Husky Happenings - August 2009

August 2009

HUSKY HAPPENINGS The Quarterly Newsletter of Dumont High School

Welcome To The 2009-2010 School Year I am hopeful that you and your family have enjoyed your well deserved vacation and have made time to connect with as many family and friends as possible. Those relations in our lives are, after all, the most important and bring us true fulfillment, peace, and joy. This first issue of Husky Happenings 2009-2010 is full of important and needed information for both you and your child. I urge you to read our newsletter thoroughly and keep on hand for future reference. I also encourage you to read about Dumont High School’s selection as a PLC Lab School. This initiative will contribute to our mission of being a center of continuous learning for both students and staff. During the 2008-2009 school year, teachers were working together to research and discuss new curricular programs that will enhance the education every child receives at DHS. Being recognized by the NJ Department of Education for these efforts and as a “school that works” is a point of pride for us. Future Husky Happenings will highlight our progress as a PLC Lab School. Only the first edition of Husky Happenings per year will be mailed home. The remaining three editions will be found on the DHS website www.dumontnj.org in November, February, and April. However, if you wish to continue to receive a paper copy of Husky Happenings, please contact Mrs. Stanek at (201) 387-3000, ext. 3003. I look forward to once again seeing you on our fields, at our many events, and in our building.

In This Issue page 2-3 Need To Knows page 3 Curriculum News Guidance News page 4 School Security Athletics News Clubs & Student News page 5 Parent Groups News page 6 Upcoming Events Honorable Mentions

Mr. Michael Parent Principal

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HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009

Need To Knows New School Phone Numbers The phone system features an automated attendant and voice mail system to facilitate communication with district faculty and staff. Please take note of the following important main numbers. You may also dial the Guidance Department and Athletic Department directly. DHS Main Office (and to call a student in as “absent”): (201) 387-3000 Guidance Department (direct number): (201) 387-3010 Athletic Department: (direct number) (201) 387-3094 DHS School Nurse (201) 387-3000, ext. 3605 DHS Cafeteria (201) 387-3000, ext. 3066

New Staff Mr. Nicolino Nese joined the DHS staff on June 1, 2009 as the new Director of Athletics. Ms. Kristy Curtin joined the DHS staff on September 1, 2009 as the new School Psychologist.

Back To School Night The annual Back to School Night will be conducted on Wednesday, September 30 beginning at 7:00 PM in the DHS Quirk Gym. We look forward to having you become familiar with your child’s teachers and courses, as well as the policies and procedures of DHS. A letter will be sent to you shortly providing details and inviting you to this annual event.

8th Grade Open House The annual 8th Grade Open House will be conducted on Wednesday, October 14, beginning at 6:30 PM in the DHS Auditorium. It will be a great opportunity for parents and 8th graders to receive an

up close and personal view of DHS’s or other relatives) else in the household outstanding curriculum and co-curricular be listed in Part 2, whether or not they activities. have an income. All families qualified to take advantage of this opportunity are urged to provide your child with free or Swift Reach low cost nutritional lunches. Any This year the district will continue questions, please contact Mr. Parent at utilizing an automated phone service (201) 387-3000, ext. 3003. called Swift Reach to alert our parental community to school closings and other Student Drop-off And pertinent emergencies. As all information Pick-up from last year is still in the system, please notify Mrs. Stanek at DHS (201) Please be aware that parents should use 387-3000, ext. 3003 only if you have Husky Drive as a drop off area for changes to your contact numbers since students. Please do not use our faculty last school year. parking lots to drop off students. This practice may pose a danger to your children and creates traffic issues in our Student/Parent faculty parking lots and on New Milford Handbooks Avenue. To avoid traffic delays and build It is extremely important that our new up on New Milford Avenue, we are parents and students become familiar continuing to strongly encourage parents with the contents of our Student-Parent to use the Dixon Avenue entrance as a Handbook. This handbook will be drop off point. A walkway is available to distributed to all students at the give students access from Dixon Avenue beginning of September during to the Main Entrance. Also, parents are homeroom. Please contact the Main reminded that visitor parking is only Office at the high school should your available on Husky Drive in the parking child not receive a Student-Parent lot directly in front of the new Media handbook. This year, the handbook is Center and main entrance. If that lot is also accessible via the Dumont High full, you are asked to find additional School home page on the district website parking on the street as all spaces in the (www.dumontnj.org). The handbook faculty lots are reserved. clearly explains all school policies.

Free or Reduced Lunch If you believe that you qualify for free or reduced meals, you must provide verification of this fact along with your application. Applications will be sent home shortly for this purpose. Such verification of eligibility may include, but is not limited to, copies of wages/salaries, welfare, and child support payments, pensions. Social Security checks or any other type of income that is applicable. Be assured that any information you provide will remain confidential. One type of form is to be used for all students, with the youngest schoolchild in the family returning one form to his or her school for all children in the family. Please note the application requests that all students be listed in Part 1A, and everyone (including parents/guardians, non-school age children, grandparents,

Student Yearbook Pictures Student pictures will be taken on September 3 and 4. A makeup date for pictures will be announced at a later time. Students will be able to place their orders with payment to the company, Lors Studio, for any additional pictures other than the ID student picture.

School/Student Lockers Student lockers have been re-organized and re-assigned to all students. School lockers are the property of the Dumont Board of Education and are on loan to students. Mr. Wichmann, Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services, may be contacted at 201-387-3000, ext. 3007, for questions regarding lockers.

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Curriculum Council will be afforded professional development and on-site The Family Educational Rights and coaching from leading authors and Privacy Act is a Federal Law that requires educators who are well versed and public schools to provide notice to experienced with PLCs. parents of the types of student information that it releases publicly. If As a PLC Lab School, Dumont High you do not wish the Dumont Public School will once again be at the forefront Schools to include your name in DHS’s of the latest educational movements all in student directory, please return the an effort to sustain our commitment to bottom portion of the FERPA form to providing our students and staff with he Mr. Parent by September 25. If we do best possible education. not receive written notification by this date, your child’s name will be listed in the student directory.

FERPA

Parent Access To Grades & Attendance As you may be aware, DHS utilizes an electronic grade book program entitled Power Grade that features a parental access component. A letter will be sent home for logging on to the parent access portal.

Curriculum News DHS Selected as PLC Lab School Dumont High School has been selected as one of only thirty three Professional Learning Communities Lab Schools by the NJ Department of Education and the Educational Information Resource Center. Professional Learning Communities (or PLCs) are small learning groups of professionals. PLCs are usually made up of four to five people who study ideas or issues related to student achievement or school goals, conduct research on the issue, and collaborate with each other to find solutions, amend policy, or improve practice. The high school faculty worked in PLCs last year to investigate a future Freshmen Seminar course, a Pathways program, Option II, and an Economics/Finance course slated for school year 2010-2011. As a result of being selected as a PLC Lab School, every faculty member of the

Guidance News

Dr. Collins and the Guidance team will be hosting parent evenings in the fall to demonstrate and explain how Naviance works.

Testing Dates HSPA at DHS October 6, 7, 8 (2009) SAT at DHS October 10, 2009 PSAT at DHS October 14, 2009

Contact Dr. Collins, Director of Guidance, at (201) 387-3010 for test information, as well as registration Congratulations To The deadlines. You may check the school Class of 2009 district website (www.dumontnj.org) for additional information under Guidance We are extremely proud of the Department. accomplishments of the Class of 2009. We continue to be proud of the fact that a large Virtual High School percentage of our Virtual High School (VHS) is a nongraduating seniors pursue profit organization that collaborates with educational opportunities schools to offer on-line, content-rich, post graduation. In fact, credit-bearing high school courses to an impressive 96.7% of students throughout the United States the Class of 2009 planned and around the world. to continue their education, with 62.2% going to 4-year colleges, 31.1% going to Currently there are over 200 courses to 2-year colleges, 3.4% going to nursing, chose from in the following areas: business, trade, and/or technical schools, Language Arts, Math, Technology, Life and 1.0% to the armed services. 2.3% of Skills/Health, Foreign Language, the graduating class is pursuing Science, Social Studies, Business, and the employment opportunities. Arts. Courses may be either half-year or full year. Students in grades 10-12 are eligible. Please contact you child’s Guidance Counselor for more Naviance is a web-based communication information on enrolling you son or system that allows each student to create daughter in a VHS course. a personalized success plan. Because it's on-line, students and families can work together with counselors and Satellite School administrators who become "success Schedule coaches", working to ensure that each The Satellite School schedule for the student stays on track with his or her 2009-2010 school year may be accessed personal goals. on our school district website

Naviance Arrives

Naviance provides students and parents with the framework to direct their own education, establish long and short-term goals, and plan for post secondary success.

www.dumontnj.org. As a point of information, students attending the Paramus program are provided with bus transportation to the site at the following times: 7:20 AM for the morning session; 11:30 AM for the PM session. If you have any questions or would like more

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information regarding the Satellite school program, please contact the Guidance Department at (201) 387-3010.

Guardian permission is included in this mailing and is due back to the homeroom teacher no later than September 18, All student ID/access cards will be 2009. returned to the 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who turned in their ID cards in June. Students who did not hand in or who lost their cards but paid the $10.00 replacement fee will have new cards issued to them in September. All incoming 9th grade students and newly Fall Sports Visiting DHS enrolled students will have student ID As a means to continue to enhance pictures taken for this purpose on The Fall Sports Season these teams will school security, the district will continue September 3 and 4 during Physical open play on the following dates: implementing a Visitor Management Education classes. Procedure in all district schools. Girls Volleyball Once IDs are processed and issued, 9/11 vs Cliffside Park, 4:00 PM The Board of Education’s visitor policy students will be required to be in states that all school visitors, including possession of their IDs at all times during Boys Soccer parents, must report to the main entrance the school day. These cards will provide 9/11 vs Cliffside Park, 4:00 PM to obtain a visitor’s pass before students access into the building in the proceeding morning, during SDLs, and during the Girls Soccer to any part lunch hour. Cards will also be needed to 9/12 vs Cliffside Park, 12:00 PM of t h e access bathroom facilities. Football b u i l d i n g. W i t h o u t Students who arrive to school without September 11 vs Cliffside Park, 7:00 PM exception, their access cards may lose campus all visitors privileges such as open SDL and Lunch Boys and Girls Cross Country w i l l b e periods, and may receive additional 9/15 vs River Dell and Fort Lee @ expected to disciplinary consequences. Students will Darlington Park, 4:00 PM follow our be required to pay a $10.00 replacement access and fee for lost or stolen cards. Meetings will Join in the excitement and experience all visitation procedures. Visitors must use be held with students during the first few the action in the new stadium. For athletic information, contact Mr. Nic the designated entrance to enter the weeks of school to discuss the system. Nese, Director of Athletics, at (201) school. Once admitted into the building, the visitor will report directly to the main 387-3094 or view the district website office or in the high school’s case, the Video Security System www.dumontnj.org. security desk area, to be issued a visitor’s For safety purposes and to ensure the pass. protection of district property, the district

School Security

In order to obtain a pass, the visitor will need to present one of the following forms of identification, which will be scanned into our computerized security system: e.g. Driver’s License, Passport, State/County Issued ID, Health Insurance Card, NJMVC Non-operator License, Resident Alien Card, Car Registration, Utility/Tax Bill. The pass that is issued will identify the person as a processed visitor to the school with the date and time and will serve as a sign-in verification. At the end of the visit, visitors should return to the main entrance desk with the pass to be checked out. Once a visitor is initially processed, future visits to the building will be expedited.

Student IDs/Access Cards

Athletics News

Clubs & Student News

has installed web based security cameras in common interior and exterior areas of the high school. Information recorded via this system will be reviewed on a regular basis and will be utilized to ensure the protection and welfare of the school DHS Youth Theatre community. More information related to Under the direction of Ms. Tuxill, the the features of this system will be shared DHS Youth Theatre will conduct its during student homeroom meetings. performances on December 4 and 5 at 7:00 PM in the DHS Auditorium. For Photograph/Video Use information about these performances, Authorization you may contact: Ms. Tuxill: (201) 387-3000, ext. 6092 or Ms. Mascarelli: The Dumont Public Schools requires (201) 387-3000, ext. 3017. parents/guardians to sign a Photograph/ Video Use Authorization Form authorizing or denying permission to use photographs/videos of their child(ren) in publicity relating to the district’s educational programs. The Parent/

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PALS The Peers As Leaders (PALS) organization will be hosting the first annual “Move-In Day” on August 27. “Move-In Day” is a freshman orientation program that allows the 9th graders to explore the building, find their lockers, and learn about the schedule prior to the first day of school.

Student Council The Student Council will be launching a new program on September 1st called “Bigs and Littles”. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Wells put out the call at the end of last school year looking for seniors to volunteer to be big brothers and big sisters for freshman. 79 seniors volunteered to mentor the 243 freshmen we have coming in. Each “big” will mentor three freshmen. We will be framing the “Bigs and Littles” program using the district’s outstanding Teacher Mentoring Program and other national and state peer mentoring programs.

Marching Band DHS’s outstanding Marching Husky Band will once again perform at the football games during the Fall Sports Season. The band, under the direction of Messrs. Chiandusse and Pochini, will also perform at the North Jersey Marching Band Festival on Sunday, October 25 at Montclair State University (the rain date is November 1).

Parent Groups News Athletic Boosters The Dumont Athletic Booster Association was busy over the summer with the start of their first big mailing. The Dumont Athletic Association throughout the year fundraises to support every athlete and athletic association throughout DHS. They strive to purchase equipment in support of our athletes that may not be covered under the DHS budget. They also provide scholarships

and hold an All Sports Dinner to honor our varsity athletes. This cannot be done without the support of you. If you have not done so already, please support the Athletic Boosters by sending in your membership.

families to become active member s to help make this their best The first meeting will be on Thursday, year ever. September 3. Plan to come to the meeting and look for more ways to get In the past, involved. The other meeting dates will be with the support of the members, the posted on the high school website, and DHS Music Booster Association has they are: granted awards and scholarships to graduating seniors and has sponsored the • Wednesday, October 7, 2009 Thanksgiving Day Breakfast, Band • Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Dinner, and Choral Luncheon for our • Wednesday, January 6, 2010 students. They have also donated much • Wednesday, March 3, 2010 needed equipment to the Music • Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Department. Please consider joining their • Tuesday, May 18, 2010 organization and supporting our music All meetings will be at 7:15 PM in the students. DHS Media Center. Meetings will be held in the Media In May of 2009, the Dumont Athletic Center (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00 Boosters Association had the pleasure of pm on the following dates: electing the new Executive Board for the 2009-2010 school year. Should you have • Monday, September 14, 2009 any questions or concerns, please feel free • Monday, October 5, 2009 to contact anyone of them. The new • Monday, November 2, 2009 (meeting officers are: Lisa Sansone, President (201) in Room 109) 384-3777; Sandy Kraykowski, Vice • Monday, December 7, 2009 (meeting President; Susie Reitano, Recording in Room 109) Secretary; Tracy Cullen, Corresponding • Monday, January 4, 2010 Secretary; Lynne Vietri, Treasurer. • Monday, February 1, 2010 • Monday, March 1, 2010 Don’t forget about the DHS “Huskie” • Monday, April 12, 2010 clothing. There will be lots of new items, • Monday, May 3, 2010 so keep an eye out for the booth at • Tuesday, June 8, 2010 Dumont Day, and at athletic events and school activities. You can view the items If you have any questions regarding online (www.dumontnj.org, DHS page, membership or are interested in helping Husky Store link) and download the flyer us on Dumont Day, or any other event to place an order. They make great gifts throughout the year, please call Claire and show your high school spirit! Pidi at (201) 439-1985.

Music Boosters

Key Communicators

The Dumont High School Music Booster Association welcomes everyone back from summer vacation as they begin the 2009-2010 school year and invites you to join their organization. Membership will again be $10.00 per individual or $15.00 per family, and registration forms will be available at their table on Dumont Day. The Music Boosters are encouraging all

In order to provide parents with an opportunity to become involved with happenings at Dumont High School, Mr. Parent is seeking volunteers to serve as Key Communicators. This committee is comprised of a maximum of 25 members from the school community. Key Communicators will meet with Mr. Parent and other high school administrator s and supervisor s periodically during the school year to

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exchange ideas and information vital to the continued effectiveness of the school. Meeting dates in 2009-2010 will be announced at a later date.

payment coupons, to sign up for Project Graduation 2011. The letter and payment coupons will also be available shortly on the Project Graduation website. For further information, please If you are interested in being considered contact Sandy Kraykowski at (201) Please join me in celebrating the good to participate as a Key Communicator, 387-9181 or Gina Letizia at (201) news and exciting events for our faculty members: please call Mrs. Terry Stanek, at (201) 384-2384. 387-3000, ext. 3003. Please understand • The entire Dumont High School that there are a limited number of custodial staff and the Dumont individuals who may serve on this Buildings and Grounds crew for doing committee. If you served on this a stellar job with getting the building committee last year, and would like to ready for the students. We are very continue to serve in that capacity, please proud to work these men who are lead call Mrs. Stanek as well. There will also by Kevin Dunne, John Sperone and be an opportunity for parents to sign up September Craig Leotta. as a Key Communicator on Back to • 2 First Day of School • With the start of the 09-10 school year, • 3 Underclassmen Portraits School Night. Ms. Genny DiTrani will begin her 40th • 4 Underclassmen Portraits year of service to Dumont High • 7 SCHOOL CLOSED-Labor Day School. Last year, Mr. Rich Markert Project Graduation • 9 Student Activities Club Fair celebrated his 40th anniversary as a Project Graduation 2010 • 10 Senior Portrait Retakes teacher. We and our students are The Project Graduation 2010 committee • 11 Senior Portrait Retakes honored to have both of you on staff. has set some upcoming meeting dates: • 11 PALS New Student Luncheon • Tuesday, September 8, 2009 • 13 DHS Cheerleaders Carwash @ • Ms. Nicole Dunne is now Mrs. Nicole Costa, and Ms. Karen Booker is now DHS 9:00 AM • Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Mrs. Karen Estrada. Mr. Curt Banicki • Thursday, October 1, 2009 • 17 College Night @ FDU is still Mr. Banicki - but there is now a • 22 Senior Parent Night 7:00 PM • Thursday, October 8, 2009 Mrs. Banicki. All three teachers • Thursday, October 22, 2009 • 28 SCHOOL CLOSED - Yom Kippur celebrated their weddings over the • Monday, November 2, 2009 • 30 Back to School Night 7:00 PM summer. We wish them happiness and • Wednesday, November 18, 2009 prosperity as they begin their new • Monday, December 9, 2009 October families. • 6 HSPA Test All Project Graduation meetings will be • 7 HSPA Test • Mr. Craig Post and Ms. Cari Koblitz have been awarded a $1000.00 grant held at 7:00 PM in the DHS Media • 8 HSPA Test from the Bergen County Utilities Center. • 10 SAT Test @ DHS Authority to continue their recycling • 13 (Makeup) HSPA Test and environmental projects with our The Fashion Show Fundraiser will be • 14 (Makeup) HSPA Test students. This is the second year DHS held on Thursday, November 4 at the • 14 PSAT Test @ DHS has been awarded this grant. Florentine Gardens in River Vale at 7:30 • 14 8th Grade Open House 6:30 PM • Ms. Elizabeth Tuxill’s semiPM. Further information and tickets will • 15 (Makeup) HSPA Test autobiographical play “It’s Your be available in September. Any questions • 17 Forensics @ DHS 8:00 AM Mother” was performed in New York please contact Stephanie McClinton at • 20 Powder Puff Game 7:00 PM City this summer. Many teachers and [email protected]. • 23 Fall Sports Pep Rally 2:00 PM students turned out for the • 24 Homecoming Dance 7:30 PM performances. Project Graduation 2011 • 25 Band Festival @ Montclair State We proudly welcome back Mrs. Tara The Project Graduation 2011 committee • University 4:30 PM Lennox and Mrs. Laura Sobek. Both has set some upcoming meetings: November are new moms (of beautiful children) Wednesday, September 23, 2009 • 1 (Rain Date) Band Festival and will be returning to DHS in Wednesday, October 21, 2009 • 4 SCHOOL CLOSED-Election Day September. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 • 4 End of First Marking Period A heroic salute to Mr. Jason Cannici • Wednesday, January 13, 2010 • 5 SCHOOL CLOSED-Convention who literally saved the life of a young • 6 SCHOOL CLOSED-Convention girl this summer by using his Epi-pen All meetings will be held at 7:30 in the • 13 Career Fair 8:45 AM training (required for all coaches in DHS Media Center. • 25 ONE SESSION DAY Dumont) in a time of crisis. • 25 Veteran’s Salute/Flag Raising Junior parents should have already • 26 SCHOOL CLOSED-Holiday received in the mail a letter, along with • 27 SCHOOL CLOSED-Holiday

Honorable Mentions

Upcoming Events

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