High Tech’s Kate Neal Creates Pilot Program to Replace Plastic Utensils at Frank J. Gargiulo Campus

(Secaucus, NJ--June 3, 2019) High Tech sophomore Kate Neal, a resident of Bayonne, created a pilot program in the hopes of enacting a permanent schoolwide policy to replace plastic forks, knives, and spoons with metal silverware throughout the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Neal, a student in the Academy of Environmental Science and Sustainability, has dedicated herself to lowering the carbon footprint throughout High Tech’s state-of-the-art, LEED-certified building, and has become involved throughout the school community. She holds the titles of Secretary of the High Tech Environmental Club and Administrative Liaison for the sophomore class. Also, Neal has actively participated in the French Club, JSA, Science League, and this summer, she will intern at the High Tech Aquaponics Lab.

The pilot, mere weeks old, took months to arrange. In April, Neal teamed up with Gerald Lyons, the retiring Director of Food Services, and Catherine Yuhas, veteran Environmental Science and Sustainability instructor, to implement the change. Modeled on Explore Middle School’s preexisting metal silverware program, the pilot program utilized hundreds of reusable forks, knives, and spoons that now offer an environmentally sustainable choice for staff and students on the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus. However, Neal and others hope that reusable silverware will be the only option going forward.

“It was time to make a change,” says Neal. “We throw away, on average, 8,000 forks, knives, and spoons a week [on the the Frank J. Gargiulo Campus] alone, and making every change we can to promote and practice environmental awareness and sustainability is essential for our continuous growth throughout the building, as well as setting a good example for students and teachers alike.”

County Prep Student Kendaul Robinson Presents at Dare to Dream Conference

Kendual Robinson from County Prep High School presented at the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference on Friday, May 3^rd at St. Joseph’s School for the Blind.  The event featured accomplished students and adults who have demonstrated exemplary self-advocacy and leadership skills.  Kendaul presented to the over 200 students at which time he explained how “Stepping” helps him achieve his goals.  Stepping is a form of percussive dance in which the entire body is basically being used as an instrument to produce rhythms and sounds through footsteps, spoken words, and hand claps.  He demonstrated a dance he performs with an organization called Alpha Kudos and then elicited audience participation.  The performance was motivational and he electrified the audience by his enthusiasm and passion for “Stepping.”  A special thank-you is extended to Kendaul for sharing this strategy to overcome obstacles and pave the way for success in life. 

High Tech American Literature Class Visits 9/11 Memorial and Museum

(New York, NY--March 13, 2019) Veteran Language Arts instructor and department liaison Joan Marie Bellotti took her American Literature class to Manhattan to explore the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech High School.

Bellotti’s class had just read Thornton Wilder’s classic novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey, which concerns the themes of loss, love, and the unexpected in life, themes the class hoped to link to the events of 9/11. In fact, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time, quoted a passage from Wilder’s novel at a memorial service in New York for British victims of the attack on the World Trade Center: “But soon we shall die and all memory of those five will have left the earth, and we ourselves shall be loved for a while and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.”

Students attended a workshop about the events of 9/11 before touring the museum and memorial. Since restrictions have been put in place regarding photography, High Tech students Jade Lorences of West New York and Union City resident Diane Zaragoza had the good fortune of producing a video with photos from documented sources and student reactions to commemorate their visit.

The video can only be accessed through the following link: https://youtu.be/AtwTSc7eKGA

High Tech Music & Audio Tech Majors Perform Motown Hits at APME Conference

(New York, NY--June 14, 2019) Eighteen students from High Tech High School’s Music & Audio Tech Major performed a set of songs honoring the Motown era at New York University's Frederick Loewe Theater, part of this year’s Association for Popular Music Education (APME) Conference, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

APME encourages and facilitates educational institutions to update their music curricula to include modern music concepts and 21st century skills. The vast majority of secondary and post-secondary music programs still focus exclusively on music 100-300 years old while not addressing technological and artistic changes required for success in the modern music industry.

Created to advocate for popular music education and its advancement as a discipline, APME provides educational opportunities for teachers and students, honors the rich history of popular music, and develops innovative ways to create, perform, and teach it. APME also serves to bring together all involved in the pursuit of teaching and making popular music at all levels, including higher education, public school modern band and contemporary music programs, music companies, manufacturers, and popular music organizations.

High Tech’s performance showcased Motown’s innovative production techniques and arrangements. Both the conference presenters and attendees received the students' performance very well.

High Tech Biomedical Science Seniors Hold First Annual AP Capstone Scavenger Quest and Workshop for Incoming AP Seminar and Research Students

(Secaucus, NJ--June 13, 2019) Graduating High Tech Biomedical Science majors hosted an event for current AP Capstone juniors taking the AP Seminar class during their senior year and prospective AP Capstone sophomores taking AP seminar during junior year, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

The first annual AP Capstone Scavenger Quest and Workshop, designed and carried out by the Biomedical seniors under the direction of AP seminar teacher Dr. Nina Lavlinskaia and AP research teacher Dr. Arun Srivastava, provided both AP classes with the chance to create a large study known as AP Capstone.

Generally, a capstone course serves as a hands-on experience required of its educational program. AP Capstone, an innovative program, equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills increasingly valued by colleges and universities. The event served to inform upperclassman and future AP Capstone participants about expectations for the forthcoming grades, as well as providing students with a headstart in the AP Seminar and Research programs.

Students attending the workshop witnessed various project presentations, including “Adderall and Academic Pressure” by North Bergen resident Armando Alvarez-Suarez, “The Introduction to AP Capstone” presented by Alex Kim of Jersey City, and “Methods Used for Creating a Presentation” by Harrison residents Amal Joseph and Justin Cai and Guttenberg resident Kevin Gao.

High Tech Freshmen in French Host “Battle of the Classes”

(Secaucus, NJ--June 12, 2019) High Tech High School freshmen in French hosted “Battle of the Classes,” a fun competition that served as their final project, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

“Battle of the Classes” mirrored the type of challenges found on the hugely popular TV game show Jeopardy, along with picture descriptions, video comprehension, and a spelling bee. Divided into five groups, students competed against one another, focusing on their communication skills throughout the competition.

At the end of the competition, each of the five groups had prepared a live performance in French, the hallmark of their teamwork, scholarship, and friendship.

Senior French students and French Honor Society also helped to organize and judge the competition. All in all, everyone enjoyed their experience, having fun while reviewing their linguistic knowledge.

High Tech eSports Team Earns Its Bona Fides Again

(North Bergen, NJ--June 14, 2019) The High Tech eSports team competed against North Bergen, Bronx High School, Rutherford, Memorial, Brooklyn Tech, and Weehawken in Super Smash Bros., Ultimate, and Overwatch and High Tech team members performed well again, announced Dr. Joseph Giammarella, Principal of High Tech.

Jersey City resident Zion Hickson and Melvin Rivera of West New York took 2nd place, while Alan Villalobos of Union City and West New York’s Ryan Piedrahita took 3rd in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.

High Tech’s Overwatch team--consisting of Ezekiel Bernheim and Omar Tall of Jersey City, Kearny residents Alexander Calle and Nima Fallah, Wilson Wong of North Bergen, and Union City resident Matthew Loaces--took 3rd place.

NYXL, a pro eSports team, praised both teams.

“All in all,” says Jared Krinsky, instructor for High Tech’s Interactive Media classes. “They fought hard, had fun, and we are all proud of them.”