HASBROUCK HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Superintendent’s Report
June 22, 2006

 

Curriculum and Instruction -
High School –

WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT -

• Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish III students are learning about politics and political discussions in Spanish speaking countries.

• Mrs. Squillace’s Spanish I students practiced a variety of activities in Spanish about farm and zoo animals while Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish I students are learning to talk about hobbies and giving things to one another.

•  Mrs. Carr’s Spanish II students are learning how to use the past tense while Spanish III are studying Picasso and Spanish IV are reading “Don Quijote.” Spanish AP is reading a play by Lorca.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT –

• Mr. Ascolese reports that his music theory class is finishing recording projects creating original compositions in 32  bar song form.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT –

• Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 classes created posters illustrating the transcendental philosophy of a quotation from either Emerson or Thoreau.  They are now beginning their study of Tennessee Williams’ play The Glass Menagerie.

• Mrs. Czekaj’s AP English class is finishing the year by doing an extensive real-world research project about the college each has chosen to attend.  They will discover the logistical and financial realities of day-to-day college life by researching academic deadlines, professor ratings, and local cuisine.

• Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare Honors class performed at Mahwah High School’s annual Shakespeare Day and received a trophy for “Best Comedic Performance.”  They have finished reading Othello and after watching the Laurence Fishburn movie version, will move on to comparing West Side Story to Romeo and Juliet.

• Mr. Smith’s English 9 classes are concluding the course with an indepth study of poetry. Works being reviewed include Frost’s The Road Not Taken and Poe’s The Raven. Students are learning how to analyze a poem using the TPCASTT method which helps them break a poem down in to its “building blocks.”

• Mr. Smith’s Genres class is concluding the course by reviewing the biographical portrayal of Johnny Cash in Walk the Line. Students will then have several final discussions highlighting each genre reviewed throughout the course and which was their favorite and why.

• Mr. Smith’s HSPA English 10 class is concluding the course by finishing the 11th grade summer reading novel, 1984.  Discussion, silent reading, and writing activities are helping students prepare for the final examination. Also, many students in the class have much to celebrate after scoring proficient on the practice HSPA test in English this year. 8 of the 13 students in the course have tested out of the remedial course for next year. Nicely done everyone!

• Mrs. Geftic’s journalism students have completed the last edition of the Pilot’s Log that includes a salute to the class of 2006.  Other articles of note focused on such school functions as the Mr. Heights contest and the trip to Italy. Currently, students are working on their final exam, a newspaper about John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Each student researched the event, conducted mock interviews of eyewitnesses and used this information to write news and feature articles for their paper.

•  Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students have completed the reading of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.  Besides acting out the play, the students discussed such themes as revenge and insanity.  In addition, students are preparing for their final exams.

•  Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students are reading the poetry of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg focusing on such literary devices as blank verse, alliteration and iambic pentameter.  Given a set of pictures depicting scenes in New York City, students created their own poem incorporating these literary devices.  In addition, students completed a unit on Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie.”

•  Miss Venneman’s HSPA 9 classes recently completed a book project that requires them to apply various literary terms and devices to Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men.  Students will be reviewing for the final exam for the remainder of the year.

• Mrs. Meyer’s English 9H class has finished the school year by reading, discussing, and analyzing William Golding novel, Lord of the Flies.  During the few remaining days,  students reviewed for the final exam.

• Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 class finished out the school year by reading, discussing, and analyzing John Steinbeck’s novel The Pearl.  Students spent the remaining days reviewing for their final exam.

• Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 Honors class’s final unit involved various poetry including:  imagist poetry, concrete poetry, and the works of Robert Frost and blank verse.  Students grappled with their own interpretations of each poem, made group presentations to the class, and noted different interpretations of each poem.

• Mr. Pankiewicz’s Creative Writing class’s culminating activity included a creation of a poetry booklet for a “special person.”  Students selected 8-10 published poems and then wrote a journal explaining the selection process for each poem.

• Ms. Kos’ English 9 Class is finishing their final novel of the year, The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. At its completion, students will review for the final exam and go over the summer reading requirements.

• Ms. Kos’ English 10 class just finished reading Sandra Cisneros’ novel, The House on Mango Street. Students in this class will end the year with a creative writing project for which they create 6-8 personal narratives.

• Ms. Kos’ English 11 class is working in the computer lab on the 11th grade career exploration research projects. These projects, required for all 11th grade students, help students hone research skills and introduce them to the conventions of formal papers. They will cite references using the MLA format and will become familiar with the requirements of post-secondary research paper writing.

• Ms. Kos’ English 12 class is also working on career exploration papers for their final projects. Students have been exploring a number of careers and have been working on practical writing exercises such as resumes and letters of inquiry. Students will end this class with a written analysis and evaluation of this process.

• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11 classes are currently completing the careers and colleges research papers.  Each student has researched two separate careers and the training that will prepare them to enter their selected fields.  They have completed resumes and cover letters, as well as analyzing their findings.   In class students are working on a SAT vocabulary unit that is intended to expand their vocabulary and prepare them for the SAT’s.  100% of the English 11 students, in Mr. Van Dam’s three classes, scored proficient on the HSPA’s.

• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors class is completing their study and analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  Students have focused on analyzing the themes and dramatic conventions utilized by Shakespeare as well as noting the relevance of the characters and conclusions.   85% of the class scored advanced proficient on the HSPA’s.

• Mr. Van Dam’s English 12-Honors class has completed the unit on Shakespeare’s Hamlet and is now studying for the final exam.  A celebration was held marking the fact that all of the members of the class have been accepted into a college of their choice.

• Ms. Monetti’s Genre classes have been working in class on their final project comparing a novel to its movie version.  Some students will present a visual aid, which represents their comparison, while others will write a traditional comparison contrast essay.

• Ms. Monetti’s English 10 students are finishing the transcendentalist unit by handing in a poster that reflects one of their favorite quotes by either Thoreau or Emerson.  We will end the year by watching and discussing Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie.

• Ms. Monetti’s English 11 students are finishing up the career and college research paper.  This weeks tasks included writing a business letter, resume, and summary/self analysis of their experience.  We will also be reviewing Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the major literary work on the final exam.  100% of the class scored proficient on the HSPA.

• Ms. Monetti’s HSPA 11 class is happy to report that 100% scored proficient on the HSPA.

• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Communications classes are currently deeply involved in a film study unit which include classics such as Wait Until Dark, Stand and Deliver and The Last of Sheila. Students are also busy working on their final projects that include film trailers, reading a novel that has not been previously made into a film and justifying why is would or would not make a good risk.

• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Drama class is tying up the year by reviewing all the practices, exercises and methods they have implemented throughout the year while they work on their final projects which include original monologues and scenes.

HISTORY DEPARTMENT –

•  Mrs. Valenti’s World History classes have completed a unit on genocide and religion. Understanding the stages of genocide and why it occurs was the main focus of the lesson. Mrs. Korkgy-Valenti, being of Armenian descent and having relatives who escaped the Genocide of 1915, used her own family history to illustrate this topic.
  For the unit on religion, the students learned the history of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths. They also compared and contrasted the faiths by looking at each of their theologies, scriptures, prophets, holidays and dietary laws.

• Mrs. Lewites’ World History POR class is finishing up the year with Protestant Reformation and how Martin Luther won the support of those that believed that the church had become too involved in worldly affairs.  In conclusion we will see how the movement spread to different parts of Europe and how the Catholic church launched a Counter Reformation.  During our last full week of class, we will end with an intensive review of the 2nd half of the school year in preparation for final exams.

• Mr. Warren's U.S. History I classes have just completed their examination of life on the Western Frontier which included analyzing the myths and realities of cowboy life.  The students also learned about the final battles the U.S. government had with Native Americans as the country expanded westward.  Currently, students are wrapping up their examination of the impact of new inventions, industrialization, and immigration shaped America as it entered the 20th century.

• Mrs. McGinty’s U.S. History classes examined the causes and effects of international and domestic tensions resulting from the Cold War. Topics included the creation and build up of nuclear weapons, the U.S. policy of containment, the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, The Korean War, McCarthyism, the execution of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, brinkmanship, the Warsaw Pact, the U-2 incident and the Eisenhower Doctrine. Students read primary source documents and biographies, conducted on-line research, interpreted maps and graphs, made connections to current events, and viewed a short film on The Hollywood Ten.

• Mrs. McGinty’s Honors -Additionally, the honors class presented their findings for the chapter 25 collaborative project, and utilizing peer-learning techniques, instructed and assessed the unit on The Cold War.  The students developed and employed rubrics to ensure the criteria were met.

• Ms. Cassidy’s U.S. History I students completed the curriculum for U.S. History I and have begun to review for the final exam.

• Ms. Cassidy’s A.P. students have finished all projects and assignments for the year.

• Mrs. Marano’s Computer Application class has continued their work with Photoshop. Students have recently made corrections to a map of the HS/MS building using various techniques they have learned.

• Mrs. Marano’s Computer Cycle 9 students have recently completed an informational brochure and have designed a CD cover. Students are currently working on a research presentation using PowerPoint. Their final project will be learning to use Microsoft Excel to calculate wallpaper and paint amounts for rooms of varying sizes.

• Consumer Economics – Mr. Ketcho’s Classes have been reviewing daily business current event topics discussed finished Chapter 13 – “Investing In Bonds”. 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. Also, began Financial Household Plan Project – “FHPP” or net worth statement. How to purchase a new car is being covered.

• Mr. Ketcho’s Accounting I - Daily business current event topics discussed, finished Chapter 9 – “Recording Adjusting & Closing Entries for a Service Business” & began Chapter 13 – “Preparing Payroll Records”. Tests, study guide quiz, work together problems, on your own problems, and homework assignments covered.

• Mr. Ketcho’s Automated Accounting II - Daily business current event topics discussed. Started & finished Chapter 8 “Plant Assets”. Tutorials, practice problems, applying your information skills all completed.

• Mr. Ketcho’s Word Processing I and II -

Oceanview Associates, Inc. – A Word Processing Practice Set
Pages 19 to 73 and Jobs #3.6 to #11.1 were completed

• Mr. Ketcho’s Computer Applications 8 Cycle -

Cycle#4 – 101 Spreadsheet Exercises – pages 1 to 23and Exercises #1 to #22 were completed.
 LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

• Mrs. Mikulka

Teachers who scheduled classes into the Library Media Center this month included Mrs. Washburn, Mr. Pankiewicz, Mrs. Rad, Mrs. Kos, Mrs. Meyer, Mr. Van Dam, Ms. Monetti, Mrs. McGinty, Mrs. Stoehs, Mrs. Cafferty, Mrs. Squillace, and Mrs. Czekaj.
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT –

• Mrs. Michaeli’s AP Statistics students worked on their projects. They planed observational studies, carried out tests of significance and calculated confidence intervals. 

• Mrs. Michaeli’s Algebra 2 classes learned how to solve polynomial equations using factoring. They also learned how to perform operations with rational expressions.

• Mr. Mastropietro’s AP Calculus is finishing and presenting their Mall Projects. 

• Mr. Mastropietro’s Statistics class has completed chapter 7.  They are now reviewing for their final exams.

• Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 9 has completed the HSPA 9 Workbooks.  The class is now reviewing for the final.

• Mr. Mastropietro’s Foundations of Advanced Math is finishing and presenting their Mall Projects.  Then they will be reviewing for the final.

• Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 10 has completed the HSPA 10 workbooks.  The class is now reviewing for the final.

• Mrs. O’Brien’s Algebra I students will conclude the year with solving rational equations by multiplying both sides by the common denominator.  Then they will review for their final exam. 

• Mrs. O’Brien’s Fundamentals of Algebra I students are solving systems of equations by the method of substitution and by linear combination.  At the conclusion of the chapter we will begin reviewing for the final exam.

• Mrs. O’Brien’s HSPA 9 has completed the HSPA 9 workbooks.  The class is now reviewing for the final.

• Mrs. Healey’s Precalculus classes will complete the trigonometry section and prepare for the final exam.

• Mrs. Healey’s Fundamentals IV class will investigate various types of investments and prepare a final project based on financial goal setting and how to attain their personal goals.

• Mr. Strama’s Geometry classes will finish with Area’s of polygon’s Specifically quadrilaterals.  Students have been working on finding area’s of sectors and using prior knowledge; special right triangles, Pythagorean Theorem, Trig functions to solve various area problems.  Students will be concluding their Geometry lessons with practice of all material from the beginning of the year. 

• Mr. Strama’s SAT Prep Class has continued to work on various test taking strategies and methods to improve their scores.  Students are given sample tests and questions daily.  Students focus is to get the correct answer as quickly as possible with elimination and various other mathematical strategies to answer all their questions. 

• Mr. Monks’ Fundamentals of Geometry is working through arc measurements in a circle and their relationships to central, inscribed, internal and external angles.

• Mr. Monks’ Algebra I class has been using factoring to simplify rational expressions and will begin to solve rational equations as well.

• Mr. Monks’ Geometry class has completed their work in determining arc lengths and sector areas and will finish the year studying the distance and midpoint formulas.

• Mr. Monks’ HPSA class is now working on their solutions to individual questions they will be presenting for the final exam.

• Mr. Monks’ Honors Algebra II class has completed working through Chapter 11 dealing in writing equations and graphing circles, ellipses and hyperbolas.  They will finish the year studying extended trigonometric relationships.

• Mrs. Rad’s Fundamentals of Algebra 2 class has been solving a variety of algebraic equations including those found in word problems.

• Mrs. Rad’s HSPA 9 class is using a variety of methods to model real-life situations, to solve problems arising from math situations, everyday experiences, and other disciplines.

• Mrs. Rad’s Integrated Math 4 class have been preparing for their final exam by reviewing all concepts taught this year. Their cumulative final will consist of various concepts including finding sales tax, finding the discount, discount price, figuring out and paying a car loan, leases, rent, figuring out hourly pay, monthly pay, and annual pay, paying appropriate taxes, as well as budgeting.

• Mrs. Rad’s HSPA 10 class is using a variety of methods to solve real-life situations, problems arising from math situations, everyday experiences, and other disciplines.

• Mrs. Stoehs’ Fundamentals of Algebra students completed studies on mean, median, and mode. They are now reviewing for final exams.

• Mrs. Stoehs’ Geometry students finished the year discovering the relationship between angles and sides of a triangle, the trigonometric ratios.

SCIENCE  DEPARTMENT –

• Mrs. Hicswa’s biology classes are concluding their study of vertebrates.  They dissected various organisms to view the structures. This was followed by lab work in which they compared and contrasted the structures they observed.  They then described the functions of these parts, relating the classification characteristics to structures present.

• Mr. Pignatiello’s Chemistry class is now in the middle of organic chemistry and will complete some nuclear chemistry before they start to review for their final exams.  The AP chemistry class is working on a project that will be collected on the 14th of June.  The honors chemistry is looking at organic chemistry in greater depth and will also take a look at some nuclear chemistry before they start to review for their final exams.

• Mr. Binazeski’s Physical Science students continued their study of Physics. Students learned about mechanical advantage, light, energy, electricity, magnets, conduction, types of electromagnetic radiation and computer design. Experiments were preformed to investigate mechanical advantage, sound, light and wave properties. 

• 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 of pollution on the environment, recycling, land filling, incineration and composting.

• Mrs. Stoehs’ Environmental Science students researched endangered animals. They were surprised to find so many on the list as well as the main cause of their condition – human activity! 

• Mrs. Stoehs’ Physical Science finished the year studying the properties of magnets.

• Mr. Lentis’ Physics class is covering the topic of electric circuits both series and parallel connection.

• Mr. Lentis’ Honors Physics class is starting electromagnetism and next week they will review for the final.

• Mr. Lentis’ AP Physics students are working on the project.

• Mr. Lentis’ Chemistry class is learning organic chemistry with the intention of doing a little of nuclear chemistry at the end of the year. They will also review for the final.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH DEPARTMENT –

• Grades 9 – 12  All classes are continuing with the fitness, basketball, and floor hockey units.

• Ms. Gaccione’s 9th grade health class is working on the family life unit.  Students will be working together to discuss quizzes and assignments to understand reproductive systems, diseases, and genetics. 

• Mr. Caruso’s 12th Grade Health class is wrapping up a unit on illegal drugs and their effect on society.

• Mrs. Miller and Mr. Caruso 11th grade health classes are finishing the drug and alcohol unit with a guest speaker, Kenneth Kolich, from the Hudson County Prosecutors Office who will give a power point presentation on club drugs on Wednesday, March 15, 2006.

ART DEPARTMENT –

• Mrs. Reed’s painting classes have completed a combo painting where students took two artists works and combined into their own composition with their own meaning.  Students then created animal paintings on rocks where they researched an interesting fact about the animal then painted a realistic version of the animal on the rock.  Presently students are recreating Peter Max painting using oil pastels and turpentine.  Students then will start their final exam project where they will be reproducing a photograph using various mediums and methods.

• Mrs. Reed’s graphic design class has completed their silk screen images and have completed their mirror etching designs.  Presently students are creating a container for fast food.  Students are using what they have learned about the design elements and layout. Students then will start their exams, which is to create a game board; board, box, game piece and instructions.

• Mrs. Kritzer’s Advanced Art class is completing their theme study unit.  The students had their choice to pick a theme in which ten projects, including photographs, were based upon.  The themes that were studied were flowers, colors, cars, nature, faces, and super heroes to name a few.

• Mrs.Kritzer’s painting classes are doing watercolors.  They experimented with various techniques in acquiring an abstract.  After outlining with ink and finding interesting shapes in their abstracts, students hide verses of their favorite song .  These paintings became very personal besides being striking.

USE OF LAPTOPS – HIGH SCHOOL

• Mrs. Washburn’s Italian students are researching information in Italian and English on the Internet about the immigration problem tat is evident in our society.

• Mrs. Geftic’s Journalism students used the laptop computer to view a web site about JFK, create graphics for the newspaper as well as to prepare articles for publication.

• Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students used the laptop computer to view several websites about Elie Wiesel, Shakespeare and Hamlet.  Students took an on-line quiz to assess their understanding of the material.

• Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students used the laptop computer to view information on the lives of Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg.

• Mr. Pankiewicz’s Journalism students used the laptop computer to research a summer vacation locale and create the layout and design for their final newspaper cover page assignment.

• Mr. Pankiewicz’s Creative Writing students used the laptop computer to fine-tune editing and layout and design for the school’s literary magazine, Identification.  The publication was distributed to students in early June.  Copies of the literary magazine are available at the school and town libraries.

• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ classes have used the laptop computer from everything to having students catch up on parts of films they have missed to writing original monologues and scenes for teen arts and the Rent workshop.

• Mr. Ketcho: The school district issued laptop computer is my “life-line” to make all of the above come to life. I lead all my instruction with this device hooked up to a document camera and a LCD projector. www.edmunds.com, 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
• Mrs. McGinty’s classes utilized the LCD and The Americans software, students participated in a PowerPoint review for each chapter, and took part in a tournament-style competition which was beneficial for reviewing key concepts in each chapter.
• 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 d - epartment teachers.  HSPA 11 worksheets are being generated from Adobe Acrobat.
• Mrs. Hicswa - While completing dissections, some students opted to perform cyber dissections using a newly purchased computer program.  Students in all classes had this program available for use.  In some instances the program was used to enhance the ongoing dissection.    
• Mrs Stoehs -  The laptop has been an invaluable tool in putting exams and exam reviews together. I’ve been able to pull it out throughout the day to work, cutting and pasting saved data into new documents. I’d like to thank the board for the opportunity to use a laptop this year. It’s been a great tool in the classroom, allowing students to access information instantly and, at times, to work independently.

 

Middle School-
Art

• Mrs. Reed’s art 7 class has completed their paper cut outs in the style of Matisse.  Students are completing their abstract self-portraits in the style of Picasso.  The students will complete the cycle with a surrealism drawing in the style of Chagal and then take a cycle quiz where they will use the artist information they have learned.

• Mrs. Kritzer’s Grade 8 Cycle class played the sentence game “The Exquisite Corpse”.  Artists who needed a source for their surreal paintings played this game in the 1920’s.  The students then took the sentences and made up a surreal collage using old magazines.  An example of the sentence would be “The funny cupcake ate over a lonely hockey Player”

Physical Education

The middle school had Field Day  and it was very successful.
The 7th and 8th grade classes are preparing for the President’s Physical Fitness Test.  The test will be given during the exam period.  The test consists of sit-ups, sit and reach, pull-ups and a shuttle run.
The 6th grade classes are winding the year down with lifetime sport activities.

• Mrs. Kolich’s 6th grade health class is doing a unit on drug and alcohol.

• Mr. Delcalzo‘s health class finished up a unit on aids awareness.

• Ms.Gaccione’s health class has just finished the dating and relationships unit.  Students have been working on their class assignments for building self-esteem. 

• Mr. Masucci’s cycle classes are reviewing for the final exam.

Science

• Mr. Rispoli’s 6th grade science students are learning about the human body.  The students learned about the muscular system, the skin, nutrition and digestion.  They were taught how diet affects health.  The students know what makes a balanced diet. They also took a quiz in which they had to identify 11 muscles in the muscular system.  The circulatory system will complete our unit.

• Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science classes have begun their last lab of the year which explores bouyancy and density. 

• Mr. Cassiere’s 8th grade science students concluded their introduction to organic chemistry by synthesizing aspirin. Students combined simple organic compounds such as salicylic acid and acetic anhydride to form acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).  Students tested their sample with a control (Bayer aspirin) by using an iron chloride solution with a 95% ethanol mixture to see if they achieved 100% yield of aspirin.  The results were predictable with 13.3% of the eighth grade class achieving 100% yield.  Students then began an introduction to acid/base reactions.  At the conclusion of acid/base reactions students will begin reviewing for finals.

Math

• Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Geometry classes have been exploring probability.  They have learned to identify outcomes and find the probability of compound events using tree diagrams or the counting principle.

• Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Algebra students have been working with integers. They have learned to add and subtract integers by applying the integer rules, manipulating algebra tiles and by using a number line. They have also learned to create function tables and to graph these functions on the coordinate plane.

• Miss Krysz’s 6th grade Honors Geometry class has 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 DiPiano’s6th grade Algebra students have been working with exponents, the distributive property, functions and the coordinate plane.  They learned about the meaning of exponents and how to use the calculator to display exponents.  The students have currently been learning about the coordinate plane and function tables.  They are also beginning to graph functions on the coordinate plane.  The students have become familiar with calculators and how to display integers and exponents on the calculators.  They will soon see how to graph on a calculator.  Students have also completed practices from http://edhelper.com and http://abcteach.com.  The activities and worksheets from these websites encourage math and make it more enjoyable for the students.

• Miss DiPiano’s 6th grade Geometry students recently completed a chapter on probability.  They learned about experimental probability, theoretical probability, defining types of events, and using tree diagrams.  They can also make predictions from data.  Currently the students are completing a birdhouse project.  The project involves many aspects of geometry that they have learned throughout the year.  Students are able to measure figures, design them, calculate areas, perimeters, and surface area and follow a rubric that will be used to assess them.  The students are having fun working in groups and learning to work with others to reach a common goal.  The project is also enjoyable and it encourages the students to use math in different ways.

• Mr. Strama’s 6th grade Honors Algebra class is working with functions.  They learned how to identify functions.  Students will continue to work on graphing various equations both linear and non-linear.   We will further get into translating and rotating graphs on the coordinate plane.  Review will be a major roll in the upcoming week.  Students will get a review of all the material taught since the beginning of the year. 

• Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade Algebra classes have just completed their Peer evaluation for the math Game Board Project that all the students made.  It was very creative and fun making games focusing on Integers allowing all to “play”.  We have one more test we will be taking this week on review.  Soon our exam review will be taken full focus. 

• Mrs. Caputo’s 7th grade Honors Algebra class has just completed chapter ten, Polynomials.  The students will be having a test this week.  Soon the final exam will be main focus and will be reviewed in class.

• Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Geometry students just completed chapter 9, Using Probability.  The students learned about such topics as Independent and Dependent events, sample spaces, permutations and combinations.  There will be a test on this chapter on Tuesday, June 13.  The students have an outline of topics covered on the final.  We will dedicate some class time to review. Mr. Sickels will be available after school to answer any questions.

• Mr. Sickels’ 7th grade Honors Geometry class just completed chapter 11, Probability.  Students learned about such topics as Permutations, combinations, Probability, and how to analyze games.  There will be a test on the material.  The class has an outline of all topics covered on the final.  We will dedicate some class time to review. Mr. Sickels will be available after school to answer any questions.

• Mr. Aldea's 8th grade Geometry classes will be covering the first three sections of Chapter 11 on Probability. Students will be exposed to permutations and combinations through word problems. The main focus will be on differentiating when to use combination and when to use a permutation. During the week of 6/12/06, the class will be reviewing all material covered after the midterm exam in preparation for the final exam.

• Mr. Aldea's 8th grade Honors Topics class will be finishing a chapter on quadratic equations and will become familiar with the quadratic formula. During the week of 6/12/06, the class will be reviewing all material covered after the midterm exam in preparation for the final exam.

• Mrs. Dunne’s 8th grade Algebra I class has completed the chapter on rational expressions and rational equations.  Students had to be able to recognize all types of factoring in order to solve the problems.  Exam review begins June 12.

• Mrs. Dunne’s Math 8 classes have completed the sections on Inequalities.  Students learned to write and graph inequalities, and solve for solutions of inequalities. 

Language Arts

• Ms. Wolf’s classes have been quite busy working to understand common errors in word usage including things like “there, their, and they’re”, “it’s and its”, “whose and who’s”, “your and you’re” and much more.  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. 

As the year draws to an end, Ms. Wolf’s classes are reviewing for their final exams that will be taken in June. 

• Mr. Colangelo’s 8th Grade Literature class is finishing the novel, Soldier X.  At the conclusion of the book, the students will be introduced to Joseph Campbell’s plot structure.  They will view Spiderman in correlation with Campbell’s plot structure.  Students will also receive a review for the final examination.

• Mr. Colangelo’s 7th Grade Literature classes just finished a book project where they applied various literary terms to the book, The Wave.  The students are currently working on a music project tied to The Wave.  Students will also receive a review for the final examination.

• Mr. Colangelo’s 7th Grade Creative Writing class has completed lessons on journal writing, autobiography writing, film studying, stories without endings, and are currently working on news articles.

• Mr. Colangelo’s 6th Grade Study Skills class will continue working out of their Study Skills workbook, You Can Take Charge.  Students are responsible for outlining each lesson.

• Miss Venneman’s 7th Grade Literature classes are currently characterizing different characters in The Wave with music.  Students are finding songs that appropriately fit a character through the mood and lyrics of a chosen song.

• Mrs. Rowland’s 7th grade English class has finished working on Anne Frank.  Each student wrote a story prompted by a black and white picture. This story contained strong vocabulary, literary terms, and knowledge of the subject material.  Most students felt this was their best writing; many feel more confident in writing. 

• Ms. Dolan’s 6th Grade Literature students have been very busy this month reading The Giver by Lois Lowry.  The students have been discussing the merits of a perfect society, a society that feels no pain, nor love.  The final novel test will be on Monday, June 12, 2006.  On June 13-15, the students will prepare for their first final exam ever.  They are nervous and many have already begun to study for this big test.  We are sad to see them leave sixth grade, but are confident that they have worked hard. 
  
  The summer reading list is ready for the upcoming sixth graders.  A copy of the summer reading requirement for entering sixth graders will be available on the sixth grade website beginning June 16, 2006 (http://ms.hhschools.org/six/).  On June 19 and 20, 2006, Ms. Dolan will travel to the two elementary schools to discuss the reading requirement to the upcoming sixth graders.  Additionally, any student who reads a total of 9 books over the summer will earn a 100% quiz grade for Ms. Dolan’s literature class in September.  By upping the ante, Ms. Dolan hopes she will encourage more students to read this summer.  Copies of the summer reading requirements will also be available at the Hasbrouck Heights Public Library, as well as in the Middle School office.  

• Mr.Sicilian’s English students are finalizing the last vocabulary development units as well as several informal journal writing assignments.  Final exam preparations are taking place for all classes.

• Mr. Sicilian’s English Honors students are finalizing the Autobiography Projects and preparing the technology integration component that will accompany the written piece.

• Mr. Stillman's Literature 8 & Literature 8 Honors are rapidly bringing the year
  to a close. The honors class is completing the novel "On the Beach" before
  beginning exam preparation. The literature classes have just completed the
  novel "Soldier X" and are in the process of learning a new plot structure
  before the big push to exams.

WORLD LANGUAGES

• Mrs. Cafferty’s seventh graders are working on writing a report on a Spanish speaking country in Central America in Spanish to present to the class.

• Mrs. Squillace’s eighth graders are expressing who and what they know especially as it pertains to family members and describe professions in more detail in Spanish.

• Ms. Krysz’s sixth graders have been learning a variety of phrases for use in the classroom. Through a game of “Simon Dice,” they were able to show of their knowledge. They also acted out dialogues from the textbook and performed their own skits as well.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

• Ms. Moroney reports that her cycle classes are continuing to learn new notes and proper fingerings and will start with simple melodies shortly. The sixth and seventh grade bands will spend the remaining rehearsals sight-reading appropriate arrangements for their ability level. Mr. McCarthy reports that his seventh grade class is working on romantic period music while the eighth grade is studying swing jazz.

SOCIAL STUDIES

• Mrs. Wallace’s sixth grade Social Studies students are presently studying “Anne Frank” and her role in the holocaust.  Students explored virtual concentration camps and explored actual excerpts from her diary. 

• Mrs. Wallace presented an internet exploration and interview with Miep Gies, the woman who aided the Frank family when they were hiding.  Students then wrote two journal entries as if they were with the Frank family in hiding, using authentic information about the hiding place directly from the Frank diaries.

Students will be learning about the cold war and then reviewing for the Final Exam in the coming weeks.

• Mrs. Gay's Social Studies 7 class are completing their Geography
  course with a unit that focuses on the United States of today.  Heavy emphasis is placed on the contributions of immigrants to the culture of the United States, and the pull factors that would attract them to our country.Students are also becoming familiar with the field of economics, and are being introduced to the concepts of a free enterprise economy, gross domestic product (GDP), profit and competition.  They should be able to appreciate the role
  that the United States plays as a leader in global economy.

• Mrs. Rucci’s eighth graders are covering the following topics for the end of the year:  Cold War, Korean War, Civil Rights Era, Vietnam War, and the Gulf Wars.  Students analyzed the impact of the Containment Policy and the controversy surrounding the war in Vietnam.  They are looking forward to viewing a documentary about what it was like during the Vietnam War.  Our last Junior Scholastic magazine was about Afganistan.  It offered both updated political facts as well as geographical features of the area.  Its almost time to review for Finals.  Students will be getting back their index cards from all of our chapter review games in addition to a study guide to help them prepare for the exam.

 

. 6th Grade Technology Pilot Program

Sixth Grade Team

The Sixth Grade Website (http://ms.hhschools.org/six/) has proven to be a valuable tool during this pilot year.  Right now, you can see pictures of the students’ trip to the Renaissance Faire on the website. 

Additionally on the website, you can find links to the teachers’ final exam outlines.  You can also find various projects that are going on in the sixth grade.  Currently, you can find a link to a geometry project due in Miss Krysz’s classes. 

Also, this summer there will be a link available to the summer reading assignment that is due in Ms. Dolan’s literature class.  This link will be available all summer for the parents of any upcoming sixth grader.

Finally, all grades for the 3rd marking period, 4th marking period progress reports, and end of the year grades will be completed using Schoolmaster.  After some initial kinks, this has been proven to be an asset to the Sixth Grade Team.   

Michelle DiPiano – Math

Algebra and Geometry

Weekly quizzes, tests, and worksheets are created daily using Microsoft Word and the Prentice Hall Computer Item Generator CD.  Final Exams were created using these Microsoft programs along with the Prentice Hall program that works with the students text books.  Grades are entered weekly using the Grade Master Program.  The Grade Master Program is being used to calculate Marking Period 4 grades as well as final exams and final grades.  The schoolmaster program has been very helpful when meeting with students and parents during our team meetings or during phone conversations. 

Algebra: Currently the students have been working with integers and the coordinate plane.  They have become familiar with calculators and how to display integers and exponents on the calculators.  They will soon see how to graph on a calculator.  Students have also completed practices from http://edhelper.com and http://abcteach.com.  The activities and worksheets from these websites encourage math and make it more enjoyable for the students.

Karen Dolan – Literature

The technology provided under the pilot program has been an extremely valuable asset to literature this marking period.  As the students read The Giver, they are able to check their comprehension by taking an online quiz which is available through a link on the www.hhschools.org website.  Many of the students have been accessing this site from home.  Additionally, Ms. Dolan used this site and the overhead projector during her extra help in preparation for her novel test. 

Another way that this tool has been very effective is parent communication.  All year, Ms. Dolan has provided both the parents and the students her e-mail address (MsDolan@optonline.net) as a way to communicate with her during the off hours, as well as an easy way to get in touch with her during the crazy teaching day.  Parents have been able to drop a quick note as to a student’s progress, as well as an effective way for Ms. Dolan to contact the parent when she sees that a student’s progress is slipping in literature. 

Finally, the laptop has been quite effective as a tool for creating quizzes and tests.  Additionally, grading has become much easier using the laptop.

Kirstin Krysz - Math
Geometry  Weekly lesson plans, quizzes, tests, monthly reports and final exams and exam outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop. 
Grades will be entered and posted through Schoolmaster this quarter.
Honors Geometry Weekly lesson plans, quizzes, tests, monthly reports and final exams and exam outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop. 
Grades will be entered and posted through Schoolmaster this quarter.
Algebra Weekly lesson plans, quizzes, tests, monthly reports and final exams and exam outlines are created using WordPerfect on the laptop. 
Grades will be 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, progress reports and grades 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 was used to send 4th marking period progress reports electronically to Mrs. Stasion.  4th marking period grades will be sent to Mrs. Stasion electronically.  It is also used daily to research questions the students ask during discussions. 

The laptop was also used to show students pictures of the skeleton, skin cells, and muscles.  Worksheets were found on the Internet and used in class. I also used the laptop while covering choral music.  The students sang songs played from the Internet while following the lyrics which were also found on the Internet.

Candace Wallace – Social Studies

Mrs. Wallace’s sixth grade Social Studies students are presently studying “Anne Frank” and her role in the holocaust.  Students explored virtual concentration camps and explored actual excerpts from her diary. 

Using the laptop and lcd projector, Mrs. Wallace presented an internet exploration and interview with Miep Gies, the woman who aided the Frank family when they were hiding.  Students then wrote two journal entries as if they were with the Frank family in hiding, using authentic information about the hiding place directly from the Frank diaries.

Students will be learning about the cold war and then reviewing for the Final Exam in the coming weeks.

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.

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. 

Ms. Wolf found the computer quite helpful this past month when getting ready for the trip to the Renaissance Faire.  She was able to share information with the students using the website, keep communication flowing with the parents, and prepare for the actual trip by organizing the groups and the busses.

Middle School Student Council

The Middle School Student Council visited the fifth grades at both Lincoln and  Euclid School on Wednesday, May 17, 2006.  The members of the Student Council Welcoming Committee prepared presentations to be given to the fifth graders to prepare them for their journey to the Middle School.   Once again it was a successful program, and many of the 5th graders fears were alleviated by the Student Council members.

The Fundraising Committee was busy in May, making donations to a Ukrainian orphanage, the Middle School Drama club, and to Give Kids the World Village. These charities were chosen by the members of the Student Council. 

On Wednesday, June 7, 2006 the Middle School Student Council held its last meeting of the year.  At the meeting, the Student Council members were given a $15.00 gift certificate to Blockbuster Video or Barnes and Noble as a sign of appreciation for all of their hard work this year.  These gift certificates were given in lieu of the trip to Great Adventure, which is no longer allowed.  It was a very successful year, and all members of the Student Council should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication.  Mrs. Rucci and Ms. Dolan are looking forward to next year!

Technology

• Mrs. Marano’s Computer Cycle 6 and 7 students have completed a drawing using Microsoft Word and a painting using paint. They have also completed an informational brochure and a CD cover. Students will shortly begin their final project, a research presentation using PowerPoint
  

Euclid School –
Math
• Kindergarten is demonstrating their awareness of subtractions by utilizing coins.  They are using pictures to solve real world problems.  They are creating and acting out number stories.  They are practicing these skills through multiple manipulatives.
Grade 1 is working with fractions.  They are identifying halves, thirds and quarters.  They are reviewing the value of coins such as the penny, nickel and quarter.  They are solving word problems by practicing the strategy, “Using Logical Reasoning”.  They are practicing their act it out strategy for working with money. Grade 2 has completed their study of the metric system.  They are exploring multiplication and taking timed mini tests to sharpen their accuracy and speed.  They continue to complete two-step problem solving.  They are focusing on division and working to improve their speed regarding computation.  They are reviewing time and measurement. Grade 3 is focusing on a review of two and three digit multiplication.  They are solving problems by choosing an order of operation.  They are dividing with remainders and two digit numbers.  They are working with money.  They are comparing amounts and making change.  They are telling time and completing their mad minute practice. Grade 4 is working on divisibility rules.  They are finding factors and multiples using a number line.  They are focusing on the problem solving strategy of finding a pattern.  They continue to review their basic multiplication facts.  Grade 5 is continuing their study of dividing fractions.  They are practicing their mad minutes and reviewing and reinforcing their skills for multiplying decimals.  They are practicing their multiplication of fractions and working with percentages.  They are practicing their problem solving skills. 

Science
• Kindergarten has completed their study of animals and the life cycles.  They are learning about the ocean habitat. They are creating aquariums that exemplify various fish and plant life.  They are identifying sea creatures that are mollusks and reading about jellyfish.
Grade 1 is learning all about the characteristics of different types of weather.  They are studying erosion different types of land and water erosion and types of air masses.
Grade 2 is continuing their study of space.  They are learning about the moon and its phases and the various characteristics of the solar system. 
Grade 3 is focusing on forces and motions.  They are determining how things change position.  They are identifying variable speeds and forces that affect motion.  They are concentrating on their study of gravity and magnetism. 
Grade 5 is classifying nonrenewable resources.  They are identifying the sun as a star and the characteristics of energy.  They are discussing hydroelectric energy and its traits.

Social Studies
• Kindergarten is learning about Flag Day.  They are reading stories and creating flag wind socks. They are studying the flags colors and their meaning.  They are practicing the Pledge.
Grade 1 completed their study of landforms and is now focusing on the earth.  They are learning about the earth’s resources and how important recycling is.  They created posters to show what they have learned.
Grade 2 is working on their geography skills.  They are studying the globe and various types of maps.  They are using a compass and drawing maps of the classroom.
Grade 3 is focusing on their study of places that communities start.  They are identifying the characteristics of a mountain community and water community.  They are working with graphs and identifying world climate patterns.
Grade 4 is learning why the Lenape Indians left New Jersey.  They are creating books about the Lenape Indians. They are studying the clothing and jewelry of the Lenape Indians.  They are also creating group murals that show the Lenape’s way of life. 
Grade 5 is discussing the Bill of Rights.  They are learning about the Constitution and writing reports about famous women.  They are learning about the history of the flag and its symbolism.  Students are creating their own flags and completing new nation activities.

Language Arts
• Kindergarten is practicing the writing of upper and lowercase letters from dictation.  They are responding to literature using phonetic spelling.  They are rhyming syllables and identifying signal words.  They are matching words with the same medial sounds and decoding short vowel words. They are focusing on sight words and creating word families.  They are reviewing their color words and number words.  They are listening to and reading stories about the sea.
Grade 1 is working with the long sound of u.  They are blending sounds and building high frequency words.  They are previewing, predicting, and tapping in to prior knowledge while reading.  They are practicing their use of was and were in written sentences.  They are writing zoo stories.  They are creating memory books and identifying the main idea of a given paragraph.
Grade 2 continues to work with action verbs and identifying “ou” words.  They are creating How to Booklets for cooking.  They are reading a story about Dinosaur Travels.  They are working with idioms.  They are spelling words with a vccv pattern.  They are focusing in literal and inferential comprehension questions.  They are perfecting their summaries that include a beginning, middle, and an end.
Grade 3 is developing their listening skills through audio taped stories.  They are working on fact and opinion.  They are utilizing leveled readers to reinforce skills.  They are concentrating on present tense verbs.
Grade 4 is locating main ideas and supporting details.  They are making inferences and identifying cause and effect in their reading selections.  They are taking oral fluency assessments and completing their holistic assessments.  They are presenting book reports and completing their novel How to Eat Fried Worms.  They are identifying prepositions and the object of the preposition.  They are completing personal narratives and taking their QAAR assessments.  They are creating a class newspaper using the different genres of news articles.
 Grade 5 is focusing on vocabulary words by alphabetizing them, defining them, and identifying their parts of speech.  They are practicing their oral fluency and working on think and respond questions.  They are completing their holistic assessments.  They are editing informational essays and working with verbs.  They are formulating contractions.

Physical Education
All of the students at Euclid School had an excellent time at Field Day.  They participated in a multitude of activities like the long jump, softball throw, track and field activities, sack race and the tug of war.  Mr. Minichiello passed out ribbons to the winners at a Field Day Culmination Assembly.

  Art
Pre K is having a paper pizza party.  The students are creating a collage by first creating shapes.  Kindergarten is identifying colors that are warm and cool.  They are completing a mural and identifying the colors of the rainbow.  First Grade is working with 3-dimensional houses.  Second grade is creating drawings of an underwater city.  Grade three is working on spectrum designs.  Grade 4 is using math in art by creating angles.  Grade 5 is completing their plaster projects.

Library and Computers
Kindergarten is creating a graphic using art tools.  They are making text boxes and inserting text.  Grade one is creating a graphic using clip art to edit font and size in a text box.  Grade two is producing a graphic on a square grid.  Grade three is working on their key boarding accuracy.  Grade four is formatting a letter on a word document.  Grades five completed their Power Point presentations and continue to practice their keyboarding.

World Language
All of the students are in the process of taking their end of the year assessment tests to track their progress for the year.

Music
The Spring Concert was a great success for the fourth and fifth grade choir.  Kindergarten is working on their performance skills for their Kindergarten Celebration.  Grade One is working on continuous and non-continuous beats. Grade Two is working on beat and creating some original compositions.  Grade Three is working on improvising with instruments.  Grade Four is singing songs and creating beats to compliment the music.  Grade Five is working on their Graduation performance.

Lincoln School –

Mathematics:
Kindergarten- In Math, we completed Chapter 11- Subtraction.  We acted out stories to solve subtraction problems.  Also, we used connecting cubes to model subtraction stories and make subtraction patterns.  We even subtracted groups of pennies to find out how many cents we had left over. 
Our first graders are working on 2 digit addition and subtraction facts.  We are reviewing fractions.  The second grade continued practicing the multiplication tables from 0-5. We reviewed the concepts of adding and subtracting whole numbers, geometric figures and the measurement of time. The third grade are learning long division and reviewing multiplication, 2 digits by 1 digit and 3 digits by 1 and 2 digits.  Fourth grade Students are completing a unit on decimals and equivalent fractions.  They are beginning a unit on elapsed time, data, and graphing.  The fifth grade students have completed a unit working with integers as well as completed their post QAAR math test on variables, graphs, and equations.

Science:
Kindergarten we explored the life cycle of a butterfly.  On May 15, we received thirty caterpillars.  Over the course of two weeks, we watched them grow, eat, and crawl.  We recorded our observations and even made books about the life cycle of a butterfly.  On June 2nd, we released the butterflies into the air in front of the school.  The children were filled with joy as they watched them fly away.  Our first graders have completed our units and we all gave our final test.  The second graders recently concentrated on sound, the elements of weather and forces.  The third grade will spend the remainder of the year learning about space.  The fourth grade students are learning about the plant and animal kingdoms.

Social Studies:
In kindergarten we completed Chapter 4 – Our Big Book of Earth.  We learned common characteristics of forests, plains, mountains, and oceans.  We also learned what a map is and what it tells us.  We were able to see what a map of our country looks like and what a map of our world looks like.  We learned what a globe is and what it looks like.  We also identified ways we can help keep our environment clean. 
The first grade has completed our First Grade Book.  The second grade is learning about the government symbols of the USA. The third graders learned about how Communities meet their needs and wants, goods and services, and people making good choices.  The fourth grade will celebrate United Nation's Day on June 15.  The fifth grade students have completed a unit on the Thirteen Colonies as well as a culminating test on the 50 United States.

Language Arts:
The kindergarteners finished exploring letter recognition and the sequencing of letters.  This month we explored Zz, Qq, and Uu.  We learned the name and the sound of each letter.  We also learned five new sight words this month – me, -little, -one, -are, and -here.  We even blended –ed, -un, and –ut together and read one syllable words containing these letter patterns.  We had our very first spelling test this month, which was very exciting.  We also used various character cutouts to retell stories and we even put story events in sequence on the overhead projector for the very first time. Our first graders Spelling: We have completed all of the Spelling Lists for the First Grade Spelling curriculum.  We will be giving our final tests the week of June 12- June 16, 2006.
Phonics:  We are working on double oo words such as cool and tooth.  We are reviewing ea words such as read and thread.
Grammar:  We are reviewing endings s, ed, ing and contractions.
Reading:  We have completed the Final Story "Baboon." We will give our final reading assessments and oral fluency assessments.
 The second graders completed their last theme the focus skill was predicting outcomes. The children have also learned about the different parts of books. Third grade: Reading- We are giving the third theme reading test for the second reader. We are doing novels for the remainder of the year. Example: Family Under the Bridge. English- We are reviewing action verbs and the verb be, and other parts of speech.
The fourth grade- English:  Students have been learning how to write persuasive essays.  In grammar we are focusing on adjectives.
Reading:  Students just finished presenting their book reports.  They are reading the story "A Very Important Day" in their textbooks.
The fifth grade: Reading the students will complete reading the book Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell.
In Language Arts the students presented their Living Wax Museum speeches to the school where each student portrayed a character from history.

Physical Education:
The Kindergarten through fifth grade enjoyed field day on June 5th. The event was a success.

Music: (All Elementary Schools) The kindergarten is preparing for their promotional program. First graders are working with kinesthetic activities combined with beat. Second graders are completing a music composition enhanced with an Orff-Schulwerk orchestration. The third grade has completed a unit on music symbols. The fourth and fifth grades participated in a very successful spring concert at HHHS on June 7, 2006. The fifth grade is preparing for their promotion program.

Instrumental Music: Fourth and fifth grade band performed successfully at their spring concert on June 7th. Currently Ms. Moroney is recruiting for next year’s band. Victor’s House of Music came into the school to demonstrate different instruments on June 1st.

World Language: Students in Kindergarten and first grade acquired knowledge regarding the celebration of May 5. Second and third graders reviewed clothing and facial parts. Fourth graders reviewed clothing while fifth graders researched Spanish-speaking countries.
The kindergarteners and first graders completed “cinco de mayo” projects while fifth graders made a country poster on the Hispanic countries studied in class.

Media Center: Kindergarten                  The classes completed their introduction to using KidPix, Isafe
discussions were also concluded. The children were introduced to using Math
Blaster Plus(Rocket Launcher , Addition Level I).
Grade 1 The children were given directed activities in ClarisWorks and KidPix.
These were designed to review the word processing and computer skills that
were taught this year.
Grade 2 Students were introduced to the use of the Internet. They were given
practice logging on, entering and locating a web address correctly, locating
information within the site and using the back button.
Grade 3 Third Graders continued their use of Inspiration and creating webs.
These webs are actually outlines in a different format.
Grade 4 Fourth Graders continued to use stationery and templates. Students also
used Type to Learn.
Grade 5 Fifth Graders used templates and Type to Learn

 

Workshops -

High School -
Middle School- Mrs. Squillace continues to attend the NJ Pathways to teaching at Bergen Community College as part of her mentoring program.

Euclid School –
6/5/06 – No Child Left Behind Training – Mrs. Simmons / Mrs. Catapane
6/8/06- Air Quality – Mrs. Grossano
Lincoln School -

 

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

High School –
Successful fire drills were held on:

• 9/12/05 @ 10:15 am

• 9/20/05 @ 9:01 am

• 10/5/05 @ 1:20 pm

• 10/18/05 @ 2:02 pm

• 11/7/05 @ 1:15 pm

• 11/21/05 @ 9:02 am

• 12/8/05 @ 9:49 am

• 12/19/05 @ 1:18 pm

• 1/4/06 @ 9:49 am

• 1/10/06 @ 1:16 pm

• 2/7/06 @ 1:16 pm

• 2/16/06 @ 10:14 am

• 3/10/06 @ 1:15 pm

• 3/20/06 @ 1:18 pm

• 4/11/06 @ 1:13 pm

• 5/9/06 @ 1:12 pm

• 6/5/06 @ 9:01 am

• 6/13/06 @ 2 pm

 

Lockdown:

• 12/14/05 @ 9:48 am

Elevator Tests –
Successful tests completed on:

• 9/28/05

• 10/17/05

• 11/02/05

• 12/02/05

• 1/16/06

• 2/14/06

• 3/15/06

• 4/11/06