Hunterdon Polytech teams up to UTI Top Tech Challenge
Two teams from Hunterdon County Polytech and Career and Technical School recently placed first and second, out of 70 teams, at the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Top Tech Challenge.
Teams from all over the East Coast competed in hands-on and written automotive tests to assess their knowledge on vehicle parts, brakes, diagnostics, electrical systems and more. The Hunterdon County Polytech team of Austin Tarby and Patrick Willey came in first, followed by classmates Nicolas DeLuca and Drew Thomas in second. The students won trophies, $3,500 worth of tools per team and scholarships to UTI worth $40,000 for each first-place winner and $35,000 for each second-place winner.
The award-winning Polytech students are seniors enrolled in the Automotive Technology II course led by instructor Chris Scheuerman. Although the students apply much of what they learn in class to succeed in competition, they also benefit from extra practice sessions offered by Scheuerman. Leading up to competition, they meet with Scheuerman two nights a week.
Scheuerman continues to meet with the students after school hours to prepare for the next round of competitions. Tarby and Willey will next compete in the NJ CAR Hands-on Contest on Jan. 19 at Brookdale Community College. DeLuca and Thomas took a qualifying exam on Jan. 8 for a Hands-on Contest March 13 at Northampton Community College.
Learn more about Hunterdon County Polytech’s Automotive Technology Program at an upcoming open house for the school on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on all three of its campuses. The Automotive Technology Program operates out of the Central Campus at 10 Junction Road in Flemington. Visit https://www.hcpolytech.org/.
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Delaware Valley Regional High School
Genial Rod Jensen has been named Delaware Valley High School’s Teacher of the Year.
The selection was made by a panel of administrators, parents and teachers and announced at the faculty meeting/holiday party after school on Dec. 17. Jensen, who was hired in 2006, teaches psychology and sociology.
Principal Adrienne Olcott called it “an excellent choice” and noted that the decision required “not much deliberation.”
Jensen, an unassuming man who comes from Kansas, said he was “shocked” to be chosen. When asked to speak, he described the Del Val faculty as “people who care about what they do; we push each other to be the best that we can be.”
He said that his selection as Teacher of the Year “shows that different teaching styles are respected and that we don’t have to be cookie-cutters of one another. There are many ways to reach kids, and that my way was in some way recognized is really cool.”
Hillsborough Township Public Schools
As a fourth-grade teacher at Hillsborough’s Amsterdam Elementary School, Lisa Caudill models the skills and character traits that she aims to teach her students. She is a firm believer in the concept that children learn as much by our own actions as the lessons we teach.
Caudill is a role model for her class, the Amsterdam student body, and her colleagues.
Amsterdam Elementary School Principal, Dr. Mary Ann Mullady also believed that Caudill is a role model in the field of education and nominated her for the 2018 New Jersey Exemplary Elementary Educator award. After a rigorous selection process, the New Jersey Department of Education agreed with Dr. Mullady and named Caudill one of this year’s exemplary teacher award winners from around the state.
The program looks to identify educators who exhibit exceptional teaching abilities via their instructional practices in the classroom and beyond and whose contributions are largely unheralded but no less worthy of recognition. This award recognizes educators who engage and inspire not only their students, but also their colleagues and school community.
"Mrs. Caudill is an inspiration to her students, her colleagues, and the Hillsborough community,” said Dr. Jorden Schiff, Superintendent of Hillsborough Schools, in a news release. “She is a remarkable educator whose passion for her students and her profession is unparalleled."
Hunterdon Healthcare/Holland Township Schools
Hunterdon Healthcare has donated funds to Holland Township’s Education Association in order for them to purchase Bleeding Control Kits for the school's classrooms. The kits, which include tourniquets, dressings, bandages, and protective gloves, also provide clear instructions on how to apply the medical supplies in order to get bleeding under control.
The Holland Township Education Association (HTEA) is comprised of teachers, support staff, secretaries, and custodians who strive to educate themselves in the event of an emergency in or near the school.
As part of their training, the school nurse, TJ Hirsch, RN, provided basic instruction to the staff on bleeding control during an in-service day.
“We were also very lucky to have two police officers from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office participate that day and show us hands-on training,” she said in a news release. “Their demonstrations were invaluable, and gave our staff confidence to practice their techniques.”
In addition to bleeding control wall kits that will be hung next to the school’s automated external defibrillators (AEDs), smaller kits will be included in the school’s emergency backpacks, which are housed in every classroom.
“We are very happy to be able to help the HTEA with their purchase of these valuable kits,” said Kathleen Seelig, corporate director of public relations and marketing, Hunterdon Healthcare System. “It just furthers our commitment to our community, and demonstrates our willingness to help when possible.”
Visit https://www.hunterdonhealthcare.org.
Kent Place School
Kent Place School’s Girls’ Leadership Institute is hosting an open house on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the Kent Place School campus, 42 Norwood Ave., Summit. Parents can join their children to learn all about GLI's new summer offerings, and to participate in free parent-daughter leadership workshops.
Now in its 24th year, the Girls’ Leadership Institute conductss summer programs for girls entering grades 4 through 9. At every level, the summer institutes help girls explore their leadership potential, strengthen their self-advocacy skills and turn ideas into action.
For more information, and to register, visit http://www.kentplace.org/gli or email leadership@kentplace.org.
ALSO: Kooheli Chatterji of Maplewood has been appointed Kent Place's Director of the Middle School, effective July 1, 2019. The Summit-based Kent Place School is an independent, nonsectarian, college-preparatory day school for young women, with a coed preschool.
"I am genuinely honored and delighted to be joining the Kent Place School community,” Chatterji said. “During my time on campus and conversations with students, teachers, parents, and administrators, I sensed the very palpable and powerful dedication to learning and growth. I found myself drawn to Kent Place's tradition of academic excellence and its emphasis on the wellbeing of adolescents during this pivotal time in their lives."
An expert in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in education, Chatterji also served as the director of programs and director of alumni affairs at New Jersey SEEDS. She believes that middle schoolers are capable of connecting authentically and developing a respect for the different backgrounds of all people.
Chatterji is succeeding Karen Rezach, who led the Kent Place Middle School for 18 years. Rezach was appointed the full-time Director of the Ethics Institute at Kent Place School in July 2018.
Muhlenberg College
The following Central Jersey residents at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, were named to the academic honor roll for the 2018 fall season: Zachary Cimring, Jordan Crimring of Scotch Plains and Kevin Irving of Westfield. Student must achieve a grade-point average of 3.40.
Piscataway Education Foundation
The Piscataway Education Foundation (PEF) has announced the grant winners for its 2018-2019 Teacher Grant Program. This is the fourth year the PEF funded teacher grants through a competitive process. Grants are awarded for innovative teaching practices and non-traditional teaching methods, according to a news release.
Eight grants were awarded to teachers in elementary school through high school. Curriculum areas included Literacy, STEM, Fine Arts, Music, Whole Arts Learning, Media Literacy and Wellness.
“We’ve seen tremendous successes in this grant program,” said Dr. Frank Ranelli, Assistant Superintendent of Schools. “Some of our most successful grants act as pilot programs within our schools. We’re grateful for the funding from the Piscataway Education Foundation that allows our teachers to implement some very creative ideas for teaching and learning.”
The following teachers and programs will be funded by PEF Teacher Grants for the 2018-2019 school year:
Randolphville Elementary School: Teacher: Jackie Erickson, Randolphville Reads: This “after-hours” Family Book Club brings parents and children together for book discussions about middle grade novels they read together.
Grandview Elementary School: Teachers: Sarah Kovacs and Chris Lee, Whole Arts Learning: An Exploration and Connection of Visual, Performing and Language Arts, Students will connect language arts ideas and curriculum to visual and performing arts curriculum through creating their own products, and then creating commercials to sell those products. The program will culminate with a “Grandview Film Festival Night.”
King and Arbor Intermediate Schools: Teacher: Karen Fleming, Lunch and Learn: This weekly program brings students together at lunch for presentations from local experts in diverse fields such as philanthropy and public speaking, followed by discussion.
Conackamack Middle School: Teacher: David Weiss. Cool Heads Indeed Love Learning (CHILL) Room: This designated space for mindfulness will be decorated for calm, with non-florescent lighting, adaptive seating, and soothing sounds; students will be able to use this space when they need a few minutes to calm down, self-regulate, or take a break.
Quibbletown Middle School: Teacher: George Batalas, How to Hydro: The third phase of the evolution of the Hydroponic Garden, students will explore energy resources, including solar, wind, and human motion.
Piscataway High School: Teacher: Megan Suozza, iPads in the Choir Rehearsal: This grant infuses technology into the choir curriculum with software that develops pitch and ear training as well as sight reading.
Piscataway High School: Teacher: Paul Mazur, Electronic Game Design: Students will fuel their passion in the fields of Engineering and Program Coding ad they work in small groups to develop ideas and solutions to STEM problems while building electronic game concepts.
Piscataway High School: Teacher: Adrian Lojko, Newseum Trip 2019: Student in the Media Literacy course will deepen their understanding of media communication and ethics with a trip to Washington, D.C.’s Newseum. Students will share their experience with other PHS students by creating a follow-up presentation to convey their new understanding and insights learned through this trip.
Piscataway Township Schools
For the second consecutive year, Piscataway Schools has been placed on the College Board’s AP Honor Roll.
According to a news release, only 373 school districts in the U.S. and Canada received the honor this year, by increasing the number of students participating in AP while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of three or higher.
“Success in Advanced Placement is a combination of students’ own motivation and the opportunities educators provide for them,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and Instruction at the College Board. “I’m inspired by the teachers and administrators in this district who have worked to clear a path for more students of all backgrounds to earn college credit during high school.”
Inclusion in the 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on a review of AP data from 2016 to 2018, looking across 38 AP Exams, including world language and culture. The following criteria were used.
- Districts must: Increase participation/access to AP by at least 4% in large districts, at least 6 percent in medium districts, and at least 11 percent in small districts;
- Increased or maintained the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students taking exams and increased or maintained the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students scoring 3+ on at least one AP Exam; and
- Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2018 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2016 percentage, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 or higher.
Piscataway’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as educational equity is a primary goal, according to the news release. The district accomplished these outcomes with an AP student population in which 30 percent or more are underrepresented minority students (American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander) and/or 30 percent or more are low-income students (students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch).
In 2018, more than 4,000 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, or both, and/or consideration in the admissions process.
The complete 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll can be found at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/score-reports-data/awards/honor-roll.
Plainfield Academy of the Arts and Advanced Studies
Members of the Class of 2019 at Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS).who are headed to college received great news on Dec. 19, during Kean University’s Instant Admission Day.
More than 20 students were accepted during interviews with Daniel Flores, Kean University Admissions Director. “I’m glad to provide all the students with decisions today to Kean University and to welcome them to a world-class education.”
For many this is their first college acceptance and it means a lot to them.
Brian Bejarano, the youngest of four siblings, is interested in going college for biology and medicine. He has been looking at Kean’s physician assistant program because he loves helping others.
For Aaryn Brooks, Kean’s admission is the fourth early admissions offer she has received.
PAAAS Guidance Counselor Denise Krok organized the instant decision day. “I am so proud of all of the applicants and how they conducted themselves during the interviews,” she said.
Principal Dr. Angela Bento said everyone was excited for the students. “This is a tremendous partnership with Kean, and they are close to home, so the students can commute, they can still work. So, they are really excited and so am I.”
ALSO: Madison Berrios of Plainfield, a 10th grader at Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies was presented with a scholarship to study art for a semester at duCret School of Art after winning Plainfield Public Schools’ holiday card art competition.
Timothy Priano, president of the Board of duCret School of Art, made the presentation to Berrios, in the company of her art instructor Paola Calderon and her principal Dr. Angela Bento.
Berrios entry was selected among 100 entries. Her design of children smiling and playing in the snow was a factor in the selection, according to the committee reviewing the submissions.
“It feels great to win because I have achieved something I never thought I was going to be able to do,” said Berrios.
Berrios spoke about the inspiration for her drawing. She said art is her hobby, “It’s a way to express myself.” She added, ”I wanted to keep it simple and I was trying to say that no matter where you are, it’s always good to be with family, but no matter where you are, you should always try to smile to the world.”
Timothy Priano, director of the Board at duCret said the scholarship is for eight weeks of instruction in the teen program. "As the oldest Art School in New Jersey, we want her to experience all that we have to offer at duCret," he added.
Raritan Valley Community College
Seventeen students from Raritan Valley Community College’s Honors College presented their independent “Capstone Course” projects during a full-day symposium, conducted on Dec. 11 at the college’s Branchburg campus.
Project topics ran the gamut of subjects — from “Nation Divided: Analyzing Literature during the Civil War Era,” to “Fake News and Its Real Implications on College Students,” to “Designing a Simple, Practical and Cost Efficient Hydroponics System,” to “Implications of Voice Recognition Technology in Marketing,” to “The Genetics Behind Asperger’s,” to “Sibling and Family Dynamics,” to “How to Cure and Prevent Diseases Through Your Diet.”
The Capstone Course is designed to guide sophomore Honors College students from all disciplines through the stages of researching and writing a major research paper or project, or developing an artistic pursuit. The students are mentored by faculty members and present their work at the end of the semester.
To learn more about RVCC’s Honors College, visit http://www.raritanval.edu/honors.
Readington: Whitehouse School
Whitehouse School focuses on a character theme and a related service project each month. In December, the school community emphasized patience as a virtue.
As the staff members taught students that patience means waiting with a happy heart, they took time to consider local children who will not be home in time to celebrate the holidays. To spread goodwill and cheer, for the second consecutive year, students embarked on a service project entitled, Patience for Patients, for people at Hunterdon Medical Center.
This year, students cut out snowflakes and affixed them to background paper that they created, using a watercolor and salt technique, to achieve a unique look and texture for each painting. Every art piece was then accompanied by an attached message that read: "Just like a snowflake, you are one-of-a-kind! Happy Holidays!! Love, Your Friends at Whitehouse School."
Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools
In December, Kenton Asea a senior in the electrical construction program at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, competed at the 2018 IDEAL National Championship in Orlando, Florida. The Bridgewater resident competed against other students and apprentices from around the country in a timed competition, which tested speed, operation and workmanship.
Kenton qualified for the national competition by obtaining the fastest completion time in New Jersey in his category. Additionally, when Kenton traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, last June to compete in the SkillsUSA National Championships, he achieved the fastest completion time on three consecutive days in the IDEAL vendor competition.
SCVTHS Electrical Construction Instructor Michael McClain spoke of Kenton’s accomplishments saying, “Kenton has been the definition of practice makes perfect. His hard work truly has paid off.”
Kenton is currently working for Complete Electrical Installations in Raritan as part of the SCVTHS Cooperative Education program.
ALSO: This past summer, Shrey Deshmukh, a junior in the Academy for Health and Medical Sciences program at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, participated in the 2018 Waksman Institute Summer Experience (WISE) at the Rutgers University Waksman Institute in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Shrey was one of 35 students from New Jersey and Texas to be selected through a competitive application process to attend the 10-day program. During the WISE, Shrey conducted a research project focused on DNA sequence analyses of genes from the duckweed plant Landoltia punctate. The genes were then compared to those found in other plant species and organisms. The duckweed plant has interest in the scientific community because of its use in bioremediation and potential for use as a biofuel.
Susan Coletta, Senior Science Education Specialist at Rutgers University Waksman Institute said, “Shrey accomplished a great deal during this two-week period. With this level of enthusiasm for scientific research, it is important that these achievements be recognized.”
Somerset Hills YMCA and William Annin Middle School
Santa’s student elves from William Annin Middle School in Bernards collected more than 150 toys to give to children in the Y’s Financial Assistance program.
The toys were collected by students and staff at the school. They were given to children who are part of the Y’s Financial Assistance program shortly before Christmas.
The collection helps support this year’s Giving Tree program at the Y. Each year, the Y collects gifts for families who receive financial assistance and may not otherwise be able to fulfill their basic necessities or Christmas wish-lists. In addition to being located at Somerset Hills YMCA, Giving Trees are found at Somerset County YMCA’s other branches throughout the holiday season.
Visit http://www.somersetcountyymca.org.
The Pennington School
On Dec. 15, The Pennington School welcomed more than 300 guests to campus for its annual holiday party for the clients of HomeFront, a nonprofit organization in Mercer County with a mission to end homelessness in Central New Jersey. This year’s party marked the 25th year that the School has hosted the event.
The senior Peer Leaders worked for months to help organize this event, which includes a toy drive where parents can choose gifts for their children and have them wrapped on site. This year, to honor the fact that this was the 25th anniversary of the partnership between The Pennington School and Homefront, every child was also invited to choose a new book as well.
The Van Doren Scholarships
Applications are now available for The Van Doren Scholarships, to be awarded for the twenty-fourth time in the spring. The selection committee anticipates having $40,000 to distribute in 2019.
Since the creation of this scholarship in 1996, deserving college students from throughout Somerset County have received a total of more than $1,000,000 in financial aid.
In making its selections, the committee must show preference to residents of Peapack-Gladstone. Last spring, 13 scholarships totaling $40,000 were presented, three to Peapack-Gladstone students and 10 to students residing in other Somerset County communities.
While financial need is considered, the committee makes its selections primarily on the basis of character and achievement.
To be eligible, a candidate must be a Somerset County resident who is attending or planning to attend as a full-time student and accredited four-year college or university, a two-year college, or a post high school trade or nursing school. Students may apply during their senior year of high school and during each year of their post-secondary school studies. Students working on advanced degrees are not eligible.
To apply, visit http://www.vandorenscholars.org. A print copy of the application has been forwarded to the guidance department of each private and public secondary school as well as the reference librarian of each public library in Somerset County.
An individual application is also available by writing to The Van Doren Scholarship, P.O. Box 584, Peapack, New Jersey 07977. The deadline for submitting a completed application is March 21.
Union County College
Union County College and the County’s John H. Stamler Police Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to award college credits to graduates of the Academy.
Union County College’s President Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin and Union’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Maris Lown were joined by Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados, Union County Acting Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan, and County Manager Edward T. Oatman for the signing of this MOU on Dec. 17 at the Stamler Police Academy in Scotch Plains.
With the signing ceremony of this agreement, academy students who have successfully completed their New Jersey Police Training Commission Basic Recruit Course may be awarded credits toward an associate degree at Union County College. Graduates of the academy will be granted advanced standing into an associate degree program after admission and matriculation requirements are met. The college will award up to 17 credits to an academy graduate.
The John. H. Stamler Academy operates under the authority of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and in cooperation with the Union County Police Chiefs Association. Annually, the academy offers two recruit classes and first attendance is given to Union County municipal police departments. The academy also provides a diverse curriculum of elective in-service training programs for law enforcement officers throughout New Jersey. Topics covered range from “Fitness and Nutrition for Police Officers” to “Unarmed Self-Defense Tactics.”
Westfield Public Schools
An app to help regulate a plant’s environment, a homework helper chatbot and other innovative uses of technology were among the projects created at Westfield High School’s 2nd Annual Hackathon on Dec. 8.
Organized by seniors Ethan Jaffee, Zachary Lemberg, and Justin O’Boyle, the 12-hour event was attended by 90 beginner and experienced computer programmers in 8th through 12th grade.
“During the day, students learned new topics at Java and HTML workshops led by Jaron Rubenstein and Jamie Kingsberry, both professionals in our community,” says Jessica Norworth a mathematics/computer science teacher at WHS who chaperoned the event, along with advisor WHS math teacher Louis De Angelo.
Rubenstein and fellow sponsor Paul Nunes welcomed participants to the Hackathon while Kingsberry closed the event with recommendations on ways students can further their computer science learning.
Attendees completed projects and competed for prizes. Winning projects included an app that communicated with sensors to regulate a plant’s environment, a homework helper chatbot to assist students with their workloads through Google Calendar scheduling, and an app that could be used during an emergency lockdown to provide real time information about what was occurring in the building.
Event sponsors included Alex Hodara of Hodara Real Estate Group, Chris Zarou of Visionary Music Group and Logic, .tech Domains, Wolfram Language, and indico; the WHS IT department and custodial staff for created a working space for the Hackathon.
Student and School news appears Fridays. Email: cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com