HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS Superintendent's Report October 22, 1998 Junior-Senior High School In the past month, we have focused on one of our major objectives for this year, namely, the increased participation and presence of parents and the community in the Jr/Sr High School. We have promoted this presence by conducting two Back to School Nights, one for the high school and one for the junior high. In addition, we held the first Eighth Grade Open House; a way of promoting the advantages of attending the high school as opposed to the increasing number of specialty schools that are competing for our eighth graders. Another event that was especially successful was the College Admissions Night sponsored by the Guidance Department. Parents were quite complimentary with regard to the information provided and the manner in which it was presented. In the last several days, we have completed several testing exercises, including the HSPT, and have initiated a field test of its future replacement, the HSPA. Juniors participated in a simulation of the HSPA over a five day period. In addition, the PSAT was taken by the largest group of students in a number of years. In closing out this month, we held an In-Service for teachers which focused on several diverse topics, including Alternative Assessment and Inclusion of Classified Students. All of the workshops served to provide staff with information on current trends and most effective techniques of instruction. Some English 12 classes are studying “Gilgamesh”, and others are delving into Chinese poetry. English 11 classes are studying “The Odyssey” and "Beowulf". Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare Honors class presented a scene from the Merchant of Venice to Ms. Kelly-Herkert’s eighth grade English class. English 12 classes are using the internet to do research on Athens and its architecture as well as taking a virtual tour of Greece. Mr. Stine went to the Science Convention on October 14, 1998 and attended workshops on Advanced Placement Physics, Physics Demonstrations, and the Core Curriculum Content Standards as applied to Physics. Mr. Sayer addressed the Biology Honors class and spoke about kidney transplants, tissue rejection, and related these to the chemistry of proteins. Several Middle Level teachers are participating in activities which will serve to enrich our students' experiences. Mr. Robert Carcich, sixth grade science and mathematics teacher, has been accepted into the S.T.A.R.S. network (Special Teachers Achieving Rave Results) at Buehler Challenger and Science Center. Mr. Carcich and Mr. Metelski, sixth grade social studies and science teacher, both attended workshops given by the Buehler Center in preparation for the sixth grade students November visit to the Center. Their students are now actively preparing for that visit. Mr. Carcich and Mr. Metelski also attended the New Jersey Science Teachers Convention this month. At this Convention they had the opportunity to learn many hands-on activities for the students which will utilize both basic and high-tech materials and methods. Sixth grade students have completed their introductory unit in geography which has prepared them for a study of ancient civilizations and cultures. Mr. Stillman's 7th and 8th grade Literature students are in the process of developing an Internet WEB page. The page will relate to curriculum areas in a variety of ways. The Renaissance Club (advised by Mrs. Wallace) has two new programs this year. A "reading circle" will meet regularly throughout the year to discuss books read for enjoyment by the members. Eighth grade Renaissance members will be tutoring some sixth grade students who are experiencing academic difficulties. Euclid School Euclid School's Back to School Night was held on Thursday, October 1st. Mr. Donnelly introduced the staff and spoke about the upcoming school year. The evening was a success with over 500 people attending. On Wednesday, October 14th, the 5th graders of Euclid School took part in the "Dimes for the Dome" game, sponsored by Assembly Woman, Rose Heck. The fifth graders were active a few years ago, raising money for the NJ State House Organization and Mrs. Heck wanted to thank them by presenting this fun activity to them. The PTA Executive Board Meeting was held on October 13th. The following upcoming events were discussed: Gift wrap sale, Halloween Monster Mash, Book Fair, McDonalds Reading Incentive. The Math Prime Program, at Euclid School, has begun. Students are meeting with their instructor, Mr. Dolan, twice a week during their lunch hour. Students will be exploring the concepts of Set Theory, Geometry and Algebra. Our thanks go to Mr. Robert Heck, Superintendent of the Department of Public Works Hasbrouck Heights. Mr. Heck was instrumental in allowing an Enrichment Program to come to Euclid School on October 7th. Monies from the Clean Communities Program were used to provide this wonderful program to our children. Thank you, also to Mrs. Ruymen, from our PTA, for scheduling this program. The current enrollment at Euclid School is 316. Lincoln School Lincoln School's "Back to School Night" was held on Tuesday Evening, September 22, 1998. Mrs. Schoen gave her opening school address. Mrs. Schoen mentioned that the theme for the 1998-99 school year was "COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE!" First grade teachers at Lincoln School and Euclid School met with Mr. Walter Eggmann on Monday morning, September 21 and Wednesday morning, September 25, 1998 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the World Language material that had been received. The first day of the French program in first grade began on October 5, 1998. Mr. Eggmann was in each class as each first grade teacher presented their 20 minute lessons to their students. The program is off to a great start! On Wednesday, October 7th, third, fourth and fifth grade students had the opportunity to attend an assembly program by Mr. Jack Brannigan. This informative assembly program entitled "Our Home - Planet Earth" was sponsored by the Lincoln School PTA and was a result of Hasbrouck Heights Clean Community Program. The program informed the children on the importance of recycling, reusing and conserving materials. The October meeting of the Lincoln School PTA was held on Tuesday evening, October 12th. The regular meeting began promptly at 7:30 p.m. Among the topics discussed: Halloween Parade, Chamber of Commerce window painting, Market Day fund raiser pickup, upcoming assembly programs and the the teacher in-service on October 9, 1998. The enrollment for Lincoln School as of October 15, 1998 is 367.
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