DID YOU KNOW:

…..Dr. Robert Curtis received a Special Award 2002 from the New Jersey Science Teachers’ Association for developing their web site. Congratulations!

…..You can receive service points. Do you enjoy working with children? Are you contemplating a career in early childhood? Perhaps the P.A.L. Program is for you. Mentor and tutor elementary school students after school in one of Hackensack’s four elementary schools. Choose the day(s) and number of hours. See Arleen Meyers at the Drop-In Center in Room 161.

…..The Drop-In Center has tutoring services. Are you struggling in math, science, history or English? Perhaps you can use the services of a tutor to help you stay on top of things. We have just the service for you, and it is free of charge. The Drop-In Center Tutorial Division can set you up with a volunteer tutor who will work with you one on one to help you feel more competent. See Arlene Meyers in the Drop-In Center in Room 161.

….On October 26, 2002, Yesenia Barragan and Alison Keenan attended the annual Model Congress Program at Indian Hills High School. The event sponsored by Congresswoman Marge Roukema enables students to understand how Congress operates, and explore key issues currently facing the United States.

…..The newly reinstated Journalism class is up and running – and very productive! Facilitated by Mr. Chris Ryan (who teaches Drama and Creative Writing as well), the students are publishing THE VOICE twice monthly, and providing the Hackensack High School community with interviews, sports scores, and student opinions.

…..Once again, Mr. Mirabal of the World Languages Department was chosen to be an AP reader for the College Board. In mid June, Mr. Mirabal went to Texas with several hundred other teachers from all over the United States to read and grade essays written by high school students who took the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam all over the country.

…..During the April recess, Mr. Petrocelli and Mr. Miliano took 40 students on their biannual trip to Italy. The group visited Venice, Florence, Pisa, Siena, Assisi, Sorrento, and Rome. Another trip is being planned for April 2004.

…..Mrs. Joan Burns of the World Languages/ESL Department retired after teaching for many years. Her replacement is Miss Suzette Febre who transferred to the high school after being at Hillers School for six years.

…..Maria Tineo, class of 2002, was selected as the winner of the New Jersey Chapter of the “American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portugese’s,” Spanish Senior Essay Contest in the bilingual category. Her picture and essay were published in the Fall issue of Albricias, the organization’s national publication. Maria was also presented with a financial scholarship for her essay. Maria was a student in Mr. Mirabal’s AP Spanish class.

…..The World Languages Department is once again extremely proud to announce that every single HHS student who took the AP Spanish exam passed it. This is the fifth consecutive year that every one of our AP students has passed the exam. With the highest possible score being 5.0, our students’ average for the past year was 4.62, a very impressive score!

…..As part of their AP Spanish class last Spring, students visited the Spanish Repertory Theater where they saw Bodas De Sangre (Blood Weddings), and La Casa de Bernarda Alba (The House of Bernarda Alba), plays by the famous Spanish playwright, Federico Garcia Lorca. This year’s AP Spanish class will also have the opportunity to see these two magnificent Spanish classics.

…..Stacey Zyriek, class of 2002, was a winner in last year’s WPU Poetry Recitation Contest. She represented HHS in the Advanced/Native category.

…..In May, Mr. Mirabal, Mr. Castaneda, and Mrs. Mantineo escorted 28 students to River Dell Regional High School where they took the National Spanish Exam. Our students continually prove themselves by scoring high on language exams. Last year’s results produced several winners, all of whom were students in Mr. Mirabal’s AP Spanish class. Yady Gomez and Oscar Guevara were named winners in the AP Spanish category. Honorable Mention was given to Cynthia Casusol, Lorna Spragge, Marco Zambrano, Meliza Ovando, Natalia Gonzalez, Maria Tineo, and Kristopher Garcia.

…..Diane Menditto’s HHS web site has been declared a “Site Of The Week” by EduHound’s Classrooms, an educational web site that researches and evaluates educational web sites. For a most interesting experience, you should explore Miss Menditto’s work by visiting it at www.hackensackhigh.org/~menditd. Miss Menditto is an extensive user of technology in her classroom, and recently gave a presentation to the Joint Boards of Education on Cooperative Learning and Integrating Technology in the World Language Classroom.

…..Hackensack High School’s Spring induction into the E.T. Marlatt Chapter of the National Honor Society took place Thursday, October 17, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hackensack High School Auditorium. The guest speaker was Donna Morshuk Manderino, D.V.M. She spoke and gave a power point presentation on the virtues upon which admission is based, namely scholarship, altruistic service, character and leadership. The Honor Society at Hackensack High School was founded during the 1923-24 school year by the Principal, Edward T. Marlatt. It became affiliated with the National Honor Society in 1955. To be eligible for membership consideration, students must have a cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.3 (i.e., 85%). Additionally, potential members must meet high standards of leadership, service, and character. Members of the junior and senior classes were evaluated by the faculty council. Leadership is based on quality of the student’s participation in community or school activities, or election to an office. To meet the service requirement, the student must have been active in service projects in the school and community, earning a minimum of 15 school service activity points. Character is measured in terms of integrity, behavior, ethics, and cooperation with both students and faculty. Previously, 15 students, all seniors were members. This induction added eight seniors and five juniors, giving a total of 28 members. New Honor Society Inductees are as follows: Yesenia Barragan, Courtney Bergtold, Alison Keenan, Carolyn Kloepping, Gregory Holland, Claudine McGuire, Lydiana Medellin, Ewuraekue Nunoo-Tanikie, Kathryn O’Connell, Yulieth Pena, Danielle Pierce, Anthony Vicale, and Hyung-Rok Kim.

…..The school year is young but the Hackensack High School Student Council is already hard at work. Under the guidance of advisor, Ms. Nikki Van Ess; President, Thyronda Branch; Vice President, Tanayah Bruce; Treasurer, Shadra Whitefield; and, Secretary, Danielle Pierce, the organization has raised $400 to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America through a Staff Dress-Down Day. The student Council meets twice a month after school in the auditorium. We encourage students from all grades and homerooms to attend, and take an active role in the constant improvement of our school and community.

…..The Student Council held its annual Halloween Costume Contest. This year the contest featured contestants accompanied by music as well as more varied categories and prizes.

…..The Student Council will sponsor a Food Drive to benefit the Center for Food Action in Hackensack. This will be their major service project for the year. Last year, they more than doubled their stock of food! Their hope this year is to make a similar impact. Food should be brought to Room 188 anytime between November 18 and 22. The food is a great way for the students of the high school to help those who are less fortunate during the holidays. All donations and assistance are greatly appreciated.

….The Student Council is working enthusiastically to revive Hackensack’s Homecoming traditions. Ballots for nominations and election of Homecoming King and Queen will be distributed to senior students. There will be a Pep Rally on November 27, 2002 at 7:00 p.m., where the Homecoming King and Queen will be announced. The rally will also include appearances by the football team, cheerleading squad, band and a special bonfire. All students and parents are invited to the pep rally. It is sure to be a great event that no one would want to miss!

…..This year promises to be a great one for Hackensack High School. The Student Council is happy to be a part of the greatness. All students are welcome to join us. Simply attend our general meeting or see Ms. Van Ess in Room 188.

…..Students in general biology are excited about learning. Over the past summer, three HHS science teachers, Mr. Durso, Mrs. Ferrante, and Mr. Jacob, had the opportunity to revise the general biology curriculum. The new curriculum is based on student participation and applying biological concepts to the real world. During the first few weeks of school, students were engaged in building and then interpreting their own ecosystems with fish, plants, insects, and other living things, using only soda bottles. Currently, they are producing ecology magazines full of student-written articles on issues such as global warming, endangered species, and overpopulation. Mr. Durso, Mrs. Ferrante, Mr. Jacob, and the general biology students are also excited about the success of the course, and are looking forward to upcoming projects such as the fictional paternity court case students will be solving and acting in, and much, much more.

…..On November 2, 2002 the Hackensack High School hosted their second annual Comet Invitation band competition at the Thomas Della Torre Athletic Stadium. A total of 15 bands and approximately 1,000 performers will be on hand to dazzle the audience with their half-time shows. Trophies will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place bands in groups I, II and III. An overall trophy will be awarded to the band that scores the highest on a 100-point basis. Come out and support our marching comets! The show starts at 4:00 p.m.

…..Get into the holiday spirit! Come out on December 18^th to enjoy the festive sounds of the Hackensack High School band and chorus as they perform at their annual Holiday Concert. Songs include Sivivion, Sleigh Ride, Chanukah Is Here, Christmas In Other Lands, and much, much more. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Get there early to get a seat!

…..The Student Social Action Coalition (SSAC) is a group based on the spread of social, political, and environmental awareness throughout the community. The Coalition was organized by a small group of students, however, our rapid growth has allowed the club to exceed 30 members in the past month alone. Meetings so far have been comprised of discussions regarding problems within the school as well as global issues. Our most recent discussions have revolved around international concerns, from the oppression of women in the East to the prospective war with Iraq. Meetings are held every Thursday after 9^th period in Room 275. Listen to the morning announcements or check our bulletin board located outside the east wing gym for additional meetings/information. We have an open and respectful forum where every voice is heard so feel free to drop by. New members are always welcome.

…..The Art Department and Wood Shop collaborated on a large-scale Halloween display on Clinton Place in Hackensack. The theme was “Harry Potter!” Money collected at the Gelber residence was donated to “The Hackensack Blue and Gold Scholarship Fund.” Thank you for your support!

….The Hackensack Blue and Gold Scholarship Fund will be hosting a beefsteak fundraiser on Saturday, February 1, 2003 at the Boys’ Club in Lodi at 7:00 p.m. Price for tickets - $40 per person. Please support this worthy cause. For ticket information contact Dale Houlis – (201) 646-7910 or Fran Borg – (201) 646-7918. Also visit our web site at www.blueandgoldscholarhsip.com.