High Tech Asian/Middle Eastern Cultural Club Holds Luncheon

(North Brunswick, NJ--December 23, 2015) The Asian/Middle Eastern Cultural Club of High Tech hosted its end-of-the-year luncheon at Shalimar BBQ Restaurant to enhance students’ awareness of the diverse ethnic wonders of the world’s population, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.  

“Students from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds made this a fabulous event,” declares Dr. Syed Abbasi., moderator of the Asian/Middle Eastern Cultural Club of High Tech.  “This luncheon allowed students to explore and enjoy the richness of diverse cultures and educate them on the necessity of welcoming and appreciating peoples from all lands.”

The Asian/Middle Eastern Cultural Club promotes the significance of all cultures across the globe.  Employing music, food, and other social interactions within a diverse ethnic membership, the Asian/Middle Eastern Cultural Club provides a pleasant and welcoming environment for students to enjoy the beauty of the diverse population in High Tech.

High Tech Dance Department to Perform at the National High School Dance Festival

(Pittsburgh, PA--December 18, 2015) High Tech’s Dance Department, headed by veteran instructor Trista DeFilippis, has been chosen to perform at the 27^th Annual National High School Dance Festival, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.  

The National High School Dance Festival, held Thursday, March 3^rd, through Sunday, March 6^th, at Point Park University, will welcome over 1,200 high school students from across the United States, Canada, and abroad.   

DeFilippis will serve as a guest faculty member, teaching a master class at the National High School Dance Festival.  Because the Festival caps the number of students who may attend, DeFilippis plans to take fifteen High Tech senior and junior dancers with her.  

“A few months ago, I submitted the quartet ‘The Path Less Traveled,’" states DeFilippis, “that [the department] performed in our Winter Showcase concert, and it was chosen.”

Along with exciting opening and closing ceremonies, the Festival features six Adjudicated Concerts (two evening Gala concerts, two late afternoon Showcase concerts, and two midday Informal concerts). The first Showcase Concert features student choreography, whereby a festival committee awards the Outstanding Student Choreography Award.

The National High School Dance Festival also offers a full day of scholarship auditions and over 100 Master Classes in subject areas, including ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop, musical theater, world dance, Pilates, massage, stretch, injury prevention, and nutrition.  Commercial Exhibitors and Special Interest Workshops should entice faculty members and students alike.

County Prep Dance Celebrates 15 Years with Alumni Performance

Ms.Heather Warfel Sandler proudly announces an alumni concert featuring graduates of the County Prep Dance Program.  The program is celebrating its 15th year under Ms.Warfel-Sandler's direction. This promises to be a special night, with over 15 graduates who are still actively studying and performing in dance, music, and theater.  It is also an opportunity for former students to return to the stage where many of them had their start, and to see the ongoing renovations of the dance performance space at County Prep.  

"There has been so much development in dance and the arts here at County Prep during the past 15 years, and all of our students have played a role in that.  Each year I learn from my students and incorporate new ideas and approaches based on their input.  They have gone on to become professional dancers, choreographers, actors, singers, and all around creative and conscientious members of society.  The success of our program will be recognized in the myriad ways that studying dance has enhanced the lives and careers of these young adults."

Don't miss this rare event!

Friday, January 8 at 7pm

County Prep High School

Synergy Theater

Tickets:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2479966

HCST Foundation Gala Inspires Giving from Local Big Brothers Big Sisters Leader

December 17, 2015 (North Bergen, N.J.) – Carlos Lejnieks, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties, gifted HCST students with fifty pairs of Panasonic Sound Rush headsets, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive
Director of the HCST Foundation.

Mr. Lejnieks attended the annual HCST Foundation Gala this November where he was introduced to the passion and talent of the district’s students. In the spirit of giving, he was moved to pass along this donation to our students on behalf of his organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The headphones, which are valued at over $50 each, were distributed by population to HCST schools County Prep High School, High Tech High School, Explore 2000 Middle School and KAS Prep High School.

Daniel Gans, President of the HCST Foundation, was grateful of Mr. Lejnieks’ donation: “Our mission at the Foundation is ostensibly one of giving back, and this [donation] allows us to execute that part of our vision more directly.”

Frank J. Gargiulo, HCST district Superintendent said, “We are very appreciative of this gesture from the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Our students come from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and these headphones might make someone’s holiday. I’m sure the students will be appreciative, too.”

HCST Foundation Executive Director Linda J. Quentzel adds, “Mr. Lejnieks’ donation was a big-hearted and timely endeavor. We appreciate his support, and are proud that his organization would find our institution and our mission so motivating.”

Click here to view and download this as a pdf >>

HCST CrossFit Inaugurated as Latest Fitness Program for High Tech Students and Staff Alike

(North Bergen, NJ--December 17, 2015) ​HCST CrossFit, coached by Samantha Eulo, who doubles as an instructor in High Tech's prestigious Science Department, has encouraged teens and staff alike to become physically fit and build confidence along the way, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.  

Inaugurated this past summer as an after-school strength and conditioning program, HCST CrossFit meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at High Tech's Field House.  The program trains students and staff to succeed in the rigors of life.  In class, Samantha Eulo and her students work on fundamental movements that increase their quality of life, all while building a tight-knit community. Types of training range from gymnastics to Olympic lifting to endurance.  Members of HCST CrossFit, approximately twenty-five of them, work on this diverse training regimen each week.

"I started CrossFit here at High Tech because I had been doing CrossFit in Hoboken for a few years and fell in love with it," says Eulo.  "It changed my body and my confidence."

Eulo has completed her Level 1 CrossFit Training and CrossFit Kids Training. 

"[My students] have made tremendous progress with technique, strength, and endurance," Eulo adds, with a proud smile.

Student and staff members at HCST CrossFit will participate in the 2016 CrossFit Open, where hundreds of thousands of people around the world take part in a series of surprise workouts for five weeks and post them online to be ranked among the best.

Anyone can discover more about HCST CrossFit and view pictures and the daily Workout Of the Day at www.HCSTCrossFit.com.

High Tech’s New Service Club, The Butterfly Effect, Visits the Senior Center in North Arlington

(North Arlington, NJ—December 8, 2015) The Butterfly Effect Club, a new service organization at High Tech High School, along with History Instructor Jamie Velazquez and Architecture & Design instructor Gregory Simon, has hosted its first service event in North Arlington at the Senior Center, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Students in the Butterfly Effect Club created and brought their own arts and crafts for adults to make and design.  The group even threw a pizza party and danced with seniors to celebrate the birthday of one of the adults.

Seniors Celine Molfetta of Jersey City and North Bergen resident Chantal Encalada inaugurated the Butterfly Effect Club, which offers High Tech students the opportunity to participate in local events, fundraise, and help spread awareness for people with developmental disabilities. Now boasting over thirty members, the Butterfly Effect Club has been meeting weekly to prepare fundraising for upcoming events. 

The club has recently teamed with New Jersey-based organizations H.A.N.D.S. (Housing and Neighborhood Development Services), a non-profit group that stabilizes and revitalizes vacant residential properties, and Camp New Day in Hackettstown, dedicated to providing a positive, supportive environment for individuals with developmental disabilities.

County Prep Students Tour Bergen County Community College

County Prep students visited Bergen County Community College on Friday, December 11, 2015.  The students met with an admissions representative to discuss the various programs offered at the institution and the overall college application process. The visit included a tour of the facilities, medical sciences laboratory, library, tutoring services, and classrooms.  The students were exposed to a two-year college as a potential post-secondary option.

Student attendees included the following: Alexandra Suarez, Elizabeth Flores, Vivian Fowlkes, Destiny Harris, Roxanna Henriquez, Samantha Killion, Joshua Lopez, Josette Ortega, Kevin Perez, Cindy Ramos, Ebony Torres, and Joshua Vega.

County Prep Science Student's Account Of Valuable Field Trips

My Environmental Science class with Ms. Rose participated in three field trips during November and December at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. While we were there, we helped clear the new trail they’re making as a part of the Natural Area Restoration Project. This entailed raking leaves and moving large sticks and branches that were in the way of the trail. On the first field trip, we decided where the new trail should go. Once we decided the path, we put stakes down to outline the trail. Then we raked all the leaves and debris that were in the way to clear the trail.  On the following field trip, we picked up all the bigger sticks and branches that were in the way of the rest of the trail. We also cleaned up  garbage that was left on the beach. We’ve all had to learn to work together and cooperate to help with this project. Even though there were some obstacles, we overcame them together as a class to better our environment.
-by Candida Rodriguez

County Prep Dance Featured on Educational Website

The County Prep dance classes were visited by Kris Van Nest of This Learning, who spent the day finding out more about the students and values of the school and this program. The resulting video is currently being featured on their website.

This Learning is an online resource that highlights exceptional educational opportunities. Founder Kris Van Nest is on a mission to find what works to create inspired learning, and to share that with other parents, families, and educators. "Learning is as much of a basic human need as food, clothing, and shelter. It’s just as relevant to our survival, and just as exciting and pervasive. We also believe it’s our life’s greatest adventure. Together, we can bring a sense of fun and excitement to learning, to do for learning what the Food Network has done for cuisine and what HGTV has done for shelter – create dedicated television to promote learning as exciting, accessible, practical and fun."

See the full video here>>

High Tech National Honor Society Honors Veterans with Exhibits and Donation to Operation Beachhead

(North Bergen, NJ—December 8, 2015) During November, as part of its commitment to service to the community, the National Honor Society (NHS) honored servicemen and women, past and present, with a Veterans Day exhibit and charitable contribution to Operation Beachhead, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

On November 11th, Veterans Day, the NHS took the opportunity to thank those who devoted their lives to this country by exhibiting photographs of High Tech’s family and friends who served in the U.S. military. The National Honor Society dedicated a star or flag in the serviceperson’s name that hung in the Mall Area at the North Hudson Center.

“We wanted to thank those family members, friends, former students, and colleagues of High Tech,” says Joan Marie Bellotti, Language Arts instructor and co-moderator of the High Tech National Honor Society with Social Studies teacher David Polito, “in order to bring awareness to our community of the sacrifice of our men and women.” 

Also, the NHS raised and donated $700 to Operation Beachhead. Operation Beachhead offers veterans, troops, disabled individuals, and their families adaptive, recreational sports and social activities, including surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

County Prep and High Tech Students Participate in Job Shadowing at UBS

On Tuesday, December 1, County Prep and High Tech students participated in a Job Shadowing event at UBS located in Weehawken, New Jersey. Upon arrival, the students attended a presentation on the history of UBS delineating the various products and services offered to their clients and the numerous career opportunities available within the organization. The students toured the state-of-the-art facility including the Trading Floor. The UBS employees shared their personal experiences -- their expected and unexpected career trajectories. Students interacted with UBS professionals in a Q&A session designed as an open forum for our students to seek out advice and guidance in preparation for their post-secondary aspirations. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and now have an increased awareness of potential career pathways within UBS.

The Explore 2000 Middle School Book Fair is Open!

Explore 2000 Middle School is excited to host our First Annual Scholastic Book Fair!

We will be open for business:

Monday, November 30th to Friday, December 4th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

If you are unable to make our school hour openings, visit our book fair after hours…

Tuesday, December 1st Join us for our community outreach event from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, hosted by the JCPD East District.

Saturday, December 5th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm during our Volleyball Tournament.

This is a great opportunity to come see our beautiful new building and support our school, just in time for the holidays.

Community Education and Recreation Center

Hudson County Schools of Technology

180 9th Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302

You can also shop online. Just click here Scholastic.com

We look forward to seeing you.
-The Explore 2000 Team J

County Prep Hosts Onsite Structured Learning Experience

On Tuesday, November 10, 2015,  5 volunteers from Fidelity Investment  (major investment firm) assisted students in Ms. Castagna's and Ms. Murray's business classes in completing the Finance Park Virtual Financial Literacy culminating activity sponsored by Junior Achievement.  The students engaged in a virtual simulation that assigned each student a fictional life situation and the tall task of balancing a monthly budget by making smart financial choices.    A special thank you is extended to our teachers, volunteers, students, and Junior Achievement for collaborating on this invaluable experience.

County Prep Theatre Arts Students Participate in Manhattan Theatre Club Core Education Program

The Theatre Arts students participated in the Manhattan Theatre Club Core Education program of the Broadway Production of Fool for Love.  Part of this program, our students participated in workshops with Manhattan Theatre Club resident artist Melissa Murray-Mutch, and other professional actors, in order to prepare and discuss the performance of Fool for Love, presented by MTC in association with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. During the workshops they acted, read, improvised and wrote their own scenes inspired by Sam Shephard’s acclaimed play. 

Set up in a seedy hotel on the edge of the Mojave Desert, the play tells the story of two former lovers who unpack the deep secrets and dark desires of their tangled relationship, passionately tearing each other apart. Directed by Daniel Aukin, this tale of ill-fated love and ruthless struggle for identity, stars Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur at MTC, Born Yesterday) and Sam Rockwell (A Behanding in Spokane, The Way Way Back), who bring lots of intensity to the American classic. Considered “A KNOCKOUT. NINA ARIANDA and SAM ROCKWELL EXUDE THE SORT OF CHEMISTRY FROM WHICH NUCLEAR MELTDOWNS ARE MADE.” by The 
New York Times, the play inspired all our students who were enthralled by the actors’ performance and craftsmanship, and by the humanity and sincerity of the play.

Overall, this has been a very enriching experience and we are looking forward to more collaboration with the Manhattan Theatre Club in the near future, says Raluca Shields, the Theatre Arts teacher at Country Prep.

High Tech High School’s Hayoung Park Authors Revised PSAT Practice Book

(North Bergen—November 24, 2015) High Tech’s Hayoung Park, a resident of Bayonne, has just authored a 114-page educational book geared for high school students studying to take the PSAT, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Created and reviewed by Park herself, a perfect scorer on the PSAT, SAT, and SAT II Math Exam, Hayoung’s Advanced Math Compatible with New PSAT, offered by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, provides three practice tests for the revised PSAT and questions consistent with the precise styles and techniques that the new PSAT demands.

“The Reverend Sin Koo Lee, director of GTO Mission in Fort Lee, suggested I publish a revised PSAT practice book,” says Park.  “As my own SAT and PSAT tutor and mentor, he had my ear, despite the improbability of a high school senior like me, with college applications and four AP classes on her plate, writing and publishing anything in a timely fashion.”

Over the summer, Park personally deconstructed four Collegeboard-released tests, solved the problems, identified strategies, and researched percentages of questions on the tests according to various topics, including Algebra, Trigonometry, and Data Analysis.

“Hayoung possesses a high aptitude for math, and I encouraged her to collect and revise the information relevant to the math section of the PSAT,” declares Dr. Galina Olifer, a veteran mathematics instructor at High Tech.  “When Hayoung presented her book to me, I couldn’t contain my emotions.  I believe her intellectual accomplishment and wonderful implementations of strategies and what-not will help students score high on the PSAT for years to come.”

To order Hayoung’s Advanced Math Compatible with New PSAT, please go to this Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Hayoungs-Advanced-Math-compatible-PSAT/dp/1518814506/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

County Prep Student Council's Haunted Hallway a Success

On Thursday, October 29th, 2015, County Prep High School’s art club along with the help of Student Council organized the first ever Haunted Hallway. The students worked under the assistance of the art teacher, Mr. Pereira, to plan this event. Many students participated in the Haunted Hallway by helping decorate, act, and photograph this event. Over thirty students contributed by offering their unique skills in hair and makeup, set up, and acting. The Haunted Hallway received positive responses from students and staff as they strolled through the hallways in fear of what might pop up next. Mr. Pereira succeeded in pulling off County Prep’s first ever Haunted Hallway in such a short amount of time gaining admirable reactions from students and staff. County Prep will be looking forward to what next years Haunted Hallway will bring!

By: Krishna Patel and Snehal Patel

County Prep Students Participate in Structured Learning Experience

A representative from the Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) Stage Hand Technician Program presented to over 25 students at County Prep High School on  Friday, October 23, 2015.  The scholarship program provides outreach, training, and placements for students interested in becoming a Stage Hand Technician.  The program is a “training to work” initiative to help launch careers in the entertainment industry.  Students were invited to further explore this post-secondary career pathway by participating in a tour of the performing arts facilities.  Overall, it was an invaluable Structured Learning Experience (SLE) for our students.

County Prep Students Participate in "Culinary Student for the Day" Program

Three County Prep students visited Hudson County Community College on Thursday, October 29, 2015 to participate in their “ Culinary Student for the Day” program.  The students -- Karlissa Giron, Jamal Williams, and Joey Valentino -- cycled through the various culinary labs to gain exposure to the post-secondary culinary arts program and to “feel” what it is like to be a college student.  They also had the opportunity to interact with the professors and to partake in “hands-on” activities in the various kitchens.  The students met with an admissions counselor to review the application process.  At the conclusion of the tour, the students attended a luncheon in the dining hall that was served and prepared by the culinary college students.  Overall, it was an invaluable structured learning experience that defined a potential career option for our students.

Business Insider Reports Niche Data That Ranks High Tech Twelfth of 25 Best Public High Schools in America

(New York—November 19, 2015) Business Insider an online business, celebrity, and technology company based in New York City, has released research company Niche’s annual report of the 25 Best Public High Schools in America, which ranked High Tech 12^th on the list, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

“A great education doesn't have to cost a fortune—especially in high school,” Business Insider notes.  Employing data amassed from Niche, a research company that compiles significant details on schools, including charters, unveiled its 2016 rankings of America’s best public high schools.  According to Business Insider, Niche reviewed approximately 100,000 schools and 27 million reviews from well over a quarter of a million students and parents.  Niche rated public high schools in categories such as “academics,” “teachers,” “student culture and diversity,” and “resources and facilities.”

You can read the entire report at the following link:

http://www.businessinsider.com/best-public-high-schools-in-america-2015-11

For High Tech’s specific entry, please go to the following link:

https://k12.niche.com/high-tech-high-school-n-bergen-nj/

Business Insider aggregates top news stories from around the web.  Employing a newsroom staff of 50, Business Insider reported 5.4 million unique visitors in June 2012.  The website plays host to conferences like IGNITION, which focuses on digital media’s emerging business models.

County Prep Advanced Spanish Classes Visit the Hispanic Society of America

     On Wednesday, November 11, 2015 County Prep’s senior AP Spanish Literature/Culture and the freshman Spanish for Native Speakers classes visited the Hispanic Society of America located in Washington Heights, New York. 

      The Hispanic Society promotes the study of the rich artistic and cultural traditions of Spain and Portugal and their areas of influence in the Americas and around the world. The museum is home to some of the most world renowned artifacts, sculptures, and paintings by artists such as: Goya, Zurbarán, Murillo, Velázquez, El Greco, and Sorolla.  The Sorolla room holds a magnificent, panoramic series of 14 canvases “The Provinces of Spain”, which represents a celebration of regional costumes and cultures. The students were impressed with Sorolla’s twentieth century “Vision of Spain.” In addition, Dr. Domenech -the students’ tour guide- unveiled for our students the museum’s famous map of the sixteenth century and showed them some original books published in 1552. These artifacts enlightened students’ knowledge of how the world was perceived in that era. All of the students were truly amazed by this visit to the Hispanic Society.

High Tech High School’s Sophomore French Classes Draw Many to the 2015 Café Classique

By Mously Lo

(North Bergen—November 8, 2015) Dr. Laje Gashi’s sophomore French classes at High Tech High School scrambled around the Resource Center of the North Hudson Center, adding finishing touches to their black, white, and red-decorated 2015 Café Classique banner, which would beckon guests who would also be greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly-baked crêpes, the twinkling of fairy lights, and French music serenading the ears, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Although initially anxious to see how the staff, teachers, and students would take to the 2015 Café Classique, the thirty students from the Class of 2018 came away wholly satisfied.

“A lot of people showed up,” declares Mously Lo, the hostess and a manager of the Café Classique.  “We had so much of fun serving and socializing with guests. It was an overall great experience, and we learned so much about French culture and cuisine, possibly more than we could have learned from only reading textbooks.”

In addition to selling freshly-baked crêpes, the Café Classique sold other desserts and dishes, from chocolate mousse served with whipped cream and mint leaves to croque monsieur straight from the press to sparkling cider.  The managers of the Café Classique treated guests to a photo booth, where they had the opportunity to pose in front of a background of the Eiffel Tower, Le Louvre, or the River Seine for posterity.  Dressed in formal black and white apparel, the Class of 2018 served French cuisine to passersby, even performing songs by famous performers like Belgian singer Stromae and French cabaret siren Edith Piaf.  By the end of Café Classique, the thirty sophomores from Dr. Gashi’s French classes raised over $783, enough to treat them to an authentic French restaurant in the springtime.

County Prep Students Participate in Structured Learning Experience

Representatives from the Youth Transitions to Work (YTTW) - Certified Nursing Assistant and Physical Therapy Aide Apprenticeship Program presented to over 60 students at County Prep High School on Monday, October 26, 2015.  The scholarship program provides outreach, training, and placements for students interested in becoming Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) or Physical Therapy Aides (PTA).  Students learned about potential career pathways that can be launched as part of this “Earn While You Learn” initiative.

Rising Tide Capital’s Jay Savulich Speaks to High Tech Business & Technology Club

(North Bergen—November 9, 2015) High Tech’s Business & Technology Club recently invited Jay Savulich, Managing Director of Programs at Rising Tide Capital of Jersey City, to share his business acumen with Dr. Syed Abbasi’s students and club members, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Technical education proves essential for business majors to succeed in today’s competitive business workplace, noted Savulich, who has visited Dr. Abbasi’s students many times in the past few years.  He encouraged Dr. Abbasi’s students to take full advantage of the myriad internships available in the business world so that they could learn the ways to become successful entrepreneurs.  Savulich didn’t just speak hypothetically to them.  Rather, he offered the High Tech business students internships at Rising Tide Capital as well. 

“This was an informative presentation from which the business majors benefited tremendously,” declares Dr. Syed Abbasi, moderator for the High Tech High School Business & Technology Club.  “I’d like to thank Mr. Savulich for making this presentation and his generous offer to students for internships.”

Student Council Volunteers at County Prep’s 8th Grade Open House

County Prep High School hosted its annual 8^th grade Open House on Sunday, November 1^st, 2015. Student Council members volunteered to help out in coordinating this event to make sure the event ran smoothly. Vocational majors were represented by the students of the specific majors. Students assisted parents and prospective students with directing them to specific areas of the building. They guided them throughout the school. Parents and students were eager to learn about the opportunities, challenges, and courses offered by County Prep High School. Overall, the event ran smoothly and County Prep will be looking forward to what the Class of 2020 will bring to this school!

-Snehal Patel

Test Video

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Former KAS Prep Student Speaks to High Tech Students

(North Bergen—October 28, 2015) High Tech Social Studies instructor Miguel Gonzalez’s freshmen and sophomores received a recent special guest, Rudolfo “Godeyvio” Castro, who spoke of volunteerism and the lasting effects of Francisco Pizzaro’s conquest of the Incas centuries ago on contemporary Peru’s poverty-stricken neighborhoods, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School. 

Castro, a former KAS Prep student, spoke about his visit to Machu Picchu and Cuzco, confessing that the trip had changed his life.  “Houses contained dirt floors and a drain was used as a shower,” he revealed.  “Eleven people lived with no private bathrooms.” This, he declared, can be traced to the economic exploitation and deprivation imposed on the Incas by Pizzaro, as systematic economic abuse in today’s Peru by multinational corporations mirrors the Conquistadors’ greedy lust for wealth.

Gonzalez’s U.S. History I class has just begun its study on the Conquistadors, who famously plundered the vast gold reserves of the Incan Empire.

Ruddy "Godeyvio" Castro dedicates his life to empowering people from all walks of life. A Kung Fu enthusiast primarily, he has made a career as a transformational life coach, motivational speaker, and a personal trainer.  Whether Castro offers his expertise at a local Police Athletic League or coaches the young and old in fitness, he seems at his purest on the stage as a speaker.  Castro dwells on spiritual teachings, such as ancient Kemetic science, Taoist philosophy, Gnostic wisdom, Quantum physics, and a litany of metaphysical teachings.  In all, he dedicates his life to seeking truth and spreading love. 

Visiting the National Constitution Center

         On October 9, the students of Explore 2000 took a trip to Independence Mall in Philadelphia to visit the National Constitution Center. It is the first and only institution in America established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis in order to increase the awareness and understanding of the Constitution among the American people.” After a day of interactive exhibits, historic artifacts and lessons on the Constitution, some of the students wrote about their appreciation of the experience.

        

 Dear Constitution Center,

         Thank you for having us as your guests at the Constitution Center. We had so much fun there. I thought it was so cool that there were life size statues made of copper in Signer’s Hall. In the beginning of the trip we did a quiz\trivia. Which was my favorite part of the time being there. Overall everyone in our school loved the field trip so much. It was great!!!!!!!!

Reagan - 6th Grader Explore 2000 Middle School

I am really thankful to go to this trip. I say it is amazing. We were involved in a lot of things during this field trip. First, my class did went to a auditorium to learn about the amendments. This part was interactive, which made it fun! Next, we got to go to a place with statues of our Founding Fathers of America it was about 36 statues. I was amazed because they looked life-like. After, that we got to see the writing of the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. We then saw a play about “We the People.’’ It was a beautiful presentation about our Founding Fathers and the sacrifices and battles they fought for our freedom. I wish we can go back soon, because I really enjoyed this field experience. Thank you!

Youssef - 6th Grader Explore 2000 Middle School

     We really appreciate you guys for letting us tour the Constitution Center. I never had an experience like this before. It really showed how much you care for students’ education. I learned many things. One thing I learned is of course the Bill of Rights. I’ve learned more about the amendments than just sitting in the classroom and discussing the amendments. Before I went to this trip, I barely knew anything about the amendments. When I say that, I mean the number of amendments. There are 27 amendments, however the first 10 are called the Bill of Rights. I saw statues of people in the past such as, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson etc. This field experience led me to a better education than I already had. I loved this experience better than I’ve expected. It was awesome!!

Ruqiya - 6th Grader Explore 2000 Middle School

The Constitution Center was an absolute blast! No doubt about it. My class went to the Constitution Center, and it was so much fun. We learned about the Constitution’s purpose and importance. We also saw some realistic statues of most of the delegates that attended the Constitution Convention and signed the actual Constitution document. Then we saw an (almost) exact replica of the Constitution. We also looked at about 12 or more Bill of Rights Amendments that weren’t added to the Bill of Rights. I have learned a lot from this trip, and I hope others will too.

Amy - 6th Grader Explore 2000 Middle School

On October 9th, Explore 2000 went on an exciting field experience to the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Let’s just say it was a historical “ball.” We got to see life size statues of what the men who signed the constitution might have looked like. It sort of looked like a scene from the movie Night at the Museum. We also had to take a mini quiz, which tested our knowledge on the bill of rights. We sat in a theater and had clickers in our hands. We used the clickers to input our answers to the questions on the screen. It was actually a fun quiz. At the end of the day, we realized how important our Constitution is and how chaotic our country would be without it.  

Lorey - 6th Grader Explore 2000 Middle School

Explore 2000 Reflects on New Beginnings

        On October 7, the Explore 2000 community gathered to reflect on the school's history, mission and move to their new building. The student leaders for each group presented original speeches about their personal views of Explore 2000. The speakers shared their experiences and how the differences between their former schools and their current school have influenced them and helped them find new ways to succeed.
         Willie Montanez, one of the second year representatives, spoke of his feeling of being accepted and the increased enthusiasm for learning that Explore 2000 has given him. His fellow students responded to his speech enthusiastically.

     

        Representing the third year class, Christopher Casavechia spoke of the place that Explore 2000 has in his life. He spoke of the privilege of attending a school with interesting field experiences and educational experiences and of how it helps him to picture his future as he starts his final year at the middle school.

        All of the presenters shared their appreciation of the learning experiences they have each day and of the welcoming atmosphere they enjoy together. They expressed the excitement of having a building just for their school and how they look forward to the expansion and adventures they will see.

Celebrating the Week of Respect at Explore 2000

The first week of October was the Week of Respect and Explore 2000 celebrated in several ways. Each day, students and staff wore a color to show one of the pillars of respect.

Monday was purple day to remind the Explore 2000 community of Citizenship. On Tuesday, red showed Caring. Wednesday was orange day for Fairness and Thursday everyone wore green and/or yellow for Responsibility and Respect.

On Wednesday, the students spent the morning on a group project with the theme “What respect means to me.” The groups worked to create skits, poems, songs, stories, demonstrations and other presentations to show aspects of respectful behavior. Third year students split up to work with the first and second year students as leaders on their projects and to take part in the presentations. At 10:15, the school met in the gym for the presentations.

As performers and as audience, everyone participated energetically, supportively and very respectfully.

County Prep Environmental Science Class Visits Liberty State Park

On October 15, 2015, Mrs. Rose’s Environmental Science class took their first field experience of the year to Liberty State Park. Students learned a lesson at the Hudson River estuary in Jersey City with the help of two naturalists, Sara Jane and Alex. The fourteen students donned chest waders and seined the estuary for living specimens. What they found was amazing: an entire school of silversides was captured and then later released after inspection. The students also caught striped bass, blue finned crabs and a Florida Pampano, usually only found in Florida.

While walking the beach, the students had to identify ten Atlantic Ocean mollusk bi-valve shells, which included Atlantic Oysters, Tritons Trumpet, Mussels, Clams, and Horse Shoe crabs.

Students also participated in an on-beach lab of chemical testing. The tests included water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and pH. After further study the estuary was deemed extremely healthy.