Chris Di Meo from the Youth Transition to Work (YTTW) Building Trades Apprenticeship program met with County Prep students on Thursday, October 15th to discuss potential career pathways in the construction industry. The apprenticeship program encompasses all of the building 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.
Monday, October 19, 2015
High Tech Honey
High Tech Honey Students raise bees for class credit at county high school
“Very fashionable,” is how student Jessenia Morales described her new school uniform. “And protective.”
Covered head-to-toe in a baggy white suit complete with thick gloves and a mesh net helmet, Jessenia was prepared to step into the cage behind High Tech High School, a countywide public high school based in North Bergen.
Inside that cage were untold numbers of the school’s tiniest inhabitants, busily working on their own group science project, generating honey and wax.
It was all part of a new apiculture (beekeeping) class offered by the school to sophomores beginning this year. The cage contained apiaries built in the school’s woodworking classes, housing bees provided by North Bergen beekeeper Antonio Quinlan, founder of the local business Hudson River Honey LLC.
_____________
“It’s pretty cool. It looks scary but it’s going to be a fun experience. I’m really looking forward to this.” –Mariam Abdelmoula
____________
Last year Quinlan formed a nonprofit organization, Hudson River Apiary Society, and approached Frank Gargiulo, Hudson County Schools of Technology’s superintendent of schools, about an idea that had been brewing in the back of his mind for years: teaching kids in the local school system about bees.
“It happened to coincide with a lot of buzz about bees in the news,” said Quinlan with a wink. “He was very open to the idea.”
Soon the apiary was built and an afterschool club formed. Eight to 10 students signed up, with a core of three or four attending regularly. Science instructor Arun Srivastava, teacher of zoology and biology, signed on as club mentor.
As word spread, more students expressed interest. Srivastava, known as Dr. S, saw an opportunity to make it a regular school offering. “They were putting so much time into it,” he said. “Why not get some credit for it?”
That fit in with Quinlan’s goals, so Dr. S drafted a curriculum aligned with state standards and submitted it for board approval.
“It was a joint effort,” said Quinlan. “I didn’t know the regulatory process. I didn’t realize what a difficult issue it is. He handled the regulatory issues. I handled the logistics, the bees.”
The class became the centerpiece of even more programs. “It’s a very interdisciplinary project,” said Assistant Principal Allyson Krone. “The woodshop guys built the deck. The video production teacher and his crew did a whole special on it. The graphic arts program designed labels and they’re doing a whole marketing scheme to sell the honey. So everyone kind of got involved.”
Good for the environment
“It started out as a hobby and a natural urge to protect the bees,” said Mihir Vora, one of the original club members, now enrolled in the class. “I knew before about colony collapse disorders, CCD, so I felt that it’s a good way to participate in the community and also learn more about bees and strive to protect them. This is actually a perfect environment for it because you see all these flowers that have different types of pollen.”
Surrounding the apiary are flowers and plants, from which the bees extract pollen to create their honey.
Muhammed Umar joined the club and the class with similar goals. “The main reason is to save the bees,” he said. “And also the fact that they’re growing honey here and it’s supposed to be a better source of honey to help your immune system. Because the closer it is to you, the more beneficial it is.”
Honey from last year’s colony, the one established by the club, was harvested this year. “It’s good quality stuff,” said Dr. S. “It’s competition quality because it’s very clean. These bees are not fed by any artificial means. Most of the colonies you see, they feed them. Even if they call them natural, they provide the source of food, so it’s not really natural. But this one is all natural. It’s all local.”
The class begins with a history of beekeeping and progresses to bee management and bee conservation. “The most important part from my point of view is to tell them that these are the agents who plant entire forests all over the world,” said Dr. S. “Bees are one of those keystone species which really keep this forest environment going.”
Students will attend regular classroom lessons during the day and then have hands-on time with the bees every other Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. “It’s a year-long process, spring to spring,” said Quinlan, noting the time it takes for a colony to produce honey.
Already Quinlan has demonstrated how to extract the honey from last year’s crop. Upcoming are classes on cleaning and straining the wax, then mixing it with other ingredients to create lotions and other beneficial products.
Eventually the class will focus on marketing. Students in the school graphics department have designed various labels for the honey, with the intent of holding a contest to determine the winning design. Jars will then be sold at school events to raise funds for next year’s bees.
The word is spreading
Quinlan, an employee of United Airlines, applied for a company grant last year through their Eco-Skies program. “The grants are for community green projects, education projects, environmental science, anything ecological,” he said.
At the time he was still going through the process of setting up his own nonprofit, so the application was submitted through the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation. It was approved, and Quinlan received the maximum amount of $5,000 from United. He has since applied for a 2015 grant and received another $5,000.
That money was used in part to establish the club and class. Quinlan’s goal is to expand to other schools throughout the county.
“I got calls from North Bergen High School now, who want to do the same thing,” he said. “The word is spreading.”
The kids at High Tech are “very attentive and eager to learn,” he said. “We want to teach them not to be afraid and also to respect nature.”
“It’s pretty cool,” said Mariam Abdelmoula, suiting up in her protective gear. “It looks scary but it’s going to be a fun experience. I’m really looking forward to this.”
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.
10.18.15 - 12:03 am
“Very fashionable,” is how student Jessenia Morales described her new school uniform. “And protective.”
Covered head-to-toe in a baggy white suit complete with thick gloves and a mesh net helmet, Jessenia was prepared to step into the cage behind High Tech High School, a countywide public high school based in North Bergen.
Inside that cage were untold numbers of the school’s tiniest inhabitants, busily working on their own group science project, generating honey and wax.
It was all part of a new apiculture (beekeeping) class offered by the school to sophomores beginning this year. The cage contained apiaries built in the school’s woodworking classes, housing bees provided by North Bergen beekeeper Antonio Quinlan, founder of the local business Hudson River Honey LLC.
“It’s pretty cool. It looks scary but it’s going to be a fun experience. I’m really looking forward to this.” –Mariam Abdelmoula
____________
“It happened to coincide with a lot of buzz about bees in the news,” said Quinlan with a wink. “He was very open to the idea.”
Soon the apiary was built and an afterschool club formed. Eight to 10 students signed up, with a core of three or four attending regularly. Science instructor Arun Srivastava, teacher of zoology and biology, signed on as club mentor.
As word spread, more students expressed interest. Srivastava, known as Dr. S, saw an opportunity to make it a regular school offering. “They were putting so much time into it,” he said. “Why not get some credit for it?”
That fit in with Quinlan’s goals, so Dr. S drafted a curriculum aligned with state standards and submitted it for board approval.
“It was a joint effort,” said Quinlan. “I didn’t know the regulatory process. I didn’t realize what a difficult issue it is. He handled the regulatory issues. I handled the logistics, the bees.”
The class became the centerpiece of even more programs. “It’s a very interdisciplinary project,” said Assistant Principal Allyson Krone. “The woodshop guys built the deck. The video production teacher and his crew did a whole special on it. The graphic arts program designed labels and they’re doing a whole marketing scheme to sell the honey. So everyone kind of got involved.”
Good for the environment
“It started out as a hobby and a natural urge to protect the bees,” said Mihir Vora, one of the original club members, now enrolled in the class. “I knew before about colony collapse disorders, CCD, so I felt that it’s a good way to participate in the community and also learn more about bees and strive to protect them. This is actually a perfect environment for it because you see all these flowers that have different types of pollen.”
Surrounding the apiary are flowers and plants, from which the bees extract pollen to create their honey.
Muhammed Umar joined the club and the class with similar goals. “The main reason is to save the bees,” he said. “And also the fact that they’re growing honey here and it’s supposed to be a better source of honey to help your immune system. Because the closer it is to you, the more beneficial it is.”
Honey from last year’s colony, the one established by the club, was harvested this year. “It’s good quality stuff,” said Dr. S. “It’s competition quality because it’s very clean. These bees are not fed by any artificial means. Most of the colonies you see, they feed them. Even if they call them natural, they provide the source of food, so it’s not really natural. But this one is all natural. It’s all local.”
The class begins with a history of beekeeping and progresses to bee management and bee conservation. “The most important part from my point of view is to tell them that these are the agents who plant entire forests all over the world,” said Dr. S. “Bees are one of those keystone species which really keep this forest environment going.”
Students will attend regular classroom lessons during the day and then have hands-on time with the bees every other Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. “It’s a year-long process, spring to spring,” said Quinlan, noting the time it takes for a colony to produce honey.
Already Quinlan has demonstrated how to extract the honey from last year’s crop. Upcoming are classes on cleaning and straining the wax, then mixing it with other ingredients to create lotions and other beneficial products.
Eventually the class will focus on marketing. Students in the school graphics department have designed various labels for the honey, with the intent of holding a contest to determine the winning design. Jars will then be sold at school events to raise funds for next year’s bees.
The word is spreading
Quinlan, an employee of United Airlines, applied for a company grant last year through their Eco-Skies program. “The grants are for community green projects, education projects, environmental science, anything ecological,” he said.
At the time he was still going through the process of setting up his own nonprofit, so the application was submitted through the Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation. It was approved, and Quinlan received the maximum amount of $5,000 from United. He has since applied for a 2015 grant and received another $5,000.
That money was used in part to establish the club and class. Quinlan’s goal is to expand to other schools throughout the county.
“I got calls from North Bergen High School now, who want to do the same thing,” he said. “The word is spreading.”
The kids at High Tech are “very attentive and eager to learn,” he said. “We want to teach them not to be afraid and also to respect nature.”
“It’s pretty cool,” said Mariam Abdelmoula, suiting up in her protective gear. “It looks scary but it’s going to be a fun experience. I’m really looking forward to this.”
Art Schwartz may be reached at arts@hudsonreporter.com.
HCSTF Supports STEM Family Night Activities at Explore 2000 Middle School
October 16, 2015 (North Bergen, N.J.) –The HCST Foundation provided grant money to support Explore 2000 Middle School—a STEM Education school that is part of the HCST Foundation and located in Downtown Jersey City—as they invited students and parents into their facility for an evening of engagement, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation.
The Family Connection Event, which included resources and leadership from STEM Education, LLC, engaged participants in three distinctive activities: Building a Hovercraft; Racecar Competitions; and Puffmobile Races. According to Explore 2000 Principal Amy Lin-Rodriguez, the evening “Served as enrichment for students, parents, and even as professional development for our facilitators.”
Mrs. Lin-Rodriguez continues, “Our hope [for this event] is to create after-school programs, and eventually offer a summer camp for STEM Education.”
HCST Superintendent Frank J. Gargiulo elaborated on the importance of the STEM movement at the Middle School level. “Trends come and go, but the heart of STEM is problem-solving. No matter what technologies become available in the future, every industry needs problem-solvers, and this evening helped get these students closer to that skillset.”
Daniel Gans, President of the HCST Foundation, adds, “This kind of family-style even not only helps the students, it brings the classroom to the community and allows parents a glimpse into—not just the products of learning, but the learning process at work for our youngest students. The Foundation is proud to help bring these new approaches to learning into the community.”
Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, says, “The Back to School Family Night was an opportunity for us to continue our efforts at incorporating the community, whether that means bringing in parents or experts or alumni—or all three—we’re happy to support any endeavor of this kind.”
Click here to download this article >>
The Family Connection Event, which included resources and leadership from STEM Education, LLC, engaged participants in three distinctive activities: Building a Hovercraft; Racecar Competitions; and Puffmobile Races. According to Explore 2000 Principal Amy Lin-Rodriguez, the evening “Served as enrichment for students, parents, and even as professional development for our facilitators.”Mrs. Lin-Rodriguez continues, “Our hope [for this event] is to create after-school programs, and eventually offer a summer camp for STEM Education.”
HCST Superintendent Frank J. Gargiulo elaborated on the importance of the STEM movement at the Middle School level. “Trends come and go, but the heart of STEM is problem-solving. No matter what technologies become available in the future, every industry needs problem-solvers, and this evening helped get these students closer to that skillset.”
Daniel Gans, President of the HCST Foundation, adds, “This kind of family-style even not only helps the students, it brings the classroom to the community and allows parents a glimpse into—not just the products of learning, but the learning process at work for our youngest students. The Foundation is proud to help bring these new approaches to learning into the community.”
Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, says, “The Back to School Family Night was an opportunity for us to continue our efforts at incorporating the community, whether that means bringing in parents or experts or alumni—or all three—we’re happy to support any endeavor of this kind.”
Click here to download this article >>
Friday, October 16, 2015
COUNTY PREP TO VOTE IN NATION’S LARGEST ONLINE STUDENT MOCK ELECTION
JERSEY CITY -
Students and teachers at COUNTY PREP HIGH SCHOOL will be conducting a mock
election and Youth Voter Survey on OCTOBER 21 –NOVEMBER 3. Students will participate in the 2015
National Mock Election and Youth Voter Survey, sponsored by the Youth
Leadership Initiative (YLI), a national civic education program based at the
University of Virginia Center for Politics.
With thousands of students expected to vote nationwide during the voting
period from October 19 – November 3, the YLI Mock Election is the largest
secure, student-only online mock election in the nation.
A national research study conducted by University of
Virginia Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato
and Chief of Staff Ken Stroupe found conclusively that the instructional
components of the Youth Leadership Initiative can have a positive impact on students,
and Stroupe found that “students in classes where teachers used the YLI Mock
Election and the related lesson plans reported a higher tendency towards future
political participation.”
“Programs such as the YLI Mock Election and
Constitutional Convention have the opportunity to excite students about our
democracy and teach them about their rights and responsibilities as
citizens. Students are empowered with a
sense of 'I can' optimism that will lead to a lifetime of civic involvement,”
added Sabato.
Results of the YLI National Mock Election and Constitutional
Convention will be available the morning of Wednesday, November 4, 2015.
Board Trustee Supports Overseas Training for Vocational Educators
October 15, 2015 (North Bergen, N.J.) – Andrew Campbell, HCSTF Board Trustee, financially
supported the efforts of two High Tech High School vocational teachers, Gregory Simon and Zachary
Bolich, in their efforts to be among the first Americans to receive a Level 1 Siemens Certification in
Mechanical and Manufacturing Systems, announced HCST Foundation Executive Director, Linda J.
Quentzel.
Mr. Simon and Mr. Bolich, who teach Architecture and Wood Technology, respectively, in the
Digital Design & Fabrication Academy (D|FAB) at High Tech High School, began their training on
October 5, 2015, in Berlin, Germany.
According to Siemens, the training “is an academic, comprehensive industry skill program delivered
through partner schools around the world via the train-the-trainer model.” Mr. Simon and Mr.
Bolich’s training will focus primarily on the manufacturing processes and efficient operating
procedures of preconfigured Computer Numerical Control devices. Frequently known as CNC
devices, these machines convert computer-aided design software into numbers to control the cutting
and shaping of materials.
High Tech High School Assistant Principal, Allyson Krone, says of the endeavor, “The Siemens
training is rigorous but essential to keeping our manufacturing and design students at the forefront of
workplace technology. I am exceedingly grateful for Mr. Campbell’s progressive approach to
industrial technology and his continued support of our program.”
Frank J. Gargiulo, HCST Superintendent, says the opportunity for teachers is vital to the district.
“Vocational teachers have the distinct advantage of historical and practical knowledge. But as
technologies change, so goes the industry. It is an imperative for this—or any—vocational district to
ensure their instructors are given access to train with and experience the latest technologies in their
fields.”
HCST Foundation President, Daniel Gans, adds, “The community at large benefits from good teachers who know the latest trends and technologies in their fields. If we are going to support a vocational model, we must support our educators beyond the classroom.” Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation expressed her gratitude for Board Trustee Campbell’s efforts. “Andrew has once again demonstrated his commitment to this district— the students, teachers, and community at large—by providing the necessary financial support for HCST to remain at the forefront of industrial developments in technology.”
Andrew Campbell is the CEO of Eastern Millwork, Inc., and is the industry leader of the Force21 program, a coalition of industry partners and High Tech High School whose goal is to deliver industry-focused, 21st-century talent across educational levels from high school to university to the workforce.
Click here to download this article >>
Mr. Simon and Mr. Bolich, who teach Architecture and Wood Technology, respectively, in the
Digital Design & Fabrication Academy (D|FAB) at High Tech High School, began their training on
October 5, 2015, in Berlin, Germany.
According to Siemens, the training “is an academic, comprehensive industry skill program delivered
through partner schools around the world via the train-the-trainer model.” Mr. Simon and Mr.
Bolich’s training will focus primarily on the manufacturing processes and efficient operating
procedures of preconfigured Computer Numerical Control devices. Frequently known as CNC
devices, these machines convert computer-aided design software into numbers to control the cutting
and shaping of materials.
High Tech High School Assistant Principal, Allyson Krone, says of the endeavor, “The Siemens
training is rigorous but essential to keeping our manufacturing and design students at the forefront of
workplace technology. I am exceedingly grateful for Mr. Campbell’s progressive approach to
industrial technology and his continued support of our program.”
Frank J. Gargiulo, HCST Superintendent, says the opportunity for teachers is vital to the district.
“Vocational teachers have the distinct advantage of historical and practical knowledge. But as
technologies change, so goes the industry. It is an imperative for this—or any—vocational district to
ensure their instructors are given access to train with and experience the latest technologies in their
fields.”HCST Foundation President, Daniel Gans, adds, “The community at large benefits from good teachers who know the latest trends and technologies in their fields. If we are going to support a vocational model, we must support our educators beyond the classroom.” Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation expressed her gratitude for Board Trustee Campbell’s efforts. “Andrew has once again demonstrated his commitment to this district— the students, teachers, and community at large—by providing the necessary financial support for HCST to remain at the forefront of industrial developments in technology.”
Andrew Campbell is the CEO of Eastern Millwork, Inc., and is the industry leader of the Force21 program, a coalition of industry partners and High Tech High School whose goal is to deliver industry-focused, 21st-century talent across educational levels from high school to university to the workforce.
Click here to download this article >>
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
A Visit to the Birth of America by Bus
For the first trip of
the fall,
All our students went
to Independence Hall.
And we thought and
thought,
About the ones that
fought.
They wrote the
Constitution,
They started a
revolution,
At first they were small,
And then they grew
tall!
We had a bloody war,
Because freedom is worth fighting for.
Up on the battlefield
Hear that? Sounds
like victory!
So after this great
event,
They created the
dollar and the cent.
So our nation was
born, and our first President was born.
The first field trip is always the most
memorable of the bunch. This year the students took a trip to one of the most
famous places in America, also known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. To say it’s significant is a huge understatement. IT was the
place America was born. IT was where our predecessors once stood. On that field
experience we beheld the exact same room in which those thirty-nine men signed
one of the biggest “historical disruptions” yet. IT is still standing, from
1738 to today.
On this field trip we saw the original drafts of the
Declaration of Independence. Not only did we see the rooms and the documents,
we also learned a lot about it too. For example, we learned that the
Independence Hall was built around the time George Washington was born, in
1738. We also witnessed the courtroom they used. The accused citizen would
stand in a cage until the jury has made his decision.
In
conclusion, our school had a great time learning about the Constitution and the
history of the country in which are living in. This was truly an amazing
experience for my peers and me.
Roxolana Hreb
9/28/15
High Tech Dance Majors Experience Professional Ballet Class with Zvi Dance Company
(New York, NY—October 5, 2015) Zvi Gotheiner, teacher, choreographer, and artistic
director of Zvi Dance Company, invited High Tech instructor Trista
DeFilippis’ junior and senior dance majors to take
part in his professional ballet class, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High
Tech High School.
Gotheiner holds his
classes at New York City
Center Studios. Scott Killian, veteran music instructor and Department Liaison for High
Tech’s Performing Arts Department, plays piano for Gotheiner’s class on Saturdays and played
for DeFilippis’ dance majors as well.
“It was particularly satisfying to share
my professional life with the dance students,” says Killian. “I have written over 20 scores for [Gotheiner’s] dance company and I arranged to
play for Trista’s students, so not only were the students taking class with
professional dancers, but dancing to my music.”
“Scott is highly talented
and revered, not only in the music world but the dance world, too,” DeFilippis
notes. “It’s a gift to hear him play for my dancers, whom I’m extremely
proud of.”
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