Excellence in - Schoolwires

Serving the Communities of Whippany and Cedar Knolls, NJ

Our Schools

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Volume 8, Issue 2

Spring 2014

Pictured on the Cover (clockwise from the top):

1. Memorial Junior School presented their musical The Wizard of Oz

on Friday and Saturday, March 28, and 29, 2014. On Wednesday,

March 26, 2014 the senior citizens were invited to a luncheon,

followed by a premier performance of the musical.

2. Whippany Park High School students, studying about child devel-

opment, visited Mountview Road School on October 8, 2013 to

celebrate the Week of Respect. Prior to their visit, the high school

students visited the Whippanong Library to research character

education themed picture books, and designed lessons related to

the stories. After reading their selection, the high school leaders

discussed the theme of the book and its connection to the Week of

Respect; they then led the elementary students in a hands-on activ-

ity appropriate to the students’ developmental levels. Everyone

enjoyed the experience. It was an excellent way to promote good

character and literacy skills in a cooperative manner!

3. Memorial Junior School eighth graders were treated to an assem-

bly given by Donald MacGowan and George (an ambassador dog)

representing the Seeing Eye located in Morristown, NJ. The as-

sembly was a kickoff for the Pennies for Puppies program. Mr.

MacGowan explained how the dogs are trained and that it costs

$50,000 or more for the Seeing Eye to raise a puppy from birth to

the time he/she becomes a trained Seeing Eye dog. The Seeing Eye

does not accept government assistance and they only charge the

visually impaired individual $150 for a guide dog. The Seeing Eye

relies solely on donations.

4. Mrs. Hingos’s and Mrs. Ricupero's character education groups

started collecting change during lunch in order to assist with the

monetary cost of raising a Seeing Eye puppy. The Pennies for

Puppies program ran through March.

5. Bee Meadow School students participated in the American Heart

Association’s Jump Rope for Heart. This fun event helped them to

understand the importance of community service and physical

activity, and raise awareness

of heart health as well as

raise funds to fight cardiovas-

cular disease. Students

jumped rope during their

physical education classes

displaying the skills they

learned: backwards jumping,

one foot, criss-cross, heel-to-

heel and jumping with part-

ners. For their participation

and donation they received

“Mr. Quaky” the duck! At the

conclusion of the event the

student council provided

healthy snacks for everyone.

The cover of this edition of the "Excellence in Our Schools" newsletter features students from Memorial Junior School's rendition of the musical The Wizard

of Oz. In the show Dorothy learns that if she follows Glinda the Good Witch of the North's advice, and relies on the support of the scarecrow, cowardly

lion, and tin man, the yellow brick road will lead to her dreams. The same can be said of our teachers who, through engaging lessons and activities, inspire

students to develop their brain, have the courage to take risks, and to rely on their heart when making decisions. These traits, as reflected throughout this

edition of our district newsletter, will continue to serve our students well as they continue on their journey down the "yellow brick road" of life.

As always, we are grateful for your ongoing support of our great public schools and for working with us as together we continue to be "A Community That

Inspires Excellence." Scott R. Pepper, Superintendent of Schools

Editor: Donna Majdosz, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Student and Staff Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions

A Message From the Superintendent

E XCELLE NCE I N OUR S C HOOLS

Mountview Road School students in the Hanover Town-ship School Age Child Care Early Birds program made Valentines for Vets.

Students in Ms. Tracy's PACT classes visited the Community Food Bank of New Jersey on January 15, 2014. The students sorted and packed donated goods to be shipped to local agencies, like food pantries and shelters. The food that the students helped pack reached people in need within 48 hours. This field trip followed course unit studies on poverty and human rights.

Memorial Junior School’s Cross Country Team had an extremely successful season. Two of our students finished in the top ten for the entire state of New Jersey at the Cross Country State Race, and in the top five for the Greater Morris County Junior Coaches Association team race and grade race. They were recognized at the November Board of Education meet-ing. Pictured is the team with their coaches, Michael Anderson and Jamie Cresbaugh.

V OLU ME 8, ISS UE 2

Mrs.

Serido's

fourth grad-

ers studied

the skeletal

system dur-

ing science

class, and

learned the

importance

of joints for

movement.

Students

taped their

thumbs to

their hands (losing the use of some joints) and then had to

complete a list of tasks. Some tasks were using a pencil to

complete a maze on paper, buttoning a shirt, and working a

zipper. They had fun, and discovered how important joints are

to movement everyday.


On March 16, 2014 Memorial Junior School Guidance

Counselor Dana Ash, and Social Studies Teacher Mike

Anderson ran in the NYC Half Marathon for the non-profit

organization, VOICES Against Brain Cancer, in honor of

an MJS sixth grader who was recently diagnosed with brain

cancer. They finished the race in just under two hours

(official time was 1:56.09).

Teachers and staff members of Mountview Road School remember their youth as Mountview Road School celebrates "80s Day!" The students of the Student Council suggested and voted for "80s Day" as one of their monthly school-wide spirit days.

Salem Drive School students in kindergarten and first grade celebrated the 100th Day of School on February 21, 2014. Kindergarten and first grade teachers and students dressed as if they were 100 years old to celebrate this special day.

TEAM MTV, Mountview Road School and Salem Drive School staff members Jeff McCarthy, Drew Burns, Eddie Cashen, Matt Pomel, Rick Eva, and Sean Peterson had their heads shaved during the Kutz 4 Kaitlyn fundraiser at the recreation center, on Sunday, March 2. Over $30,000 was raised for Kaitlyn, a 12-year old girl who was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer and is undergoing radiation and chemotherapy. It was nice to see the community (police, fire departments, parents, teachers) all working together to support this great cause.

Student in the Memorial Junior School Technology Club pose with their Jr. Solar Sprint race cars. On April 10, 2014 they raced their creations. Cars earned awards for design, documentation, and use of recycled materials.

E XCELLE NCE I N OUR S C HOOLS

Student, Staff, and Community Activities, Accomplishments and Recognitions

Salem Drive School fifth grade students performed a series

of festive holiday songs at Arden Courts and Care One in

Hanover Township on December 20, 2013. Students also

provided each resident with a holiday card. It was an event

that spread some holiday spirit lead by music teacher Mat-

thew Pomel who worked closely with the Salem Drive

School Parent Teacher Association in organizing the visit.

Mountview Road School won the Stop & Shop A+ Principal

Challenge with their entry, Supermarket Run and Sweep for

Healthy Meals. On April 4, 2014 at 3:15 p.m. Miss Carmen

Bellino, Principal ran from MTV to Stop & Shop. Once she

arrived, Miss Bellino and various members of the school

community competed in a shopping store race to design a

healthy menu and retrieve all needed ingredients as fast as

possible. As they competed, the famous MTV song was

played. A panel of judges made up of students and staff vot-

ed for the winning team. Miss Bellino’s team won by being

the fastest shoppers, and getting all their healthy ingredients

at the lowest price! MTV will receive $1000 for participat-

ing!

On Monday, April 7, 2014 Bee Meadow School students

and staff had the opportunity to visit the New Jersey Hall of

Fame Mobile Museum. The tractor trailer was parked on the

playground area for the entire school day and beyond and

was visited by each class, as well as members of the com-

munity. The New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum pre-

sents a unique opportunity for teachers to capitalize on the

achievements of our citizens and inspire students to reach

for their own dreams. In learning about New Jersey Hall of

Fame heroes, students will better recognize the skills they

need to reach their own goals and develop a stronger sense

of hometown pride. Each exhibit object highlights important

chapters in the evolution of social, economic, scientific, cul-

tural, and political progress for which these iconic New Jer-

sey figures are known.

Morris Museum visited Mountview Road School to present a planetarium program on traditional folktales and the science of our night sky and outer space. Our fourth graders enjoyed this interactive experience thanks to a mini grant from the PTA.

The Teams of the Stop & Shop Principal’s Challenge: The Principal's Team was Miss Bellino in white feathers, Mrs. Conte (Grade 5 Teacher) in blue feathers, Mrs. Ohlsson (Parent Rep/A-Plus Coordinator) in red feathers, and the other team (in green NASA jumpsuits) was Mrs. Kerins (BSI Teacher), Mrs. Beck (Grade 2 Teacher), and Mrs. Wylie (Grade 3 Teacher).

V OLU ME 8, ISS UE 2


The Faculty and Friends Concert (formerly Concert for

Kathy) was finally held on April 1, 2014, after being post-

poned twice due to snow. It was well attended, and enjoyed

by all. The highlight of the night was a performance by The

Whiptones, a Doo Wop acappella quartet made up of four

Whippany Park High School students. Proceeds from The

Faculty and Friends Concert go to the Hanover Township

Public Schools Kathryn Moser Music Endowment Fund,

which helps provide musical instruments for students.

Another very successful One Day One School event was

held at Salem Drive School on October 19, 2013. Students

and community members joined in with landscapers who

generously donated their services for the beautification and

safety of the school grounds.

Mountview Road School fifth graders with music instructor, Mr. Matt Pomel (left) and com-puter teacher, Mr. Eddie Cashen (right), serenaded holiday visitors on Saturday morning, December 14, 2013 at the new ShopRite of Greater Morristown's (in Cedar Knolls) Breakfast with Santa event.

Mrs. DeCaro, Mrs. P and their Preschool "elves" constructed a giant gingerbread house at Bee Meadow School. Making the hallway and entrance to their classroom very festive during the holiday season.

The Honors Band, under the direction of Jessica Shupp, and comprised of fifth

and sixth grade students throughout the school district, was selected to play at

the Rockaway Mall on March 19, 2014, during the MCCEA Pride in Our

Schools event.

Board of Education

Salvatore A. Azzarello, President

Catherine V. Slattery, Vice President

Daniel J. Breen

Brian Cahill

Nicholas Duva

Stephen E. Furda

Brandie J. Linfante

Carol Tognetti

Glenn Yannotta

“A Community That Inspires Excellence”

Support Hanover Township Public Schools

Hanover Township Public Schools

Administrative Offices

61 Highland Avenue

Whippany, NJ 07981

Phone: 973-515-2400 Fax: 973-540-1023

www.hanovertwpschools.com

Administration

Scott R. Pepper, Superintendent of Schools

Aaron Wasserman, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Professional

Development

Vanessa M. Wolsky, School Business Administrator/Board Secretary

Gregory Margolis, Supervisor of Special Education

Darrin C. Stark, Principal, Bee Meadow School

Carmen Bellino, Principal, Mountview Road School

Roberto Camean, Principal, Salem Drive School

Michael J. Wasko, Principal, Memorial Junior School

Colleen Murphy, Assistant Principal, Memorial Junior School


On March 25, Salem Drive School fifth graders presented a performance of Project Peace, as part of their Character Education program.

Hanover Township teachers engaged in professional development on the Envision Math program presented by Joy Davis from Pearson Publications. Over the course of two days in March, all kindergarten through sixth grade math teachers received training on the digital access components of our Envision Math program. Parents can learn about the resources available through the "Parent Resources" tab on the district website.

Mr. Peterson (Physical Education Teacher) and Mrs. Busby (School Nurse) pose with the winner of the Salem Drive School Jump Rope for Heart contest. The students raised a total of$5,488.00 for the American Heart Association, and will be rewarded with an additional recess period on a nice spring day for their efforts in supporting such a good cause.

Memorial Junior School held its annual Career Awareness Day for eighth grade students on April 4, 2014. Keynote Speaker was Mr. Jason DiJoseph, a Special Agent with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. His informative presentation and video kept the students “glued” to their seats and ready with lots of questions. Mr. DiJoseph’s presentation conveyed to the students that hard work and focus are necessary with any future goal. He also talked about making good choices in and outside of school.

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