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Roselle Park Public SchoolsSpring IssueDistrict NewsletterMAY 2012BUSINESS EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP BREAKFASTAnne Moore, RPHS guidance counselor and Joanne Sinisi,RPHS business education teacher attended the 2012Business Education Partnership Breakfast sponsored by theGateway Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Moore attends meetingsmonthly which allow for partnering with businesses, thechamber of commerce and the local high schools. “We bringscholarships, work information and job opportunities to ourkids”, said Ms. Moore. An upcoming visit to the Paper MillPlayhouse is being planned as part of the educator instituteprogram this summer. The guidance counselors will use theinformation obtained from their visit to the playhouse to sharewith their students for possible job opportunities. (See photobelow)AMBASSADOR TO LEBANONVISITS HIGH SCHOOLn Monday, March 26, high schoolOstudents had the honor of a visitfrom Ms. Maura Connelly, an Ambassadorto Lebanon. Ms. Connelly shared hercareer experience in the United StatesDiplomatic Corp., World Diplomacy andthe situation in the Middle East with thehigh school students. Pictured above withAmbassador Connelly (center) and MayorJoe Accardi are RPHS students KevinGeorge (l), Melissa Conroy, and KatherinAldana (r).ENEW JERSEY MATH LEAGUE CONTESTach year, RP Middle School students in sixth, seventhand eighth grade Honors Math classes participate in theNew Jersey Math League contest. The contest consists ofthirty-five challenging math problems that the students haveonly thirty minutes to answer. The top five scoring studentsfrom each grade become a team, whose results are posted onthe New Jersey Math League website to competeagainst other participating schools in New Jersey.Pictured above:This year we are proud to announce that Mrs. JessicaLayden's 6th grade Honors Math Team came in thirdplace in Union County! Congratulations to the team for theirwonderful accomplishment: Michelle Cymansky, BrandonMishoe, Shane Ryan, Jacob Snodgrass and Andrew Weaver!(Photo of math team at right)1
HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGSRPHS TREETOP GETAWAYS!RPHS students in Ms. Danielle Romero’s Advanced Architectural Design classes designed, planned, andcreated models of treehouses which are currently on display at the high school. Students began bycollecting tree branches that could serve as “trees” for their scale models. After selecting the proper branchor branches, they cut the tree branches to size and planned/designed the floor plan and exterior elevationsof their perfect treehouse by hand-drawing to scale using the drafting tools.Students in Mr. James Raggucci’s wood shop classes then drilled holes for the tree branches into eachwooden base. The architecture students glued the branches into the base and began creating a scalemodel (1/2” 1’-0”) of their treehouse using balsa wood, foam board, cardboard, and other modelingmaterials. Each treehouse has a removable roof so that viewers can see the floor plan as well as an outdoordeck area and various outdoor amenities such as zip-lines, bridges, swings, and hammocks.The students learned how to design within constraints for a client as well as create scale models. Thisproject was an overall success and the students would like to thank Mr. Ragucci for his help with thisendeavor! We invite you to stop by the high school to take a look at these cool and innovative projects!(See the four photos above)MIDDLE SCHOOL’S HUMANITARIAN PROJECTSThe Roselle Park Middle School Student Council conducted several collections throughout the 20112012 school year. Students and faculty donated coats, mittens, hats and scarves to the Casano Centeras well as our own elementary schools for those who needed some extra layers to keep warm in the winter.Eye glasses were collected and sent to the New Eyes for the Needy Program in Short Hills. Our buildingalso contributed to the Cell Phones for Soldiers Foundation by donating extra cell phones. Each organizationwas very much appreciative of the school's generosity to their cause.UPCOMING PROJECTSSAND EVENTStudents are looking forwardto the following upcomingevents at the middle school:PassionateLearningDay,the RPMS Talent Show, theClap-In,SportsmanshipDay,the All-School Picnic, EighthPictured above from l to r:Reinaldo Torres and AndrePalmer building a DNA modeland other molecules in Mr.Shaun Lacey’s seventh gradescience class.GradeSemi-FormalDance,Middle School Awards Ceremonyas well as their grade level fieldtrips.Pictured above from l to r:Anthony Triola, Joseph Montes,Ryan Loevsky, and MorganLiterate building modesls ofDNA in Mr. Shaun Lacey’sseventh grade science class.2
THE TALENTED & GIFTED EXPERIENCEA SUPER MENTAL MARATHONThe eighth grade studentsin Mrs. Joanne Carbotti’sTalented and Gifted class attendedtheir annual convocation atWilliam F. Halloran, School #22,in Elizabeth with neighboringT & G students from otherdistricts including Mountainside,and Roselle. The students hada fun-filled day that involvedthinking and teamwork.The students participatedin a quiz bowl, building astraw structure, an activityfrom Destination Imagination andsolving pentominoes. Teams wereawarded points throughout theday for their placement in eachof the four activities. Trophieswere given to the first, secondand third place team members.Janrey Serapio’s team placedthird, and Matthew Curtis’team placed second. Bothstudents are in Mrs. Carbotti’seighth grade T & G classes.It was a fun day for all.(See photo above)“FLAME” CHALLENGESixth Grade T & G studentsin Mrs. Joanne Carbotti’sclass were invited to participatein “The Flame Challenge”. Thestudents were asked to readand rate various definitions ofthe word, “flame” which werethen submitted for judging byscientists throughout the world.The entries for this contestcame in from all over the world,including New Zealand, Lebanon,Saudi Arabia, UK, India, Australia,Brazil and of course, all over theUnited States. Our district studentswere one of over fifty judginggroups from schools across thecountry, one even as far as theUS Virgin Islands!Stony Brook scientists, whoconducted this study, vettedall entries for accuracy to makethe judging simple. The sampledefinitions from various scientistswere then randomly selected forthe Roselle Park students tojudge. After studying the fivedefinitions that were given tothem, the RP students selectedwhich one of the five explanationsmet the criteria of 1) using wordsthat were most understandableto 11-12 year olds, 2) was clearand 3) overall, made the understanding of a flame easy andattainable. The sixth grade T & Gstudents were given an opportunityto judge real life work fromexperienced scientists and helpto create a science book that issure to have the best definitionof a flame for 11 and 12 year oldscience students. This excitingprocess also made for a fun,and educational experience foreveryone involved! (Photo above)BRAIN & MEMORY LESSONWendy Fujioka, a medicalstudent, studying neurology,from Robert Wood Johnson Hospitalin New Brunswick presented aninformative power point and video tothe seventh grade T & G students inMrs. Carbotti’s class on the functionof the brain, what each part ofthe brain controls, and aboutmemory and learning. Ms. Fujiokaresearched memory and learningat Robert Wood Hospital prior toher entering the medical programat Robert Wood Hospital.The students were able toview a human brain andidentify the various parts of thebrain, along with a comparisonto the brain of a mouse, rat andsheep. The students also viewedphotographs of problematicareas of the brain where braintumors might be found, andwhere blood clots may have beenformed because of brain trauma,concussions or other seriousinjuries to the brain.Overall the informative lessongave students the opportunitiesto not only learn about the function ofthe brain, memory and learning butalso about the various studiesMs. Fujioka as a medical studenthas embarked on and continuesto pursue to eventually attain hermedical license as a neurologist. Theseventh grade students gainedsome insight and knowledgeabout the brain, memory andlearning and how they too mightpursue a medical career in thefuture. (See photo above)3
STUDENTS WELCOME DISTINGUISHED VISITORSMBIZ WORLD IN SIXTH YEARrs. Joanne Carbotti has been implementingthe BizWorld curriculum into her sixthgrade class for approximately six years. This reallife activity teaches students about stocks, bankloans, revenue, expenses and profit. The sixthgrade students are on a mission to be the highestearning entrepreneur in a friendship braceletbusiness. Students make bracelets, think of aname for their company, create logos, makecommercials , play important roles like President,VP of Marketing, VP of Design, VP of Finance, etc.and then price and eventually sell their braceletsto the RG second grade students at a salesbazaar. This is an opportunity for sixth gradestudents to understand the fundamentals ofbusiness all while experiencing group dynamicsand having fun. Mrs. Carbotti and April Bond,part of the management team at BizWorld,organized a plan to have various members ofThe BizWorld Foundation visit and mentor thestudents. Arriving in a Mercedes Benz bus theycame from California to New York and werewilling to give of their time to see the activitymodeled in a classroomThey mentored thevarious groups of future entrepreneurs and gavethem helpful suggestions to make their businesseven better. This was a wonderful and uniqueexperience for Mrs. Carbotti’s sixth gradestudents. Mr. Draper the founder of BizWorldexplained to Mrs. Carbotti’s students that hecreated this activity when his daughter asked,“Dad what do you do at work”, and the idea justtook off from there. Mr. Draper also broughtalong special treats for the students. Mrs. C’sstudents summed it up nicely exclaiming, “Thoseguys were really cool.” Tune in to find out whowill be the next sixth grade T & G student teamthat will be awarded the prestigious title of futureentrepreneur. This will be announced after thesales bazaar, when the final profits are calculated.CTHERAPY DOG UPDATE:MADDIE & CHARLIEelia VanVoorhis and her rough tricolorcollie, Maddie visited Mrs. Carbotti’s classto share information about Maddie and herrole as a therapy dog and member of anorganization called Bright and Beautiful.Maddie received a Canine Good Citizen Awardfor passing a series of tests that have to do withobedience and training. She also went throughrigorous training to receive Therapy DogCertification which involved passing testswhere she was comfortable around wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and other equipmentthat you might find in a nursing home,hospital, care facility or even a school. Maddie,visits nursing homes and is a reading buddy inthe Somerset school system where Maddie’sowner resides.Athird visit to Mrs. Carbotti’s class waswith Charlie, an English Bulldog and hisowner Katie Cibelli. Charlie, also passed acomprehensive testing program to be certifiedas a Therapy Dog. Charlie is a certified memberof Therapy Dogs International. He too had to becomfortable around wheel chairs, crutches andother hospital equipment and passed his testwith flying colors. Charlie visited MountainsideSpecialized Children’s Hospital in Mountainsideto cheer up children in need and in variousstages of recuperation. Presently, Charlie visitspeople who are home bound due to illnesses orin various stages of recovery from certainmedical conditions like a stroke. Charlie hasthe innate ability to bring a smile to the faces ofthose who need some warmth and cheer intheir life.These presentations help the students prepare for their animal safety/care lessonsthat they will present to the second gradeRobert Gordon students later this school year.4
UNDERSTANDING VARIOUS CULTURESA LESSON IN CHINESE CULTUREMrs. Lily Hafteck and Mrs. Oilan Seto-Ng visited Mrs. Arlene Terpenning’s T&G class. Mrs. Hafteck gave thethird grade students of Sherman School a wonderful presentation on her native country of China. The visitbegan with the children learning a Chinese song. As you can see, in the photo above (top right), they had funsinging the song, while playing a game. The students later imagined that they were walking the busy city streetsof China, with bicycles swooshing past, crossing the Great Wall, and standing high in the mountains where thegiant panda lives. They learned about the geography, the celebrations and the culture of the most populatedcountry in the world. Mrs. Seto-Ng delighted in showing the children how to make beautiful origami dream stars.Origami stars are a tradition in Asian cultures and are believed to bring good luck when they are made and givenaway. The day ended with Mrs. Hafteck teaching the students Chinese Caligraphy using the art of Chinese brushpainting. The calligraphy symbols are used to make words. The activities made for a wonderful afternoon! (Seethe three photos above)UNDERSTANDING IMMIGRATIONMrs. Arlene Terpenning’s fourth grade T&G students participated in a unit of study to help them understandimmigration and the circumstances that motivate people to leave their homeland for a new start in America.Through a series of lessons which integrated social studies, language, math and art, the students gained anappreciation of their own heritage and those of other students. Students conducted school-wide surveys in eachof the elementary schools to determine the countries of origin for each student’s family. After compilingthe information gathered, students constructed large wall maps of the world and bar graphs depicting the resultsof their surveys. (See the three photos above)5
STORYBOOK DRESSDRESS-UP AT E.C.C.!Pictured above: Miss Dina Fellanto’s and Kristen Martinez’ class made animal masks to retell the Eric Carle story,Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do you Hear? (See three photos)Pictured above - left: Megan Ripka and her class celebrated their “Letter T Week” byhaving a very fancy tea party. Miss Dina Fellanto’s class (above - center) also got alldressed up for their Letter T Week tea party. Everyone came to school dressed in theirbest; even the adults. The children sat at a long table and were served iced tea andcookies while they listened to “fancy” music. They had a b l a s t !Pictured at left: MeganRipka and her class hadfun celebrating Dr. SeussDay!Theymade andtasted green eggs andham and had a special“One Fish, Two Fish, RedFish, Blue Fish” snack onDr. Seuss’s birthday. Thechildren each decoratedtheir very own “Cat inthe Hat” hats and worethem as they posed for a“silly” picture.ALDENE’S AWESOME ACTIVITIES!Above: Mrs. Rebecca Nunes andMrs. Jodi Foy’s third gradeclasses and parents await thestart of their annual Hero Night.Above: Mrs. Sheila O’Reilly and Mrs.Jennifer Durkin’s second grade classesget ready to become wax figures for theannual Wax Museum. Students startreading when a button is pushed. Howclever is that!Above: Jonathan Stephens, JoanaCanero, Kalliope Mikros, and JuliaBretones sang in the second gradeBremen Town Musicians performance.Above: Mr. Robert Rivest instructsLuke Bockenhauer and AllisonBlanco in the art of mime during aliteracy assembly program.Above: Kindergartners enjoy theEJF-Aldene annual egg dyeingactivity.Above: Mrs. Stephanie Leonardisand her kindergarten classcelebrate the 100th day ofschool with Zero the Hero.6
THE GORDON GAZETTEAAUTHOR’S VISIT INSPIRES STUDENTS TO ENTER WRITING CONTESTuthor Jane Lovascio was invited to talk to both Robert Gordon’s third, fourth and fifth gradestudents and Mrs. Joanne Carbotti’s fifth grade T & G students about her book series entitled,“Casey and Bella”. Casey and Bella, are characters in child-friendly stories about their adventuresacross America. Robert Gordon third grade students enjoyed her presentation which coincided withtheir beginning of Read across America. Jane’s now famous Jack Russell Terrier and Teacup Yorkieare the main characters in this book series. Mrs. Carbotti, felt “This was a tremendous opportunityand a positive experience for both her students and the students from Robert Gordon to meet a reallife author.” Mrs. Lovascio visits schools without charging an honorarium. She also donates her bookseries to the schools she visits.” Students can purchase an autographed book which includes Caseyand Bella’s paw prints as a lasting memory of this special day. Mrs. Carbotti’s T & G students willalso participate in the author inspired writing contest where the students get the opportunity to createthe next Casey and Bella adventure. The winner of this contest will receive 500.00 and the opportunityfor their book to be published. The winner of this contest will also attend their very own book signing atBarnes and Noble with their family and friends present and actually see their very own story in print.Jane Lovascio believes in building a child’s self-esteem by promoting the following message to help studentswrite, “Dreams come true”, “Believe in yourself”, “Have a positive attitude”, and “Stay in school.” Thiswas a worthwhile and informative presentation that gave all students in attendance the opportunity tosee how writing is an important skill for the 21st century, and that anyone who is driven creatively canbecome an author. Good luck to all the students participating in the writing contest. ( See the threephotos below)TREE PLANTINGCEREMONYOPictured above: Fifth grade studentGeovany Vasquez and Mayor JoeAccardi pause to pose for a pictureduring the tree planting ceremony infront of Robert Gordon School.nApril24,Inrecognition of EarthDay, (April 20) and ArborDay, (April 27) studentsfromRobertGordongathered on the front lawnof the school to plant atree. All students whoattended the ceremonyparticipated in plantingthe tree and will be able towatch their tree grow overtime.Pictured above: Christian Arocha,second grade student and Mayor JoeAccardi help plant a tree in front ofthe school in recognition of EarthDay and Arbor Day.7
SHERMAN’S SNIPPETS AND SNAPSHOTSOPENING DOORS TO READINGAbove: Opening doors to reading! Sherman School participated in Reading Across America by holding a doordecorating contest. This is just a sampling of the creative work done by the students and staff. To view morecreatively decorated doors and to check out more of what Sherman is doing, go to the Sherman School section atRoselle Park Board of Eduation.org.Above: Community member, AlWalcoff, shared his knowledgeand passion for art with Shermanfifth graders. Artwork on postalstamps was the focal point.Above: The students wrote lettersand created their own stamp designto send to the Post Master Generalin Washington, D.C.ShermanSchoolinvitedtheirPerson”toAbove: Al Walcoff standing nextto the display showing theEndangered Species series ofstamps.students“SpecialparticipateinSpecial Person’s Day. Theday was enjoyed by all! (Seethe three photos above andthe photo at left.)Above: That’s Entertainent! Mrs.Gaccione’s second grade studentsperform Bremen Town Musiciansunder the directions of Mrs. Green.8
IT’S FUN AND GAMES AT MATH CARNIVALMATH MANIAYes, mathematics can be fun! Just ask the Shermanschool students who participated in a fun-filled day ofmath activities and games at the annual ShermanSchool Math Carnival. High School students assistedin making the math carnival a huge success! (Seesurrounding photos)ROSELLE PARK SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATIONDON’T MISS OUT ON SUMMER CAMP!Are you wondering how to keep your child busy this summer? ThenRoselle Park Summer Camp may be for you! This year, camp startson June 25 and runs through August 17. We offer a full day pre-schooland a full range of activities for students in grades K-8.n addition to our regular program, there are a number of sports campsoffered which are run by the high school coaches, as well as academicclasses hosted by certified teachers.lease make sure to register early, as we had to close registration earlylast year due to a full enrollment! There will be an open registrationon Thursday, May 3 from 6-8 p.m. at RPHS. For more information, pleasecontact the summer camp office at (908) 241-2851/2890 or email us atsummercamp@rpsd.org.IP9
VAN GOGH’S CORNERRP STUDENTS’ ARTDISPLAYED AT NJPACStudents at EJF-Aldene and Sherman Schools recently hadtheir artwork on display at the New Jersey PerformingArts Center in Newark. The display was on view for threemonths in the Victoria Theater and was sponsored by the ArtEducators of NJ. Pictured in the photo at right, front row, froml to r are Sherman students Miranda T., Bryan F., and EJFAldene student Luke M. Pictured bottom from l to r: are Aldenestudents Shawn R. and Karen G.Above:EJF-Aldenestudent Jasmine standsnext to her art piece.Above:E JF - A lden estudent Sophia kneelsnext to her art piece.AboveSher manstudent:Mariana stands next to herartwork.Above: Sherman studentNatalie kneels next to herartwork.Above: Sherman student Giannaposing with her artwork.Above: Sherman studentEmily standing next toher artwork.TWENTY STUDENTSSELECTED FOR U.C.Y.A.M.March was Youth Art Month andRoselle Park had a lot to celebrate!Twenty students from our school district were selected to exhibit their artwork in the Union County Youth ArtMonth exhibit. The exhibit was held atthe Elizabethtown Gas Company Lobbyat the Liberty Hall Center in Union.ATHANKS TOART SUPPLIES DONORS!BIG thanks go out to all thefamilies who have supportedprojects posted on Donors Choose!Our district has received such greatdonations from this site, such as stoolsand art supplies. For more information,go to www.donarschoose.org and lookup the town of Roselle Park.10
ART: AWARDS, HONORS, AND EXHIBITS!CLAIRE AND AMANDATFRANCESCA’S DESIGNFSELECTED FOR STATE ART POSTERrancesca C., a fourth grader at Sherman Schoolhas been selected by the Art Educators of NewJersey to represent the state during celebrations ofYouth Art Month 2012. Her artwork will appear onthe 2012 State Youth Art Month poster that is distributed all over the state. Her teacher, Carrie Russoniello, supported her students in participating inthe AENJ Youth Art Month Design Contest. Morethan 100 entries from throughout the state werereceived, and only eight works, including Francesca's, wereselected as design winners. These designs were displayed at the New Jersey Youth Art Month exhibit inthe State House in Trenton in the month of March.More information about Youth Art Month, can beviewed at www.artsonia.com/schools/aenj1 andwww.aenj.org. (See photo at right)EARN HIGH ART HONORSwo of our students were also selected torepresent Union County at the NJ StateYouth Art Month exhibit at the State House inTrenton. This is a huge honor as only six piecesfrom each county are selected. RPMS six grader,Claire H. and Sherman School fifth grader,Amanda S. received this high art honor andwere recognized at the State House on March30 during the State YAM festivities . CarrieRussoniello, art teacher at EJF-Aldene andSherman Schools, Modesta DeFresco, art teacherat RPMS, and Jeannine Grasso, RPMS principalwere also in attendance to show their supportfor the arts and for the students. See photos atleft: Claire kneeling by her Venetian Clown piece atthe State House. Amanda standing by her brightlypainted still life at the State YAM exhibit inTrenton.DAMIAN’S ART GOES TO MANHATTAN!DIamian C., third grader at Sherman School,had his artwork displayed at the Big ScreenPlaza in Manhattan.n association with the National Art EducationConvention, Damian’s work, along with morethan 400 other works of art from schools acrossthe country, was displayed on a slideshow thatran for two hours on March 2 and March 3.His artwork was submitted by his teacher,Carrie Russoniello. The company whichsponsored the Big Screen Plaza was Artsonia, theworld’s largest kid’s museum on the Internet.(See photo at left)11
“WHERE CHILDREN COME FIRST”A Publication of theROSELLE PARK BOARD OF EDUCATION510 Chestnut StreetRoselle Park, NJ 07204www.rpsd.orgBoard of EducationRoseann Rinaldi - PresidentLoren Harms - Vice PresidentNONDISCRIMINATIONNONDISCRIMINATION:: The RosellePark School District does notdiscriminate against handicappedpersons with regard to admission,access to or treatment of employmentin its programs, activities, andvocational opportunities.For more information, contactDistrict Public 504 ComplianceCoordinator, Mrs. Susan Carlstromat (908) 241-4550.Alexander J. BalabanTroy GertenBarney LeinbergerChristopher MillerScott NelsonDr. Jeffrey ParrellBarbara SokolPatrick M. SpagnolettiSuperintendent of SchoolsSusan GuercioAFFIRMATIVE ACTIONACTION:: The RosellePark School District guaranteeseach student equal educationalopportunities regardless of race,color, creed, religion, sex,ancestry, national origin, orracial or economic status.For more information contactDistrict Affirmative Action Officer,Mr. James Shriner at (908) 245-1634.Business Adm./Board Secretary12
districts including Mountainside, and Roselle. The students had a fun-filled day that involved thinking and teamwork. T he students participated in a quiz bowl, building a . hospital, care facility or even a school. Maddie, visits nursing homes and is a reading buddy in the Somerset school system where Maddie's owner resides. A
