February 5, 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

Second Quarter

The students have just completed their midterm exams, which marks the halfway point of the school year.  In talking to many of them, they felt prepared and confident on their performance.

Outlined below are highlights and updates for your information.

Going Green

In an effort to ‘go green’ and save on budget expenditures, the Guidance Program of Studies is available to parents and students on-line when scheduling for next year’s classes as a quick link on the Jr./Sr. High School website or at Jr./Sr. High School>Guidance>Program of Studies.  Hard copies will also be made available in the Guidance Office for those who want a printed copy.

For the same reason, this is the first quarterly letter not mailed home.  It is posted on the website and at Jr./Sr. High School> Our School>Principal>Letters to Parents.

February 12 – ˝ Day

Due to the power outage that caused us to miss three days of school, school will be in session for the Jr./Sr. High School on February 12.  The below schedule will be in place:

 “A” Day

1………8:00-8:44
2………8:47-9:31
3………9:34-10:18
6………10:21-11:05
7………11:08-11:51
8………11:54-12:37

Attendance

Just a reminder, an unexcused absence is recorded when the parent/guardian calls his/her child in as sick or for any reason that is not listed as excused in the Student/Parent/Guardian Handbook.   Documentation is need for an excused absence.

Open House

We hosted a very successful  “Open House” evening for over 50 parents of incoming 9^th graders.  The parents were divided into five small groups and led around the school by Peer Pals to hear the different presentations of the subject supervisors.  Many parent questions and concerns were answered.

Arts

Just before winter break, our students performed in music and choral Holiday Concerts.  The performances were very well attended and the students did an outstanding job.  Much time, effort, and practice went into these events. 

The upcoming high school musical will be Curtains and the junior high school production will be Schoolhouse Rock.  We hope to see you there.

Athletics

Five of our fall sports teams qualified for post-season play.  The boys soccer team placed second in the league and made a nice showing in the Bergen County Tournament - an event in which they have not participated in twenty years and an even stronger showing in the State tournament losing 1-0 in the quarterfinal game.  Other teams who competed at the state level were the girls soccer team the football team and the boys cross country team.  The girls cross-country team captured the sectional championship and ran in the State Meet of Champs finishing as the number one Group I team in the state.

The winter season is half over and already we have two league championships secured.

The girls bowling team is undefeated and the girls winter track team will both go out on top as the last team to win a BCSL championship in those sports.  Both basketball teams are beginning the second half of their season with the boys garnering a .500 record and most likely qualifying for the State Championship Tournament.

Spring signups have already taken place and the numbers are extremely healthy.  All physicals are due to the nurse by February 19. High School will begin their sports season on Friday, March 5 and the Junior High School will begin March 29. 

There will be a mandatory incoming 9^th Grade Athletic Orientation on May 4 at 7:00PM in Hurley Theater for any parent who has an incoming 9^th grader that will be participating in athletics during their high school career. 

National School Counselor Week
In celebration of “National School Counselor Week,” the Guidance Department scheduled several activities for faculty and students the week of February 1.  Activities included: a college informational fact read every day that week during morning announcements, bagels and coffee for faculty members on Tuesday, a college door decorating contest for teachers, and college pride day for students and staff.  Students and faculty were encouraged to wear their college attire on Friday.  

College Information Program for Parents of Students with Learning Disabilities
On January 12, the department held its first college program focusing on students with learning disabilities.  Approximately 50 parents were in attendance.  The presenter was Joseph Cafaro, Admissions Counselor at the Regional Center for College Students with Learning Disabilities at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  

Financial Aid Information Program
The Guidance Department held a Financial Aid Information Program in the Hurley Theatre on January 25.  Approximately150 people were in attendance. The speaker, Joe Roberto, Director of Financial Aid at New Jersey City University, was the guest speaker. The program focused on the various components of financial aid and the FAFSA form.

Binder Hospital
The Guidance Department offers organizational assistance for 7th and 8th graders during the Junior High lunch period.  The Binder Hospital is offered throughout the year on “B” days to any Junior High School student who is in need of such assistance.  Emphasis is placed on a system to organize and maintain student binders.

2010-2011 Scheduling
The counselors have begun scheduling students for the 2010-2011 school year.  All underclassmen will be scheduled during the months of February, March, and April.  If you have any questions regarding your child’s schedule, please contact your child’s school counselor.
 
Standardized Testing
All students in grades 11 will be taking the High School Proficiency Assessment, HSPA, on March 2, 3, and 4.  Students in grades 9 and 10 will also be taking the standardized tests, EXPLORE and PLAN during that time.  A letter will be mailed home this month with details regarding these programs.
 

Final Words

The school year is progressing extremely well.  The students are studying very hard and performing to higher levels each year.  This level of commitment must be maintained in the second half of the year.  I am confident they will do so.

As always, if you ever have any questions or concerns please contact me at 201-664-0880  x2065 or tgorman@wwrsd.org.

Respectfully,

Thomas A. Gorman

Principal