Deirdra Grode, Executive Director / Principal K-8

Elementary & Middle School 255 Congress Street

Jersey City, NJ 07307 Tel: 201-963-0222 Fax: 201-963-0880

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John Bellocchio, Principal 9-12

High School 4th and Garden Streets, 4th floor

Hoboken, NJ 07030 Tel: 201-963-3280 Fax: 201-963-0695

THE HOBOKEN CHARTER SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Important Dates: !!!HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW!!! Saturday, May 4 – Empty Bowls Luncheon and musical entertainment – 12:00 pm – The Hoboken Shelter located at 300 Bloomfield Street. Tickets are $10 per person or $25 for family.

Monday – Thursday, May 6 – 9 – NJASK Testing for Grades 5 & 6 Wednesday, May 8 - Board of Trustees Meeting – 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9 - Professional Development – 1 p.m. dismissal for students in grades K-12 Monday – Thursday, May 13 – 16 – NJASK Testing for Grade 3 Monday – Friday, May 13 – 17 – NJASK Testing for Grade 4 Thursday, May 16 - Parent Association Meeting at 7:00 pm – Sts. Peter and Paul Thursday, May 23– Alpine Hike Trip—Grade 3 Thursday, May 23– Lenape Village Trip– Grade 4 Friday, May 24 - 1:00 dismissal for Grades K-12 (no after school) Monday, May 27 – School Closed for students in grades K-12 Monday, June 3 – Dress Rehearsal for the Summer Gathering – Details to follow Tuesday, June 4 – Summer Gathering (rain date on Wednesday, June 5) Wednesday, June 12 - Board of Trustees Meeting – 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13 - Professional Development – 1 p.m. dismissal for students in grades K-12 Thursday, June 20 – Field Day (rain date on Friday, June 21) Thursday, June 20 – June 25 – 1:00 p.m. dismissal for Students Monday, June 24 – 12th Grade Graduation – details to follow Tuesday, June 25 – 8th Grade Graduation – details to follow

Empty Bowls —TOMORROW— Details on pg.18

Table of Contents

HS History page 2 HS English page 3 Art News/PeaceJam/Interact pages 4-9 Poetry and the MET! page 10 HS Pep Rally! Ahhhh Cougar Spirit! page 11 HCS LOVES HOBOKEN! page 12 Hudson County Art Expo! GO HCS! page 13 HS PE / Health page 14 HS Math page 15 HS Science pages 16-17 Empty Bowls page 18 K-8 Event flyer page 19 HCS Document re: fall 2013 page 20

HCS HS Cougar News & YOU… purrrfect together!

Invite for fun K-8 event! Flyer pg. 19

Kudos to our very own HS students who have created art work that has been chosen for publication this spring! When you see Giselle Price, Andre Lebron, Veida Rodriguez, Sherry Arbito, and Adeanna King be sure to congratulate them! We are so very proud of you all!

ATTENTION HCS FAMILIES! PLEASE SEE PAGE 20 FOR IMPORTANT FORM!

Economics

The senior class is exploring global-ization, contempo-rary issues in eco-nomics, foreign exchange and To-tal Quality Man-agement. The class will begin to review for the macroeconomic final examination and discuss col-lege readiness and preparation.

World History

In World History, the freshmen are midway through the unit on the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment. Students were assigned different scientists to research and report on. Next, we moved on to the Enlightenment, where students debate the ideas of John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Voltaire, and others in order to understand the philosophies that have shaped modern governments and societies.

United States History II The Junior class is wrapping up the year by exploring the 1980’s-2013 periods. From the Go-Go 80’s to the internet of the 1990’s and Bill Clinton to the first dec-ade of the new millennium - The Era of Broken Trust represents the range of ma-terial covered from 2000-2013. The juniors will review the entire course of study and they will have a capstone class that ties together all the themes covered in US History II. 9

The sophomore class is exploring the antebellum period in the United States and will examine the America Civil War next week. Students have read and discussed the Fugitive Slave Act and debating whether John Brown was justified for using terrorist means in order to Abolish Slavery. Students will also witness a reenact-ment of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

United States History I

HISTORY

OMNIBUS EDITION MAY 2013

9th Grade American Literature9th Grade American Literature

The 9th grade classes are continuing to build upon their grammar foundations. The students have started to develop theories on Holden’s identity and apply it to how their own are shaped. We have been defin-ing characters and how they are viewed through Holden’s perspective. The classes have also challenged these identities because they are described solely through Holden’s biased perspective.

1010thth Grade American Literature Grade American Literature

The 10th grade classes are continuing to build up their vocabulary and grammar skills. We have started Hamlet and are following Hamlet’s psyche and the setting of the play which reflects the political climate within the plot and during the time period. The students will challenge Hamlet’s sanity as the play pro-gresses and he continues to isolate himself from everything while his anger floods the stage.

11th Grade English11th Grade English

The juniors just completed “Remix” projects where they, in groups analyzed the musical arrangement and lyrics to two different versions of a popular song of their choosing. The project was a chance for them to look at the process of revision anew—and they used songs by artists as diverse as Big Mama Thorton, Bill Withers and Michael Jackson. They played the songs and presented information about the historical contexts of the songs and their analyses on PowerPoint presentations.

12th Grade English12th Grade English

Seniors also took on the task of critiquing the film, but situated it alongside other essays and short stories on issues of gender by writers as varied as Kate Chopin, Brent Staples and Sandra Cisneros. They will be writing and creating short projects that consider historic/

contemporary expectations and treat-ment of the different genders.

English with Ms. Lee & Ms. Bodunde

Art Studio “16” After completing our three dimensional names, 9th grade students began working on the OP Art. We looked at exam-ples of famous OP Art works by Bridget Riley. Op art, also known as optical art, is a style of visual art that makes use of optical illusions. Optical art is a method of painting con-cerning the interaction between illusion and picture plane, between understanding and seeing. Op art works are ab-stract, with many of the better known pieces made in black and white. When the viewer looks at them, the impression is given of movement, hidden images, flashing and vibration, patterns, or swelling and warping. The two optical illusions below were created by Robert Rice and Adela Cruz. After ninth grade has completed this work they will begin Pop Art with an emphasis on Andy Warhol.

Bridget Riley “Descending” 1965

Adela Cruz Robert Rice

9th Grade Art

In Art II, students completed their self portraits in the style of Frida Kahlo. Some students used their previous drawings and artwork as a reference, while others began anew. As they explored symbols and pictures, students began adding images, patterns, textures and colors into their work. Below are two examples of the two portraits.

On the left Arturo incorpo-rated colors that represent the country his family originated as well as sym-bols of his hobbies and ac-tivities. On the right, Kas-sandra drew herself as trees, using the symbolic strength of roots, and the reaching out of branches. In addition; she incorpo-rated night and day to di-

vide the components of herself. These works and many more from the class will be hanging in our hallways in the high school. Feel free to check them out when you have a chance!

Art Studio “15” After completing their portraits, 10th grade stu-dents began working on overlapping a repetitive object. After creating an illusion of depth through layers, students chose one color to represent themselves and began painting them in mono-chrome using watercol-ors. They will be dis-played outside the art room when they are complete, so feel free to stop by.

10th Grade Art

Art Studio “14” 11th G

rade Art

The juniors finished up their works based on the “Masters”. Most of these works will be hanging on display in the Hoboken Library beginning the first week in May. The students will be hanging the originals as well so audiences will be able to see the ref-erences. Stop by if you have a minute and come check them out!

Many juniors are busy creating and finishing art work in an independent study. In ad-dition to the art assignments and projects in class, students have been spending time creating their own work for their personal portfo-lios. The work here, created by Luis Porras, is a collage of characters he has been working on for the past year. Each original image was taken from a pool of sketches he has accumulated as he con-tinues to build his portfolio. Many of these art-works will be either hung in the Hoboken Library or will be on exhibit in the Hudson County Teen Art Festival in the beginning of May.

Keep up the good work!

Art Studio “13” Seniors have been working on recreat-ing famous works by famous artists in their own style. This project gave the students complete artistic freedom to choose from surface material to me-dium for their final project. After com-pleting their series on multiple still lifes, most students chose people as their subject of choice for their art. Af-ter they complete this work, seniors will be spending the rest of the year working on their senior portfolio pro-ject.

12th Grade A

rt

After preparing some sketches for their final still life drawing students began to work. Using a mini-mum of five objects, students set up individual still lifes and began to draw. Some students drew a tra-ditional still life with the realistic background be-hind, others created and utilized their own space. Using ebony pencils, sharpies and water colors, stu-dents completed these beautiful works and pre-pared for their final art project of the year.

Symbolism was our assignment and every-one was expected to create something that symbolized themselves. Some chose ani-mals, while others pictures. Some students integrated past projects into this one like the art below by Ambria Daniels. Using a style similar to typography, she incorporated im-age with text as the background. Beautiful work!!

PeaceJammers are continuing to recycle e-waste through the Funding Factory. We are still collecting ink toners, old video games and cell phones. PeaceJammers will be setting up a box in the K-8 building as well and we encourage our entire school to keep those E– WASTES coming! In ad-dition; we have also started recycling the foam trays that are delivered everyday and using them as paint palates.

NO MORE BULLIES! After reading about Bailey O’ Neill’s

passing, PeaceJammers Romanda Abe-dair, Dimyana Shonoda and Rebecca

Mannix will be filming a video, explain-ing and showing the consequences of bullying others. They wrote a script,

prepared questions and will begin the process by mid April. After the film is

complete, PeaceJammers will be hosting an officer of the

Hoboken Police Department to speak to our students.

Bailey was a sixth grade victim of play-ground bullying. PeaceJammers want everyone to know that bullying is not

acceptable nor tolerated.

“We are promoting peaceful friend-ships and a positive, learning environ-ment, please join us.” - PeaceJam

2012-2013 Videos details to come.

PeaceJam members celebrated the Irish Festival in Hoboken by setting up a arts and crafts booth in the pavilion. The senior class sold snacks as a fund-raiser, some did face painting and others helped kids make necklaces. Mayor Zimmer stopped by to thank the students and the bagpiper player came up and demonstrated how the bagpipe works! It was a great time had by all.

We have finally finalized our schedule with the Geraldine Dodge Foundation Poetry in the Schools Program. In April the following students Azariah McMilliam, Ian Aranibar, Andre Lebron, D’Angelo Barrow, Danielee Gon-zalez, Giselle Price, Anna Porras, Meosha Washington, Eleazar Reyes, Tabitha Escobar, Dillon Farley Romanda Abedair, Hilda Cancel, Rebecca Mannix, Adeanna King and Jassira Reyes. After our work-shop, we will have a formal poetry read-ing with a reception and the library. We will be inviting our families as well as any other guests who would like to join. We will release the final details as the dates come closer. Congratulations po-ets, we can’t wait to hear your beautiful poetry!

PeaceJam has art work hanging in City Hall. If

you have a minute to stop by and check it out,

please do.

HCHS LAST CHANCE!!

HCHS Interact is still selling silicon bracelets that read “catch your breath” They are $1.00. Next month we will be hosting the

founder of the “Lung Cancer Circle of Hope” and presenting her with the funds we raised!! HCHS Interact is continuing our efforts in

“The Change Challenge”and raising money for LUNG CANCER. We’ve raised over $195.00 and counting !! HCHS Interact Club is still raising money to

donate to this very worthy cause. We are raising money in memory of Ezzat Abedair, father of Romanda and her sister, HCHS class of 2012, Ani-

sha. Mr. Abedair was a dedicated husband and father. He was a kind, wise person, as he was always eager to help all who needed. So far we have

raised over $195!! Way to go HCHS Interact!!

This month Interact and PeaceJam students joined the 7th graders at

the United Nation’s to take part in a conference entitled “Water for

Peace”. We were so proud to support Mr. Duff and 7th grader Jo-

nah Henkle. Not only did we learn about the world’s water issues,

but we left very inspired and ready to take on some projects in or-

der to raise awareness and funds for this global issue. Stay tuned for

next month’s newsletter to see where we’ve gone!

HCHS Interact has partnered with PeaceJam and will

be donating NOVELS to the Hoboken Shelter. Donate your books today. Drop off is in Room 403

at the High School. These books and bookshelf will be de-livered to the shelter after they finish

renovating their kitchen. In the mean-time, St Matthews has graciously of-fered us their kitchen, Thank you St

Matt’s we’re looking forward to working with you!!

HCHS Interact will be sending junior Rebecca Man-nix to RYLA this year at Camp In-dian Lake in Pennsylvania this May!! RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Lead-ership. Rebecca will poarticipate in a five day leadership prgram with over 120 students from Hudson and Ber-gen counties. We look forward to her implementing her leadership skills here at HCS and starting some new programs.

Congratulation Rebecca we are so proud of you!

Tenth graders recently spent a day in New York City in one of the most famous art museums in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art! Students broke up into small groups and took pictures of artwork by some very famous artists. Some of the artists we found were Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Pollack, Warhol, Chuck Close, Seurat, and Gaugin. Since the Met is so large, and it was not possible to see everything in one day, students shared the exhibits they saw with each other. Impres-sionism and Fashion was a featured exhibit, and stu-dents had the opportunity to see some of the actual clothes models wore during that time period. Students who visited the Asia Exhibit had the chance to see some very decorative swords and shields. We all agreed that we would like to come back in the near future, since there was so much more to see.

Poetry and the “Met” Giselle Price, Danielee Gonzalez, Ian Aranibar, Hilda Cancel, D’Angelo Barrow, Azariah McMilliam, Andre Lebron, Meo-sha Washington, Ana Porras, Romanda Abedair, Dimyana

Shonoda, Adeanna King, Rebecca Mannix, Jassira Reyes, Dil-lon Farley, Tabitha Escobar and Eleazar Reyes will be partici-pating in the Geraldine Dodge Hurricane Sandy Poetry Initiative

Workshop. Congratulations, we are proud of your hard work!

This month we celebrated “Women’s Poetry” at the

Hoboken Library. Some of the poems students se-

lected were by famous po-ets such as Maya Anjelou. Each student had the op-portunity to read in front of a small audience. The students who have been

participating in the library for these readings will be-

gin a poetry workshop sponsored by the Gerald-

ine Dodge Foundation through their Hurricane Sandy Poetry Initiative. Great work everyone!

HCHS PEP RALLY 2012-2013 This month we had an unbelievable PEP Rally! Students spent the entire week making posters and cheers for their grades. On Friday, representatives from each grade went down to the gym, to deco-rate their respective sections. Right after lunch students came down and started to cheer. 9th grade

played against 10th grade in volleyball, and 11th played the seniors. There was a tremendous amount of school spirit flying around the gym, as the ball flew from one side to the other. After the students finished playing each other the staff joined in the game! It was touch and go for quite some time until the students took the lead. Despite their efforts, the students ended the game with a two point lead. Everyone walked away a winner, smiling and congratulating each other for a great day.

CATCH THAT COUGAR SPIRIT!!

HCHS LOVES HOBOKEN

The Hoboken Events committee in cooperation with the City of Hoboken, the Board of Education

and the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative in partnership with Scott Katz,

Emmy Award winning director that will highlight the unique qualities of Hoboken. When the in-

vitation came out encouraging students of all ages to participate by submitting artwork or writ-

ings, the high school and the 1st grade students jumped on board! The 1st grade came over to the

high school where students worked on a large quilt that incorporated all of their art and writings.

We submitted this quilt and a few weeks later we got a letter stating we were accepted into this

film!! Right after spring break the high school and 1st grade students joined Scott and his photog-

rapher/videographer on the pier with our quilt. The students had a great time together as they

“buddied up” with their partners. They laughed, and shouted out, ”I Love Hoboken” all together

as they were being filmed. After the group shots, the high school students had the opportunity to

be interviewed about why they love Hoboken. It was a wonderful experience for all of the stu-

dents and we can’t wait to see ourselves on film!!

HCHS Loves Hoboken!!

Kudos

HCS!

Way to go Jassira!!!

High School Physical Education High School Physical Education High School Physical Education

Currently in Physical Education students are Fitness Training and getting timed while they participate in the ‘Mile Run’. All high school students are also working on a Nutri-tion For Life end of the year project. This project will allow students to learn how to as-sess the nutritional value of foods, the importance of a healthful diet and how to plan a healthy diet for themselves or for someone with special health needs.

Students have been competing in an end of the year Ping Pong Tournament on the “brand new” Ping Pong tables at the 4th Street Park! Play is fast and demands quick re-actions! At the high school there are several skilled players and great competition, while some students actually can impart several varieties of spin to the ball, altering its trajec-tory and limiting an opponent's options to great advantage.

Alcohol/Illegal Drugs In health class students have been learning about how alcohol use and abuse af-fects the individual, the family, and society. The students have also been learning about the risks of teenage drinking, alcoholism the disease, the support groups available to aid an alcoholic and his or her family and friends, the ways to refuse alcohol, and the ways to become a positive peer influence for avoiding the dan-gers of alcohol. This week in health class students will be learning about the dan-gers of drug abuse, the commonly abused drugs, ways to avoid drugs, and treat-ment for drug addiction. Diseases and Disorders Coming up in health class students will be learning about infectious diseases and what could cause them. The students will also learn about how to treat specific diseases, how the body naturally protects itself from disease, how to avoid and prevent illness, and what to do if one gets an infectious disease.

mkutchma@hobokencs.org

The Math department is using multiple ap-proaches to topics in algebra and geometry and making connections between algebraic concepts and real life applications. In Algebra I, Topics we are currently be-ginning to explore is Geometry since this is the next mathematical sequence in their Sophomore year.

In Geometry the students excessively use the following terms: Pentagonal, polygon, height, b a s e , v o l u m e , a r e a , e t c . . . . The topics reviewed include; Surface Area and Volume of three dimensional shapes and learning the correct terminology for different polygons.

In Algebra II the use of graphing calcula-tors is greatly encouraged! We will be preparing for the SAT’s, in the next

coming month. Students are also learning about trigonometric functions such as Sin, Cos, Tan. In Math Applications, the students continue their review, preparing for the SAT’s which are soon upon us. This includes countless packets, reviewing multiple solutions, test tak-ing strategies, and poster presentations.

In Pre-calculus Students have finished arith-metic and geometric sequences and will be beginning to prepare for the SAT’s. They will also begin a brief introduction to Calculus and the single variable.

Hoboken Charter High School participated in the 1st Annual Bergen County Clean Water Challenge! This event was hosted by the New Jersey Clean Communities Council and is meant to encourage volunteers to clean beaches, lakes, rivers, streams and other waterways of not only human trash but natural litter as well. HCHS students and staff participated in a clean up of a section of historic Palisades Interstate Park. The site we cleaned apparently used to be a shipping dock almost 100 years ago but now is a convenient meeting place at the convergence of two riverside trails. Although this will be a yearly event, much of what we cleaned was a result of Hurricane Sandy. We were instructed to haul litter from as far as we could reach and place it one of three piles; Natural Drift Wood, Human-made Drift wood and All Other Trash. As you can see from

the following pictures, we did a darn good job of finding all three including a huge, orange highway barricade and the ma-jority of a washed-up dock! We look forward to making this an annual event for the Hoboken Charter High School Com-munity!

***SEE YOU TOMORROW!!!!***