Elan, Central’s Literary Arts Magazine
Staff Contact: Scott Belsky
Funding has assisted in helping Elan to be reintroduced to a new generation of Hunterdon Central students. A long-time showcase of Central’s many gifted literary arts, Elan is an outlet for students to submit and distribute their work. Students have finished editing and producing Elan, and the manuscript began distribution on May 22, for a small fee. This date coincided with the school’s poetry festival. This magazine is a showcase of students' talents speaking as a worthy testament to the thriving creative arts community we have here at Central.
Reading For Fun Project
Staff contact: Andrea Calabretta
For the Reading for Fun Project was Andrea Calabretta’s desire to create a class library of a variety of levels and genres for reluctant readers. This is an on-going project that will continue into next year. Some Central students have severe reading deficits and using a lot of controlled reading materials created by the Wilson program, helps further develop their reading skills with books of poetry, short stories and some fun picture books (which the students actually enjoy reading). Having a small class library filled with a variety of books helps foster a like/love for reading as their self-esteem will also increase.
Students will complete critique cards for each book they read and keep a running log of the books they have read. Students can also "abandon" a book they start, but they must complete a critique card to justify why the book is being abandoned. When the appropriate time occurs, a book sharing will take place so students can share the book/books they have read.
The book shelf and books arrived on April 4th. The kids were really excited when it arrived. For each class, we are reading one of the class sets together. One class, the students have each chosen a book, and they are reading it independently. This will continue into next year, and the years to come.
Aviation Science Course
Staff Contact: Jay Kreisman
Continuing the Central tradition to provide students with a varied curriculum, the Foundation provided funding to help finance the start of a new course, which will debut in January 2009 and run through June 2009. The course will parallel the FAA private pilot syllabus, while highlighting the history of aviation and role of aviation in present-day society. Funding help to purchase the software, hardware and DVDs needed for the course.
Master Class/Performance with Hampton String Quartet
Staff Contact: Will Magalio
On Friday, April 4th, 2008, the Hampton String Quartet (HSQ)- a quartet specializing in classically arranged rock tunes - came to Hunterdon Central and conducted a master class for 65 string orchestra students.
The quartet arrived at 9:15 am as the orchestra students met in room 501. After a brief introduction, the orchestra split into 4 groups and worked on two pieces: I Will Survive, and Hotel California .
· Regis Landiorio, the quartet's first violinist remained in room 501 with the first violinists in Central's orchestra. His portion of this sectional dealt primarily with bowing indications and the importance of bowing for a full sound from a section.
· Abe Appleman, HSQ's second violinist, took the school's second violinists into room 500A. He focused on rhythm and pulse, and helped the group with note accuracy.
· Richard Maximoff, the quartet's violist and spokesman, took the violas into the band office, where much of his instruction dealt with stronger attacks on the string to achieve a stronger sound.
· John Reed, the quartet's cellist and primary arranger, worked with Central's basses and Cellos in room 500B. There he also worked on rhythm and pulse, as well as note accuracy and the art of listening to the whole group.
These sectionals went on for over an hour. After lunch, the students all gathered in the auditorium for a full orchestra rehearsal, conducted by Will Magalio, with critiques by all four members of the quartet. This concluded at about 1:40, after which the students engaged in a Question and Answer session with the quartet members.
Everyone returned that evening for a concert. HCRHS String Students opened the concert with the two pieces they worked on, and then HSQ came onstage and performed a 90 minute program.
The students very appreciative of the entire event, and came away inspired, thanks to the instruction and performance of the Hampton String Quartet.
Elan, Central’s Literary Arts Magazine
Staff Contact: Scott Belsky
Funding has assisted in helping Elan to be reintroduced to a new generation of Hunterdon Central students. A long-time showcase of Central’s many gifted literary arts, Elan is an outlet for students to submit and distribute their work. This magazine is a showcase of students' talents speaking as a worthy testament to the thriving creative arts community we have here at Central.
ELL (English Language Learners)
Staff Contacts: Kris Myers & Pam Vance
In conjunction with Hunterdon Hispanos, Hunterdon Central will host an ELL Community Outreach day, which will include an exhibition soccer tournament featuring “La Liga de Flemington” soccer teams and informational booths providing information from local agencies including: healthcare, literacy, education, legal, fitness, and transportation.
This program will allow us to reach out to our ELL students’ parents, friends and families who may be unaware of the many programs available at Hunterdon Central and the community. This is an opportunity for the high school to open up lines of communication and increase involvement with a growing segment of our community.
Environmental Labs & Field Trip
Staff Contact: Heather Beam
The Freshman Science course was revamped this year to include more environmental aspects, based on the changes to the core curriculum standards and the end-of-the-year biology test. The Science department wanted to expose freshmen students to the impact humans have had on the environment, so these concepts could be carried forward for further exploration in subsequent biology courses. The grant will assist in developing four environmental labs, as well as contributing to a field trip through the South Branch Watershed Association.
Teen Prevention Education Program
Staff Contact: Tom Carr
The Teen PEP Program is a peer-to-peer initiative which has a proven track record for dealing with sensitive subjects and providing accurate information for informed decision-making. The Teen PEP students work with current freshmen and sending district middle school students, serving as group leaders and teen educators. The Foundation grant funding will be used to purchase a portable storage system for workshop materials used by the Teen PEP classes, and new and replacement equipment appropriate to the curriculum.
Twilight School Grant
Gourmet “On-Site” Coffee Stations
Staff Contact: Nina Leu
This project provides hands-on business and entreprenurial experience for students, through the daily management of multi-location coffedd services on campus. Students handle marketing, advertising, bookkeeping, ordering, inventory control, customer satisfaction, equipment maintenance, shared decision making, and sanitation requirements. The project also incorporates shared decision making when exploring the possible uses for profits.
Discuss
Memory Project/Portraits
An international program for art students submitted by art teachers Helaine Schechtman, Nicolle Shuster and Robin Zwizanski. Students will receive a photograph and short bio of a child in an orphanage from somewhere in the world and students will be responsible for creating a life-like portrait for the child as a keepsake.
Transitional and Social Skills VignettesTeachers Colleen Rossetti and Amy Staats will work with students from the EKWIPS Program (both Extended School Year and Life Skills Program) to create a series of video recorded social story vignettes based on the school environment that would be used with students enrolled in the EKWIPS program. Students with moderate to severe disabilities and students on the spectrum of autism are socially challenged when they are required to transition into a new school environment.
Restoring the Hunterdon Central PondSubmitted by Science teacher and Student Environmental Alliance advisor Bonnie Berenger, students have been working over the past few years with the South Branch Watershed Association to restore the school’s pond to a healthier state. The grant will allow for the removal of vegetation and for the planting and proper aeration of the pond. Students will learn to utilize various testing materials, interpret and evaluate data and will prepare lab reports and findings to the SBWA.
Marketing for the LAMP
Advisor to the school’s award winning newspaper the LAMP, teacher Tom McHale sought funding to purchase newspaper racks to display and market the bi-monthly newspaper across the 72 acre campus with the hope of expanding readership.
The Foundation received seven requests for grants in the last cycle. The Foundation looks to support grants that have a strong direct link to classroom instruction or overall school improvement. Most recently, the Foundation provided $1,500 to the district to purchase copies of the school’s One School One Book selection for all students receiving free or reduced lunch. The Foundation also provides $2,000 annually to the Hunterdon Central Teacher of the Year.
Shakespeare Residency ProgramTeachers: Greg Bernet and Gail EnterlinePartnership with George Street Playhouse teaching artist Jim Jack to teach a three session Shakespeare text and acting residency with three classes (Exploring Theatre, Theatre Studies and Advanced Theatre). Each class will participate in a 3 day program.
Grant allocation: $1,020
Careers in computer Based Design and Manufacturing Teacher: Mike McFaddenOff campus careers lesson for the Principals of Enginering students provided at Weiss-Aug company, a manufacturer specializing in the design, prototyping, stamping, molding and assembly of components for the automotive, medical and electronics industry.
Grant allocation: $600
The Green InitiativeTeacher: Michelle MurphyService learning project for Resource Center and Learning Center General Biology courses which focuses on both the local and global environmental implications of overconsumption. Project focuses on reducing non-biodegradable waste through the use of reusable bags. Students will work to design, purchase, market and sell a “Hunterdon Central Reusable Bag” to their peers, school staff and community members. Proceeds will be used to fund a trip to the New Jersey Aquarium in Camden.
Grant allocation: $850
Title: Alternative Energy ResourcesTeacher: Maria SmithThis project would explore the connections between alternative energy and gear ratios. The grant monies would be used to purchase kits that have a turbine mechanism already constructed. By using the concept of gear ratios, the students will use wind power to generate electricity to super capacitor. Students will also research the design of a wind turbine and the efficiency of clean energy production.
Grant Allocation: $1,000
Title: Fellows work with Communities for Learning
Teachers: Catherine Stutzman and Mary Woods
Participation in the Communities for Learning Fellows Program will allow teachers to interact with Hunterdon Central students who have received scholarships to serve as Fellows in the program. Teachers and students will be working with teachers, students and other administrators from a variety of school districts to gain an understanding of education as it exists for populations different from ours at Hunterdon Central while exploring a new model of teacher/student inquiry learning to solve school challenges and serve as a catalyst for change. Students and teachers involved in the Fellows program will also be working with the district as part of the long range strategic planning process.
Grant Allocation: $2,000
Title: Data Driven Actions for Student SuccessCounselor: Kerry KellyThe College and Career Readiness System provides a longitudinal systematic approach to educational and career planning through assessment, curriculum support and student evaluation. It is a three tiered program that helps school districts prepare every student for college and career by focusing on academic and non-cognitive measurement and instructional improvement. The PLAN assessment will be administered to the Class of 2014 during HSPA days in March.
Grant Allocation: $1,000
Outdoor Classroom
Teacher: Bonnie Berenger
An outdoor classroom will be constructed near the athletic fields and pond. The plan includes constructing a seating area from cinder blocks and wood, similar to a campfire talk found in the National Parks. The funding will be used to cover the cost of the wood, wood sealant, a rolling whiteboard and lectern with a tarp to protect them from the elements.
Grant allocation: $870
Simple Machines
Teacher: Maria Smith
This project introduces students to structures, mechanisms, gears and simple machines. The grant covers the cost of a Kelvin Bridge and Materials Tester. This will allow students to test different cylinder sizes to determine the amount of pressure the cylinder can be expected to hold. Using the data, the students will calculate the size and amounts of cylinders needed to create a structure that is based on their weight.
Grant allocation: $875
Fellows for the Communities for Learning
Teachers: Mary Woods and Cathy Stutzman
TTwo teacher and four students will participate in this project, interacting as equal learners in the change process. The focus of the change is creating more student-centered, inquiry-based learning, as an essential part of 21st Century classrooms. This project is equally supported by the HCRHS District budget and has developed out of strategic planning occurring over the last several years.
Grant allocation: $2,000
Marching Red Devil Indoor Program
Teacher: Mr. Christopher Zwarych
This grant will help finance hosting of a USSBA Indoor Show. The indoor percussion and indoor colorguard provide an opportunity for students to perform in different ensembles that are not offered through regular classes. Students will be adjudicated and provided feedback on their training and execution in areas of dance and musical performance. All staff members are providing their time for this program.
Grant allocation: $1,000