RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL Home of the Rockets March 2020 Newsletter Rocket News ROCKET NATION a Message from the Principal

RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL Home of the Rockets March 2020 Newsletter Rocket News ROCKET NATION A Message from the Principal

Dear Rocket Parents and Guardians,

March is an exciting time of year for me because it represents that spring is around the corner. As a former outdoor track coach I always had a hard time containing my excitement when that first Friday in March appeared on my calendar. The first Friday in March is the official start date of the spring sports programs. I want to wish a successful season to our spring sports teams as they kick off on March 6th. This past winter season there were some amazing performances by our students: Congratulations to all the athletes on a great winter season!

Just a quick reminder that on March 8th day light savings time resumes so remember to adjust your clocks. I hope to see all of our students on time on Monday morning. Please remember that students are expected to be in their classrooms before the 7:30 am bell rings. Administration asks that parents do not drop off their children directly in front of the school in the morning. Please pull your car up as far as you can on the side of the auditorium so we do not block the cars behind you. This will alleviate the traffic build up on Middle Road. Thank you for you consid- eration in this matter.

In conjunction with the Hazlet Business Owners Association, on April 7th from 10:45 am to 12:45pm in the cafeteria RHS will be hosting a summer Job Fair. Job Fair will provide an opportunity for students to speak with local business owners about summer job opportunities.

HAZLET TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS High School Administration BOARD OF EDUCATION Victor Iannello – President

Jodie Moreno– Vice President David Asfour Andrew R. Piotrowski, Ed.D.—Principal Edward Barrett Pamela A. Massimini—Assistant Principal Heather Elm Dara H. Van Pelt— Assistant Principal Steven Grossman William Kolibas Laura O’Hara William Zinckgraf– Student Member ADMINISTRATION Scott Ridley, Ed.D. – Superintendent of Schools Joseph J. Annibale – Assistant Superintendent of Schools Christopher J. Mullins – School Business Administrator/ Board Secretary Heather Schwarz – Dir. of Curriculum, Instruct. & Testing Jacqueline Hafner – Director of Special Services Julie Ciccarone – Director of School Counseling Services John DeGenito – Director of Athletics Andrew R. Piotrowski, Ed.D. – District Affirmative Action Officer Heather Schwarz-Title IX Coordinator Suzanne Capraro – Supervisor of Language Arts Jennifer Martins– Supervisor of Mathematics Michael Miller – Supervisor of Science Jacqueline Hafner – Supervisor of Special Services Chantal Molino—Supervisor of Special Services Charles Hildner – Supervisor of Building & Grounds Stephen Dockery – Assistant Supervisor of Building & Grounds Joseph Emerson – Network Administrator

Science League News

The Science League continued a strong season with 2nd place finishes in 3 categories at the Middletown High School South regional meet on February 13th 2020. Dan Gervasio and Thomas Cloonan lead the Biology and Physics teams to a 2nd place finish. Zifan Zhou posted the 2nd highest score of the meet in AP Physics. Jimmy Grebenstein placed 2nd and Evan Lander 3rd to bring home a 2nd place win for AP Biology and a strong finish for Environmental Science. All other members posted competitive scores and had a good time testing their academic prowess; interacting with students from other schools and enjoying refreshments.

Go Rocket Science!

2019-2020 SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR

The Hazlet Township Board of Education has a Support Staff Employee of the Year program to recognize our non -certificated staff members for exemplary performance.

Excellence in every position of the organization is critical in helping us meet our mission of ―Educating our students…to achieve their maximum potential.‖

To nominate a staff member for Support Staff Employee of the Year, please click on the link below. https://forms.gle/pUdRGGHhc3Zcea3G6

The deadline for nominations are due by Monday, March 2, 2020.

February Heather Barr and Andrew Peternel

Heather is an exemplary student, all while being kind and strong. She does all her work diligently and is always polite towards others. She par- ticipates, encourages other students, masters content and understands her own fallibility. She is also a dedicated member of the Environmental Club who can always be counted on. She is a role model to all and she is appreciated as a student!

Andrew has consistently performed at a high level in Algebra 1. He has raised the level of his own expectations and has bravely ventured into independent study, researching topics and completing assignments without the aid of the teacher! In his other classes, Andrew needs very little external motivation to accomplish a task. He is energetic and abso- lutely shines when interacting with others. Through accomplishing all coursework and bringing energy to class discussions Andrew has proved himself to be an able student, a hard worker, an intelligent individual, and a pleasure to have in class.

CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER & ANDREW

The Raritan High School Veterans Portrait Project

Raritan High School, Hazlet, New Jersey is hosting its fifth Veterans Portrait Project event on May 27, 2020. The program started in 2014 with the privilege of working with combat photographer Staff Sergeant Stacy Pearsall (Retired). Stacy began her Air Force Photographer career at the age of 17. During three combat tours, she earned the Bronze Star Medal and Air Force Commendation with Valor for combat actions in Iraq. Under Stacy’s guidance, the Raritan High School Digital Photography students interacted with and photographed 12 local veterans. The AP Language students interviewed each honored guest and composed a brief biography to be displayed along with the portraits for a special Memorial Day exhibit.

This year , as we did last year, Raritan High School has partnered with The New York Film Academy and John Tona, Photography Senior Program Coordinator. Throughout the day twelve veterans will be honored. The New York Film Academy will be providing photography studio and lighting equipment along with their expertise. Each veteran will have an individual photo session and finished portraits will be available for them.Through the instruction of Mr. Tona, the Raritan High School Digital Photography classes will gain new skills in exposure and lighting techniques. The students are also coached on how to speak to our veteran heroes and make each one feel honored and appreciated.

Each veteran will be hosted by AP Language students who will welcome them and write trib- utes based on the interviews that they conduct with our honorees. There will be a hospitality table and lunch will be served. There will be time for congeniality among the veterans, students, and all attendees. Participants are encouraged to bring items connected to their service (a cap, jacket, service photo) to incorporate into the portraits.

If you know of a local veteran who we can honor in our event please contact Mrs. Gennarelli by emailing [email protected].

Mandatory PARENT Prom Meeting Parents of prom attendees MUST attend the meeting All other parents are welcome

Join us for an informative evening

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Raritan High School Auditorium

Representatives from our school and community will provide information on the following topics:  RHS junior and senior prom information, contract, and code of conduct  Keeping the prom experience safe  Understanding potential dangers and consequences of post prom behaviors and experiences

Guest Speaker Nicki Francis of Wellspring Prevention

Junior Prom: Friday, May 15, 2020 Senior Prom: Friday, June 12, 2020 Food Service Advisory Committee

The Food Service Advisory Committee is looking for your in- put. New members are needed including staff, parents and students. The purpose of this committee is to assist in the monitor- ing of the District-wide food service program including such topics as menu planning.

Our second meeting this school year will be held on Mon- day, April 27, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria at Raritan High School. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the Business Office either at 732-264-8402 (extension 1108) or via email before April, 21, 2020.

RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Proceeds from this sale will help to defray the cost of the induction ceremonies and maintain the monument area . Your personalized 4”x8” brick will be located by the monument at the entrance to the athletic fields. Engraving will be in all CAPITALS. For a cost of $50 you will become part of the Raritan High School community.

Yes, we’d like to reserve a permanent brick. Please engrave our brick as follows:

Any Symbol Is Considered One Space (Period, Comma, Dash) All Text Is Centered Unless Otherwise Noted 4x8 Brick

4x8 Brick

Example G O N E W T O N H I G H L I O N S

S T A T E C H A M P I O N S

2 0 1 2 , 2 0 1 5 , 2 0 1 6

Please return this form and your check payable to:

RHS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL, 419 MIDDLE ROAD HAZLET, NJ 07730

Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Email Address: Amount Paid:

FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED BY APRIL 1, 2020 If you have any questions, please CONTACT Janet Citro, [email protected]

EASTER BASKET DRIVE Please consider donating an Easter item or gift card to help brighten a local child’s holiday! Donations will be collected at all Hazlet Public Schools until Monday, April 6th ******************************************************************************************* Volunteers are needed Tuesday, April 7, 2020 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm Hazlet Middle School for sorting, making and delivering baskets

Suggested Items: ● Chocolate candy, Chocolate Bunnies ● Assorted Easter candy - Jelly Beans, M&Ms, Peeps ● Easter baskets ● Small Toys

Thank you in advance for your generosity!