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.