GCIT Weekly Newsletter

This week, the inaugural class for the Academy of Biological Sciences had the opportunity to share their research with teachers, students and their parents in the GCIT Theater. In our program, students develop an original question in the field of biology. After proposing how they plan to research this question to their peers, they qualify for a budget with which to buy materials to complete their research. All throughout the spring semester, our students used these materials to conduct experiments, collect data and analyze their results to confirm or refute hypothesis relating to their original question. Several research groups found out some very interesting things which may result in the publication of their work in research journals!

Written by Dr. Anderson

Kyla Ward, a junior in GCIT's Academy of Performing Arts-Dance, has been selected as a State Level Winner for the Dance New Jersey NHSDA State Level Award! Dance New Jersey, a state affiliate of NDEO, is fortunate to select State Level winners from the national applicant pool from New Jersey. Congratulations Kyla, we are so proud of you!

About National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) - NHSDA Award for Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement.:

Dance students who have been inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Secondary Program and are current juniors and seniors in High School are eligible for the NHSDA Artistic Merit, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award and Scholarship, the highest student dance award in the nation. Applicants are rated based on the strength of their technical and artistic merit in dance, leadership, and academic achievement. These categories are assessed through a self-choreographed solo video, two essay questions, GPA and transcript, recommendation form from the student's current National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) chapter sponsor, and resume.

Written by Marissa Stahl

One of our senior drama major Abigail Mignucci was crowned Miss New Jersey's Teen on Saturday! Abigail is the first GCIT student to earn the title. Abby wowed the judges with her vocal performance of "The Life I've Never Led" from Sister Act, while speaking about her community service initiative "Pain into Purpose- Promoting Mental Wellness". She will now spend the year touring the state at different events and will compete for the title of Miss America's teen in January.

Written by Zach Bates

In the presence of her family, classmates, Superintendent Dicken, and building Administrators, Commissioners Jim Jefferson and Joann Gattinelli applauded Abigail's exceptional performance and accomplishments which led to her recognition on the state level! Congratulations Abigail!

This week freshmen students presented their independent reading passion projects. Students demonstrated their mastery of ELA skills through various mediums such as painting, baking, sculpting, and even video game designing! Students were able to share what they learned from a book of their choosing through the medium of their choosing. It was a great and creative week!

Written by Amanda M Botbyl

A big shout out to the welding sophomores and the electrical freshmen for reaching College and Career Ready status as a whole class and meeting or exceeding their reading levels. Students were treated to Chick-fil-A to celebrate their accomplishment. Way to go!

Written by Jessica Hill

Michael Dolan, Vincenzo Sorbello, Charles Engelien, Conner Davidson, Brayden McCabe, Zecheriah Riggins, Wyatt Rishel, Gaige Szustkiewicz, Kindrick Romine, Makaylee Richardson and welding teacher Daniel Roskiewich (not pictured Nicholas Henry)

Ethan Bucci, Alec Spahn, Theodore Falk, Steven Senick, Madden Rauchut, Aidan Torres, Octavia Adkins and Vincent Bruno (not pictured Griffin Shainline and Trevor Robinson)

On Wednesday 6-12-24 I conducted a workshop in Filipino Martial Arts with the 10th Grade Dance Class. It's been proven that exercise helps increase cognition; it's believed that complex exercise may be better for cognition. The method I used is called Cognitive Kali. I use Kali sticks to teach the patterns to increase cognition by scrambling the patterns in addition to teaching them proper technique. Here is a quote from the actual Cognitive Kali website that explains why this method works:

"What makes it Cognitive Kali is the application of what we know from neuroscience about how to stimulate the brain to support cognitive health. Most types of exercise benefit the brain by improving blood flow and lowering levels of stress hormones, but Cognitive Kali’s progressively complex movements are designed to improve the function of the brain itself.

While performing repeated movements that progressively increase in complexity your brain has to continuously adapt and work to keep up. This creates new connections between neurons (neuroplasticity), generates new neurons (neurogenesis) and strengthens old neuron connections.

These ‘executive functions’ can be utilized for many different things. Working memory is useful while at work, trying to remember a phone number while typing or as a means to improve performance in sports and athletics. The ability to perform complex movements while watching opponents or other team members is a skill that is highly transferable."

Written by Norman Taylor

Students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Academy were tasked with creating automated can crushers. The freshman in AMAS had to apply their knowledge of electro-pneumatic systems and relay controls to this open ended problem. In the end, most groups succeeded in crushing their aluminum cans but all groups completed the project safely!

Written by Matthew Woodrow

The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is pleased to recognize the outstanding students in Career and Technical Education that GCIT nominated for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholar Award. Below, you will find the list of students who, upon internal review by the NJDOE, met all eligibility criteria for the CTE Scholar Award.

CTE Scholar Award Recipients:

1. Brianna Casal

2. Amanda Chen

3. Lyla Dion

4. Valerie DiPietro

5. Shaelyn Donnelly

6. Kylie Emick

7. Sophia Garcia

8. Mia Granroth

9. Jilliane Juagan

10. Sydney Newshel

11. Ryland Stark

12. Theresea Strano

13. Hayley Thompson

14. David Zipkin

15. Chelsea Calhoun

16. Landon Bao

17. Danica Townsend

18. Rhea Vangala

Congratulations to all our CTE Scholar Award recipients!

Mrs. Mancini and Mrs. Arnold presented a check for $1,500.00 to Samantha Martin, 2015 alumni Cosmetology student in honor of CHOP - proceeds from the Cosmetology Club / "Doll and Me ParTea"

Written by Doreen Mancini

During the second PTO meeting held this week, attendees reviewed the PTO survey results and elected the Executive Board. Congratulations to our newly formed PTO and elected Executive Board!

• President: Danielle D’Aquila

• Vice Presidents: Christina Moya and January Mascino-Teti
• Treasurer: Tarin Hunt
• Secretary: Kathleen Wilson
• Social Media Coordinator: Alicia Fillari-Thorp
• Sergeant at Arms: Glynn Moore

Now the work begins. Board President D'Aquila is already at work with the E-Board getting things ready and organized to formalize the PTO!

Join us for our next meeting on July 2nd at 6pm in -person at GCIT or on Zoom.

The Zoom link for our next PTO Meeting on 7/2/24 at 6pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88025201090?pwd=sK4XiInioPm9Mg6VIAYqDNSxxKj50b.1

Meeting ID: 880 2520 1090
Passcode: 348315

Student of the Month

Baking:

Janiece Boykins –9th

Maya Morrison – 10th

Veronica Consuelos – 11th

Kellianne O’Rourke -12th

Culinary:

Dominic Leonardi – 9th

Mason Senseman – 10th

Morgan Jardel – 11th

Kielee DeJesus – 12th

Baking:

Alessandra Spina – 9th

Ruby Doto – 9th

Arden Leva – 10th

Anthony Haase – 10th

Madelyn Toros – 10th

Cecillia Watson – 10th

Angelina Alvarez – 11th

Marley Duca – 11th

Hannah Blazek – 11th

Lydia Smalley – 11th

Dante Spencer – 11th

Georgia Riso – 11th

Eden Campbell – 11th

Culinary:

Kira Smalley – 9th

Noah Abdalla – 10th

Elena Farro – 10th

Isabella Rowan – 11th

Jay Mendez – 11th

Stephanie Babilonia – 11th

Daniela Olmeda – 11th

Dale McIntyre

Always helpful with the night Cosmetology school. I’ve known her for over 10 years. She is a great teacher and role model to her students!

Mr. Dan Roskiewich

At GCIT, we have many staff who are dedicated and proud of the work we do. But there is one individual who is cut from a different cloth – Mr. R will capture anyone’s attention when speaking about our school. It is no wonder that administrators and colleagues alike are quick to volunteer him to speak about our school. During my time here at GCIT, I have continuously observed Mr. R speak highly of our programs and our CTSOs – whether it's here at the school or at state and national competitions and he is never shy to step up and be the “face” of GCIT when starting a new initiative – for example, our newly formed PTO. His humor and genuine demeanor will have anyone wishing that they are a part of GCIT. It is my honor to recognize Mr. Dan Roskiewich.

Mrs. (Toni) Terpolilli

I first met Mrs. T when I began to inquire about Skills USA. She told me " don't worry, it runs like a well-oiled machine" after being involved – from the first competitions through the awards ceremony, it is certainly a machine! And I can see it is the dedication that Mrs. T. has for showing the Nation, the skills of GCIT students that keeps the machine going. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a great leader through the Skills USA events.

Deneen Clark

This person is who everyone turns to when they forgot about a birthday or celebration and need something. She rarely says no and is normally the person still working long after everyone has gone home for the evening. She makes sure the bakery is full of goodies for the GCIT community and puts on many evening school classes during the holiday so the staff and community can make all the holiday cookies and pies. Bakers make the world smell better and if you are ever down in the 100 wing this is definitely true for her!

Gene Knorr

He is a fantastic teacher, role model to numerous students, and coaches multiple sports. Great guy, super knowledgeable and all-around team player.

Entire Resource Officer Team - Jill Manson, Ed Seibert, Charlie Rudolph, Lori Shaw, Amy Stranahan, and Jeff Schaw

Regardless of weather conditions, GCIT traffic is safely guided and directed by these amazing individuals – they safely and efficiently guide our buses, families, and staff as they enter and leave our campus! We thank them and appreciate them always!

This week the student representative to the Board of Education, senior, Natalie Smith, gave her final presentation at the BOE meeting before she graduates. Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, Natalie represented the student body on the Board, and during her final speech she thanked members of the Board for welcoming her to the "Board table". She also expressed thanks to Superintendent Dicken and Ms. Girard for their guidance and collaborating with her to meet the needs of the student body. Natalie also appealed to the Board to approve the creation of a Clinic (SIM Lab) for the Health Sciences Program. At the end of the meeting she took a picture with the Board members - in her words: "to remember this moment". Thank you Natalie for serving on the Board!

During the 2024-2025 school year, the student representative to the Board of Education will be Cole Kruszewski.

The English department celebrated Mrs. Laura Garbarino as she expects a baby boy in the summer. Congratulations Laura - we wish you a health and quick delivery!

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.

Mandatory Graduation Practice 8:30am to 11:00am each day

• 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.

• June 17 & 18 - Student Dismissal 12:15 (June 18 - last day for students)
• June 18 - Graduation Day - 6pm at RCSJ
• June 19 - Closed - Juneteenth
• June 20 - Last day for Instructional Staff