NEWS FROM THE BERKELEY HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MARY KAY MC MILLIN EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER

The children in Preschool classes at Mary Kay McMillin Early Childhood Center recently studied pets during their Science lessons. The students had several opportunities to observe various pets in their classrooms as well as in other classrooms. Visitors brought in a gecko and a bearded dragon, but the highlight of this particular Science unit was a visit from Phalen, a German Shepherd from the Union County Police K9 Unit.

THOMAS P. HUGHES SCHOOL

April was a busy month at Thomas P. Hughes School! One highlight was our Snakes and Scales presentation for Fifth Graders. During this assembly, the students were introduced to a water monitor, a large snapping turtle, and even a 90-pound python named Sunshine!

As one can see in the photo above, several excited students got a chance to hold Sunshine. They were surprised by her smooth skin and her gentle nature. Through the presentation, the students gained an appreciation for reptiles and an understanding of the needs of animals both in captivity and in their natural environments. ****************************************************************** Another exciting opportunity is unfolding for our Grade 5 girls. Thanks to the generous funding of the Hughes PTO and the careful planning of our elementary counselors, the girls are participating in a lunchtime book club. Each girl received a copy of “A Smart Girl’s Guide to Friendship Troubles,” and they will all have the chance to meet weekly for discussions, activities and games designed to facilitate positive social connections and help ease the transition to middle school. Several female students from Governor Livingston High School also attended one meeting to answer questions and provide support to the program.

MOUNTAIN PARK SCHOOL

Grade 2 students at Mountain Park School recently became botanists as they participated in a High Touch –High Tech program titled “Smarty Plants.”

The students discovered the amazing world of plants and learned about photosynthesis and germination. They had a hands-on look at roots, shoots and transportation inside a plant. They even made a terrarium and got lots of “seedy” facts. This program was made possible by a donation from the Mountain Park School PTO.

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Each student in Ms. Therese McCutcheon's Grade 3 class at Mountain Park School recently researched and wrote a report in the first person about a famous person in history. The students then transformed into these famous people and shared their life stories with the students in Mrs. Joyce Scherer's Second Grade class. Pictured here are Franklin D. Roosevelt (top) and Morris Frank (bottom), who was the first person to be partnered with a Seeing Eye dog.

MOUNTAIN PARK SCHOOL (continued)

Mountain Park School's Safety Patrol Club recently sponsored its annual Used Book Sale. This event was a huge success. Students purchased lightly- used books for a small price. The books were donated by local families. The purchases were made at the cash register

run by students, including a few volunteers from the ABA class. A total of $218.00 was raised from the Used Book Sale and then donated to help children with Cystic Fibrosis. Thank you to all of the Mountain Park School community members who generously supported our efforts to help others.

WILLIAM WOODRUFF SCHOOL

William Woodruff School students displayed their dancing talents to help support the Berkeley Heights Education Foundation Faculty Basketball Game fundraiser. Mrs. Lauren Ryan, Teacher of Physical Education, taught forty students in Grades 2

through 5 an intricate dance performed to the song, Getcha Your Head in the Game. The students did a terrific job of performing the dance between quarters at the BHEF basketball game. ******************************************************************  Fourth Grade students at Woodruff have been studying the regions of the United States in Social Studies. While studying the Southeast region, they learned about Appalachia and the hardships caused by poverty in that area. In an effort to help the people of Appalachia, Grade 4 students brought in items that could be assembled into "care bags." They brought in soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, washcloths, crayons, books, and Animal Crackers. They assembled these items into plastic bags which were then sent to a day care center in Cosby, Tennessee. Forty-four (44) bags were filled and placed into five boxes that were shipped to Tennessee. The Woodruff School Student Council helped to pay the cost of shipping the donated goods.  

WILLIAM WOODRUFF SCHOOL (continued)  Happy Feet is up in running with 150 students participating in the weekly running club at William Woodruff School. The participating students have set a club goal of logging the same number of miles from Berkeley Heights to Hollywood, California, some 2,751 miles away.

The club runners also set individual goals. Each runner gets a “happy foot” to add to their key chain for every four miles they run and a special “glitter” happy foot for every 10 miles logged. Thanks to the support of Woodruff School families and the community, each club member received a Happy Feet Club t-shirt and water bottle.

   

COLUMBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL

Each year in April, Columbia Middle School schedules a series of activities and initiatives known as the Week of Respect. Organized by Mrs. Gale Dolan, Ms. Noelle Fenimore and Ms. Gina DeLauro, Guidance Counselors at CMS, this annual spring event is implemented primarily by the Peer Leadership groups from each grade level. Students promote, plan and reach out for volunteers to assist them in creating a myriad of school activities. In addition, positive messages are conveyed each day during morning announcements.

As part of the Week of Respect, Columbia Eighth Grader Yuki Schwab had a plan to organize a crew (which included CMS Principal Frank Geiger) to build a better courtyard. Delayed a bit by rain, pictured here is our start to incorporating raised garden beds which will include mostly hardy perennials and bulbs. This

example of respect for the environment will have a lasting impact. As a prelude to the Week of Respect, the Grade 8 Peer Leaders at Columbia Middle School conducted a luncheon for students. Volunteers from among the Sixth and Seventh Graders read the book “Dog Sense,” which is a book about making real-world choices. As the students enjoyed lunch, they shared a common conversation which continued during the school’s Week of Respect.

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL Governor Livingston High School recently hosted its third annual fund-raising event for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. A total of 117 students and faculty members dedicated their efforts to raising money for pediatric cancer research. Forty-six (46) students and staff members had their heads shaved to stand in solidarity with those brave children who are fighting cancer; “Shavees” included Dr. Merdith Morgan and Mr. James Flakker of the Science Department Faculty, and GL freshman Cassie Lama.

Other fundraising efforts included a Buffalo Wild Wings wing eating contest, the awarding of Principal Scott McKinney’s parking spot to the top fundraiser, and a PinDodge tournament.

Once again, GL students and staff members proved they are capable of achieving amazing things - this year the event raised $33,988, bringing our school’s three-year fundraising total to $76,150! All proceeds go directly towards finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Next year, our school goal will be to break the $100,000 threshold. Well done GL, we encourage

you to continue on with your works of charity and making a difference in our community!

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL (continued)

The Governor Livingston High School chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 76 new members from the Junior Class during a ceremony held recently in GL’s Davis Hall auditorium. These high-achieving students earned the right to apply to the National Honor Society based upon their grade point averages. The application process requires the students to explain how they also represent the pillars of leadership, service and outstanding character. A Faculty Council reviews the applications and recommends deserving students for membership in this prestigious national organization. The Spring 2015 inductees to the National Honor Society are: Shai Amkraut, Cassandra Anzalone, Amanda Atkinson, Jeremy Berlinski, Sydney Birbrower, Logan Boenning, Amanda Bostwick, Griffin Busby, Alice Caballero, Juliette Caffrey, Natlaie Calegari, Vanessa Candeloro, Michelle Ciepiela, Andrew Clark, William Clark, Theodore Cole, Katelyn Comerford, Julia Coyle, Kailey Cravo, Ryan Davis, Kelly Deegan, Karly Deland, Stephen Disko, Lindsay DiStaso, Rachel Ellis, Olivia Emanuel, Elisabeth Galgano, Julia Gay, Veronica Gedal, Alexander Glen, Jacqueline Goldbeck, Dana Gray, Mary Catherine Greeley, Colin Hegarty, Jakub Janiak, Austen Joa, Emmanuel Kanellos, Monica Kim, Ryan Lalevee, Jasper Lee, Sama Manchanda, Tara Mathias-Prabhu, Kelly McLoughlin, Beatriz Medeiros, Georgia Minks, Maya Novik, Catherine O’Hara, Maura Pallitta, Katherine Parker, Sarah Pasquale, Abby Perasso, Katheryn Reese, Meghan Rielly, Malfalda Rodrigues, Matthew Rothfeld, Danny Sanchez, Kristen Santullo, Nicole Sforza, Rachel Siegel, Darien Slattery, Anna Song, Lauren Soranno, Griffin Spielman, Caitlyn Splaine, Kristen Splaine, Evan Stuart, Grace Tesoro, Victoria Thomaides, Duylinh Vu, Chris Weeks, Skyler Williams, Judy Wong, Allison Yang, Shouying Meiyouka Yao, Nicholas Young, and Linda Zhang.

GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL (continued)

Congratulations to the Governor Livingston High School team consisting of students (pictured L to R) Alex Ju, Sama Manchanda, Christopher Weeks, Jeremy Berlinski and Beatriz Medeiros, which recently defeated the team from Hightstown High School to win the Central Region Consumer Bowl competition.

The Consumer Bowl, sponsored by the State of New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, is an academic competition in which teams of high school students are tested on their knowledge of consumer law. The Governor Livingston team, which has won the Union County Consumer Bowl championship in each of the past three years, will be competing in the Consumer Bowl State Championship event on May 18th in Trenton. Mr. Joseph Hubert, Teacher of Business Education at Governor Livingston, serves as the team’s faculty advisor.

DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL SERVICES

During this time of the school year, the Berkeley Heights Public Schools are celebrating differences during Autism Awareness Month (April), Worldwide Autism Awareness Day (April 2nd) and New Jersey Special Education Week (May 10th-16th). Our staff is planning a variety of activities to promote acceptance and understanding toward individuals with disabilities.

Dr. Maurice Elias of Rutgers, The State University, recently delivered a compelling and informative parent presentation at Governor Livingston High School. Dr. Elias discussed the importance of the

parent-child relationship and how the act of assisting our children with homework enhances their problem-solving abilities later in life. Dr. Elias is a Professor of Psychology at Rutgers University, the Academic Director of The Collaborative Rutgers Center for Community-Based Research and Service (engage.rutgers.edu), and the Coordinator of Improving School Climate for Academic and Life Success (ISCALS) at the Rutgers Center for Applied Psychology. Dr. Elias is author of the book “Emotionally Intelligent Parenting: How to Raise a Self-Disciplined, Responsible, Socially Skilled Child,” as well as “Talking Treasure: Stories to Help Build Emotional Intelligence and Resilience in Young Children.” Handouts from the presentation can be found on the district website at www.bhpsnj.org. The last meeting of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) will be on May 13th at 1:00 pm in the second floor large conference room in the Clausen Administration Building. During this meeting, we will plan topics and speakers for the 2015-2016 school year.