Structured Learning Experience: NJ Judiciary

Stephanie Rivera from the New Jersey Judiciary met with over 75 students at County Prep on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. 

The presentation included an overview of the 10 Judicial Job Bands:  Support Staff, Case Processing, Administrative Professional, Information Technology, Court Interpreter, Legal, Official Court Reporter, Support Staff Supervisory, Professional Supervisory, and Court Executive/Managers.  Career pathways in each of these bands were discussed at length and students engaged in a Q&A at the end of the session.  It was a very valuable Structured Learning Experience that outlined viable post-secondary career options for our students.

HCST Students Participate in Structured Learning Experience

On Wednesday, December 17, Kayla Roman and Daniel Fenlon from County Prep  and Zachary Murillo and Richard Farrington from High Tech visited Brookdale Community College’s Automotive Technology Labs to get a first-hand glimpse of the various programs.  They toured the brand new state-of-the-art facility  which is designed to meet the continual demand for trained automotive technicians.  The students rotated through the different automotive specialties and observed current students testing, diagnosing, and repairing automobiles.  Brookdale Community College has partnered with major companies including General Motors, Toyota, and STS Tire and Auto Center providing a clear-cut pathway to employment upon completion of the respective programs.  Overall, it was an invaluable structured learning experience that defined a viable career option for our students.

County Prep Social Worker, Martha Rand, to train other professionals in anti-bullying interventions and remediation.

County Prep Social Worker, Martha Rand, to train other professionals in anti-bullying interventions and remediation. 

In January, 2015, Martha Rand, LCSW, and HCST Child Study Team Social Worker will provide training in identifying, preventing, intervening and remediating Relational Aggression (RA).   RA is a form of bullying often associated with middle and high school age girls.  The training will be presented to educators at the Lodi Boys and Girls Club through Educators Training Institute.  On the national level, Ms. Rand will be presenting on techniques and skills to educate and intervene with regard to relational aggression at the American Council of School Social Workers (ACSSW) in New Orleans.    

Here at County Prep and Explore Middle School, Ms. Rand has facilitated leadership groups for girls during the year and in the summer program, as well as after school leadership groups utilizing mindfulness based skills, creative arts activities and techniques to build peer to peer connections.    

   

High Tech National Honor Society Sponsors Drive to Assist the York Street Project

(North Bergen, NJ—December 19, 2014) The High Tech National Honor Society (NHS), moderated by veteran Language Arts teacher and Department Liaison Joan Marie Bellotti, recently sponsored a drive to support the York Street Project, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Students in all of the homerooms at High Tech donated items such as toiletries, bathroom and facial tissues, paper towels, adhesive bandages, stationery items, batteries, and garbage bags, which NHS members boxed.  NHS president Tyler Law, a resident of Bayonne, and his mother, Lori Ann Law, delivered the boxed goods to Kenmare High School in Jersey City for distribution to all of the York Street Project facilities.

In addition to the NHS president, the following NHS students helped and boxed items: Alexandra Altamura and Koby Garcia of West New York; Bayonne residents Ida Behreini and Taylor Turzycki; and Nisarg Shah of North Bergen.

Weaving innovative programs that shelter, feed, educate, and promote the healing and independence of people in need, especially women and their children, the York Street Project works in four interrelated, coordinated, yet separate, programs at the Nurturing Place, St. Joseph’s Home, St. Mary’s Residence, and the aforementioned Kenmare High School.

Pictured from left to right: Tyler Law and an unidentified representative from the York Street Project

Pictured from left to right: Koby Garcia, Tyler Law, Nisarg Shah, and Taylor Turzycki

Pictured from left to right: Ida Behreini, Alexandra Altamura, and Tyler Law

High Tech National Honor Society Holds Annual Book Swap

(North Bergen, NJ—December 18, 2014) The High Tech National Honor Society (NHS), moderated by veteran Language Arts teacher and Department Liaison Joan Marie Bellotti, recently sponsored its annual Book Swap, a popular five-hour event, held in the Resource Center of the North Hudson Center of Hudson County Schools of Technology, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Students and staff brought gently used books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and even VHS cassettes to swap for other such media.  Everyone had the opportunity for even swaps.

Held twice a year in the winter and spring, the NHS Book Swap proved to be a successful and enjoyable means to recycle used items.  This year, students, faculty, and staff donated about 300 items for swapping.  After all of the items had been swapped, students had the opportunity to partake and own remaining items.

Pictured (from left to right): Luana Xu of Secaucus, Kearny resident Sofia Ordonez, and Danielle Heaney of Secaucus 

County Prep High School Video Production Students Visit MSU’S Dumont Television Center

COUNTY PREP VIDEO PRODUCTION STUDENTS VISIT MSU’S DUMONT TELEVISION CENTER

On November 21, 2014, County Prep’s Video Production students visited Montclair State University’s DuMont Television Center. The Center is a state-of-the-art, professionally equipped, high-definition television and digital media production facility. Students learned about scriptwriting and storyboarding to live-action shooting, digital editing and live webcast streaming.

After an introduction speech from Professor Larry Londino, County Prep students were able to experience the process of filming MSU’s weekly cable show “Carpe Diem.” Here they had the opportunity to shadow the show’s directors, producers, audio technicians, and cameramen. To end the visit, when the filming was finished, the students were given a tour of the building and received valuable advice from current MSU students.

Structured Learning Experience – US NAVY PRESENTATION

Structured Learning Experience – US NAVY PRESENTATION

Petty Officer Torres and Seaman Blanco from the United States Navy spoke with County Prep students on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. They discussed potential career pathways and the skills one must possess in order to succeed in this segment of the armed forces.  The students had an opportunity to ask about the demands of the US Navy as an organization as well as the challenges inherent in each of the specialties.  All the students were offered the opportunity to take a “practice” Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to assess current strengths and weakness to help them plan their post-secondary options.

Essex County College Police Academy – Structured Learning Experience

Twelve students from County Prep High School visited the Essex County College Police Academy on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. The tour included a presentation which outlined the educational and training requirements for careers in law enforcement.  In addition, there was a Q&A session which gave the students “real-life” examples of the challenges and rewards of the profession.  The students had the opportunity to try the “firearms simulator” designed to hone precision and accuracy skills.  They also learned about the inner-workings of a real police car and were able to activate the sirens and give commands over the speaker system.  The students witnessed first-hand the rigor and intensity of the physical training component of the program.  Overall, they were exposed to a “true to life” training environment of new recruits which increased their awareness of the skills required to succeed in such a setting.

County Prep High School Students Attend FCCLA Fall Conference

FCCLA FALL CONFERENCE - November 2014

The County Prep FCCLA delegation attended the Fall conference this November at the Pines Manor in Edison. The conference was attended by 600 members from schools throughout New Jersey. Our students competed in the following events:

Apple Bake Off

The Apple Bake-Off Competitive Event is a State Event sponsored by The Culinary Institute of America and conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is an individual event that is open to New Jersey FCCLA 12th grade members. The event focuses on an original baked apple recipe and essay that features one variety of apple. The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) provided scholarships for the winners. County Prep senior, Samone Wellington, was awarded a silver medal along with Antonia Tsielepas, who was awarded with a 1^st place gold medal and $2,000 scholarship to the CIA.

Cupcake Challenge

The Cupcake Challenge Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is a team event that encourages members to create an original cupcake recipe from scratch that incorporates squash as an ingredient. The members must make a minimum of 5 dozen cupcakes that will be sold at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection to raise money for the National Outreach Project, Share Our Strength. The cupcakes are evaluated on the taste, texture, appearance, and creativity as well as the efficiency and creativity of the display. Silver medals were awarded to the team of Josh Coleman, Jaymi Llarenas, and Naiomi Mercedes. In addition, the team of Tamara Alicea, Valerie O’Higgins, and Antonia Tsielepas placed first and were awarded gold medals.

Tune Into FCCLA

The Tune Into FCCLA Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is designed to energize our technically gifted and creative members. Tune Into FCCLA is a team event that allows participants to develop an FCCLA marketing project using a video to promote membership and public relations. This video is a great Public Relations tool to showcase student’s creativity and the quality of FCCLA programs. We would like to recognize Andrew Levy, Iulian Cernatinsch, and Amanda Ortega for being awarded with 1^st place gold medals.

Passion For Fashion Design Challenge

The Passion for Fashion Design Challenge Competitive Event is a State Event conducted at the NJ FCCLA Fall Leadership Connection. It is an individual event that allows participants to exhibit fashion design creativity and construction savvy by creating doll clothes to wear on our mini FCCLA runway. Each participant designs and drafts a pattern and constructs an original doll-sized garment for a twelve 12- inch fashion doll, such as a Barbie doll.  In addition, an original design in full color and one that was drawn by hand needed to be submitted.  County Prep junior, Natassha Rivera, was awarded a silver medal alongside Jessica Camano, Immani Bermingham, and Mayra Morales, who were awarded gold medals. We also recognize Ibeliz Aviles for placing first and winning a scholarship to Berkeley College’s summer program.

UNICO of Kearny Commends High Tech’s Jared Machado for Volunteering on Behalf of Mentally and Physically Challenged Individuals

(Kearny, NJ—December 5, 2014) The Kearny chapter of UNICO National has sent a commendation letter to High Tech to honor Jared Machado of Harrison for his service to the community, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Machado, a High Tech student, along with three students from Kearny High School, volunteered to assist the Kearny chapter of UNICO by undertaking various duties at its annual Christmas Party for Mentally and Physically Challenged Individuals.  For four hours, Machado and the other students helped set up tables and chairs, assisted in distributing food and snacks, and even helped clean up once the Christmas Party ended.

“In today’s world where many young people are concerned only with video games, taking ‘selfies,’ and posting on Facebook, it’s refreshing and reassuring when a young person volunteers to help those less fortunate than himself,” states Louis Pandolfi, President of the Kearny chapter of UNICO in his letter addressed to Dr. Giammarella.  “It is for this reason that I commend Jared Machado to you.”

Founded in 1922 in Waterbury, Connecticut, UNICO (Italian for “unique”) formed when a group led by Dr. Anthony P. Vastola banded together to establish a special, proud organization.  Dr. Vastola's dream to orchestrate an Italian-American body dedicated to service, charitable works, higher education, and patriotism places community above fraternity.  UNICO acts as a representative organization that showcases the contributions of Italian-Americans to the American way of life.  Its sole purpose, to unite all Italian-Americans and motivate them to become more civic-minded, has resulted in UNICO switching to the acronym for “Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity, and Opportunity.”

MTC Visits High Tech Musical Theatre for Series of Master Classes.

(North Bergen, NJ—December 11, 2014) Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) and High Tech Musical Theatre joined forces to provide Musical Theatre majors with a chance to partake in script analysis, see the Broadway play The Lost Lake, and visit with Director Victor Maog, actors Frank Hartz (from HBO’s The Leftovers), and Jonathan David (from Showtime’s Shameless), announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.  

In a series of visits, majors read an advance copy of The Lost Lake, starring Traci Thoms and John Hawkes.  The team responsible for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Proof and The Columnist returned to MTC with The Lost Lake, a riveting and spirited world premiere play written by Tony Award-winner David Auburn and directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan.  An engrossing, revealing portrait of two strangers bound by circumstance, The Lost Lake dramatizes the struggle for human connection in an imperfect world.

The Musical Theatre majors worked on improvisational theatre and original script work based on the play.  They also composed original material, performing it in class with professional actors.  Already in deep preparation for their upcoming Magic of Disney production in January and spring production of A Chorus Line, the majors visited MTC’s production of Country Home with Blythe Danner and look forward to the upcoming Constellations with Jake Gyllenhaal.  They will be working closely with the play Airline Highway this spring, helmed by Tony winning director Joe Mantello (of Wicked and The Normal Heart).  

“I feel that it’s imperative that students are exposed to artists working in the professional theatre world,” says Alex Perez, director of High Tech Musical Theatre.  “We are excited to create new alliances with such an incredible theatre company like Manhattan Theatre Club.”  

Founded in 1970 and committed to the creation of new plays and musicals through an intensive Artistic Development Program, MTC presents original works on its stages.  MTC’s Education Program promotes active participation in the arts through in-class instruction, student and family matinees, teacher training, internships, and online distance learning. MTC includes a subscriber base of 20,000 at present and showcases its productions at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

County Prep High School Hosts College and Career Fair

County Prep hosted a college and career fair on October 9^th, 2014. There were many hands that helped to orchestrate this event including the administrators, the teachers, the guidance counselors, Ms. Galluccio, Mr. Patten and his Audio/Visual students, as well as the maintenance and security staffs, the transportation staff and the Culinary Program. Colleges, universities, as well as the military and apprenticeship programs were in attendance. There were a total of 40 organizations representing New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, Vermont and Connecticut.

Overall, feedback was positive. County Prep culinary students had the opportunity to showcase their work. Chef Palsi's, Chef Collins's and Chef Delesky’s students greatly impressed the fair attendees with their lunch which was served immediately before the fair. “Amazing lunch!”, “Very impressed!” and “Can we please come back again next year?” were a few of the comments made after admissions counselors sampled the food prepared by the students.

The admissions counselors were also impressed by the juniors and the seniors who attended the fair. The general comment was that County Prep’s students were well-informed and focused as they circulated through the event. The event itself allowed students to gather information about potential colleges and career options in a “one-stop-shop” situation.

After speaking with a variety of students after the fair, Ms. Ulivella (who planned the event) was satisfied that the fair accomplished its purpose which was to expose students to the myriad of possibilities that are available to them after high school in one convenient location. She also hopes that the fair inspired students to research further to make well-informed decisions. Ms. Ulivella stated, “It’s an exciting but big decision and one that will affect the course of a person’s life. I wanted to help aid in that process.” 

County Prep High School French Class Participates in the French Institute Alliance Francaise Young Audience Program

Madame Shields’s Level II French class participated in the FIAF, French Institute Alliance Francaise Young Audience Program, on Tuesday November 25^th in New York City. Students watched and interacted with well-known choreographer Stefanie Batten Bland and her modern dance company on the occasion of the debut of her piece “Patient(ce)”. “Patient (ce)” addresses themes of jazz, isolation and integration in the United states. Through a collaboration with futuristic jazz ensemble Burnt Sugar Arkestra, it examines our instinct to create in the face of oppression.

The dancer and choreographer Stefanie Batten Bland has family roots that are a mix of Creole, African American, Native American and Scots-Irish. Stefanie has danced for Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Pal Frenak, Sean Curran, Georges Momboye, Cie Linga, Pina Bausch Tanz Theater Wuppertal, Lar Lubovitch, Julie Taymor and Angelin Preljocaj, among others. Stefanie’s choreographic vision of contemporary dance redefines community by illustrating the synergy that arises when interdisciplinary artists from varied backgrounds and cultures collide. Her works are based in dance, with a strong installation component which allows futuristic worlds to take place in space and time. Stephanie mixes European subtlety and American ardor to investigate physical notions of community, adding her own layer of dance to that of her parents' (Mary Batten and Ed Bland) artistic legacy of music and writing.

In 2008, while head choreographer at the Paris Opera Comique in France, Stefanie founded Company Stefanie Batten Bland so that she might better investigate the human condition and relationship within the natural world. Her works are physically and technically demanding.

This performance had a strong interactive element with the student audience. Students were able to experience improvising a “lava lamp” and dancing through the “waves of the ocean." They also reflected on the theme of rules, restrictions, and freedom.

After the performance, the class had a family style lunch at “Madame Claude”, a cozy, bistro-style French restaurant in Jersey City. The owner, Alice Troletto, graciously opened her restaurant early just for the students. They had to order and converse in French, while tasting traditional French dishes such as: different fromage from various parts of France, Escargots, Croque Monsieur, the famous French Steak, Ratatouille, Gratin aux legumes, Crème brulée and Crepes. They listened to French chansonettes and enjoyed an environment of French memorabilia.

The students thoroughly enjoyed both the performance and the French dejeuner; for most of them it was their first time tasting French cuisine.

Theatre Arts Students of County Prep High School Attend Performance of "The Country House"

The Theatre Arts students of County Prep High School participated in the Manhattan Theatre Club Core Education program of the Broadway Production of “The Country House”. As part of this program, the students participated in workshops with Manhattan Theatre Club resident artist Melissa Murray-Mutch, and other professional actors, in order to prepare and discuss "The Country House." During the workshops they acted, read, improvised and wrote their own scenes inspired by Donald Margulies’s new play. 

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies (Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen) has returned to Broadway with his tenth MTC production, a new comedy about a deeply dramatic family. Tony and Emmy winner Blythe Danner (The Commons of Pensacola, Meet the Parents) stars as Anna Patterson, the matriarch of a brood of famous and longing-to-be-famous creative artists who have gathered at their Berkshires summerhouse during the Williamstown Theatre Festival. But when the weekend takes an unexpected turn, everyone is forced to improvise, inciting a series of simmering jealousies, romantic outbursts and passionate soul-searching.

Considered “one of the MOST SATISFYING NEW AMERICAN PLAYS to reach Broadway in the past decade” by The Wall Street Journal, this witty and compelling new play provides a piercing look at a family of performers coming to terms with the roles they play in each other’s lives. Tony winner Daniel Sullivan (The Columnist, Good People, Time Stands Still) directs.

The play is performed by Blythe Danner, Kate Jennings Grant, Eric Lange, David Rasche, Sarah Steele, and Daniel Sunjata

The students thoroughly enjoyed the play: some considered it “the best play ever”, others found it “riveting and classically amusing," and all were enthralled by Eric Lange’s performance. Eric played the role of Elliott, Anna’s son who always felt unloved and unappreciated by his mother. The character really took the audience on a journey, bringing forth incredible laughter, as well as the most sincere tears.

According to Ms.  Raluca Shields, the Theatre Arts teacher at Country Prep, this was a very enriching experience and the students are looking forward to more collaboration with the Manhattan Theatre Club in the near future.

Explore 2000 Renews Ties to PSEG SPARK Program with HCSTF Support

December 1, 2014 (North Bergen, N.J.) – The HCST Foundation (HCSTF) is pleased to announce the renewal of the PSEG SPARK science grant for Aquatic Adventures, a program that utilizes underwater vehicles to explore local marine biology, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Direct of the HCST Foundation.

This grant continues last year’s endeavor to include 25 middle-grade science students in a week-long program to utilize remotely operated underwater vehicles to explore local marine biology. This summer’s second voyage will once again take place at the James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park in North Bergen, NJ.

A result of collaboration between Explore2000 staff, the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, PSEG and the HCST Foundation, the 2014 SPARK grant totals over $14,000. Explore2000 Assistant Principal Amy Lin-Rodriguez says, “We are fortunate to have the continued support of the HCST Foundation. This funding will help our facilitators with professional development for maintaining successful program implementation and enhancing our existing STEM programs.”

Daniel Gans, HCSTF Board President, applauds the collaboration. Gans says, “We are excited to be a part of PSEG SPARK, which gives students hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology that will be used in the jobs of tomorrow. This program is another example of the Foundation continuing to meet the Mission of experiential learning and achieving greater goals.”

HCSTF Executive Director Quentzel adds, “To have the PSEG SPARK science grant renewed is a boon to our mission.” She continues, “This year’s iteration will allow educators to build on their previous knowledge while allowing a new group of students to participate in this singular experience.”

Read the article on njseagrant.org website

Click to download the HCST Foundation Press Release.

Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) Construction Trades Structured Learning Experience (SLE)

Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) Construction Trades Structured Learning Experience (SLE)

Chris Di Meo from the Youth Transition to Work (YTTW) Building Trades program met with County Prep and ATD students on November 24, 2014 to discuss potential career pathways in the construction industry.  The apprenticeship program encompasses almost all of the construction trades and combines “on-the-job” training with classroom instruction.  Students will have the opportunity to train at one of New Jersey’s state-of-the-art centers. This “Earn While You Learn Initiative” is an outstanding post-secondary career option for anyone interested in the building trades.