Curriculum and Instruction -
High School -
WORLD LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Squillace’s and Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish I students are describing various classroom items and have learned the days, months, numbers, and geography of the Spanish speaking world.
• Mrs. Washburn is engaging the students in a research project about weather in Italy utilizing the internet.
• Mr. Eggmann’s French II/III students are illustrating vacation regions such as Ardeche, Arcachon, and the Auvergne while the French IV/ V-AP students are reading and completing a book report on Voltaire’s “Candide.”
• Mrs. Carr’s students are concentrating on a review of the basics of Spanish pronunciation.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
• Mr. Ascolese reports that the marching band is preparing for the first football game on September 16 as well as the home competition to be held October 1.
• Mr. Vanamo reports that the concert choir is preparing “The Star Spangled Banner” in honor of National Anthem Day (September 14) and will also be sung at the start of the band competition on October 1.
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Geftic’s English 12 students are reading the ancient epic of Gilgamesh, literature that predates the Bible, and comparing this literature to the more familiar story of Noah’s Ark. In conjunction with this unit, students will create poems and an “Illuminated Bible” about the Great Flood or The Creation that reflect the life and times of Sumeria and Mesopotamia in 2500 BCE.
• Mrs. Geftic’s English 10 students are studying Native American myths. They will create their own original myth in poetic form. In addition, students will be examining first person journals of such people as Christopher Columbus, Olaudah Equiano, and explorers, including Alvar Núñez Cabeza deVaca and García López de Cárdenas. They will write persuasive essays promoting basic human rights—the right to be free, to be equal in dignity to all humankind, and to be free from oppression, fear, and slavery. In addition, they will create a travel journal in first person mirroring what explorers saw as they ventured into the west.
• Mrs. Geftic’s Journalism students have been busy preparing this year’s first edition of the Pilot’s Log as well as a special edition on acting Governor Codey’s visit to Hasbrouck Heights, the importance of volunteering and how students can volunteer to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The Pilot’s Log is also sponsoring a trip to America’s Second Harvest, the New Jersey Community Food Bank where they will clean, sort, and pack canned goods for these victims. Also in October, they will attend the Garden State Scholastic Press Associate Workshop at Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Students will interact with journalism students from 100 high schools in New Jersey as they attend hands-on learning sessions on layout and design, news reporting, and feature writing. In November the eight members of the editorial board of the Pilot’s Log will be attending the National Journalism Education Association Convention in Chicago, Illinois. This event includes more than 200 learning sessions in newspaper, photography, desktop publishing, advising, press law, broadcasting communications law, ethics, leadership skills, and more. Our students will be meeting and interacting with 6,000 high school students from across the United States.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s English 10 classes have been demonstrating comprehension of their summer reading of Of Mice and Men and A Raisin in the Sun through journals they kept over the summer, written tests in class, and through oral presentations about the books they selected independently. For those talks they prepared unique audio or visual aids which ranged from posters to props to Power Point presentations.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s HSPA English 11 class has been reviewing the types of reading and writing included on the HSPA, and learning how reinforcing these skills will help them not just on the HSPA, but also with their assignments for other classes and the new writing section of the SAT.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s AP/College English 12 students have been learning the vocabulary of literary analysis by employing these words and concepts on tests of their summer reading. Over the summer they also wrote two college entrance essays and will be revising and editing them to perfection.
• Mrs. Czekaj’s Shakespeare class is reading Henry IV part one aloud and playing their parts with gusto. They are enjoying learning that the young Prince of Wales, the future Henry V, spent his youth partying and robbing, yet later became the greatest king England ever had.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11/British Literature classes are completing their review of their summer reading assignments. The students discussed the validity and relevance’s of the warning’s contained within George Orwell’s novel 1984 and were tested on their knowledge. The classes also have discussed and analyzed Doris Lessing’s The Fifth Child and have linked the symbols to their own families and experiences. The classes will begin their study of the Anglo-Saxons and will be reading the epic of Beowulf.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 11-Honors/British Literature class has completed their review of George Orwell’s 1984 and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The class is currently studying the Victorian novel and will also read poems by Robert Browning and Lord Tennyson.
• Mr. Van Dam’s English 12/World Literature class has started their creation myths unit and are researching and analyzing myths from around the world. The class has completed their discussion and tests on Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye; Camus’ The Stranger and Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. The primary focus for these three novels included comparing the tragic nature of the modern protagonists.
• Mr. Van Dam’s HSPA 12 class has reviewed the scoring procedures and rubrics that are used on the test and are currently working the improving their test taking skills on the reading tasks. The narrative tasks are currently being practiced and then the persuasive tasks will be addressed later in the month.
• Mr. Pankiewicz’s English 10 Honors class demonstrated comprehension of their summer reading books (The Grapes of Wrath and A Raisin in the Sun) through group discussion, objective tests, and reflective writing journals.
• Mr. Pankiewicz’s Creative Writing class began construction of their creative writing portfolios with commemorative writings on the 4th anniversary of September 11th. Each week students will write poetry and short stories, present work in writing groups, and revise work in the computer lab.
• Mr. Smith’s English 9 classes are reviewing the summer reading selections through discussion, testing, and collaborative work. One particularly interesting topic being discussed is the concept of an allegory and how Animal Farm was inspired by historical events pertaining to the Russian Revolution.
• Mr. Smith’s Genres and Critical Thinking class began the year by discussing various aspects of movies and how they fit in to genres. The first project is in relationship to The Breakfast Club and revolves around how stereotyping can have its effect on the high school social environment.
• Mr. Smith’s HSPA 10 class began the year by reviewing the various purposes for writing. Time and attention is being given to students’ skills in prewriting and developing clear and explicit introductions in their writing.
• After reviewing the summer reading selections and taking a test on the novel Animal Farm, Ms. Kos’ class is beginning their 9th grade literature program. Students are just beginning to read John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men. As they read, students will learn to identify various literary devices and themes and will create a vocabulary list with words they encounter in the text.
• With the summer reading test out of the way, Ms. Kos’ 10th grade English class began their work in American literature with a perusal of the mainstream textbook and the development of a working literary timeline. A discussion of the early European explorers and their first impressions of the Americas led to a reading of the early journals of Christopher Columbus. Students then were asked to use the 5-paragraph persuasive essay model to compose a letter to Queen Isabella on Christopher Columbus’ behalf, in which they were to convince the Spanish government to fund an exploration mission. From here, students will move on to an extensive unit on Native American literature.
• Students in Ms. Kos’ 11th grade class began the year with a discussion of summer reading and a test on Doris Lessing’s The Fifth Child. In an attempt to put their curriculum into historical context, students are using their British literature textbooks to outline the six major periods of British literature and to identify the major cultural, social and literary trends of each, as well as the major writers of the times. Students are looking forward to beginning their study of Beowulf, which should begin later this month.
• Ms. Kos’ 12th grade class spent the first week of class wrapping up the summer reading and creating their 12th grade “Commonplace books.” For this year-long project, students will collect memorable items such as pictures, tickets, notes and other types of memorabilia and will write an accompanying 100-word essay for each in which they explain the significance of the item. Students enjoyed making the personal collages that decorate the outside of the binders that will hold the books and seemed to be enthusiastic about the project. It will be worth an undetermined portion of their final grade. Their World literature program will begin with a reading of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. The themes and ideas explored in this novel—especially surrounding issues of race--will serve as launch pad from which to explore literature from around the world.
• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ Communications students are becoming acquainted with the computer editing programs, Avid Cinema, Pinnacle Studios 9, Movie Maker and Magix 10. Each Communications level 2-4 will be working on a more complex system than the prior level. They are currently working on public service announcement scripts and storyboards.
• Mrs. Schneeweiss’ drama class has been participating in exercises that introduce the principle aspects of improvisation such as the alphabet game in which a random letter is chosen and each student must answer the prior student with a sentence that begins with the next letter. The class is also investigating a murder mystery play that will be performed for an audience sometime in October.
• Mrs. Meyer’s English 9 and English 9H classes are reviewing the summer reading selections with an emphasis on character development, point of view, and the relationship of the works to events in our contemporary world.
• Mrs. Meyer’s Public Speaking class has completed the first of the four speeches that constitutes the curriculum of the cycle, an introduction of a peer, and are currently preparing for their demonstration speeches.
• Ms. Monetti’s Genre and Critical Thinking classes just finished watching our first movie and are learning how to write a movie review.
Ms. Monetti’s English 10 class is continuing our discussion of the summer reading selections. The students are currently presenting their “free choice” books. Some impressive choices were To Kill a Mockingbird, Lord of the Flies and the DaVinci
Code.
• Ms. Monetti’s English 11 class is finishing up our discussion of summer reading with a discussion of some current articles about how George Orwell’s 1984 is still relevant to our society today.
Ms. Monetti’s HSPA English students are building there comprehension and writing skills by doing various activities with the newspaper, as well as reviewing and practicing the different parts of the HSPA test.
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Valenti’s World History, World History Honors and U.S. History I classes have spent time reviewing proper note-taking skills as well as learning my expectations of them. The World History classes have been learning about early man and his shift from a nomadic lifestyle to permanent settlements.
• Mrs. Valenti’s USI class is focusing on why the Europeans explored our side of the globe and the lasting impact that this has had on the world.
• Mrs. Lewites’ World History POR- As our class begins the year in World History, we are learning about the origins, developments and achievements of early human beings. We will examine the techniques used by archaeologists to study prehistory and students will learn about Stone Age people. We will conclude this chapter learning how these people transitioned from a hunting and gathering society to an agricultural society, thus leading to the emergence of civilization.
• Ms. Cassidy’s U.S. History I classes have begun study of early Americans and their contributions to society. Study of early Spanish and English settlements will follow. Discussion on current event topics also took place.
• Ms. Cassidy’s A.P. History- a review of summer assignments have been completed and the class will begin study of Colonial America. The students have reviewed information regarding the A.P. Exam and current events and issues were discussed. The class had an extra treat when they were able to watch Governor Codey discuss the High School Community Service requirement bill and then sign into law.
• Mrs. McGinty’s U.S. History I- The students have embarked on their journey through U.S. history at the very beginnings 40,000 years ago when, it is believed, the first people came to the Americas. In addition to studying the cultures of the Age of Exploration, the students will finish the month with an overview of the colonization of the Americas.
• Mrs. McGinty’s U.S. History II classes are continuing their tour through American history with the examination of the origins of immigration to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Related topics of study included the opportunities and the problems associated with urbanization, an examination of the The Political Machine (with and emphasis on Frank Hague and his impact on Jersey City, NJ), and an overview of politics in the Gilded Age.
• Mrs. McGinty’s U.S. History II Honors classes, in addition to the study of the impact of immigration on the nation as a whole, the class will be conducting research regarding the impact of immigration on Hasbrouck Heights from three perspectives: past, present, and speculation about the future. Their findings will be presented to the class at the end of the month.
• Mrs. Marano’s Computer Applications--Classes are learning how to use tabs, leaders, and margin adjustments in Word. The latest project is the creation of school stationery.
• Mrs. Marano’s Computer 9-Students have learned to use tabs, leaders, and margin
adjustments in Word. In addition, students are working to improve their keyboarding skills.
• Mrs. Marano’s Computer 6 and 7--Students are improving their keyboarding skills and
learning the correct, ergonomic, way to sit at a keyboard and the proper hand placement.
• Mrs. Marano continued her professional development over the summer by
taking refresher courses in Calculus I and Calculus II at Bergen Community College.
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Michaeli’s AP Statistics class learned how to describe distributions by graphs and with numbers.
• Mrs. Michaeli’s Algebra 2 classes learned how to use the real number line to graph and order real numbers, to evaluate an algebraic expression, and to solve linear equations.
• Mr. Mastropietro’s AP calculus is working on Chapter 1 prerequisites for calculus then starting chapter 2 on Limits.
• Mr. Matropietro’s Calculus classes are working on Chapter 1 preliminaries. Then starting to work on functions.
• Mr. Matropietro’s HSPA 9 students are reviewing order of operation, variables, exponents, and square root.
• Mr. Mastropietro’s Advanced math students are reviewing factoring and working on Chapter 1, relations, functions, and graphs.
• Mr. Mastropietro’s HSPA 10 students are working with number sense, and reviewing factoring.
• Mrs. O’Brien’s classes are in full swing. Algebra I students have completed Chapter one and are looking forward to working with signed numbers.
• Mrs. O’Brien’s HSPA 9 students are solving problems involving order of operations. All students are diligently working on their HSPA packets and are enthused and prepared for their Cluster I test.
• Mrs. Healey’s Precalculus classes are reviewing the algebra skills necessary for success in the course.
• Mrs. Healey’s Fundamentals class has learned how to utilize equivalent statements to solve rate problems. They are also reviewing basic algebra skills.
• All juniors will have their first HSPA Prep assignment completed on Friday, September 16.
• Mr. Strama’s Geometry class is building on their existing vocabulary and understanding behind Geometry. They are using the basics (point, line, plane) and extending their imagination to think of Geometry in more sophisticated ways.
• Mr. Strama’s Computer Programming - This month was a time where students became familiar with a new language. Not a language that you speak with your mouth but one that is used in all aspects of the new technological world today, computer language (Basic).
• Mr. Monks’s Algebra class has completed working on the first chapter and will be taking a test on 9/16.
• Mr. Monk’s Geometry class scored well on the first quiz (postulates and properties) and will be moving onto angle relations.
• Mr. Monk’s Fundamentals of Geometry class is currently exploring the similarity of the distance formula and the Pythagorean Theorem.
• Mr. Monk’s Algebra II Honors will soon have mastered solving and graphing inequalities, which will complete the first chapter.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION / HEALTH
• All high school physical education classes were issued locks and lockers and went over the rules and regulations. The unit for the first marking period will be football, tennis and fitness center.
ART DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Reed’s drawing classes have created detailed drawings of a still-life. Students used shading and toning to create dimension using various objects. Objects were selected for the different class levels. Presently students are working on their less is more… project. This project teaches students to create drawings with six different techniques. Various objects were selected for the students and by the students depending on the class level.
• Mrs. Reed’s graphic design class has completed the visual reproduction of the story Jack & Jill. Students were given a large selection of images to use in order to create their own visuals.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Digital Photography classes have begun taking digital pictures and working on self-portraits using adobe photo shop in the art room.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Executive Board has been working diligently to prepare for this year’S Magazine Sale. Kick-off begins on September 28th and the Executive Board is hoping for a successful sale.
• Mrs. Brinker’s Drawing classes have started working with Altered Books while creating their first tonal drawing.
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
• Mrs. Hicswa’s Biology classes discussed lab safety items, lab equipment, and their uses. Following this discussion a unit was started concerning the tools of the biologist- in particular the microscope and the stereoscope.
• Mrs. Hicswa’s Honors Biology class read an essay on biology and ethics. A very interesting and animated discussion was held concerning the essay topics, related topics, and some personal situations that have occurred that would be covered in a discussion concerning ethics.
• Mr. Pignatiello’s Chemistry CP and Honors: The chemistry students here at HHHS are preparing themselves mathematically for a year of formulas and problems solving in the world of chemistry. We recently made some beautiful density columns showing rainbows of color.
• Mr. Pignatiello’s AP Chemistry: The students are reviewing old concepts about prediction of reactions while adding many new ideas and facts. The work is very challenging and the students are responding wonderful to the difficulty of the subject matter.
• Mrs. Stoehs’ Environmental Science class is researching information to create Biosphere 3, a self-supporting environment. They will need to determine inhabitants, location, supplies, and the physical and psychological needs of the occupants. Finally, they will plan a structure that could contain all of these needs and be able to sustain life indefinitely.
• Mrs. Stoehs’ Earth Science class just finished chapter 1 which included the scientific method. An experiment was completed through which they were able to determine the control and the variable being tested. They were then able to make a conclusion on how different lengths, weights, and angles affected the swings of a pendulum.
• Mr. Binazeski’s Physical Science classes are learning about the scientific method and chemistry. The students preformed an experiment turning copper pennies into gold pennies. Using their knowledge of the scientific method and chemistry, they will determine whether the penny is truly gold.
• Mr. Binazeski’s Environmental Science class is learning the many areas of environmental science and seeing how they apply to everyday life. A case study is being performed on superfund sites with an emphasis on Love Canal.
• Mr. Lentis’s PA Physics students are learning mathematical techniques to be used in solving problems on the AP Level. They also studied 1-dimensional kinematics and 3-dimensional kinematics with a discussion on vector analysis.
• Mr. Lentis’s Chemistry students are learning scientific techniques in measuring and handling laboratory equipment. They have also been trained to practice safety procedures regarding laboratory environments. Students performed their first lab, which was an investigation of the density of liquids.
•
Middle School-
Math:
Mrs. Caputo’s mainstream classes are reviewing fractions in Chapter 4. A quiz is coming up this Friday.
Mrs. Caputo’s Honors math class has been working with integers. All students copied down the rules for all four operations and are currently working on a ditto pack. There is a quiz this Friday.
Mrs. Caputo’s Student Activities club is up and running. Our first dance is for 7th and 8th grader on Sept 23, 2005
Mr. Sickel’s mainstream classes are working on graphing. The students are learning and reviewing graphs such as bar, line, and circle graphs.
Mr. Sickel’s honors math class is currently working on graphs. Bar, line and circle graphs are some of the graphs they are reviewing.
Mr. Strama Math (6th grade)
We are reinforcing our ideas behind fractions with models and comparing various fractions to each other. We are extending ideas to LCM and GCF, which is helpful when solving simple numerical operations with fractions.
Miss DiPiano’s 6th Grade Algebra Students are currently learning patterns and number sense and the order of operations. Students are also spending time each day on choosing a strategy to solve word problems.

Miss DiPiano’s 6th Grade Geometry Students are currently learning how to organize and display data, how to create tables, make line plots, and frequency tables. Students are also spending time each day on creating a table to solve word problems.
Mr. Aldea's classes have been working on several types of graphs including bar, sliding, and line graphs. Next, students will be working on measures of central tendency and stem-and-leaf plots.
Mrs. Dunne
• All classes were given the first Cluster packet and it was handed in on Friday Sept. 16.
• Math class is reviewing variable expressions for word phrases and evaluating expressions given values.
• Algebra honors are reviewing Chapter 1 skills of order of operations, evaluation, and powers.
Social Studies:
6th Grade Social Studies
The theme for September in Mrs. Wallace’s Grade 6 Social Studies classes is “Community” and the students are presently working together to explore this concept. Recent current events have motivated the students to explore fundraising for the victims of the hurricane. In addition, Matt Scalzione, a New Jersey Firefighter and EMT specialist will be speaking to the sixth graders about his job. Students will also be testing their map skills by becoming apprentice cartographers. They will be drawing maps using the programs that are available in Mrs. Wallace’s classroom. They will then present their apprentice journals and drawings to the class.
7th Grade Social Studies
Students in Mrs. Gay's Social Studies class are utilizing the “We the People”
workbook as the basis for their civics unit. This text was created to mark the
200th anniversary of the writing, ratification, and implementation of the basic
documents of American democracy, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
It was funded by the United States Department of Education by an act of
Congress, and is distributed through the Center for Civic Education. It is
designed to introduce students to the study of constitutional government in the
United States, and to provide them with an "understanding of the American past
and equipping them intellectually to be active participants in the American
future".
Students are currently exploring the basic concepts of natural rights
philosophy. They will be asked to speculate on what might be the benefits and
problems of living in a "state of nature", a situation in which there are no
laws or government. They will then compare their conclusions about such a
situation with those of political philosopher John Locke. In addition, the
students will be introduced to Locke's concepts of social compact and consent,
and his premise that the role of government is to protect the natural rights
of the individual.

8th grade Social Studies
Mrs. Rucci’s eighth grade social studies classes are off to a great start analyzing people, events, and places in the news. Students are glad to know that we will be relating current events to what is learned in class throughout the year. We’ve covered the chapter about the war on terrorism and students discovered important facts about the 9-11 attacks as well as the motives of terrorists. We’ll be following the challenging hurricane/flooding recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast. Chapter 1 in our text is about how humans first came to live in the Americas. Our Junior Scholastic magazines will take us to Egypt and show students how to track a hurricane.
World Languages Department
Mrs. Cafferty’s seventh graders and Mrs. Squillace’s eighth graders are practicing how to ask and answer questions on several topics and played number bingo . Ms. Krysz’s sixth grade cycle class has chosen a Spanish name and has learned to ask each other’s name and respond to that question.
Art:
Mrs. Reed’s art 7 class has learned about the life and works of Henri Matisse. Students have create paper cut out images in his style.
Heath and Physical Education:
The gym classes were issued locks and lockers and the teachers went over the rules and regulations for the course. The classes are now in the football unit.
English:
Ms. Wolf’s 6th grade English students are busy reviewing types of writing and the writing process. The students will complete an end of the unit activity that involves bringing in examples of each of the different types of writing. With these examples, the students will create collages that will be displayed in the classroom.
Mrs. Rowland 7th grade English students are reviewing sentence structure and were introduced to the following literary terms: inference, verbal irony, irony of the situation, and dramatic irony. Eventually, students will be expected to incorporate literary terms in their writing.
Mr. Colangelo’s 6th grade Study Skills students received their Study Skills workbooks. The students will be asked to complete exercises in their workbook individually and in cooperative learning groups. Students will create HW Survival Kits in their assigned groups.
Mr. Colangelo’s 7th grade Creative Writing students were introduced to the various writing assignments in the Creative Writing curriculum. They will begin with a week of journal writing before beginning their autobiography project.
Mr. Colangelo’s 7th grade Literature students handed in and discussed their summer reading assignments. Following the summer reading assignment, the students will begin their reading of The Adventures of Ulysses, the Greek Epic that traces the wandering of Ulysses.
Mr. Colangelo’s 8th grade Literature students handed in and discussed their summer reading assignments. Following the summer reading assignment, the students will begin a lesson on literary terms.

Mr. Sicilian’s 8th grade English classes are in full swing. Students have begun their first units on vocabulary development—synonyms, antonyms, suffix endings, context clue sentence writing. In addition, all students have finished their first autobiographical writing piece with “A Letter of Introduction”. The letter was written from either a first or third person perspective and contains “insights” into the author’s personalities, not just the basic biographical data.
All students are being encouraged to participate in the upcoming poetry collection and book club activities sponsored by the Hasbrouck Heights Public Library.
Mr. Stillman’s 8th grade Literature and Literature Honors classes are currently reviewing their summer reading assignments. They will shortly begin to utilize their new textbook series as they learn how to analyze and interpret short stories.

Ms Dolan’s 6th Grade Literature classes are off to a great start this year. The students have begun to read Tuck Everlasting, a book that asks the following question: Would you want to live forever?
Ms. Venneman’s Literature 7 classes are read The Adventures of Ulysses. Students will be asked to apply many figurative language devices to the text as a means of enhancing comprehension and appreciation of the story.
Ms. Venneman’s HSPA 9th class has been reviewing the types of reading and writing included on the HSPA, and are learning how to apply the various strategies to the writing required in their other classes.Science Department
• Mr. Rispoli’s 6Th grade science classes are learning about motion. The students will learn how to determine if something is in motion, identify the velocity of an object and how to find the speed of an object. They will be completing a speed lab by gathering data and using the data to determine on object’s speed.
• Mrs. Toy’s 7th grade science classes are exploring the steps to the Scientific Method. Students will be using their knowledge to test pendulums and boats. Students will analyze and organize their data by creating graphs of their results. The next unit will include microscopes and cells.
• Mr. Cassiere’s 8th grade students recently completed the “Oobleck” lab. Students were advised to investigate a mysterious liquid taken from the planet Venuus for NASA (cornstarch, water, green food coloring). They had to record all their results by using the scientific method. Students were asked to create a spacecraft that would be able to land on this mysterious Oobleck Ocean on the planet Venus. Students had to consider the properties of the substance in the planning of their spacecraft. Upon completion of the investigative phase, a National Scientist/Engineers Convention was held and students merged their ideas together orally to determine the most significant properties. They were then briefed by NASA on basic facts about Venus such as climate, atmospheric pressure, and temperature. Students then moved to the third phase of the lab in which they divided back into their lab groups to compete against one another. NASA offered a grant to the winning engineering team for 17.5 million dollars for the 4 engineers who can design the best spacecraft. Students were asked to create a blueprint of their spacecraft. Their blue print included solar array panels & special material for Venus’ environment. The winning engineering team is going to be posted on the class web page (without student pictures).

Euclid School -
Math
• The Pre School is learning to recognize their numbers 1-5. Kindergarten is learning their positional terms related to mathematics. They are recognizing their five basic shapes and participating in sorting activities. Grade One is practicing their addition facts 0 through 5. They are writing and recognizing number sentences. They are working on problem solving steps for completing word problems. Grade Two is reviewing their number facts and doubles. They are focusing on place value by working with ones and tens. Grade Three is working on pre-algebra problems. They are learning to identify fact families. They are solving addition and subtraction equations with missing addends. Grade Four is reviewing adding and subtracting to the millions. They are rounding and estimating and practicing their mad minute facts for 0 through 6. Grade Five is working on place value. They are focusing on number order and comparing numbers to the billions.
Science
• Kindergarten is identifying primary colors and secondary colors. They are identifying the new colors formulated when mixed. Grade One is learning about the characteristics of living and non-living things. They are classifying objects by their characteristics and sorting. Grade Two is discovering parts of plants. The students are planting grass seed and recording the changes in the seed’s growth. They are comparing the seeds growing with sunlight and water and the seeds growing in the dark. Grade Three is studying rocks and soil. The students are identifying the different types of rocks and classifying them according to their characteristics.
Social Studies
• Kindergarten is studying Johnny Apple Seed and making applesauce. They are learning the meaning of a community. Grade One is exploring belonging to a group. They are looking at their families and their school family. Grade Two is learning about where they live. They are comparing different types of communities and the groups that are found within a community. They are practicing their map skills. Grade Three is learning about communities. They are defining the concept of a community and distinguishing between the different types of communities. Grade Four is developing map skills and learning about the hemispheres, latitude, longitude, and the continents. They are beginning their study of New Jersey. Grade Five is completing their overview of the new social studies program discussing what America offers to all. The students are reading about various immigrant groups that have come to America, the resources found in America, and democracy. They are working on map sills depicting the US regions.
Language Arts/Reading
• The PSD class is learning about the letters c, a, and t. They are practicing the concept of same and different. Kindergarten students are practicing their names. They are clapping out syllables and distinguishing the difference between a letter and a word. They are practicing alphabetical order and recognizing environmental print. They are reading the Gingerbread Man and traveled throughout the building to find him. While searching they learned the location of the principal’s office, nurse’s office, gym, library, and art room. Grade One is working with the short sound of a. They are practicing their handwriting skills and sentence formation. They are taking formal spelling tests and concentrating on their listening skills. Grade Two is developing their writing skills. They are learning to outline information and put thoughts into a paragraph format. They are identifying complete and incomplete sentences. They are reviewing vowel sounds and learning how to use tone, rate, and fluency, for greater comprehension. Grade Three is focusing on parts of sentences and different types of sentences. They are practicing cursive handwriting skills and are identifying structured paragraphs. They are working on vocabulary skills and identifying context clues. They are reading with their Book Buddies. Grade Four is focusing on the seven traits of good writing. They are utilizing these skills to write descriptive and narrative essays. They are identifying types of sentences and proper sentence structure. They are identifying character traits and locating evidence to support their answers. They are working on inferencing when reading stories. Grade Five is rewriting fairy tales from various characters points of view. They are using dialogue in these narratives. They are responding to persuasive writing prompts. They are reviewing basic vocabulary and developing story charts that list the setting, characters, problem and solution.
Library
• Kindergarten is learning to sign out library books. Grade One is listening to stories and identifying signs of Fall. Grade Two is learning to type sentences into the computer. Grade Three is identifying locating, and using the toolbar features in Microsoft Word. Grade Four is typing, editing, and stylizing a poem. Grade Five is reviewing basic keyboarding skills and toolbar features. Music
• Kindergarten is singing and moving to the beat of the music. Grade One is learning about notation and playing a beat following a note chart. Grade Two is focusing on singing and moving their heads and shoulders to the music. Grade Three is learning about beat. Grade Four is adding instruments to their songs and preparing for their trip to the NJ Symphony. Grade Five is learning about music symbols. Physical Education
• PSD & Kindergarten is developing locomotor skills, listening skills and participating in body awareness activities. Grades One and Two are developing their manipulation skills while learning to share equipment and space. Grade Three through Five are working on soccer. They are developing their dribbling, trapping, passing, kicking and heading skills.
Art
• Kindergarten is completing self portraits. Grade One is working on abstract art. Grade Two is working on patterns. Grade Three is working on abstract art. Grade Four is creating collage. Grade Five is working on string art.
World Language
Mrs. Cafferty is working with Dora the explorer in Kindergarten. Students are listening to stories read in both English and Spanish. Grade one is learning weather words. Grades 2-5 are learning color and shape words and playing bingo. They are reviewing the months and days of the week in Spanish.

Lincoln School -
Mathematics:
Kindergarten classes are working on sorting and classifying; left and right; and special relationships. Our first graders started a unit on simple addition, ‘counting on’, and daily problem solving. The second grade has been working on place value – ones & tens and will be moving on to patterns soon. The third grade recently finished a brief review of addition and subtraction and will begin odd and even numbers as well as place value. Fourth graders are presently studying place value up to millions and will begin a unit on 4-digit addition and subtraction. The fifth graders recently began practicing multiplication and division facts for Mad Minute tests. they completed a unit on place value & ordering greater numbers and will begin learning about decimals. The also utilized a Microsoft Excel graph to display data, which is displayed on the hallway bulletin board.
Science:
Kindergarten classes are learning about living and non-living things. Our first graders started a unit on living things – chapter 1, which focuses on plants, animals, and shelter. The second graders are learning about plants, parts of plants, and seeds. The third grade is learning about animals and animal groupings. They are also learning about life-cycles. The fourth grade is currently in a science unit. Our fifth graders are currently in a social studies unit.
Social Studies:
Our kindergarten students are learning about school rules and fire drill procedures and ‘getting to know each other’. The first grades are beginning chapter 1 on ‘getting to know you.’ The second grade is learning about communities – suburban, urban, and rural. The third graders are discussing geography and communities in the United States and will begin studying different types of communities in the near future. The fourth grade is learning about the regions and the different characteristics of each region. The fifth graders are learning all about the new textbook series and will begin a unit on migration and early American Cultures.
Language Arts:
The kindergarteners are investigating the letter ‘M’. They recently read Look Out kindergarten, Here I Come, and Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. Our first graders are working on the vowel ‘short a’ and are writing sentences in their journals. Next, they will be reading Sam in the Bag. The second graders are learning about asking and telling sentences and recently read The Mixed-up Chameleon. The third grades are starting the story ¬Pepita Talks Twice and are investigating different types of sentences as well as simple subjects & predicates. The fourth graders are reviewing all of the stages of the writing process. They recently read The Gardener and are beginning The Stone Fox. The fifth graders recently reviewed the 4 types of sentences, sentence structure, complete subjects, and complete predicates. There are also beginning to work on narrative paragraph writing.
Physical Education:
The Kindergarten through fifth graders have reviewed all safety procedures including appropriate attire. Mr. Hoskin has stressed that jewelry is NOT permitted in physical education class. They have also reviewed expectations and rules in physical education class. K-3 is now practicing fundamental soccer skills. 4th and 5th graders are applying soccer skills in ‘six on six’ soccer games. Fifth grade D.A.R.E classes will commence 9/27 with Sergeant Mullins.
Music: (All Elementary Schools)
Grades K-2 are engaged in listening and movement activities. The first grade is starting to identify musical notes. The third grade is working on a progressive activity that requires student to sustain a ‘beat’. Fourth and fifth graders are beginning choir and are preparing for the winter concert. Mrs. Cerasuolo is mentoring a junior practicum student teacher, Mr. Ronald Garafolo, on Wednesdays.
World Language:
Mrs. Squillace, instructing grades K-5, is using a dialog technique for extensive review of previous vocabulary as well as allowing for more material to be reviewed in a concentrated format.
Media Center:
Kindergarten students are working on introductory mouse skills. The first grade is reviewing typing skills such as the shift and return keys as they type their names. The second grade is utilizing tools within programs to insert clip art and other utilities. The third and fourth graders have been learning to save on the server by writing and saving a poem. The fifth grade began the five week I-Safe America Internet safety program during the week of 9/19/05.
Workshops -
High School - Nothing to report
Middle School- Nothing to report
Euclid School -
Euclid School –
• 9/12/05 QAAR School Objectives – Teachers met to discuss their grade level objectives. Pre Tests were formulated and dates for administration were chosen
• 9/22/05 Inclusion Meeting – Grade 4 parents and the Child Study TeamLincoln School –
9/07/05: Staff organizational meeting including: curricula statement of assurance; welfare check teacher responsibilities; morning/afternoon procedures; lunch procedures; visitor’s procedures; status of student text books; movie guidelines; QAAR Objectives reviewed; Mad Minute requirements; DYFS policy & procedures; Change in teacher evaluation; fire drill / lock down procedures; oral fluency / comprehension diagnostic testing procedures; math & writing folder guidelines; and Affirmative Action officer introduced.
9/12/05: Staff pictures taken from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM for district-wide photo ID initiative.
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
Middle School-
Fire Drills:
9/12/05 @ 10:15 am
9/20/05 @ 9:01 am

Euclid School -
9/12/05 @ 2:30pm
9/16/05 @ 2:50pm
Lincoln School -
9-13-05: Elevator Emergency Test
9-21-05: Fire Drill @ 11:35 a.m.
9-22-05: Lock Down @ 2:00 p.m.
9-23-05: Fire Drill @Accomplishments - include activities that were held
High School –
• Mrs. Squillace has used communication based direct method learning with her students as an innovative teaching technique.
• Mrs. Washburn’s Italian II, III, and IV students have written and illustrated in Italian the different activities enjoyed and accomplished during summer vacation as well as creating a project commemorating the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001. Pictures and descriptions in Italian using the internet will recount the events.
• Mrs. Squillace’s and Mrs. Cafferty’s Spanish I students have learned to greet each other, ask each other their names, where they are from and how they feel. All three clubs (FRENCH, ITALIAN, and SPANISH) have held initial meetings to establish membership and elect officers.
Middle School- Ms. Krysz’s cycle classes completed a poster entitled “My Reasons for Studying Spanish.”
Mr. Vanamo reports that the sixth grade vocal music class is singing in two parts after only five days of school.
Ms. Moroney has started with the sixth grade instrumental cycle, which is designed for students who have had two years of instrumental music to date. Also, the cycle is working on reading music with complex notation and rhythmic notation. Preparations are underway for the first holiday concert, which is scheduled for December 21, 2005.
The 2005 summer music program under Mr. Ascolese and Ms. Moroney enrolled 64 students, many of which are presently in the first cycle instrumental class.Euclid School -
• 9/7/05 – Kindergarten Tea
• 9/13/05 – Pre School Trip to meet Sesame Street Characters
• 9/14/05 – National Anthem Morning Celebration
• 9/20/05 – Traumaroo Grades K-2 presented by Hackensack University
• 9/20/05 – Spinal Injury – Grade 5 presented by Hackensack University
Lincoln School -
9/15/05: Student picture day from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM in gymnasium.
9/22/05: Trauma-Roo health program for students in grades K/1/5 via Hackensack Medical Center
Student Recognition
High School - Nothing to report
Middle School- Nothing to report
Euclid School -
Birthday Card Acknowledgements to students
Star Student Recognition
Patrols announced
Lincoln School - Nothing to Report.
Staff Attendance by percentage & number

High School –
Attendance from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 97.7 %. 17.5 teachers were absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present is 97.7%.
Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 99.8%. 1 teacher was tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 99.8%.
Substitute Information
During 9/6/05 to 9/21/05, 21 substitute teachers have been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 21.
Based on sick days, professional, field trips, testing, and office sub.
Middle School
Attendance from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 99.2%. 3 teachers were absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present are 99.2%.
Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 99.7%. 1 teacher was tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 99.7%.
Substitute Information
During 9/6/05 to 9/21/05, 4 substitute teachers have been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 4.

Based on sick days, professional, field trips, testing, and office sub.
Euclid School -
Attendance from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 99.8 %. 1 teachers was absent. Total absences from beginning of the year to present is 99.8%.
Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 100%. 0 teachers were tardy. Total tardiness from the beginning of the year to present is 100%.
Substitute Information
During 9/6/05 to 9/21/05, 1 substitute teachers has been hired. Total substitutes hired from the beginning of the year to present = 1.

Lincoln School –
Attendance from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 12 teachers were absent. Attendance is 97%.
Staff punctuality by percentage and number
Punctuality from 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 = 100%. No teachers were tardy.
Substitute Information
During 9/6/05 to 9/21/05 12 substitute teachers have been hired.
Press Releases - List topic & date (attach copy)
High School - None
Middle School- None
Euclid School - None
Lincoln School - None

Note worthly Events:
High School - Governor Richard Codey signed into law the Community Service Graduation Requirement at the high school media center on September 9, 2005. Various news agencies covered the event which was aired on channel 7 and 12 news. Several Student Council students participated in the event.
In State Field Trips Do Not Require Board of Education Approval.
Level : Lincoln School
Event: Trip to Library
Date: September 13, 2005
Location: Town Library
Grade Level: 2 Number of Students: 51
Chaperons: Mrs. D'Amore, Mrs. DiGiuglielmo and Mrs. Grattan
Level: Lincoln School
Event: Sesame Street
Date: September 14, 2005
Location: Lincoln School
Grade Level: Pre K Number of Students: 8
Chaperons: Ms. Cannizzo
Level: Euclid School
Event: Symphony Trip
Date: October 19, 2005
Location: Newark, NJ
Grade Level: 4 Number of Students: 70
Chaperons: Grade 4 teachers and Mrs. Cerasuolo
Level: High School
Event: Hurricane Relief
Date: October 7, 2005
Location: Hillside, NJ
Grade Level: 9-12 Number of Students: 45 students
Chaperons: Mrs. Geftic, Mr. Pankiewicz and Mrs. Cassidy
Level: High School
Event: Yearbook Workshop
Date: September 27, 2005
Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Grade Level: 12 Number of Students: 5
Chaperons: Mrs. Wallace
Level: High School
Event: Journalism Trip
Date: October 24, 2005
Location: New Brunswick - Rutgers University
Grade Level: 9-12 Number of Students: 15
Chaperons: Mr. Pankiewicz and Mrs. Gefic
Level: High School
Event: College Visit
Date: October 27, 2005
Location: Rutgers University - Newark
Grade Level: 11 and 12 Number of Students: 20
Chaperons: Mrs. Stevenson and Mr. Schimel