Explore 2000: PSE&G Spark Science Grant

December 5, 2013 (North Bergen, NJ) – The HCST Foundation is pleased to announce that Explore 2000 Middle School was awarded the PSEG SPARK science grant for Aquatic Adventures.

This one-week, summer science enrichment program will provide 25 students with remotely operated underwater vehicles to explore local marine biology. This summer’s maiden voyage will take place at the James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park in North Bergen, NJ. John Ponticorvo, facilitator at Explore 2000, says, “The program will develop inquiry‐based skills through the prism of underwater exploration.” Ponticorvo explained that students of the program “will experience how technology can open up new horizons for scientific discovery and exploration.” The SPARK grant, which totals over $16,000, includes the cost of the submersible equipment and training for Explore 2000 faculty. Diana Burich, of the NJ Sea Grant Consortium, will provide the initial training for the Pilot Program, and the Explore 2000 faculty plans to continue to work with the equipment in the future. The PSEG SPARK science grant is the result of collaboration between Diana Burich and Claire Antonucci of the NJ Sea Grant Consortium, the HCST Foundation, and the facilitators at Explore 2000.

Explore 2000 students set sail on Hooked on Fishing, not on Drugs trip

(Atlantic Highland, NJ-October 31, 2013) Thirty-four sixth and eighth grade anglers from Hudson County Schools of Technology Explore 2000 Middle School sailed from Atlantic Highland last week as part of the Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs program.

The state funded program is aimed at teaching children about fishing, the marine environment and how to protect our natural resources, said Don Marantz, a longtime fisherman and member of several area fishing organizations. "It helps explain what conservation is and why it's important to all us and equally important, it helps our youth focus on constructive activities, keeping them off the street and away from drugs," said Marantz, who went along with the Jersey City students on the Oct. 24 fishing trip. The trip was set up by Liz Jackson of the state Division of Fish and Wild Life, Hudson County Freeholder Jose Munoz, Guttenberg Mayor Gerald Drasheff and Explore 2000 Middle School Coordinator of Field Experiences John Pontecorvo. While at sea, the children were aided by experienced anglers provided by The Hudson River Fisherman's Association, The Jersey Coast Anglers Association and The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance. "The group enjoyed a beautiful day on the ocean but regrettably, the fish did not cooperate and not many were caught," said Marantz, adding that more fishing trips will be organized.

-By Michaelangelo Conte/The Jersey Journal

HCST Foundation has announced that it will hold its annual Foundation Gala

October 16, 2013 (North Bergen, N.J.) – The Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) Foundation has announced that it will hold its annual Foundation Gala on Thursday, October 24 at Maritime Parc in Jersey City. The Gala will feature performances from High Tech High School’s Performing Arts program and a student showcase with work from High Tech’s Academy of Architecture & Contemporary Themes; the Automotive Technology program; and County Prep’s Culinary Arts and Medical Sciences programs.

Hosted by Natalie Morales – co-­-anchor of NBC’s Today Show and Dateline – this year’s event will honor global architecture, design, planning and consulting firm Gensler. Frank Gargiulo, Superintendent of HCST, says that Gensler’s contributions to the district have been innumerable.

“One of the original purposes of the HCST Foundation was to bring the corporate world into cooperation with the learning of our students,” he says. “Gensler, in particular, has had a direct impact on our school, as our architecture classes are benefiting from the ideas of Gensler's world-­-class architects. When the students get an opportunity to work with companies like these, it provides great opportunities for everybody.”

Laurent Lisimachio, Principal at Gensler, has served as a Foundation Advisory Board member and trustee since 2011. Lisimachio works closely with HCST staff to ensure that the district’s architecture curriculum is relevant to today’s industry standards.

“It has been a privilege to serve our communities and this generation of talented students and I am thrilled to celebrate this year's achievements at this wonderful event,” he says.

Daniel Gans, HCST Foundation's Board President, adds, “We are proud to honor our Board Member Laurent Lisimachio and his company, Gensler, for their continued support of the HCST Foundation and the HCST students.

HCST Foundation Mission Statement:
The HCST Foundation is a real-­-world, results-­-oriented organization whose purpose is to promote quality and innovative education for the community by empowering the district through financial support and community involvement.

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Welcome Back

Hudson County Schools of Technology's Explore 2000 Middle School will provide opportunities throughout the year for you and your family to join us in planning your academic future based on your interests and to share in your success.

Back to school 2012-2013 overview, establishing advisory committees, afterschool program opportunities, and annual title 1 information will be provided during this session. Please try your best to attend this important.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

6:00PM

Parent/Guardian and Students:
Kindly join us for an informative session re-introducing you to our learning community!===Explore 2000 Middle School

HCST's Jersey City Center

525 Montgomery Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

RSVP by August 30th - 201.631.6396

Parent Workshop: How to Teach Your Child the Love of Art - April 22nd @ 7:30pm

Parents and Guardians!

Hoboken artist and teacher Sheri Alimonda is offering a workshop for Explore 2000 Middle School parents and children; the first to take place on April 22 at 7:30. The parent workshop will be entitled “How to Teach Your Child the Love of Art" - a PowerPoint presentation illustrating the positive aspects of art.

A follow-up workshop for the students "Why Does the Mona Lisa Smile?" will be provided in the near future (date to be announced after NJASK Testing).

Please RSVP by April 19th to reserve your seat at our April 22nd Parent Connection Workshop J 201.631.6396

Artist’s Information:
Sheri Alimonda is a professionally trained portrait artist and teacher who loves sharing her knowledge of art with others. Her training began at age 12 at the ArtSchool of Oil Painting, where she learned the old master techniques she uses in her work and teaches her students today. Sheri has painted live at the Museum of TV and Radio in Beverly Hills, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and while painting live at the NY Art Expo was discovered and nominated for the first ever “Academy Awards” for art, the ArtTV Awards. She has been a guest speaker aboard Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruise Ships as well as in Europe aboard Oriental Lines. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including Good Day New York.

Calmady image is a reproduction painted at age 14, this is the style Ms Alimonda teaches, and yes! Kids can do it!