December Newsletter 2013 Update

STERLING HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
501 S. Warwick Road
Somerdale, NJ 08083
DECEMBER, 2013
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
As we enter the cold winter months and soon welcome in a new year, I would like to reflect on the first few
months of school and remind parents of the busy days ahead.
Since September, Sterling High School has experienced an all-time high number of participation in our high
school activities. All Board of Education approved activities are inherently educational and foster success in later
life. These students who participate tend to have higher grade point averages, better attendance and fewer discipline issues. I am honored to report that since September, discipline is down sharply over a year ago. I attribute
this success to parental involvement, student’s commitment to school and the Sterling High School Mission to
promote learning.
Recently, Sterling High School has recognized nearly five hundred students in the area of First Quarter Principal
List and Honor Roll. Several students have been honored by the Board of Education for being recognized as Students of the Month. Prior to the holiday break, students will be honored through Sterling’s Renaissance Program
for achievement in academics, attendance and excellent behavior.
Over the next few months, students in grades 9-11 along with their families will work with the Guidance Department to plan for the 2014-2015 school year as it relates to scheduling and seniors will work on post high school
plans. The Sterling High School teachers and administration have been preparing for academic and career majors
initiative. I encourage those parents of students in grades 9-11 to view the Program Planning Guide located on
Sterling’s website and learn more about career and academic planning. Our current seniors are finalizing post
high school plans. Parents should, if they have not done so, scheduled an appointment with their child’s guidance counselor to solidify career and college planning.
The school resource officer would like parents to be aware on an ongoing drug use problem in the area. Please
view the link below for information:
http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-12/news/28683984_1_ heroin-overdoes-heroin-deaths-heroin-arrests
I would like to wish everyone the safe and happy holiday. Please enjoy your family and friends during this time
of year. I look forward to working with you in the New Year.
Mark Napoleon
Principal
GUIDANCE OFFICE/CAREERS INFORMATION
2014-2015 COURSE SELECTION
Beginning in January 2014, juniors followed
by sophomores, then freshmen will meet with
the guidance staff and be scheduled for the
2014-2015 school year. Group scheduling
orientation and the completion of the 20142015 Program Planning Guide will take place
in December. In March 2014, scheduling will
take place for incoming freshmen at the sending schools. Specific scheduling information
for 8th graders will be mailed to parents at the
end of January 2014. Mr. Scully, Director of
Guidance, will also communicate with parents
through phone calls and Channel 19 programming.
FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP
The Guidance/Career Department will hold a
FINANCIAL AID SEMINAR ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 7:00 PM IN THE
AUDITORIUM.
An
hour and a half
presentation will be given by a representative
from Camden County College. The speaker
will review the application with detailed examples and explanations. FAFSA forms are available on line at www.fafsa.ed.gov..
FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE
It’s not too early to think about the future! On
Wednesday, March 19th, a College/Career Fair
will be held at Camden County College, Papiano
Gym, Blackwood, NJ from 6:30—8:30 PM.
UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION
Attention Parents/Guardians: Please remember to update your contact information, such as address, home/cell/
work phone number & email address, throughout the school year. Please contact the Vice Principal’s office (7841333 Ext. 4141) with any changes. We need to keep these records up to date in case of an emergency!
STUDENT EARLY DISMISSALS
Parents/Guardians should also be reminded that when a student needs to leave school early (sent home by the nurse,
doctor/ dentist appt., etc), a parent/guardian must come into the school building, show ID and sign the student out for
the day. A parent/guardian can call and give permission for someone else to pick up the student, but that designated
person must come into the building, show ID and sign the student out for the day. Any questions should be directed to
an administrator. (5230 Regulation Policy)
SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS
In accordance with NJ 18A:41-1, School Safety Drill Law, Sterling High School will conduct one (1) Fire Drill and one
(1) School Safety Drill per month during the school year. During this time we are training our staff and students to assure that everyone is ready and prepared, should an incident occur.
Sterling High School will be closed to all visitors during this training period and will reopen at the conclusion.
Please visit our web site and review the Sterling High School Parent Emergency Guide.
NOTIFICATION OF OUTDOOR/INDOOR PESTICIDE/HERBICIDE TREATMENTS
Federal and State Law requires that the community be notified whenever insecticides/herbicides are applied to our
lawns/athletic field or in the building, if deemed necessary. These applications will take place the week of 9/9, 10/7,
11/18, 3/10, 4/7 and 6/2. Notices will be posted at the school entrances on the specific days. If you have any questions,
contact the Board of Education Office, 784-3545. (see policy # 7422).
ART DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Sterling High School Visual Arts and Multi Media Graphic Design students completed the first phase of
a community project with the Stratford Fire Hall on November 20, 2013. Phase one of this project was Irene
Maskaly’s Career Art classes to recondition the Stratford Fire Hall’s Holiday Display. The students – Devon
Marinucci, Mia Falco, Othniel Williams, Noel Cross, Kylie Young, Katherine Casario, Chelsea Korn, Jada
Hailey, and Cheyenne Clements worked with their client to restore their traditional holiday showcase panels
that depict firefighters as part of Santa’s crew. Phase II of this collaboration will feature Ms. Heather Trautz’s Multi Media Graphic Design students working with Fire Department personnel to design digital wall
murals. The students have already visited the fire house, measured and specked the job, conferred with the
client on concepts and designs and are now developing the product. The culmination of this project will be
the delivery and installation of the works with a community art show and dedication in the spring of 2014.
INTERACT NEWS
The Interact Club started this
year with 60 members ready to
serve the community. We meet
every other Wednesday in the cafeteria
after school. We began by helping at the
Hope Mobile Food Bank on Sept. 28 and
every 4th Saturday of the month. The students contributed to the Stratford Fall Festival on October 5 by sponsoring a Face
Painting Booth. We have alr eady begun our canned goods drive, with the
items collected going to the local needy
families. This year we will combine with
the JROTC for our Toys for Tots and
Teens with a “wrapping party” to be
held on Dec. 13.
Other plans include: an Evening With
Santa, on Friday, Dec. 6, making Valentines for the residents at the Laurel Manor, Senior Citizens’ Tea, on Saturday,
April 12, and the Senior Citizens’ Prom,
“Bon Voyage” – on Friday, May 9 from 3
-7 pm.
For information about any of these
events, please call Marcy Stepash at
784-1333 ext. 5065 or email at [email protected]
SENIOR YEARBOOK
TRIBUTES
.Your child’s last year of high
school is going very quickly.
The Sterling High School Yearbook, The Accolade, has a section reserved for senior tributes
wherein you may wish the soon
-to-be-graduates well and showcase their lives. Send your graduates off with a congratulatory
message and pictures of special
moments by purchasing a Senior Tribute. Order forms are
available in the general office or
can be downloaded from the
School Website. Order form
and photos must be submitted
by January 31, 2014. Contract
Mr. Yeager with any questions:
[email protected]
ATTENTION SENIORS!
IMPORTANT SENIOR
TRIP INFORMATION
There will be a MANDATORY Senior Trip meeting on 1/7/14
at
7:00 PM in the auditorium for the
parent/guardians of senior attending this year’s senior trip to Florida.
The rules for the Senior Trip will be
discussed at that time and general
Senior Trip information will be given. The final meeting will be held
on 1/8/14 at 8:30 AM. If you do
not attend one of these meetings,
your student will not be permitted
to attend the Senior Trip and your
deposit will NOT be refunded.
Any questions, contact Mrs. Callaghan, Mr. Manlove or Mr. Napoleon
at 784-1333.
YEARBOOK SALES
The Sterling High School yearbook committee is please to announce this year’s yearbook, The Accolade, bursting with
photos, student portraits, activities, highlights, and of course space for special autographs. The smiles and memories of
your student’s year at Sterling High School will be remembered forever in a yearbook. To order a yearbook for your student(s), please complete and return a yearbook order form. If you have not received your order form in the mail you will
shortly. One can also can be picked up in the general office. For your convenience you can bypass all paper and pay
online with a credit card through the YBpay yearbook site at www.ybpay.com. Just enter our yearbook ID code 11529314
(no order form necessary when paying online).
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS
The Sterling High School Silver Knights Marching Band has just completed its 2013 season! Having rehearsed since
August in excess of 180 hours and performed over 20 times at community events, football games, Cavalcade of
Bands competitions including the Cavalcade Championships at Hershey Stadium, and several parades including the
nationally televised Miss America Parade and Philadelphia Columbus Day Parade, the instrumental music students
and members of the Silver Knights Marching Band have had a tremendously successful 4 months. After tirelessly
working to create and master their show (inspired by everyone’s favorite British Secret Service Agent) the students
showcased their thrilling 2013 production, “Bond…James Bond” with style.
The Vocal Music Department and Instrumental Music Department are collaborating to perform their annual Sterling
HS Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm. The Concert Band will be featured, performing holiday favorites such as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, “Carol of the Bells”, “Greensleeves”, “Auld Lang
Syne”, “Christmas Fancies”, “Gesu Bambino”, “Hallelujah Chorus”, and the timeless “Christmas Festival Overture”.
CHORUS DEPARTMENT NEWS
The Music department will present Sterling's annual Holiday Concert on December 12th, in the auditorium at
7:00 pm. Admission is free and a festive holiday time will be had by all who attend.
This year's annual spring musical is DAMN Y ANKEES. A great Broadway show about baseball, featuring such
songs as "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants".
There will be 4 performances: Thursday, April 10 at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 11 at 7:30 PM, Saturday, April 12, at
2:00 PM and Saturday April 12 at 7:30 PM
OUTSTANDING FALL ATHLETES
The Girls Volleyball Team captured a State Group II Championship with a 2-0 victory over Madison High School. In the
process the girls captured their third consecutive Sectional Title. Our Football team finished with a record of 8-2 and
qualified for the State Tournament and finished 2nd in the Liberty Division. Boys Cross Country team finished with a 7-3
record. Junior Sean Macpherson was the SJ Group II champion. The Boys Team finished 3 rd in Sectionals and advanced
to the State Meet. Girls Cross Country finished with a record of 7-2. Senior Emily Daiutolo finished 8th in the South Jersey Meet and qualified for the State Championship Meet. Boys and Girls Soccer Teams both had impressive seasons
highlighted by big conference wins and qualifying for the State Tournament. The girls soccer team finished with a record
of 10-9-1 and this represents the second winning season in-a-row. Field Hockey and Girls Tennis exhibited a great deal of
spirit and cohesiveness and qualified for the State Tournament. The Field Hockey Team finished with a record of 8-13
and won its’ first playoff game in the school’s history. Once again our fall teams were disqualification free, displaying
outstanding sportsmanship in victory and defeat.
Girls Volleyball 1st Team Fr eedom Division of Olympic Confer ence: Emily Kr iebel and Lor i Gor czynski
2nd Team: Leilani Naone Car ter , Anne Mar ie Br ook, Tor i Dr echsler , and Lani Gor czynski
Girls Soccer 1st Team Liberty Division/Colonial Conference. Candace Daywalt, Taylor Straub, Julie Stratton, and
Maria Cice 2nd Team: Sabr ina Shinkowitz
Cross Country 1st Team Liber ty Division/Colonial Confer ence: Sean Macpher son and Emily Daiutolo
2nd Team: Amy Lombor d and J o Car ter
Football 1st Team Liberty Division/Colonial Conference: Zyaire Gibson, Tony Peletsky, Richard Carter, Davon Tucker,
and Jahquan Thomas
2nd Team: Matt Dockery
Boys Soccer 1st Team Liberty Division/Colonial Conference: Tommy Sheehan, Tyler Jones, Emre Kasic and
John Krause 2nd Team: Cavit Ula
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN SCHOOLS
According to the NJ Department of Education Guidelines for School Health Services, only the following individuals are authorized to
administer medications to pupils in schools:
 school staff holding a current medical or nursing license (e.g., the medical inspector or school nurse)
 a substitute school nurse employed by the district
 the pupil’s parent or guardian
 the pupil, approved to self administer, per NJSA 18A:40-12.3 (only asthma inhalers or EPI PEN)
If our school nurse is absent and a properly licensed nurse substitute is not available, the parents/guardians may choose to come to
school to administer the medication themselves, since the medication cannot be administered by anyone else at school.
STUDENT INFORMATION DIRECTORIES
According to Pupil Records Policy, educational, occupational and military recruiters shall have access to student information directories pursuant to law.
Parents/guardians or adult pupils may request in writing to the Office of the Principal to be excused from participating in all recruitment programs or having their names appear in student information directories for all recruitment purposes.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
December 11 - Progress Repor ts
December 11 - Staff In-Service
Late Opening for Students (9:10 AM)
December 23 - January 1 Winter Recess
January 8 Staff In-Service
Late Opening for students (9:10 AM)
January 20 Martin Luther King Day—school closed
January 28 1st semester ends
January 29 Full Day Staff In-Service
No school for students
January 30 2nd Semester begins
January 30 Report Cards
February 10 Back To School Night
February 11 Late Opening for student (9:10 AM)
Staff Reports : 9:00 AM
February 12 Staff In-Service Late Opening for students (9:10 AM)
February 14 Full Day Staff In-Service
No school for students
February 17 – President’s Day - School Closed
February 26 Staff In-Service Late Opening for students (9:10 AM)
March 4,5,6 HSPA Testing
March 7 Full Day Staff In-ServiceNo school for students
March 11 Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 29-April 5 - Spring Recess—School Closed
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INCLEMENT WEATHER INFO
SCHOOL CLOSING NUMBER – 570
INFORMATION WILL BE BROADCASTED ON THE LOCAL
TV STATIONS AND ON KYW RADIO
Sterling High School will be listed as Sterling High School District—NOT– Somerdale School District
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MARISSA READLINE
ANDREW BEZA
MIA NARDONE
MORGAN CHEW
JAMES CARMAN
MRS. SARAH BOLAM
TEACHER OF ENGLISH
GIOVANNA TROILO
HANNAH MARSHALL
SYMONE TIBBS
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CAVIT ULA
AMY LOMBARD
MR. DAN RELLA
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER