April 2018

 

“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got.

Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.”

~Maya Angelou

 

Welcome to April!

 

I wanted to thank all of you who reached out to me following my last message regarding my medical leave. I truly appreciate your kind words of support.

 

During my absence, Dr. Chuck McKay is assisting with my responsibilities and is at the high school on a daily basis. If you have any questions or concerns, you may reach out to him–or via email–to me. We will do our best to respond to you in a timely manner.

 

Last Thursday, Dr. Nancy LoPresti announced that she will be on sabbatical through June 30, 2018. Her position has been posted and the district will be hiring an Interim Assistant Principal to complete the 2017-2018 school year. Until that administrator  is hired, Mr. Art  DiBenedetto will be assisting Dr. Eric Kosek with Dr. LoPresti’s responsibilities.

 

 

 

We have much to be proud of at VTHS:

 

Unfortunately, our students were unable to participate in this year’s Model UN competition at St. Peter’s University due to one of our  Nor’easters last month. We will be registering for next year and hope for more cooperative weather!

 

The VTHS Academic Decathlon Team qualified for its regional competition, but missed Regionals due to the same Nor’easter! Still, there is much to celebrate. The VTHS team scored a tiebreaker victory to finish second place in the Super Quiz Relay portion of the Regional Competition. Madeline Lebance and David Rusnak both answered the tiebreaker question to bring home the trophy. This contributed to Vernon’s overall fourth place finish in the region and secured the team their place at the State Competition once again. The winners included:

 

Honors Level:           Madeline Labance – Honorable Mention Essay, Team MVP

Dan McKeon – Gold Medal Interview, Silver Medal Math, Honorable Mention Economics

Scholastic Level:       Sam Dupont – Gold Medal Economics, Bronze Medal Essay, Honorable Mention Interview                                                         and Social Science

Juliana Schlicting – Bronze Medal Interview

Sam Wolthoff – Honorable Mention Math and Interview

Varsity Level:                        Christian Fieldhouse – Silver Medal Essay, Silver Medal Science and Silver Medal                                                              Economics

Peter Fetz – Gold Medal Math and Bronze Medal Music

Matt Martin – Silver Medal Math

Alternates:                John Lowery – Bronze Medal Language and Literature and Bronze Medal Science

Christine Birkland – Gold Medal Language and Literature and Silver Medal Music

Alyssa Sasso – Silver Medal Science

 

Members of the VTHS DECA Chapter traveled to Atlantic City last month for the annual State Career Development Conference. In total, 60 students competed individually and we had teams in 54 events within the four core career business clusters: Marketing, Hospitality and Tourism, Finance, and Business Management and Administration. After three days of competition, a few of our students received the following recognition:

The team of Briana Garcia, Brielle Eilinger and Dayna Van Leuven qualified for ICDC in the Stock Market Game and finished in the top 25 for portfolio growth out of 1,200 nationwide teams. They were the only team from New Jersey to qualify!

 

The following students finished in the Top 6 in the events and will have the ability to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta at the end of April:

Community Service Project – Frank Incarnato and Max Rodriquez

Creative Marketing Plan – Elizabeth Keith

Finance Operations Research – Ryan Eilinger and Jameson Parker

Independent Business Plan – Ryan Hainzl and Daniel McKeon

Principles of Finance – Daniel McKeon

The following students were awarded medals for making it to the Finalist round in their respective events:

Entrepreneurship Promotion Project – Melissa Garcia and Philip Perrotta

Financial Team Decision Making – Ryan Eilinger and Jameson Parker

Food Marketing – Ryan Hainzl

International Business Plan – Julia Nangle

Learn and Earn Project – Jacqueline Villafuerte and Jacalyn Riedl

Principles of Hospitality and Tourism- Jade Lazar

Professional Selling Event – David McQuillan

Public Relations Project – Derek Bogdewicz, Devon Johnson and Shayna Lazar

 

Viking Robotics recently participated in two district qualifying events. At Mount Olive, they advances to the semi-finals as captains of their own alliance. At Bridgewater-Raritan High School, they advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition after being drafted by an alliance in the first round.  The team won the Spirit Award, which recognizes teams for their service throughout the community and their dedication to the principles of FIRST.          In addition, the team’s lead mentor, Mr. Aaron Kiedes was declared a semi-finalist for the Woodie Flowers Award, which recognizes mentors who are strong leaders and inspire their team members to communicate and work together properly. Safety Captain Juliana Schlichting won the Safety All Star of the Day Award for her impressive safety precautions and preparations. The team will be competing at Lehigh University the first weekend in April. You can learn more by visiting Vernonrobotics.com.

 

Julia Kotkin, after placing 5th in the January HOSA Northern Regionals Conference in Prepared Speaking, placed 4th in the State Competition on March 17th! After Regionals, Julia worked hard to improve her speech and her efforts paid off! Julia is president of our Vernon HOSA Chapter and provides a great example of leadership skills and a good work ethic according to Ms. Ann Kuplin, our HOSA Advisor. Congratulations, Julia!

 

Our Marching Band did another great job as they marched in Newton, NJ and then up 5th Avenue in NYC for both St. Patrick’s Day parades! Congratulations, one and all!

 

Vernon Township High School did an exceptional job once again with this year’s play, despite the numerous snow days!  Young Frankenstein was a big hit! The actors, stage crew, musicians and directors did an amazing job. Please be sure to look at a copy of the program, which lists the names of all of the students and staff members who played such an important role in its production! Congratulations, one and all for a job well done! Here are is the list of our “stars”–both in front of and behind the curtain:

 

Production Staff

Director/Producer                  Lindsay McAloney

Musical Director                     Kevin Boehm

Choreographer                       Dana Ziegler

Set Design & Construction     John McAloney

Lighting Designer                   Mike Van Vliet

 

Stage Manager                                    Kristen Flaherty

Assistant Stage Manager        Kendall VanVugt

 

Sound                                     Hannah Mitchell

Ryan Flaherty

Tim McQuaid

Matt Bott

 

Lighting                                  Kaitlyn MacLean

Nick Delia

 

Costumes                                Lindsay McAloney

Jen Fowler

Marlu Costumes

 

Costume Assistant                  Caitlin Cobley-Gascon

 

Poster & Program Printing     Dave Hauptly

 

Running Crew                                    Emily Doumanis

Zak Elkhamiri

Erin Kelly

Madison Muller

Lydia Rivera

Monica Salazar

Caitlin Staley

Jackie Trost

Jaime Vitale

 

Prop Master                            Olivia Monahan

 

Hair & Makeup                       Lindsay McAloney

Mike Tlatelpa

 

Prosthetics                              Mike Tlatelpa

 

Logo Design                            Julia Dower

 

 

Cast

Frederick Frankenstein          Ethan Metz

The Monster                           Frank Incarnato

Igor                                         Matthew Losco

Inga                                         Grace Logue

Elizabeth Benning                  Blake Harrsch

Frau Blucher                           Elisabetta Bracer

Inspector Hans Kemp             Rhett Presti

The Hermit                             David McQuillan

Victor Von Frankenstein        Mike Tlatelpa

Ziggy                                       Ryan Spadafina

 

Ensemble

Cole Benkendorf                     Hannah Kolonoski

Alex Bisanzio                           Julia Kotkin

Mark Bosma                            Celeste Levy

Emily Bray                               Paloma Lupino

Jess Carafello                           Hailee Mayer

Heather Cordero                    Hailey Minter

Amanda Cueman                    Emily Norris

Nathan Fitch                           Justin Shea

Leila Gonzalez                         Sidney Sparta

Tessa Heidt                             McKayla VanOrden

Kaitlyn Kawko                         Reyna Whitty

 

Orchestra

Conductor                              Max Taylor

Violin                                      Rachel Berls, David MacMillian, David Rusnak

Bass                                         Darla Coolman

Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet           Jennifer Krott

Flute                                        Erica McNally

Alto Saxophone, Clarinet        Richard Summers

Clarinet                                   Brianna Frasco

Bass Clarinet, Clarinet                        Matthew Charuka

Soprano Saxophone,

Tenor Saxophone        Jake Bergacs

Baritone Saxophone                Bandon Lee

Horn                                       Joshua Jenkins

Trombone                               Ryan Shinall

Trumpet 1                                Roger Widicus (Th/F) and Richard Barrieres (Sat)

Trumpet 2                               Bill Bryan, Bryce Grier

Keyboard 1                              Deborah Gianuzzi

Keyboard 2                              Kevin Boehm

Percussion                              Anthony Nuzzetti, Max Yucan

Drums                                     Dakota Singerline

 

 

The Senior Citizen Appreciation Dinner Theater (SCADT) was another great success this year, although it had to moved to the “snow date.” Many thanks to all of our student volunteers from both Glen Meadow and the high school for giving up their Saturday and doing such an amazing job. Mrs. Charlene Van Vugt and all of her dedicated volunteers did an exceptional job once again. “DJ Wheels” (aka Nicolas Cerrato) did an outstanding job and kept the crowd dancing! Thank you, one and all!

 

 

 

PARCC, AP and SLNJA-S Testing

 

Please be sure to mark your calendars with this year’s PARCC testing dates* for the high school:

 

Tuesday, April 17th

ELA (grade 9)             ELA (grade 10)                        ALG2 (grades 11, 12)                GEO (grades 11, 12)

 

Wednesday, April 18th

ELA (grade 9)             ELA (grade 10)                        ALG2 (grades 11, 12)                GEO (grades 11, 12)

 

Thursday, April 19th

ELA (grade 9)             ELA (grade 10)                        ALG2 (grades 11, 12)                GEO (grades 11, 12)

 

 

Tuesday, April 24th

ELA (grade 11)             ALG1 (grades 9, 10)     ALG 2 (grades 9, 10)               GEO (grades 9, 10)

 

Wednesday, April 25th

ELA (grade 11)             ALG1 (grades 9, 10)     ALG 2 (grades 9, 10)               GEO (grades 9, 10)

 

Thursday, April 26th

ELA (grade 11)             ALG1 (grades 9, 10)     ALG 2 (grades 9, 10)               GEO (grades 9, 10)

 

 

Tuesday, May 1st                    PARCC Make-up Testing Sessions

 

Wednesday, May 2nd            PARCC Make-up Testing Sessions

 

Thursday, May 3rd                 PARCC Make-up Testing Sessions

 

*please note that the grade levels do not always correspond to some students’ courses for the current school year.

 

AP Testing will be held at Vernon Township High School from Monday, May 8th through Friday, May 18th. Please note that not every student will be testing every day. If you would like further information, the 2018 AP Exam Schedule can be found at https://www.princetonreview.com/college/ap-exam-schedule.

 

The NJ Student Learning Assessment – Science (NJSLA-S) for 11th graders  is scheduled  for Tuesday, May 22nd and Wednesday, May 23rd this year.

 

*These standardized testing sessions will not change the schedule for VTHS. We will operate on a regular, full-day schedule on each testing day, altering the daily schedule as necessary.

 

 

A look ahead…please mark your calendars:

 

The third marking period will now close on Thursday, April 12th, due to the numerous snow days. Please be sure to speak to your son/daughter about their progress this quarter and contact your child’s teacher(s) or school counselor if necessary.

 

PEER is once again offering tutoring for students in Grades 6-9. This month’s dates are Saturday, April 14th and Saturday, April 21st from 8:30-10:30 am. Please contact Ms. LeDuc at lleduc@vtsd.com to register!

 

Mr. Keith McCotter, our Governor Educator of the Year, and Ms. Sue Whiteman, our Educational Services Professional of the Year, will both be honored at the Thursday, April 26th Board of Education meeting. Please be sure to join us to celebrate these two wonderful educators!

 

The VTHS Junior Prom will be held on Saturday, May 19th from 6:30-10:30 pm. The prom will be held at the high school this year. Tickets will be $45.oo per attendee and go on sale next week in the cafeteria during lunches.

 

The VTHS Class of 2018 presents “Una Bella Fine.” This year’s senior prom will be held at Perona Farms in Andover, NJ on May 31st.

 

As we move closer to Prom season, please take a moment to review the flyer from Project Self-Sufficiency announcing their FREE “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop. A copy of the flyer is available in the VTHS Digital Backpack.

 

The Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2018 is scheduled for Friday, June 22nd and will begin at 6:30 pm. Diplomas will be distributed on the last day of school, which is currently scheduled for Thursday, June 28th. Attendance records must be accurate up to and including the final day of school, so attendance will be taken each day through June 28th.

 

As we reach the end of the school year, please be sure to encourage your Senior(s) to look for all of the scholarship applications available in the guidance offices and/or on Naviance. There is scholarship money available and you don’t want them to miss out!

 

Mother Nature is not cooperating with our Spring Sports, so there is not too much to report yet! Please be sure to look up the Athletic Schedule on the VTSD website and catch some of the action! Our athletes and coaches would truly appreciate your support.

 

Please be sure to contact the school directly if you have any questions and/or concerns as we proceed with the 2017-2018 school year. We will be happy to assist you.

 

Thank you for your continued cooperation,

 

Pauline F. Anderson

 

Pauline F. Anderson

Principal