OBOE-Mail Blast March 23, 2018 Volume 7, Number 26

In This Issue:

Teacher and

Student

Recognition

Sonic Explorations

Orange High

School

Cheerleaders and

Dancers Volunteer

at Gymnastic Event

Orange High

School Dancers

Attend NJ High

School Dance

Festival

Rosa Parks

Community School

Black History

Month Celebration

Environmental

Education

Center Field Trip

FilmBoot24

FYI

STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

The Orange Page Turners

Heywood Avenue School “My School Color Run”

Contact Information: Orange Board of Education 451 Lincoln Avenue Orange, NJ 07050 Send Us An Email

Sunday, March 25, FilmBoot24, 3:30 – 6:00 p.m., Orange Preparatory Academy.

Tuesday, March 27 and Thursday, March 29, Rosa Parks Community School Presents Disney’s The Aristocats Kids, 7:00 p.m., admission for adults, $10, and children $5

Friday, March 30, Good Friday, District Closed Monday, April 2 – Friday, April 6, Spring Recess, District Closed

Teacher and Student Recognition

Dr. Harlem Receives Brain POP Recertification

Information submitted by Linda Epps, Supervisor of History/Social Studies and Technology

Dr. Denise Harlem, Park Avenue School Technology Coordinator, has successfully

completed the recertification process for updated Certified Brain POP Educator (CBE) status.

Brain POP (an animated educational site for kids) regularly releases new features and tools,

and requires periodic recertification to ensure that all "CBEs" remain up-to-date and well

versed in the breadth of its offerings. To become recertified, Denise delved into Brain POP's

newest features and reflected on using them in her teaching practice.

“We're confident that Denise will continue to be a valuable member of your learning

community, helping both students and teachers to get the most out of Brain POP

resources and make a positive impact on learning.” Brain Pop Educators

For more about Brain POP visit: https://www.brainpop.com/.

Congratulations to Orange High School Senior Jenny Rodriguez!

Barnes and Noble judges have declared Jenny Rodriguez, a Grade 12

student at Orange High School, the 2018 Orange Public Schools

district winner of the My Favorite Teacher Contest. Jenny and

mathematics teacher Mr. Hooman Behzadpour, her favorite

teacher, and Mr. Jason Belton, Principal at Orange High, will be

recognized at a special ceremony at the Livingston Mall Barnes and

Noble.

Jenny's winning essay is automatically submitted to the regional level and then hopefully on

to the state and national levels where she could win $500; Mr. Behzadpour could win $5,000

and Orange High School $5,000.

Congratulations to Jenny and good luck to her in the overall competition.

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STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges Join National School

Walkout Submitted by Robert Pettit, Principal, STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

On March 14, the students at the STEM

Innovation Academy of the Oranges joined

thousands across America as they

participated in the National School Walkout

against gun violence. Rather than walk out

of the school, students decided to walk out

of class and into the gymnasium, where

they participated in an intimate open mic

reflection program (pictured right). Black

and orange shirts lined the gymnasium as

the students stood in solidarity on behalf of

victims of gun violence. The students spent

18 minutes in silence: 17 minutes for the 17

lives that had been lost in Parkland, Florida,

as a result of the deadly shooting, and one

minute in memory of victims to whom

students had a personal connection. The

students and staff stood in a close-knit

circle, a few taking the time to share their

thoughts and feelings about the tragedy of

gun violence and the meaning of the

protest.

After the Walkout, the students then decided to take further action. Inspired by the #Enough

movement, the STEM scholars each drafted a letter to Senators Cory Booker and Robert

Menendez advocating for stronger gun control legislation. Students shared personal

experiences, as well as startling statistics related to recent school massacres. Many of our

students noted that they and the victims were the same age. As one of our students wrote,

“John Oliver said that ‘One failed attempt at a shoe bomb and we all take off our shoes at the

airport. Thirty-one school shootings since Columbine and no change in our regulation of

guns. This is a continuous problem that won’t stop until you take action.” The students will

continue to follow our New Jersey Senators' efforts to pass stronger gun control laws.

Sonic Explorations Submitted by Douglas Farrand, Teaching Artist, Oakwood Avenue Community School

On March 10, twelve students from Sonic Explorations, Oakwood Avenue Community

School’s after-school music program, joined 250 other students from the El Sistema New

Jersey Alliance for the annual Fiddle-and-Fa-La-La Festival. The El Sistema New Jersey

Alliance is a consortium of seven El Sistema-inspired programs in the state of NJ. This year

the festival included a full day of rehearsals for students, siblings, and parents, which

culminated in a performance at School #15 in Paterson NJ. Program teaching artists Douglas

Farrand, Jared Fontaine, and Julia Henderson assisted a selection of Oakwood’s violinists,

violists, and cellists as they performed William Tell, Davey Jones Locker, and Bugler’s Dream.

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The Oakwood students

participating were Bremelin

Mazariegos-Barrera, Mike

Morocho, Rian Souffraint,

Mariah Butler-Allen, Samantha

Tavares, Elle Scott, Sa’myra

Butler-Allen, Judah Ancion,

Emely Rodriguez, Naomi

Quinn, Jevon Williams, and

Amanda Davis.

Please join Sonic Explorations

for its next concerts. March

29, 3:15 PM at Oakwood

Avenue Community School,

and May 19 for this year’s

Music City Festival (at the

HUUB, 35 Cleveland Street,

Orange NJ.)

Pictured: Sonic Explorations perform at School #15 in

Paterson.

Orange High School Cheerleaders and Dancers Volunteer at

Gymnastic Event Submitted by Tosha Brown, Dance Teacher, Orange High School

The OHS Cheerleaders, and Dancers volunteered as scorekeepers, and assistant to the

judges (numerous times being asked did the gymnast point their feet) at the 1st

Essex Gymnastics Meet held in Orange, NJ on March 10.

The OHS Dance Department plus Cheerleaders continue to expand their talents

by taking weekly tumbling classes with Coach Iya at her amazing gym, housed across from

the train station in Orange. The dancers invite Orange staff to visit their tumbling class held

every Wednesday.

Pictured: OHS Cheerleaders assist at the 1st Essex Gymnastics Meet.

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Orange High School Dancers Attend NJ High School Dance

Festival Submitted by Tosha Brown, Dance Teacher, Orange High School

The New Jersey High School Dance

Festival was held in Union City on March

10, at a brand new, state of the art school

with two dance studios, and a physical

therapy room housed between them for

injured dancers. OHS dancers (pictured

left) experienced two dance classes from

prominent dancers plus well-known

professors of dance. A seasoned Orange

High dancer auditioned, as a scholarship

recipient, through the Dance Honor's

program. She represented Orange as an

elite dance company member. The

audience loved the dancer's passion, drive, and movement on the stage. The crowd

applauded, and shouted out positive compliments to the students. Dance teacher Ms. Tosha

Brown stated, “I encouraged our dancers to participate in this event, because it is a

requirement to continue our Dance Honor Society Chapter at OHS. She also stated, “It is a

breath of fresh air to network, and see other high schools produce amazing dance pieces

similar to their works. The high school has amazing talent, and I must constantly remind our

students... you are the future plus you are young adults with voices that can be noticed

through movement on the stage throughout NJ, and dancing beyond Orange, whether it is

college or a professional dance company. The first step is seeking out a comfortable and

positive dance program similar to their district's program.”

Rosa Parks Community School Black History Month Celebration

Rosa Parks Community School (RPCS) held its annual Black History Month program on

February 28. The event featured the United States Postal Service African American Heritage

Stamp unveiling of the Lena Horne forever stamp for Black History Month, honoring a

pioneering singer and actress.

Pictured: RPCS Black History Month program.

The program opened with a Salute to the Ancestors by the program’s host Ms. Nadiyah

Smith-McCoy and family member, followed by “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by instrumental

music teacher Mr. Sem Etienne.

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The dance students performed several pieces under the direction of Ms. McCoy, including

“Funga,” a Liberian welcome song by Grades 2 and 3, “Makeba,” by the Grade 6 and 7

Dance Ensemble, “Get Up Off That Thing,” by Grade 1 and 2 dancers, and “Now That We

Found Love,” by the Grade 5 Dance Ensemble. The chorus, led by Mrs. Mariel Johnson, sang

several tunes, from “Sing About Martin,” to “They Keep Coming,” from the play “Don’t

Bother Me I Can’t Cope,” to a “Feel Good Medley.” Students in Grades 3 – 7 performed, with

direction from their teachers, “We are the World.” Mr. Terrence Thornhill led string

students in “Amazing Grace,” and the band, led by Mr. Etienne, played ”Can You Stand the

Rain.”

There was a harp solo by teacher, Ms. Taylor and several inspirational readings, most

notable by Ikenna Obikulu, a first grade student who recited “Let America Be America,” by

Langston Hughes and “Still I Rise” recited by Jaell Isreal.

Postal service representatives unveiled the stamp with a bio of Lena Horne and a student

followed with additional words commemorating the event. The grand finale,

“Shosholoza/The Gumboot Dance was a rousing end to a wonderful program!

Pictured (above): Scenes from the RPCS Black History Month Program.

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Pictured: Scenes from the RPCS Black History Month Program.

Pictured (left to right): Ms. McCoy and guest; Stamp Unveiling with Principal Debra Joseph-Charles,

Mr. Thornhill, postal service representatives, Interim Superintendent Ronald C. Lee, Ms. McCoy,

Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Etienne.

Environmental Education Center Field Trip Submitted by Stephanie DeSanges, Site Coordinator, Orange Preparatory Academy

On March 6, forty 8th and 9th grade students attended the Environmental Education Center

is Rosedale. Staff included Ms. Desanges and Orange preparatory Academy science

teachers, Ms. Keel-Huff and Ms. Jones.

Students participated in two sessions on the following topics: The Lenape Camp with

Traditional Earth Skills and Native NJ Crafts - Clay Pot. They were extremely engaged and

supportive of the activities and programs that the agency provided.

Pictured: Scenes from the Environmental Education Center field trip.

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They were educated on the history of the Lenape people and, most importantly, had the

opportunity to experience items relevant to the Lenape people and their time

both outdoors and inside the environmental facility. Students learned survival skills and

even strengthened their learning on building, creating and improvising.

The Environmental Staff were knowledgeable and helpful to the students, which made

the learning fun. It was a great day for afternoon activities including role-play and sight

seeing in the forest. Orange Prep looks forward to visiting the center again for more growth

and adventures.

FilmBoot24 – Red Carpet Event on Sunday, March 25

FilmBoot24 is a Young Filmmakers Weekend Bootcamp &

Film Festival during the weekend of March 23-25, 2018. This

program, also presented last year, is a collaboration of

community educators and artists that focuses on at-risk

students. On Friday, high school students from Orange, NJ,

will be transported to Drew University and matched in teams

with Drew students, staff and faculty, along with professional

writers, filmmakers and artists who will act as mentors. Each

team will have 24-hours to produce a short film, based on a

theme assigned to them. On Saturday, teams will shoot, edit

and fine tune their work. Judges will review submissions and

select finalists on Sunday morning, March 25 and present

awards at the film festival and screening, to be held at

Orange Preparatory Academy, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

FYI

STEM Innovation Academy of the Oranges

The online application portal for the STEM Innovation Academy of the

Oranges is open and accepting applications. All Orange Public School

students who are in the eighth grade are eligible to apply. The STEM

application due date has been moved from March 30 to Monday, April 9,

2018, to accommodate recent school closings.

Orange Page Turners Update

Readers have eclipsed the half million mark and logged 606,924 pages as of January

31st. But we have a long way to go to get to 2 MILLION. Let's Keep It Up! Don't STOP the

READING!

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Click here to register for the Orange Page Turners 2017-2018 Reading Challenge.

Visit www.orange.k12.nj.us for more information.

Heywood Avenue School “My School Color Run” – Register Today!

Have you registered for Heywood's 2nd Annual My School Color

Run!! Don't miss out on the fun this year.

Some added features this time will include: Bouncy House, Selfie Stations,

Zumba, DJ, face painting, food vendors, clothing/jewelry vendors and much

more!

Just $20 to join in on the fun, if you register before April 1st. Special

prizes to be given for early registration too! Help Heywood Wildcats raise money and enjoy

a fun filled family event as well.

Central Office, Park Avenue, Rosa Parks, Scholars, OECC, Forest St., Cleveland St.,

Oakwood Ave., Lincoln Ave., CIAO, OHS, STEM and OPA Staff, come out and show out

with your own teams and get in on the "Color" fun!

Use the following link to register TODAY!!

https://events.myschoolcolorrun.com/event/2018---Heywood-Avenue-School---Orange-NJ

See flyer below for additional information.

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SEE IMPORTANT FLYERS BELOW C H E C K T H E D I S T R I C T W E B S I T E C A L E N D A R F O R C O N C E R T S A N D A C T I V I T I E S .

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