Husky Happenings - February 2009

February 2009

HUSKY HAPPENINGS The Quarterly Newsletter of Dumont High School

Half Way There As the winter draws to a close, it’s time for us to prepare for the coming of the Spring and all that comes with it - returning to the outdoors, an awakening of the spirit, and the end of another academic year. As of this edition of Husky Happenings, the students are now half-way through the 2008-2009 school year. This means many things to our students.

In This Issue page 2

Guidance News

For starters, it means that the testing season is right around the corner for our underclassmen; Juniors are preparing for the state HSPA and their final crack at the SATs, and Freshmen and Sophomores are preparing to sit for our in-house screening tests. Secondly, our Seniors are now putting the finishing touches on their high school careers. Many have already received notice of the college they will be attending in September, while others await word of acceptance from their chosen schools. And the buzz is everywhere in the Senior classes - graduation is less than 100 days away. Finally, the coming of the Spring means that all of our underclassmen are getting ready to select their courses of study for the 2009-2010 school year. We are prodding them to choose courses wisely and with a sense of purpose; more challenging courses will prove more beneficial for our college-bound students, while our career oriented students should seriously consider courses that will give them the background and foundation to enter the workforce better prepared than their area peers. Whether the Spring marks the beginning of the end or the beginning of preparing for another year, our students can be assured that the faculty of DHS is prepared to provide them with the best possible education. We are a dedicated, professional, and committed faculty who make every effort to provide students with optimum learning opportunities. In short, we do everything to take the students from “half-way there”, to the finish line.

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Need To Knows

Athletics News

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Clubs & Student News Boosters & Parent Groups News

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What’s New In School Honorable Mentions Upcoming Events

HUSKY HAPPENINGS February 2009

Need To Knows

Guidance News

DHS students began course Please take note of the following selection for the 2009-2010 school The 8th graders important main numbers. You may year in February. were spoken to in January and also dial the Guidance Department February regarding their selection of and Athletic Department directly. 9th grade courses. • DHS Main Office (and to call a student in absent): (201) 387-3000 The 7th Grade Open House will be • Guidance Department (direct held on April 2 at DHS. number): (201) 387-3010 • Athletic Department (direct number): (201) 387-3094 Testing Dates 2009 High School Proficiency Assessment • DHS School Nurse: (201) 387-3000, ext. 3605 • March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12

School Phone Numbers

Report Cards - 2nd Marking Period

Report cards for the 2nd Marking Period were issued on Wednesday, February 11. The official report card is on blue paper with the school seal watermark imprinted. Contact the Guidance Department at (201) 387-3010 should you wish to make an appointment with your child’s guidance counselor.

End Of Course Testing • Algebra 1: May 18-29 • Biology: May 18, 21

defeated by a tough team from Holy Angels. The Girls Team also qualified for the State Tournament this year. Boys and Girls Indoor Track The Boys and Girls Teams, under Coach Jon Bennett, have competed in a number of indoor meets and have placed in many events. Wrestling The Wrestling Team, under Coach John Monaco, is a young team that is being very competitive. The team is led by experienced seniors who are showing great leadership. Varsity Ice Hockey The Ice Hockey Team, under Coach Pete Becker, is making progress this season.

Competition Cheerleading Head Coach Alyssa Ruggero is very excited about the depth of this year’s competitive team. The team will be AP Test dates competing in many upcoming • May 4 thru May 8 competitions. The Cheerleaders • May 11 thru May 15 hosted a competition at DHS on Contact Dr. Collins, Director of February 14. Guidance, at (201) 387-3010 for test Progress Reports - 3rd information, as well as registration Bowling deadlines. You may check the school The Bowling Team, under Coach Marking Period Marc Ferrara, is off to a strong start Progress Reports for the 3rd Marking district website (www.dumontnj.org), in both the boys and girls teams, Period will be mailed home on DHS Guidance Department, for respectively. additional information. February 27.

Homeroom Meetings

SAT at DHS • May 2

Athletics News

Grade Level Homeroom Meetings were recently held in early February. Future homeroom meeting dates are: • April 20 - Grade 9 Winter Sports • April 22 - Grade 10 • April 23 - Grade 11 Boys Basketball The Varsity Boys Basketball Team, • April 24 - Grade 12 under the direction of third year There will be one additional Grade 12 Coach Adam Sidrow, is off to its best Homeroom meeting on June 5. start in over 20 years. The team qualified for the State Tournament again this year.

Winter Concert

The DHS Winter Concert will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 7:30 pm in the DHS Auditorium.

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Girls Basketball The Girls Varsity Team, under the direction of Coach Dave Cieplicki, is also having a great season. The team qualified for the County Tournament where they were

Miscellaneous The Spring Sports mandatory substance assembly is scheduled for March 10 at 7:30 pm in the DHS Auditorium. The Winter Sports awards assembly is scheduled for March 12 at 7:30 pm in the DHS Auditorium. For athletic information, contact Mr. Robert Klie, Interim Director of Athletics, at (201) 387-3094 or view the DHS Athletic Department link on the HS website www.dumontnj.org.

HUSKY HAPPENINGS February 2009

Clubs & Student News

numerous recycling containers that Any further questions, please contact now adorn our hallways. Students of Judy Famulare at ( 201) 384-2370. the Ecology Club collect the recycled materials on a weekly basis. Key Communicators

DHS Youth Theatre

Tomorrow’s Teachers

The DHS Youth Theatre presented its London Theatre presentation, “The Teaching Dummy Tree” on Thursday, February Mrs. Maria Barnes’s Tomorrow’s 12 at 7:00 PM in the DHS Auditorium. Teachers class have been in the elementary schools shadowing The DHS Youth Theatre will perform Lincoln and Selzer teachers. “A Funny Thing Happened On The Students enrolled in Tomorrow’s Way To The Forum” on March 26, Teachers are required to log 20 hours 27, and 28 at 7:00 PM in the DHS of shadowing and teaching. Auditorium. There will also be a 2:00 PM Matinee performance on March 28. For information about these performances, you may contact: Ms. Tuxill: (201) 387-3000, ext. 6092 or Ms. Mascarelli: (201) 387-3000, ext. 3017.

Marching Band

The DHS Marching Band will be performing at a band festival in Virginia Beach, Virginia on Sunday, April 26. The band will leave DHS on Saturday, April 25 and return on Monday, April 27. Further information on the band trip will be presented to band parents at meetings scheduled for February 18 and February 19 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium.

Chemistry Students Write A Book Ms. Koblitz’s Chemistry students published a children’s book on energy conservation. Ms. Kobltiz and her students travelled to Grant School on January 27th and read their book to Kindergarten and 1st grade students. Contact Ms. Kobltiz at [email protected] for more information.

Recycling Program Going Strong Mr. Craig Post’s Ecology Club students have initiated a recycling campaign at the high school. With grant money awarded to the club, Mr. Post and his students purchased

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The Key Communicators will meet on the following upcoming date: • April 7 – 7:00 PM, Media Center

Project Graduation All Project Graduation meeting dates and information can be found on the Project Graduation link on the DHS website.

Project Graduation 2009 Meeting dates for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year are: • Monday, March 9 • Thursday, April 9 • Thursday, May 7 • Thursday, June 11 • Tuesday, June 16 All meetings are held at 7:30 PM in the DHS Media Center. Any Athletic Boosters questions, contact Peaches Fiorelli at The Athletic Boosters will meet on the ( 2 0 1 ) 3 8 5 2 6 6 6 o r a t following dates for the remainder of [email protected]. this school year: • Wednesday, March 18 Project Graduation 2010 • Tuesday, April 8 Meeting dates for the remainder of • Wednesday, May 13 the 2008-2009 school year are: All Athletic Booster meetings are at Wednesday, March 11 • 7:15 PM in the DHS Media Center. Monday, April 20 • The Annual Varsity Sports Awards • Tuesday, May 19 Dinner will be held on Monday, June • Monday, June 15 1. Further information about the All meetings are at 7:00 PM in the Athletic Boosters is available on the DHS Media Center. Any questions, DHS website under Athletic contact Stephanie McClinton at (201) Department/Athletic Boosters link. 385-1542 or at [email protected] Any further informations, please contact Sandy Kraykowski at (201) Project Graduation Class of 2011 Plans for Project Graduation 2011 387-9181. have started. The second meeting was held on January 15, 2009 and Music Boosters the attending parents voted on the The Music Boosters will meet on the following committee setup for the following dates for the remainder of Project Graduation team. Cothis school year: Chairpersons: Sandy Kraykowski, • Monday, March 2 Gina Letizia, Karen Ross; • Monday, April 6 Corresponding Secretary: Blanche • Monday, May 4 Swarbrick; Recording Secretary: • Monday, June 1 Claire Branagh; Treasurer: Lisa All meetings are at 8:00 PM in the Stetz. Parents of sophomores are DHS Media Center. urged to attend the next meeting to be held on Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 Further information about the Music pm in the DHS Media Center. Any Boosters is available on the DHS parent who would like to be included website under the Music Department.

Boosters & Parent Groups News

HUSKY HAPPENINGS February 2009

on the member mailing list should DiTrani, and Mrs. Jocelyne Buller contact their information to Blanche gave many hours of their time on Swarbrick at [email protected]. January 20th to teach other teachers how to improve their use of technology in their classrooms. Topics covered included: • Using Google Docs • Using Google Earth • Podcasting • Using iMovie New Smartboards • Using Skype • Using the Smartboard Installed In early February, additional Smartboards were installed in rooms Ms. Kristy Lynch (our American 201, 203, and 213. To date, all of the Sign Language teacher) appeared at m a t h c l a s s r o o m s a r e n o w the Super Bowl on February 1st. She Smartboard equipped. The science signed “America The Beautiful” with classrooms will be completed by the Faith Hill. end of the year. Ms. Elizabeth Tuxill for producing a terrific play, “The Dummy Tree” on Curriculum Council February 12th.

What’s New In School

Continues Discussions

Members of the DHS Curriculum Council continue to discuss and research the possibility and feasibility of beginning a Freshman Seminar course in the 2010-2011 school year. The Council is also looking at offering Option Two opportunities for Seniors, as well as implementing a Pathways program to assist students in focusing on their potential college or career paths. The Council will be meeting on March 9th.

Honorable Mentions Mrs. Jamie Kipp and Mrs. Elise Ferencevych will be part of a professional group studying the NJ Biology Assessment and making recommendations for improvement. Mr. Dan Cooke (a veteran English teacher) recently published his first novel, Melody. To celebrate, we will be hosting “An Evening With An Author: Dan Cooke” on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 pm in the Media Center. All are invited. Mr. Doug McGuirk. Mrs. Tara Lennox, Ms. Jolie Kurz, Mrs. Liza Frangiosa, Mr. Michel Force, Mr. Scott Wisniewski, Mr. Joe Materia, Mr. Andrew Schmidt, Ms. Genny

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Upcoming Events February 2009

• 26 Winter Concert • 26 BOE Meeting 8:00 PM

March 2009

• 3-5 HSPA Test • 10 Mandatory Spring Sports Substance Assembly 7:30 PM • 10-12 HSPA Test (Makeups) • 12 BOE Workshop Mtg 8:00 PM • 12 Winter Sports Awards 7:30 PM • 19 BOE Monthly Mtg 8:00 PM • 20 Junior Dance 7:30 PM, K of C • 25 Musical-8th Grade Performance • 26-28 Musical, 7:00 PM • 28 Musical Matinee 2:00

Ms. Cari Koblitz directed her second April 2009 Dance Team Showcase on February • 2 7th Grade Open House 7:00 6th. It was a great show and the PM students were excellent. • 4 Forensics @ DHS 8:00 AM • 7 Key Communicator Mtg, 7:00 Mr. Richard Chiandusse (Music PM teacher) was recently appointed as a • 8 BOE Workshop Mtg 8:00 PM member of the Bergen Community • 8 World Language Honor College faculty. Mr. Chiandusse is Society Induction 7:00 PM teaching a Music History course. • 10 SCHOOL CLOSED-HOLIDAY • 13-17 SCHOOL CLOSEDMr. Dan Cooke directed yet another RECESS wonderful SO Night. Student talent 25-27 Band Trip - Virginia was on display for “The Worst SO • • 30 BOE Reorg. Mtg 7:00 PM Night Ever”. • 30 BOE Monthly Mtg 7:30 PM Mr. Sean O’Beirne and the members of HAD will be presenting to the elementary school students in late February. HAD works hard at getting out the message for living a substance-free life. Ms. Jolie Kurz worked wonders on Inauguration Day. She helped set up three areas in the school where students could view the historic inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. Over 400 students viewed the ceremony in the auditorium. More watched from the Media Center and the Mac Lab.