CHIEF’S REPORT PISCATAWAY HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Jason Lester, Principal May 2016 MESSAGE FROM MR. LESTER This month, I had the distinct pleasure of being a tour guide as part of a reunion weekend of PHS alumni from the classes of the 1960s. As we walked throughout the school, it was evident that I was in the presence of the founding members who bleed “Black and Gold” and formed some of the rich traditions we still have today. Like many new generation P’Way family members, I cannot imagine PHS without the Anthony wing. Our family members that graduated in the sixties never had the luxury of the Anthony building because it was not built until 1974, five years after the graduating class of 1969. May 14 th marked the first time that many members walked through the halls of the Susan B. Anthony “new building” as well as the “ brand new” G-wing, which connects the Anthony Building to the Patton Building. The pride on their faces was priceless. I am so honored to have been able to tour with such a passionate and remarkable group of PHS alumni. Special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Szymonowicz for organizing this reunion event. We live in a tremendous community with a great deal of support. I am proud to announce that investors Bank has awarded PHS $50,000 to support our health and physical education programs. Mr. Daniel Eatman, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of investors Bank on Stelton Road, has been very instrumental and a strong advocate for our school as well as for the district. If you are ever in the bank or in the area, don’t hesitate to stop in to say hello. To learn more about PHS happenings read on… Strength & Honor
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CHIEF’S REPORT PISCATAWAY HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
Jason Lester, Principal May 2016
MESSAGE FROM MR. LESTER
This month, I had the distinct pleasure of being a tour guide as part of a reunion weekend of PHS alumni from the classes of the 1960s. As we walked throughout the school, it was evident that I was in the presence of the founding members who bleed “Black and Gold” and formed some of the rich traditions we still have today. Like many new generation P’Way family members, I cannot imagine PHS without the Anthony wing. Our family members that graduated in the sixties never had the luxury of the Anthony building because it was not built until 1974, five years after the graduating class of 1969. May 14th marked the first time that many members walked through the halls of the Susan B. Anthony “new building” as well as the “brand new” G-wing, which connects the Anthony Building to the Patton Building. The pride on their faces was priceless. I am so honored to have been able to tour with such a passionate and remarkable group of PHS alumni. Special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Szymonowicz for organizing this reunion event.
We live in a tremendous community with a great deal of support. I am proud to announce that investors Bank has awarded PHS $50,000 to support our health and physical education programs. Mr. Daniel Eatman, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of investors Bank on Stelton Road, has been very instrumental and a strong advocate for our school as well as for the district. If you are ever in the bank or in the area, don’t hesitate to stop in to say hello.
To learn more about PHS happenings read on…
Strength & Honor
PHS HAPPENINGS
ATHLETICS
Zachary Merring and Demetria Bethel (pictured) were honored at the GMC Sportsmanship luncheon on May 11. Recipients were chosen based on their highest level of sportsmanship. Congratulations! In addition, Piscataway High School received the Red Division Sportsmanship Award, for being disqualification-free for all three seasons. Go Chiefs!!
BUSINESS DEPARTMENT NEWS PHS FBLA/Piscataway Rotary Club Career Day
Over 20 PHS students “shadowed” Piscataway Rotarians, including our own Superintendent Rafferty, to see first-hand what the working world is like. Careers included Genetics Research, Law Enforcement, Library
Science & Management, NJ State Government, and more. The event culminated with a professional development session by Piscataway Rotary and guest speakers from Rutgers University (including Jason Lim, PHS ’15). PHS FBLA Advisors: Greg Michaels & Susan Leacy.
Annual PHS FBLA Mission Life Charity Basketball Game
This year’s game raised well over $5000 for FISH, which is a local service organization of volunteers who respond with compassion to the needs of the poor, the elderly, the homeless, and those who "fall between the cracks" of public assistance. The teachers’ winning streak was broken (53-41 in OT) despite a last-minute appearance by Principal Lester on the teachers’ team. Gratitude to all who donated time and/or treasure, including sponsoring area businesses, staff, and students. PHS FBLA Advisors: Greg Michaels & Susan Leacy
MATHEMATICS NEWS Continental Calculus Contest There were 4 perfect scores on the final Continental Calculus Contest for this school year. The students with perfect scores are: Manan Brahmbhatt, Hamzah Husain, Alan Patel, and Nil Patel. On the same contest, 5 students had near perfect scores. Those students are: Tanya Chahal, Chandni Patel, Grace Tan, Susan Wu, and Audrey Zhou.
American Scholastic League In the American Scholastic League, our team led by Diane Moskal, finished in the first place category (again). This makes it 15 consecutive years!
PERFORMING ARTS Orchestra Competed in Virginia
Last month, our orchestra competed in Williamsburg, VA. The students worked extremely hard to prepare for this event and their efforts were rewarded.
The Chamber Orchestra received a “Superior” rating (highest rating possible) and 1st place in the String Orchestra category.
The Symphonic Orchestra received a “Superior” rating and 1st place in the Full Orchestra category.
The Symphonic Orchestra received the “Best Overall Orchestra” in the Festival. In addition, the students’ behavior and maturity during the trip was exemplary. They represented themselves, the music department, and the school district in an exemplary fashion.
FILM CHALLENGE CONTEST “One Wrong Move”
This is the 3rd year that Piscataway High School has participated in the National 10 day film challenge contest. This year there were 160 entries from 24 different schools in New Jersey and only the top 30 films were chosen to be screened at the Regal Cinemas Burlington 20 in Burlington, NJ. The winning films will be announced at the screening. The directors of the 3 minute film, “One Wrong Move” are Emily Harding and Evian Rivera. The movies will be posted on the PHS and District website after the premiere in Burlington on May 17.
SCIENCE LEAGUE Final Scores The final scores for Science League have now been reported and reflect true standing of PHS students among all of the participating schools in the categories listed below: Biology 1 (9th grade students): Of the 104 schools that participated, PHS students ranked 18th. Biology 2 (Juniors and Seniors): Of the 102 schools that participated, our students ranked 17th. Chemistry 1 (10th grade students): Of the 89 schools that participated, our students ranked 18th. Chemistry 2 (Juniors and Seniors): Of the 85 schools that participated, our students ranked 35th. HS Physics (Juniors/Seniors): Of the 68 schools that participated, our students ranked 23rd. Physics C (Seniors): Of the 58 schools that participated, our students ranked 20th.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Induction Ceremony for 2016-17 Congratulations to the following National Honor Society Inductees for the 2016-17 school year:
Abdullah Bashir Abula Johnson Adalaina Hanzich Aditya Jani Ahmed Khalil Alexa Williamson Alexander Kuchnicki Alexei Hazell Allyza Capili Amaya Powis Andrea DeLucia Angela Romeo Angelimani Bateman Anoushka Chatterjee Anya Lopez Arth Baghel Ashley Interdonato Austin Boland Ferguson Bhumit Patel Bivi Baby Brandon Evers Brandon Tran Brianna Chapman Brittany Montes C. Michael Sarmiento Catherine Wang Chelsea Wong Chimdi Chukwu Chinonye Gabriel Chloe Magboo Christine Dronebarger Damon Pleasant Danghuy Nguyen Daniel Haus Daniela Acosta David Franco Dev Patel Dhanisha Patel
Dhevin Gupta Drew Patel Edler Olanday Eileen Zhu Elise Merritt Elizabeth Borges Emily Harding Emily Rider Eyad Warraky Farah Shallan Gabriel Franco Gabrielle Salcedo Gary Frank Gauri Patel Gerard Duvivier Glenn Harding Grace Tan Hams Elshaikh Hanifa Syed Hardi Patel Hemal Patel Hunter Carlon Ikjot Tagore Isaac Nathoo Isha Patel Jack Rodriguez Jake Carlon Janaki Patel Janani Subramanian Janiah Lambert Jeamarie Flores Jillian Trumbauer Joel Kincade John Plaras Joi Suttle Jovan Snyder Julia Gilleece Kahkashan Kashif
Kai Baker Kali Stewart Kamela Chandrika Kathryn Selinger Kavita Patel Kayla Breaux Kevin Carolina Kevin Rollins Kezia Van Lare Khushbu Patel Kia Ansine Kiran Chaudhry Krishna Patel Krupa Patel Kush Patel Kylah Burnette Lance Justiniani Le’la Allen Lindsey Riggs Lindsey Tran Manan Brahmbhatt Mariam Shabber Marisa Myers Ma'Sonia McPherson Megha Nigam Mehal Patel Mekhi Morgan Nancy Wu Nathalie Torres Neelay Patel Neha Patel Neha S Patel Nehal Patel Nicholas Bucci Nizzie Laughinghouse Olivia Greene Oona Nelson Parth D. Patel
Parth Y Patel Priscilla Ampofo Priyanka Rangra Radhika Iyer Renita Choo Rohan Patel Rudra Shah Sabihah Memon Sabrina Brokenborough Samantha Miller Samantha Urash Sameen Siddiqui Sanam Suthar Sarah Sy Scott Schipmann Sean Daly Shahil Patel Shannon Browne Shiv Patel Simona Alomary Suraya Momtaz Susan Wu Susanna D'Souza Sweeti Patel Sydnei Wactor Sydney Clarke Sylvia Truong Tamia Tucker Tanya Chahal Uwaila Stewart Valiant Abello William Wallace Xavia Elder Yasmine Elasmar Zain Siddiqui
PSA CONTEST
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Students in the PHS Radio club won first place in the Middlesex County “Don’t Drive Dangerously” contest for their audio PSA, “Siri”, which brings awareness to the dangers of texting and driving. This year, 12 high schools had entries in the contest. Above is a copy of the winning audio file and a picture of Brittany Bickerton (Radio Club Advisor) and two of the three students (Anasia Starks, Shawn Elliott, Blessing Echie) that produced the PSA accepting the award. Go PWAY!
SOCIAL STUDIES NEWS Law Day
On Tuesday May 24th PHS hosted its annual Law Day assembly in the PAC based the theme, “Miranda: More than Words.” Students from the school’s various law classes were greeted by The Hon. Vincent LeBlon of New Jersey’s Superior Court via Lawrence Bethea the EEO/AA Officer for the Superior Court of New Jersey - Middlesex Vicinage.
In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U. S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. In Miranda, the court held law enforcement personnel must advise a suspect of his/her rights in order to use statements made during a custodial interrogation in a later criminal proceeding. The Miranda warning has become so ingrained in popular culture that many know all of its words, starting with, “You have the right to remain silent.” Yet, as the Law Day theme implies, there is much more to Miranda than the words of the warning; it is a living symbol of the importance of procedural fairness and equal justice under the law.
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE
June 13
Monday Periods 1 and 2
Half Day for
Students
June 14
Tuesday Periods 3 and 4
Half Day for
Students
June 15
Wednesday Periods 5 and 6
Half Day for
Students
June 16
Thursday Periods 7 and After-School Classes or Make-up Exams
Half Day for
Students
June 17
Friday Final Exam for Makeups and other Conflicts
Half Day for
Students
June 20
Monday
Makeup Exam Day
Graduation Practice – Patton Gym, 7:45 am
Half Day for
Students
STAFF NEWS Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to Caren Stephenson, English teacher, who has been named Teacher of the Year at Piscataway High School. Ms. Stephenson has devoted 18 years teaching Pway students. She is a well-respected member of our faculty and we are proud of her achievements. ESP of the Year Nancy Carter, Pway custodian, has been named ESP of the year. Ms. Carter takes pride helping to keep our school clean and functional. We appreciate her hard work. Congratulations! College Board Scholarship Mathematics teacher Melissa Eytchison was awarded a College Board scholarship to complete an AP Summer Institute for the new Computer Science Principles course! Great news!
Jersey Man Half Lite Triathlon Congratulations to East Wing Nurse Donna Zimmerman who came in first in her category in the Jersey Man Half Lite Triathlon (1 mile swim, 34 mile bike and 10 K run). Donna will also be participating in a 70.3 Ironman and a full Ironman (140.6) soon. Good luck!!
Welcome New Additions Let’s congratulate the following staff members who have recently added an addition to their family:
Ms. Hurt gave birth to a little boy, Benjamin
Dr. Ritchie is the proud father of baby girl Savannah
Mr. & Mrs. Lee’s little girl is the big sister to new brother, Derek Kolton
Mrs. Perlin’s baby girl, Victoria, arrived a week early.
Spencer Michael is Mrs. Osborne’s new baby boy
Dr. & Mrs. Lollin are the proud parents of baby girl Aubri Nicole
Mr. & Mrs. Corrales welcomed twins, Analisa and David Staff Retiring
The following staff members will be retiring at the end of June. We wish them all the very best of health, happiness and a well-deserved, relaxed retirement:
Hector Aparicio, World Languages Jeanne Bozzay, Media Specialist Virginia Bruno, Special Education Colleen Foley, Special Education
Be sure to thank these phenomenal staff members for a job well done. We will miss them.
IMPORTANT DATES: June 1 Senior Varsity Banquet, 6:30 pm, Pines Manor June 3 Prom, 6:00 pm, Grand Marquis June 7 Orchestra Banquet, 6:00 pm, Commons June 8 Senior Recognition Assembly, 12:15 pm, PAC June 8 Senior Scholarships Assembly, 6:00 pm, PAC June 9 Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction, 6:00 pm, PAC June 10 Film Festival, 6:00 pm, PAC June 11 Band Banquet, 6:00 pm, Commons June 13 Final Exams begin June 13 Athletic Spring Awards Night, 6:30 pm, PAC June 20 Graduation, 6:00 pm, Rutgers Athletic Center June 20 Project Graduation, 10:00 pm, Werblin Recreation Center
