'Tis the season for THANKSGIVING. It is my hope that everyone had a happy & healthy Thanksgiving recess. The month of November has made it very difficult to maintain a solid focus on education given the number of days we are in session. However, at PHS our teachers and students work through those distractions and make GREAT things happen! Despite the flash snow storm and the long delays traveling home in the middle of the month, WE worked through it…glad I drive a JEEP! CONGRATS to our PHS GROUP V NORTH JERSEY. 2 STATE CHAMPIONS! Outstanding work by all of the coaches, trainers, and players. The EMPIRE salutes you! I encourage you to read on with a eye on Dec. 4th when we will release the list of high honor roll & honor roll members at 1:00pm.

Strength & Honor

Mr. Lester

Three art students had their work selected to be displayed in the AENJ Winter Exhibit. Kelly Gillhooly, Kevin Nguyen, and Katherine Romero will have their work on display at NJPAC. The opening reception will take place on Sunday, December 9th! Congratulations to these students and thank you to Ms. Amme and Ms. Lentini-Pombrio for their guidance and access to these opportunities!

As part of the Paper Mill Playhouse Adopt-a-School program, PHS Theater students had an opportunity to participate in a musical theater workshop at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Students had a great day singing, dancing, and acting! Thanks to Mr. Yoson for organizing this experience for our students!

The PHS Concert Choir traveled to YMCA Camp Bernie for a weekend in November for team building, rehearsal, and a chance to build community. It was an amazing trip filled with outdoor activities, hiking, problem solving, student-led rehearsals, friendship, and singing! Thanks to Megan Suozzo and the parent chaperones for organizing such a beautiful weekend!

PISCATAWAY HIGH SCHOOL - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2018 Every year around Halloween, the Piscataway chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organizes a student-run community event called Haunted High School (HHS) where district children and their families can trick-or-treat in a safe, indoor environment at Piscataway High School from 5pm to 7pm.

After weeks of preparation, the night had arrived and it was time for over one hundred volunteers from several PHS clubs to come together to decorate different classrooms with Halloween themes for the younger children to enjoy. Some were scary, while others involved hands-on activities such as face painting. As the volunteers hung decorations and set up treats for the children, they enjoyed the time spent with their friends while learning valuable project management and problem-solving skills, and seeing hundreds of future Chiefs smile and laugh was worth all the time and effort.

As with years past, net proceeds, totaling $525 this year, from visiting families' donations are being sent to March of Dimes, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Thanks for all the support from student and staff volunteers, administration, and the generous members of the Piscataway community who came out and participated!

The Piscataway Choral Collective is off to a great start! We’ve had over 50 people come out! This choir is open to adults (alumni, parents, teachers, community members) in Piscataway! We are building community through a shared love of music. Rehearsals were held on: November 13 & 27 at 8PM in the PHS Choir room.

The Piscataway High School Saxophone Ensemble (Alex Lopez, Matthew Mayte, Ronak Patel, Xerxes Tata, & Bri Zeitler) was selected to perform at the NJ State Board of Education Conference in October. They were one of 9 ensembles chosen from across the state. They presented a challenging, diverse program from their extensive repertoire for conference attendees. A special thank you to Chris Sumner for applying and bringing the group to perform at such a prestigious event!

On Friday, October 12th, the Piscataway Superchief Marching Band hosted district 8th grade band members. The 8th graders rehearsed with the Superchiefs, toured PHS, and had a chance to perform with the band in the stands during the football game. The 8th graders also got to watch the Superchief 2018 show, “Mechanize,” and the Chiefs Dance Team from the sidelines. It was a great night! Over 65 eighth graders attended! Thank you to Ken Zampella and Chris Sumner for organizing and to two of our 8th grade band teachers, Fabian Schulz and Shamie Royston, for assisting with the event!

In October, the men of the PHS Choir attended a workshop with other men from all over the state held at Rowan University. Participants spent the day singing, bonding, and learning together! The students had an amazing time! Thanks to Ms. Suozzo for providing this opportunity!

The Superchief Marching Band honored their seniors on October 25th. It has been a fantastic season and we are so grateful to the students, parents, teachers, and district staff that made it all possible! At the state competition on October 28th, the Superchiefs earned the outstanding score of 93.425, marking a great end to the season!

Piscataway celebrated Diwali on Friday, November 2nd. This was a wonderful opportunity for our PHS staff, our community and our Superintendent to celebrate together.

All over the world, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated over the course of 5 days. Diwali is celebrated yearly during Poonam, a full moon which kickstarts the beginning of a New Year. Diwali celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good vs. evil. In these times, shine on and offer a light in the darkness.

The PHS Concert Choir traveled to Mason Gross in November for a day of working with the choral and vocal music faculty. PHS joined other area high schools in a day of singing, learning, and collaboration. PHS senior Julia Walker was selected from all the students in attendance to participate in a master class with the head of the Mason Gross Vocal Faculty – Eduardo Chama. Julia sang from a repertoire she is preparing for college auditions for the audience while Professor Chama worked with her. Kudos to Megan Suozzo for providing these opportunities for students and to Julia for her bravery, artistry, and passion!!

United Way of Central Jersey, part of United Way Worldwide, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is sponsoring “Volunteer for Income Tax Preparation” (VITA) where students receive 10 hours of training in December, take an exam, and provide at least 30 hours of service to the community providing tax return preparation assistance during the coming tax season.

United Way was looking for 10 volunteers, but 23 Piscataway CHIEFS signed up! This opportunity was offered to members of FBLA, DECA, and students taking Personal Finance, Accounting, and other courses in the PHS Business Department.

Those who complete the training, pass the IRS SPEC (Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication) exam with an 80% or higher, and fulfill the service hours commitment will earn IRS certification and United Way recognition. Additionally, the participants learned to prepare tax returns, obtained valuable social skills, and gave back to the Piscataway community, as well as being able to add a significant accomplishment to their résumés and college applications.

Thanks to Mr. Wolverton, PHS Business/Practical Arts Chairperson, for facilitating and supporting this effort.

For more information, contact Greg Michaels, PHS FBLA Advisor/Business Teacher (gmichaels@pway.org).

Professor Alastair Bellany from the Dept. of History at Rutgers University spoke with Social Studies teachers during the November In-service at PHS. He presented materials and research for a chapter in his new book. Climate Change and History: Or, “Do Historians Need a Weatherman to Know Which Way the Wind Blew?”

Dominique Nelson and Zharria John made GMC All-Conference and both will participate in the North Jersey Senior All-Star game being held at Montclair State University on Sunday, Dec. 2. Dominique Nelson was selected as GMC Offensive Player of the Year and will be playing hockey next season at Towson University. Congratulations Dominique!

Coach Cindy Botett was selected as GMC Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. Congratulations Coach Botett! The team reached the sectional semifinal game for the first time in at least 17 seasons. Both Dominique and Zharria have been selected for All-North Jersey honors. They will be honored at a banquet in January.

Girls Cross Country finished 9th at the GMC race and 8th at the North II Group 4 Sectional meet. Cassidy Page broke the school record at the sectional race running 19:47. Both Cassidy Page and Kaitlin Napoli were named 1st Team All Red Division and Second Team All GMC.

The boys cross country team finished the dual meet season with a 4-3 record and placed 12th out of 20 at the North II Group IV State Sectional Championship meet. The top two finishers for our boys’ team were Senior Sheel Vakil in 43 place and Freshman Jack Napoli in 50th.

With an overall record of 11-5-3, GMC 6-2-2, our team played in the GMC championship losing after a hard fought battle with a score of 1-0. Lost in the State playoffs to SPF 1-0 State ranked team. Kaitlyn Zeeb, Jordan Allen, Michelle Williams and Dana Ogilvie all made GMC Red Division all-conference team, Kaitlyn also made all GMC. Jenn Vroman was named Red Division coach of the year.

The Piscataway boys’ soccer team finished the season with 13-9 record and ranked in the county. We made the state tournament for the second year in a row. Junior Santiago Rojas made first team all red division and Senior Juwan Ash made 1st all-red division and 1st team all-county. Juwan will play in college and is looking to go to Rutgers Newark.

Piscataway 10 regular season meets, GMC’s and novice meet. The team placed 6th at GMC’s, we had 2 gymnasts qualify for NJSIAA sectional competition. Our Sophomores Jenna Engels qualified for all-around and Gianna Rovito qualified for vault.

Our girls volleyball placed 12-7 regular season, 12-9 post season, 8th seed in the GMC (first time in the top 10). The 2nd year in a row being in states, Juniors Annie Wang and Christina Dalton all division. Christina Dalton all conference!

The NHS Key Club and SGA held a holiday food drive to support FISH our local food pantry. We collected over 500 pounds of food. Many thanks to everyone!!

Our many thanks for the fantastic job painting outside of Mr. Mazur's classroom goes to,

Ms. Wartenburg, Maria Saleem, Jill Patel, Daisey Camino, and Sofia Araujo.

Our PHS teacher of Psychology, Ms. Busichio welcomed a healthy baby boy on June 5th. Baby Christian Anthony and his Mom are thriving. Congratulations on the new addition to the family!

On November 20th, we surprised Deniczia Green and her brother Jelani Green with a visit from their brother who is home from the military. Ms. Green helped us to plan this wonderful family reunion. Welcome home and we, at PHS, thank you for your service.

Dec. 1 PHS Fall Play 7:00pm in PAC

Dec. 3 Fall Sports Award 6:30pm in PAC

Dec. 7 ICCA Garba/Bhangra 6:00pm in Patton Café

Dec. 7 Basketball Pep Rally Anthony Gym 6:00pm

Dec. 8 AJROTC Drill Competition 8:00am East Wing

Dec. 10 PTSO Mtg.7:00pm in Commons

Dec. 12 PHS Winter Choir Concert 6:00pm in PAC

Dec. 15 Piscataway Codes 10:00am in Commons

Dec. 20 PHS Winter Instrumental Music Concert 7:00pm in PAC

Dec. 20 50 Strong Alumni Gathering 6:00pm in F-100

Dec. 24-January 1 - School Closed - Winter Break

Proud Sponsors

Of

Piscataway High School

Chiefs Nation Membership

Cullen Family Foundation

Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala, & Taylor, LLC.

DJSC Inc.

Piscataway Municipal Alliance

Tribe Members

Tequila & Tacos

Bellamy & Sons

Royce Brook Golf Course

Neshanic Valley Golf Course

Pete Falco’s

The Max of Piscataway

Robert Williams Esq.

Cedar Grove Café & Pizza

Ricochet Club

Black & Gold Members

Piscataway Soccer Club

Lester Taylor

Hand & Stone Massage

Piscataway Pizza

Stelton Lumber

Paul Schoeb

Rita’s

Wine Chateau

George Thomas Jr.

Thai Basil

Petrucci’s