Brian Mooney and Kendrick Lamar’s Visit to High Tech Inspire OogeeWoogee’s “Be Alright” College Scholarship Contest

(Philadelphia, PA--August 18, 2015) Inspired by Brian Mooney, an English teacher who shared and utilized Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly album lyrics with his students at High Tech High School, and Kendrick Lamar's visit to the school shortly after his performance at Hot 97’s Summer Jam, OogeeWoogee, a global multimedia outlet with an emphasis on Hip Hop and counterculture, has instituted an annual “Be Alright” College scholarship, named after Kendrick Lamar’s eponymous song, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Hip Hop pedagogy has been implemented in national and international school curricula for years.  OogeeWoogee claims that Hip Hop has educational significance that permeates the entire global culture of Hip Hop.  The first known scholarship named after Kendrick Lamar, OogeeWoogee's “Be Alright”will offer students an opportunity to win a $1,500 college scholarship that will be applied to books or tuition.  The winner will also have the opportunity to travel to Philadelphia, have his or her work screened at OogeeWoogee's brand new, in-house multimedia studio, and have it published on its website and spread throughout its social media platforms. 

County Prep Interact Club Raises Funds for Nepal

The County Prep Interact Club completed its final fundraiser for the year to raise funds for Nepal.  Organized by Freshmen club member Thalia Valiente, the money will be sent to a Nepal relief agency. Thank you to all who contributed.

N.J. 'hip hop education' teacher to host NYC workshop

by Laura Herzog, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

(North Bergen, NJ--August 05, 2015)  A N.J. teacher whose work garnered a classroom visit from rapper Kendrick Lamar in June is hosting a workshop promoting his famed method of "hip hop education."

Titled "We gon' be alright: The Audacity of Teaching Hip-Hop in Schools," the event will take place on Thursday, October 15th, at Spreadhouse Coffee, 116 Suffolk Street, New York, NY 10002, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

According to an event release, the workshop will include "discussion that demonstrates some of the best practices in hip-hop and spoken word education," including warm-up games from Theatre of the Oppressed, mini-lessons, and close-reading exercises with hip-hop lyrics.

Mooney, who teaches English at High Tech High School in North Bergen, first gained attention with a viral blog post that explained how he uses hip hop--including that of the Grammy winner Lamar--to inspire his students.  Lamar visited Mooney's school on June 8th, in a high-profile event that was covered by The New York Times.

Mooney gave his students prompts based on classical literature and Lamar's music, like "How is the influence of the 'Black Is Beautiful' cultural movement of the 1960s visible in both Toni Morrison's novel The Bluest Eye (1970) and Kendrick Lamar's album To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)?"

More information on the event, as well as online registration, is available below.  Tickets for the workshop cost $20 and can be purchased at http://www.thinkolio.org/think/hiphop.

What we will learn:

This Olio will be a workshop and discussion that demonstrates some of the best practices in hip-hop and spoken word education. This might involve warm-up games from Theatre of the Oppressed, mini-lessons, studying of student artifacts, close-reading exercises with hip-hop lyrics, and creative writing prompts.

Brain Mooney:

I'm an educator, scholar, and poet from New Jersey who explores the intersections of hip-hop, spoken word, literacy, and urban education. I hold a bachelor’s degree in English Education from New York University and am currently studying in a graduate program at Teachers College, Columbia University. 

I am also the founder and curator of Word Up, a high school poetry slam that champions the voices of youth poets and MCs in Hudson County. The event has featured guest poets and teaching artists from across the country, including Kendrick Lamar, Andrea Gibson, Sarah Kay, Jon Sands, Angel Nafis, Shira Erlichman, Ken Arkind, and Rudy Francisco.

When not grading papers, I enjoy making electronic music, writing poems, and spending time with my wife and our cat, Tigger, who is the coolest.

Annual Golf Outing Raises Record Funds

July 20, 2015 (North Bergen, N.J.) – The HCST Foundation's annual golf outing has raised over $56,000 to aid educational and enrichment programs at the Hudson County Schools of Technology, setting a new benchmark for the event's fundraising efforts, announced Linda J. Quentzel, Executive Director of the HCST Foundation.

The Golf Outing began with an 8:00 am shotgun start at the Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne, and was followed by a luncheon at The Barnyard and Carriage House in Totowa, NJ. The luncheon offered golfers and guests alike the opportunity to participate in a variety of raffles and contests to win prizes which were donated by members of the local business and education communities.

This year's fundraising efforts topped the previous best--last year's $34,000--by $12,000.



The Superintendent of Hudson County Schools of Technology, Frank Gargiulo, expressed his gratitude to the Foundation and the attending community: "

For an end-of-year event, the Golf Outing reminds the students, teachers, and parents, that the community is ready and willing to support our schools year-round. To see an increase in funding here is a real gift."

HCST Foundation President Daniel Gans said of the event: "It is wonderful to see the Golf Outing gain in popularity and become an even more integral part of our fundraising efforts. The extra funds raised are going to make a significant difference in the educational experience of our students while improving the capabilities of our educators."

Executive Director of the HCST Foundation, Linda J. Quentzel, adds: "The success of this year's Golf Outing is boon to our general efforts. While this has never been a small endeavor, its growth reflects the community's desire to continually improve the district.


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High Tech’s Tania Houwayek Receives 2015 AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award

(North Bergen—June 23, 2015) High Tech’s Tania Houwayek, a resident of Union City, has been awarded the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) Outstanding Senior in French Award, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

 The AATF Award, made annually to a graduating senior, goes to those students who demonstrate excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures associated with the French language or a derivative thereof. Recipients must complete at least three years of French at the time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French to qualify for the AATF Award.

 A member of the High Tech French Club and Societe honoraire de Francais, Houwayek has been a studious member of Dr. Laje Gashi’s classes for four years at High Tech, has competed in the National French Contest, has participated in National French Week, and has competed in the French Poetry Contest.

 Founded in 1927, the AATF has as its mission the promotion of the study of French language and French-speaking literatures and cultures at all levels. The AATF proudly recognizes the achievements of outstanding students and their teachers.

High Tech Holds Annual Ping-Pong Tournament

(North Bergen—June 23, 2015) High Tech High School hosted its annual Ping-Pong Tournament at the North Hudson Center of Hudson County Schools of Technology, with overwhelming participation from the student body, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Twenty participants, including students, faculty, and staff, competed in the tournament.  Through tough competition, two finalists emerged in Omar Badawy of Bayonne and Harrison resident Anthony Chae.  Badawy won their final match, a hard-fought contest, by a score of 21-19.

Although two-year defending champion Dr. Syed Abbasi did not participate in the tournament, Dr. Abbasi played an exhibition match against new champion Badawy.

"It was a great tournament and the audience enjoyed it very much,” says Dr. Abbasi. “I congratulate Omar on an excellent performance.”

County Prep Bowling Club Visits NYC

The County Prep Bowling Club along with moderator Mr. Lyons visited Chelsea Piers Bowlmor Lanes for a day of bowling yesterday. A fun time was had by all! Tons of gratitude are extended to co-presidents Larendra Nayakrit and Mohammad Fauzan for their support this school year.