Superintendent's Report
March 27, 2008

Curriculum and Instruction -
High School –
HISTORY DEPARTMENT –

Mr. Warren's 9th grade World History classes began the month of February viewing the movie, "A Knight's Tale". This provided students with a visualization of material they were assessed on in the previous chapter. After viewing the movie and discussing the different aspects of a knight's life, students were introduced to their Eastern counterparts in Japan known as Samurai. After tracing the life and activities of a Samurai, the students were given a PowerPoint project and asked to compare and contrast these Western and Eastern soldiers. A sampling of these projects can be viewed through a link at the Hasbrouck Heights School Districts website, www.hs.hhschools.org/socstudies.html . To round out February, students were introduced to the Crusades and discussion took place about the events of the Crusades and our current conflict in the Middle East. Students discovered the causes, effects, and outcomes of these Crusades and the impact it had on changing European society.

      February is African American History Month and students participated in two activities and
      discussions about stereotyping and prejudice of several groups of people in our society.
      Students were asked to discuss different stereotypes that are derogatory and created
      solutions on how to terminate them in society.

Ms. Cassidy’s U.S. History I students completed the study of the reform movements of the early to mid 1800’s and the Westward expansion of America. The students will begin to review the time period of sectional differences which was a factor in the Civil War. For African-American History month the students learned of the Underground Railroad in New Jersey, continued viewing Roots and watched the program “Like it is” regarding Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights movement.
Mrs. Sadiku’s U.S. History I students completed Chapter 6 “Launching the New Nation” and learned about the strength it took our ancestors to start up our country and the difficulties they experienced during the process. Students made different types of projects for Black History Month. Projects ranged from poems to interviews to timelines and collages. This was a successful assignment almost all the students submitted a project. Students also completed Chapter 7 “Balancing Nationalism & Sectionalism.” Students learned about the problems the Union faced trying to balance the economic needs of the North versus the economic needs of the South. During this chapter, we learned about problems within the Union and the foreshadowing of the Civil War. During the month of March, students will learn about the impact of religion and the changes it caused to American society. They will also learn about slavery and abolition, as well as, women and the changing workplace. In addition, we will complete Chapter 9 “Expanding and Moving West.” We will discuss the idea of Manifest Destiny and the war with Mexico over Texas.
Mrs. Sadiku U.S. History II students completed Chapter 22 “The Great Depression.” Students learned about the causes and effects of the Great Depression. Students also learned about President Roosevelt and the New Deal programs he put into effect to ease the consequences of the Great Depression. Since February was Black History Month, students created different kinds of projects which included various prominent African Americans. Next week, students will learn about the beginnings of World War II and the threat dictators posed to world peace. We will learn and discuss the Holocaust, the attack on Pearl Harbor and the impact that the United States had during the war. After we complete the unit on World War ll, I plan to show the students a movie that relates to this topic.
Mrs. McGinty ‘s U.S. History II students- In celebration of National African American History Month, and in correlation with the study of World War II, the U.S. History II classes watched the motion picture Tuskegee Airmen, which chronicle the heroism of African Americans during WWII. In keeping with this theme, in celebration of National Women’s History Month in March, the students will focus on the contributions of women on the home front and in the workplace during the WWII era. Their study of the war will be enriched by the anticipated visit of members of the Hasbrouck Heights VFW. Students will review the experiences of survivors of the Holocaust through primary sources. Students will evaluate whether the United States was justified in interning Japanese Americans in camps during the war. By month’s end, students will be learning about the Cold War and its impact on the modern world.
Mrs. McGinty’s Honors –Additionally, the honors students will conduct a debate on whether the United States was justified in using atomic weapons against the Japanese to end the war.
Mrs. McGinty’s Sociology students will be covering the individual in society. They will explore how individuals become functioning members of society and what happens when people do not conform to societal expectations. They will begin with an examination of the socialization process and continue with observations of the social characteristics of adolescence and adulthood. By month’s end, the students will be learning about deviance and crime.
Mrs. McGinty’s CWA students, in correlation with the celebration of National African American History Month, will be studying a unit of lessons on “Rationalizing Race in U.S. History.” Through this unit students will list several occasions in U.S. history when racial categorization has led to discrimination against a group of people. At the end of the unit, students will write a position paper presenting an argument using historical examples, individual stories, and reasoned interpretation to provide support for a position. Also, in celebration of National Women’s History Month, students will analyze the changes in the roles of women worldwide in modern society.

The month of February has seen the new semester begin. To date we have completed sections on the history of psychology and major theories and theorists. We are currently working on the nervous system, which includes a study of the brain, nerves, neurotransmitters and the functions of each. We will follow in March with a study of perception and the organs associated with perception.

Mrs. Squillace’s Accounting students will be able to complete Personal tax returns. Learn about personal tax related issues. Students will be able to journalize sales and cash receipts.
Mrs. Squillace’s Life Management students will be able to research travel destinations and understand budgets related to travel.
Mrs. Squillace’s Word Processing I & II: Students will be able to continue working on worksheets thru the use of Excel.
Mrs. Marano’s Computer Applications I and II classes are continuing to explore various computer applications, on the Internet and on the local hard drives.
Mrs. Mikulka - Library Media Center Among the teachers who brought classes to the Library Media Center this month were Ms. Cassidy, Mrs. Lewites, Mrs. Washburn, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Cafferty, Mrs. Kolich, Mr. Pankiewicz, Mrs. Khandhar, Mrs. Czekaj, Mrs. Stoehs, Ms. Siddons, Mrs. Geftic, Mr. Muska, Mr. Colangelo, Ms. Wolf, and Ms. Kos. The Library was the site of a Journalism luncheon for Abraham Kuany Chol, one of the Lost Boys of Darfur, and author Joan Hecht. On display in the glass case near the corridor doors are Mexican God’s Eyes by Mrs. Brinker’s 6th grade Cycle Art students.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT –

Mr. Smith’s English 9 classes have begun their in depth study of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Students listen to the play daily, stopping often to discuss plot developments, vocabulary, and reading strategies. Most recently, students have been practicing HSPA type assignments to prepare them for the NJ Pass in Language Arts.
Mr. Smith’s Cycle 9 class has just completed their diversity project in which they needed to work in groups to research three different cultures or groups in society. The purpose of the assignment was to use the internet effectively for research and to understand similarities and differences among selected groups.
Mr. Smith’s HSPA English 10 class has been working tirelessly on preparing for the practice HSPA test. Most recently, students completed a persuasive project in which they needed to select a popular company, find three advertisements for that company, and then evaluate the persuasive techniques used in each.
Mrs. Geftic’s journalism students are currently working on the third edition of the Pilot’s Log. This issue will feature in-depth articles on contraceptives and STDs, the school play, and the spring sports preview.
Staff members of the newspaper will attend a presentation on layout and design, news reporting, and feature editing by The Record newspaper on March 13, 2008.
Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students are currently reading Oedipus Rex. This shocking play includes king-killing, father-murdering, suicide, and public disgrace. Besides acting out the play, the students discussed such themes as the power of unwritten law, the willingness to ignore the truth, and the limits of free will. As a culminating activity, students will write a modern version of Oedipus which they will perform in class.
Mrs. Fernandes HSPA English 9 students continue to develop their reading and writing skills. Students are learning new vocabulary and reading selected texts. After reading these texts students are creating original written responses.
Mrs. Fernandes Advanced Genres students are exploring the ‘loner’ genre; films that focus on one main character and their inner struggles with society, themselves, or nature. Films for this genre included Cast Away and Jaws. After completing this genre, the class will move onto films that have characters overcoming great obstacles.
Mrs. Fernandes Genres & Critical Issues students are currently completing the Western genre with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. The class will then be moving onto the War genre to compare and contrast the depiction of war in film
Mrs. Fernandes HSPA English 11 students will be directing their attention to SAT based skills. The class will be reading a SAT vocabulary based piece of teen literature. Students will be tested on vocabulary and comprehension.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors classes have completed their preparation for the HSPA and continue their work on their poetry unit. The students will read samples of poetry from the Anglo-Saxons, the medieval period, and the English renaissance. The students will focus on the structure, poetic style as well as the themes that are unique to each time period’s poetry.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11 class has completed their preparation for the HSPA test and will now begin their careers and training research paper. Students will be instructed on how to cite their research using MLA format as well as how to access and utilize various research engines available in the high school media center. The students will also be expected to demonstrate various writing styles as they write a formal business letter, create a resume, and complete their research reports.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 12-Honors class is reading and comparing various dramatic tragedies. In class the students are reading and analyzing the characterizations, themes, and ironies developed in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. The students will also be reading, outside of class, Sophocles’ Antigone. The Honors students now report that 100% of them have been accepted into a four year college although some are still waiting to hear from their “dream” schools.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 12 SRA class completed their preparation for the March HSPA and will continue to work on and complete their SRA PATs.
Miss Venneman’s HSPA English 9 class has been editing essays (some award-winning) in order to polish their own essays. Students have reviewed test-taking strategies and continue to work on their reading comprehension and open-ended essay responses.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 Honors class continues their in-depth study of William Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar. They continue to discuss the political and emotional ramification of the actions of the conspirators.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 class continues their study of Romeo and Juliet by listening to, reading, discussing, and debating the elements of the play.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 and 10H classes are beginning a process approach to writing a research paper. The English 10 classes will be choosing a female author (as a part of Women’s History Month) for their research, while English 10H students will choose a contemporary author- after reading a novel by the author. The classes will also explore dark short stories by Melville, Hawthorne, and Oates.
Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 class prepared for the practice HSPA using teacher-prepared materials related to their study of The Great Gatsby. They are working independently on formal research papers on self-selected topics relating to the 1920’s.
Mrs. Czekaj’s AP English class read and wrote about short stories by various authors whose work might appear on the AP test. In class they continue their study of Hamlet.
Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare classes finished reading either The Tempest (period 6) or As You Like It (period 7). In groups, they prepared skits based on each play; one skit from each class will be included in the presentation they give to the 9th grade.
Mrs. Czekaj’s English 12 class finished their study of the ancient Greek Theater and Oedipus Rex and have moved on to the Elizabethan theater and Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Mrs. Schneeweiss' Communications and Drama classes just finished projects for Read Across America which included original plays, word searches, mad libs, reading games, and Dr. Seuss trivia. Thirty students accompanied Mrs. Schneeweiss to the elementary schools on March 3. The elementary students grades pre-K through second grade were read to by the high school students and grades 3-5 were guided in the plays and projects by teams of high school students.
Ms. Monetti’s English 11 classes worked steadily on reviewing for HSPA testing. We are transitioning into the Careers Research Project with a guest speaker on careers from Eastwick College on March 10. This project will be worked on through the third and fourth marking periods. In addition, we will be working on The Canterbury Tales.
Ms. Monetti’s HSPA 10 class will be switching to reading the play Trifles, by Susan Glaspell. We will still be working in the style of the HSPA, but through different types of literature.
Ms. Monetti’s English 10 class is currently reading and discussing F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, learning SAT vocabulary, and will soon start the research paper which will be worked on for the third and fourth marking periods.

WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III students are learning about the differences between living in the country versus the city as well as learning about the process of applying for a job.
Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish I class will be able to describe the weather, discuss clothing and accessories as well as describe the geography of the place, its plants and animals.
Ms. Siddons’ Spanish II class are able to describe shopping experiences and clothing and to tell how the clothing fits. Students are beginning to discuss craft items and the materials that things are made of.
Ms. Siddons’ Spanish IV/V class is reading the novel “En el tiempo de las mariposa” and is finishing studying the subjunctive.
Mr. Eggmann’s French III/IV class are reading the novel “The Little Prince” and will do a book report in French.
Mrs. Washburn’s classes are preparing for the Italian festival. The preparation activities include researching artists, painters, writers, and scientists on the internet that contribute to the Italian culture and the rest of the world.
Ms. Siddons’ Spanish I-1 are able to discuss places in town, location, and feelings and emotions while her Spanish I-2 are able to discuss food, dining habits, and are able to describe family members and relationships.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT -

Mr. Ascolese’s Music Theory students are learning about music during the romantic period as it relates to vocal and instrumental composition. All bands are busy preparing for the March 5 “Pops Concert.”
The Marching Band is busy preparing for the spring trip to Orlando, Florida in April.
Mr. Taylor reports that rehearsals for the “Pops Concert” are going well. After the concert, the choir is working on new material for the spring concert.
Mr. Taylor is also holding auditions for an elite group of singers to perform at the upcoming concert as well.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Boggis' Statistics students will concentrate on the theory of probability. This includes the basic postulates, the relationship between probability and odds, the addition rules, the definition of conditional probability, the multiplication rules, and Bayes’ theorem.
Mrs. Boggis' Honors Algebra II students will work with exponential and logarithmic functions. They will learn how to graph, evaluate, and solve these functions.
Mrs. Boggis' HSPA 9 students will focus on patterns, functions, and algebra. This includes expressions, open sentences, linear equations, inequalities, and rates of change.
Mrs. Boggis' Algebra I students will solve systems of linear equations through various methods. Some of the methods include graphing, substitution, and linear combinations.
Mr. Frost’s CP and Honors Geometry students were taught about similar figures, the theorems of similarity, and the Pythagorean Theorem. A quiz was given after the first and third topic was taught. A test was administered about similarity. The honors class was given a take-home test reviewing everything they learned about similarity. After the second quiz, the students prepared for and took the HSPA Cluster 4 (Patterns and Algebra) test.
Mr. Frost’s Geometry students continued discussing how to prove two triangles congruent using Geometric proofs. They were given a quiz the first week and a take-home test. At the end of the month, the students took two days to review for their test, which was given in groups to give the students a chance to improve their grades.
Mr. Frost's Algebra 2 students continued learning how to solve linear systems. They were given a quiz the first week and a take-home test. At the end of the month, the students prepared for and took the HSPA Cluster 4 (Patterns and Algebra) test and reviewed for the actual HSPA.
Mrs. Healey’s Precalculus students completed Section 4, Applications of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Section 5 is an introduction to the Calculus. The students will learn the derivative and introductory applications as applicable to various fields of study. The students are working on the “Investment Project” where the skills taught in class truly are personally applicable in the real world.
Mrs. Healey’s Foundations students are in the process of completing the section, Applications of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Although the topic is advanced, the primary focus of the course is the algebra and computational skills necessary to pass college placement tests. The students are working on the “Investment Project” where the skills taught in class truly are personally applicable in the real world.
Ms. Khandhar's AP Calculus students will finish learning new material before review starts for the AP exam, which is administered in early May. Students will learn various techniques of integration, including integration by parts, trigonometric substitution, partial fractions, and improper integrals.
Ms. Khandhar's Honors Precalculus students will focus their study on sequences and series. Students will learn about arithmetic, geometric, convergent, divergent, and infinite series. They will also become familiarized with using sigma notation to represent a series and will learn how to do proof by induction to prove various summation formulas.
Ms. Khandhar's Foundations of Advanced Math students will continue their study of consumer mathematics. Students will be learning how credit cards work. They will also be learning about loans, investing, and making major purchases.
Ms. Khandhar's HSPA 10 students will continue their study of discrete mathematics. They will finish a unit on constructing and analyzing various data displays, which will include a project involving the student to create and graphically analyze their own survey questions. They will then begin a unit that will cover such topics as networks, tree diagrams, and counting.
Ms. Khandhar's HSPA 11: The first week of this month is devoted to HSPA testing. The remainder of the month, as well as the remainder of the year, will be devoted to SAT review.
Ms. Khandhar's HSPA 12 students will take the HSPA test in early March. After testing, students will practice various math skills.
Mrs. Michaeli’s Algebra 2 classes learned how to sketch the graphs of compound functions and to evaluate recursive functions. The students explored the properties of powers and exponents, simplified expressions containing powers, and graphed exponential functions. They also solved problems involving compound interest and exponential growth and decay.
Mrs. O’Brien’s Algebra I students just completed their study of inequalities. We are now learning how to solve systems of equations utilizing three methods. We will solve graphically, by substitution, and by linear combination. As well we will be solving real world problems that involve two equations with two unknown variables.
Mrs. O’Brien’s Foundations of Advanced Math students have begun an extensive study of exponents to Base 10. We will continue to study advanced topics while taking the time to address basic skills as necessary.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT –

Mr. Binazeski’s Physical Science classes have completed their study of introductory math for physics, metric conversions, unitary conversion, velocity, speed, acceleration, and Newtonian physics. Students are utilizing Mr. Binazeski’s new website to download class notes. Mr. Binazeski has incorporated his new technology Smartboard to help students with note taking.
Mr. Binazeski’s Environmental Science class has completed the lesson on food, populations, agriculture, toxicology and toxic chemicals. Students are utilizing Mr. Binazeski’s new website to download class notes. Mr. Binazeski has incorporated his new technology Smartboard to help students with note taking.
Mrs. Hicswa’s Biology classes have just completed their study of evolution. They discussed the works of Lamarck, Darwin, Oparin, and Miller/Urey. Another area of science incorporated into these lessons was geology. Discussions concerning the types of rocks, age of rock layers, fossil formation, etc. took place. An activity took place which allowed students to demonstrate- using pennies- the concept of half-life. Part of this activity included employing the students' math skills to construct a graph to plot information and then use this graph to determine the age of fossils found. Portions of the movie- Jurassic Park- were viewed. What was presented in the movie was critiqued on a scientific level keeping in mind the information the students had learned concerning evolution, animal and plant existence during different periods in Earth history, etc.
Mr. Pignatiello’s CP Chemistry students are working on trends that occur in the periodic table and will eventually be working on bonding. The students will explore the many shapes that covalent bonds within the realm of the octet.
Mr. Pignatiello’s Honors Chemistry students are working on trends that occur in the periodic table and will eventually be working on bonding in great detail. The students will explore the many shapes that covalent bonds take on well outside the normal octet.
Mr. Pignatiello’s AP Chemistry students are wrapping up the curriculum this month. We will be discussing equilibrium, and acid/base material. The students will start reviewing for their AP test in May by the end of this month.
Mr. Stine’s CP Physics continue the investigation of waves to include reflection, refraction, light, and color. Toward the end of March, classes will begin geometric optics, which includes images formed by concave and convex mirrors and lenses.
Mr. Stine’s Honors Physics will finish the unit on electromagnetic waves, which includes diffraction, reflection, and refraction of light. Students will apply Snell's Law to refraction problems, to include those concerning internal reflection and fiber optics.
Mr. Stine’s AP Physics will complete the AP C Curriculum by mid March. Students will begin to review the concepts they've learned as they are presented in the AP Exams using released AP Exams from previous years as a guide.

ART DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Reed’s painting classes have completed a painting project where they used the style of Mondrian. Students create realistic images in an abstract painting using basic shape and color. The class has finished a hand study then used water colors to finish the painting. Presently students are creating a project where they have freedom of choice of topic but have to use a bag as a painting surface.
Mrs. Reed’s graphic design class has completed a project where they visually show the correct side and wrong side of passing of truck. Presently students are working an creative 3D menu design and layout, where they have pre-set requirements to meet.
Mrs., Kritzer’s Painting classes are using their drawing skills for painting. The students learned how to scan photographs in which they changed to a black and white copy. They will be painting portraits, after drawing using the grid method, using a monochromatic color scheme.
Mrs. Kritzer’s advanced art are continuing their sculpture unit. The students have used wire to capture the personalities of their favorite animals. Look for their sculptures in the media center.
Mrs. Kritzer’s Student Council is in the process of planning the annual Mr. Heights pageant. Right now applications are being accepted for anyone interested in trying out. Mr. Heights is being planned for the evening of April 17th.
Mrs. Brinker's Senior Leadership Class is working on facilitating the annual candy sale to alleviate costs for this year's prom. This class is also assembling this year's invitations by hand.
Mrs. Brinker's Multi-cultural Arts Class is learning the art of reed basket making.
Mrs. Brinker's Multi-cultural Arts Class is learning the art of reed basket making.

PHYSICAL EDUATION DEPARTMENT -

The 10, 11 and 12 grade students are participating in physical fitness twice a week which includes running and fitness stations. The other three days the students are participating in basketball, hockey, and fitness room. The 9th grade is participating in physical fitness three times per week and the same activities twice a week.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT -

Mr. Llauget’s and Mr Scuilla’s 11th grade health classes are doing a unit on domestic violence and will have a guest speaker come in from the county to do a presentation. On March 26 a speaker from Rape Crisis will also speak to the classes.
Mrs. Kolich’s 12th class have completed their drug reports and presented them to the class followed by discussions. They are currently viewing “The Green Mile” and will be debating the death penalty.
Ms Gaccione’s 9th grade classes are finishing up the drug and alcohol segments of the curriculum. Students have participated in various classroom activities for reinforcement of lessons learned.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT-

Mr. Masucci’s high school classes are making birds, ducks and bears.

Middle School-
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT-

Miss Keller’s 6th grade mainstream Geometry classes are finishing a unit on circles. In this last portion of the unit, they will learn to find the area using different radii and diameters. Next the students will begin to identify three-dimensional figures. The students will be able to classify the three-dimensional figures –learning through hands-on activities. Once the students have an understanding of 3D figures, they will begin to calculate surface area followed by volume.
Miss Keller’s 6th grade Honors Geometry classes will begin the month by exploring three-dimensional figures. They will use their knowledge of polygons to classify these 3D figures. Through the use of manipulatives, the students will learn to distinguish between vertices and edges. Next, they will begin to explore the figures surface area. With the use of grid paper, the class will wrap different figures and count the number of squares in order to determine the figures surface area. In this section, the students will learn to find the surface area of rectangular and triangular prisms as well as cylinders. After the students learn to find the surface area of a figure, they will then begin to learn to calculate volume.
Miss Mercandino’s 6th grade mainstream Geometry students have finished learning how to find the area of polygons such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and parallelograms. They are now learning how to find the circumference and area of circles. In order to understand that they learned about Pi and the relation it has to a circle. After the students learn about area of these shapes they are moving on to three-dimensional figures. They will learn how to classify these shapes according to their faces, vertices, and edges. They will also be able to identify three-dimensional figures in our everyday life. They will be assigned a project where they have to create three-dimensional figures given the net. They will then write facts about each shape on the figure.
Miss Mercandino’s 6th grade mainstream Algebra students have been exploring fractions. They are learning how to change fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions. In addition to adding and subtracting fractions they are learning how to multiply and divide fractions as well as mixed numbers. They will be assessed on all these sections this coming Thursday. The students are looking forward to beginning Chapter 7 next week, which will focus on ratios and exploring percents. The students are also completing practice exercises from the NJ ASK prep books in preparation for NJ ASK testing.
Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade Algebra students have been investigating fractions. They are learning how to change fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions. They are also learning how to multiply and divide fractions as well as mixed numbers and will be completing a test on Chapter 6 this coming week. The students are looking forward to beginning Chapter 7 next week, which will focus on ratios and exploring percents. The students are completing practice exercises from the NJ ASK prep books in preparation for NJ ASK testing.
Miss DiPiano’s6th grade Honors Algebra students have been busy finishing up Chapter 6. They have worked with ratios and proportions, percents and how to change them to decimals and fractions as well as working with percent of increase and decrease. The students are preparing for a Chapter 6 test at the end of the week. They look forward to learning how to solve variable expressions and working on Chapter 3. The honors students will also be completing practice exercises from the NJ ASK prep books in preparation for NJ ASK testing.
Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade mainstream Algebra classes will have their Test on Cluster IV on March 14. This will conclude the NJASK preparation for the year. The students are will be ending Chapter Six on Proportions and Percents on Friday with the chapter test.
Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade Honors Algebra class will continue with chapter seven entitled, “Applications of Percent”. We are currently working on decrease and increase of percent. Our mid-chapter test of the second half of the chapter will be later this week.
Mrs. Caputo: The students are in the process of bringing in the Math-a-thon money they raised and soon we will have a total for St. Jude’s Hospital. To date we raised over $3,000.00. The grand total over the years that Heights students have been doing St. Jude’s is $39,500.00! Way to go Heights – You make a difference!! Seventh Grade students of the month for February are James Fitzsimmons and Virginia Santos. Great work!
Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Geometry mainstream students are currently taking tests on Chapter Eight, Geometry and Measurement. The next chapter that we will work on is Chapter 9, Using Probability. This chapter includes: experimental probability, theoretical probability, sample spaces, permutations, and combinations.
Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Geometry Honors class is currently taking tests on Chapter Six, Applications of Proportions. The next chapter that we will work on is Chapter 9, Geometry and Measurement. We will learn about surface area and volume of three-dimensional figures.
Mr. Sickels: We are on schedule with the NJASK assignments, currently completing III C and D. We will soon review and score these two NJASK packs, as we prepare to take the last NJASK quiz on or around March 13. NJASK review packs will soon appear in the students’ notebooks as we prepare for this year’s NJASK Test. Student of the month for 7th graders are James Fitzsimmons and Virginia Santos. Congratulations!
Mr. Mastropietro’s 8th grade Geometry classes are working hard on final NJASK preparation - review questions and problems. The students are also working on Chapter 9 in the text entitled, “Surface Area and Volume”. We are also busy reviewing for the NJ ASK Test
Mr. Mastropietro’s 8th grade Honors Topics class is preparing for the NJASK test. The chapter 6, this class is working on is entitled, “Algebra Inequalities”. We will begin Chapter 8 Powers and Exponents immediately after chapter 6. We are also busy reviewing for NJ AK Testing.
Mr. Mastropietro: The students were informed of their midterm and semester grades. All of the students are striving for success in the third marking period. Mr. Mastropietro is currently coaching tennis and Teaching the NJASK Prep class on Tuesday’s after school.
Mrs. Dunne’s 8th grade Algebra I class has been tested on Chapter 5, writing equations of a line. They have begun solving systems of equations. The first method is by graphing the two equations on a coordinate plane.
Mrs. Dunne’s Math 8 classes have been tested on Chapter 7, percents and their applications. They have finished combining like terms and the distributive property. The class is currently solving one-step equations.
Mrs. Dunne: All 8th grade students are currently working on the Cluster 4 packets. Cluster 4B is due on March 14th.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT-

Mr. Rispoli’s 6th grade science classes continued learning about our solar system. They worked in pairs to research a planet or object in our system. They created a data sheet and wrote a creative story about their topic. They also made a visual aid to be used during a presentation. After completing their assignment, each pair gave a 3 minute oral report to the class using their visual aid. The students are currently finishing the solar system unit.
Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science students have completed their unit on Forensic Science. They are now beginning discussions on Genetics and Heredity.
Mr. Cassiere’s 8th grade students will be focusing on several labs this month introducing them to various bond strengths. Students will complete 2 labs analyzing 2 types of bonds: Covalent & Ionic. In addition we will parallel chapters 11 and 12 of the text.

ART DEPARTMENT-

Mrs. Kritzer’s Cycle 8 Art will be starting a self-portrait unit at the end of the week. The students will learn to draw their face proportionately. The students will then paint, using watercolors, in the style of artist Paul Klee.
Mrs. Kritzer’s 7th grade cycle has recently learned about American artist Georgia O’Keefe. The students found flowers in gardening catalogs. They have focused on the flower’s details and are using chalk pastels to capture them.
Mrs. Brinker's 6th Grade Cycle Class is working on Chinese Symbols jars using crayola model magic clay and tempera paints.
Mrs. Reed’s 6th grade technology cycle class has completed a working model of a foil boat and another of an egg display. Both projects had pre-set requirements that students had to meet. Students also completed a Lego challenge where they had to construct a vehicle that had to meet pre-set requirements. Presently students are working on the cereal box design layout with a 3D toy on it.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT-

Ms. Gaccione’s 8th grades Health class has completed the Dare Program with Lt. Mullins. On March 10th, students began the CPR unit and will practice on manikins to learn the skills needed for certification.
Mrs. Miller’s 7th grade health class is beginning a unit on the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco, which will lead into a 2 week unit on drugs and alcohol.
Mr. Scuilla’s 6th grade health class started a quest unit on how to get along with one another.

TECHNOLOGY-

Mrs. Marano's Computer Cycles 7 and 8 have recently begun a new rotation. Students are currently working on a business advertising flyer using Microsoft Word.
Mrs. Marano’s Computer Cycle 6 has completed a PowerPoint presentation about themselves, and is currently working on drawing with Microsoft Word.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION-

6th, 7th and 8th grade PE classes are all participating in a hockey two times a week and conditioning the other three days.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS-

Mr. Masucci‘s cycle class are going over all the tools and safety on the equipment.

SOCIAL STUDIES-

Ms. Sigl’s 6th Grade students were assigned a lesson 1 extension project-"Make a ClimateGraph" over the winter break on Tuesday, 2/26/08 the learners will present their graphs to the class. In addition, the students will wrap up the last week of February with Chapter 7-lessons 3 and 4. In the first week of March, the learners will be able to complete a final activity on India and then on Friday, March 7, 2008 will be able to successfully complete the Chapter 7 Assessment, independently. On Monday, March 10, 2008, the learners will be able to begin chapter 8-Ancient China and will work through most of March on Ancient China. The learners will be able to discuss this chapter using text and teacher-made dittos/projects.
To celebrate Saint Patrick's Day, on Monday 3/17/08, the learners will be able to complete teacher-made map skill geography worksheets that bring in the theme of Saint Patrick's Day.
Upon Completion of Chapter 8, the learners will move onto Chapter 10 "Ancient Greece."
Mrs. Gay's Social Studies 7 students are taking part in an interdisciplinary unit with Mrs. Rowland's English class students. Activities all focus on the Holocaust. Students will be attending the ArtsPower production of "My Heart in a Suitcase" presented at Felician College. They are also continuing to explore the origins of our country and the writing of the Constitution, currently focusing on the English background of the colonists and its influence on their ideas about government.
Mrs. Rucci’s 8th grade students learned about the causes of the Civil War and the most important people and incidents during that time. They came to understand why President Lincoln is such an American icon, just in time for the federal holiday honoring his birthday. For National African-American History Month, students acknowledged the contributions of outstanding black Americans like Frederick Douglass from the 1800s, to 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama. On February 11th we attended a powerful assembly about the civil war in the African country of Sudan. One of the surviving “Lost Boys” spoke to a captive audience, and judging from the students’ reflection/reaction papers, Abraham made quite an impression. Our students feel more appreciative of what they have access to, here in America, (even education!) after hearing what the Sudanese are going through.

The Junior Scholastic magazines have provided two American history plays about the Civil War, a plethora of information about each state and the different populations of the U.S., an issue with “South Asia in the News.”

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT-

Ms. Wolf’s sixth graders have been getting more involved with grammar and rules for creating successful pieces of writing. The students have worked hard to understand the rules for and importance of subject/verb agreement in their writing. In the coming month, the students will take the NJ ASK standardized test. In preparation for this, the sixth graders will have a week long unit on techniques and skills for taking the test during the third week of March. The students have continued enhancing their writing skills with bi-weekly writing assignments. All of the writing assignments follow the format of the NJ standardized tests. The writing is based on pictures or scenarios for writing tasks. Many of the writing tasks ask the students to create “persuasive writing” pieces. In addition, the students have also continued to broaden their vocabulary with daily words and bi-weekly spelling units.
Mr. Colangelo’s Study Skills class is in transition. The new cycle class will be introduced to the various topics covered in class. Each student will receive an in-class workbook titled You Can Take Charge. There will be a heavy emphasis on the student’s ability to take complete and accurate notes.
Mr. Colangelo’s Creative Writing class is in transition. The new cycle class will be introduced to the various writing tasks covered in class. The writing tasks include: journals, autobiographies, stories without endings, news articles, and two, one fiction and one non-fiction, movie reviews. The students will be expected to have plenty of lined writing paper for their daily writing assignments.
Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 7 classes have completed their interdisciplinary lesson on The Underground Railroad. The students read a story about Harriet Tubman and traced her journey from Maryland to Canada in search of freedom. Their assessments included a unit quiz and a map project. The students will now begin an extensive review for the NJ Ask test. They will learn test taking strategies as they prepare for the test.
Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 8 class has been spending a majority of its time preparing for the GEPA examination. The class has focused its attention in the areas of reading comprehension and open-ended narrative questions. At the conclusion of the GEPA, the students will begin a unit surrounding key events of the 1960’s.
Mrs. Rowland’s 7th grade class has sharpened skills on quotations. They are presently working on state standards pertaining to the NJASK booklet. Students are applying varied sentence structure, literary term usage, vocabulary, and quotations to enhance writing techniques.
Mr. Stillman’s Literature 8 and Literature 8 Honors classes are geared up for the GEPA. After the statewide test, the classes will begin an interdisciplinary unit looking at the 1960’s and the film Planet of the Apes. During this unit the honors classes will also be reading the novel On the Beach and relating it to the theme of the unit. The honor class is also getting ready to read Romeo & Juliet.
Mr. Sicilian’s English classes are completing final GEPA review activities the early part of the month. Once the testing is over, classes will resume with vocabulary development units as well as selected units on print advertising, news writing using newspaper headlines, and video infomercials. The Honors section will begin working on their autobiography projects. The autobiography project will encompass original writing, multi-media presentations and the reading of selected excerpts of several autobiographical writings.
Miss Venneman’s Literature 7 classes have recently completed a unit on Harriet Tubman. Students were able to experience one of Harriet Tubman’s arduous journeys on her way to freedom with eleven fugitive slaves. Students are currently preparing for the NJ ASK test with an extensive review of test-taking strategies.
Ms. Dolan’s 6th grade literature students are continuing to read the Newbery Award winning novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor. In conjunction with this unit on African American history, the sixth grade will be attending a play on Friday, March 23, 2007 called “Freedom Train” at the Bergen County PAC in Englewood, New Jersey. This play depicts the journey of African Americans who escaped slavery using the Underground Railroad. Additionally, the students have been diligently preparing for the NJ ASK which will take place during the week of March 19. The students’ writing folders are bulging at the seam.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES-

Mrs. Cafferty’s eighth graders learned about South American countries that speak Spanish They did oral reports in Spanish in front of the class as well as a poster on why one would want to vacation there.
Mrs. Cafferty’s seventh graders are learning about important reasons to study Spanish, the use of cognates to understand dialogs, and school supplies.
Mrs. Cafferty’s sixth graders are staring to become familiar with the Spanish language. They are learning the differences between Spanish and English alphabets, the use of cognate words to understand general ideas, and commands they will hear and say in the classroom.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Mr. McCarthy reports that the seventh grade vocal music cycle is working on breathing, voice placement and production.
Mr. McCarthy’s seventh grade general music cycle is working on the Baroque period with special attention to Bach.
Mr. McCarthy’s eighth grade general music cycle is working on early American music with special attention to Stephen Foster.
Ms. Moroney reports that the sixth and seventh grade instrumental students are preparing for the “pops concert.” After the concert, they will begin sight reading new music and continue to work on new scales.
Mr. Taylor reports that the middle level choir is currently working on the “pops concert” material. Working on simple choral techniques and polishing what is already learned are the goals of the middle level choir at this time.

Euclid School –
Math-

Kindergarten students are working on measurement in math. They are developing their skills of using standard and nonstandard measuring tools. They are also learning measurement vocabulary such as longer/shorter/etc. The children are using primary rulers to measure to the inch. They are also using a variety of materials such as cubes and paper clips to measure with nonstandard units. They finish the chapter on measuring, ordinal numbers with sequencing tied in, graphing, and patterns in numbers (skip counting).
First Grade students are learning about telling time by the hour and half hour. We will be beginning measurement soon.
Second Grade students have been working on adding money. They are able to understand what coins are worth, know how to use them in combinations, and are able to count an amount with the fewest possible coins.
Third Grade students are working on many important skills to prepare for the upcoming NJ ASK, such as comparing fractions, identifying geometric properties, and problem solving with tree diagrams. In addition to this, we are continually practicing recalling our multiplication facts. Grade 4 just completed a geometry chapter and continues to work on their Mad Minutes. They have been working very hard for state testing preparation as well.
Fifth grade students are working on fractions: Lowest terms, equivalent, mixed numbers, greatest common factor, least common multiple, addition and subtraction with and without common denominators. We continue mad minute testing and problems of the week.

Science-

Kindergarten students are working on a unit on recognizing living and nonliving things. They are developing their understanding of the needs of living things such as food, water and shelter. They are making a class collage of magazine pictures of living and nonliving things. They will finish studying space. The night and day sky, phases of the moon and maybe even an alien or two will be explored. Some planting for spring will take place.
First Grade students recently completed a unit on landforms and recycling.
Second Grade has been focusing on how living things grow and change. Students have learned how to apply knowledge about life processes to distinguish between living and nonliving things. They are able to describe how organisms change as they grow and mature. Students know that all living things have offspring that resemble their parents.
Third Grade completed a unit on Forces of Motion and will begin a unit on Energy.
Fourth Grade is currently completing a chapter on the solar system. They have focused on the moon’s stages and various terms related to the earth, sun, and their habits. Fourth Grade has almost completed their Science N.J. Ask books in preparation for state testing. As always, they enjoy learning about Science Q.A.A.R. standard force and motion.
Fifth Grade students have researched various biomes on the Internet. In the computer lab, they created graphs on Microsoft Excel based on the researched climate data. The students are in the process of making PowerPoint presentations, which include their imported graph and researched information and pictures.

Social Studies-

Kindergarten students are learning about some famous women in history. March is Women's History Month. They are developing their knowledge of the contributions of women in U.S. history. They listened to stories about the lives of Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart and Rosa Parks. They will move to an exploration of the traditions and customs associated with St. Patrick's Day with a Wee Bit 'O Fun. They will compare living long ago and now.
First Grade students are beginning a unit focusing on different types of jobs. They will focus on ways to earn money and reasons we need to spend money.
Second grade students have learned about work in their community. They have discussed income as it relates to spending and saving. The students were able to differentiate between goods and services and were able to follow the process of taking a product from a farm to a factory to consumer.
Third Grade students have been discussing the parts of their government and learning how laws are made. They are also researching states in order to complete a project.
Fourth Grade is currently marching into the Revolutionary War. They have learned the causes of the war, and topics such as The Boston Tea Party and The Townshend Act are being covered.

Language Arts-

Kindergarten students are working on letters “Vv, Jj and Ee”. They are developing their letter and letter sound recognition skills. They continue to work on sounding out short vowel words and improving their sight word vocabulary and reading skills. This month they learned the words: look/come/see and no. They practiced writing sentences using these words in their journals. They will finish short o medial sound, initial sounds of V, J, short e medial sounds and blending sounds to make word families. In Literature, the KM class will review fiction vs. nonfiction and around the community will be the topic of most of the literature. Blending phonemes to read words will continue to be a focus. The class will match letters to sounds, rhyme, and segment words. The class will start to spell CVC words. They write their names, creating class books as shared writing and learn the job of editor.
First Grade students are practicing the correct use of I and me in a sentence. They are learning about "Magic E". This amazing letter can change a short vowel to a long vowel thus creating a completely new word. They are very excited about celebrating St. Patrick's Day on Monday, March 17. They will be making leprechauns and writing creative stories about their lucky friend.
Second grade students learned about words with vowel diphthongs /ou/ ou, ow and /oi/ oi and oy. They were also introduced to pronouns. In writing they practiced writing a good beginning.
Third Grade students have been developing their writing skills through persuasive writing and poetry prompts, as well as other forms of descriptive writing. They are also working on editing their work, which will improve their everyday spelling and writing. In Reading, they are developing as well as improving their skills of identifying main idea, narrative elements, as well as identifying author's purpose.
Fourth Grade is working on reading George Washington’s Socks, which coincides with the Revolutionary War. They are working on vocabulary, comprehension questions, and small projects directly related to this story. As a cumulative activity, a book report will be completed.

They had an exciting February creating conversation narratives using conversation hearts in celebration of Valentine’s Day. They were also were very busy honoring Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou for Black History Month. Fourth grade was all excited to listen to and look at everybody’s interpretation of the poems. They have been very busy practicing narratives in preparation for state testing. They’ve learned so much about narrative writing this year, and they can’t wait for more creative projects to follow at the end of March!

The Fifth Grade students are writing essays about Ruby Bridges, a famous African American who stood up for her rights during the time of segregation. The students’ essays focus on highlighting her attributes and providing examples from history to support their ideas. The graphs and web quests will be submitted in the Science Happenings magazine. They have been working on the Biography Book Reports. Each student has chosen a person of interest, read the book, and are now working on PowerPoint Presentations that will be presented in April to each class. They are currently reading our second novel, “Island of the Blue Dolphins”. They are also enjoying the stories in Theme Four of our Reading textbook.

Art –

Kindergarten students just finished making stick puppets, using animals or people for their subjects.
First Grade students just completed a landscape, trying to make things in the distance appear smaller.
Second Grade students have completed the paper mache on their cartons, and are now painting their houses.
Third Grade students continue to weave through the month of March, recently they added beads to the weaving.
Fourth Grade students continue to work on their puppets. The paper mache heads are being painted right now.
Fifth Grade students just finished the plaster application on their armatures, and will soon be painting their statues.

Music –

Kindergarten students are learning to play the tambourine with a shake technique. They are reading music charts that consist of 4 beats per measure.
First grade students are learning about rhythm, beat, melody and harmony. To gain an understanding of these musical concepts the students are using the boom whackers, boomophone, body percussion and voice.
Second grades students are composing rhythm patterns. Each second grade classroom will create a rhythm book containing rhythm patterns composed by students in the class.
Third grade students are learning about improvisation through the use of conducting skills.
Fourth grade students are learning to play the Latin ensemble found in the World Music Curriculum.
Fifth grade students are learning to perform a new rhythm ensemble called High Life.

Physical Education –

Kindergarten – Second Grade students will demonstrate cardiovascular endurance, agility, and sharing space during various tag activities. Students will also develop the overhand throw for accuracy and the two handed catch. Students will also develop various motor skills through various station work.
Third – Fifth Grade students will demonstrate basketball skills. dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive skills will be developed and utilized during modified games and full court play.

World Language-

Kindergarten students are practicing the colors and #’s in Spanish
First Grade students are learning the names of familiar classroom objects
Second Grade students are able to spell the names of things found in their classroom.
Third Grade students are learning how to spell their names in Spanish.
Fourth Grade students are learning the days of the week, months of the year
Fifth Grade students are learning the names of familiar clothing items and how to use them in a sentence describing them.

Library/Computers –

Kindergarten students completed their Internet safety lessons, according to the I-Safe curriculum. They are now using Max Write, a word processing program. Students are locating letters on the keyboard, and are learning to use the shift key to make capitals. Other keys being used are the space bar, enter key and the backspace key. Using the print command, the children are printing what they type.
First grade students also completed their unit on Internet safety and are now learning word processing skills. They are typing sentences and inserting commas. Other punctuation marks being practiced are the period, question mark and exclamation point. Sentences are being illustrated through use of clip art pictures and borders.
Second grade has been visiting sites on the Internet, including Seussville.com in honor of Read Across America. They have also started their Internet safety unit, using the materials provided by I-Safe America. Topics to be discussed include the cyber community, traveling in cyberspace, and personal safety, and computer viruses. Students will logon to the FBI web site to read the FBI’s safety tips for kids.
Third grade students have been focusing on three basic toolbars of Microsoft Word: the standard toolbar, the formatting toolbar and the drawing toolbar. They are enjoying some of the special features of the drawing toolbar, including Word Art, clip art, and 3-D shapes.
Fourth and Fifth grade students have completed a unit of keyboarding drill and practice. They are now taking timed tests, and typing sentences and short stories to improve their skills.

Lincoln School -
Mathematics:

Kindergarten classes finished time and money and moving on to addition.

Our first graders are learning about money: pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters.
The second grade students are beginning to learn measurement. They will be using standard and nonstandard units to measure different classroom items. Students will also use an inch ruler to measure the length of objects.
The third graders will be reviewing for the N.J.ASK. Afterwards we will continue working on the measurement chapter.
Fourth graders are working on NJ ASK Test preparation and review. Topics included cross multiplying, long division, transformations, graphing, symmetry, congruence, fractions, and measuring.
The fifth graders have completed units on adding, subtracting and renaming fractions. We are currently working in the Measuring Up Books on a Geometry unit while reviewing for the NJ Ask test.

Science:

Kindergarten classes studied spring related topics.
Our first graders are learning about matter.
The second grade students will learn how to use a Map scale and plot different points on a map. Also, a compass and a map key will be introduced. The children will map out a route from their house to school with streets and symbols.
The third graders are reviewing Chapter 9 vocabulary. We will proceed to learn about resources; natural, renewable, and non-renewable. We will be discussing recycling and conservation.
The fourth grade students are completing the Science Measuring Up book in preparation for the Science section of the NJ Ask Test.
Our fifth graders have just begun a unit on oceans and the water cycle.

Social Studies:

Our kindergarten students studied holidays that occur in the spring.
The first graders are learning about our Earth's Natural Resources.
The second grade students will learn how to use a Map scale and plot different points on a map. Also, a compass and a map key will be introduced. The children will map out a route from their house to school with streets and symbols.
The third graders will be working on Chapter 7, comparing communities past and present.
The fifth graders are reading about life in the 13 colonies. As an interdisciplinary (Reading/Language Arts) approach to the studying the Holocaust, the 5th grade students views a presentation of My Heart in a Suitcase at Felician College on March 6th.

Language Arts:

The kindergarteners finished the letter W will be moving on to the letter E. Collected items of the week that start with E. Celebrated Dr. Suess Day.
Our first graders have been incorporating our leveled readers into our reading curriculum. Students are continuing to write paragraphs successfully and are being graded on them for the 3rd marking period.
The second graders will be writing letters of invitation to each other. They will be inviting a classmate to a special celebration by an invitation written in class. The students will also be illustrating their invitations. In preparation for the Terra Nova testing an extensive review will begin this month.
The third graders will complete the reading holistic test for Theme 1, On Your Mark. We will star Theme 2, Historical Fiction. Grammar- - We are reviewing articles, adjectives, and pronouns. We will start to work on adverbs later in the week.
The fourth graders will be finishing the novel Maniac Magee. We will be making a class quilt and each square will reflect the students’ likes and interests. We will also continue working in the reading series. The students are exploring Nouns. They have learned about Common, Proper, Singular, and Plural Nouns. The students are going to study Possessive Nouns and Abbreviations. They continue to practice their Revising and Editing Skills and Narrative Writing Skills.
The fifth graders have completed Unit 5 on adjectives. Students are starting Unit 6 on adverbs. Students are working on open ended and persuasive writing prompts. Students just began reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.

Physical Education:

K-2nd Grades- These classes have been working on cooperative skills and games to increase their knowledge of "Team Work" and improve their fine and gross motor skills. These games involved the parachute, bean bags, assorted size sponge balls and jump ropes. The students are now preparing for lead-up skills in volley ball.
3rd - 5th Grades- These classes have been finishing up on their basket ball unit. This unit included basic skills and regulations used in basket ball. This knowledge was then incorporated into 3 on 3 games and the eventually 5 on 5 full court games u Man to Man defenses as well as Zone defenses. Students were taught the difference between the two defenses and how to develop an offensive strategy between both defenses taught. The students are now preparing for their volley ball unit.

Music: (All Elementary Schools)

The 4th Grade Band has been rehearsing once a week and are learning to follow basic conducting patterns in 2/4 and 4/4 time. They are also working on eighth note rhythms and slurs.
The 5th Grade Band students have been progressing in the “Standard of Excellence” Book 1, and are currently working on extending the ranges of their instruments, playing songs with first and second endings and working with accidentals.

World Language:
Kindergartner: Students will be able to identify clothing.

1st Grade: Students will identify new clothing items. They will create a poster identifying clothing from different seasons.
2nd Grade: Students will identify places in the community. Also parts of the body and face.
3rd Grade: Students will identify places in the community. They will also learn about parts of the body and feelings.
4th Grade: Students will be able to identify places and objects in the house. They will prepare a poster on their favorite room.
5th Grade: Students will be able identify clothing items. They will create a poster on clothes used during their favorite season.

Media Center:

Kindergarten- Children were introduced to using the shift key, are reviewing and practicing the correct use of the enter key and the space bar. They have been introduced to finding, using and placing clip art in the MaxWrite program and have been introduced to TuxPaint.
Grade One- Students have been introduced to the use of the backspace key. They were introduced to Kidsperation and to TuxPaint.
Grade Two- Classes continue to work on developing application skills. They have been using caps lock to create small posters and in documents. Tux Paint has been introduced.
Grade Three- Third Graders have begun to use Microsoft Word as a primary word processing program. This month they are learning to locate the clip art feature, search for appropriate clip art and properly place their choices. They will also work on keyboarding skills using a website program.
Grades Four and Five- Fourth and Fifth Grade classes are now doing ISafe internet safety lessons. Any remaining time will be used for keyboarding skills.

Pre-K Four-

Our 24th unit was Body Talk. This week we discussed our body parts, how we can move them, and things we can do to take care of them. In Art lab, we outlined and colored in our body parts. This week Dramatic Play lab was turned into a hospital for taking care of our bodies when we are sick. We also reviewed the letter X this week.
Our 25th unit was Yum Yum Nutrition. This week we discussed the different food groups and how they all keep our bodies healthy. In Manipulatives lab we practiced making patterns using colored cereal. We ended our week by making a healthy fruit salad. We also reviewed the letter Y this week.
Our 26th unit is Something from Nothing. This week we talked about recycling and why it is important. We used recycled materials in our Art lab and played with empty food containers in our Dramatic Play lab. We also reviewed the letter E this week.
Every week we continue to review identifying colors and color words, as well as, counting and number applications.

Workshops -

High School –

Ms. Siddons attended three alternate route classes in the month of February through Montclair State University.

Middle School- Nothing to report
Euclid School –

3/12/08- Staff attended Lice Awareness at HS Auditorium

Lincoln School –
March 12 – Lice Awareness for Staff in HS Auditorium
April 1st BCEMSAA Law update- Mr. Forte, Washington Twp. NJ
April 1st Bergen County Affirmative Action Meeting- Mr. Forte- Hackensack, NJ

General Administration –

High School –
Successful fire drills were held on:

9/7/07 @ 1:15pm
9/24/07 @ 1:17 pm
10/11/07 @ 1:28 pm
10/23/07 @ 1:18 pm
11/5/07 @ 9:11 am
11/28/07 @ 1:16 pm
12/7/07 @ 9:47 am
12/18/07 @ 9:45 am
1/7/08 @ 1:16 pm
1/8/08 @ 8:04 am
2/4/08 @ 12:23 pm
2/4/08 @ 1:49 pm
3/12/08 @ 2:06 pm

Lockdown:
Elevator Tests:

9/17/07
10/11/07
11/15/07
12/12/07
1/14/08
2/12/08
3/12/08

Middle School-
Successful fire drills were held on:

9/07/07 @1:15 pm
9/24/07 @ 1:17pm
10/12/07 @ 1:28pm
10/23/07 @ 1:18pm
11/05/07 @ 9:11am
11/28/07 @ 1:16pm
12/07/07 @ 9:47am
12/18/07 @ 9:45am
1/7/08 @ 1:16pm
1/08/08 @ 8:04am
2/04/08 @