CHIEF’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Jason Lester, Principal May 2016

MESSAGE FROM MR. LESTER

This month, I had the distinct pleasure of being a tour guide as part of a reunion weekend of PHS alumni from the classes of the 1960s. As we walked throughout the school, it was evident that I was in the presence of the founding members who bleed “Black and Gold” and formed some of the rich traditions we still have today. Like many new generation P’Way family members, I cannot imagine PHS without the Anthony wing. Our family members that graduated in the sixties never had the luxury of the Anthony building because it was not built until 1974, five years after the graduating class of 1969. May 14th marked the first time that many members walked through the halls of the Susan B. Anthony “new building” as well as the “brand new” G-wing, which connects the Anthony Building to the Patton Building. The pride on their faces was priceless. I am so honored to have been able to tour with such a passionate and remarkable group of PHS alumni. Special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Szymonowicz for organizing this reunion event.

We live in a tremendous community with a great deal of support. I am proud to announce that investors Bank has awarded PHS $50,000 to support our health and physical education programs. Mr. Daniel Eatman, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager of investors Bank on Stelton Road, has been very instrumental and a strong advocate for our school as well as for the district. If you are ever in the bank or in the area, don’t hesitate to stop in to say hello.

To learn more about PHS happenings read on…

Strength & Honor

PHS HAPPENINGS

ATHLETICS

Zachary Merring and Demetria Bethel (pictured) were honored at the GMC Sportsmanship luncheon on May 11. Recipients were chosen based on their highest level of sportsmanship. Congratulations!

In addition, Piscataway High School received the Red Division Sportsmanship Award, for being disqualification-free for all three seasons. Go Chiefs!!

BUSINESS DEPARTMENT NEWS

PHS FBLA/Piscataway Rotary Club Career Day

Over 20 PHS students “shadowed” Piscataway Rotarians, including our own Superintendent Rafferty, to see first-hand what the working world is like. Careers included Genetics Research, Law Enforcement, Library Science & Management, NJ State Government, and more. The event culminated with a professional development session by Piscataway Rotary and guest speakers from (including Jason Lim, PHS ’15). PHS FBLA Advisors: Greg Michaels & Susan Leacy.

Annual PHS FBLA Mission Life Charity Game

This year’s game raised well over $5000 for FISH, which is a local service organization of volunteers who respond with compassion to the needs of the poor, the elderly, the homeless, and those who "fall between the cracks" of public assistance. The teachers’ winning streak was broken (53-41 in OT) despite a last-minute appearance by Principal Lester on the teachers’ team. Gratitude to all who donated time and/or treasure, including sponsoring area businesses, staff, and students. PHS FBLA Advisors: Greg Michaels & Susan Leacy

MATHEMATICS NEWS

Continental Calculus Contest There were 4 perfect scores on the final Continental Calculus Contest for this school year. The students with perfect scores are: Manan Brahmbhatt, Hamzah Husain, Alan Patel, and Nil Patel. On the same contest, 5 students had near perfect scores. Those students are: Tanya Chahal, Chandni Patel, Grace Tan, Susan Wu, and Audrey Zhou.

American Scholastic League In the American Scholastic League, our team led by Diane Moskal, finished in the first place category (again). This makes it 15 consecutive years!

PERFORMING ARTS

Orchestra Competed in Virginia

Last month, our orchestra competed in Williamsburg, VA. The students worked extremely hard to prepare for this event and their efforts were rewarded.

 The Chamber Orchestra received a “Superior” rating (highest rating possible) and 1st place in the String Orchestra category.

 The Symphonic Orchestra received a “Superior” rating and 1st place in the Full Orchestra category.

 The Symphonic Orchestra received the “Best Overall Orchestra” in the Festival.

In addition, the students’ behavior and maturity during the trip was exemplary. They represented themselves, the music department, and the school district in an exemplary fashion.

FILM CHALLENGE CONTEST

“One Wrong Move”

This is the 3rd year that Piscataway High School has participated in the National 10 day film challenge contest. This year there were 160 entries from 24 different schools in and only the top 30 films were chosen to be screened at the Regal Cinemas Burlington 20 in Burlington, NJ. The winning films will be announced at the screening. The directors of the 3 minute film, “One Wrong Move” are Emily Harding and Evian Rivera. The movies will be posted on the PHS and District website after the premiere in Burlington on May 17.

SCIENCE LEAGUE Final Scores The final scores for Science League have now been reported and reflect true standing of PHS students among all of the participating schools in the categories listed below:

Biology 1 (9th grade students): Of the 104 schools that participated, PHS students ranked 18th. Biology 2 (Juniors and Seniors): Of the 102 schools that participated, our students ranked 17th.

Chemistry 1 (10th grade students): Of the 89 schools that participated, our students ranked 18th. Chemistry 2 (Juniors and Seniors): Of the 85 schools that participated, our students ranked 35th.

HS Physics (Juniors/Seniors): Of the 68 schools that participated, our students ranked 23rd. Physics C (Seniors): Of the 58 schools that participated, our students ranked 20th.

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

Induction Ceremony for 2016-17

Congratulations to the following National Honor Society Inductees for the 2016-17 school year:

Abdullah Bashir Dhevin Gupta Kai Baker Parth Y Patel Abula Johnson Drew Patel Kali Stewart Priscilla Ampofo Adalaina Hanzich Edler Olanday Kamela Chandrika Priyanka Rangra Aditya Jani Eileen Zhu Kathryn Selinger Radhika Iyer Ahmed Khalil Elise Merritt Kavita Patel Renita Choo Alexa Williamson Elizabeth Borges Kayla Breaux Rohan Patel Alexander Kuchnicki Emily Harding Kevin Carolina Rudra Shah Alexei Hazell Emily Rider Kevin Rollins Sabihah Memon Allyza Capili Eyad Warraky Kezia Van Lare Sabrina Brokenborough Amaya Powis Farah Shallan Khushbu Patel Samantha Miller Andrea DeLucia Gabriel Franco Kia Ansine Samantha Urash Angela Romeo Gabrielle Salcedo Kiran Chaudhry Sameen Siddiqui Angelimani Bateman Gary Frank Krishna Patel Sanam Suthar Anoushka Chatterjee Gauri Patel Krupa Patel Sarah Sy Anya Lopez Gerard Duvivier Kush Patel Scott Schipmann Arth Baghel Glenn Harding Kylah Burnette Sean Daly Ashley Interdonato Grace Tan Lance Justiniani Shahil Patel Austin Boland Ferguson Hams Elshaikh Le’la Allen Shannon Browne Bhumit Patel Hanifa Syed Lindsey Riggs Shiv Patel Bivi Baby Hardi Patel Lindsey Tran Simona Alomary Brandon Evers Hemal Patel Manan Brahmbhatt Suraya Momtaz Brandon Tran Hunter Carlon Mariam Shabber Susan Wu Brianna Chapman Ikjot Tagore Marisa Myers Susanna D'Souza Brittany Montes Isaac Nathoo Ma'Sonia McPherson Sweeti Patel C. Michael Sarmiento Isha Patel Megha Nigam Sydnei Wactor Catherine Wang Jack Rodriguez Mehal Patel Sydney Clarke Chelsea Wong Jake Carlon Mekhi Morgan Sylvia Truong Chimdi Chukwu Janaki Patel Nancy Wu Tamia Tucker Chinonye Gabriel Janani Subramanian Nathalie Torres Tanya Chahal Chloe Magboo Janiah Lambert Neelay Patel Uwaila Stewart Christine Dronebarger Jeamarie Flores Neha Patel Valiant Abello Damon Pleasant Jillian Trumbauer Neha S Patel William Wallace Danghuy Nguyen Joel Kincade Nehal Patel Xavia Elder Daniel Haus John Plaras Nicholas Bucci Yasmine Elasmar Daniela Acosta Joi Suttle Nizzie Laughinghouse Zain Siddiqui David Franco Jovan Snyder Olivia Greene Dev Patel Julia Gilleece Oona Nelson Dhanisha Patel Kahkashan Kashif Parth D. Patel

PSA CONTEST

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Students in the PHS Radio club won first place in the Middlesex County “Don’t Drive Dangerously” contest for their audio PSA, “Siri”, which brings awareness to the dangers of texting and driving. This year, 12 high schools had entries in the contest. Above is a copy of the winning audio file and a picture of Brittany Bickerton (Radio Club Advisor) and two of the three students (Anasia Starks, Shawn Elliott, Blessing Echie) that produced the PSA accepting the award. Go PWAY!

SOCIAL STUDIES NEWS

Law Day

On Tuesday May 24th PHS hosted its annual Law Day assembly in the PAC based the theme, “Miranda: More than Words.” Students from the school’s various law classes were greeted by The Hon. Vincent LeBlon of New Jersey’s Superior Court via Lawrence Bethea the EEO/AA Officer for the Superior Court of New Jersey - Middlesex Vicinage.

In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U. S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona. In Miranda, the court held law enforcement personnel must advise a suspect of his/her rights in order to use statements made during a custodial interrogation in a later criminal proceeding. The Miranda warning has become so ingrained in popular culture that many know all of its words, starting with, “You have the right to remain silent.” Yet, as the Law Day theme implies, there is much more to Miranda than the words of the warning; it is a living symbol of the importance of procedural fairness and equal justice under the law.

FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE

June 13 Half Day for Periods 1 and 2 Monday Students June 14 Half Day for Periods 3 and 4 Tuesday Students June 15 Half Day for Periods 5 and 6 Wednesday Students June 16 Half Day for Periods 7 and After-School Classes or Make-up Exams Thursday Students June 17 Half Day for Final Exam for Makeups and other Conflicts Friday Students June 20 Makeup Exam Day Half Day for Monday Graduation Practice – Patton Gym, 7:45 am Students

STAFF NEWS

Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Caren Stephenson, English teacher, who has been named Teacher of the Year at Piscataway High School. Ms. Stephenson has devoted 18 years teaching Pway students. She is a well- respected member of our faculty and we are proud of her achievements.

ESP of the Year Nancy Carter, Pway custodian, has been named ESP of the year. Ms. Carter takes pride helping to keep our school clean and functional. We appreciate her hard work. Congratulations!

College Board Scholarship Mathematics teacher Melissa Eytchison was awarded a College Board scholarship to complete an AP Summer Institute for the new Computer Science Principles course! Great news!

Jersey Man Half Lite Triathlon Congratulations to East Wing Nurse Donna Zimmerman who came in first in her category in the Jersey Man Half Lite Triathlon (1 mile swim, 34 mile bike and 10 K run). Donna will also be participating in a 70.3 Ironman and a full Ironman (140.6) soon. Good luck!!

Welcome New Additions Let’s congratulate the following staff members who have recently added an addition to their family:

 Ms. Hurt gave birth to a little boy, Benjamin  Dr. Ritchie is the proud father of baby girl Savannah  Mr. & Mrs. Lee’s little girl is the big sister to new brother, Derek Kolton  Mrs. Perlin’s baby girl, Victoria, arrived a week early.  Spencer Michael is Mrs. Osborne’s new baby boy  Dr. & Mrs. Lollin are the proud parents of baby girl Aubri Nicole  Mr. & Mrs. Corrales welcomed twins, Analisa and David

Staff Retiring

The following staff members will be retiring at the end of June. We wish them all the very best of health, happiness and a well-deserved, relaxed retirement:

Hector Aparicio, World Languages Jeanne Bozzay, Media Specialist Virginia Bruno, Special Education Colleen Foley, Special Education Frankie Joseph, Custodian Kathleen McLaughlin, Mathematics Daniel Wormann, Practical Arts

Be sure to thank these phenomenal staff members for a job well done. We will miss them.

IMPORTANT DATES:

June 1 Senior Varsity Banquet, 6:30 pm, Pines Manor June 3 Prom, 6:00 pm, Grand Marquis June 7 Orchestra Banquet, 6:00 pm, Commons June 8 Senior Recognition Assembly, 12:15 pm, PAC June 8 Senior Scholarships Assembly, 6:00 pm, PAC June 9 Tri-M Music Honor Society Induction, 6:00 pm, PAC June 10 Film Festival, 6:00 pm, PAC June 11 Band Banquet, 6:00 pm, Commons June 13 Final Exams begin June 13 Athletic Spring Awards Night, 6:30 pm, PAC June 20 Graduation, 6:00 pm, Rutgers Athletic Center June 20 Project Graduation, 10:00 pm, Werblin Recreation Center