KNIGHT TIMES PARENT NEWSLETTER September 2018 Volume 114
September 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students of the Morris Hills High School Community,
There is a distinct inevitability about the month of August in that it suddenly presents like a siren in the night, signaling another school year, making its appearance with incredible regularity, preparing us all for Scarlet Knights the not too distant future. Yes, here we are again, students, parents, teachers, and the entire community, poised to begin anew. As I welcome you all to the 2018 – 2019 school year, hoping this summer has “Building The Future, been kind to you and those you love, I look forward to joining you in a year that brings meaning, purpose, One Student and both personal and collective satisfaction to all we plan to do together. Toward that end, I send you At A Time” my sincere gratitude for your willingness to become supportive partners as we work together to make a great school even greater every year.
Todd M. Toriello As building Principal, it has been my practice in the past several years to offer a school-wide theme to Principal serve as the fulcrum to our initiatives and the anchor to our actions as a school community. I have sug- gested school-wide themes that connect directly to our district’s summer read, in an attempt to under- Robert Merle, Jr. score the message of that read and bring it home in a style that rings true for our students. I continue the Assistant Principal practice by once again linking this year’s school-wide theme to the summer read entitled Breakthrough,
an inspiring memoir by Jack Andraka who, at fifteen years of age, followed a dream and created an early Eugene Melvin detection test for pancreatic cancer – a revolutionary discovery to say the least. His adolescent journey Assistant Principal was filled with many layers of struggle, depression, and homophobic bullying, just to name a few. None-
Emily Barkocy theless, he found the personal resilience to face these painful forces, to rise above them, and to chase Assistant Principal his dreams, probably in direct response to watching a close family friend lose his battel with pancreatic cancer. He became driven by a goal to find a test for early detection. He realized that goal. Today, he Robert Haraka stands as a beacon for all young people to keep pushing on and, in doing so, to teach the world that Supervisor of Student young people have the right to be taken seriously. Services/Athletics It is against that background that I identify the 2018 – 2019 school theme for Morris Hills High School: Yesenia Rivera Capture Your Breakthrough Moments. Whether those moments come in the classroom, on the playing Supervisor of field, within student activities, through the community, I challenge all students, faculty, parents, and ad- School Counseling ministrators to grab them, to make them your own, and to let others know why those moments speak to you and drive you forward in your own personal style. As per past practice, the author of Breakthrough will visit the district on October 4th to speak directly to the student body in an assembly program.
Following an extensive interview process last spring, Morris Hills High School opens its doors to a group of newly hired professionals to join our exemplary teaching staff. Each comes with outstanding recom- mendations and incredible energy to contribute to our school and its students. Collaboration being a key to any school’s success, I encourage all parents/guardians to make the effort to attend our fall Back to School Nights (September 20th – Last names A – L / September 26th – Last names M – Z) and meet these new professionals personally. Additionally, I encourage all students to extend a hand of welcome in your classrooms and show our new faculty the face of the student body here at Morris Hills High School.
Facilities management continues to be a priority at Morris Hills High School, fueled by a deep belief that school appear- ance directly impacts school culture and climate. Some recent upgrades are these: a new HVAC system in the Main Gym; the addition of new door signs; a new sitting area in the first floor Science Wing; window decals in the School Counseling and CST suite; additional charging stations; additional etched plaques; new benches in the gym foyer; new picnic tables at Gifford Field; new work stations in the Faculty Room; and annual building painting and cleaning. Building pride is a priority here at Morris Hills High School.
Speaking of pride, our professional initiatives each year are reflective of the effort and focus of a professional staff that carries out the mission of a school with seriousness of purpose. We look forward to concentrating on the following this academic year, just to name a few of our 2018 – 2019 initiatives: the 2nd year of our Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom where a cohort of teachers work to raise academic rigor, actively engaging students in learning and building greater student responsibility for learning; the 2nd year of our one-to-one Chromebook initiative, Class of 2022; the 2nd year of two new cohorts of Academy students for the Class of 2022; the continuation of the Homework Free Weekends concept, an outgrowth of the Stress and Anxiety Roundtable; the 2nd year of a completely paperless summer mailing, and all athletic and medical paperwork moved to FamilyID.
Please take special note of the following items: 2nd year of late buses on Tuesday and Thursday only for activity runs; 2nd year of no after school library; two Back to School Nights for the 2018 – 2019 school year on September 20th and September 26th; PARCC testing signaling some possible big changes so stay tuned – one testing window once again for the 2018 – 2019 school year; quarterly assessment process contining with revisions and updates, with no quarterlies administered during the third marking period; mini-college fairs during the lunch blocks, with a night mini-college fair in the spring; bus passes being carried by students to swipe for access to the bus; report cards posting through the ASPEN portal; varsity letters for those students participating in extra-curricular activities that compete against other schools; elimination of reporting to homeroom for pep rallies or Battle of the Classes.
Allow me to close this correspondence by thanking you for all you do to make Morris Hills High School the special place it is. Your presence and your actions define the reason why. As we begin this new year together, may our journey be rich in both challenge and reward. May our personal “Breakthroughs,” in whatever venue, bring us “Moments” that both enrich and inform our lives; and may the goals we set be achieved by working together in a partnership of strength, trust, and active dialogue.
In the Spirit of Partnership,
Todd M. Toriello Principal
AV D AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a nationwide, four-year program that is designed to help students in the academic middle prepare for and succeed in high school and college. With individual support by trained faculty, students will pursue a challenging and rigorous curriculum while investigating careers and colleges, learning more effective study strategies, and working collaboratively with like-minded peers. The AVID approach is based on rigor and high expectations; however, the core component of the program is the AVID Elective, which lends support to students as they tackle the school’s most rigorous classes. Over the course of four years, students will work with their AVID Elective teacher and specially trained tutors to develop independent study skills, questioning techniques, and career awareness.
Congratulations AVID Class of 2018! Daniel Acocella- Warren Wilson College, Victoria Aspiazu- LIU-Post, Pamela Betancur- Fairleigh Dickinson University, Brian Bunch- Kent State University, Clemente Garcia Morales- Seton Hall University, Priscilla Gomez-Acevedo- Rowan University, Vanessa Hartkopf- Pace University, Cindy Herrera- Caldwell University, Amirah Ibrahim- Centenary University, Juliana Jimenez- County College of Morris, Umer Khawaja- Rutgers University, Maximillian Lorentz- County College of Morris, Alexis Meneses- Ramapo College, Kiany Perez- Kean University, Edward Rodriguez- National Guard, Cassandra Rugel- University of Scranton, Jhon Torres- Caldwell University, and Kevin Tran-Norwich University
Welcome AVID Class of 2022! In September 2018, the MHRD will proudly welcome twenty-six new freshmen into the AVID program! Many of our incoming freshmen attended the AVID Summer Experience in July, led by Mrs. Dalton, Mr. Roman and our AVID student leaders, where they learned about AVID methodologies and engaged in teambuilding activities. The program is thrilled to have Mr. Timothy Mein, AVID Elective teacher for the Class of 2018, as their Elective teacher. Your MH family wishes you the best of luck!
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION INFORMATION & UPDATES
Freshman Orientation for all May also be obtained through the incoming grade nine students Morris Hills High School Website: to Morris Hills High School will be conducted on Tuesday, www.mhrd.org August 28th. Orientation will begin at 8:05 a.m. Each freshman will be picked up by his/her school bus as noted in the transportation packet. Students will report to the auditorium upon arrival to Morris Hills High STUDENT SCHEDULES School. There will be a program including student government representatives, The 2018-2019 student schedules are the result administrators, school counselors, and of teacher recommendations, counselor input, Project LEAD students until 12:00 p.m. and parent review/approval. In the spring, par- ents and students were asked to complete the In a small group setting, freshmen will receive course selection process in a serious manner. their 2018-19 student schedule and have it The master schedule and student schedules were explained to them. Other small group setting developed from that process. Changes in the stu- activities will include icebreakers, a review of dent schedule will be made only after a complete school counseling department procedures, a review of the student’s educational program and review of the student handbook, a peer group subsequent approval of the school counselor, break-out session, and a tour of the building. classroom teacher, parent, and subject administrator.
ATTENDANCE POLICY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Morris Hills High School continued to demon- strate a high attendance rate of 96.37% for the 2017-2018 school year. There were 46 stu- Morris Hills 973-664-2300 dents who earned perfect attendance for the Information year and 3 seniors who graduated with four years of perfect attendance. Good attendance General Office 973-664-2309 is a combined effort by the school and the home. The Attendance Office is asking par- Attendance Office 973-664-2305 ents and students to carefully read the Student Handbook as it pertains to attendance. School Counseling Office 973-664-2329
For your convenience, please use the voice Athletic Office 973-664-2307 mail in the Attendance Office which allows you to call in a student absence in both English and/or Spanish the evening before or the Nurses Office 973-664-2332 morning of that absence. Our telephone num- ber is 973-664-2305.
FIRST DAY- ALL STUDENTS SEPTEMBER 4, 2018
All students grades 9-12 will report to their class homerooms on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. Students will report at 8:05 a.m. and will remain the full day. Transportation information, including your student’s class homeroom assignment, was enclosed in the summer mailing. Class homeroom lists will also be posted in the Senior Y as a reminder to students on September 4th. Student schedules will be distributed during class homeroom on the first day.
2018 - 2019 MARKING PERIOD DATES
Marking Period 1 Marking Period 3 September 4, 2018 - November 12, 2018 February 1, 2019 - April 10, 2019 1st MP Mid-Quarter - October 10, 2018 3rd MP Mid-Quarter - March 7, 2019 Quarterly Week: November 1-6, 2018
Marking Period 2 Marking Period 4 November 13, 2018 - January 31, 2019 April 11, 2019 - June 20, 2019 2nd MP Mid-Quarter - December 18, 2018 4th MP Mid-Quarter - May 20, 2019 Quarterly Week: January 24-29, 2019 Quarterly Week: June 13-18, 2019
REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE FOR ALTERNATE BLOCK SCHEDULE 2018-2019 BLOCK TIME A B
1 5 Class 8:05 - 9:33 (88 minutes) 9:33 - 9:37 Passing
2 6 Class 9:37 - 11:08 (91 minutes) 11:08 - 11:12 Passing
3A 7A Lunch 11:12 - 11:56 (44 minutes) 11:56 - 12:00 Passing Class 12:00 - 1:30 (90 minutes)
3B 7B Class 11:12 - 11:56 (44 minutes) 11:56 - 12:00 Passing Lunch 12:00 - 12:42 (42 minutes) 12:42 - 12:46 Passing Class 12:46 - 1:30 (44 minutes)
3C 7C Class 11:12 - 12:42 (90 minutes) 12:42 - 12:46 Passing Lunch 12:46 - 1:30 (44 minutes) 1:30 - 1:34 Passing
4 8 Class 1:34 - 3:02 (88 minutes) 3:02 Dismissal
THE CLASS OF 2018 WELCOME CLASS OF 2022 BEST WISHES The Class of 2022 visited, tested, and prepped for its entrance into the Morris Hills A total of 340 students in the Morris Hills High High School community. A total of 345 School Class of 2018 graduated on Thursday, members of the Freshman Class will June 22, 2018. Ninety percent (87%) will participate in Freshman Orientation Program attend two or four year colleges. A list of the on August 28, 2018. The additional numbers colleges to be attended by members of the provided by the incoming class results in an Class of 2018 is provided in this newsletter. anticipated enrollment at Morris Hills High The Class of 2018 Valedictorian was Achilles School of 1,451 students for the opening of Dabrowski, who will attend Duke University. school. Parents of freshmen will have the The Class of 2018 Salutatorian was Sonali opportunity to meet the Morris Hills Sinha who will attend Rutgers University. Administration and Counseling Staff at the
annual Freshman Parent Night scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 7:00 PM in the auditorium.
MORRIS HILLS AP RESULTS – 2018
385 students at Morris Hills High School were administered 902 Advanced Placement Exams in May 2018. Students took exams in 27 different AP subject areas. Scores are NEW STAFF AT MHHS reported on a scale of 1 to 5. AP grades of 4 and 5 are comparable to college grades of A 2018 - 2019 and B. In general, an AP grade of 3 or higher may be considered for college credit. A total of We welcome the following new staff 325 (87%) of the scores of all Morris Hills AP members here at Morris Hills High School results in 2018 were a score of 3 or better. this September:
Lara Carlson Math Dean DelGuercio Science - Traveling Lisa Fleming Special Services CLASS OF 2018 GRADUATES Nicholas Livigne Art - Traveling Alyssa Perry Math PLANS # STUDENTS PERCENT John Romano World Language Jaclyn Weisz Science College 4 Year 195 62% Sarah Wlazlowski Music College 2 Year 77 25% School (Other) 6 2% ———————————————————————–—— Further Education 278 89% Katelyn Oller Maternity Leave for Military 10 3% Janel Jones Work 25 8% Christine Aschoff Maternity Leave for —————————————————————————— Amy Ottavinia TOTAL 298 100.0%
Arizona State University Sussex County Community College *Barnard College Syracuse University Berkeley College - Woodbridge Location Temple University Binghamton University The College of New Jersey Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania *The George Washington University Boston University The Ohio State University
Morris Hills Student Activities 2018 – 2019
Welcome to Student Activities at Morris Hills High School for the 2018 – 2019 school year!
The extra-curricular activities program at Morris Hills is a vital and integral component towards creating who every student will become when they leave these halls at the time of their graduation. By joining a club, students will have the opportunity to define and refine their personal interests and pursue their passions. They will get the opportunity to learn life-skills outside of the classroom as well as discover what they love and meet individuals that enjoy the same things. They will establish relationships and create memories that they will keep well beyond their years at Morris Hills. The extra-curricular programs at our school provide each student with the tools needed to become “The Best Version of Themselves”.
Morris Hills High School has more than sixty organizations that a student can join, providing students with a broad set of opportunities that cater to everyone’s interests. Our clubs also enable students to try something new and find new passions that they didn’t know existed.
Clubs such as Interact, LEO Club, Key Club, HOPE, and Project LEAD celebrate the importance of community service and helping those less fortunate. Cultural experiences can be found by participating in the Spanish, French, and German, African Cultural, Korean clubs as well as the ERASE Club.
A student with an eye for the dramatic can participate in the International Thespian Society, Fall Play, and Spring Musical. Potential lawyers can practice their skills with the Mock Trial team.
Aspiring artists, poets, and writers can display their creativity through the Art Services Club, the Photography Club, the Literary Magazine, the Yearbook, the Spoken Word Society, and the School Newspaper.
Our future doctors, mathematicians, astronauts, and ecologists can fuel their passions through the Sports Medicine Club, the Physics Club, the Chem Club, the Math Club, and the Environmental Action Club.
If students love music, then the Marching Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Band are for them. The singer can participate in Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Madrigals, and Knights Templar.
Students that are thinking about getting into the business field should consider joining the FBLA and DECA. If someone would like to be a leader in your class, then they should definitely think about being part of the SGA or running for class office.
Morris Hills Student Activities 2018– 2019
Students that are thinking about getting into the business field should consider joining the FBLA and DECA. If someone would like to be a leader in your class, then they should definitely think about being part of the SGA or running for class office. High School is a point in all of young men and women’s lives where they start to really define who they are and who they want to be, becoming “The Best Version of You” in the process. The hope is that our students take full advantage of the clubs and activi- ties offered at Morris Hills. Whether participating in one of the more than sixty clubs offered or taking part in activities such as the Freshman Mixer, Multicultural Dinner, Homecoming Dance, Lift it Up Program, or Spirit Week, the 2018 – 2019 school year will be a memorable one.
The annual Club Fair will be held during all three lunch blocks in the gym foyer on Tuesday, September 27, 2018. During the fair, representatives from each of the clubs offered at Morris Hills High School will provide background and sign-up information to join.
If any student wants to get a head start on joining a club, they can follow the link below and email the advisor: Freshman Orientation 2018 Presentation
Finally, to keep up with the latest news with all of our student activities, follow us on Twitter using the handle @MHActivities and on YouTube under the account – MHActivities.
I look forward to working with all of our students throughout the 2018 – 2019 school year, and am very excited to see all of the great things they will accomplish!
Gene Melvin Assistant Principal
Dear Parents:
The role of the parent in the education of a youngster is important. The support shown in the home is often manifested in the ability of the student to accept the opportunities presented in school, in the classroom, and in co-curricular activities.
There is a value system – established in the home, nurtured in the school – which young people are developing. Their involvement in classroom and other activities contributes to that de- velopment. Integrity, fairness and respect are lifetime values taught through athletics. These are the principles of good sportsmanship. With them, the spirit of competition thrives, fueled by honest rivalry, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of the results.
A good sport, whether a student or a parent, is a true leader in the community. As a parent of a student at our school, your sportsmanship goals should include:
Realizing that athletics are part of the educational experience, and the benefits of involvement go beyond the final score of a game; Encouraging our students to perform their best, just as we would urge them on with their class work, knowing that others will always turn in better or lesser performances; Participating in positive cheers that encourage our youngsters; discouraging any cheers that would re-direct that focus—including those that taunt and in- timidate opponents, fans, and officials; Learning, understanding and respecting the rules of the game, the officials who administer them and their decisions; Respecting the task our coaches face as teachers; supporting them as they strive to educate our youth; Respecting our opponents as fellow students; acknowledging them for striving to do their best;
Developing a sense of dignity under all circumstances;
Being a fan...not a fanatic!
These and other expectations are included in the attached guidelines, which we hope you will take a few moments to review. They give us a roadmap to follow towards a more educational atmosphere for interscholastic athletics.
You can have a major influence on your youngster’s attitude about academics and athletics. The leadership role you take in sportsmanship will help influence your child and our community for years to come.
I look forward to serving you in the year ahead, and I appreciate your continued support.
Robert Haraka Athletic Director/Supervisor of Student Services
Fall 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The Principals, Athletic Directors, and Coaches of our member schools in the NJAC believe that sportsmanship is paramount when measuring the value of our athletic programs and the success of our student/athletes. Creating a positive experience that exemplifies good sportsmanship is the responsibility of the students, coaches, administration, and all spectators who attend each contest.
We, as a conference, have a designated sportsmanship committee comprised of Principals and Athletic Directors charged with creating appropriate guidelines for the conduct of our member schools and their spectators. It is important that our student/athletes under- stand that they are held to the same standard as their opponents, and that they should compete fairly and honestly in all contests. In that same vein, our spectators should conduct themselves in a manner that is supportive of the student/athlete and allows the game to be played by the young men and women in uniform. In short, we believe that “players should play, coaches should coach, officials should officiate, and spectators should enjoy the game.”
Regardless of which school you represent or support, we strongly encourage all parents to remember that the purpose of interscho- lastic athletics is for the student/athlete to gain a positive experience through athletics and to assist in developing good citizens. The focus of the parents should always be on supporting the athlete’s efforts before, during, and after a contest; the creation of a positive environment is directly related to the athlete’s experience.
Thank you in advance for the part you play each day as a supporter of our high school student/athletes.
Sincerely,
Darren Groh Sean Dowling President, BOG President, AD
BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ COMMITTEE Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Boonton HS, Butler HS, Chatham HS, Delbarton HS, Dover HS, Hackettstown HS, Hanover Park Regional HS, High Point Regional HS, Hotpatcong HS, Jefferson Township HS, Kinnelon HS, Kittatinny Regional HS, Lenape Valley Regional HS, Madison HS, Montville HS, Morris Catholic HS, Morris Hills HS, Morris Tech HS, Morris Knolls HS, Morristown HS, Morristown Beard HS, Mountain Lakes HS, Mount Olive HS, Newton HS, North Warren Regional HS, Parsippany HS, Parsippany Hills HS, Pequannock HS, Pope John XXIII HS, Randolph HS, Roxbury HS, Sparta HS, Sussex Tech HS, Vernon HS, Villa Walsh HS, Wallkill Valley HS, West Morris Central HS, West Morris Mendham HS, Whippany Park HS
SPECTATORS’ CODE OF CONDUCT
Recognize that it is a privilege to attend athletic contests.
Cheer positively for your team.
Verbal harassment will not be tolerated.
Respect the integrity and decisions of officials.
Support our efforts to make sportsmanship a high priority.
Inappropriate behavior may result in the loss of attendance privileges for one or more games.
MORRIS HILLS HIGH SCHOOL SIGNIFICANT DATES - FIRST SEMESTER 2018 - 2019
August 28 Freshman Orientation - 8:00 a.m. 30 Teachers Report September 4 Classes Begin 4 Home & School Association Meeting - 7:00 p.m. – Faculty Room 7 Fall Pep Rally 12 Class Meetings 17 Freshman Mixer - 6:30 p.m. 20 Back to School Night #1 - 7:00 p.m. 26 Back to School Night #2—7:00 p.m. 27 Club & Activity Fair - Gym Foyer October 1 Home & School Association Meeting - 7:00 p.m.— Faculty Room 6 SAT’s - 7:00 a.m. @ Morris Hills 6 Homecoming - 2:00 p.m. - Gifford Field 6 Homecoming Dance - 7:00 p.m. - Cafeteria 9 Excelsior Awards - 7:00 p.m.- Auditorium 10 1st Marking Period Mid Point 10 PSAT for Grade 10 and Grade 11 - 8:00 a.m. 17 Mini-College Fair - 8:00 a.m.– Cafeteria November 1 Grade 11 College Planning Night—7:00 p.m. - Cafeteria 3 SAT’s - 7:00 a.m. @ Morris Hills 5 Home & School Association Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Faculty Room 8-9 School Closed - Teacher Convention 12 End of 1st Marking Period 15-17 Fall Play - 7:00 p.m. - Auditorium 20 Mr. Morris Hills - 7:00 p.m. - Auditorium 21 Half Day—Thanksgiving Break 22-23 Thanksgiving Break—School Closed December 3 Home & School Association Meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Faculty Room 12 Winter Concert - 7:00 p.m. - Auditorium 13 ASVAB Administration 14 Winter Pep Rally 18 2nd Marking Period Mid Point 21 Half Day—Holiday Break 22 - Holiday Break—School Closed Jan 1