December HSS PTSA Newsletter - WW

West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
December 2015 Vol. 2 Issue 3
P.T.S.A. Executive Board
Upcoming Events:
12/15 BOE Meeting
It’s that time of the year when the winter coats are seen in the front
of the closet, and the leaves on the trees are a distant memory.
PTSA wish’s all our South families a wonderful and safe holiday
season with their families.
Editors Message
Welcome to the December edition of the PTSA Newsletter! We are
so excited to bring to the community special articles to showcase
what South is all about. This year we aim to cover more topics like
alumni, student, parent, and teacher opinion columns, and hope
you continue to read and enjoy South Source, and everything it has
to offer. We encourage student, teacher, and parent contributions
for future issues, or if you have comments and/or suggestions feel
free to send to http://tinyurl.com/q9a8nwd.
Pierre-Antoine Frotte & Shivangi Sogani
Co- Editor’s South Source
12/22 No H.W. Night
12/23 Early Dismissal
12/24 – 1/3 School Closed
1/5 HSS Jr. College Night
1/5
BOE Meeting, GMS
1/18
School Closed
1/19
SEPTSA meeting
1/21
HSS PTSA Meeting
1/23
HSS Post Prom Drive
1/29
No H.W. Night
1/12 – 16 PTSA Bake Sale
In This Issue
Page:
Class of 2016
6&7
Class of 2018
4
At our most recent class rally we had a common theme to share with our
students. We wanted to remind them about appropriate use of social
media and the Anti-harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Laws. Yet, we
wanted our message to positive. Unfortunately, when I learned of the
events that occurred in Paris on November 13th, my mind immediately
thought about one of our current students who is spending a year in Paris
as an foreign-exchange student. I remember reading her article in the
most recent edition of the Pirate’s Eye, and I remember how excited she
was for her opportunity to live and study in Paris.
Editor’s Message
1
Pirate Op Ed
3
Pirate Spiritwear
8
Principal’s Corner
1&2
PTSA Exec Board
1
Sports
5
Continued on page #2
Town Hall Meeting
4
Principal’s Corner
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
Principal’s Corner Continued from page #1….
I prefaced what is written below when I read it to our students by saying, “The events that occurred in Paris are and
extreme form of intimidation. Therefore, we ask you to be beautiful.”
In Light of incidents of Harassment, Bullying, and Intimidation that have taken place internationally,
locally , and even within our walls,
We encourage all of us to choose to be beautiful:
Being beautiful means:-Being empowered to change the world.
Being beautiful means -fighting for success, for love, for peace.
Being beautiful means -growing within, learning, and showing strength in times of hardship.
Being beautiful means -singing inside the grocery store, or dancing in the rain.
Being beautiful means –seeking out truth, captivating others around you... and inspiring them to be their very
best.
Being beautiful means- not judging others for who they chose to be or how they express it, or who they were
born to be.
Being beautiful means - knowing who you are.
Being beautiful means -standing up for what you believe in.
Being beautiful means- finding yourself and looking at those who surround you every day for who they are
beneath their skin…
Because being beautiful is being true to who you are within, and respecting other for doing the same.
Dennis Lepold, Dr. Carla Royster, and Paul Hamnett
2
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
Pirates Opinion Editorial
Students Discuss Recent Changes In District
“I am fine with no finals and no midterms as in previous years
they were very stressful. However I think that it would be better
for the school if they kept it but revised it in a way that makes it
less stressful and worrisome for the students. I disagree with the
limit on Option II courses as I think students should be able to
take as many classes as possible. If people want to learn more
and advance their education, they should be able to. Why restrict
how much a student can learn? I like no homework nights as it is
always stressful to constantly get homework, especially when
you have other activities to do. No Homework Nights help
people get more sleep and stress out less.”
-Boris Tzankov
“I think the changes give students too much slack during the
school year and limit their options by limiting Option II by one a
year. No Homework Nights are useless.
-Denise Cherdak
"It is understandable that the district administrators wish to
improve certain aspects of the education system. I, personally,
support the 3 changes that were made recently, but am not so
certain about the prospective elimination of the A&E program in
elementary school. While I do not have much knowledge of the
current elementary school program offered, I do know that the
A&E program so far has been very successful and is enjoyed by
many of my peers, including myself.
-Anonymous
“Removing finals gives time back to the students and teachers for
learning, but it will make it harder for the district to assess the
competence of the students. It doesn't matter how much you've
learned if you don't remember it at the end of the year, but the
way we did finals was time-consuming and awkward. We
needed to fix the system, not kill it.
Limiting Option II really restricts students who want to
achieve. It makes it harder for kids to learn more. Also, with the
way the district handles Option II, it makes it a one shot thing.
Sometimes the courses people take don't teach what they need to
learn, or people mess up with deadlines, and then they've wasted
a whole summer, and can't go back to try again because we're
only allowed to try once per subject.
I don't think that we should completely eliminate the A&E
program for fourth and fifth grade, but make it easier to get into
and get out of, so that people who feel too stressed can step back
and people who get better at math later on can step it up.”
-Henry Chen
CEREAL DRIVE
Please support HSS Cereal
Drive for Monument Charter
School in Trenton by sending
in cereal boxes to HSS front
office by December 18th.
Charter school will send cereal
boxes home with students for
winter break. Students rely on
school breakfast and lunch for
their daily meals. During
school break they will miss
these two meals. Your help will
go a long way! Questions and
more information email
Mr. Daniels
[email protected]
ART SHOW
Pirates, Briana Hodges, Seriah
Barnes, Hannah Chun, Lehna
Ding, and Chinne Ezigwe have
artwork currently on exhibit at
the Mercer County Community
College Art Gallery. The exhibit
is entitled, “Passing the Palette.”
South teacher Jane Proulx has
one painting on display.
These five students completed
the artwork in the Drawing and
Painting I Class with teacher
Jane Proulx.
3
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
TOWN HALL MEETING:
If you missed the town hall
meeting here are a few facts. At
this time Option II and AP policy
has not been changed. A&E
program in district has not been
eliminated. It is expanding to
include more students and revised
to be age appropriate. While
midterms and finals have been
discontinued students will be
tested on all materials taught
during the school year. Below are
notes from Town Hall Meeting.
Visit this link to view Dr.
Aderhold’s entire presentation
www.wwp.org/about_us/admini
stration/superintendent
AP EXAMS Over 80% if WW-P
students take AP classes and AP
exams (over 1,100 AP tests were
administered at each high school
this spring). And, of the students
who take AP courses over 93%
receive a 3 or better. Since AP
courses are college-level work
completed in high school, AP
exam results are better indicator
of how students will do in college
than a final exam for a high
school class.
“WHOLE CHILD” WW-P
addresses the development of the
social, emotional, academic
development of each child.
NEWS:
MENTAL HEALTH
CONCERNS: During the
2014-2015 school year,
WW-P sent over 120 middle
school and high school
students for mental health
assessments; these include
assessments for anxiety,
depression and suicidal
ideations. These were not
drug and alcohol screenings;
these screenings were
additional.
UPCOMING DISTRICT
PRESENTATIONS
*Dr. Leonard Sax – April 14th
*Nioclle Orro, Director of
Outpatient Services with
Princeton House – Feb. 24th
RELAXATION
TECHNIQUES
It can be as simple as taking a
deep breathe or a change of
environment. Share what
works for you with others
[email protected]
HSS VS. HSN 7TH Annual
Ice Hockey Bachner Game,
December 19th 8:15 PMat
Pro Skate. Bring friends for
fun and rivalry!
CLASS OF 2018
Parents thank you for your
generosity in supporting our
Class of 2018 Bake Sale! It
was a great success. Your
help will go a long way for
sophomore events.
GREAT&HOLIDAY&
PRESENTS:&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Send!$15.00!check!payable!
to!front!office!Mark!
envelope:!WWHSS!Class!of!
2018!Attn:!Michelle!Walsh,!
Class!Advisor!!
SOUTH
ILLUMINATIONS
talent show will be held this
Saturday, Dec. 12th from 7 –
9 PM in the HSS
playhouse. Tickets will be
sold at lunch. Come see
your pirates showcase their
talents!
4
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
FALL SPORTS WRAP UP:
WINTER SPORTS HAVE BEGUN:
CONGRATULATIONS:
BOY’S SWIMMING
The following Pirates are setting their future
course by signing National Letters of Intent:
It may be cold outside but Pirates are on fire.
They are off to early wins to Princeton 102-68.
This is a big accomplishment because
Princeton won four Mercer County titles from
2011-2014. Then won 87-83 over Notre Dame
who is the current reigning Mercer County
champions.
Tim Bason signed to run Track at North
Carolina State University.
Christina Rancan signed to run Track and
Cross Country at the University of
Pennsylvania.
Kathryn Schoenauer signed to run Track at
University of Pennsylvania.
CROSS COUNTRY
Tim Bason finished second in 15:51, just six
seconds off the lead runner in the Nike
Northeast Regional meeting in Wappingers
Falls, N.Y. No easy feat because he was
running against the best in the Northeast
region.
Earning him a spot in the Nike National
Championship in Portland, Oregon on
Saturday, December 10th.
PIRATE ALUMNI NEWS
HSS graduate Brian Schoenauer, a University
of Pennsylvania junior led Penn in rushing this
season. They lost to Lehigh and Dartmouth
but beat Villanova, Yale, Brown, Harvard,
Princeton and Fordham to earn an Ivy League
title.
Number one spots for Aleksander Simonelli,
200 and 100 Freestyle, Kurt Von Autenried for
50 Freestyle and 100 Butterfly, Kyle DixonAnderson for 500 Freestyle, 100 Back stroke
Richard Deng, Pirates also won the 200 and
400 Freestyle Relay.
GIRL’S SWIMMING
WON 105-65 against Pennington H.S. for this
first win this season. It’s early in season so
watch out for pirates up coming meets.
BOY’S ICE HOCKEY
During South vs. Passiac Valley game Jeremy
Wong scored to put West Windsor South on the
board with 4:39 left in the second period. P.J.
Keenan made 44 saves in net for West Windsor
South.
SUPPORT PIRATE TEAMS & CLUBS
After dismissal stop by freshman commons for
weekly bake sales featuring snacks, baked
goods, beverages and pizza.
5
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
Class of 2016
DECORATING
Join us Mondays 7
pm - 9 pm and
Saturdays 9 am- 12
pm starting Dec. 12th
to hang out with other
fellow senior
parents and be part of
building decorations
for Post Prom.
Like us facebook - South
2016Families Check out
Website for up to date
monthly events
https://sites.google.com/si
te/hsspostprom/ Email:
south2016families@gmail.
com
Gently Used Donations
Needed for SPECIAL OCCASION
DRESS SALE
Benefits HSS Post Prom
2016
Dress Sale will be February 20th
Dresses Needed: Prom, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, 8th grade formal, sweet 16,
Bridesmaid, Mother of the Bride and Holiday Party Dresses.
Long or short, any style welcome.
Accessories: Handbags, Shoes, Gloves are also accepted
Drop off Dates/Location: High School South, Front Office
• From November 2015 to February 2016
Any Questions?
Email: [email protected]
PING PONG TOURNAMENT 1/29/16
POST PROM FUNDRAISER
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
Prizes for Winners! Guarantee your Spot by Registering ASAP at
www.wwpn-postprom.org/pong.php
POST PROM
FUNDRAISING:
*Famous Mendoker’s Sale
Deadline: Fri., Dec. 18th
Order Form Page#
VS
*January Clothing Drive
Date: Saturday, Jan 23rd
Time: 7:30 AM– 1:30 PM
Donate all your unwanted holiday
gifts to a great cause
during Post Prom Clothing Drive.
*Just Write A Check
Location:
Princeton Pong: 745 Alexander Rd., Princeton NJ
Date:
Friday, January 29, 2016
Registration:
www.wwpn-postprom.org/pong.php
TIME:&6(10&PM&!
$10 PARTICIPANTS (Pre-Register Online)
$ 5 SPECTATORS (Pay at the Door)
Food will be available for purchase
Questions:
Don’t miss out on your contribution
for Post Prom 2016 before December
and enroll in your 2015 matching
program at work to double your
donation. Or go to HSS post prom
GoFundMe account to make your
donation today
https://www.gofundme.com/knahrj
North - Dale L’Insalata - [email protected]
South – Daniela Kaisth - [email protected]
PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS!!!
*Save Mc Caffrey’s Receipts
Send to HSS front attn.: Post Prom
6
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
Mendoker’s!Danish!Ring!order!form!–!Due&12/18/15!
a&standalone!
Post Prom supplement!to!the!main!
2016
document.!It!!
Mendoker’s Famous Danish
Ring Sale
[Type&the&sidebar&
!
content.&A&sidebar&is&
We are pleased to once again offer Danish Rings, a Mendokers’ specialty to be
delivered in time for the holidays. The Danish Rings freeze well, come in a variety
of flavors, and make a great gift, too!!!
To order simply complete the order form below and drop it off with your donation
of $10 for each Danish Ring in the front office of your school no later than Friday
12/18/15 and your order will be delivered to your school on 12/22/15 for delivery
to your favorite teacher or pick-up by yourself.
Thank you for your support for this event and Post Prom 2016!!
Any questions contact [email protected]
Quantity(
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
Makes great HOL
teachers, family an
Flavor(
(
Apple!
!
Cheese!
Cherry!Cheese! !
!
Crumb!Cake!
!
Raspberry!
!
Chocolate!
!
Total&Danish's&ordered&
Please make checks payable to WWPHS South Post Prom
Check Amount: #of Danish’s ordered x $10.00 = $
Your Name / Email:
School / Grade:
!
7
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
8
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
NO COOKING NIGHT
HSS POST PROM 2016
FUNDRAISER AT
ROMEO’S PIZZA
10 Schalks Crossing Road | Plainsboro, NJ | (609) 799-4554
http://romeosplainsboro.com/menus.html
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Show%your%team%spirit%by%joining%us%for%a%fundraiser%to%support%
West%Windsor%Plainsboro%South%Post%Prom%Committee.%Come%in%to%
the%Romeo’s%Restaurant%at%10 Schalks Crossing Road
Plainsboro%on%Thursday,%December%17th%(all%day).%Bring%in%this%
flyer,%show%it%on%your%smartphone%or%tell%the%cashier%you’re%
supporting%the%cause%to%make%sure%that%15%%of%the%proceeds%are%
donated%to%West%Windsor%Plainsboro%South%Post%Prom%Committee%
!.
9
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
SHOW YOUR PIRATE PRIDE!
SUPPORT STUDENT COUNCIL
BY PURCHASING A HIGH QUALITY WATER
BOTTLE
GREAT STOCKING STUFFER OR HOLIDAY GIFT
PERFECT FOR ATHLETES, TEACHERS,
EVERYONE!
PRICE: $8.00 EACH
AVAILABLE: SCHOOL STORE
10
West Windsor Plainsboro High School South
PRACTICE ACT/NEW SAT- FREE
ORDER SOUTH SPIRITWEAR
Take a Practice ACT/New format SAT Combo Test under
test-like conditions to get a feel for question type and content
on both tests. Students will receive detailed text feedback
within two weeks that compares their performance on
analogous test sections between the two exams. The Combo
Test offers shortened sections that are representative of what
a student would see on a full-length ACT or new SAT.
Date: Saturday, December 19th 2015, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: WW-P HSS, 600 Area
HSS Student PTSA Members — FREE
Non-Members — $6.00
Nonmembers who become a member now, can take the
May practice SAT for FREE!!! Payment can be made by
clicking the below link. Remember to bring a calculator,
sharpened #2 pencils, and a drink. Questions? Contact
Priya Viswanathan at [email protected]
HSS ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
Join a new program at High School South that focuses on specific
issues which impact the planet. Each month has its own theme,
exposing environmental enthusiasts to many global issues and their
corresponding solutions. Some examples of these issues are fossil
fuels, animal agriculture, and recycling. Club members are encouraged
to pursue individual initiatives as well as participate in active group
projects, such as Sustainable Jersey. We all seek a higher level of
understanding of our environment, both world-wide and locally. The
Environmental Club is an amazing outlet for passionate people
seeking to make change; we cannot just speak, we must act.
Contact: [email protected]
TARGET CARD DESIGNATION
HS South participates in Target’s School Fundraising Made
Simple Program, which is a terrific fundraiser for us. Simply
charge your purchases on your Target Credit Card with HS South
designated to receive 1% back. Applications are available at Target
stores or go to their website, www.target.com, and click on the
guest card icon. Our ID number is 74388. To change your
designate, call 1-800-316-6142.
JUST WRITE A
CHECK
Consider showing
your support for the
PTSA by contributing
to the “Just Write a
Check” program at
South. The donation
form is on the PTSA
website.
PTSA BOARD MEMBERS
Contact: Uma Sogani
[email protected]
THE SOUTH SOURCE TEAM:
Pierre-Antoine Frotte
Matthew Jacobson
Simrun Laroia
Zaina Shariff
Yukti Sharma
Shivangi Sogani
Co-Chairs
Cindy Alvarez
President
Micki Kermani
Executive VP
Kathy Modi
Secretary
Rachael George
Treasure
Nadege Frotte
VP Fundraising
Arti Khatri
VP Programing
Sharon Rajarao
Executive Programming Heather Nielsen
Kamana Misra
Parents, teachers, students please
send us your articles and pictures
showing your Pirate spirit and
students amazing accomplishments.
Mail to South Source at
[email protected]