Chief Report

Many of the leaves have fallen but our spirits continue to rise here at PHS. Our EMPIRE has much to be thankful for during this time of the year. The month of November has a very short number of school days but our list of accomplishments during that time, is long. In early November our teachers and staff members participated in vertical articulation and a districtwide in-service training day where many awesome instructional practices were shared across all the disciplines. As the first marking period concluded, we were able to highlight the great work our students are doing, the tremendous strengths of our school community and the many opportunities to learn here at PHS, with our parents and guardians during our annual conferences that were held before Thanksgiving break. I encourage you to read on to find out about ALL the great things happening at PHS.

Strength and Honor

The Superchief Marching Band has had a fantastic season, earning multiple awards and honors for their “Haunted” show! The group received awards for best overall effect and best color guard at the West Orange Band Festival, and received first place, best visual, and best overall effect at the East Brunswick Festival! Additionally, the Superchief hosted 8th Grade Band Night and celebrated seniors and their families during Band Appreciation Night! An outstanding season all around! Thank you to Christopher Sumner and Ken Zampella - and the entire marching band staff and band parents for all of your hard work and dedication!

PHS Visual Arts students in Dorothy Amme’s classes participated in “Ink”tober. This consisted of daily drawing prompts throughout the month of October. Check these out!

Congratulations to PHS student Sabeen Murtaza on her selection as an award recipient for the Mahatma Gandhi Writing and Art Awards sponsored by the Association of Indians in America. Sabeen applied for this through her 8th grade art teacher Rose Flanagan while still at Quibbletown last year. Sabeen was honored at a ceremony at Princeton University. Congratulations to Sabeen and Ms. Flanagan!

The Tenors and Basses of the PHS Choir attended a workshop with other tenors and basses from NJ at Rowan University! Members of the Conackamack choir joined as well! Thank you to Megan Suozzo and Amanda Gorzynski for coordinating this event!

The PHS Theater and Dance programs performed powerful pieces as part of the PHS School Violence Awareness assemblies. Thank you to Mike Yoson and Jessica Taylor!

Check out the Piscataway Township Schools new Superintendent Podcast: Let’s Be Frank! This is available on apple podcasts and on the “Let’s Be Frank” Youtube channel. Dr. Ranelli will discuss inspiration and collaboration in Piscataway schools, answer listener questions, talk about the great things happening in our district, and have some fun! The first episode is available and focuses on “Taking Care of People.”

Members of the PHS Orchestra had an opportunity to work with a professional chamber ensemble and also to attend an open rehearsal of the New York Philharmonic! Thank you to Chris Sumner and Ken Zampella for providing these opportunities!

We celebrated our seniors on the Chiefs Dance Team and in the Superchief Marching Band at the November 1st Football game. We also celebrated Chris Sumner’s dedication to the Superchief Marching Band for the past twenty years as he finishes his last season with this ensemble. Congratulations to all of our seniors and their families!

On November 19, the PHS Law and Justice Academy welcomed Mrs. Joyce Phipps as a guest with its special Speaker Series. Mrs. Joyce Phipps is an immigration attorney and the executive director of Casa de Esperanza, an organization committed to eradicating domestic violence and a national resource center for organizations working with the Latin@ community.

Congratulations Connie Mills and Gabrielle Langevine two outstanding dancers at PHS are featured in Kristine Smith's coloring book Let's Dance. The book is available on Amazon and proceeds from the book go towards dance scholarships at the InSpira Performing Arts Center.

Ms. Pascullo received a "Teacher of Distinction" award on Wednesday, November 15th. She was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars. Congratulations Susan!! You are a role model to your students and for your outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in your profession.

This month the PHS Prime Food and Self Care Pantry ran its first Food Drive with great success! We were able to put together and deliver holiday packages for over 6 Piscataway families in need. This new initiative would not be possible without the support and contributions of our students and staff. THANK YOU!! We are always taking non-perishable contributions – find donation bins in either main office. STAY TUNED for the next interest meeting for the PHS Coupon Collective – This group of staff continues to the learn the personal benefits of couponing and how it can be used to help those in need. Happy Holidays!! April Eyler and Laura Leibowitz

November has been a busy month for PHS’s Middle States accreditation self-study. Separate surveys were made available to students, parents, and staff to guide our growth and improvement. The Middle States Team continues to evaluate results of the surveys to make recommendations to the administration. Our Middle States accreditation provides real value to our students, and we are preparing for our peer review in 2020-2021.

December 3 PHS Fall Sports Awards Night-6:30pm-PAC

December 4 PTSO meeting 7pm – Commons

December 7 Piscataway STEAM Scene 10am-2pm-Patton Gym

December 11 PHS Winter Choir Concert-6pm-PAC

December 13 ICCA Garba/Bhangra Night-6pm to 9pm-Patton Cafe

December 14 AFJROTC Drill Competition-8am-East Wing

December 18 PHS Winter Instrumental Music Concert-7pm-PAC

December 23 - January 1 School Closed - Winter Break

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DJSC Inc.

Piscataway Municipal Alliance

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Bellamy & Sons

Neshanic Valley Golf Course

Pete Falco’s

9 Round 30 Min Kickbox Fitness

Robert Williams Esq.

Ricochet Club

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Piscataway Soccer Club

Lester Taylor Esq.

Hand & Stone Massage

Piscataway Pizza

Stelton Lumber

Paul Schoeb

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Thai Basil

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