HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent’s Report
February 15, 2007

Curriculum and Instruction -
High School –
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT -
• Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 classes are learning research skills and preparing for the HSPA through their reading of The Great Gatsby. Students wrote a Picture Prompt essay about the cover, and chapter quizzes will be formatted like other components of the Language Arts HSPA. They will write a formal research paper on a selected topic relating to the New York area in the 1920’s, the setting for The Great Gatsby.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s AP/College English class wrote portions of an AP Literature test as their midterm, and the students are practicing using the grading rubrics that are used on the exam through peer editing. Each memorized one soliloquy from Hamlet and recited it in front of the class, and wrote a college-level paper of deconstructive criticism about Hamlet.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare Honors class finished reading Shakespeare’s seldom performed romance, Cymbeline, and wrote papers reacting to specific plot elements. They are moving on to the popular A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which the Shakespeare II students, having read it last year, are helping to teach to the Shakespeare I students.
• Mr. Smith’s English 9 classes are spending the month of February working through the beginning of Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet. Time and attention is being given to characterization, translation of the Elizabethan vernacular, and helping students put themselves in to the characters’ shoes.
• Mr. Smith’s HSPA English 10 class is spending time continuing to prepare for the practice HSPA test. Time and attention is being given to reading persuasive text and writing about persuasive text.
• Mrs. Geftic’s Journalism students are currently working on the third edition of the Pilot’s Log. This issue featured in-depth articles on unusual or historic places to visit in New Jersey. Other articles of note focus on such school events as the Talent Show and a preview of the upcoming play, “High School Musical.”
• Students are currently working on learning the nuisances of PageMaker and Photoshop. Each student was given a front page of a newspaper which they had to reproduce as a demonstration of their understanding of these techniques and the ability to apply them.
• The Editorial Board will be honored by the Hasbrouck Heights Town Council on February 13, 2007 for their work on the Pilot’s Log and the many national awards they won this year.
• Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students are currently reading Shakespeare’s Hamlet. To determine their understanding of literary devises, quotations, and craftsmanship, students wrote journal entries to such important quotes as “To thine own self be true.” Lessons focus on sensitizing students to the complex nature of revenge as it is portrayed in the play. Students learn how Shakespeare's playinterprets Elizabethan attitudes toward revenge.
• Ms. Monetti’s Genre & Critical Issues class is finishing up our unit on comedy. Students are now viewing Young Frankenstein, a Mel Brooks comedy from 1974. As you might have guessed, this is a parody of Mary Shelley’s classic novel. We will complete this genre with a comedy of the silent film era and an alternative assessment project and then move on to the war genre.
• Ms. Monetti’s English 10 classes are currently working in cooperative groups to analyze the work of the “Fireside” poets. This project has a variety of tasks, including researching the author’s life, analysis of the poems, and a panel discussion. Since these poems are quite difficult reading the students should be commended for their efforts; they are doing a great job and I am looking forward to their presentations. In addition to this we are working on HSPA practice.
• Ms. Monetti’s English 11 classes are currently working on The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Students have learned Chaucer’s method of portraying characters and will be working on individual projects analyzing a character from Chaucer’s Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. This project will include comprehension and analysis of the assigned character, the creation of a visual aid, and a presentation. HSPA review is also taking place each week.
• Miss Venneman’s HSPA 9 classes are currently reading The Bridge to Terabithia in order to improve reading comprehension. Students will continue to prepare for the HSPA exam by working on and fine tuning open-ended response questions.
• Mrs. Fernandes’s Genres & Critical Issues students are viewing films from the action genre. The class is currently watching The Matrix and exploring the film through a philosophical lens. We are focusing in on finding a definite definition of the word “real” as explained in the film. After The Matrix, the class will be enjoying the action classic The Great Escape.
• Mrs. Fernandes’s HSPA English 10 students continue to sharpen their HSPA skill by concentrating on revising and editing. The class is using the HSPA workbook to familiarize themselves with what will be on the state exam.
• Mrs. Fernandes’s HSPA English 11 students are preparing for the HSPA exam by concentrating on their revising and editing skills. The class is practicing their skills on sample HSPA exams and workbooks. Students are being tested on mechanics, homophones, and clarity.
• Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 and 9H classes have immersed themselves into Shakespearean drama. The English 9 class is reading about the love triangle and revenge in Romeo and Juliet and the English 9H class is studying the political intrigue of Julius Caesar.
• Ms. Kos’ English 9 classes are in the midst of the 9th grade Shakespeare unit and are reading Romeo and Juliet aloud in parts. Students seem to be enjoying the work of decoding the Elizabethan vernacular as well as the pleasure of reading closely such a well-known work. Reader response journals and vocabulary assignments are a part of the weekly assignment.
• Ms. Kos’ English 10 class is continuing with its American literature course of study while at the same time acknowledging Black History Month by reading Maya Angelou’s autobiographical novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In an effort to encourage students to look to their own experiences as material for creative writing, students are writing their own personal narratives. Special attention is being given to the writing process as students participate in peer and self evaluation as well as extensive revision exercises.
• Ms. Kos’ English 11 class has suspended their British literature course of study to do an intensive review for the March HSPA. During this reading comprehension and writing review, students are honing their skills on HSPA tasks such as the Picture Prompt, the Persuasive Essay, and reading comprehension skills.
• Ms. Kos’ English 12 class is enjoying reading Ken Kesey’s classic American novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Students are reading the novel aloud and are keeping personal response journals in which they write personal narratives and reactions to the novel as well as vocabulary from the novel.
• Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 and English 10 Honors classes are exploring Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. In preparation for the practice HSPA, students are completing HSPA tasks alongside their reading of the novel (HSPA tasks: persuasive reading, narrative reading, and persuasive writing). Students also completed group character sketches that enhanced their understanding of characterization in the novel.
• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Communications classes are currently learning two new editing programs Sony Vegas and Ulead 10 on the two new Dell desktops and one new Dell laptop computer. The computers are considered “super” computers and are equipped with everything that the class will need to edit videos.
• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Drama class is working on teacher selected monologues from the Spotlight series. These monologues will give students valuable skills in playing “against type” and for ages other than their own. The students will rehearse and memorize the monologues prior to class performance for self, student, and teacher critique.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11 classes are currently working on their research paper while also preparing for the March HSPA. Students are utilizing the Media Center resources while using technology to research and investigate possible careers and training opportunities. Students are also learning to evaluate the validity of internet sources while employing the MLA format in their citations.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors class is continuing their study of the Arthurian legend while doing the first of their two research papers.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 12 class has completed their study of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and will now read and analyze Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The students will view various films in order to analyze the diverse depictions of the tragic character of Hamlet.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 12-Honors class is currently studying Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex while independently reading Antigone. Students will compare the two tragic characters as well as identify elements of Sophocles’ style as an author and playwright.
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER – Mrs. Mikulka
• This month Mr. Van Dam’s juniors started their career/college research project, using the COIN and Facts on File databases provided through the Media Center, as well as our extensive collection of books on careers. Parents can access the COIN website with the same username and password their children use, with the letter p added. Through this site, students can take a self-assessment test to suggest possible careers, find current information on how to prepare for those careers, what the work entails, and investigate how much people are earning in the state of New Jersey in those jobs. Students and parents can look up colleges and find average SAT scores of entering students, tuition rates, majors offered, and links to the college or university’s website. If students have no idea what college they wish to attend, the COIN program allows them to enter their preferred major, sport they want to play, state or states they would consider, etc., and it generates a list of colleges and universities that fit the profile specified. Parents, ask your children for their COIN password, or call the Library Media Center for this information.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s sophomores used the Library to write Life Story essays with material they gleaned from interviewing someone older than 50, usually a grandparent, over the Holiday break. Other teachers who scheduled into the Library were Ms. Monetti, Mrs. Marzi, Mr. Pankiewicz, Ms. Perdomo, Mrs. Lewites, and Mrs. Washburn.
• The Library Media Center was also used for make-up exams, for those students who were absent on exam days.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT –
• Mr. Ketcho’s FDU Business Idea – All business ideas were completed and ready to enter this tremendous competition. In 2006 our high school had five winners.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Computer Programming – Lessons #8 and #9 – Obtaining data from a SQL server from 2005 Express edition database & Databinding data to user interface controls. Programming concepts: making your program choose between two possibilities: The If…Then Else statement were covered. Mid-Term PowerPoint Project completed by embedding visual basic code into a PowerPoint quiz.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Accounting I - Chapter 5 – Posting to a General Ledger. Tests, study guide quiz, work together problems, on your own problems, and homework assignments covered. Review problems along with all the business essays were given to prepare class for the mid-term exam.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Automated Accounting II – Finished Chapter 4 – Purchases and Cash Payments and Chapter 5 – Sales and Cash Receipts. Started Chapter 6 – End of Fiscal Period.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Life Management – Finished Chapter 7 – “Making a Financial Plan” – established a realistic household budget based on an individuals financial plan. Tests, activities, review problems, excel budget, and homework assignments covered. Review problems along with all the business essays were given to prepare class for the mid-term exam.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Word Processing I and II - Finished101 Word Processing Exercises – Exercise#66 to #101. We also began Suncoast Civic Center – An Office Assistant Simulation.
• Mr. Ketcho’s Computer Applications 9 Cycle – Line Rollering – A Keyboarding Simulation p. #(5-72) Jobs #1 - #15 were covered in January to complete the second cycle.
• The Fall 2006 Stock Market Game Awards were attended by twenty four students and their parents on January 23, 2007. Seven of our students did a wonderful job giving great speeches to a sell out crowd.
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARMENT -
• Ms. Golle’s World History classes concluded the first semester with a unit on the European Middle Ages. This semester, they are beginning with East Asian Empires; same time period as the Middle Ages, but on the other side of the globe. The Asian Empires are characterized by a more advance speed of societal development than their European counterparts. Supplementary, the students are watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. While the film is more fictional-fantasy than historical, it takes place during the Qing Dynasty in China. The students are able to visualize several aspects of Chinese culture during that time period, including the importance of martial arts, male-dominated government, and Buddhism.
• Mrs. Lewites' US History I POR class viewed a film called Stand and Deliver, leading to discussions about racial profiling and social injustices in our society today. In honor of Black History month the class played an internet scavenger hunt using clues given and websites to try to figure out famous African American people who’ve had an impact on history and then did presentations about these people. Our class also started a unit about Nationalism and Sectionalism in the United States in the early 19th century.
• Mrs. Stinziano’s U.S. History classes will be learning about the social and political reform movements that occurred in the 1800’s. They will also be studying about the rise of abolitionism. During Black History Month we will be celebrating important people and events. The students will also have the opportunity to examine their geography skills
• Ms. Cassidy’s U. S. History classes are concluding their study of Jacksonian Democracy and will begin the study of reform movements in the 1800’s. The students will be studying various African-Americans during Black History month by utilizing “Steal Away, Steal Away” a guide to the Underground Railroad in New Jersey published by the New Jersey Historical Commission.
• Ms. Cassidy’s A. P. History students complete their study of the Civil War and started the time period of Reconstruction. The students continue to practice for the test by writing essays and DBQs. Discussion took place regarding early African-American’s in U.S. History.
• Mrs. McGinty’s U.S. History II students completed their study of World War II. Students examined how dictators in Europe Japan Started a worldwide war that forced the United States to fight on two fronts. Key topics highlighted were The Holocaust, Japanese Internment, and changes on the American home front.
In celebration of African-American History Month, an African-American Achiever was highlighted and discussed. The culmination of which was the viewing of the film The Tuskegee Airmen, a drama which documents the contributions and sacrifices of all African-American 99th Pursuit Squadron and their heroic missions during WWII.
• Honors-Additionally, the honors classes continue to sharpen their skills at the Document Based Question form of assessment. Unit 3 projects were assigned for completion this marking period.
ART DEPARTMENT –
• Ms. Caputo’s painting classes are currently working on a color wheel project. This project allows the students to apply the method of painting and mixing colors to create an interesting design. The students will then start the twenty five square project. For this project students need to create a design pattern using only one shape, with tempera paint.
• Ms. Caputo’s graphic design class is finishing a package design layout that meets pre-set requirements. Students will then start their master artist cube design project. They will need to chose a master artist of their choice and reproduce six different works from that artist using six different mediums.
• Mrs. Kritzer’s Advanced Art class has started a sculpture unit. They researched Venetian carnival masks and were encouraged to reproduce them using paper Mache and face forms. The students produced exceptional form through building their masks and painting them in the colors of the Venice carnival.
• Mrs. Kritzer’s painting classes have started their painting course by studying the color wheel. The students did a round robin geometric composition and used oil pastels and turpentine for the painting process.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Leadership class is busy working on details of this year’s prom while coordinating the approved candy sale with new and improved guidelines for this year.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Multicultural Arts classes have been working on creating latch hook rugs as this new semester begins.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH EDUCATION
• Grades 9 – 12 All classes are participating in units in floor hockey, basketball, and fitness in the cardio room.
• Ms. Gaccione’s 9th grade health class has begun the nutrition and fitness unit of Health. Students were asked to keep a food diary of one day and discuss portion size in relation to their diets. Students will also be covering fad diets, eating disorders, weight training, and the importance of fitness.
• Mr. Delcalzo’s 11th grade health is finishing up a unit on nutrition and exercise. They are discussing how many extra calories are in fast foods and how you can gain weight.
• Mr.Scuilla’s 11th grade health classes are doing a unit with Lt. Mullins with the DARE program. He discusses the motor vehicle penalties dealing with drugs and alcohol and talks about the effects that club drugs have on the body.
• Mrs. Miller’s 12 grade health classes are starting the drug and alcohol unit. They will also be taking part in a parenting program. Each week (Friday) 2-3 students will get to take home the Ready – or – Not Tot. The “baby” is programmed to cry sporadically during the day and the students will have to “tend” to it to stop the crying. The students will have to take care of the baby through the weekend and report about their experiences on Monday in class. This program is being used to show the students how a child can change their lives.
INDUSTRIAL ART DEPARTMENT -
• Mr. Masucci’s classes are making bird houses.
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT -
• Mrs. Carr’s Spanish II students learned to use the preterit tense in sentences.
• Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III students are learning about eating and living a healthy lifestyle. Students are learning to express themselves with their hopes and doubts.
• Mrs. Squillace’s Spanish I students will be able to identify sports, feelings, express preferences, describe weather, and discuss clothing.
• Mrs. Washburn’s Italian students researched Black History Month on the internet. They are looking for Franco Harris, Roy Campanella, Alicia Keys who have an Italian heritage.
• Ms. Perdomo’s Spanish I students are learning to talk about what they do in their free time and use “acabar de” to say what they just did.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT –
• Mr. Ascolese’s Music Theory class is beginning to compose 32 bar form lead sheets. The Concert and Jazz Bands are preparing for the annual “Pops” Concert on March 1. The Pit Orchestra is busy preparing for the “High School Musical.”
• Mr. Taylor has decided on doing music from “The Newsies.” “The Newsies Medley” and an arrangement of “Seize the Day” are being rehearsed daily as well as an after school rehearsal to allow those not in class to join in with the choir.
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT -
• Mr. Aldea's AP Calculus class will be studying applications of integration in Chapter 6.
• Mr. Aldea's Statistcs class is reviewing the concepts of mean, median, and mode in Chapter 3. The class will then be looking at standard deviation and its applications in Chapter 4.
• Mr. Aldea's Honors Algebra II class is finishing Chapter 6 and then will move on to studying powers, roots, and radicals in Chapter 7.
• Mr. Aldea's Foundations of Advanced Math class is currently working on laws of exponents and calculating by means of exponents to base 10.
• Mrs. Healey’s Precalculus classes are learning real life applications of exponential and logarithmic equations. Students are researching Avian Flu and will be completing an investment project.
• Mrs. Healey’s HSPA 11 class are completing the final cluster in preparation for the HSPA. Practice work will be assigned over the February break to maintain their skills for the March 5, 6, 7, & 8th state evaluation.
• Mr. Heller’s Geometry classes have completed their study of quadrilaterals and moved on to similar polygons, particularly triangles, focusing on the relationships between sides and angles within each object, and exploring the ratios and proportionality that exist when polygons are similar.  Students have been learning and proving a variety of theorems and formulas associated with these relationships.  Classroom exercises have included group discussions in problem solving and developing proofs, many of which include algebraic equations and inequalities.
• Mr. Heller's HSPA Math 9 class is preparing for the March NJ PASS exam, studying ratios, proportions, and the fundamentals of geometry, and how to solve related word problems containing variables.  The class has also solved numerous word problems, many of which include algebraic equations.  Classroom exercises have included group discussions in problem solving and self-checking techniques.
• Mr. Heller’s HSPA Math 10 class is preparing for the March practice HSPA exam, studying slopes of curves, the fundamentals of trigonometry and periodic functions, and vectors.  The class has also solved numerous word problems, many of which include algebraic equations.  Classroom exercises have included numerous drawings and sketches to confirm the students' understanding of the terminology and patterns involved, as well as self-checking techniques.
• Mrs. Marano's Fundamentals of Advanced Mathematics has continued working on review of skills needed for college placement exams. Students are currently working with integers. They are covering all basic operations and powers and roots.
• Mrs. Marano's HSPA 11 class is currently working on Cluster IVA, Patterns, Sequences & Series and Relationships, Patterns & Review. Next, students will begin work on Cluster IVB, Relations & Functions, Slope of a Line and Transformations.
• Mrs. Marano's HSPA 12 class continuing work on the SRA process.
• Mrs. Marano’s SAT Math review class is reviewing areas of math covered on the SAT and taking practice SAT quizzes each Friday.
• Mrs. Michaeli’s Algebra 2 classes learned how to identify a relation, a function and inverse relations. They performed operations with functions and used special functions such as compound and step functions. Students also reviewed HSPA problems involving cluster 4.
• Mr. Monks’ Fundamentals of Geometry class is finishing up their work in Chapter 7 with translations in a coordinate plane and identifying them with coordinate and component notation.
• Mr. Monks’ Algebra I class has begun solving inequalities and will be incorporating absolute values and the graphs into their problems.
• Mr. Monks’ Geometry class will start their work in Chapter 5, which deals with ratios and proportions, as well as similar triangles.
• Mr. Monks’ HPSA 9 class is now working on Geometry topics beginning with angle measurements and classifying triangles.
• Mrs. O’Brien’s Algebra I students are learning how to graph and solve linear inequalities in one variable, how to write and use linear inequality as a model for a real-life situation, how to solve and graph compound inequalities, how to solve absolute value inequalities, and how to graph a linear inequality in two variables.
• Mrs. O’Brien’s Fundamentals of Algebra I students are learning how to graph and solve linear inequalities in one variable, how to write and use linear inequality as a model for a real-life situation, how to solve and graph compound inequalities, how to solve absolute value inequalities, and how to graph a linear inequality in two variables.
• Mrs. O’Brien’s Fundamentals of Algebra II students are currently learning how to solve a set of systems of equations using three methods (graphing, the method of substitution, and the method of linear combination). 
• Mrs. Stoehs ' Geometry class has been working on properties of quadrilaterals. Using protractors and rulers, students were able to discover these properties. Students are recognizing how previously learned skills can be used to determine unknown angles and segment measures.
• Mrs. Stoehs' Algebra students have been solving linear equations. They have used table of values, intercepts, and points to graph the solutions to these equations.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS -
• Mrs. Marano's Computer Applications I class is continuing work on database files and applications using the AppleWorks 6 database. Students will be beginning work on Photoshop CS2 in the near future.
• Mrs. Marano's Computer Applications II class worked on the same projects with the Computer Applications I class.
• Mrs. Marano's Computer Applications class is working with the AppleWorks database module. Students are learning how to create and modify fields and how to create sorts, searches, reports and various layouts. Students are becoming familiar with the data manipulation capabilities of a database.
• Mrs. Marano's Computer Cycle 9 is completing their research PowerPoint presentations. Students must research a topic and put together a coherent presentation using the research finding and appropriate images.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT –
• Mr. Binazeski’s Physical Science students reviewed for Midterms and presented Global Warming presentations. Students will begin work on their study of Physics with a preliminary instructional period dedicated to math skills required for science. A speed velocity lab will be conducted at the end of the month.
• Mr. Binazeski’s Environmental Science students reviewed for midterms. HSPA review continues with an emphasis on biology and physics this month. In February students will review chemistry and physical science. Seniors will work on a biome project while the juniors continue to review for HSPA.
• Mrs. Hicswa’s Biology classes are involved in discussing the topic of evolution, the work of Darwin and Lamarck. To end their study of genetics the classes viewed Lorenzo’s Oil- a film dealing with the development of a genetic disorder in a young man and how his family fights to find a treatment.
• Mrs. Hicswa’s Honors Biology students presented Power Point presentations on Global Warming. These projects illustrated the causes and effects of this phenomenon. These students are also involved in a lab in which they compare the tissue and structure of a bird (chicken), an amphibian (frog), and a mammal (man).
• Mr. Pignatiello’s Chemistry students are working on the history of the atom and are looking at how atomic spectra is a similar unique characteristic like DNA. The students have also witnessed several atoms going from a ground state to the excited state.
• Mr. Pignatiello’s AP Chemistry students have just finished equilibrium and are going to work on atomic concepts and work on the mathematical concepts of the atoms rise and fall within the sublevels of an atom.
• Mr. Stine’s Physics classes are beginning the study of electricity with a unit on electrostatics. The Van de Graaf generator will be used for demonstrations of electrical repulsive forces. Key terms and concepts include Coulomb’s Law, Electric Fields, Voltage and Electric Potential, and Electric Current.
• Mrs. Stoehs' Biology students recently finished a unit on genetics. Students connected their study of DNA to heredity. They used Punnet squares to determine possible offspring from crossing particular genotypes. They further discovered how traits pass from generation to generation as well as how diseases run in families.
USE OF LAPTOP –
• Mrs. Geftic used the laptop computer to show students a biographical expose on Shakespeare. Journalism students used the laptop to create graphics for their “Listen Up” columns and to create the center spread of the newspaper.
• Mr. Pankiewicz used the laptop computer to conduct Internet research in journalism class. In addition, creative writing contest entries were sent online. A “Martin Luther King, Jr.” site was explored on MLK Day in English class.
• Mrs. Schneeweiss and students are using the laptop during rehearsal of High School Musical using Rehearscore. The laptop was also used for grade calculations and for student recommendations.
• Mrs. McGinty utilized the laptop computer and the LCD projector, students benefited from a PowerPoint review for each chapter assessment.
• Mr. Ketcho’s school district issued laptop is used every second of class. Once again I am using my laptop for pretty much everything I do. Word, Excel, PowerPoint files help me manage all of my day to day tasks. Coupled with a document camera and LCD projector I lead my instruction with my laptop everyday
• Mrs. Healey: The laptop has been used to calculate grades, write reports, and communicate with students, parents, and teachers. It has also been used for research purposes. The students will use t to make their class presentations on the Avian Flu possible Pandemic.
• Mr. Monks: Grades and reports were calculated on Excel. Lesson plans have been generated in Word. Tests, quizzes and extra help worksheets have been generated in Word. Email has been used to communicate with parents and department teachers.
• Mrs. Stoehs: Lesson plans, grades and reports are regularly prepared using Excel. Word is used for test & quiz preparation. The internet has been used for research of class related topics.

Middle School-
MATH DEPARTMENT
• Miss Keller’s 6th grade mainstream Geometry classes will be focusing their attention on different shapes beginning by finding the area of a circle, using pi. Next, the students will explore three dimensional figures- prisms, pyramids, cones and cylinders. The students will become familiar with their characteristics and learn to calculate surface area. Using connecting blocks and other hands-on activities, the students will be able to gain an understanding of surface area before focusing their attention on volume.
• Miss Keller’s 6th grade Honors Geometry class will begin learning how to find the area of trapezoids and triangles. After the students have become comfortable with this section, the class will begin to estimate length and area of irregular shaped figures. The students will learn to draw diagrams to solve word problems. The next topic is learning to convert units of measure.
• Miss Keller is working hard to prepare the students for the NJASK. Test-like questions are incorporated into her daily classes and she will be teaching the NJASK preparation class after school.
• Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade Algebra students have been investigating fractions. They are learning how to write fractions as decimals and decimals as fractions. They are also learning how to multiple and divide fractions including mixed numbers. The students have recently completed their midterm examinations that covered three chapters they have worked on. They are currently starting Chapter 7 which will focus on ratios and exploring percents.
• Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade Honors Algebra students have been busy working with fractions. They are learning how to multiply and divide fractions as well as mixed numbers. The students have completed their midterm exams and are looking forward to continuing with the chapter on ratios, proportions, and percents.
• Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade mainstream Algebra classes recently had a quiz on Lessons 5-1,2,3 on adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers. The students will soon be solving one and two step equations with fractions. The class will continue learning to solve equations and apply the order of operations.
• Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade Honors Algebra class completed a chapter five quiz on working with the Pythagorean Theorem. Chapter six addresses solving proportions.
• Mrs. Caputo: All of the students will receive cluster IB gepa packet for homework and classwork review. We are in the process of completing these packets and will check them together before our February break. Overall, most students performed well on the midterm exams. The students were privately informed of their grades.
• Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Geometry mainstream students are currently working on Chapter Eight, Geometry and Measurement. We just completed lesson 8-7 Applying the Pythagorean Theorem. The students are doing very well with these math concepts. They are excited and eager to learn.
• Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Geometry Honors class is currently working on Chapter Six, Applications of Proportions. We just completed lesson 6-5, Similarity Transformations. We will continue to working on this chapter throughout this month.
• Mr. Sickels: As we continue in February we are on schedule with the GEPA assignments, currently completing pack II C. You will also see NJASK review packs in the students’ notebooks as we continue to prepare for this year’s NJASK Test. The midterms went well and the students are working hard in the third marking period to do their best.
• Mr. Mastropietro’s 8th grade Geometry classes are currently working towards completing chapter 9, Geometry and Polygons. We are also working with Geometry gepa problems this month including a simulated gepa test.
• Mr. Mastropietro’s 8th grade Honors Topics class is currently solving and graphing absolute value. The class then will begin solving inequalities. In addition, the class will be working with Geometry GEPA problems this month including a simulated gepa test.
• 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.
• Mrs. Dunne’s 8th grade Algebra I class is completing the unit on writing the various forms of linear equations. The class will begin solving systems of equations.
• Mrs. Dunne’s Math 8 classes are completing the percent chapter with applications of percents in discount, sales price, mark up, interest, and percent of change.
Alyssa Stroinski, a student from WPU, is doing student teaching from January 17 to May 3.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT -
• Mr. Rispoli’s 6th grade science classes learned about the sun, earth and moon. They learned about tides, the seasons, rotation and revolutions. Early space travel to current day travel was learned in class. The features of the moon were covered as well as the landings on the moon. The students learned the features of the sun and the ways solar winds, sunspots and solar flares actually affect us here on Earth. The students created a moon phase calendar. They are currently learning about the Inner Planets.
• Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science students have successfully completed their midterm exams. The seventh grade science classes are working hard on their forensic science unit. All students have been fingerprinted and are anxious to solve some crimes. They are currently investigating a bank robbery in which 2 DNA samples were found at the crime scene.
• Mr. Cassiere’s 8th grade students will be reviewing for GEPA using “Preparing for the NJ GEPA” text. Topics for this month will include plant/animal cells, atoms, chemical bonds, force/motion, weather, water cycle, and plate tectonics. Students will be assessed using section quizzes and open ended responses from the text.
ART DEPARTMENT
• Ms. Caputo’s Cycle 6 Tech class has used the technology process to create solutions to a boat design, where material requirements and weight requirements were used. The class used Lego Tech sets to create a unique vehicle design which met pre-set requirements and then tested to see if their design met the challenge. The class created a device that could hold an egg to a vertical surface. Students tested their designs to see if their design was successful. Presently students are working on a cereal box layout that includes a 3D toy. Students will then assembly their toy out of the box itself.
• Mrs. Kritzer’s Cycle 8 art has conquered the art of pointillism. The students had a curiosity of this technique by viewing the art of high school students. This is the first time an 8th grade art class has done this medium. The students, along with Mrs. Kritzer, are very proud of their work. They found this art slow and tedious, but were happy with the ending production. The grade 7 art cycle class has just studied Pop art through the works of Keith Haring. They did their own pop art by reproducing and enlarging their favorite candy wrapper. The students drew their wrappers and colored them using design markers.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Cycle 6 Art Class just completed designs for a drunk-driving prevention poster contest sponsored by the HHHS SADD Club. Winning artists received ten dollar gift cards to McDonald’s provided by the SADD Club. Contest winners were Julianna Nass, Meredith Stroud and Nehali Thakkar.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION-
• 6th, 7th and 8th grade PE classes are all participating in a basketball unit focusing on the skills used (i.e. dribbling, passing, shooting, etc.).
HEALTH DEPARTMENT-
• Ms. Gaccione’s 8th grade Health class has been discussing communication skills and healthy relationships. Students have just completed their Steps for Life poster project.
• Mrs. Kolich’s 6th Grade Health cycle is working on the drug and alcohol unit. They will be designing anti-drug posters to be displayed in the health room.
• Mr. Delcalzo’s 7th grade Health class is discussing how drugs and alcohol impacts the body and discussing how peer pressure influences social behavior.
INDUSTRIAL ARTS-
• Mr. Masucci’s classes started a new cycle by reviewing all the hand tools.
SOCIAL STUDIES-
• Mr. Warren’s Social Studies 6 classes have begun their in-depth study of Ancient China.  The students have been introduced to three different styles of Chinese philosophy: Legalism, Confucianism, and Daoism.  Students will then create their own philosophy by either combining elements from what they have learned or creating new elements to suit their needs.  The students will discuss the Great Wall of China and the reasons behind its construction.  As an interdisciplinary lesson, the students will calculate how long it would take to walk the entire length of the wall.  Finally, the students will synthesize an illustration based on a visual summary of the chapter depicting China’s greatest accomplishments.
• Mr. Warren’s Social Studies 6 classes will analyze the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s by watching the video, “March of the Children”, featuring children who lived during the 1963 protests in Birmingham, Alabama.  The video depicts how African-American children staged their own protests against segregation.  The students also witnessed the consequences of these actions which included violence and persecution.  This will lead into a discussion and writing assignment about modern-day social injustices around the world, including racism, poverty, environmental issues, etc. and how children in today’s world can make a difference to these global causes.
Ms. Dolan and Mr. Warren are working together on an interdisciplinary unit regarding African American history.  In both Literature and Social Studies the students will be exploring the history of African Americans from the formation of our nation to the Civil Rights Movement.  In Ms. Dolan’s sixth grade literature class, students will read historical fiction novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor.  This Newberry Award winning novel gives the students a glimpse into the racism faced by African Americans in the 1930s in Mississippi.  They will discuss the obstacles faced by African Americans 50 + years after the Civil War.  In Mr. Warren’s class they will be discussing the racism depicted in the book and how it climaxed into the 1960s Civil Rights movement and lead into the video “March of the Children”.
• Mrs. Gay’s Seventh Grades students are beginning the Geography course with an introduction to basic map reading skills, including locating places using latitude and longitude and utilizing a time zone map.  They have also discovered how different map projections distort the Earth in various ways.  In honor of Black History Month, students will also be learning about the Underground Railroad.  This mini-unit will include an article from Junior Scholastic which chronicles the stories of three slaves, a map of the Underground Railroad routes, and a History Channel video about the Underground Railroad.
• Mrs. Rucci’s Eighth Grade students
Most of my students did well on their Midterm Exams. We reviewed the content and grades afterwards. Now, we are adding on to the story of America by covering the various reform movements that have existed – especially abolitionism and women’s rights. Presently, we are working in the chapters about the Civil War. It always shocks the students to find out that we lost over 600,000 Americans in those four years – more than any other war we’ve been in. We spend more time on the leading figure, Abraham Lincoln, and then the Reconstruction period following his assassination. In the most recent issues of Junior Scholastic magazine, we read and completed activities about: global warming, Eskimos on St. Lawrence Island, satellite images of the earth, slavery during the early 1800s, women and minority candidates for the presidency, and an almanac with a plethora of information about each state to compare and contrast.
Brotherhood/Black History Month-
• By watching the video, “March of the Children”, featuring children who lived during the 1963 protests in Birmingham, Alabama. The video depicts how African-American children staged their own protests against segregation. The students also witnessed the consequences of these actions which included violence and persecution. This will lead into a discussion and writing assignment about modern-day social injustices around the world, including racism, poverty, environmental issues, etc. and how children in today’s world can make a difference to these global causes.
• Mrs. Gay’s 7th grade students will be doing daily class trivia facts, which are placed on the homework board and discussed at the opening of class, will focus on the achievements of African Americans. Students will be reading and discussing the Junior Scholastic article Stories of Slaves. Students will analyze a flow-line map of the escape routes of slaves along the Underground Railroad. Class will view the video The Underground Railroad and complete a packet of activities based on its content. Students will assume the persona of and 1860’s abolitionist trying to convince others of the evils of slavery, and write and deliver a persuasive speech on the subject.
• Mrs. Rucci’s 8th grade set up the bulletin board by the Middle School office with names, pictures, and summary of a number of famous African-Americans Displayed. On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, a mini lesson was taught on his life. Leading up to the Civil War, we covered such famous abolitionists as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, & Sojourner Truth. Students have learned a lot about the plight of the slaves and how the institution of slaves has adversely affected the social development of the U.S. Students analyze the different treatment of African-Americans During wartime, as well as peacetime in the U.S. When we cover the Civil Rights Era we will analyze speeches and other primary sources, read about the activists of the time, answer questions, and possibly view a documentary. For current events, we discussed the excitement of presidential candidates that are not just white men but other races and women too, now. The Junior Scholastic magazines provide many opportunities to find out about both historical and present day stories that celebrate Brotherhood/Black History Month. The students especially like performing the historical plays that are scripted in the periodical.
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT-
• Computer Applications 7 and 8 Cycles - Century 21 – Back To Basics Keyboarding p. 3-20, Learning Style Self Assessment PowerPoint Project, and T-Shirt Factory – A Keyboarding Simulation - p.4 and Jobs #1 - #4 were all completed.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT-
• Mr. Stillman’s Literature 8 and Literature 8 Honors classes are in full GEPA prep mode. Both classes are learning strategies that will help them succeed on the reading comprehension portions of the test (the writing component is being covered in the English 8 classes). In addition to learning strategies, the students will be practicing their skills by taking numerous practice GEPA’s.
• Ms. Dolan and Mr. Warren are working together on an interdisciplinary unit regarding African American history. In both 6th Grade Literature and 6th Grade social studies the students will explore the history of African Americans from the formation of our nation to the Civil Rights Movement. In Ms. Dolan’s sixth grade literature class, students will read the historical fiction novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. This Newberry Award winning novel gives the students a glimpse into the racism faced by African Americans in the 1930s in Mississippi. They will discuss the obstacles faced by African Americans 50 + years after the end of the Civil War. As a part of this interdisciplinary unit, all sixth grade students will attend the play Freedom Train in March to discover the journey of Harriet Tubman and the realities of the Underground Railroad.
• Mr. Colangelo’s Study Skills class will continue to work out of their Study Skills workbook, You Can Take Charge. Students will take notes daily. They will be responsible for any vocabulary encountered in the workbook. They will also work in cooperative learning groups.
• Mr. Colangelo’s Creative Writing class will continue to write in a variety of forms. They have completed a journal writing section, an analysis of literary terms, and a film study in which they responded to Rudy in an essay. They will begin stories without endings, autobiographies, and news articles in February.
• Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 7 class will be concluding their lesson on the Middle Ages. The students read a short story about King Arthur and investigated the time period as well as the influence he has had on hero based literature/movies. The students will begin an interdisciplinary unit with
• Mrs. Gay’s Social Studies classes as they study the Underground Railroad. The students will read about the life and times of Harriet Tubman.
• Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 8 class is in full GEPA prep mode. The class is learning strategies that will help them succeed on the reading comprehension portions of the test (the writing component is being covered in the English 8 classes). In addition to learning strategies, the students will be practicing their skills by taking numerous practice GEPA assignments.
• Miss Venneman’s Literature 7 classes are currently exploring various types of Literature. Students recently completed a novella from the text book entitled “Song of the Trees”. The novella, written by Mildred Taylor, tells us of another struggle the Logans, (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry) experience as black landowners during the 1930’s. Students will also be joining Harriet Tubman and the challenges she faced in her efforts to free slaves via the Underground Railroad.
• Ms. Wolf’s sixth graders have been getting more involved with grammar and rules for creating successful pieces of writing. The students have been studying techniques to find direct and indirect objects, predicate nominatives, and predicate adjectives. They have also been learning about creating sentences using subordinate and independent clauses. In the coming month, the students will be taking part in a “mini-unit” in honor of “Black History Month”. The students will listen to, read, and watch Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech and analyze him as one of the most influential persuasive speakers of our time. 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.
• Mrs. Rowland’s 7th grade English class worked on a film study portraying the different types of irony. Worksheets were completed, open-ended questions were completed, and a quiz was completed. Students will be expected to use this literary term in their writing.
Students also worked on an introduction to stereotype. Then, students using the literary
term imagery had to describe in detail each particular stereotype.
• Mr. Sicilian’s English 8 classes are working on a persuasive writing unit as a part of the GEPA prep. Students are currently writing opening paragraphs on self selected topics and will eventually move towards writing timed simulated pieces with typical GEPA tasks.
All classes are working on isolated language activities utilizing key “transitional”
words/phrases” in sentence writing. All classes are continuing the vocabulary
development units with emphasis on word usage, word derivation and suffix endings.
• Mr. Sicilian’s English 8 Honors is in the initial stages of the second semester “Autobiography” project. The Honors section will also be invited to submit original mystery short stories for the June Lowery Short Story Contest.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES-
• Ms. Perdomo’s sixth graders are learning to put together the vocabulary and phrases they have learned to write basic dialogs that include questions they ask when they meet someone (name, age, origin, likes and dislikes). On February 16th, the class will celebrate with a fiesta that will involve some Hispanic traditions and games.
• Ms. Perdomo’s seventh graders are learning the vocabulary to describe what is in their room. They will learn about Mexico and make a piñata, masks, and different accessories for the February 16th fiesta.
• Mrs. Cafferty’s eighth grade class are learning about different groups of animals and where they live. They created flashcards and worked in groups of memorize them.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
• Ms. Moroney reports that the middle school students are preparing for the “Pops Concert” focusing on rhythmic accuracy and flexibility in changing keys and tempos.
• Mr. McCarthy reports that the seventh grade vocal cycle is working on breathing, voice placement, sol feggio, intervals, and songs.
• Mr. McCarthy’s seventh grade general music cycle has completed the baroque and classical periods with Bach, Mozart, etc. and is currently working on the romantic period.
• Mr. McCarthy’s eighth grade general music cycle is currently working on swing.
• Mr. Taylor reports that practice of the “Lion King Medley” for the “Pops Concert” is moving on schedule. Additional rehearsals are held Wednesday after school.

6th Grade Technology Pilot Program

Michelle DiPiano – Math

Weekly quizzes, tests, and worksheets are created using Microsoft Word. The midterm exam was also created using Microsoft Word. Weekly lesson plans are created weekly using Microsoft Excel. Grades are entered weekly using the Grade Quick Program. The program was also used to calculate marking period 2 grades and semester grades and midterm examinations as well as a reference when speaking with students and parents.

The students look forward to using websites such as math.com, coolmath.com, and the textbooks Prentice Hall website www.http://www.phschool.com throughout the month to prepare for NJ ASK testing in March. Currently, the students are working with the multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers using models and other strategies. We will use some great sites from Imagination and coolmath.com to enhance their understanding.

Miss DiPiano’s webpage at teacherweb.com is still being used daily. The students check homework, update notes, and to complete extra practice on the topics they are learning in class.

Karen Dolan – Literature

Once again, Ms. Dolan utilized the laptop provided by the pilot program to assist her in her planning for sixth grade literature. Not only were all of her tests and quizzes created using the laptop, but her mid-term examination and mid-term examination outline were also created using this valuable teaching tool.

Additionally, in preparation for the unit on Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Ms. Dolan completed extensive research in preparing to introduce the students to the atrocities of segregation and racism in the south in the 1930’s. Ms. Dolan used the overhead projector to share some of the websites that she found. It gave the students a true sense of how “separate but equal” did not work. She explored the Civil Rights Museum website, the NAACP website, some Martin Luther King Websites, as well as websites found by doing a Google search. It was a much more effective lesson as the students were able to use more than one modality to learn. By providing auditory and visual examples, the students were more responsive to the affects of racism prior to the Civil Rights Movement.

Finally, Ms. Dolan created a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the sixth grade students to a brief history of African American from the time of the colonists, up to the end of the Civil War and the Reformation. This was used as an introduction to the novel Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.

Michelle Keller - Math

During the month of February, Miss Keller will use her laptop in a number of ways. She uses an Excel spreadsheet as a grade book for each of her classes. By using Excel she is able to easily input grades and calculate quiz, test and marking period averages. Miss Keller will also utilize her laptop for lesson purposes. Later on this week, she will be using Microsoft Power Point to present a power point presentation on three-dimensional figures. During this presentation she will also use internet explorer to show the students an interactive website that allows the students to fold and manipulate nets.

Miss Keller also uses her laptop to create and organize her lesson plans. She also uses Microsoft word to create worksheets, quizzes and test for her classes. Miss Keller has also found a number of websites that she uses to locate lesson plan ideas and worksheets to use in class.

David Rispoli – Science

The laptop in Mr. Rispoli’s possession has been used daily for recording grades, homework and preparing worksheets. It was used to create the midterm exam and study outline for the students. Short videos, found on the Internet, of the sun were shown using the projector. Also, short videos of the moon were shown to the class. Movies from www.unitedstreaming.com were shown to the class in coordination with the projector. The videos were The Sun, The Moon, The Inner Planets and The Outer Planets. A slide show presentation about Jupiter’s moon Io was shown to the class. The laptop and projector are being used a few times a week to enhance the students learning.

Michael Warren – Social Studies

Mr. Warren's 6th grade Social Studies classes are involved in their study of Ancient China. The classes have organized the various belief systems that emerged using Critical Thinking Organizers that are provided by the McDougal Little EasyPlanner software. The EasyPlanner software has also provided various worksheets that enrich the active learning from the text and class notes. The test on Ancient China will be generated using the McDougal Littell Test Generator software. The laptop’s internet function is utilized to show pictures of the Great Wall of China and teacher resource media images of Ancient Chinese symbols, which add a visual enhancement to the children’s studies. Grades, such as homework, participation, and quizzes are entered on a daily basis as needed using MyGradebook.com.

Allison Wolf – English

Ms. Wolf has made great use of technology in the past month with her school provided laptop. The laptop has been used as an instruction, communication, grading, and preparation for class.

As an instructional tool, Ms. Wolf has used the laptop to help students in her “Pull our Support” class. They use the programs and games as a review of material learned in class.

The laptop continues to be a great source of communication with the parents. Ms. Wolf is able to communicate quickly with parents about their child. This is a great tool for a specific response to a question, an update on a grade, or a behavioral issue.

Over the past two months, Ms. Wolf has started to use the “Grade Quick” program on her computer. This program allows Ms. Wolf to keep record of all of the grades for tests, quizzes, and homework. The program also allows Ms. Wolf to send home computer-generated progress reports to parents to update them throughout the marking period. This came in quite handy during midterm exams and the end of semester one. The students were able get their grades in a quick manner. In addition, the laptop continues to be used to create all tests, quizzes, and assessments for Ms. Wolf’s classes. This is a very quick and convenient tool.

Euclid School –
MATH-
Kindergarten is working on ordinal positioning for first through tenth place. They are identifying odd and even numbers. They are focusing on coin recognition. They are working with number patterns and 100th day activities.
Grade 1 is working on number patterning. They are skip counting by 2, 5, and 10. They are working with odd and even numbers. They are beginning their study of solid figures like the sphere, cube, pyramid, cone, rectangular prism, and the cylinder.
Grade 2 is working on adding and subtracting two digit numbers with regrouping. They are identifying plan shapes by their attributes and manipulating shapes to fit various forms.
Grade 3 is completing their Measuring Up books. They are reinforces skills for the NJ ASK and using math manipulatives and multiplication games for further understanding. They have begun geometry and are working with planes and solid figures. They are identifying various triangles and working with lines and line segments.
Grade 4 is calculating elapsed time using clocks and schedules. They are finding the mean, mode, median and range of a set of data. They are reading and writing decimals to tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. They are reading and writing fractions and mixed numbers and comparing and ordering decimals and fractions with like and unlike denominators.
Grade 5 is relating fractions, decimals, and percents. They are studying fractional operations like adding and subtracting mixed numbers. They are working on the problem of the week and mad minute activities.

SCIENCE-
Kindergarten is completing activities for Ground Hog Day. They are also learning about various animal habitats like the plains, forests, oceans, and mountain regions. They have begun their study of light.
Grade 1 is studying weather. They are reading thermometers. They are learning the characteristics of the different types of clouds like the cumulus, cirrus, and cumulonimbus. They continue to study the four seasons.
Grade 2 has just completed their unit on food chains and food webs. They are now learning about the life cycles of a sea turtle and dragonfly.
Grade 3 has just completed their unit on ecosystems and animal adaptations. They are now beginning a new unit on the three states of matter.
Grade 4 is focusing on hurricanes and tornadoes. They are making paper models and tornado tubes. They are learning about the earth’s movements and the phases of the moon.
Grade 5 is studying matter and its properties. They are discussing the parts of atoms and how they combine to make compounds. They are also creating element charts.

SOCIAL STUDIES-
Kindergarten is celebrating Chinese New Year. They are learning about President’s Day and identifying patriotic symbols. They are learning about different landforms and working with maps of the USA.
Grade 1 is working on map skills. They are identifying where they live and working with their addresses and phone numbers. They are also learning the concepts of earning and spending. They completed a mini unit on Bill Cosby in honor of Black History Month.
Grade 2 has completed their unit on map skills. They are now learning about goods and services and the difference between a need and a want. They are also learning about different types of transportation.
Grade 3 is studying ancestors and immigrants. They are learning about the United States government and learning characteristics of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

LANGUAGE ARTS-
Kindergarten is blending short o words and working with the phonograms “op” and “ot”. They are studying the consonant sounds for w and x. They are incorporating their new sight words into their reading. They are writing in their daily journals and practicing their handwriting.
Grade 1 is completing an author study of Bill Cosby for Black History month. They are working with the long o sound and the diagraphs “qu” and “WH”. They are completing the 3rd book in their reading series. They are working on capital letters and correctly writing the names of special holidays, people and places.
Grade 2 is working on pronouns, nouns, and adjectives. They are writing friendly letters and personal stories. They continue to practice writing complete sentences. They continue to work on their script.
Grade 3 is focusing on picture prompt writing. They are working with subject pronouns and possessives nouns. They are working on their open-ended responses and their critical thinking skills. They are working with the novels Frindle and Joshua T. Bates.
Grade 4 is working with action and linking verbs. They are working with past, present, and future tense verbs. They are working on timed narratives and open-ended responses. They are working on contrast writing and dialogue. Students are learning the poems of Langston Hughes. They are working on summarizing and continue to read their historical fiction novels. They are identifying character traits and will begin their biographies.
Grade 5 continues to work on persuasive pieces. They are reviewing their elements of narrative writing and working on nouns that are singular, plural, and possessive. They are working on biographical book reports and performing Power Point presentations. They are working on their comprehension skills while reading the Island of the Blue Dolphins.
ART –
Kindergarten is creating and decorating valentine mobiles using paper and string.
Grade One is painting hearts with watercolors.
Grade Two is creating paper mache houses.
Grade Three is weaving using various colored yarn.
Grade Four is creating puppets and painting them.
Grade Five is creating masks and decorating them with glitter, paint, and feathers.
MUSIC –
Kindergarten is working on a Valentine movement activity and song.
Grade 1 is developing an Orff Ensemble using xylophones, boomwhakers, and voice.
Grade 2 is taping a rondo form rap. Students are selecting their own Nursery Rhyme for their rap.
Grade 3 is composing rhythmic patterns with their names. They are then transferring them to instruments.
Grades 4 and 5 are working on a Latin American Ensemble.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION –
Grades K-2 are working on cage ball. They are focusing on fine and gross motor skills while throwing both over and underhanded.
Grades 3-5 are working on floor hockey. They are developing eye hand coordination and gross motor skills.

WORLD LANGUAGES-
Kindergarteners are practicing familiar animals and colors. The first grade students are discussing family members. The second graders are presenting posters of familiar community workers. The third graders are examining the rooms of a house and talking about them. The fourth graders are continuing their work on Spanish towns and the fifth graders are continuing work on animal posters.

Library/Computers –
Kindergarten is being introduced to the new computer logon, opening, operating and closing a computer program.
Grade 1 is being introduced to the new computer logon, creating graphics and adding text. They are also creating holiday cards.
Grade 2 is being introduced to the new computer logon, typing a poem and locating punctuation marks.
Grade 3 is discussing internet safety to compare physical community to cybercommunity.
Grade 4 is discussing internet safety to complete a crossword puzzle to review vocabulary.
Grade 5 is using the drawing toolbar to create graphics.

Lincoln School -
MATHEMATICS-
Kindergarten classes completed a chapter on measurement and have begun a chapter on number patterns.  We have been learning how to skip count by twos, fives, and tens.  We have also been identifying even and odd numbers. Our first graders completed the Unit on Tens/Ones and Ordering. We started Chapter 13 on mixed practice addition and subtraction facts to 12. The second graders reviewed the concept of money. They learned about the value of the different coins, how to compare money, and how to make change. The third graders are dividing with facts 0-10. This month we have mastered: working backwards and choosing the operation to solve problems. We are currently collecting and recording data using tally graphs, charts, tables, and line plots as well as finding the mean and median of a set of data. Next, we will be using customary units to measure. Our Fourth graders successfully completed Chapter 19-"Motion Geometry". Chapter 19 included Symmetry, Rotations, Transformation, Tessellations, and Geometric Patterns. The learners used various different strategies to be successful on Monday's test such as; using the text, hands-on activities, and "Measuring Up" pages. On Tuesday, January 30, 2007 the learners will begin Chapter 20-Exploring Negative Numbers and Graphing. The learners will complete many hands-on activities along with "Measuring Up" and Problem Solving to complete Chapter 20. A Chapter 20 quiz will be given at the week's end before entering the topic for February-"Fractions." The learners will continue to work with Fractions throughout the month of February using the text, workbook pages, hand-outs and "Measuring Up." In addition, to continue the preparation for the NJASK test in March, the students have been completing a series of quizzes each Friday that requires them to learn 83 vocabulary terms that will be seen throughout the NJASK test. These quizzes are followed by a problem of the week. At this time, the fourth grade has accumulated 23 Problems of the Week for their folders. The fifth graders are reviewing the geometry unit, they have learned about ordered pairs and reflections. A review of NJASK math skills is ongoing.

SCIENCE-
Kindergarten classes have been learning all about the season of winter.
Our first graders completed a unit on Living Things Growing and Changing. We are introducing a unit on Weather. The second graders recently learned about life cycles and how their work together in the environment. The third graders have been identifying how resources can be protected, reused, recycled, and reduced. They also investigated how paper can be recycled. Next, they will be exploring the properties of matter and how they are measured. The fourth grade Students are completing a chapter on volcanoes, weathering, erosion, avalanches, and landslides.  NJASK Test prep will begin next week.

SOCIAL STUDIES-
Our kindergarten students have begun our chapter on communities.  We have been learning about maps, rules, and community helpers.  We have just begun to celebrate black history month by learning about the accomplishments of many famous black Americans including Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, and Jesse Jackson.  We will also be learning about our country's presidents including George Washington and Abe Lincoln.  We also learned about Groundhog Day and anxiously awaited his weather prediction. 
The first graders have completed a unit on Work, Needs and Wants. Black History Month: Our first graders are participating in several activities we have prepared for this unit. We have read story selections, completed word puzzles and wrote factual sentences about a few Famous Black Americans.
The second grade classes began a unit on learning about the contributions of Famous Black Americans. Lessons included journal writing, reports about famous Black Americans, writing lessons about the contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the importance of equality and brotherhood. The third graders have finished Chapter 4 which focuses on ethnic and cultural celebrations. They developed some map skills by identifying the four hemispheres. They also recognized national holidays and people that have served us. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. students read and discussed his political actions. Afterwards, they created a coat of arms that depicted his heroes, job, political action and what they each admired the most about him. For Black History Month, third graders read and discussed "Young Civil Rights Activists Tell Their Stories" to understand black history by looking at it through the eyes of people who have experienced it first hand. They also acted out a play called "Freedom Walk." It was about the boycott Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lead to make all people equal and about a brave woman named Rosa Parks. The fourth grades learned about Black History:  Poems are on display in the hallway on the bulletin board.  Students read about a famous person and then created a poem about that person. The fifth graders wrote biographies on famous Afro-Americans for Black History Month. The fifth grade created a bulletin board for Black History Month for the third floor hallway.

LANGUAGE ARTS-
The kindergarteners spent time investigating the letters the letters L, H, B, K, and O. We have been reviewing short i word families and are just about to begin learning about short o word families.  We have also been practicing our rhyming skills.  We have been continuing to learn some new high frequency words including on, to, you, have, do, and what.  Our first graders are currently working on the following- Reading: We completed our third reading book. We started the fourth book “Time Together.” Our first graders started the story “Me on the Map.” We are continuing comprehension activities and skills review. Phonics: We completed the long vowels o and e. We are beginning long vowel a. Most of the activities are addressed in our Phonics and Practice books. Grammar: We completed our unit on capitalization focusing on the Days of the Week and the Months of the Year. We are beginning a unit on the pronouns I and me. The second graders have been working on the following: In reading, the second grade classes began their new reading book entitled "Banner Days". The first story was "Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash", which was a delightful story about a class trip to the farm. The focus skill for this story was vocabulary development and cause and effect. In spelling, the second grade classes have begun their first spelling unit of the new theme. Emphasis was on the sound of ou and ow. In English, the second grade classes completed their second book report of the year. The concepts of adjectives, comparisons, pronouns, and capitalization skills were reviewed. In phonics, the second grade classes reviewed the r-controlled sounds of ar, ur, er. The classes used these sounds in completing sentences. The third grades Third graders have been reading and understanding historical fiction selections and Native American selections. They are retelling story events using a sequence flow charts and story maps to identify narrative elements of in a story. They are also recognizing an author's use of figurative language. This month, students have been working on persuasive letters and reviews. They are working on writing paragraphs that compare and contrast. Also, they are practicing using different kinds of sentences in their writing-statements, questions, and exclamations. They are continuing to work on picture and poetry prompts. The fourth graders will continue working on the novel MANIAC MAGEE.  We will be making candy bars, comparing and contrasting characters, addressing the issue of racism and introducing many new words to their vocabulary. Also, we are still working with ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR READING SUCCESS to prepare for NJASK. The class will still be working with our TROPHIES reading series. Students are beginning to prepare for NJASK testing.  The main focus of the next few weeks will be on test prep.  This includes Personal Narratives and Picture Prompt Narratives.  In addition, a review of strong verbs and vivid adjectives will take place for grammar.  The fifth graders are working on persuasive speeches. They are also completing the grammar unit on pronouns. The students completed Theme Two Team Work in their reading textbook.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION-
The Kindergarten worked on relay races, parachute games and fitness runs. First and second graders concentrated on crab soccer, pin soccer and basketball as well as jump rope for heart. The third through fifth graders worked on jump rope for heart and basketball drills.

MUSIC: (All Elementary Schools)
Instrumental
5th: The fifth grade instrumental music students are learning dotted quarter note rhythms and are working in the key of A-flat Concert.
4th: The fourth grade instrumental music students are learning eighth note rhythms and are working on the B-flat Concert Scale.

WORLD LANGUAGE-
Kindergarten and first grade students are practicing animal vocabulary and learning about Valentine’s Day. The students in second and third grades are learning about places in town and practicing the animal vocabulary. Fourth and fifth graders are learning the rooms in a house and items contained in those rooms.
The students are preparing a Valentine’s Day card in Spanish. Second and third graders are presenting posters of their favorite animals and places where the animal lives. Fourth and fifth graders are presenting a poster about a room in the house and its contents.

MEDIA CENTER-
 A selection of books concerning Black History Month has been placed in the library.
Grade 5: We are working on inserting and replacing text in documents, inserting clip art, text wrapping and decimal tabs.
Grade 4: We are also working with inserting graphics into documents and making changes to them, as well as text wrapping.
Grade 3: They are learning to search for clip art and to place it into a document, how to add and /or delete and to change size and placement.
Grades 1 and 2 are reviewing basic word processing skills: shift, enter, space bar, proper spacing, delete. Second Graders are learning to save documents.
Kindergartners are being introduced to a word processing program.

Workshops -
High School –
• Ms. Perdomo is taking a graduate course entitled “Creating Partnerships with Families” in which she learned how important it is to establish a good communication with families making a big difference in student’s development.

Middle School- Nothing to report
Euclid School –
2/8/07- NJ ASK testing- Mrs. Weir
2/9- PE Seminar- Mr. Minichiello
2/11- PAC Meeting
2/12- School Master Training grades 3-5
2/13- Drum Presentation- Mrs. Cerasuolo
2/28- Bird Flu- Mrs. O’Donnell

Lincoln School -
1/17/07- Mrs. D’Amore ESL Testing Coordinator Workshop
Morris County Police and Fire Academy, Morris Plains
1/26/07 -Ms. Unglert NJASK Coordinator, Rutherford
2/8/07 - Ms. Unglert NJASK Coordinator, Rutherford
2/15/07- - Mr. Forte- IR&S @ Doyle E. S. Wood Ridge

General Administration - fire drills, day, date and time - from beginning of school year

High School –
Successful fire drills were held on:
• 9/12/06 @ 10:05 am
• 9/21/06 @ 9:04 am
• 10/3/06 @ 12:02 pm
• 10/20/06 @ 2:38 pm
• 11/3/06 @ 1:17 pm
• 11/16/06 @ 9:49 am
• 12/7/06 @ 1:17 pm
• 12/14/06 @ 9 am
• 1/4/07 @ 1:16 pm
• 1/12/07 @ 9:51 am
• 2/1/07 @ 11:02 am

Lockdown:

Elevator Tests:

• 9/18/06
• 10/13/06
• 11/15/06
• 12/9/06
• 1/12/07
• 1/16/07

 

Middle School-
Fire drills
9/12/06 @ 10:05 am
9/21/06 @ 9:04 am
10/3/06 @ 12:02 pm
10/20/06 @ 2:38 pm
11/3/06 @ 1:17 pm
11/16/06 @ 9:49 am
12/7/06 @ 1:17pm
12/14/06 @ 9:00am
1/4/07 @ 1:16pm
1/12/07 @ 9:51am
2/1/07 @ 11:01am

Elevator Tests:

• 9/18/06
• 10/13/06
• 11/15/06
• 12/9/06
• 1/12/07
• 1/16/07

Lock Down-


Euclid School –
Fire Drills
9/13/06
10/10/06
10/18/06
10/19/06
11/17/06
11/27/06
12/07/06
12/11/06
Lockdowns
10/31/06
11/06/06
11/30/06
1/15/07
1/25/07
Elevator Checks
9/21/06
10/16/06
11/15/06
12/12/06
1/15/07
2/9/07

 

 

Lincoln School -
Fire Drills
9/13/06
9/22/06
10/16/06
10/24/06
11/6/06
11/29/06
12/12/06
12/13/06
1/9/07
1/18/07
2/1/07
2/2/07

Lock Down
9/22/06
10/25/06
11/20/06
1/10/07
2/7/07

Elevator Check
9/22/06
10/16/06
11/06/06
12/12/06
1/12/07
2/7/07

Lincoln School -
Accomplishments -
High School –
• Mrs. Squillace’s students will research and present a poster about Puerto Rican cities in Spanish as well as learning about Valentine’s Day and make Spanish cards.
• Mr. Eggmann’s French III and IV students are participating in contacting a French pen pal for future correspondence in the spring. On January 6, students celebrated the traditional Feast Day of the Kings by sampling the golden brown puff pastry called “Galette des Rois.”
• Mrs. Carr’s Spanish II learned how to dance the “Meringue” for the talent show and receive extra credit for participating.
• Mrs. Carr’s Spanish IV class read one of Garcia Lorca’s plays entitled “Bodas de Sangre.” Lorca is a well-known writer from Spain in the twentieth century.
• Mrs. Carr’s Spanish V class read a play by Lorca entitled “Yerma” and are planning to see “Bodas de Sangre” at the Repertorio Espanol in New York City.
• Ms. Perdomo’s Spanish I students are now able to talk about what they do in their free time as well as talk about sports and find out about other’s free time activities.
• Mr. Taylor’s Concert Choir students are preparing and polishing up all selections for the “Pops Concert.”

 

 

Middle School-
• Ms. Perdomo reports that during the last weeks of the cycle, the sixth grade class was able to use Spanish 80% of the time.
• The seventh grade students from Ms. Perdomo’s class are more aware about the cultural differences between Spain and the United States. They are learning to describe their room and apply more structure to their speaking skills.
• Mr. McCarthy reports the seventh grade vocal cycle has accomplished understanding basic vocal techniques.
• Mr. McCarthy’s seventh grade general music cycle has learned that all classical music is not the same while the eighth grade general music cycle has learned about Dixieland Jazz.
• Mr. Taylor reports that “Lion King Medley” is almost completely learned and is ready for polishing.
Middle School Student Council
Middle School Student Council will hold a fundraiser on both February 8 and February 15, 2007. For the third consecutive year, Mrs. Rucci and Ms. Dolan will supervise a refreshment sale during intermission at both Middle School Talent Shows.
Middle Level Activities

Euclid School –
2/2/07- PTA lunchtime reading grades K-2
2/5- Dental Screening grades 1-2
2/7- Kindergarten Registration
2/7- PTA Afterschool Art Program
2/8- 100th Day of School, Activities grades K-2
2/8-9- 5th grade book report Power Point Presentations
2/16- Kindergarten Report Card Distribution
2/16- “What’s Blooming”- Planting Activities
2/26- Kickoff Spring Fundraiser

Lincoln School –
Black History Month
1/30 & 1/31 – Science Exchange
2/1 & 2/8 – Dental Screenings
2/2 Movie Night
2/12 Lincoln’s Birthday
2/13 NJASK Presentation at PTA Meeting
2/14 Abraham Lincoln Impersonator from the American Historical Society

Student Recognition
High School –
• The Editorial Board will be honored by the Hasbrouck Heights Town Council on February 13, 2007 for their work on the Pilot’s Log and the many national awards they won this year.
• Identification, the school literary magazine, was honored by the American Scholastic Press Association (Second Place Honors) and the National Council of Teachers of English (Above Average Honors) for last year’s edition
• Caitlin Scanlon was nominated for a seat on the board of The New Benefit Theatre. She attended an audition on February 4, 2007 and will find out if she has been selected the week of February 5th.
• Ms. Perdomo wishes to congratulate Melinda Orellano for her improvement in the second marking period.
• Mr. Taylor reports that auditioning for solos has taken place and two boys have been selected. Some eighth graders may also be singing in the high school choir as well.

Middle School-
Grade 7: The students of the month for January were Ashless Springston and Heather Herman.
Grade 8: Students of the Month for January are Emily Labattaglia and Patrick Cole.
Auditions have been completed for solos including a couple of eighth graders to join the high school choir as well as be in the middle school choir.

Euclid School –
The Star Students were recognized.
Birthday Recognition was given.
2/9/07- BUG Awards to Grades 4&5 for Bringing up Grades
Mrs. Simmons signed off on tests with a 90 or higher grade.

Lincoln School -

Staff Attendance by percentage & number

High School –
Attendance from 1/22/07 to 2/6/07 = 98%. 20 teachers were absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present is 98%.

Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 1/22/07 to 2/6/07= 100%. 0 teachers were tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 100%.

Substitute Information
During 1/22/07 to 2/6/07, 33.5 substitute teachers have been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 180.5.

Based on sick days, professional, field trips, testing, and
office sub.

Middle School
Attendance from 1/22/07 to 2/6/07 = 98%. 9 teachers were absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present are 97%.

Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 1/22/07 to 2/6/07 = 100%. 0 teachers were tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 100%.

Substitute Information
During 1/22/07 to 2/6/07, 17 substitute teachers have been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 125.5.

 

Euclid School –
Attendance from 1/19/07-2/9/07= 97.7%. 13 teachers/paraprofessionals were absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present are 98.4%.

Staff Punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 9/22/06-2/9/07=100%. 0 teachers were tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 100%.

Substitute Information
During 1/19/07-2/9/07, 9 substitutes were hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 60.
Lincoln School -
Attendance from 1/18/07 to 2/8/07 = 95.9%. 22 teachers were absent. Total absences from the beginning of the year to present is 159. Attendance from beginning of the year to present is 98.4%

Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 1/18/07 to 2/8/07 = 100%. No teachers were tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 100%.

Substitute Information
During 1/18/07 to 2/8/07 - 18.5 substitute teachers have been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to the present = 69.

Press Releases -
High School - Nothing to report
Middle School- Nothing to report
Euclid School –
The Observer, 1/25/07- DARE Graduation.
The Gazette, February 2007- Spelling Bee; DARE
The Observer, 2/8/07- Test Results & Analysis, (Mrs. Simmons)
Lincoln School – Nothing to report

Presentations:

High School- Testing – Mr. Eggman, Mrs. Healey and Mrs. Meyer.
Middle School- Testing, Mrs. O’Hagen, Mrs. Healey and Mrs. Meyer.

Bloustein Scholars

Kaitlin Olcott
Stephaine Pankiw
Joseph Wojciechowski
Caitlin J. Walsh

 

 

 

 

 

In State Field Trips Do Not Require Board Of Education Approval.
Level: High School
Event: Reading to Kindergarten classes
Date: January 11, 2007
Location: Lincoln School
Grade Level: 9 Number of Students: 45
Chaperons: Mr. Pankiewicz and Mrs. Stevenson

Level: High School
Event: Induction Journalism Honor Society
Date: March 2, 2007
Location: Hasbrouck Heights High School Media Center
Grade Level: 10th – 12th Number of Students: 50
Chaperons: Mrs. Geftic and Mr. Pankiewicz

Level: High School
Event: N.J. Shakespeare Theatre – Drew University
Date: March 7, 2007
Location: Drew University – Madison, NJ
Grade Level: 12th Number of Students: 30
Chaperons: Mrs. Czekaj and Mrs. Mikulka

Level: High School
Event: FDU Lab Trip
Date: March 23, 2007
Location: FDU, Hackensack, NJ
Grade Level: 12th Number of Students: 11
Chaperons: Mr. Pignatiello

Level: High School
Event: FDU Lab Trip
Date: April 19, 2007
Location: FDU, Hackensack, NJ
Grade Level: 12th Number of Students: 11
Chaperons: Mr. Pignatiello

Level: High School
Event: AP History/ Field Trip to State House
Date: March 29, 2007
Location: NJ Police Museum and State House, Trenton, NJ
Grade Level: 12th Number of Students: 27
Chaperons: Ms. Cassidy and Mrs. Czekaj

Level: Elementary
Event: Summer Quest (Summer Workbook Series)
Date: May 1 – June 1, 2007
Location: Euclid School
Grade Level: K-5 Number of Students: 360
Chaperons: Euclid School PTA

Level: Elementary – High School
Event: Summer Program: Social Skills group for Special Education Students
Date: July 5 – July 26, 2007
Location: Euclid School - Extended school year
Grade Level: 1st – 12th Number of Students: 20
Chaperons: Ms. Dawn Johnson