April 2024
Message from the Principal
The first edition of The Wave newsletter was awesome. I would like to thank all the staff members who spent a considerable amount of time writing articles, submitting information and taking pictures to showcase all the incredible things that happen at Audubon Jr.-Sr. High School each and every day.
The end of the school year is almost near. We are now in the fourth marking period and getting ready for all of our end of year events including Graduation, Senior Farewell and some of our class trips.
Our theme this year, for our students and staff, has been increased Rigor and Accountability. Everyone had done a phenomenal job with raising the bar and expecting more from themselves each and every day. Our goal is to prepare our students for life after high school, whether it be in the trades, a four year university, community college or other training venture. We want to produce students who will thrive and prosper when they graduate.
Respectfully,
Jeffrey Lebb
Instagram @ahsprincipal
Middle School Counseling Information
On February 29, 2024, Beth Sokolic (AHS middle school counselor), Dan Howey (Assistant Principal of Student Personnel Services), and six 7th grade students visited the 6th grade classrooms at Mansion Avenue School. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the elective choices the 6th graders would be able to select for their 7th grade school year at Audubon High School. The 6th graders chose their top 3 electives choices after listening to the descriptions and asking questions. The Audubon High School 7th graders did an excellent job of talking to the 6th grade students about the activities, clubs, and giving general information about AHS, and answering questions, as well as providing encouragement to students who were nervous about the transition.
At Audubon High School, the middle school counselor visited all of the 7th grade Language Arts classrooms to discuss the students' elective choices for 8th grade. After reviewing the elective choices/descriptions with their parents, each 7th grade student met with their counselor individually to choose their top 3 elective choices in preparation for 8th grade as well as review their core class recommendations.
Currently, all of the AHS school counselors are working on scheduling the school choice students for next year.
On June 5th, the Mansion Avenue students will be visiting Audubon High School for the morning for Moving Up Day in order to help with their transition of moving up to a different school next year.
HIB and Character Education
We would like to thank our teachers for infusing Character education in our students' lives throughout the year. Our goal is not only to graduate students who are strong academically, but ones that have exceptional values and are respectful young adults. Hopefully, with the help of home and the community, we can help students create a positive and lasting impact on our world.
- Amy Paratore graduated in 1993 and was a member of DECA. Currently, Amy works as a Sales Support Specialist.
- Erin Knoll MacMinn graduated in 1997 and was an active participant in Spring Track during her time in school. She achieved the honor of being named first-team all-conference in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Presently, Erin works as an Emissions Compliance Engineer.
- Jeff Lebb graduated in 1999 after actively participating in multiple sports, including Football, Wrestling, and Baseball, throughout his high school years. Currently, Jeff serves as the Principal of Audubon High School.
- Amanda Carelli Barbieri graduated in 2001, engaging in various activities during her school years, including participation in band, choir, peer mediation, and intergenerational programs.Currently, Amanda works as a behavioral therapist.
- Katie Ross graduated in 2002 and was actively involved in extracurricular activities during her school years. She participated in Girls Basketball and was a member of the Color Guard from 1997 to 2002. Currently, Katie works as a Patient Care Coordinator.
- Cara Low Gaehring graduated in 2004 and received notable recognition for her achievements. She was honored as a STARS Award recipient and was awarded the Martin Luther King Freedom Medal, showcasing her commitment to promoting equality and social justice. Currently, she works as a Substitute Teacher and Secretary in Audubon.
- Kieran Boland graduated in 2010, actively participating in various sports during his time in school, including Cross Country, Boys Basketball, Winter Track, and Spring Track. Currently, Kieran works as a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer
Art Department News
Two of our Art students experimented with a new printmaking technique in Art class! Using Legos, rather than gouges to carve linoleum, the students created the reverse patterns of their choice on large Lego baseplates. They used tiny brayers to ink their Lego plates and were able to pull multiple prints, just like you would with carved linoleum. The project was so successful, all 8th grade Art students are currently doing the same project! Come see all the Lego prints in the Annual Art Show on May 30th, 6:30-8 pm at New Freedom Church!
English Department News
Mrs. Wilson's English IV classes are working with The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. We are exploring the duality of human nature and how science fiction influences real life.
Message From the Nurse's Office
Hey students! It's that time of the year again where Nurse Barry will be performing your annual health screenings. If you are called down, see you soon!
Renovated Media Center is Open for Business!
The Media Center was completely renovated last summer and reopened to students in the fall. New furniture, carpeting, and lightning has created a warm and welcoming space conducive to learning. Since then, students have been given orientations on Media Center resources including print and electronic materials and databases, classes are using the Media Center for 21st Century information and research skills, and clubs and organizations are using the space to hold meetings and activities.
The Media Center is open 7:30am to 3:15pm Monday through Friday, and students are encouraged to visit before, during, and after school hours. Follow our Media Specialist, Patrick Polimeni, on Instagram @ahslibrarymediacenter for regular Media Center Updates!
Girls Track And Field Starts Strong
The Girls Track and Field team is off to a great start. The team placed second at the West Deptford Relays on April 13th and then won the Woodbury Relays Team Title on Saturday April 20th. This is the third time in school history that the team has won this event. The girls scored 50 total points on the day (a team record) and they also set two school records. The Distance Medley team of Lydia Gravante, Isa Legatie, Maddy Carter and Riley Fayer broke the record by 10 seconds while the Sprint Medley team of Arianna Bittner, Charlie Owens, Kira Collins and Riley Fayer broke this one by 2 seconds. The girls are currently 3-1 in conference with wins against Haddon Twp, West Deptford and Sterling. Just recently we saw another record broken with Marissa DeValerio breaking the triple jump record by a whole foot! She leaped to a 35'1.5 jump. The season is almost at our half way point and the team is looking great! Excited for the rest of the season. #EmbraceTheChase
Boys Track and Field Is Rolling
The boys track and field team took 1st place in Group 1 at the West Deptford Relays on April 13th. They won first place in multiple relays including pole vault (Leo Davis, Dylan Gallagher), shot put (Jake Holland, Aiden McKinney), discus (Jake Holland, Dylan Hoff), high jump (Tommy Weick, Andrew Trow), and the distance medley (Kyle Brown, Kowie Limbaga, Zach Fayer, Aiden Williams).
On April 20th the boys took 3rd overall at the Woodbury Relays. The 4x400 team (Al Gonzalez, Luke Hoke, Kowie Limbaga, Dylan Gallagher) broke the school record with a time of 1:32.75.
Also at the Woodbury Relays, Aiden Williams qualified for Nationals in the Steeplechase with a time of 9:34.
Additional Athletic Department Photos & Highlights
Environmental Club
AHS Environmental Club helped spruce-up and plant flowers and vegetables in the Audubon Victory Garden located at the Murray-Troutt American Legion, Sunday April 21st. Come on out and 'dig' their handiwork. More field days to come so stay tuned...
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
On April 24th, the Audubon chapter of National Honor Society proudly inducted 25 students, recognizing their outstanding achievements in scholarship, service, leadership, and character. The ceremony marks the 86th year of induction in our school's history. The ceremony was led by the Co-Presidents, Molly Rizzi and Nadia Cruz. Madelin Carter, Isabella Repetto, Brynn Frockowiak, and Jocelyn Carter represented the 4 pillars of NHS during the ceremony.
Interact Club
The Interact Club program gives our Audubon students (grades 7-12) an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends. "Interact" stands for "international action." Our motto is "Service Above Self." Interact is a Rotary-mentored service club that works closely with the Mt. Ephraim Rotary.
The AHS Interact Club has had a busy 2023-2024 school year! We began the year strong with over 100 members that signed up to join Interact with the interest of putting "service above self" and giving back to our community.
Our first event this year was when we were supporting Team Grady at the BUDS Buddy Walk in October. During October, our members helped the Audubon Preschool with their Trunk or Treat as well. Our members continue to work with the Preschool at recent events such as the Spring Festival on 4/16 and the St. Jude Trike-a-Thon on 4/19.
Interact's first major service project took place on November 21st. Together, we made 475 sandwiches, 22 centerpieces, and many placemats for Cathedral Kitchen. We also submitted a large donation of canned and household goods to Audubon Peer to Peer, and we sorted our blessing bag donations for For the Love of Pete's Pantry.
The organization Sonshine and Smiles received many handmade and store bought cards from our members this year for the winter holidays and Valentine's Day, and we are currently designing Mother and Father's Day cards to send their way.
Interact members supported the AHS winter sports teams by working the concession stands at many home games.
Our biggest event is our annual Volleyball tournament! This was our 13th annual tournament, and we had 13 student teams and 1 teacher team play. Our teacher team, The Champs, won the tournament! However, the biggest victory was that Interact raised $640 for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey!
We have had numerous pretzel sales this year with our "themed" pretzels that were pumpkin, candy cane, heart, and shamrock shaped! We are hoping to have one more sale before the end of the school year.
Recently, we collected new, unused personal care and pampering products for Mothers Matter. Our officers team visited Mothers Matter to make Mother's Day baskets with our collected donations on April 22nd.
There are many other walks that Interact Club has or will be participating in such as the SEPAC Walk for Acceptance on April 21st and the All the Way for Kari J walk on May 19th. Interact members also plan to assist the Memorial Grove clean up on May 21st. We also have another large service project planned for May 24th where we will be making sandwiches For the Love of Pete's Pantry.
Overall, Interact has had a very successful year, and we are very thankful for all of the support from AHS students and staff!
Mrs. Drinkhouse is SO happy to work with an amazing group of officers and members, and she looks forward to finishing the school year strong.
Interested in joining Interact next year or have any questions about our upcoming events? Please contact Mrs. Drinkhouse (x1214).
Want to keep up with our events or see photos from our previous events? Please follow us on our Instagram: @AudubonInteractClub
Spring Festival at Audubon Preschool
Visiting Mother's Matter
The AHS Interact Officers went to Mother's Matter in Sewell, NJ on April 22nd to drop off our club's donations, help with sorting products, and designing baskets for mothers in need just in time for Mother's Day. Thank you to everyone who provided donations!
Spring Festival at Audubon Preschool
Additional AHS News & Notes
Audubon High School Senior Trip Photos
AHS Student Selected to All-South Jersey Jazz Band
Vice-Principal Corley Gets "Pied" By Students at Spring Pep Rally
Bring Your Child To Work Day a Success!
Children of staff members had a great time on Take Your Child to Work Day at AHS! Activities included a scavenger hunt through the school and an activity packet put together by Mrs. Drinkhouse.
Our staff member's children had fun meeting our students and staff as well as checking out the Pride & Excellence AHS has to offer!
Audubon Education Foundation (AEF)
Audubon Education Foundation (AEF) - We need your help!
Our Mission
To support and advance the excellence of the Audubon School District through the creative
funding of innovative programs and initiatives that broaden horizons and create significant,
lasting impact on the education of the students in our District.
Who We Are
Established in 2007, Audubon Education Foundation is a wholly non-profit organization which
depends on both acquisition of grants and generous donations from individuals, and organizations
alike. All Foundation members are volunteers. New members are always welcome.
What We Do:
- Provide opportunities for teachers and staff to develop and implement innovative projects through grants.
- Invest in programs that have a positive impact on student success.
- Develop a network of former Audubon students, local residents and businesses to encourage continued interest in and support of public education.
- Foster a sense of community and partnership for all members and stakeholders of the Audubon Public School System.
- The AEF is funded by the teachers, administrators, business owners, and residents of Audubon. Since our founding in 2007, over $145,000 in grants has been
awarded to help the children of Audubon.
Please click on the following attachments for more information about how the AEF is positively affecting our schools!
Mr. Buchs was a former principal of Audubon Jr. High School. What position did he have prior to becoming the principal of our school? What other language was Mr. Buchs fluent in speaking?
Correct Answers: Vice Principal and German
Question of the Month
First part: Who was the Principal of Haviland Avenue School prior to Mrs. Ledyard?
Second part: Who served as Athletic Director of Audubon High School just prior to Mr. Carbone?
You must write your name, grade and favorite Vice Principal's name on a piece of paper, in addition to the answers to these two questions, and drop it off to Mrs. Burns in C102. The first two students who have the correct answers will receive a prize.
The Parrot And Published Mind
Our Published Mind features short stories, poems, and artwork submissions from the entire student body and is an amazing showcase of the talent we have in our school. If any student is interested in submitting work, please let Miss Morrison know.
Audubon High School Gear For Sale!
AHS is working with BSN Sports to offer custom Audubon apparel to staff and community. These items are not affiliated with any clubs or activities, we are simply providing the community with an opportunity to get general Audubon apparel.
Please continue to support our specific programs as they provide team stores and apparel sales. If interested in purchasing AHS gear, click on the image below and use code SPIRIT20 for 20% off your purchase until May 17th.
Project Memorial
Audubon Jr.-Sr. High School Webite
(click on image to be taken to the AHS website)