1. Art and Diseño

S
ISTRICT
D
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL
view
Reaching for Excellence
51 WEST CLIFF STREET
O
●
SOMERVILLE, NJ 08876
●
Re
(908) 218-4100
●
FAX (908) 526-9668
VOL. 24 NO. 2 Winter 2015
●
www.somervillenjk12.org
VDV STUDENTS LEARN COMPUTER CODING
ur world has become one where people rely
on technology more and more everyday.
The use of apps that help to make everyday
tasks easier is a daily routine for most people, yet
very few people understand how
the technology they are using
works. Even though there is such
high demand for technology, not
enough students are studying
computer science. According to
www.code.org, by the year 2020
there will be one million unfilled
computer science jobs.
Computer Science Education
Week was created to address this
issue and inspire students to take
an interest in computer science.
Many organizations have partnered together to
help bring awareness to the field of computer
science.
This year, during Computer Science Education
Week, all Van Derveer students along with millions of students around the world participated in
the Hour of Code. Students were given the opportunity to learn about coding and the process used
to create apps.
Charlene Tackvic, the technology teacher at
Van Derveer, and Melissa McEntee, Director of
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SMS News . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SHS Coaches . . . . . . . . . . . 3
VDV Practice Skills. . . . . . . . 3
Educators Honored . . . . . 4-5
21st Century Education, taught students coding
basics. Kindergarten and first grade students used
Scratch Jr. to create scenes. They learned how to
use commands by putting together graphical programming blocks to make characters move. Second grade
students used Lightbot Jr. to program a robot to move through a
variety of mazes. They learned
how a series of commands is
needed in order for tasks to be
completed. Third, fourth, and
fifth grade students used coding
activities that can be found at the
Hour of Code’s website:
www.code.org. They not only
used series of commands to program, but they also learned about core coding
concepts, such as loops and “If Statements” to
move various characters through detailed mazes.
It was a great event for students to be exposed
to coding and to learn about the many opportunities that are available in the field of computer
science. They were so engaged and excited to
execute simple programming tasks. Now students
enter computer class asking if they can do more
coding!■
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
2
WINTER 2015
SOMERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS
A
s fall sports wrapped up, the winter ones
began. The basketball season is in full
effect for both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
Cheerleaders have displayed their talent and
support at every home game. The wrestling season is under full swing as well. Great job to the
players and coaches for their hard work and
dedication!
On December 18th, SMS
kicked off the holidays with a
lively production conducted by
Mr. Loreti and Mr. Callahan.
Once again the auditorium was
packed with enthusiastic listeners ranging from Board of Education members to parents to teachers. The Concert Band
and Symphonic Band performed a medley of
songs from “Jolly Old St. Nick” to “Do You Want
to Build a Snowman” to “African Bell Carol.”
Popular songs performed by the SMS
Chorus were the classics “Frosty” and “It’s
the Most Wonderful
Time of the Year.”
The concert concluded with impressive
executions of
“Caribbean Fever”
and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” by the Jazz
Band. Congratulations Mr. Loreti and Mr.
Callahan for creating such a wonderful evening!
Students will ring in the
New Year with two schoolwide assemblies. Speakers
from the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society kicked
off the NJHS Pasta for Pennies
fundraiser on January 6th.
The Middle School teachers are ramping up
for the upcoming PARCC assessments. Teachers
are having their students take practice assessments routinely in the
classroom, which are
engaging students
across the disciplines
and enhancing those
skills necessary to
succeed on the computerized assessment.
The Performance
Based Assessment for
grades 6-8 will take place during the
week of March 9th. The End of the Year
Assessment will take place during the week of
May 4th.
At the end of January, students will be presented with information on a fundraiser that
allows children across the grade levels to raise
money for their 8th grade Washington D.C. trip.
The money they accumulate each year can be
put toward this special opportunity.■
EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS
THAT CAN HELP FIGHT GERMS, LIKE FLU
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a three-step approach to fighting the flu.
1. The most important step is to get a flu vaccination each year.
2. If you get the flu, there are prescription antiviral
drugs that can treat your illness. Early treatment
is especially important for the elderly, the very
young, people with certain chronic health
conditions, and pregnant women.
3. Everyday preventive actions may slow the spread
of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat,
and lungs) illnesses, like flu.
How does the f lu spread?
Flu viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person through droplets made when people
with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. Flu viruses also
may spread when people touch something with flu
virus on it and then touch their mouth, eyes, or
nose. Many other viruses spread these ways too.
People infected with flu may be able to infect
others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop
and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means
you may be able to spread the flu to someone else
before you know you are sick, as well as while you
are sick. Young children, those who are severely ill,
and those who have severely weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for longer than 57 days.
Continued on page 6
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
WINTER 2015
3
SHS STAFF MEMBERS NAMED COACH
OF THE YEAR
M
r. Gilman Eaton was honored at the
annual NJSIA A awards luncheon
as the New Jersey boys high school
lacrosse coach of the year on
December 1, 2014 at the Pines
Manor in Edison, NJ. Coach
Eaton’s teams have won 3 consecutive NJSIA A sectional titles
and advanced to the Group 2
state final in each of those seasons.■
S
omerville High School field hockey head
coach, Kathleen McCabe, was voted the
Skyland Conference Valley Division coach of
the year by her fellow coaches
in the Valley Division. The lady
Pioneers upset #9 seed Cranford
in the North 2 Section 2 tournament before being eliminated
by eventual state sectional finalist Voorhees, by a 1-0 score.■
VDV STUDENTS PRACTICE SOCIAL AND LIFE SKILLS
Mrs. Wilk’s ABA class (grades 3-5) at Van
Derveer Elementary School attended a class trip
to Target with the Somerville Middle School students. The students were encouraged to make a
list at home with their
parents of items to purchase. The list was
reviewed at school and
money to purchase the
items was sent in with the
students as well. Teachers
were present to help
them locate, select, and
purchase the items in the
store. The class had a lot
of fun practicing social
and life skills in a community-based setting; it has
become an annual event.
During the month of December, Mrs. Wilk’s
ABA class also helped the VDV staff by offering
to wrap presents throughout the holiday season. VDV staff were encouraged to bring in
presents, tape, and wrapping paper. This project helped the students practice
following directions, folding, cutting, and taping, as well as making deliveries and using social
language to communicate with
adults. This activity helps the class
develop life skills that will help
them acquire jobs during adulthood.■
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
B
WINTER 2015
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL’S
EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR
4
announce Mr. Stephen Tucker as Teacher of the
eing nominated for the Governor’s State
Year and Mrs. Christine Thompson as
Teacher/Educational Services Professional
Educational
of the Year
Specialist of the
Program is not only
Year. Mr. Tucker
an award, but an
has dedicated
honor that comes
twenty-five years
with an enormous
to the profession
amount of responsiand is currently
bility to represent
teaching Honors
the teaching profesBiology. Mrs.
sion. This program
Thompson has
recognizes our
dedicated fifteen
state’s best teachers
years to the proand educational
fession and is curservices professionrently serving as
als. The educators
a school counchosen from
selor.
Somerville High
Congratulations
School are dedicatPictured L-R: Christopher Mulligan, Scott Hade, Stephen
to
Mr. Tucker
ed leaders who
Tucker, Christine Thompson, Gerard Foley, and Jennifer
and Mrs.
inspire students of
Ditre
Thompson for
all backgrounds and
this well-deserved recognition and thank you
abilities to learn.
for making a difference in the lives of the stuFor the 2014-2015 Governor’s Educator of the
dents of Somerville High School.■
Year, Somerville High School is honored to
P
SOMERVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL ANNOUNCES
THEIR EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR
roudly representing Somerville Middle
School, Mrs. Mary Honrath has been
selected as the
Governor’s
Educational Services
Professional of the
Year and Mrs. Sally
Stanek has been
chosen as the
Governor’s Educator
of the Year.
Mrs. Honrath,
currently the Middle
School’s Guidance
Pictured L-R: Dr. Timothy
Counselor, began
Purnell, Mary Honrath,
her career in educa- Georgette Boulegeris, and
tion as a Middle
Melissa McCooley
School Science
teacher. She is described as efficient, consistent,
dedicated and always puts the students’ interests and concerns first.
Mrs. Sally Stanek, the Middle School’s ABA
teacher in grades 6-8, began her career as a 7th
grade special education teacher. Mrs. Stanek
develops and facilitates lessons that consistently
engage her students. She demonstrates a true
passion for her current role as an educator.
Congratulations to Mrs. Honrath and Mrs.
Stanek for a
well-deserved
award! Thank
you for all you
do!■
Pictured L-R: Dr. Timothy
Purnell, Sally Stanek, and
Georgette Boulegeris
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
C
WINTER 2015
VDV PRE-K - 2 GOVERNOR’S
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
ongratulations to the PreK-2 VDV Educators
of the Year, second grade teacher Ms. Holly
Ehrnman and PreK-2 VDV Educational
Services Professional of the Year, Ms. Lisa
Ehlbeck. “It is more than an honor to be recognized as the 2014-2015 Governor’s Teacher of
the Year for VDV PreK-2. To be able to share a
love of learning with my students each and
every day is truly a gift”
stated Ms. Ehrnman.
Mrs. Haynes also noted
that “both women are
dedicated and knowledgeable professionals
who, every day, exemplify their commitment to
their students and the
school community”.■
Pictured L-R: Holly Ehrnman, Susan
Haynes, and Lisa Ehlbeck
T
VDV GRADES 3-5 GOVERNOR’S
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
he Van Derveer community is very proud
to announce its 2014-2015
Governor’s Educator of
the Year recipients. The
Governor’s “Teacher of
the Year” is Mrs. Jessica
Meyers, a 4th grade classroom teacher. Mrs. Meyers
has been teaching for ten
years and is described by
her colleagues as “dedicated, hard-working, and
committed to every student.”
The Governor’s “Educational Services
Professional of the Year” is Mrs. Cari Plotkin, an
instructional assistant in
the Applied Behavior
Analysis (ABA) program.
Mrs. Plotkin has been in
the education field for 18
years, with the last two
years in her current position. Mrs. Plotkin is
described by her colleagues as “amazing, caring, and incredibly
generous.”■
Pictured L-R: Cari Plotkin, Robert
Reavey, and Jessica Meyers
5
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
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6
WINTER 2015
WIG
hat’s the first thing that comes to your
mind? Most likely you immediately picture a
silly Halloween costume with red hair or long
curly locks hung on a wall at a party store. But
to Van Derveer teachers, a WIG means so much
more.
Our Wildly Important
Goal (WIG) for the 2014-2015
school year is to synthesize
student learning. In other
words, teachers aim to continuously integrate and blend
all subject areas. Upon
reviewing, discussing, and
scrutinizing this goal, PreK-2
teachers began diligently asking themselves: now what?
What will this look like in my
classroom? In our school?
And well the ideas, collaboration and execution are nothing short of remarkable.
PreK-2 teachers launched
their RTI (Response to
Intervention) program
designed to identify at risk
students and better meet their needs. After analyzing data collected, small groups were formed
with students in need of similar skills.
Interventionists, consisting of both instructional
assistants and teachers, work with those students intensely for 30 minutes each morning.
While our struggling students are receiving the
support they need, the other students are provided with enrichment cycle classes implemented to further develop students’ understanding
of curriculum based topics. From technology,
Spanish, and meteorology to reader’s theater
and traveling around the world and community:
we got it all!
Each Friday, as interventionists meet to further analyze data, problem solve, exit students,
and plan for upcoming weeks, all students are
able to enjoy a cycle class. On Fridays, cycle
teachers work hard to create fun, meaningful,
and engaging activities to reflect students’
understanding of the past week.
Mrs. Melissa Cross, a first grade cycle
teacher, has her technology students using QR
codes, online assessments, and even recording
their work, completing various math problems
using ScreenChomp. Mrs. Jennifer Setzer,
another first grade cycle teacher, has students
“traveling” around the world to different continents learning and exploring different cultures,
values, and traditions. Students end her cycle by
researching a country of their choice. Students
in Mrs. Joelle Kessler’s second grade cycle are
provided the unique opportunity to visit the brand new
Somerville Fire Museum to
further develop their understanding of a community and
its helpers.
Additionally, teachers have
taken the time to review and
adjust their centers used in
daily instruction in order to
better meet our WIG.
Integrated centers have
broadened and strengthened
the students’ understanding
of various curriculum topics.
Using addition to practice
sight words? You better
believe it!
A WIG is more than just an
important goal aimed for
teachers to meet. Our PreK-2 WIG is a way of
teaching and meeting the needs of all of our students. The success and growth seen thus far in
our students is encouraging, motivating, and
inspiring.■
RTI
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW
7
WINTER 2015
FLU PREVENTION (CONTINUED)
What are everyday preventive actions?
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
If soap and water are not available, use an
alcohol-based hand rub.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you or your child gets sick with flu-like
illness, CDC recommends that you (or your
child) stay home for at least 24 hours after the
fever is gone except to get medical care or for
other necessities. The fever should be gone
without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
While sick, limit contact with others as much
as possible to keep from infecting them.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue
in the trash after you use it.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that
may be contaminated with germs like the flu.
If an outbreak of flu or another illness occurs,
follow public health advice. This may include
information about how to increase distance
between people and other measures.■
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov, or
call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
District Policies
Available On The Website
Parents/guardians can access district policies on
the district website at www.somervillenjk12.org.
Amendments to the district’s policies are subject to periodic changes
required by the State of New Jersey
and will be posted on the district’s website.
S
ISTRICT
D
SOMERVILLE SCHOOL
view
Reaching for Excellence
51 WEST CLIFF STREET
●
SOMERVILLE, NJ 08876
Van Derveer Elementary School...........................................218- 4105
●
Re
(908) 218-4100
●
VOL. 24 NO. 2 Winter 2015
FAX (908) 526-9668
●
www.somervillenjk12.org
2014-2015 Board Of Education Members
Ms. Linda Olson, President
Grades PreK–2 — Susan Haynes, Principal
Mr. Norman Chin,Vice President
Van Derveer Elementary School...........................................218- 4105
Mr. Kenneth Cornell
Grades 3–5 — Robert Reavey, Principal
Mrs. Dianne Durland
Somerville Middle School ..........................................................218- 4107
Grades 6–8 — Georgette Boulegeris, Principal
Mr. Dennis Garot
Mr. James Jones
Mr. Daniel Puntillo, Jr.
Somerville High School ..............................................................218- 4108
Grades 9–12 — Gerard Foley, Principal
Dr. Timothy J. Purnell, Superintendent of Schools.....................218- 4101
Mrs. Melissa Sadin
Mr. Lucien Sergile
*Mr. David Rehe
* Branchburg Board of Education Representative