GCIT Weekly Newsletter
May 10th, 2024
Teachers' and School Nurses' Appreciation Week
This week, we celebrated Teachers' and School Nurses' Appreciation Week. We are so fortunate to work with such great teachers and nurses who work hard for our students and our entire school community. We salute and appreciate you everyday but especially this week.
To honor our teachers and nurses this week, the administrative team treated them with a series of appreciation gestures - from small candy goodie bags in their mailbox, cake, breakfast delivery in their classrooms/offices, a BBQ lunch, to an ice cream and water ice party, etc. In true spirit of service, members of the administrative team served our staff this week. Immense thanks to Joe Jacob, Gregory Wright, and Jeremiah Long who barbequed, Heather Worthington, Christine Datz, Janet Wilbraham and Mike McAleer who assisted in setting up and serving. Immense thanks also to Eddie Ferrari for contributing the "We Love Our Teachers" lawn sign and student, Jeremy Walker for assisting during the BBQ. Thanks to All who assisted!
Also, special thanks to the students in the SkillsUSA Chapter for making the "Teacher Treat Kit" for the staff!
Doll And Me ParTea!
The Doll and Me ParTea was a complete success! Thank you to GCIT Cosmetology students for all their participation to make it possible! We had lots of fun. There were two lucky winners of American Girl Dolls. All proceeds will go to Child life services/cardiac division at CHOP in honor of Samantha Martin a 2014 alumni Cosmetology student. She is an active supporter of Chop.
Written by Doreen Mancini
Immense thanks to all the staff who supported this worthy cause, Mrs. Mancini, Mrs. Arnold and the Cosmetology students for organizing the event!
Anne of Green Gables - Freshman Drama Production
Thank you so much to the sold-out audiences for supporting the freshman show, Anne of Green Gables. We had so much fun bringing this story and its classic characters to life. Our production centered around the idea that "trials are a season, not a destination". It was our wish that through our production, people would find the determination to endure seasons of trial and a belief that a brighter season is always just around the corner.
Written by Kirstin Lynch-Walsh
This week, the freshman Drama class performed masterfully in their production of "Anne of Green Gables". These young actors and actresses displayed their talents under the direction of their teacher Kirstin Lynch-Walsh and student teacher Lexi Kross. They captivated their audiences with the storyline that they acted so professionally. Well done students and all the staff who assisted!
Tribute to Superintendent Mike Dicken
At their desks, students learn, study, take tests and pass, then graduate.
In their classrooms, teachers plan, teach, create tests and grade assignments.
In the school, the building administrators supervise students and staff, enforce school rules, and support students and staff when needed.
But who runs the district?
That's the job of the Superintendent - and his helpers.
At the end of this school year, our Superintendent, Michael Dicken, will be retiring. Having worked with different schools and districts - I am aware of just how difficult it is to run a district. It is not an easy job. Superintendents have many responsibilities and challenges in their line of work. Mike did it all for many years!
From greeting students in the building every morning, having discussions with staff and parents (some of which are difficult conversations), to ensuring the continued upward trajectory of our district both academically and socially, Mr. Dicken has been leading our district for more than 10 years. We appreciate your service and dedication to our students, staff, parents, and the wider GCIT family!
This week, members of the Board of Education, and school and district administrators honored Superintendent Dicken for his many years of service to the district at a special dinner. The dinner was catered for by our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts departments, specifically Chef Oberfrank, Chef Angarolo and Chef Clark – thank you – everything was delicious and so beautifully presented! At the dinner, Superintendent Dicken was presented with a special gift by the Board President Albert Frattali.
Thank you Mike for your leadership, service, commitment, and dedication to our district. We wish you well in the next exciting chapter of your career – post retirement! Rest up but also enjoy your days with your favorite activities! We wish you the very best!
DECA Nationals ICDC
Neel Shukla represented GCIT at the DECA Nationals ICDC Conference in Anaheim, California! Congratulations Neel!
Collegiate PE at Glisten Lake
It was a beautiful day at Glisten Fit, as students from Mr. Peifer's collegiate PE classes presented Yoga on the beach. As part of a class project, students chose to present Yoga to their peers and in the spirit of Yoga and what it embodies, decided to make a trip out of it. Glisten was the perfect spot. The trip was not only filled with yoga but hiking, paddleboarding, rope swinging, swimming, beach volleyball and relaxing in hammocks. Mr. Peifer was accompanied by Ms. Lindsey and Ms. Minix who, along with the students, had an absolute blast at Glisten. One student even said at the end of the day that "this was the best day I have ever had being a student at GCIT". Go check out Kym and all the wonderful people at Glisten. www.glisten.fit
Written by Skyler Lindsey
GCIT Staff Gives Back
GCIT staff doing their part to help those in need at the Cathedral Kitchen. The kitchen is the largest emergency food provider in Camden NJ, serving over 100,000 meals a year.
Written by Eduardo Ruiz
New Jersey TSA State Leadership Conference
On April 27, members of Technology Student Association attended and competed in the NJTSA State Leadership Conference at The College of New Jersey. Over 40 students from 8 GCIT academies competed in 15 events including Board Game Design, Computer-aided Design, Data Science & Analytics, Debating Technological Issues, Dragster Design, Essays on Technology, Promotional Design, Essays on Technology, Software Design, Transportation Modeling and App Design. Students also competed in several new events such as Vex Robotics, Forensic Science, and Biotechnology Design. 15 students have qualified to compete in the TSA national competition in June, and will attend along with advisors Mr. D. White, Mr. Favat, and Ms. Smith.
This was the second year this newer CTSO club has competed at the state level. The club is growing exponentially in membership and with participants expanding their fields of competition. TSA expects to continue to be increasingly successful at the state level thanks to the hard work of student members.
Written by Summer Smith
FCCLA Gives Back at the Funny Farms Animal Rescue and Sanctuary
FCCLA took a trip to Funny Farms Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Mays Landing for a Day Service. Funny Farms has over 750 animals that they care for on their farm. A lot of these animals come from homes where people think it is a good idea to raise a peacock, chickens, ostrich or a cow and then when it becomes too much or too big for their house, they reject them and put them out. They also have injured animals that couldn't work anymore on agriculture farms and racehorses that were no longer winning and were going to be put down. Funny Farms takes responsibility for these otherwise unwanted animals and shows them their love and gives them a home for the rest of their lives. This is an amazing place that only works because of people who come and volunteer to help. They are open to the public on Tuesdays and Sundays to come and interreact with the animals, but they are open for volunteers 7 days a week 365 days a year!
FCCLA students spent two hours doing farm chores and helping clean up the farm. Chores included filling the feed shed, filling water bowls, socializing kittens, cleaning up horse or cow fields, brushing donkeys, cleaning up old hay, and petting the many animals there. It was an amazing day where hard labor made a lot realize how lucky we are and if we have time to give back we should!
“Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.”
~The Dalai Lama
Written by Liz Mizia
Monthly Student Recognitions
Student of the Month
AMAS
Brynn Nolan
Engineering
Sanvi Patel – 9th
Carlos Bravo – 10th
Emily Fauconniere – 11th
Vincent Bottiglieri – 12th
Principal's Good News Card
AMAS
Natalia Boyd
Engineering
William Pickel – 9
Daniel Levashki – 9
Mason Marshall – 9
Michael Adorna – 9
Michael Mason – 10
Zane Bercute – 10
Layla Wahiba – 10
Lara Burgo – 11
Nick Miller – 11
Megan Mularz – 11
Valerie DiPietro – 12
Layla Dion – 12
Dawn Nguyen – 12
Ryland Stark – 12
Adam Romano - 12
Tribute to Student Teachers
Cade MacFee
Cade MacFee (Ms. Knoblock’s Drama Student Teacher) has been a huge asset to the GCIT Drama Department since arriving in September. Going above and beyond at each turn, Mr. MacFee fully took on all accent and dialect work for not only the productions he was directly involved with, but within the entire department as well. He coached college audition and thespian competition pieces and supported the students with love and encouragement during stressful times. Outside of his required teaching, he constantly stayed after school to work dialect and assistant direct the school wide musical. He even found time to perform for all of the students at our annual Spring Cabaret. We know he is on to great things, and we are so grateful for the time he spent at GCIT!
Written by Katie Knoblock
Nick Perna
The GCIT community and Mr. Dave White extend their sincerest gratitude to Mr. Nick Perna, student teacher from Rowan University, for his dedication and hard work during their time with us. Mr. Perna was a student teacher in Mr. White's classes for the majority of the 2023-2024 school year. His passion for teaching and commitment to our students have made a significant impact on our school community. We are truly grateful for their contributions and wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Thank you, Mr. Perna, for your unwavering support and positive influence in our classrooms.
Written by Dave White
Lexi Kross
Ms Lexi Kross has been an excellent addition to the drama department this year! As a student teacher she is passionate, organized and kind. At the very start of her placement, she took the initiative and stepped into the role of director for one of our two junior class productions. In order to provide the students with more opportunity she added a ton of responsibility to her already busy schedule, managing grad school course work. She rose to the occasion garnering a nomination for her direction at this year's Foxy award.
For the freshmen show she was the musical director and organized several projects to help steep the actors in the time period including a picnic with homemade ice-cream, needle point & she taught props building encouraging students to explore technical theatre. We are so grateful for all she has done and will miss her terribly but wish her the best of luck in the future.
Written by Kirstin Lynch-Walsh
Semester 2 Final Exams Schedule
Friday, June 14
Students will report to Homeroom
8:10AM – 10:10AM – students will report to period 1-2, or 1-2-3 for exams and/or class
10:15AM – 12:15PM – students will report to period 3-4 or 4-5 for exams and/or class
Note: AMAS students will be at main campus GCIT all day – at 12:00pm they will take the shuttle from the 400-wing entrance to AMAS and get on their bus to go home.
Monday, June 17
Students will report to HR
8:10AM – 10:10AM – students will report to period 5-6, 7-8, or 6-7-8 for exams and/or class
10:15AM – 12:15PM – students will report to period 9-10 for exams and/or class
Note: AMAS students will report to Homeroom then at 8:10am, they will take the shuttle from the 400-wing entrance to the AMAS building for the day.
Tuesday, June 18
All students will follow the half day schedule and report to their scheduled classes.
Note: AMAS students will follow a regular half day schedule and shuttle to AMAS at the end of 4th period like usual.
Seniors – all seniors are completing finals by May 30.
All students will be required to attend class if they have a class scheduled.
NJSLA Spring Block Assessments
NJSLA Dates for:
o Science- 5/13-5/14 (Juniors only)
o ELA- 5/15-5/16 (9th graders taking ELA this semester)
o Math- 5/22-5/23 (9th graders who are currently enrolled in Algebra 1, Algebra II or Geometry)
o Make-up testing will be 5/20-5/21 for ELA and Science, and the week of 5/28 for ELA, Math or Science as needed.
🗓 Coming Up! Senior Activities / Events
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 1:00pm – College and Career Decision Day
- All senior students are encouraged to attend the event with their college decision or workplace “gear” on to represent what they will do after high school. Come celebrate in the 400 cafeteria to show “The Places You Will Go!”
Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 6:00pm – Senior Awards Ceremony
- West Gymnasium – Students will be notified individually if they are receiving an award. Only students receiving awards are to attend the award ceremony.
Friday, May 31, 2024, Pre-Prom Assembly – West Gymnasium
- All seniors are required to attend the Pre-Prom assembly at 8:20am. If you do not attend, you will not be permitted to attend the Prom.
Friday, May 31, 2024, at 7:00pm – 11:00pm - Senior Prom
- Location – The Grove at Centerton, 1022 Almond Rd, Pittsgrove NJ
Sunday June 2, 2024, through Thursday, June 6, 2024 – Senior Trip – Disney World
- If you are a senior and you do not attend the senior trip, you are required to attend school.
Monday & Tuesday, June 10 & 11, 2024, 9:00am – 12:00pm – Senior laptop return
- Please bring your laptop and charger to room 1110 for return. More directions for your laptop return will be sent later.
Thursday, June 13, 2024 – 9:00am – 10:30am - Cap, Gown and Graduation Ticket distribution
- Cap, gown, and graduation tickets will be distributed in the 400 Cafeteria
Mandatory Graduation Practice 8:30am to 11:00am each day
- Friday, June 14, 2024 - GCIT campus – all students report to the 400 cafeteria
- Monday, June 17, 2024 - RCSJ campus – all students report to the Quad
- Tuesday, June 18, 2024 - RCSJ campus - all students report to the Quad
Graduation Ceremony – Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 6:00 pm
- The ceremony will be held at Rowan College South Jersey (RCSJ) on the Quad outside of the Eugene J. McCaffrey College Center https://www.rcsj.edu/Visit-site/Gloucester-site/Documents/RCSJ_Gloucester-Campus-Map.pdf
- Students must report to Rowan College South Jersey (RCSJ) in the Education and Humanities Center no later than 5:00pm
- Each student will be issued 4 tickets for the ceremony.
- Any guests requiring special seating accommodations should contact the school by email kcarelli@gcecnj.org or by phone at 856-468-1445, ext. 2519.
- In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the RCSJ Gymnasium and only 2 tickets will be allowed per student.
- Guests who are unable to attend will be able to log in and watch the ceremony live via the internet. The log on site will be emailed closer to the graduation date.
GCIT Parents / Guardians Needed!
Calling all parents/guardians who are interested in forming a GCIT Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
The purpose of a PTA includes the following:
- Build strong working relationships among parents, teachers, and schools.
- Foster a sense of community, school spirit, and overall school culture.
- Enhance the educational experience of students through volunteer and financial support.
- Plan and organize fundraising activities.
We will have an inaugural PTA meeting on Thursday, May 23rd at 6pm in the Staff Cafe.
Interested parents/guardians are kindly asked to contact Mr. Dan Roskiewich at droskiewich@gcecnj.org or simply show up at the first meeting on May 23rd.
Looking forward to seeing many parents/guardians!
Calendar Reminders
- May 15 - College and Career Decision Day Celebration at 1pm
- May 16 - Thespian Film Premier
- May 17 - FCCLA Awards Night
- May 21-22 - Dance Senior Pieces
- May 23 - Thespian Academy Awards
- May 24 - Student Dismissal 12:15pm
- May 27 - Closed - Memorial Day
- May 29 - Junior Trip - Hershey Park
- May 29 - Senior Awards Ceremony
- May 31 - Student Dismissal 12:15pm
- May 31 - Senior Prom at The Grove at Centerton in Pittsgrove
- June 2 - 6 - Senior Trip to Disney World, Florida
- June 3 - Baseball Chipotle Fundraiser
- June 4 - Freshman Sports Information Session
- June 11 - Spring Sports Ceremony
- June 13 - Thespian State Chapter Select Performance for Nationals: Juliette and This Guy Romeo
- June 13, 14, 17 & 18 - Student Dismissal 12:15 (June 18 - last day for students)
- June 18 - Graduation Day
- June 19 - Closed - Juneteenth
- June 20 - Last day for Instructional Staff