The Herald
December 8, 2024
Dear Hoboken Public School District Families,
This edition of The Herald highlights a number of accomplishments across the district and upcoming events that will be taking place. Our students and staff are engaging in such wonderful academic, co- and extra-curricular activities.
Please enjoy reading news from each of our schools in this week's Edition of The Herald. Take a moment and learn more about our early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school programs:
Also, if you are not already following us on social media, please do so:
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In closing, I want to thank all of you for your steadfast cooperation, patience and partnership. All three ingredients make for an incredible school district. I could not ask for a more committed collection of guardians and parents. You are truly amazing and I am honored to serve the Hoboken Public School District.
Sincerely,
Christine A. Johnson, D.Litt.
Superintendent of Schools
Music at Wallace School
After finishing the poem, students discussed its vocabulary and drew pictures inspired by its vivid descriptions.
Music at Connors School
During the week of December 2nd, our students were busy with a variety of activities!
In Ms. Rinaldi’s class, students got into the holiday spirit by singing songs like “Frosty the Snowman” and “Dreidel.” Before singing, they warmed up their voices with Solfege—here’s Nora leading the class on the internet piano!
The 5th grade woodwind section worked hard preparing for the big concert. The challenging flute part was no problem for Alaina, who has mastered her section beautifully!
Art at Brandt School
Art at Brandt School
Our students wrapped up their fall artwork this week, and it’s now displayed for everyone to enjoy!
- Kindergarten & 1st Grade: Completed their organic shape and color pieces.
- 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Grade: Painted vibrant backgrounds for their whimsical pumpkin cottages.
- 5th Grade: Finished the foregrounds of their Georgia O’Keeffe-inspired landscapes.
The classroom is bursting with color and creativity! Next week, we’ll dive into prepping for our winter wonderland artworks.
Junior Thespians at Hoboken MS
Students have been working independently, in small groups, and receiving feedback to improve their performances.
Pre-AP Dance & Mindfulness and Movement at Hoboken MS
In AP Dance, students are creating their own movement phrases based on their grade-level curriculum and enjoying a new warm-up activity, "Finish the Sentence," where they complete sentences through movement.
In Mindfulness and Movement, students are practicing accurate underhand throwing and had fun playing a rally race to reinforce these skills.
Music Department
On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Hoboken Music Department kicked off the holiday season with a spectacular winter concert!
Band: Opened with the challenging “Rephrygeration” (inspired by the “phrygian” scale and winter’s chill) and followed with the lively “Hanukkah Dance,” based on the folk song “S’vivon.”
High School Strings: Performed holiday classics “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven and “Carol of the Bells,” delighting the audience with these familiar favorites.
Chorus: Began with “My Favorite Things” and reminded everyone of life’s simple joys. Alumni joined in for “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and the show ended on a high note with a barbershop quartet performance of “Winter Wonderland.”
Kindergarten at Brandt School
This week in ELA, students focused on the letter "Ii" and the sight word "to," reading How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? and exploring the question, "What rules do we follow in different places?"
In Math, students identified and compared 2-D shapes, describing their attributes in relation to real-world 3-D objects.
In Social Studies, students discussed family roles and responsibilities, answering the question, "What makes my family special?"
2nd Grade at Brandt School
In Reading, students are deepening their understanding of nonfiction text features, learning how to identify and use them to enhance comprehension.
In Writing, students are applying these features to research for their animal nonfiction writing, gathering facts to practice being nonfiction authors.
In Math, students are building fluency with addition and subtraction within 100, while also exploring the relationship between the tens and ones places to improve their skills.
In Social Studies, students continue working on emotional intelligence through Move This World and practicing gratitude. They are also beginning to explore holiday celebrations in different countries.
4th Grade at Brandt School
In Social Studies, students studied current events and started a winter holiday research project. They’re researching holidays like Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Chinese New Year, then presenting their findings in a Slides presentation.
In Math, students practiced new addition and subtraction strategies and worked on solving 4-digit problems for a mini project, matching equations to their sums to create a snowflake.
In ELA, students continued reading Ancestor Approved, exploring the cultural significance of powwows and themes in the stories. Fourth graders also began their narrative unit, drafting stories with a focus on point of view and dialogue, creating characters' thoughts and feelings
Physical Education at Brandt School
In Physical Education this week, students participated in the annual Holiday Light Show game, combining festive fun with skill-building. Players rolled a die to toggle lights on or off, performing an exercise and sprinting before their turn. The activity focused on teamwork, coordination, and adding holiday cheer to the season's spirit of connection.
Kindergarten at Connors School: Ms. Bartolotti, Ms. Fernandez, Ms. Fleischer, Ms. Criqui, and Ms. Klag
Math:
We’ve started Unit 4 and are exploring measurement! Students are using cubes and popsicle sticks to measure objects in the classroom. They’re learning concepts like "larger than" vs. "shorter than." We also created rainbow crafts and ordered colors from biggest to smallest!
ELA:
This week, our essential question was: "What are the different sounds we hear?" Kindergarteners read Clang! Clang! Beep! Beep! Listen to the City and discussed story elements. They also visualized while listening to The Turtle and The Flute and read Nat and Tip with enthusiasm! The letter of the week was Nn with a phonics focus on /n/. The sight word was and. A highlight was their first spelling test—they did AMAZING!
Social Studies:
We explored the ideas of "same" and "different" while learning new terms: past, present, and future. Students reflected on their lives, shared memories, and dreams for the future. They began creating their own personal timelines with key moments—such great engagement and creativity!
Kindergarten Dual Language (SLA):
In Spanish, we focused on the letter Nn and combined syllables to form words. The sight word of the week was ella (she). Students practiced building sentences and worked on dictation in both Spanish and English.
In Matemáticas, we measured objects in the classroom using cubes and popsicle sticks, learning words like más corto (shorter) and más largo (longer). We also practiced counting to 100 by 1s and 10s.
In Social Studies, we expanded vocabulary around miembros de la familia (family members) and maps, learning fascinating facts about the U.S. and North America!
2nd Grade at Connors School: Ms. Rinaldi, Ms. Celentano, and Ms. Garcia
Math:
We celebrated completing our IXL benchmark and are so proud of our 2nd graders’ progress! This week, we explored fractions, learning about equal parts, halves, thirds, and fourths, and practiced partitioning shapes and using fraction notation.
ELA:
Our second graders began learning about narrative nonfiction with the essential question: "How can people help their community?" They explored author’s purpose (P.I.E.), photographs, captions, and practiced asking/answering questions. The vocabulary focus was synonyms.
Social Studies:
Students aced their first assessment, showcasing knowledge of timelines, past vs. present, and resolving disagreements. We also began exploring traditions and celebrations, setting the stage for more holiday learning!
4th Grade at Connors School: Ms. Schulz, Mrs. Rodriguez, and Ms. Stubbe
Math:
4th graders began Unit 5: Large Numbers & Landmarks, focusing on extending their number system knowledge to 1,000,000 and practicing fluent addition and subtraction.
ELA:
In Writer's Workshop, students retold The Talent Show from a new character’s perspective, following the writing process and using techniques like dialogue, flashbacks, and descriptive details to enhance their narratives.
Social Studies:
Students explored early America, learning about the Mayans, Inca, and Aztecs through readings and videos. They compared the civilizations and practiced using glossaries to define key vocabulary. Great work, 4th graders!
Kindergarten at Wallace School
This week, students worked on Unit 3, Week 2 of the Wonders curriculum, exploring the question, "What are the different sounds we hear?" They read Clang! Clang! Beep Beep! Listen to the City and listened to The Turtle and the Flute, practicing story elements like setting and visualization.
In Phonics, students focused on the letter Nn, practicing handwriting and identifying words with initial and final /n/. They also learned the red word "and."
In Math, students practiced counting and explored 2D shapes, identifying and describing their attributes using manipulatives for hands-on learning.
In Social Studies, students reflected on the essential question, "What makes my family special?" while celebrating their own families and learning about others.
2nd Grade at Wallace School
This week, second graders visited the pop-up library and took part in the "Wallace Winter Wonderland" hallway decoration.
In Language Arts, we explored the theme “What do we love about animals?” by reading poems like The Furry Alarm Clock and Beetles, The Little Turtle, and writing about our favorite animals.
In Math, students learned to represent numbers using place value models, base ten blocks, and strategies like expanded form to add and subtract.
In Social Studies, we studied changes in our neighborhood, connecting this to Hoboken’s history, and learned about holidays celebrated around the world, focusing on cultural traditions important to our students.
4th Grade at Wallace School
This week, second graders visited the pop-up library and contributed to the "Wallace Winter Wonderland" hallway decoration.
In Language Arts, we explored the theme “What do we love about animals?” through poems like The Furry Alarm Clock and Beetles, The Little Turtle, and wrote about our favorite animals.
In Math, students practiced place value models, base ten blocks, and expanded form for addition and subtraction.
In Social Studies, we studied neighborhood changes, linked them to Hoboken’s history, and learned about global holiday traditions.
6th Grade Math at Hoboken MS
This week, students completed their Topic 3 assessment, covering Greatest Common Factor, Least Common Multiple, order of operations, and simplifying algebraic expressions. They then began Topic 4, which focuses on writing and solving algebraic equations and inequalities. Next week, they will continue with Topic 4, tackling equations involving all operations.
7th Grade Math at Hoboken MS
This week, students explored calculating percentages, finding the percent of a number, and solving word problems involving discounts, taxes, and tips. For their mid-topic project, Percents in the Real World, students researched real-life applications of percents and created posters for class.
Next week, they will use the percent equation to find percent change.
8th Grade Math at Hoboken MS
Pre-AP Algebra: This week, students explored the standard form of linear equations (Ax + By = C). They learned how each variable in the equation has its own rate, with the sum of the rates multiplied by quantities resulting in a constant. Using an example about car mileage, students applied unit rates to understand the trade-off between city and highway miles, interpreting the slope as the balance between both. They also discussed how traffic in Hoboken could affect real-world calculations.
Pre-Algebra: This week, students worked on deriving the slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), identifying the slope (m) and y-intercept (b). They practiced graphing lines, visualizing how changes in m and b affect the graph. By analyzing real-world scenarios, students learned to find slope and y-intercept from a graph and write the corresponding equation. In ILP, they played Variable King, a game where they solved linear equations to "win" variables, which students found fun and engaging. Next week, they’ll complete a Desmos project outlining pictures using lines.
Academic Team at Hoboken MS
This week, the Academic Team began working in grade-level groups on mock trials for the 2024-2025 Law Fair/Law Adventure contests, hosted by the NJ State Bar Foundation.
Sixth graders are preparing mock trials for civil or criminal cases for the Law Fair, while seventh and eighth graders are focusing on cases related to the first 10 Amendments for the Law Adventure contest. Over the next two months, students will develop their cases for submission by the end of January.
This week, Mrs. Troutman’s students enhanced their literary analysis skills through a deep dive into a song connected to The Catcher in the Rye.
- Students analyzed the song’s title, paraphrased stanzas, and explored Holden Caulfield’s self-imposed alienation.
- They examined literary devices like metaphors and similes and identified tonal shifts, linking these elements back to the novel’s themes.
- Reflective exercises encouraged students to connect two key moments from the book with the song, exploring parallels between Holden’s emotions and the speaker’s perspective.
This engaging activity fostered critical thinking and deeper connections between music and literature.
USABiolympiad Kicks Off at Hoboken High School
The 2024-2025 USABiolympiad Competition is underway! This prestigious event challenges high school biology students nationwide to showcase their expertise.
- What’s happening: Students are preparing for the "open exam" in February 2025, building on last year’s success when several team members earned honorable mentions.
- Team Captains: Maya Mankoff, Alison Chavez, and Samantha Gotimer are leading the charge, assisting students with registration and guiding their preparation.
- Preparation: The team has already taken a practice test, reviewed results, and set a study schedule, including practice exams from previous years.
Pre AP Biology at Hoboken HS - Mr. Lebegue
Students in Pre-AP Biology have been hard at work exploring ecological concepts through engaging projects and activities:
Food Webs: They created colorful, giant posters of food webs for two different communities, labeling trophic levels and illustrating energy flow with arrows. They also learned how the 10% rule impacts biomass at each level.
Biodiversity Simulation: Using different varieties of beans, students measured species richness and calculated relative abundance, graphing their data to compare the biodiversity of two ecosystems.
Biodiversity Threats Presentations: Students researched threats from the H.I.P.P.O. list (Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, Population increase, Overexploitation), presented case studies, and engaged in thoughtful discussions about the factors reducing biodiversity.
Engineering at Hoboken HS-Mr. Torres
Students in Engineering Design are honing their spatial visualization skills and mastering the use of precision tools.
- They’ve learned to use Dial Calipers to take measurements accurate to three decimal places, a key skill in engineering.
- With a solid foundation in designing and building 3D models, the next step is to accurately measure, dimension, and create precise 3D model representations of real-world objects.
AP Psychology at Hoboken HS - Ms. Loughlin
In AP Psychology, students explored sensation and perception through a taste lab. They sampled mints, soy sauce, lemon, grapefruit, and apple juices, rating their experiences. Then, they dyed their tongues blue to count their fungiform papillae (taste bud locations).
Students with more taste buds were classified as supertasters (cream and sugar coffee drinkers), while those with fewer were hypotasters (black coffee drinkers). Most students predicted their type correctly, though there were a few surprises!
Math at Hoboken HS-Ms. Perry
Algebra 2:
Students started the year reviewing graphing, then moved on to piecewise functions and systems of equations. They are now focused on quadratics—graphing them, finding key features (vertex, axis of symmetry, etc.), and solving quadratic equations. Students are exploring factoring, x-intercepts, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula, which they’ll sing to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." A new topic of complex numbers is introduced, revealing that students can now take the square root of negative numbers!
Precalculus:
After reviewing Algebra 2 concepts, students tackled more challenging topics like rational expressions, complex fractions, and radical equations. They’ve reviewed functions, including transformations and operations, and created a graphic organizer for parent functions. They are now learning about power functions and graphing polynomials. In a fun twist, they played a game of ‘Simon says’ to review end behavior, with winners earning prizes!
This week in Physical Education, we focused on Volleyball, building teamwork, coordination, and fitness.
Students practiced passing, setting, and serving, with drills to improve communication on the court. They learned how to call for the ball and support each other. The week ended with mini-matches, where students tested their skills in strategy and positioning. It's always great to see how excited they are to play!
AP Spanish Language and Culture at Hoboken HS-Mrs. De La Rosa
In the unit "Las familias y las comunidades," students worked on a final project to create initiatives aimed at addressing challenges in their communities. In groups, they identified an obstacle, proposed a solution, listed objectives and strategies, and outlined necessary resources.
They also explained the benefits to teachers, students, and the community. The students did an outstanding job, and their action projects have the potential to make a positive impact wherever implemented.
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica
Each National Spanish Honor Society member made a friendship bracelet and wrote a note of thanks to someone they appreciate. The bracelets were distributed before Thanksgiving break, providing a great opportunity for students to bond, get to know each other, and strengthen their Redwing family.
Environmental Science Club - Mr. Lebegue
Students in the Hoboken HS Environmental Science Club took a trip to Palisades Interstate Park! They saw a beautiful view of the Hudson River and New York City from the Rockefeller Lookout. They then did a hike along the Hudson River culminating at a beautiful waterfall.
The students had a great time taking in these natural surroundings!
Wallace Preschool Wildcats
For taste, they did a jellybean taste test; for touch, they guessed items in a mystery box; for hearing, they played different instruments; for smell, they matched scents with pictures using scented markers; and for sight, they painted what they saw around them. They also participated in a purple scavenger hunt and started decorating for the winter holidays.
Preschool at 770 Jackson
Preschool at Calabro
Preschool at Connors
In Connors 001, students practiced active listening while reading "The Gingerbread Man" by Karen Schmidt. They shared their favorite parts of the story and then created their own personalized Gingerbread man using materials like foam stickers, sequins, glitter, googly eyes, and glue.
Preschool at Rue
Preschool at St. Francis
Brandt Preschool Bears
At the blocks center, they’re experimenting with ramps and car speeds, while also practicing cutting skills by creating their names with snowflakes.
Announcing the 2024 HCIAL All County Redwing Selections for Girls Volleyball! We are so proud of all the hard work that went into this season and even more happy to see our athletes be recognized through these well deserved awards.
Congratulations to Stella, Madison, Morgan, Gabby, Annelien, Marina, and Coach Fernandes on achieving these accolades!
Hoboken Public Schools - A District Dedicated to Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
Our Vision
The Hoboken Public School District will be recognized as a premier educational choice and widely known as a best-practice model for academic growth, high quality instruction, innovative and equitable programs, engagement, facilities and personalized pathways that are essential for college, career and life-preparedness in our ever-changing, interconnected global society.
Our Mission
The Hoboken Public School District will prepare confident and resilient graduates who value academic achievement, embrace challenge, honor diversity, appreciate collaboration, and respectfully contribute to their local and wider communities.
Our District Goals
The Hoboken Public School District will implement a rigorous, relevant and responsive curriculum that meets the needs of all students, fosters personalized pathways for learning, and ensures continuous academic growth.
The Hoboken Public School District will support its diverse staff in professional growth, encourage them to serve as role models, and empower them to provide the highest quality of instruction for our students.
The Hoboken Public School District will develop and implement unique and innovative programs that promote global learning, ensure equitable access, and foster the social, emotional and academic growth of each student.
The Hoboken Public School District will engage and communicate with families and the wider community to bridge understanding and advance partnerships.
The Hoboken Public School District will operate well-maintained and safe facilities that respond to our growing student enrollment, support our academic and co-curricular programs, and promote pride across the city.
Email: District@Hoboken.k12.nj.us
Website: www.hoboken.k12.nj.us
Location: 524 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Phone: (201) 356-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoboken.schools/
Twitter: @HobokenSchools