Office of the Supervisor of Secondary education



From The Guidance Office

The School Counseling Office is in the process of creating a Master Schedule for the 2015-2016 school year based upon student course requests that were finalized in late March. The process is intensive and detailed, with the focus on trying to provide the students with as many of their course requests as possible while working within the parameters of an 8-period school day.

The School Counselors are also working collaboratively to revise the high school’s guidance curriculum based upon the standards established by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). The curriculum will eventually be uploaded digitally for ease of access after training in the On-Course program is completed.

Mr. Drew Krause

Supervisor of Student Services

FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Sophomores in Mrs. Marianne Longchamps’s English class at Vernon Township High School recently received an invitation they could not refuse - to participate in the Great American Mail Race.  The invitation, from Mount Ida High School in Arkansas, came as a letter from 10th grader Samantha, telling about her school and her life and asking Vernon students to respond to her questions about life here.  The Vernon students were then challenged to each pick a state, to find a high school in that state on Google, and then to send a letter to the 10th graders there.  One of the Vernon students actually sent a letter to North Pole High School in Alaska.

Mrs. Longchamp said her students were really inspired to learn the art of letter-writing, especially since much of their communication is truncated and digitized. Even though it may seem a bit old fashioned, the letters could convey their warmth and personalities much more clearly than social media does.  They are also excited to receive responses from their individual schools.  The best case scenario is they receive 50 letters from sophomores all over the country. Now, all they do is wait for the snail-mail.

Photo Caption:  Sophomores at VTHS proudly show off the letters they wrote to other students all over the country.  (Front row, left to right)  Chris Russo, Will Verblaauw, Jesse Nelson.  (Standing) (Press release submitted by Kathleen Weyant).

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Recently approximately 50 Vernon seniors in both the Literature of the Holocaust and Issues of Conscience classes used Google Hangout to meet and hear the story of Jacqueline Mendels Birn, a Holocaust survivor.  Birn told her firsthand account of luck and survival in France during World War II. She used a PowerPoint to provide images of her family, some heirlooms, and the small basement where her father hid from the Germans.

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The session was made possible by the hard work of Violet Reed, a senior service volunteers and member of the National Honor Society.  Miss Reed functioned as the liaison between the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Vernon Township High School, working through snow days, scheduling issues and coordinating technical needs.

This is the fourth time this year that students have used technology to meet face to face with speakers from around the world and the first time that this media has been used for Holocaust testimony.

Students in Issues of Conscience and Literature of the Holocaust classes will use this experience as part of their on-going research for this year’s Tolerance Fair in June.  (press release prepared by Kathleen Weyant)

Karen Stoeckel

Supervisor of Language Arts

From the HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

After a District-wide In-Service, the Physical Education classes have a new format. Classes will have an introduction activity involving more movement and cooperative games. This is followed by a fitness component consisting of Pairs Tag, Rock-Paper-Scissors, Human Knots, Circle Fitness, Line Leader Fitness, Star Wars and other fitness related activities. The lesson concludes with the primary activity of the day. Students have indicated that they like the new format.

Health 9 students are presenting their Health Project to their classmates.

Students in Driver Education have completed their preparation for and have taken their New Jersey State Written Examination. This test is necessary for a student to pass before the student can receive their Learner’s Permit. Students have also completed units on “The Traffic Accident Problem and Automobile Insurance.”

Sophomore Weight Training classes are finishing their second round of maximum lifts. Next they will be developing a program for lifting without using weights. The students will research alternate ways of conditioning using body weight, resistance bands and medicine balls.

Nutrition and Fitness classes are finishing their Family Life marking period and are looking forward to being outdoors for the fourth marking period.

Mr. Bill Edelman

Supervisor of Health & Physical Education

Director of Athletics

FROM THE MATH DEPARTMENT

The Mathematics Department would like to congratulate Andy Kafel for being selected as Student of the Month for March. Presently, he is doubling up and taking both Geometry CP and Algebra II/Trigonometry Honors. His conscientious, diligent work ethic has produced positive results in both math classes. Congratulations, and we wish Andy continued success the remainder of the school year. Vernon Township High School currently offers four different AP mathematics classes. Students can earn college credits based on how they score on the AP test they take at the end of the year. Last year our results were as follows:

AP Calculus AB: 4 students had a passing score of 3 or higher with a 3.25/5 class average

AP Calculus BC: 8 students had a passing score of 3 or higher with a 4.375/5 class average

AP Statistics: 4 students had a passing score of 3 or higher with a 3.8/5 class average

AP Computer Science: 2 students had a passing score of 3 or higher with a 3.8/5 class average

Next year, the following number of students are enrolled in AP mathematics classes:

AP Calculus AB: 18 students

AP Calculus BC: 7 students

AP Statistics: 14 students

AP Computer Science: 9 students

This year’s AP mathematics exams will occur on the following dates:

AP Calculus AB: May 5th, morning

AP Calculus BC: May 5th, morning

AP Statistics: May 13th, afternoon

AP Computer Science: May 7th, morning

Best of luck to all those that are taking AP tests in early May.

Underclassmen enrolled in Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II took the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC assessments, in March and April. Information regarding the test can be found at . Several sample assessments can be found at . For current juniors, sophomores, and freshmen the graduation proficiency standards for math and ELA issued by the NJDOE are:

|ELA |Mathematics |

| |  |

|Achieve a passing score on a |Achieve a passing score on a PARCC |

|PARCC ELA assessment in grades|Algebra I or Geometry or Algebra II OR |

|9 or 10 or 11 OR | |

|SAT ≥ 400 OR |SAT ≥ 400 OR |

|ACT ≥ 16 OR |ACT ≥ 16 OR |

|Accuplacer Write Placer ≥ 6 OR|Accuplacer Elementary Algebra ≥ 76 OR |

|PSAT ≥ 40 OR |PSAT ≥ 40 OR |

|ACT Aspire ≥ 422 OR |ACT Aspire ≥ 422 OR |

|ASVAB-AFQT ≥ 31 OR |ASVAB-AFQT ≥ 31 OR |

|Meet Criteria of NJDOE |Meet Criteria of NJDOE Portfolio Appeal |

|Portfolio Appeal | |

Students have been scheduling classes for next year. Math teachers have submitted their recommendations for the classes that students should be taking next year. Please work closely with these recommendations and guidance counselors when making selections for math classes. We would like to challenge students while creating the best opportunity for success in their math classes. Mr. Vincent Stracquatanio and Mrs. Maryann Trovillion presented on integrating labs into the mathematics classroom at the March In-Service. Mathematical functions can be used to model situations which exist in the physical world.  A lab situation allows students to make measurements to determine the parameters for the appropriate function.  This allows students to see how the mathematical concepts they learn in class are applicable to the real-world. Labs shared with teachers covered the topics of Projectile Motion, Trajectory, Radioactive Decay, Pendulums, and the Vibration of a spring.

Mrs. Joanne Sigl, Mrs. Ellen Sang, and Mrs. Holly Terrill attended the TI3 International Conference on March 13-15, in Fort Worth, Texas. It was a two and a half day technology conference integrating technology, specifically graphing calculators into the math and science classroom. There were over 350 different options to choose from ranging from middle school math applications to calculus applications. TI introduced their newest calculator, the TI - 84 Plus CE. This new model is lighter and more powerful with extended memory and longer battery life. The new calculator was available for all sessions where the TI-84 family of calculators was used. In addition, they learned several features of the TI - Nspire calculator for use in geometry and statistics classes. There were also numerous activity handouts and lesson plans available to integrate the technology in the classroom. The new TI - 84 Plus CE will be introduced into several classrooms at Vernon Township High School next year.

Mr. Russell Rogers

Supervisor of Math Department

FROM THE FINE, PERFORMING, & PRACTICAL ARTS DEPARTMENTS

Congratulations to the Art Honors Society on their inductions. The event was held in the Upper Library and featured a presentation, slide show, mini art show, and refreshments. Special thanks to all the Art teachers for the support they have given these students.

Members of the NAHS are:

Aileen Bancroft, President

Allie Hanson, Vice-President

Tara Cartier, Secretary/Treasurer

Michaela Ambuter Alexis O’Connell

Samantha Annunziata Megan Phillips

Klarissa Burwell Lillian Schafer

Corinne Chiarchiaro Zoe Smolder

Sarah Dettloff Samantha Struble

Megan DeVries Peter Thomsen

Brooke Graniere Alison Turner

Joanna Horn Danielle Ward

Megan Kennedy

Madison Lutchko

Heather Morris

Nathaniel Nunez

Congratulations to Mrs. Lindsay McAloney, Mr. Kevin Boehm, Mr. Dana Ziegler, Mr. Max Taylor, Mr. Tony Ciaburri, and the cast and crew of the Drowsy Chaperone! The show was entertaining start to finish and nothing short of extraordinary. We are all looking forward to many more wonderful shows under the direction of Mrs. McAloney.

Congratulations to Mrs. Terry Sabia and her photography students on the success of their photography show at the Vernon Township Historical Society. A show like this takes a great amount of work on the part of both the teacher and student.

Thank you Terry for all you do for our students!

The VTHS Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Jennifer Krott, was selected to perform at this year's Sussex County Teen Arts Showcase. The students will be performing at Sussex County Community College.

Congratulations to Mrs. Lisa Hirkaler who was named Sussex County's Teacher of the Year. Lisa has been a leader in our Departments in many ways, one of which has been the way she infuses technology into her classroom. She has  been a strong advocate for challenging the traditional paradigms of teacher and student -- empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Congrats to Lisa! Well deserved!

Vernon was recently recognized as being among the best districts for music in the country. The NAMM foundation recognized Vernon as a “Best Community in Music Education.” This distinction puts Vernon among the top 3% of districts in the USA.

The students enrolled in Project Lead the Way at VTHS attended a presentation at High Point High School by Dr. Sandra H. Magnus, the Executive Director of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the world's largest technical society dedicated to the global aerospace profession. Students learned about NASA, Engineering, and how to compete in technology careers.

United Way Manager, Kathy Kwasnik, showed Child Development students from VTHS how to use the I Care Cat as part of a Peace Making Program to help young children solve conflicts with each other. Volunteer, Martha Lewin, explained the Success by Six program which promotes quality child care centers and the access to them by all families. Students were also given information on how to obtain the Child Development Associate credential. The students in Mrs. Tassey's class operate an on-site preschool as part of their coursework!

Vernon students made St. Patrick's Day a day for the arts by attending the Sussex County Teen Arts Festival at SCCC and performing in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC. Several art students received ribbons and earned spots in future art shows at Teen Arts and the VTHS Chamber Orchestra received strong comments from the judges at their performance. Later that afternoon the VTHS Marching Band marched up 5th Ave with some of the top bands from across the country.

The VTHS Barbershop groups under the direction of Mr. Kevin Boehm continue to impress judges and vocal groups across the state. On March 14, the students competed at the NJ Mid Atlantic Barbershop Youth Adjudication. Both groups scored well and look forward to participating again next year.

AND….

Coming Events:

• Artstanding: May 7

o The event will feature all Arts (Fine, Performing, and Practical) from all Vernon schools and all students K-12. It will be from 6pm - 8pm and will be held at LHMS

• DECA: ICDC Competition

o A school record 55 students will attend the ICDC International DECA Competition in Orlando, FL.

 Mr. Joseph Piccirillo

Supervisor Fine, Performing & Practical

Arts Department

From the science department

On Tuesday May 19th, 25 Vernon Township High School science students in five teams will participate in the Merck Science Day. This annual competition is sponsored by the Merck Institute for Science Education and the New Jersey Science Teachers Association.

The program provides for competition between individuals and among teams of secondary school students in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science, and Advanced Integrated Science. The questions are scenario based and require students to integrate knowledge to solve problems. The test will be given on-line in a 2 hour time block.

During the second and third week of May, 38 Vernon students will be taking Advanced Placement Science Tests in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science. Students may obtain up to 8 college credits per test depending upon their score and the college that they attend.

Mr. Daniel Osenni

Supervisor of Science Department

From the social studies department

Mr. Loggie and Mr. LoGiudice (English) had their Issues of Conscience and Literature of the Holocaust classes attend a Skype with Holocaust survivor Jacqueline Mendels Birn in the High School Library in February. Senior, Violet Reed, contacted the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. and arranged the event. Mr. Falkowski and Mr. Trokan escorted the Model UN Team to compete in a two-day competition at St. Peter’s College in Jersey City in March. The team performed extremely well. Paul Haedo, Zoe Smolder, and Emily Fussman won awards for Outstanding Delegate. Emily Monschauer and Alexander Gaura won awards for Outstanding Position Paper. Michelle Miani won an Honorable Mention Delegate Award. Aileen Bancroft, Michelle Miani, Vicky Meneses, Samuel Dawes, and Brianna Cimaglia won awards for Outstanding Delegation. Mr. Della Torre attended the meeting to prepare for the upcoming Model Congress to be held at Ridgewood High School at the end of May. Mr. Trokan will Co-Advise the Model Congress students. Congressman Scott Garrett’s office is sponsoring this event. Representing Vernon Township High School will be Emily Monschauer and Matt Binshtock. Congressman Scott Garrett was a guest speaker at Mr. Falkowski’s U.S. Government & Politics-AP class in March. He discussed life as a Congressman, current events, various policies of President Obama, and funding for Homeland Security. All members of the Social Studies department attended the March 30th District In-Service and engaged in a variety of Professional Development offerings taught by their Vernon colleagues.

Mr. Phillip Tintle

Supervisor of Social Studies Department

From the special services department

One gains a greater understanding of the world’s many cultures by studying and being afforded exposure to works of art and theater with a diverse population.  In the early part of the year, the students in the Life Skills and Survey of World Language classes, with the assistance of the Art History AP class, learned about sculptures by artists from around the world.  In order to enhance knowledge of the many cultures that exist in the world, and to promote tolerance through cultural understanding, the students from all three classes attended a field trip to Storm King Sculpture Park in New York. 

In an effort to continue the enrichment gained from the previous activities, the students in the Life Skills class and the World Languages are once again collaborating with the AP Art History class to study and learn about Ancient Egypt and Impressionism.  In addition, the Life Skills English class has been reading The Black Stallion and learning about India and Saudi Arabia.  Mrs. Hirkaler’s AP art history students will again present a variety of lessons to help the students with disabilities develop an understanding and appreciation for Arms and Armor, Egyptian Art, European Paintings, and Art of the Arab Lands.   

As a culminating activity, we are taking the students to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and to a Broadway show.   This is a collaborative teaching effort between the departments of Art, World Language and Special Education and will promote an understanding of the diverse ways in which students with a variety of cognitive abilities learn and react to, and appreciate the rich cultural world of art and theater.  In appreciation for the AP students’ efforts, the Life Skill’s students will pay for the theater tickets and the admission fee to the Met from the profits they have earned through their work in the Breakfast Club.   The Board of Education will support this project by funding the coach bus to New York.    The benefits to all students are immeasurable and we appreciate the district’s continued support.

Cheryl VonSalzen

Supervisor of Special Services

FROM THE WORLD LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

In February, the Italian, German, and French, classes enjoyed a Carnevale/Fashion/Mardi Gras party in the HS Library. Students enjoyed foods, music, and games of this pre-Lenten festival celebrated throughout Europe. Mrs. Simmons (Italian), Mrs. Haddeland (Italian), Mrs. Price (German), and Mrs. McKay (French) took part in this activity. All members of the World Language department attended the March 30th District In-Service and engaged in a variety of Professional Development offerings taught by their Vernon colleagues. The department is beginning the preparation for the WL Honor Society Induction Ceremony which will be held next month. Mrs. Simmons is presently organizing a spring field trip for the Italian students.

Mr. Phillip Tintle

Supervisor of World Language Department

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