HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent’s Report
May 25, 2006

Curriculum and Instruction -
High School –

WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III students are learning about the working world, writing resumes, going on job interviews, and looking for employment.
Mrs. Squillace’s Spanish I students learned how to order food in a typical restaurant and shop for groceries while Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish I students are learning about the world of Spanish television and the movies.
Mrs. Carr’s Spanish III students worked in groups to write and perform an original dialog on a job interview. Appropriate language structure for letter writing was used in this activity.
Mrs. Carr’s Spanish IV students are going to study Cervantes and his masterpiece “Don Quijote.”
Mrs. Washburn’s Italian students are researching information in Italian and English on the internet about their backgrounds as well as their family’s heritage and deliver an oral report. On the internet, they will research the various regions from which the Italians immigrated from as well as where they settled in the United States during the late eighteen and early nineteen hundreds.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT –

Mr. Ascolese is preparing selections for the marching band and color guard for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies to be held on Monday, May 29, 2006 and the upcoming Spring Concert to be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 including “The Girl from Ipanema” and Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” The Latin feel is kept in place with the bass player and drummer. Also, preparations are under way for next year’s marching band season.
Mr. Vanamo is preparing vocal selections like “One Voice” and “You Raise Me Up” with the Concert Choir.

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Hicswa’s Biology classes are studying invertebrates. They began their lab study of invertebrates by dissecting the earthworm. Parasitic worms were discussed- their impact on various populations, their diversity, life cycles, etc. The following group to be reviewed was the Arthropod phylum. The organism dissected as a representative of this group was the crayfish. This organism is the freshwater equivalent of the lobster. Knowing this, the students were better able to relate what they knew about the lobster to the organism they were dissecting. Both of these dissections were reviewed using a new computer program purchased this year.
Mr. Pignatiello’s Chemistry classes have begun to explore acids and bases. The students are studying pH, pOH, [H+] and [OH-]. The students are learning experimentally what household items are acidic or basic. The students have learned how to use natural indicators to explore the strengths of acids and bases. The AP chemistry class is reviewing for their AP exam on Wednesday, May 10, 2006. The students will resume class on Thursday to start on their final end of year project.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Environmental Science class has been studying land pollution. Students researched specific cases such as Love Canal, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Woburn , MA to find the problems then and present conditions and long term effects.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Physical Science students ran the stairs to solve calculations of work and power. This is part of their study of simple machines and mechanical advantage.
Mr. Binazeski’s Physical Science students continued their study of Physics. Students learned about energy, work, power, efficiency, work in, work out, simple machines, pulleys, levers, fulcrum, block and tackle, gears, wheel and axle and ramps. Experiments were preformed to investigate power and work.
Mr. Binazeski’s Environmental Science students continued their study of types of solid waste with an emphasis on hazardous waste. Students learned about the effects on humans and the environment with the use of vinyl chloride. Students will conduct a research project on the effects of dumping hazardous waste in the United States and investigate the long-range goals of cleaning up this waste.
Mr. Lentis’ Chemistry classes have begun to explore acids and bases. The students are studying pH, pOH, [H+] and [OH-]. The students are learning experimentally what household items are acidic or basic. The students have learned how to use natural indicators to explore the strengths of acids and bases. The AP chemistry class is reviewing for their AP exam on Wednesday, May 10, 2006. The students will resume class on Thursday to start on their final end of year project.

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Michaeli's AP Statistics class learned how to carry out a test of significance and calculate a confidence interval for the slope of a regression line. They also reviewed for the AP Exam.
Mrs. Michaeli's Algebra 2 classes learned how to identify and sketch the translations of exponential functions, how to evaluate logarithmic expressions and how to use the properties of logarithms to expand and condense expressions.
Mr. Mastropietro's AP Calculus class is reviewing for AP Exam and taking the Calculus final exam. After the AP, the students will begin year end projects where the students are entrepreneurs who are opening a brand new store in the mall. Students will learn first hand all the difficulties and hidden expenses in opening and managing a store.
Mr. Mastropietro’s S tatistics class will be completing chapter 6, Rules of Probability, and will begin chapter 7 Expectations and decisions.
Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 9 class will learn methods of breaking down complicated word problems, reviewing transformation, (translate, reflect and rotations), and beginning a geometry unit.
Mr. Mastropietro’s Foundations of Advanced Mathematics class will be finishing up their college entrance practice exams. The class will begin working on their year-end project of managing a store in the mall.
Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 10 class will be working on a geometry unit, a HSPA Statistics unit, and will learn methods of breaking down complicated word problems.
Mrs. O'Brien's Algebra I students are able to perform several operations on polynomials. They can add, subtract, and multiply polynomials. As well we learned how to factor polynomials and used this concept to solve quadratic equations.
Mrs. O’Brien’s HSPA 9 students were busy developing a variety of strategies for determining perimeter, circumference and area. They also had to express mathematically and explain the impact of change on an object’s perimeter or area. As well we described geometric objects algebraically. Lastly we were able to determine the mean, median, mode, and range of a set of data and selected appropriate measures of central tendency to describe data.
Mrs. O’Brien’s Fundamental’s of Algebra I students are solving proportions by multiplying both sides of their equation by the common denominator. As well, we are simplifying rational expressions by first factoring and then dividing out our common factors.
Mrs. Healey’s Precalculus classes are studying trigonometry: They have derived the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines, utilized the reciprocal and Pythagorean Identities, and have learned to graph the trig functions.
Mrs. Healey’s Fundamentals IV class is completing a unit on quadratic equations. They have learned to solve by factoring and by using the quadratic formula. Students are also in the process of taking their placement tests for college.
Mr. Strama’s Geometry classes just concluded their studies on trigonometric ratios. They are currently studying Tangents, Arcs, and Chords. They will gain further understanding on the topics when getting into the various theorems relating to Tangents, Arcs, and Chords.
Mr. Strama’s Honors Geometry class is working with Tangents, Arcs, and Chords. Students are familiar with central angles, inscribed angles and their relationship to circles and angle measures. Students will further their knowledge with angles and segments. They will solve problems involving lengths of chords, secant segments, and tangent segments.
Mr. Strama’s SAT class is currently taking practice tests. Students will continue to gain better understanding of mathematical concepts, specifically; probability, geometry, and advanced algebraic skills. Students will over achieve and increase their scores with time saving and test taking strategies.
Mr. Monks’ Fundamentals of Geometry is starting the section on calculating vector direction and magnitude which will complete their work in chapter 9.
Mr. Monks’ Algebra I class will begin to apply their newly learned skill of factoring by solving polynomial equations.
Mr. Monks’ Geometry class is currently working with circles to determine inscribed angle and arc measurements. They will be looking at chord and tangent lengths next.
Mr. Monks’ HPSA class is now working on sharpening their SAT skills and is currently working on factoring and polynomial expressions.
Mr. Monks’ Honors Algebra II class has completed working through Chapter 10 dealing in calculations and simplification of rational expressions.
Mrs. Rad’s Fundamentals of Algebra 2 class is interpreting data displayed by line graphs.
Mrs. Rad’s HSPA 9 class is creating a plan to solve a variety of different types of word problems. Students are writing equations from their plan to solve the problem.
Mrs. Rad’s Integrated Math 4 class is studying problems, deciding what information is given, necessary, and needed in order to solve the problem. Then they are solving the problem.
Mrs. Rad’s HSPA 10 class is writing an equation students created from reading the word problem in order to solve for the unknown.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Fundamentals of Geometry students have been using proportions to determine actual measures from scale drawings. This is part of their study of similar figures.
Mrs. Stoehs’ Fundamentals of Algebra class is solving and graphing linear equations using a table of values. They have also discovered that the same equation can be solved using the intercepts.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT –

Mr. Smith’s English 9 classes recently completed thorough reading and discussion of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. We are now viewing two films related to the unit after which all students will write a comparative analysis for their writing folders. The movies being viewed are the film version of Romeo and Juliet and the acclaimed musical Westside Story.
Mr. Smith’s Genres in Critical Thinking class is currently surveying films from the comedy genre. Films include the well-known satire “Stepford Wives”, “Uncle Buck”, “Shreck” and the teenage comedy, “Mean Girls.” After we finish comedy, we will be finishing the year by sampling some highlights of each genre studied.
Mr. Smith’s HSPA English 10 class is now well in to our reading, discussing, and writing about Orwell’s 1984. Most recently, reading quizzes have been given which assesses students’ comprehension using HSPA type open-ended questions.
Miss Venneman’s HSPA English 9 classes are identifying the dynamics of various relationships present in the novel Of Mice and Men. Students are also responding to open-ended comprehension questions after each chapter that is read and discussed in class.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9H class has begun their in-depth study of William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. They will concentrate on the symbolism, the characters, the themes, and the plot line as they read, discuss, and write about the various aspects of the novel.
Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 class has completed their reading of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet and will be view the movie after which they will write a comparative essay not only noting the differences but analyzing what they feel these changes were made.
Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 classes concluded their study of The Great Gatsby by watching the recent A&E video, and by submitting their final 1920’s research papers. They are now reading short stories and poetry by Poe, Melville, and Hawthorne, the writers of the American Renaissance.

Mrs. Czekaj’s College/AP Literature 12 class concluded their study of poetry by writing a paper of in-depth analysis on an individually selected poem. They took the AP Composition and Literature test, a three-hour-long exam that included two hours of essay writing, on May 4.

Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare Honors class presented its annual assembly for the 9th grade and selected other students on April 19. The comic compilation of Shakespeare’s plays was very well received. These students are to be commended for their enthusiasm and daring.
Ms. Kos’ English 9 class has just completed their in-class reading of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Students are now working on a number of HSPA-style writing assignments centered on the major literary themes of the play. At the completion of this unit, students will work on a writing process unit, in which they concentrate on expressive writing.

Ms. Kos’ English 10 class recently finished their unit on The Great Gatsby and are now participating in a writing workshop. This workshop utilizes a number of HSPA-style writing tasks and emphasizes teacher conferences and peer review activities aimed at improving the quality of student revisions.

Ms. Kos’ English 11 class is thoroughly enjoying Anthony Burgess’ novel, A Clockwork Orange, as part of their British literature program. Students are using the novel’s innovative structure and ‘invented’ language to examine how context unlocks meaning in literature. At the novel’s completion, students will begin work on the 11th grade research project.
Ms. Kos’ English 12 class is finishing reading Russell Bank’s novel, Rule of the Bone independently. The class will then spend 2-3 weeks in the computer lab, where they will work on a career research project, to be completed before senior final exams.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 Honors class completed a unit on Emerson and Thoreau by creating posters of leaders who exemplified transcendentalist beliefs. The projects mostly portrayed historical figures that protested unjust laws using non-violent protest. Most recently, the class finished a unit on Dickinson and Whitman by analyzing poems by de Hoyos and Hughes that challenged Whitman’s American ideals.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s Creative Writing class created responses to jobs that they found in the classified section of the newspaper. In addition, wrote essays about a person in our school whom they found heroic. Sarah Jarocki, sophomore, was chosen as a regional finalist for her essay on a real-life hero using recent newspaper articles (3 out of 205 essays were chosen). Her essay has been forward by The New Jersey Press Foundation to be judged at the state level.
Ms. Monetti’s Genre & Critical Thinking classes are in the middle of a unit on action adventure movies. We just finished watching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Students are working on their final exam project at home. They have to read a book that has been turned into a movie and compare and contrast the movie with the book.
Ms. Monetti’s English 10 class just finished watching the movie The Great Gatsby. The research project on the 1920s is due the first week of June. We are presently working on a unit on Transcendentalism.
Ms. Monetti’s English 11 class has two more acts until Macbeth meets with his tragic end. In addition, the students are working on the Careers Research Project.
Ms. Monetti’s HSPA English students are in the middle of reading The Catcher in the Rye. Students are keeping a reader response journal of their reaction to the novel.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11 classes are concluding their study of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The students have applied the Senecan elements of a tragedy to this drama and have noted the poetic justice in the ending. The classes will be beginning their careers and colleges research project and will be studying examples of various writing forms.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors class is currently working on their three-part research project that includes researching a British poet from the Romantic period; analyzing a selected poem; and creating an original model that reflects the poet’s style and artistry. The students are familiarizing themselves with the MLA format for a research paper and are also studying Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Mr. Van Dam’s English 12-Honors class is continuing their study of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and is completing a comparative study of the various video interpretations of this tragic classic. The class recently celebrated a “Mission Accomplished” day upon the news that all of the students have successfully been accepted into a college of their choice.
Mrs. Geftic’s journalism students are currently working on the last edition of the Pilot’s Log. This issue will feature a salute to the class of 2006. Other articles of note focus on such school functions as the Shakespeare play, Mr. Heights contest and the trip to Italy.
Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students are completing the reading of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Besides acting out the play, the students discussed such themes as revenge and insanity. They wrote their own “To Be or Not To Be” soliloquy. Besides reading the play, students viewed Brannagh’s version of Hamlet.
Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students are reading literary selection about westward expansion and the Civil War. Selected pieces include “To Build a Fire” by Jack London and “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce.
Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Communications students are currently watching a miniseries that shows two perspectives of the settling of the west. The students will draw parallels between two families, one Lakota and one Settler. Students will pay close attention to the role of the press and how it influences the opinion of the population. Students will decide whether the press used exaggeration and embellishment to sell newspapers.
Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Drama students are busy rehearsing Who Poisoned His Meatball and completing production of the behind the scenes.

ART DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Reed’s painting classes have reproduced a painting of a master artist’s work, such as Picasso, Monet, Manet etc. Students have completed several square paintings where the same theme and color scheme have been used. Presently they are working on a combination painting, where students researched two artists and two paintings and are combining them into their own composition painting with a detailed description.
Mrs. Reed’s graphic design class has completed menu designs where students had to create layouts for a 3D design. The class has created t-shirt designs for the Hasbrouck Heights run/walk as well as famous artist birthday invitations, where students incorporated information about the artist’s life and a reproduction of their work. Students have created drawings of a fashion/accessory designs or create a horror movie poster, this is part one of the project.
Mrs. Reed’s students are working on view drawing of their fashion design or creating drawings of a collectible that would go along with their horror movie. Students were taught the process of silk-screening and students will be working on this throughout the marking period.
Mrs. Brinker’s Multicultural Arts class has just completed their calligraphy unit. Students practiced this ancient art for four weeks and mastered the Uncial alphabet. Each student completed their work in this unit by handing in a folder of practice work and a quote of their choice written in calligraphy on parchment paper.
Mrs. Kritzer’s Painting classes are studying Art History through their paintings. They have chosen two different artists from two different movements. They must change one of the paintings by using the other artist’s styles.
Mrs. Kritzer’s Advanced Art students are working on a semi- independent study. They have chosen a theme and must do ten projects of their choice that are theme related. This is a great way to get them ready for college classes. They must really practice time management to complete ten projects.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH EDUCATION -

Grades 9 – 12 All physical education classes are playing wiffleball, badminton, handball and fitness center.
Ms. Gaccione’s 9th grade health class has been working on the alcohol and drug unit. Students have discussed the short term and long term effects of alcohol and drug laws so far.
Mr. Scuilla’s 12th grade health class is working on the unit on sexually transmitted diseases.
Mrs. Miller and Mr. Scuilla 11th grade health classes finishing up the unit on dating abuse and domestic violence. They will start a unit on contraception discussing effectiveness and side effects.
All 11 & 12th graders participated in a drunk driving demonstration with the police department. Each student had the opportunity to drive a golf cart through a course set up by the police department, after they drove through once they then put on goggles that made them seem like they had BAC between .08 to 10. Each student drove with a police officer or physical education teachers.

INDUSTRIAL ART -

Mr. Masucci’s high school class is continuing to make shaker tables. The classes made a shaker table for the main office and fixed a shelf in the copy room.

SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT -

Mrs. Valenti’s World History students just completed viewing the film "A Knights Tale" which centered around life during the Medieval period. Specifically the feudal system and the sport of jousting were the highlight of the film. Before seeing the film, the students studied both topics in detail.
Mrs. Valenti Honors World History: The students also have been studying Medieval Europe with a focus on religion and politics. Our discussions have centered on the establishment of the separation of church and state and the Magna Carta/Constitution. Both of these topics are relevant to our present day society.
Ms. Cassidy’s U.S. History I classes have completed study of the Civil War and have begun the study of Reconstruction. Discussion took place on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments and the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
Ms. Cassidy’s A.P. History class completed review and took the A.P. History exam on May 5, 2006. The students are currently completing a book review.
Mr. Warren's U.S. History I classes have just wrapped up their in-depth study of the Civil War and will be exploring how the country recovered through the Reconstruction methods employed by the government. The students will explore the controversial black codes, Civil Rights Act of 1866 that led to the fourteenth amendment that extended the right to vote to African American males. The class will also analyze the growing westward expansion and how it threatened the Native American way of life.
Ms. McGinty’s U.S. History II classes followed the military campaigns, political decisions and efforts on the home front that won WWII. Key issues and figures discussed included Japanese Internment, Rosie the Riveter, The Tuskegee Airmen, Iwo Jima, the Atomic Bomb. Students analyzed the applications of WWII technology. Students developed their visual literacy with the viewing of the motion picture Saving Private Ryan.
In addition to analyzing primary source documents and D B Q’s, Mrs McGinty’s Honors class conducted a debate on the use of the Atomic bomb.

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT -

Mr. Ketcho’s Consumer Economics class-Daily business current event topics discussed finished Chapter 12 – “Investing In Stocks”. Lecture, tests, vocabulary terms, for review questions, application for decision making, life situation problems, facts and ideas in review, class work, and homework reinforcing the material were completed.
Accounting I and Automated Accounting II –
Accounting I - Daily business current event topics discussed, finished Chapter 8 – “Financial Statements for a Proprietorship”. Tests, study guide quiz, work together problems, on your own problems, and homework assignments covered.
Automated Accounting II - Daily business current event topics discussed began Chapter 7 “Discounts, Debit Memos, and Credit Memos”. Tutorials, practice problems, applying your information skills all completed.
Word Processing I and II Oceanview Associates, Inc. – A Word Processing Practice Set Pages 1 to 18 and Jobs #1.1 to #3.5 were completed
Computer Applications 8 Cycle Cycle#4 continued over March. Cycle#4 – T-Shirt Factory – A Keyboarding Simulation – pages 1 to 41and Jobs #1 to #15 were completed.
The Stock Market Game – We Played and We Won!

Well after 10 weeks the NJ Stock Market Game is finally over and HHHS has won! Our top two teams increased their initial investment by an amazing 57% to an incredible $114,000 dollar profit!
Congratulations goes out to Team#1 Captain - Jason Buffone, Team#2 Captain - Joe Bruno, Chris Awad, Dan Ryan, Jamie Pasqualone, Stephanie Pankiw, John Cross, Kaitlyn Gianni, Katrina Mongon, and Mike Morici for coming in Second and Third place out of 2,400 teams in the entire state of New Jersey!
All winners and a parent will be honored May 16th at a very special awards ceremony given by the New Jersey Council of Economic Education. Thanks go out to all HHHS competitors.

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

Mrs. Mikulka-In the last month, the Library Media Center has been the site for the Italian Festival, the Middle Level Science Fair, the school budget vote, the Freshman Transition Project, and Advanced Placement Testing.
Some of the teachers who managed to schedule Library time for their classes around all these events were Mr. Van Dam (gr. 11 H English, British poets), Mrs. Stoehs, Mrs. Washburn, and Ms. Monetti (gr. 11 English, Careers research.)
Mrs. Marano's Computer Applications class is continuing their work with Adobe PhotoShop. Students are learning various selection techniques and learning to combine images and work with channels.

Future projects including working with more of the retouching tools and color/image enhancement.
Mrs. Marano's Computer Cycle 9 class is learning the difference between draw and paint programs and students are completing projects using the tools. Upcoming projects will include creating a brochure and a research presentation.

USE OF LAPTOP - HIGH SCHOOL

Mrs. Washburn’s Italian independent students will continue to improve their pronunciation skills through listening and repetition, as well as the application of rules through reading and writing. Structural exercises will also be completed in reading, listening, and writing. In addition, there are many vocabulary exercises as well to improve their understanding of the Italian language.
Mrs. Healey - Lesson plans, grades and reports are regularly prepared using Excel. Word is used for test & quiz preparation. The internet has been used for email communication with students, parents, and staff members. It has also been used for research purposes to provide teachers with additional teaching materials to be used in their classrooms for test preparation. Materials are easily shared using Adobe Acrobat.
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. HSPA 11 worksheets are being generated from Adobe Acrobat.
Mrs. Stoehs - The laptop has been very useful for on the spot research. In our discussion of land pollution in Environmental Science, we were able to identify landfills in our area as well as their present status. We also found chemicals common in industrial waste, their role in production and their toxic effects.
Mrs. Hicswa - Dissections were reviewed using a new computer program purchased this year.
Mrs. Schneeweiss’ laptop computer is being used to study the progression of the settler and to investigate famous historical figures. It is also being used to preview musicals for next year’s plays.
Mrs. Geftic’s Journalism students used the laptop to create graphics for the newspaper as well as to prepare articles for publication.
Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students used the laptop to view a modern version of the speech “To Be or Not To Be.”
Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students used the laptop to view a Real Media Player version of the Film, “The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.” In addition, the students listened to two spirituals on the Internet, “Go Down Moses” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” Students created their own “freedom” songs.
Mr. Pankiewicz’s students utilized the laptop computer to complete this year’s edition of Identification, the school literary magazine, which has been sent out for a proof copy. It should be published in early June.
Mrs. McGinty- Utilizing The Americans software and the LCD, students viewed images from WWII, participated in a review activity, and benefited from a PowerPoint chapter review.
Mr. Ketcho-I lead all my instruction with this device hooked up to a document camera and a LCD projector. www.fdu.edu/rothman and www.stockmarketgame.org are accessed to demonstrate to my classes how to navigate these applications and web-sites. Please jump on these sites to explore yourself. Lesson plans, E-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, internet access, CD’s for additional instructional material – on-line text books, graphics, library material, almost everything I do somehow utilizes my district issued laptop computer. The most progressive educational institutions on our planet are issuing laptop computers to all staff members and students to eliminate all the heaviness associated with books, paper, and wires.

I would not be able to do my job without it.

Middle School-
WORLD LANGUAGES:

Mrs. Cafferty’s seventh graders are learning about Central America and the Caribbean by creating maps and doing presentations on the various regions in those areas.
Mrs. Squillace’s eighth graders are expressing who and what they know and describe daily routines in more detail as well as professions and family members in Spanish.
Ms. Krysz’s sixth graders are learning places in the world where Spanish is spoken by labeling maps of Spain, South America, Central America, and North America. The class discussions focus on the art and architecture of Spain as well as the food and customs of the country. The Spanish alphabet has also been introduced.

Music:

Mr. McCarthy has completed his lesson plans for the past month. Cycle four has also been completed. Additionally, Mr. McCarthy is working on American Music with the 8th graders and the Baroque and Classical Periods with the seventh graders.
Ms. Moroney’s cycle four class has ended with one student matriculating into the sixth grade band. Her new cycle has begun with an introduction to tone production and hand position. Practice continues for the Spring Concert with the sixth grade band.
Mr. Vanamo reports practice continues with the Middle Level Choir in two and three part harmony for the upcoming Spring Concert. Selections include Mozart’s “Alleluja” as well as a Stephen Foster Medley.

Math:

Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Honors Geometry classes have been interpreting graphs and working with lines of symmetry, reflections, and rotations. Students have begun work with experimental probability. This will lead into further discussion of theoretical probability, counting principle, permutations and combinations.
Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Geometry classes have been exploring ratios and working with metric and customary units of measure. The first week of April was spent preparing for and taking the New Jersey ASK. Students have begun work with experimental probability. This will lead into further discussion of theoretical probability and the counting principle.
Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Algebra students have been working with percents, fractions and decimals. The first week of April was spent preparing for and taking the New Jersey ASK. Students have been working with number lines and exploring inequalities and absolute value. They have begun to add and subtract integers. Subsequent lessons will include work with exponents, functions and graphing on the coordinate plane.
Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade Geometry students are currently learning about Fair and Unfair Games along with starting a unit on Proportions. The students have been experimenting with proportions in fun ways to keep them interested in a difficult topic. They have also been reviewing word problems in preparation for the S Test.
Mr. Strama’s 6th grade honors Algebra class are working with tables, rules and graphs. Students will learn how to interpret graphs and express linear graphs by writing functions. The main focus is to prepare students for the graphing points in 4 quadrants. Towards the end of the month students will begin graphing linear equations.
Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade algebra classes will be having a Mid-chapter test on Chapter 11, Coordinate Planes and Slope. We will continue with chapter 11 throughout year-end.
Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade algebra honors class will be having a mid chapter test on chapter 10, Functions and Linear Equations. All classes have completed their gepa folders. All classes also had the opportunity to meet and be taught by their 8th grade math teachers while Mrs. Caputo was on the Washington trip with the current 8th grade students.
Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade geometry mainstream students are completing the year off with Chapter 9, Using Probability. gepa folders have been completed.
Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade geometry honors class will finish the year off with Chapter 11 Probability. gepa review folders are completed. All of Mr. Sickels’ math class had the opportunity to meet and be taught by their upcoming 8th grade math teacher while he was in Washington on the trip with the current 8th grade students.
Mr. Aldea's 8th grade geometry classes will be finishing Chapter 9 on Geometry and Measurement. Students will learn about three-dimensional figures such as prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and cones. The main focus will be on finding surface areas and volumes of these figures. At the end of the chapter, students will be responsible for knowing all of the formulas for surface area and volume in preparation for a chapter test. Towards the end of the month, the classes will begin a chapter on Probability.
Mr. Aldea's 8th grade honors topics class will be finishing a chapter on solving and graphing linear inequalities. Students will learn how to solve inequalities in one variable and two variables. The connection between absolute value and inequalities will also be addressed.
Mrs. Dunne’s 8th grade Algebra I class is factoring polynomials. They are learning to recognize the type of product; common monomial, difference of 2 squares and quadratic trinomial, then factor the product.
Mrs. Dunne’s Math 8 classes are solving verbal products using the strategy of equations. The next topic will be inequalities. Students will be able to describe, graph and solve inequalities.

Science:

Mr. Rispoli’s 6th grade science classes are learning about the human body. They learned how the body maintains its inner balance by homeostasis. Students were able to identify how the body reacts to different factors while maintaining homeostasis. The skeletal system is the first body system they will learn. So far they know the five functions of the system and the types of joints in the system. They also took a quiz in which they had to identify 20 major bones in the skeletal system. The muscular system and skin system are next.
Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science classes are beginning their unit on entomology. They have a variety of insects in the classroom including, tiger swallowtails, spicebush swallowtails, tobacco hornworms, promethea moth, luna moth, lady bird beetles, praying mantis egg sacks and there is more to come. The students will make observations as the insects go through different stages of metamorphosis. This unit will be reinforced when they attend the camping trip later this month. They are getting very excited about their camp experience!
Mr. Cassiere’s 8th grade students are concluding a lengthy section on chemical bonding. A lab was recently completed illustrating the characteristics of covalent and ionic bonds from various materials. Students will now be introduced to organic chemistry (chapter 13). Next week students will be synthesizing aspirin by combining two fundamental organic compounds. A brief introduction to nomenclature will be conducted prior to this chapter.
Mrs. Marano's Computer Cycle 6 and 7 classes have completed their PowerPoint presentations about themselves and are beginning a project using the drawing tools in Microsoft Word.

Art Department:

Mrs. Reed’s art 7 class has begun their last cycle. Students have completed a reproduction of one of O’Keefe’s works in oil pastels, using her style and techniques.

Students are learning about the life and works of Mantises. The class is creating paper cutouts in his style and using his techniques.

Mrs. Brinker’s Art 6 cycles has just completed a pizza box design assignment. Students were challenged to design an empty pizza box using one planet as a motif. The outsides of the boxes were decorated and inside the box each student created a paper pizza divided into eight slices with a fact about the planet on each slice. This class exhibited creativity and problem solving skills in completing this assignment.

Physical Education:

Mrs. Kolich’s 6-grade health classes are doing a unit on friendship and how to get along with other people.
Mr. Delcalzo’s 7-grade health classes are finishing up the unit how to get help and other resources available for family and friends who may have a drinking problem.
Mrs. Gaccione’s 8 grade health classes are doing the DARE program with Lt. Mullins.

Shop:

Mr. Masucci’s cycle classes are making cutting boards.

Social Studies:

Mrs. Gay's seventh grade Social Studies classes participated in a Wetlands interdisciplinary unit with Mrs. Toy's Science classes and Mrs. Rowland's English classes. The focus of the Social Studies portion of the unit was the geological history of the Meadowlands, the migration and settlement of people into the area- from the Lenni Lenape Indians to European immigrants and the negative and positive elements of human-environment interaction in the area. Students were assessed on journals they created before, during, and following their field trip to the Meadowlands wetlands.
Mrs. Rucci’s Eighth Grade Social Studies classes highlight of the year was the trip to Washington, D.C. It was a great success thanks to the help of the dedicated teacher and parent chaperones and the excellent behavior of this eighth grade. We all had a terrific time visiting monuments and museums, attending a fancy dinner dance, and having fun with friends on the bus ride and at the hotel. Based on the trivia game we played and class discussions, the students did learn so much about our nation’s capital. I’m very proud of them – I knew this would be a fun group!

The students who went on the trip are putting together a scrapbook during the next couple of weeks while those who stayed in Heights are each working on a research project on a Washington, D.C. monument, memorial, or famous building. Part of the latter project is to construct a model of the site. These will be on display in Rm.322 during the month of May.

Though we reviewed all the wars before the trip, we are now going back to more details of World War I and II. We’ve covered the contributions of both Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt as well. In the Junior Scholastic magazines, featured articles were about South America, Serbia-Herzegovina, and the present immigration situation in the U.S.

Language Arts:

Ms. Wolf’s sixth grade language arts classes have been quite busy discussing and perfecting subject and verb agreement. The classes have also continued to complete writing tasks on a weekly basis. These tasks have focused on timed writing using persuasive techniques and pictures. Ms. Wolf’s classes continue to broaden their vocabulary with a new word to define everyday and Spelling Units.

In addition to the normal curriculum, Ms. Wolf’s classes took part in a mini unit exploring the tragedies of the Holocaust. This was in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Mr. Stillman's Literature 8 Honors class is continuing their study of Romeo & Juliet. They are preparing to compare the classic to the more modern West Side Story.
Mr. Stillman's Literature 8 classes are reading Soldier X, a fictionalized account of events on the Russian front of WWII.
Mrs. Rowland’s 7th grade English classes are reading Anne Frank with World War II as background and concentrating on the theme of Prejudice. Students are incorporating vocabulary and answering thought-provoking questions both written and oral. This will culminate with a black and white picture prompt. Students will be expected to write clearly using literary terms, incorporate vocabulary, and demonstrate knowledge of the subject.
Miss Venneman’s 7th grade Literature classes are currently reading The Wave. Students are identifying plot elements, which includes the sequence of events, the climax, and conclusion. By completing their Book Projects, students are also identifying various literary elements such as metaphor, simile, imagery, flashback, and foreshadow.
Mr. Sicilian’s English 8 classes are working on the final vocabulary units for the year. The units continue to enforce word usage, word origin, and context clue sentence writing.

The classes are also working on some informal writing pieces from their list of genre topics. Material being covered is also preparing students for final exam concepts.
Mr. Sicilian’s English 8 Honors class is continuing its work with the vocabulary development units. In addition to this, the class is working on the Autobiography unit being implemented as a pilot project for the Honors curriculum. Students will be reading Don’t Play Dead Before You have To as part of the autobiography unit. This will be a “leisure” read so the teacher can receive feedback on the book and consider implementing it in next year’s curriculum.
Ms. Dolan’s 6th Grade Literature students have begun to read The Giver, by Lois Lowry. The students began the book by creating their own idea of a Utopia. The students worked in groups to decide their Utopia’s name, type of government, slogan, etc. The students had a great time trying to decide exactly what would make up the “perfect” society. After completing this activity, the students were introduced to Jonas and his perfect “community.” They are already beginning to question whether or not his community really is perfect.

After the students complete the S Test during the week of May 8, 2006, the students will continue with the second half of the book.
Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 8 class is reading Soldier X, a fictionalized account of events on the Russian front of WWII.
Mr. Colangelo’s Literature 7 classes are currently reading The Wave. Students will be aware of the usage of various literary terms present in their story. At the conclusion of the novel, students will complete a book project.
Mr. Colangelo’s Creative Writing 7 class is currently working on autobiography, journal, essay, and newspaper writing. At the end of the month they will work on stories without endings.
Mr. Colangelo’s Study Skill 6 class just completed their first quiz on lessons 1-5 in their study skill workbook. They will continue working out of their workbooks, You Can Take Charge, while taking complete and accurate notes.

6th Grade Technology Pilot Program

Sixth Grade Team

May 2006

Michelle DiPiano – Math

Algebra and Geometry:

Technology: Weekly quizzes, tests, and worksheets are created daily using Microsoft Word and the Prentice Hall Computer Item Generator CD. Final Exams are also currently being created using these programs. Grades are entered weekly using the Grade Master Program. The Grade Master Program was also used to calculate Marking Period 4 progress report and final grades and this has been very helpful when meeting with students and parents during our team meetings or during phone conversations.

Algebra: During the past few weeks the students have been investigating integers. They have become familiar with algebra tiles and are able to model the addition and subtraction of integers using the tiles. Students have also completed integer practice from http://edhelper.com. They really enjoyed the activity that involved writing integers to represent different descriptions at http://edhelper.com/math/integers1. These activities gave the students a better understanding of integers and how to add and subtract negatives and positives other than memorizing the “rules”

Geometry: Students completed a Cinco De Mayo activity from http://abcteach.com. This was a fun extra practice on using charts to answer word problems. The activity used line graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, and stories on the history of Cinco De Mayo. The students then used the information to answer questions and to make other charts and graphs. Students will also be completing a project from http://coolmath.com. This activity will involve Probability which has just been introduced in class.

Karen Dolan – Literature

A link to review questions for The Giver is available link on the sixth grade website. This address to find this link is as follows: http://ms.hhschools.org/six. By following this link, the students are able to take comprehension quizzes regarding their reading.

Additionally, Ms. Dolan completed all research regarding this novel using the Internet and the laptop provided through the Sixth Grade Technology Pilot Program.

Finally, with Final Exams approaching quickly, all materials needed for the students to study will be created on the laptop, as well as the actual final exams. Look for links to the final review guides on the sixth grade web page.

Kirstin Krysz - Math

Geometry
Weekly lesson plans, quizzes, tests, monthly reports and project outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop.
Progress reports and grades were entered and posted through Schoolmaster this quarter.

Honors Geometry
Weekly lesson plans, quizzes, tests, monthly reports and project outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop.
Progress reports and grades were entered and posted through Schoolmaster this quarter.

Algebra

Weekly lesson plans, monthly reports, quizzes, tests and project guidelines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop.
Progress reports and grades were entered and posted through Schoolmaster this quarter.

Kirstin Krysz – Spanish

Using the laptop and projector, students viewed streaming video of various Spanish festivals including the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, La Tomatina in Bunol and Las Fallas in Valencia. This provided an opportunity to view authentic Spanish customs, costumes and cuisine without ever leaving the classroom. Weekly lesson plans, monthly reports and project outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop

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 tests, quizzes and study guides. It will also used to send 4th marking period progress reports electronically to Mrs. Stasion. It is also used daily to research questions the students ask during discussions.

The laptop was used in coordination with the projector to show updates in space science by showing and discussing articles on cnn.com. A PowerPoint presentation was found on the web on the digestive system will be shown to the students next week.

Candace Wallace – Social Studies

Mrs. Wallace’s sixth grade Social Studies students are presently working on an activity having to do with the War Effort during WWI. Using computers, students are researching the War Effort on the Internet, and then are creating posters, poems, skits or songs trying to convince Americans on the Home Front during WWI to support the government.

Mrs. Wallace presented a PowerPoint presentation, using the sixth grade laptop, regarding the causes of WWI, the powerful nations involved, and the geography of the times and how it changed after WWI. A packet was distributed with the Presentation, and students noted the important persons, places and events by answering questions in the packet as they watched the presentation.

Students will be learning about the holocaust and WWII in the next unit.

Allison Wolf – English

Technology has been used in several ways this month. As team leader, Ms. Wolf continues to use the computer to record minutes from each team meeting and parent meeting that we have. This comes in quite helpful when a teacher is absent and the minutes must be reviewed to keep everyone up to date.

For record keeping and clerical work, Ms. Wolf continues to type all tests and quizzes on the computer to provide for the students. This month, Ms. Wolf was able to type and improve upon upcoming tests and quizzes. Ms. Wolf also records the students’ test and quiz grades as often as possible so that she can have an accurate average when speaking to the parents. Ms. Wolf was able to submit her grades for the fourth marking period progress report using Schoolmaster.

In addition, Ms. Wolf continues to find ways to use the computer as an instructional tool. She has been exploring many games and activities for future class lessons. Ms. Wolf also uses the laptop during her “Pull out Support” to allow the students to have a manipulative for studying the information. During the Holocaust Unit, the students were able to explore several sights. This gave them a visual aide when talking about the facts of the Holocaust. They were able to read poetry, see pictures, and even view some time lines to understand the impact of the Holocaust.

Special Education Department

Christine Mercandino

Literature

Miss Mercandino’s literature class has finished reading the novel, Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. They are currently working on a long-term project. This project is a Webquest that relates to the book Maniac Magee. We were able to view the webquest on the computer issued as part of the 6th grade technology pilot program. The projects are due Friday and will be presented. Everyone is very excited to see the presentations because each student’s Webquest is different! In class we started reading the play, The Shaggy Dog Murder Trial. In this interactive story the students take on the role of investigators in a trial in which a dog is being accused of murder. As a class they must collaborate on whether the Dog is going to be guilty or innocent based on the evidence presented. After the play is finished, we will be working on poems and short stories from the Holocaust.

Euclid School

Math

PreK continues to review their shapes and numbers, 1-30. Number recognition is being reinforced through “Millie’s Math House.
”Kindergarten is adding and subtracting numbers. They are practicing with flashcards. They are completing number sentences using manipulatives. They are creating number stories to reinforce their skills. They are practicing their measurement skills. They are using paper clips to understand the meaning of an inch.
Grade One is working with the values of various coins like the penny, nickel, dime and quarter. They are identifying the value of a group of coins. They are solving problems involving coins. They are also sharpening their measurement skills using a ruler and learning the problem solving strategy to make a list.
Grade Two is continuing their study of addition and subtraction. They are focusing on hundreds. They are identifying the place value of these numbers, and then adding using carrying. They are working out word problems involving regrouping with hundreds and tens.
Grade Three is focusing on multiplication and division fact families. They are writing number sentences and using “Math Blasters,” to reinforce skills. They are identifying the problem solving method to utilize when given information.
Grade Four is working on long division. They are reviewing the step by step procedures. They continue to reinforce their mad minutes and sharpen their problem solving skills. They are estimating quotients and choosing the correct operation to solve problems.
Grade Five has taken their unit test on Intergens. They are now exploring the graphing of coordinates on a plane. They continue to review previously learned skills.

Language Arts-

PreK continues to review their vowel recognition. They are identifying rhyming words and prepositions like in/out and up/down.
Kindergarten is working with word families (en, et, ed). They created flipbooks of words containing these phonograms. They are continuing to work with the letters “y” and “z.” They are writing them, identifying them and creating word charts.
Grade One is working on the long sound of “i.” They continue to use their knowledge of phonemes for blending new words. They are answering guided questions associated with reading selections. They are practicing choral reading and producing prediction charts. They are identifying verbs.
Grade Two is focusing on their oral listening skills. They are working with present tense verbs. They are summarizing stories and writing riddles using their spelling words. They are practicing alliterations.
Grade Three is creating character collages to identify character traits. They are completing Holistic Assessments to identify skills learned. They are reviewing past tense verbs and creating verb charts.
Grade Four is working with adverbs that compare. The students will write a book review based on a book that had an impact on them. They continue focusing on their letter writing and building vocabulary. They are completing comparative essays. They are working with the main idea.
Grade Five is comparing and contrasting. They are building vocabulary and sharpening their “think and respond” questions. They are reading Holes and completing literary element charts. They are practicing the spelling of words with an “ed” and “ing.” They are working with the prefixes, “pre” and “pro.” They are creating outlines.

Science-

PreK is focusing on the care of plants and the parts of a plant.
Kindergarten continues their study of the basic needs of all living things. They are comparing the life cycle of seeds and butterflies. They are reading picture books to reinforce these concepts.
Grade One is working with the identification of various natural resources. They are creating picture charts and verbally sharing characteristics.
Grade Two has completed their chapter on different types of energy and are now taking the Unit Test. As a culmination, they are completing an energy project in the computer lab.
Grade Three is focusing on water communities and its characteristics. They are reading charts and graphs to understand world climate. They completed an activity for an Earth Day celebration.

Social Studies-

PreK is focusing on the concept of transportation.
Kindergarten celebrated Cinco de Mayo. They are learning about voting. They have studied multiple community workers and will be visiting different places in the town to relate to this lesson.
Grade One continues to focus on natural resources. They are identifying various types and explaining renewable vs. non-renewable. They continue to acknowledge community workers and the characteristics of good citizenship.
Grade Two is focusing on people and places in history and holidays that people celebrate. They will be identifying artifacts.
Grade Three is learning about the meaning of scarcity and how it affects our economy. They are learning about Henry Ford. They are focusing on the community at wo4rk and doing current event presentations.
Grade Four is focusing on Native Americans and European settlers. They are utilizing map skills and practicing sequencing events. They are identifying characteristics of the Lenape culture.
Grade Five continues to learn about the history of our nation. They are focusing on the various battles that took place to declare independence. They are focusing on the help given by other nations and the government’s role in supporting the Revolutionary War.

Art-

Kindergarten students created symmetrical patterns on a butterfly collage.
First grade sculpted small birds with clay and painted them.
Second grade made clay dinosaurs.
Third grade completed a pastel drawing of outer space. They learned about shading.
Fourth grade drew a still-life and will create shadows using charcoal and tortillions.
Fifth grade sculpted figures with aluminum foil and plaster. They will paint the finished product.

Music-

Kindergarten is learning songs for the end of year celebration.
First graders are focusing on two different pitches and hand signals.
Second grade is working on beat through the Old King Glory game.
Third grade is learning about music symbol.
Fourth and fifth graders are preparing for the spring concert including songs and dance routines.

World Language-

Kindergarten students are learning parts of the face using Simon in Spanish.
Grade One students are studying the words for hungry, thirsty and different foods.
Grade Two students are studying familiar transportation vehicles and community workers.
Grade Three is studying adjectives in pairs like big/little, happy/sad, strong/weak as well as learning names of rooms in a house.
Grade Four students are completing a lesson on shapes, sizes and colors.
Grade Five discussed town buildings and community places in Spanish speaking countries.

Media-

PSD is reading “Bob’s Recycling Day” on www.starfall.com.
Kindergarten is adding clip art to their directions for making a pizza or breakfast.
Grade One is using the Internet and selecting an address from their “favorites” to learn about caring for our planet.
Grade Two is reinforcing their typing skills by creating an acoustic poem.
Grade Three is logging onto the FBI website to read and discuss Internet safety rules.
Grade Four is practicing their keyboarding skills.
Grade Five is using the computer to complete an Arbor Day assignment.

Physical Education-
In preparation for Field Day,

Kindergarten through Grade Two practiced throwing and catching.
Grade Three through Five practiced relay races.

Lincoln School -
Mathematics:

Kindergarten classes have completed chapter 10-addition. The children acted out stories to solve addition problems and used pennies as manipulatives for counting problems.
First graders recently completed a unit on cylinders and spheres. They children also reviewed addition and subtraction facts to the number 12.
Second grade completed the multiplication chapter and is currently working on comparing and ordering greater numbers.
Third grade students have completed a review of lines, angles, perimeter, area and volume. They are now working on adding and subtracting improper fractions and equivalent fractions. They will be starting division two digit and three digit numbers by one digit numbers.
Fourth graders started a unit on probability and possible outcomes. They will focus on representing outcomes and probability using fractions, charts and graphs.
Fifth grade has completed a unit on multiplying fractions and mixed numbers. They are currently working on division of fractions using reciprocals.

Science:

Kindergarten classes completed chapter four- Our Earth. They identified ways land is used and cared for. Students also identified places on earth in which water is found. The next unit will deal with the life cycle of butterflies.
First grade completed the unit on the solar system and is currently working on the study of motion. The second grade completed the unit on the three states of matter and their properties. They are currently working on weather and the changing seasons.
Third grade has completed the chapter on how energy changes form and will start the unit on the ear. fourth grade is working classifying plants and animals.
Fifth graders completed a unit on water. This unit dealt with oceans, fresh water, and the water cycle.

Social Studies:

Kindergarten began chapter 4-Our Big Earth. They identified seasonal changes in weather. The next unit is on how to read a map.
First grade is continuing the chapter on goods and services.
Second grade had a visit by Mayor Jones who answered many questions about local government. They are continuing a unit on our country long ago.
Third graders are finishing a unit on physical environments, communities and using natural resources.
Fifth grade students are continuing the study of the original thirteen colonies.

Language Arts:

Kindergarteners are exploring letter recognition and the sequencing of letters. The letters J and Y are being explored. The students continued their study of new sight words and have written some math stories.
First graders are reviewing the sound “long o”. They read the story the Puddle and reviewed using am, is are and contractions.
Second graders read Chinatown and emphasized main ideas and supporting details.
Third grades finished reading Rocking and Rolling and will begin the story Armadillo from Amarillo. They are working on figurative language and imagery. They reviewed irregular verbs, contractions, prefixes and suffixes.
Fourth graders are learning how to write persuasive essays. They are writing five paragraphs applying the rules of grammar.
Fifth graders are completing a unit on adverbs. They will be presenting their Living Wax Museum speeches on May 18, 2006. The students are reading stories from theme four, “Express Yourself” from their textbook. They are also reading the Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott Dell.

Physical Education:

Kindergarten through second grade worked on throwing and catching skills using various objects including: bean bags, sponge balls and Wiffle Balls. Students worked on T-Ball hitting and fielding in preparation for field day.
Third through fifth graders worked on assorted races in preparation for field day. Fifth graders were screened for scoliosis and completed the curriculum for Family Life.

Music:

Kindergarten students are learning about steady beats and the concept of a ‘rest’ even though the beat goes on.
First grade are learning to discriminate between high and low pitches.
Second grade is starting a unit on solos, duets, and group singing.
Third graders are almost ready to perform the musical social studies project that they have been working on.
Fourth and fifth graders are working with chords C, F, and G while using melody chimes.

World Language:

Kindergarten students are learning parts of the face using Simon in Spanish.
First Grade students are studying the words for hungry, thirsty and different foods.
Second grade students are studying familiar transportation vehicles and community workers.
Third graders are studying adjectives in pairs like big/little, happy/sad, strong/weak as well as learning names of rooms in a house.
Fourth grade students are completing a lesson on shapes, sizes and colors.
Fifth grade discussed town buildings and community places in Spanish speaking countries.

Art:

Kindergarten students created symmetrical patterns on a butterfly collage.
First grade sculpted small birds with clay and painted them.
Second grade made clay dinosaurs.
Third grade completed a pastel drawing of outer space. They learned about shading.
Fourth grade drew a still-life and will create shadows using charcoal and tortillions.
Fifth grade sculpted figures with aluminum foil and plaster. They will paint the finished product.

Music: (All Elementary)

Kindergarten students are learning songs for the end of year promotions.
First graders are working on the concept of scales. They are using movement, singing and Orff instruments.
Second grade class has composed a nursery rhyme rap. The raps were recorded and then assessed by the students in the class.
Third grade is developing a music symbol vocabulary. They are learning to identify notes, rests and other symbols used in music reading.
Fourth and fifth graders are preparing for the spring concert to be held on June 7, 2006. The song material centers on different dance styles.

Media Center:

Kindergarten: These classes are being introduced to the Kid Pix Deluxe program. This requires several weeks of instruction.
Grade one learned to find and use the apostrophe and the comma. Children were led through the I Safe America Program.( Three Internet safety lessons)
Second Graders were introduced to the use of Inspiration. This is going to take the month of May.
Third Graders are using the Inspiration software to create webs. They are starting with teacher-made templates and will then be able to create their own webs.
Grade four is working with columns, margins and spacing sections of the menu bar. Children will also use the stationery sections of word processing programs.
Grade five students are working on developing Internet skills. Specifically, citing web addresses when researching, copying and pasting the written word to a word processing document and copying and pasting a graphic or picture to a word processing document. We will be using the stationery sections to word process.

Workshops - title, date, site, participant and summary

High School –
Mrs. Squillace and Mr. Lentis continue to attend the NJ Pathways to Teaching at Bergen Community College as part of their on going mentoring program as new teachers. They will be attending a program on May 12, 2006.Middle School- Mrs. Squillace continues to attend the NJ Pathways to Teaching at Bergen Community College as part of her mentoring program as a new teacher.