Weekly Email Blast. - Orange Public Schools

OBOE-Mail Blast
March 6, 2015
In This Issue:
Volume 4, Number 22
School Events
PARCC Testing
AIDA: The
Musical
Blacks at
Microsoft
Minority Student
Day
RPCS Black
History
Celebration
• Stamp
Unveiling
Heywood Avenue
Mural
Celebrity Read
at Oakwood
February Board
Meeting
FYI
• Strategic
Planning
• Coming
Highlights
• Preschool
Registration
Contact
Information:
Orange Board of
Education
451 Lincoln Avenue
Orange, NJ 07050
Send Us An Email
PARCC Testing Continues
The Orange School District is administering the PARCC
assessment to 5th, 6th and some 7th grade students in the
elementary schools beginning March 9, 2015. Due to the school
closing on Thursday, March 5, 2015, some 3rd and 4th grade
students will also be taking the assessment next week. The full
assessment calendar is shown below. As a reminder, the assessment is digital, therefore,
students must bring their headphones for testing during the week.
Children who are being tested are to turn in all cell phones to the testing teacher. All other
students must have phones turned off during the testing period.
Orange High School and Orange Preparatory Academy Present
Aida: The Musical
The Visual and Performing Arts Department of Orange High
School, in association with Orange Preparatory Academy (OPA),
proudly presents AIDA: The Musical. Winner of four Tony
Awards, this Elton John and Tim Rice tour de force is set to
“blow the roof off” the OPA Auditorium! Prepare to be
transported to ancient Egypt, where this epic story of an
enslaved Nubian princess, her conflicted captor, and a
forbidden love rock the age of antiquity to its core. This
Grammy Award winning musical is part dance spectacular, part
rock concert and part timeless romance. AIDA is a larger-thanlife tale about the power and endlessness of love; don’t miss
your chance to see this spectacular production. Experience…
AIDA: The Musical!
Performances are March 26, 27, and 28: Thursday and Friday at
7:00 p.m. and two Saturday shows with a 2:00 p.m. matinee and a 7:00 p.m. final performance.
Dana Levin, director, is excited about the opportunity to present Elton John and Tim Rice’s
powerful work. Most recently, Ms. Levin directed the OHS/OPA production of Tim Kelly’s
adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Classic, Sherlock Holmes. She has also previously
directed The Great Gatsby, Little Shop of Horrors, and The 25th Annual Putman County Spelling
Bee. Ms. Levin also serves as the advisor of the OHS chapter of the International Thespian
Society and directs the OHS Drama Showcase. She states, “I have seen the growth of this
program over the past few years blossom into excellent stage presentations. Our students are
developing their repertoire and skill-base. Those students who may not like to sing or dance
[in a musical] often assist in the Stage Crew. There are many students who just live and
breathe ‘musicals’ and this is when they shine!”
David C. Milnes, Orange High School’s award winning choral director, returns as musical
director. Mr. Milnes’ work has shone in many previous productions, including Grease,
Dreamgirls, Beauty & the Beast, and Little Shop of Horrors. “I’m excited that our program has
grown to the point where I welcome newcomer, Pete Abazia, OPA Choral Director, as our
assistant musical director. We have our hands full, but working with the students is an
incredible labor of love.”
“Ms. Levin and Mr. Milnes are really demanding a lot from the cast and this is going to be one
terrific show,” said Sarahnia Casseus, playing the part of AIDA. Also, Jean Fleurentin, who
recently played Detective Holmes in the OHS fall production of Sherlock Holmes and is now
cast as Chief Minister Zoser, states, “Musicals are so different from straight plays. I got the
‘bug’ of musicals from last year’s production of GREASE. That’s why I auditioned for Sherlock
and now I’m back. I could get really used to doing this as a career!”
Peter Crosta, Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts for the Orange Public School District
indicated that the live performances in Orange are meeting the community with open arms.
“We are seeing more and more of the community coming out to support our students. Why
not? They are talented and pour their hearts and souls into their work. If you haven’t yet
joined us for a live performance, you might be pleasantly surprised!!”
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Aida: The Musical will be presented at Orange Preparatory Academy Auditorium, located at
the intersection of Lincoln and Central Avenues, in Orange, New Jersey. The theatre is
wheelchair-accessible with assisted hearing units available for the hearing impaired. General
seating tickets may be purchased in advance for $7.00. They may also be purchased at the
door for $10.00. Tickets are also available for senior citizens and students (with a valid student
identification card) for $5.00 at all times. Please call (973) 677-4000 ext. 5665 or email
[email protected] with any questions.
24th Annual Blacks at Microsoft Minority Student Day: Building
Diversity in STEM
Submitted by: Max Nixon, SmartLab Facilitator, Orange High School
On February 13, Blacks at Microsoft (BAM)
hosted its annual Minority Student Day,
now in its 24th year. The goal of the event
is to provide area high school students
from underrepresented backgrounds with
information about the exciting tools,
resources, and career opportunities
available to them in technology. For two
Orange Preparatory Academy students
and 15 Orange High School students, the
day began with registration and breakfast,
followed by the keynote speaker. The
event was held at Microsoft’s corporate
office in New York City. The keynote
speaker, Navarrow Wright, President of
Maximum Leverage Solutions, a consulting
firm that has worked with startups,
businesses and brands in the areas of
technology and product strategy,
addressed the students following the
registration.
As a follow up to last year’s successful
discussions, Microsoft asked two Orange
High School representatives, Xivandell
Emmanuel and Conroy McDonald, to
return as panel speakers. As panelists,
they were asked a variety of questions
concerning “STEM” (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math), shared their views
concerning technology, as well as the
advantages and disadvantages of
technology facing young people today.
They answered the questions and had an
opportunity to share their entrepreneurial
dreams of being game designers with
Microsoft.
Pictured (left to right): Xivandell Emmanuel
and Conroy McDonald.
Pictured: Malika Payton and Malcom Quinn,
working with peers.
Pictured: OHS students, Conroy McDonald,
Jamilla Williams, Jordanne Davenport and
Xivandell Emmanuel.
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The remainder of the day included
breakout sessions, a tour of the Microsoft
Technology Center, a session on
“Demystifying Online Social Media” and
the infamous Elevator Pitch. A
representative of Microsoft YouthSpark, a
youth empowerment initiative, enlightened
the students on internships and recruiting,
and kept the day interesting and exciting.
Irvington High School, participated in this
year’s event, as well.
Pictured: OHS student, Mabel Torto, being
interviewed by Microsoft staff.
On behalf of the students, Mr. Max Nixon
thanks Mr. Michael Dunner, Microsoft
Corporation, Ms. Pat Thomas and the North
Jersey Chapter of the Links, and Ms. Karen
Cooper, Female Achievers, for their
support.
Pictured: Max Nixon, Ms. Cooper and Orange
students presenting award to Michael Dunner.
Rosa Parks Community School Celebrates Black History and
Culture
The Rosa Parks Community School
Celebrates Black History and Culture was
presented on February 27 in two separate
performances. The program was an
exploration of African American cultural
through dance, song and poetry. The show
also featured a special ‘Stamp Unveiling,’
made by the United Stated Postal Service of
the Oranges that capped off the event.
The program was officiated by dance
instructor, Ms. Nadiyah Smith-McCoy who
aptly opened the show with “Balanta-Kere
Kay,” a traditional African dance piece.
Her students also performed several
poignant pieces to Stevie Wonder’s “They
Won’t Go, When I Go” and “Umi Says” by
Mos Def.
Pictured above: Scenes from The Rosa Parks
Community School Celebrates Black History and
Culture.
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The choral groups, under the direction of
music instructor, Mrs. Mariel Johnson, sang
a variety of songs including traditional
spirituals, such as “Wade In Water,” and
“This Train,” and a popular, and
meaningful song, “Glory” by John Legend
and Common. There was also a
performance by the school’s Vocal
Ensemble of 6th and 7th grade students,
singing, “Lean on Me,” with percussion
and guitar accompaniment.
There were also interludes of poetry and
oral presentations by individual students.
Marvin Walker did a monologue about
“Eric Garner,” Esther Ekeh and Neagesti
Chance recited “The Song of the Smoke
King” by Langston Hughes. Katiana Isaac
did an oral presentation, “Who Am I - Am I
the Future?” Marvin Walker, Isaiah Brown
and Hasaun Ridley completed
presentations, with words by Bob Marley
and Langston Hughes. Students Makeyla
Giorlando recited poetry with the Grade 24 Chorus and Miphilove Milford and Nia
Thomas accompanied a dance
performance with poetry.
The 4th and 5th grade classes were crowd
pleasers. They performed a skit, illustrated
by the lyrics from “Never Give Up,” by
Yolonda Adams.
The 5th grade dancers closed the program
with a lively piece choreographed to
“Stomp” by the Brother’s Johnson. Closing
remarks from Principal, Debra JosephCharles, followed their performance. She
thanked staff and students for their efforts
and the Post Office for their continued
support.
Pictured above: Scenes from The Rosa Parks
Community School Celebrates Black History and
Culture.
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Stamp Unveiling
This year’s stamp honors Robert Robinson
Taylor, the first African-American graduate
of the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), as well as the first
academically trained black architect in
America. His great granddaughter is Ms.
Valerie Jarrett, White House Senior
Advisor. Ms. Virginia Garrett, Orange’s
Postmaster, read a biography about the
honoree, detailing his work designing
many of the buildings at Tuskegee
Institute, among his noted
accomplishments. Ms. Adrienne Wooten,
Deputy Director Community Services,
made remarks on behalf of the Honorable
Mayor Dwayne D. Warren.
Pictured (left to right) Assistant Principal
Dennis Peterson, Principal Debra JosephCharles, Postal Service Representative,
Orange Township Deputy Director Community
Services Adrienne Wooten, Orange Postmaster
Virginia Garrett, and Assistant Principal
Oliverto Agosto.
Superintendent of Schools Ronald C. Lee, who was unable to attend the presentation
stated, “We welcomed the opportunity for our students to celebrate the
accomplishments of African Americans, particularly during Black History Month. We are
thankful to the United States Post Office for their continued support in sharing the Postal
Service’s Black Heritage Stamp with our students and we are also thankful to the City for
facilitating the presentation.”
Heywood Avenue School Creates a Legacy Mural
A new mural adorns a hallway in the annex building at
Heywood Avenue School. It was completed under the
guidance of highly regarded graphic designer, Mr.
Dan Fenelon. He joined students, in Mrs. Kelley
Clark’s, Kindergarten through second grade and
fourth through seventh grade art classes, during the
week of February 9, to create an inspirational
painting. The mural represents the students reaching
for their dreams.
“This mural has multiple benefits,” said Mrs. Clark,
“Through conversation with the artists, the students were introduced to careers in the arts.
They had the opportunity to work with a successful local artist who shared his background in
graphic design and marketing. They where able to have insightful conversations and were
able to participate in a legacy mural.”
Additionally, the mural project underscores the process and effort that goes into creating art.
“Students were able to see that you just don't sit down and make a masterpiece.” As with other
vocations, both painting and drawing take effort and can result in success or failure. Mrs.
Clark goes on to say, “They where also able to see the amount of pre-planning required and
how important math skills are in creating large scale artworks.” This was evident when Mr.
Fenelon shared with the students his grid system, in preparation for sketching the mural.
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Mr. Fenelon was engaged through Morris Arts, a not-for-profit organization, which provides
arts education programs in schools, to instruct students and expose them to careers in art.
Mr. Fenelon has a wide range of experience conceiving and executing original artwork for a
variety of corporate clients. Mr. Fenelon uses a combination of technology, honed skill and
craftsmanship to create his art. The students where excited to work with him and many
students stopped in to visit during the week long process.
Celebrity Read at Oakwood Avenue
Submitted by Robert Pettit, Principal, Oakwood Avenue Community School
“Celebrity Read is a literacy initiative spanning the month of February that recruits volunteers to model
their love of reading and the pursuit of education as a pathway to success in local elementary school
classrooms.” United Way of Essex and West Hudson.
On February 25, 2015, Oakwood Avenue Community School hosted a United Way of Essex
and West Hudson Celebrity Read event. The theme of the program was “All My Heroes Read.”
The program was held to help promote and foster interest of reading in the students. There
was an overwhelming turnout of participants. The students and staff at Oakwood Avenue
Community School were proud to host Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq.,
Superintendent of the Orange Public School District, Mr. Ronald C. Lee, and other Celebrity
Read guests from Orange High School, St. Matthews AME Church, the United Way and
graduates of Rising Tide Capital. Principal Robert Pettit, stated, “We would like to give a
special thank to our visiting readers for participating in the Celebrity Read event this year.
We all know that when students read and are read to on a constant basis, they will take more
of an interest in reading themselves.”
Pictured (first row, left to right): Celebrity Readers from OHS; Rising Tide Capital participants;
Celebrity Reader in classroom. (bottom row, left to right) Superintendent Ronald C. Lee with OHS
student, J. Marcelin; OHS students in classroom; the Honorable Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq., in
classroom.
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February Monthly Board of Education Meeting
Rosa Parks Community School (RPCS)
hosted the February Board of Education
Meeting. After the Flag Salute, the school
gave a wonderful performance for the
Board members, staff and attending family
and friends. The Rosa Parks Chorus did a
musical selection “Lean on Me” by Bill
Withers and two dance selections. The
Dance Ensemble performed “Landslide”
by Dixie Chicks and a troupe of RPCS
young men performed “Spread my Wings”
by Troop. They received loud applause
and kudos from the Board. Principal Debra
Joseph-Charles thanked them for their
participation and thanked staff and parents
for their assistance and attendance.
Pictured (above and left): Rosa Parks
Community School performers at the Board
Meeting.
Student of the Month:
Superintendent Ronald C. Lee and Board of Education President, Mrs. Patricia A. Arthur,
presented students with certificates for being selected Student of the Month (SOTM). On a
monthly basis, students are recognized for exemplary behavior, academics and citizenship by
their school. The students honored were:
Muyideen Saba
Shyheim Tyson
Serena McKay
Jordan McKenzie
Francesca Rodriguez
Deicka Jean Charles
Aminah Latimore
Odalys Fajardo
Makaida Samuels
Mullen Quaye
Orange High School
Career and Innovation Academy of Orange
Orange Preparatory Academy
Cleveland Street School
Rosa Parks Community School
Park Avenue School
Heywood Avenue School
Forest Street School
Oakwood Avenue School
Lincoln Avenue School
Pictured above with Board President Patricia Arthur and Superintendent Lee: (left to right) Principal
Dr. Cayce Cummins, Cleveland SOTM and parent; Principal Dr. Hackett with Park SOTM and parent;
Assistant Principal Patrick Yearwood, Lincoln SOTM and family.
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Parent of the Month:
The Parent of the Month, Mrs. Joycelyn Francis, is the
PTA president at Rosa Parks Community School and a
member of the District’s Parent Academy. She has
been an involved parent for the past 4 years. Before
becoming president, Mrs. Francis was an active
member of the school family, involved in all aspects
of school life. Her new role has increased her
enthusiasm for ensuring that the students at Rosa
Parks and their parents are informed and are
afforded the best that the school and the district have
to offer.
As PTA president, Mrs. Francis has been instrumental in maintaining the membership of
RPCS’s vibrant PTA. She has continued to offer many of the traditional opportunities available
to parents, such as bingo night, potlucks and pertinent academic information. With the help of
her Executive team, the PTA now offers several additional workshops that impact the daily
lives of students and parents, including a “How Money Works” seminar, forums on nutrition
and information related to PARCC.
Rosa Parks Community School is honored to have a parent who is always “going above and
beyond.” On behalf of the Rosa Parks school community, “thank you,” Mrs. Joycelyn Francis.
FYI
Strategic Planning Meetings
The Orange Public Schools’ Board of Education held the first of three
important meetings on March 2, to create a Strategic Plan. The
remaining meetings are scheduled for Monday, March 30 and
Monday, April 27. Participants have been invited to attend.
Strategic Planning creates a vision of the future, and identifies goals
and strategies necessary to meet the challenges of the 21stCentury. Information about the
Strategic Planning initiative can be found on the district’s website.
Coming in Future Issues:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Orange Preparatory Academy, In Observance of Black History Month Presents - The Journey:
An African American Perspective
Heywood Avenue School - Student Achievement, National Junior Honor Society Induction
Ceremony
Cleveland Street School Celebrity Read
Oakwood Avenue Community School Mini College Fair
Pride in Public Education at Livingston Mall - Heywood Avenue School and Park Avenue
School
Forest Street School Board Lobby Art Opening
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Preschool Registration Begins for the 2015-2016 School Year
The Orange Township Public School District began
preschool registration for the 2015-2016 school year
on March 2. All children who are residents of
Orange and will be 3 or 4 years of age by October
1, 2015, are eligible to attend free, full day, preschool, in the Pre-K 3 or Pre–K 4 class. The
registration schedule is as follows:
•
March 10, 17,18, 24, 25 and 31, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., with the last sign-in at 1:00
p.m.
Registration will take place at the Orange Early Childhood Center, 397 Park Avenue in
Orange.
Two proofs of residency are required, as well as child's original birth certificate
and immunization record. Also, parent or legal guardian must show a current lease or
mortgage statement and a picture ID. For more information, call 973-677-4500 ext. 1904 or
1918.
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March 26 & 27 at 7:00 PM
March 28 at 2:00 & 7:00 PM
Orange Prep Auditorium
Call 973-­for6more
77-­information
4000 ext 5665
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