together and support their classes.
Thursday was hat day, which is always a fun day for students to break a school rule and wear their favorite hats. Finally, Friday was green and gold day! This is the best way for Montgomery High School to show their school spirit through the school colors! Green and gold day was followed by the MHS homecoming football game against Hillsborough that night. Despite the cold and rainy weather, a big crowd turned up for the game and the cougars made their fans proud with a 20-6 win against Hillsborough.
The Spirit Week festivities ended with the MHS homecoming dance. The dance was Broadway themed and all grades showed up for a fun night of dancing and socializing with friends. Spirit Week 2009 was a great way for Montgomery students to support their school and show their cougar pride!
RVCC TO OFFER NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN FINANCE
In order to keep pace with the changing needs of the workforce, Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) will be offering a new certificate program beginning in the Spring 2010 Semester. The Financial Services Certificate of Completion will be offered as part of the College’s Business and Public Service Department.
The one-year program prepares students for employment in the banking industry, brokerage and mortgage firms, and other financial organizations. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level positions as credit administrators, credit analysts, operational officers, assistant branch managers and customer service representatives.
The program is designed for students who already have a business degree and who are interested in specializing in or changing their career track to Finance. The 18-credit program includes courses in such areas as financial management, international finance and financial planning.
Students interested in continuing their education also may transfer all of their credits earned into RVCC’s more comprehensive Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management—Financial Services Option.
Spring Semester classes begin Tuesday, January 19. For additional information about the new program, contact RVCC Assistant Professor of Finance Mike Fagan, 908-526-1200, ext. 8435.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
RVCC PLANETARIUM SETS HARRY POTTER-THEMED SHOWS
Just in time for Halloween, the Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) in Branchburg will present its popular Harry Potter-themed star show, “The Skies over Hogwarts.” The show will be offered Sundays, October 25 and November 1. Both show dates will feature presentations at 2 and 4 p.m.
A spell has been cast on the Planetarium at RVCC. The candlelit halls will guide visitors through outer space to a magical classroom under the stars. Participants will join an eclectic group of witches and wizards as they guide visitors through a Harry Potter-themed show of the stars visible in the sky. Learn how Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling used astronomy as the inspiration for some of her characters’ names.
Admission to each show is $6 per person. The program is appropriate for families with school-age children—or Harry Potter fans of any age. For additional information and reservations, call 908-231-8805.
RVCC, located on 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 40 years, offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.
The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.
Princeton Junior School Welcomes New Faculty
Princeton Junior School is pleased to announce the appointment of five new faculty members.
Melissa Young, who received a B.A. in Education, with an Elementary Education concentration, and a B.A. in Fine Arts, from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, joins the PJS faculty as the teacher for the new 2 Year Olds class. In addition she is the Director of the Pre-school Summer and Vacation program and the Pre-school curriculum coordinator. Ms. Young has extensive experience at both the Pre-school and Elementary levels, including 2 years (2006-2008) as a toddler teacher for Bright Horizons at Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ.
Lisa Zaccarelli joins the PJS faculty as head Kindergarten teacher. She received a Bachelors of Marketing degree from Saint Joseph's University and a Masters of Elementary Education from Holy Family University, both earned with honors. Ms. Zaccarelli comes to PJS with a variety of teaching experience and most recently worked as the Resource Room Reading Specialist at Walt Disney Elementary School in the Pennsbury, PA school district.
Jessica Mansor, joins PJS as a Kindergarten teacher and earned a Bachelor of Art degree at the University of Denver and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Arts in Philadelphia, PA. She has gained teaching experience in the Princeton community at The Hun School, Pennington School, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, and the Arts Council of Princeton.
In addition, PJS welcomes Kathleen Jackson and Kendal Bushnell. Ms. Jackson, who has a B.A. from Thomas Edison College, and a Master of Education from Grand Canyon University is an assistant teacher for the Pre-school afternoon and after school programs. Ms. Bushnell, a recent graduate of Saint Joseph's University with a B.A. in English, joins the school as an assistant teacher for the after school program.
The Princeton Junior School is an independent school offering the highest standard of education for children in Pre-school through Grade V. The School is situated on six acres near the intersection of the Route 206 and Fackler Road in Lawrenceville. The site, near a branch of the Shipetauken Creek, includes meadows, woods and wetlands.
For additional information on the School, please contact Deborah Agnew, Director of Admissions, 609-924-8126.
Township Schools Setting the Pace for Environmental Excellence
Staff at Montgomery Township School District are achieving big savings with energy-efficient behavior - and now those good habits are earning national recognition. Montgomery Township School District has achieved a 24 percent cost savings totaling $2,107,675 in 32 months since forming a strategic alliance with Energy Education, a national energy conservation company, which will present the district with its Environmental Excellence Award September 22nd.
"Reaching this level of savings at this stage of the program is a significant achievement. Montgomery Township School District has done an excellent job of implementing Energy Education's people-oriented approach to energy conservation and maintaining productive efforts at all levels of the organization. The administration and all staff members are to be commended for clearly fulfilling their commitment to being good stewards of the organization's energy dollars and the environment," said Dr. William S. Spears, CEO and founder of Energy Education. "Strong support from everyone involved in the organization has created an atmosphere of cooperation that should continue to grow and ensure even greater success well into the future," Dr. Spears said. "I am extremely pleased to present Montgomery Township School District with our Environmental Excellence Award."
Mr. Earl Kim, Superintendent, said "I give full credit to the students and staff of the Montgomery Township Schools under the guidance of Mr. Brian Grieco, our Energy Education Specialist. It is their continuing effort to reduce energy consumption-from shutting down computer workstations to replacing energy inefficient systems-that have produced these savings. These savings have translated into fewer dollars going 'out the window' and more dollars going into classroom. These savings have also reduced MTSD's carbon footprint and the costs that future generations will have to bear."
A primary benefit of the Energy Education program is that all costs come out of the existing utility budget, with savings projected to more than pay for the program, as they have done for Montgomery Township School District. Additional savings can be redirected to other parts of the budget.
The conservation program examines all areas of energy use throughout Montgomery Township School District. Energy Education's conservation experts - in natural gas and electricity, water and sewer, HVAC systems, Energy Management Systems (EMS) and mechanical systems, behavior modification, communications, grounds care, data analysis, information systems management, organization development, construction management, human resources, utility rate structures, and many other areas of specialization that positively impact energy conservation - work closely with Montgomery Township School District's Energy Education Specialist, Mr. Grieco. They train him to analyze all energy use throughout the district's systems, and to ensure that energy is used as efficiently as possible, following Energy Education's Transformational Energy Management ProcessTM.
The EPA estimates that every kilowatt hour (kWh) not used prevents the emission of 1.5 pounds of carbon dioxide, 5.8 grams of sulfur dioxide and 2.5 grams of nitrogen oxides. In the first 32 months of the program, Montgomery Township School District saved 27,451,641 kWh, the equivalent of 7,594 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 1,363 cars removed from the road, or 194,234 pine trees grown for 10 years.
Mr. Grieco tracks energy consumption - including electricity, water, sewer, natural gas and fuel oil - using energy-accounting software. He compares current energy use to a baseline period and calculates the amount of energy that would have been used had conservation and management practices not been implemented. By tracking consumption and analyzing energy use, he can quickly identify and correct areas that need immediate attention.
Mr. Ross Kelly, President-Atlantic Division of Energy Education, will be presenting the Environmental Excellence Award to the Montgomery Township School District at the September 22nd Board of Education Meeting.
Energy Education's innovative Transformational Energy Management Process(tm) trains client personnel to implement behavioral and organizational change that substantially reduces energy consumption without the purchase of new equipment. The program is funded solely and rapidly by the savings it generates, allowing clients to redirect saved energy dollars to other priorities. Dallas, Texas-based Energy Education was named 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In 23 years, the company has worked with more than 1,000 educational and ministerial organizations, helping clients save over $1.7 billion in utility costs.
A Busy October for MHS Marching Band
The MHS Marching Band’s season debut was an impressive one, despite the torrential rains drenching them, their instruments and equipment. But nothing could dampen Cougar spirits or talent at the first winning football game of the season.
If you missed the marching band’s first performance on September 11th, there’s plenty of opportunity to catch a halftime show, festival, or competition in October.
Varsity home games in October are all on Friday evenings at 7pm. On Oct. 2, see MHS vs. Warren Hills, Oct. 16, MHS vs. Hillsborough, and Oct. 30, MHS vs. Immaculata. Come out and support not only our winning football team but also the hard working and dedicated members of the MHS Marching Band.
If you would like to see a line up of impressive local talent, come out to see a festival or competition. In these events, several high school bands participate by performing their field shows. The Marching Cougars will be attending three regional competitions this season. Two out of three are in Bucks County, PA - Pennridge High School in Perkasie on October 3rd and Neshaminy High School on October 24th. Much closer to home, the MHS Marching Band will be in a competition at Hillsborough High School on Oct. 10.
The 2009 field show features music from Mussorgsky’s well known orchestral work, Pictures at an Exhibition.
To learn more about the band and see the schedule of performances, including times, visit the district website www.mtsd.k12.nj.us and go to the Music Dept. page.
MTSD to Receive $20K Grant from Allstate New Jersey
MTSD is partnering with Allstate Insurance to offer a great teen driver safety program Saturday, September 19 beginning at 9 am. The event will take place at the Upper Campus of the Montgomery Middle School.
Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of teens in New Jersey and America with nearly 5,000 teens killed and 300,000 injured annually. The primary cause of fatal teen crashes is driver error (77 percent to be exact). To help save lives, Allstate New Jersey is bringing a distracted driving course to Montgomery Township School District for local teens to navigate. High school students and their parents or guardians will drive through a course, trying to avoid cones and focusing on the road, while learning first-hand the dangers of driving distracted. Teenage students will learn about distracted driving and other risky behavior behind the wheel.
Cory Delgado, Supervisor of Health & Physical Education, K-12 and Assistant Athletic Director, applied for and received a $20,000 grant from Allstate. "I am always concerned about keeping our kids safe on the roads and I am looking forward to working along with New Jersey Allstate to create a sustainable, community-wide driver safety program.
Drivers must pre-register with Mr. Delgado at CDelgado@mtsd.us. Spectators are encouraged.
Additional information is available via http://www.youtube.com/user/Allstate.
MHS Principal Jim Misek to Retire in December
After more than 33 years in education – 6 of them at Montgomery High School – Principal Jim Misek will be retiring at the end of this year. Prior administrative positions Misek held were Assistant Principal at Collingswood High School for a year, and then Principal at Collingswood and Monroe High Schools for four years respectively.
Misek’s first jobs were at Camden High School, teaching mathematics and then serving as Department Chair, each for eight years. Regarding his first years of teaching, he notes “Teaching in an urban area such as Camden taught me a number of things that I still carry with me today. It emphasized the importance of my work, but at the same time placed education in perspective. Learning is not a life or death situation. When young people are concerned with issues like their own safety or survival, the role of the teacher changes quickly. It was apparent that my first job was to build trust and to be genuine and sincere in my actions. These are some of the same values that I carry with me today as a principal.”
Misek has warm memories of the students and teachers he came to know there. “The relationships that I developed in Camden were some of the strongest I have ever had the chance to make. I feel that I contributed in some way to the success stories of many students. I actually remained close to some of those students throughout my career. It made me very proud to see them again, as young adults, when they would come visit me during my first years of being an administrator in a nearby town.”
Concerning his career path, Misek notes, “From the moment I first stepped into the classroom I knew that this was ‘right’ for me. I enjoyed the interaction and knowing that what I do can literally make a difference in someone’s life. I also must say that I always have enjoyed working with young people.”
Early influences on Misek developed his passion for education. “I had two very influential teachers during high school. One was a mathematics teacher that really got me excited about math. It just so happened that I would have this teacher for three of my five math classes in high school. Both his teaching style and the manner in which he related to young people impressed me. The other was a physics teacher that I had in my senior year. He was known to challenge his students to the ‘max’, but it was the way he did it that made the difference for me.”
Misek proudly acknowledges that he refuses to take his job too seriously. “I like to think of myself as being somewhat creative in my work and I also find it a must to inject fun and humor into the workplace. It helps lighten the tension. Schools can become a very stressful place if you allow them to. So, from time to time, people have seen me do some crazy things over the years. I think it is an essential aspect of any winning organization.”
When asked about notable moments during his tenure in Montgomery, Misek says, “Looking back over the years, I could point to numerous examples of when the community rallied to support our school.” As an example, he tells of the time “when we were going to play the first home football game at the old high school and the field was in deplorable condition. It was the parents and community members that stepped forward and made it happen. I think Montgomery is a very special place.”
He adds, “It has truly been an honor for me to be principal of Montgomery High School. I will always treasure the relationships that have been established during my tenure. Without a doubt, Montgomery students are second to none. The parents are the most supportive I have ever encountered in my career and the faculty that I have worked with on a daily basis have proven to be of the highest quality in terms of dedication and professionalism. Montgomery is truly one of the premiere districts in the state and we should take the time to celebrate our many successes.”
Superintendent of Schools Earl Kim said of Misek, “One thing that most people don’t consider is the personal sacrifice that high school administrators in particular tend to make. It’s not unusual for people to think that we get the summers off or forget that someone is on duty during all those band trips, concerts, games, proms… it’s a labor of love, and Jim has been one of the best principals out there.”
Misek grew up in Burlington County in South Jersey where he still resides (in Mansfield) with his wife and daughter. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in mathematics - education in 1976 from Trenton State College (now the College of New Jersey), Misek earned his Master’s degree in educational administration from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University).
In retirement, Misek hopes to have more time for his many interests, which include music, gardening, and fishing. “After thirty-three years, I simply feel that is time to take a different course in terms of a career. I am lucky enough to have my health. If I look at my past, I see two careers, teacher and administrator. I think I have at least one more career in me.”
Campus News - Sept 2009
University of Saint Mary
Brigitte Davidson of Belle Mead earned a Master of Arts degree in Teaching from University of Saint Mary on May 9, 2009.
Wagner College
Kaitlin Lehmann of Belle Mead was named to Wagner College’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2009 semester.
St. George’s University, Grenada
Wayne Wang of Belle Mead has been accepted to the School of Medicine @ St. George’s University.
Wayne received B.S. degree from Johns Hopkins University with a major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in Spanish for the Professions. He is the son of Monty Wang and Sherry Shen of Belle Mead.
Grove City College
Karen Bennett of Belle Mead was honored with the Kappa Delta Pi Award at the 2009 Recognition Convocation at Grove City College in May 2009.
American University
Allison Slattery and Jonathan Freimark, both of Belle Mead, were named to the American University’s Dean’s List for the spring 2009 semester.
Allison is majoring in business administration.
Jonathan is majoring in international studies.
University of Delaware
The following University of Delaware students completed their degrees and were honored at commencement exercises on May 30, 2009:
Kathryn Elizabeth Bennett of Belle Mead earned B.A. degrees in Criminal Justice & Sociology and minor degrees in Legal Studies & Psychology.
Douglas York DeSario of Belle Mead earned a B.S. degree with distinction, Magna Cum Laude, in Chemistry and minor degree in Spanish.
Katharine Bayard Drake of Belle Mead earned a B.S. in Leadership.
Jenna Rae Kring earned a B.A. degree with distinction in Criminal Justice and minor degree in Psychology.
Kristina Marie Tornquist of Belle Mead earned a B.S. degree in Dietetics with minor in Health & Exercise and a minor degree in Biological Sciences.
Christopher William Hyncik of Skillman earned a B.S. degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management.
Kristen Diane Mathisen of Skillman earned a B.S. degree in Fashion Merchandising.
OHES PTA CHILDREN’S USED BOOK DRIVE!
OHES PTA needs your “gently-loved” books for our annual CHILDREN’S USED BOOK DRIVE!
We will take your left-over books!!!
• Books may be dropped off at OHES
(Orchard Hill Elementary School -
244 Orchard Hill Rd. Skillman, NJ 08558) Please label: PTA – Used Book Drive
Drop off no later than: October 26, 2009
• All books will be used to enhance in-class libraries and increase multiple-copies of trade books for reading group instruction.
• Both hard and soft covered books welcome.
• All children’s literature appropriate for Pre-K through Elementary school is appreciated. (If in doubt, please let us make the determination.)
• All “gently-loved” books appreciated. (no visible tears, drawings, or magazines please)
• All donations are tax – deductible.
High School Diplomats - The Greatest Ten Days of Your Life
High School Diplomats. Everyone who has been a part of this program says it has been the greatest ten days of their lives. At first, when I arrived at Princeton University on that somewhat rainy day of July 28th, I was admittedly a little skeptical. I had been to other summer programs before, and they didn’t seem all that they were made out to be. But after those ten amazing days, I can guarantee you that no matter what you do afterwards; High School Diplomats or HSD will be the greatest ten days of your life, should you seize the opportunity.
HSD is a ten day program at Princeton University for American students to interact and forge friendships with Japanese students. During this time students not only learn about each others’ cultures but also about people in general and of course about our individual roommates. Each American student is paired with a Japanese counterpart and throughout the ten days students participate in a wide range of themed activities. The themes provide the roommate pairs with opportunities to communicate, learn, and simply enjoy each other's company. The themes vary widely so that each student pair can find common ground and build their friendship. Some examples of these activities include a Japanese New Year's Day, a sports tournament, and a karaoke night. During these ten days, I formed an unbreakable bond with my roommate and saw many others do the same.
Although the application process is tough and intense it is worth every bit of the effort that you put into it. As the motto goes at HSD, “HSD is what you put into it”. And because we were able to put our all into this program it truly was the best ten days of our lives. All sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. On the application there are 2-3 essay questions, and a space to put any creative talents you have, on display or write one more essay. Also, a teacher must fill out a recommendation form that can be found at the High School Diplomats website along with a copy of the application (www.highschooldiplomats.com). After the application which is usually due in early January, there is an interview process that ensues in February or early March, and you are notified of the decision in late March or early April. After enjoying the best ten days of my life, I recommend this program to anyone who is eligible to apply, and encourage you to try your best, because this will truly be an experience you will never forget. If you have any questions or concerns please email me at spsinha512@gmail.com or visit the High School Diplomats website.
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