September

Chief's Report

Principal's Message

September 2018

WELCOME HOME!!! It is GREAT to see ALL of your bright eyed faces back at PHS. I want say that we are really excited to have the class of 2022 in the house. We are confident that the class of ‘22 will build and share tremendous experiences during their tenure at PHS. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that our senior class of 2019 is in their final 180 days at PHS; in football terms, SENIORS you are in the 4th quarter so let’s secure the WIN! GRADUATION!!!

Over the summer we have been very busy around PHS. We continued to modernize and renovate our campus and a tremendous amount of work was completed. In the Patton wing, we worked on the roof to make sure that we are leak free and energy efficient for the winter months ahead. Also, in the Patton area we had a complete tennis court makeover, built from the ground up. It looks so nice I may pick up my tennis racket againJ. Our stadium field turf and track have been replaced and repaired. This was much needed and well deserved since we get a lot of use out of both. In several key areas we were able to repair sidewalks to enhance our pedestrian traffic and safety.

This is going to be a GREAT school year of teaching and learning. Our school goals continue to guide our practice and provide us with a clear path of focus toward EXCELLENCE.

School Goals

School Goal #1

By June 2019, 4% of the students earning 74% to 79% at the end of Semester 1, will have achieved a final grade of 80% or higher.

School Goal #2

By June 2019, incidents that result in OSS will be reduced by 3% as measured by the OSS incidents in SY 17-18.

School Goal # 3

By June 2019, staff shall have documented ongoing communication to all stake holders that express the concerns and opportunities for improvement for all students identified at the end of each MP earning 70% and below.

Visual and Performing Arts Department

Patriotic Sing-Along | Metlar-Bodine House | PHS Choir Students & Megan Suozzo

Did you know that Piscataway is the site of the first organized Fourth of July Celebration in America? George Washington celebrated here in our hometown! On Sunday, July 1st members of Piscataway High School’s Air Force Junior ROTC, PHS’s Tri-M Music Honor Society and Choir, as well as singers from Randolphville Elementary School performed and lead a patriotic sing-along at the Metlar-Bodine House Museum on River Road. The event was filled with singing, joy, and celebration of our nation! Thanks to Matthew Worden and Megan Suozzo for your collaboration on this event!

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New Art Courses at PHS | Ceramics 3 & Animation 2 | Gwen Sylvan & Mary Wartenburg

This summer, two new courses were developed for the PHS Visual Arts Department: Animation 2 and Ceramics 3: The Pottery Wheel. Animation 2 was developed by Gwen Sylvan as a second level course to follow Introduction to Animation. Students will engage in project-based learning to expand their knowledge, skills, and understanding of Animation using software and hands-on techniques. Ceramics 3: The Pottery Wheel is a third level course developed by Mary Wartenburg as a continuation of Ceramics 1 and Ceramics 2. Students will gain experience using the pottery wheel with project based learning. Both courses will incorporate student voice and choice and provide endless opportunities for creativity. Both courses also expand our academy offerings in the visual arts.

Band Camp | Superchief Marching Band | Chris Sumner and Ken Zampella

The Superchief Marching Band held band camp from August 27th-31st on the Conackamack field due to the turf replacement project taking place at PHS (the turf looks great and we are looking forward to seeing the Superchiefs marching on it very soon!). It was the hottest week of the summer, but the students showed resilience, determination, skill, and enthusiasm as they worked to develop their show this year: Mechanize. Chris Sumner, Ken Zampella, and all of the marching band staff worked tirelessly with the students all week to learn music, drill, and performance skills. The week culminated with a performance for families in the Conackamack gymnasium due to rain (which was needed after a week of heat!). The students are such a fantastic group and you could sense the family-environment that had developed over the course of the week! Thank you to Chris Sumner, Ken Zampella, the marching band staff, Band Parent Leadership Anne Malone and Suhas Sheth, and the entire team of parents that came throughout the week. Thank you to the custodial staff, maintenance and grounds staff, Sodexo, and the Board of Education and District Administration for helping the week to run so smoothly in a different location. We are looking forward to a great season!!

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Private Pilots

Piscataway High School Students Complete New AFJROTC Flight Academy Program

Matthew Marcinko and Teja Nath, senior students and Air Force Junior ROTC cadets from Piscataway High School have completed the private pilot license training course at Liberty University, Virginia earning their private pilot licenses.

Marcinko and Nath are two of 120 AFJROTC cadets around the world to receive the Chief of Staff of the Air Force scholarship from Headquarters AFJROTC, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama. More than 750 cadets applied for one of the 120 scholarships, valued at approximately $20,000.Graduates of the program who earned their private pilot license do not incur a military commitment to the Air Force or other branch of service, nor does completing the program guarantee acceptance into one of the military’s commissioning programs.

The Flight Academy Scholarship Program is a new Air Force-level initiative. In collaboration with the commercial aviation industry to address the national civilian and military pilot shortage, AFJROTC has been charged by the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force to bring back the “luster of aviation” to high school students and to increase diversity in aviation fields.

During Marcinko and Nath’s time in the program, they faced many challenges, but completing the program is something they say they will always remember.

Our First Annual Golf Classic

On September 19th, our first annual Golf Classic was at Weequahic Park Golf Course. It is tucked in the corner of historic Essex County Park, which is the oldest public course in New Jersey. Weequahic measures slightly less than 6,000 yards, the course offers an ideal golfing landscape and its small greens make low scoring difficult.

Our organization's main focus is funding Piscataway High School student programs, grants, and initiatives that would otherwise be impossible. Our sponsors enjoyed a spectacular day of golf,

a continental breakfast and lunch. Many thanks to all our sponsors and also to our Chiefs Nation team.

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The Winner's Circle

Student Recognition

After an outstanding job with taking the initiative to tour and provide advice to the incoming Class of 2022, 90 volunteer upperclassmen were recognized for their dedication to the high school on Tuesday, September 25, 2018. Student leaders were rewarded with an ice cream social as they shared, with one another, their positive experiences during Freshman Orientation.