In This Edition

Welcome Back to School!

I hope that the summer months have been revitalizing for you and your family. Once again our facilities team has worked diligently to prepare the high school for your child’s arrival. We are currently using 20 state-of-the-art Epson short-throw projectors and whiteboards that were installed during the summer. These projectors allow a regular porcelain whiteboard to be used as an interactive whiteboard. Students will experience a greater variety of resources in the classroom with the addition of these projectors. I would like to expressly thank the JTHS PTSA and the Consolidated PTA for their generous donations which purchased five of the projectors. A budgeted large-scale roofing project is just about complete, save for some final clean-up around the school and grounds. You may have noticed the new traffic pattern and student drop-off location around the high school. I appreciate the combined work of our School Resource Officer Joe Hale, the district transportation office and the board of education for their support to implement the suggested changes. Remember that the morning drop-off site is in the B parking lot. You may still use the shoulder of Weldon Road in the afternoon as students parking in those spaces all have early dismissal. I look forward to seeing you at Back-to-School Night on September 27th at 7 p.m.

Karl A. Mundi Principal

Principal’s Message CA L E N D A R

S E P T E M B E R

1 7 R O S H H A S H A N A H

1 8 B O E M E E T I N G , 8

P .M .

2 6 YOM K I P P U R

2 7 B A C K - T O - S C H O O L

N I G H T , 7 P M

O C T O B E R

6 H O M E C OM I N G

D A N C E , 5 : 3 0 P .M .

8 S C H O O L C L O S E D ,

T E A C H E R I N - S E R V I C E

1 2 S E N I O R T R I C K Y

T R A Y

1 6 B O E M E E T I N G

1 8 O K T O B E R F E S T , 5 : 3 0

P .M .

NO V E M B E R

8 - 9 T E A C H E R

C O N V E N T I O N

1 2 S E C O N D M A R K I N G

P E R I O D B E G I N S

1 9 B O E M E E T I N G

2 0 NH S I N D U C T I O N

2 1 E A R L Y D I S M I S S A L

2 2 , 2 3 T H A N K S G I V I N G

B R E A K , S C H O O L

C L O S E D

September 2012 Volume 5 Issue 1

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1 Principal’s Message 7 Senior Parking

2-4 New Faculty 7 Office Hours

5 Student Performance Data 7 Late-Start Days

5 Class of 2012 Statistics 8 Early Dismissal

6 Advance Placement Results 8 Principal’s Forum

6 Attendance Update 9 A+ School Rewards

6 Student Pass Cards

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JTHS WELCOMES NEW TEACHERS

Each year JTHS welcomes new teachers to the high school. You will see the impact that our new staff will make through their contributions in both their academic and co-curricular/athletic pursuits. A brief profile of each new teacher is provided below, alongside picture. Please welcome these new teachers to our school when you see them at Back-to-School Night on September 27, 2012.

Ms. Mary Azukas Supervisor – Social Studies, Fine & Studio and Related Arts Ms. Azukas received a BA in Political Science from Penn State and a MA in Secondary Education Social Studies from Trenton State College. Previously Ms. Azukas has worked as a Director of Curriculum for the New York City Dept. of Education and as a teacher/leader in the South Orange Maplewood School District.

Mrs. Shannon Chapman PE/Health (long-term sub for Mrs. Kelly) – Mrs. Chapman earned her BS in Exercise and Movement Science from William Paterson University. She has previously taught at Dover, Hawthorne and at our own Middle School.

Ms. Amanda Hayward Mathematics – Ms. Hayward earned her BS in Secondary Mathematics Education from Penn State and her MA in Gifted Education from Teachers College at Columbia University. She has previously taught at Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth and most recently at C2 Education in New York.

Ms. Beth NashLanguage Arts – Ms. Nash earned her BA in English from The College of New Jersey. She previously taught 7th grade Language Arts Literacy in West Long Branch Public Schools and was a tutor for Kumon Math and Reading Center in Toms River.

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Ms. Kathleen Paiva Science – Ms. Paiva received her BS in Geoscience from Bloomsburg University. She did her student teaching in Berwick, PA and also in Shamokin, PA.

Daniel Papa Social Studies – Mr. Papa received his BS in Theology from Valley Forge Christian College and his BA in History from William Paterson University. Mr. Papa comes to us from the Middle School where he has been teaching Social Studies since 2008.

Tuyen Phan – Mathematics Ms. Phan earned a BS at University of North Carolina in Physics, an MS in Biomedical Engineering also at University of North Carolina, and an MS from University of Pennsylvania. She has been a teaching and research assistant at University of North Carolina and a resident teacher at Furness High School in Philadelphia.

Kenneth Quazza - Social Studies Mr. Quazza earned his BA in History from Wilkes University. He previously taught 7th grade Social Studies in Fort Lee, NJ.

Ashley Redlich Mathematics (long-term sub for Mrs. Dexter) –Ms. Redlich earned both her BS in Mathematics and her MA in Teaching with a Mathematics Concentration at Montclair State University. She student taught at Parsippany Hills High School and was also a personal instructor at Sylvan Learning Center.

Marcie Schlanger Mathematics (long-term sub for Ms. Todd) – Ms. Schlanger earned her Mathematics Education degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Ms. Schlanger student taught at Hanover Park and worked as a Work-Family Connection Teacher in Whitehouse Station.

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Derek Sica - World Languages Supervisor Mr. Sica received a BA from Muhlenberg College in Spanish and Secondary Education, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Montclair State University and also a MA in Educational Administration from Montclair. He was previously a Supervisor of World Languages and ESL at Parsippany Troy Hills and West Essex Regional Schools.

Lauren Thomas - Special Education/Transition Coordinator Ms. Thomas earned a BS in Education at St. John’s University in Philadelphia and a MA from Kean University in Educational Administration. She has previously been a Special Education teacher in Union Township.

Tara Torkos Guidance Counselor – Mrs. Torkos received an AA in Humanities/Social Science from County College of Morris, a BA in Psychology from Montclair State University and an MA in Counseling, Psychology/School Counseling from College of St. Elizabeth. Previously Mrs. Torkos was a Guidance Counselor intern and Medical Leave replacement at Morris Knolls High School.

Peggy Widgren Director, Student Personnel Services –Mrs. Widgren holds a BA in Music Education from Montclair State University as well as Masters Degrees in Counseling, Human Services & Guidance and Administration & Supervision from Montclair State University, as well as a Masters in Urban Education Administration & Supervision from New Jersey City University. Most recently she was the Assistant Principal in the Middle School and prior to that position was a Guidance Counselor in the Sparta Middle School.

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Student Performance Data

This month’s edition of NJ Monthly contains the biennial ranking of NJ High Schools. The ranking considers factors such as average class size, percent of the faculty with advanced degrees, the new NJ Graduation Cohort rate, and of course, student performance on the HSPA, SAT, and Advanced Placement Exams. Although JTHS was rated at #167 using the NJ Monthly Formula, there is much to be proud of in our academic progress. Here is how the 2011-12 JTHS data compares with the current NJ Monthly list: JTHS HSPA Language Arts: 20.4% of students scored Advanced Proficient

(within 0.1% of the NJ Monthly #40 school)

JTHS HSPA Mathematics: 23.8% of students scored Adv. Proficient (1% lower than school #52 on the NJ Monthly ranking)

87% of JTHS Students scored 3 or higher (out of 5) on the Advanced Placement tests. This result is 1% lower than school #99 on the NJ Monthly ranking Although the high school continues to improve academic achievement by focusing on improving students’ SAT scores and increasing the number of AP classes offered, we are seeing positive growth in many areas.

Class of 2012 Statistics

# OF SENIORS

BREAKDOWN % OF SENIORS

2011 Comparison

2010 Comparison

56 4 YR IN STATE COLLEGES

21 23

71 4 YR OUT STATE COLLEGES

27 24

43

90 2 YR COLLEGES 35 33 43 7 BUSINESS/TECH 3 4 3

9 MILITARY 3 2 2 15 EMPLOYMENT 6 4 7 10 UNKNOWN 4 7 - 4 NON-GRADUATING 1 2 -

262 TOTAL 100 100 98

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Advanced Placement Results

Attendance Update Students are reminded that maintaining good attendance is a priority to ensure continuity of

instruction and to minimize disruption of the school day. Students who do not arrive to school

on time will be subject to disciplinary action after the fifth tardy each marking period. Students

more than 10 minutes late to a class will be issued a unexcused absence for that class. More

than 16 unexcused absences for a full-year class and more than 8 unexcused absences for a

semester class will result in loss of credit for the class.

Student Pass Cards Each student has been provided with a wallet-sized pass card to be used if the student needs to leave class. Teachers fill out and sign the pass card which allows the student to go to the area designated on the card and return to class. Students will receive a new pass card each marking period in homeroom. Additional/replacement pass cards are available daily during lunch periods in the underclassman cafeteria. Students who are listed on the Honor Roll receive a laminated Honors Pass. This pass can be used repeatedly throughout the marking period and does not need to be signed by a teacher.

Year #Students #Exams % 3 or higher

2012 76 138 87

2011 79 140 68

2010 70 125 68

2009 58 130 70

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Senior Parking

Reminder - Student parking is a senior privilege. Seniors who have attended the JTHS parking meeting and met school requirements for behavior and grades will be issued a permit for an assigned spot on campus. The parking privilege may be revoked upon the report of a motor vehicle infraction, failing grade, or disciplinary referral. Cars parking on campus without permits will be ticketed/towed.

Office Hours

The High School Main Office is open from 7:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. If you need assistance

between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m., Mrs. Vollmers will be able to help you. Her office is around

the corner from the main office (Room A-29).

Professional Learning Community (PLC)

JTHS Late Start Dates

This year we are continuing with the highly successfully PLC initiative at JTHS. On these

days teachers will meet in established groups working on pre-approved SMART goals

that address specific teaching strategies and assessments.

Students participate in one of the following activities on these days:

Supervised Study – held in the Gym

Late Arrival – students with their own transportation may arrive at 7:55 a.m.

PDP – ALL FRESHMAN HAVE REQUIRED PDP MEETINGS HELD IN THE CAFETERIA

PLC Meetings will take place on the following dates:

September 13, 27 February 14, 15, 21, 22

October 18, 25, 26 March 21, 28

November 1, 2, 15 April 18

December 13, 14, 19, 20 May 9

January 10, 24

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Student Early Dismissal

If your child needs to leave school early for a medical/dental appointment, driver’s test

or other appointment that must be scheduled during school hours, please send a note

in to the main office on the day of the appointment. The office will register the early

dismissal in the attendance system and provide your child with a pass. You will find your

child waiting in the main office upon your arrival.

If you choose not to send a note, please be advised that we will only page students for

dismissal during passing times, which occur every 40 minutes in conjunction with the

regular bell schedule.

We appreciate your help to make the early dismissal procedure work smoothly.

Parents – Get Involved!! Provide Input!!

The following meetings/committees need your involvement in order to help our school best meet the needs of our students.

Principal’s Forum

Mr. Mundi will meet with parents on a regular basis to highlight specific JTHS programs, share recent school-wide accomplishments, and update parents on JTHS initiatives. All parents are welcome and are encouraged to attend. Meetings will be held on the following dates starting at 7:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center:

October 10 January 23 April 24

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With A+ School Rewards Everyone Wins!

Welcome to the 2012-2013 A+ School Rewards Program. Stop & Shop is proud to offer our A+ School Rewards program to help our community schools. Now parents and other supporters can earn great awards for schools to use as they choose!

What It Is

With A+ School Rewards, points accrue with each purchase where the Stop & Shop Card is used. It even works with purchases made online with Peapod by Stop & Shop. At the end of each month, these points determine your school's cash total which is automatically credited to its account and school totals updated each month. (Please note: Gift cards except for store brand gift cards], pharmacy, alcohol and/or cigarette purchases are excluded from accruing points.) The identification number for our school is 07268.

How It Works

A+ School Rewards are based upon purchases made with your Stop & Shop card. Register your card today at www.stopandshop.com/aplus.