September
Chief Report
Welcome Message from Principal Baldassano
It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of our students back to school. I am excited to have the Class of 2026 join us here at PHS and look forward to celebrating all of their accomplishments in the years to come. I am confident they will be a wonderful addition to the upperclassmen here at PHS. September is a busy time as staff and students settle back into their routines. We welcomed parents at Back to School Night, celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, and cheered for our athletes and marching band as they began their seasons. We are excited for what the rest of the year holds and look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our amazing Piscataway High School students. Below is a link that highlights some of our accomplishments last year. Enjoy!
New Staff Members
PHS would like to welcome the following New Staff Members.
Joann Abbate, Cristi Artificio, Antonio Berdecia, Dave Carmen, Rebecca Colegrove, Lydia Collins,
Justin Critelli, Rachel Daddio, Cristina De Oliveira, Amanda Elliott, Emily Fedor, Winifer Felix-Rivas, Virginia George, Monica Kays, Samantha Knierim, Gabriel Martinez, Jennifer Nelson,
Jennifer Neely, Robert Samarel, Madeeha Urooj, Dan Verdia, and Christopher Young.
Science Highlights
- PHS Student Ryan Sikander was awarded as this year's PBL-PHS Scholarship awardee & PBL hosted a PHS alumni luncheon this summer.
- The River Road Rescue Squad visited the High School to introduce students to the EMS field.
- Three PHS students spent 10 weeks working at the Rutgers Cancer Institute with a mentor conducting caner research and creating community outreach activities to bring back to PHS.
- PHS Science pass rates were excellent this year!
AP Biology - 94%
AP Chemistry - 92%
AP Physics - 76%
Anatomy I - 79%
Anatomy II - 81%
Medical Terminology - 84%
Dynamics in Healthcare - 84%
PHS Graduate Attains Pilot’s License
Piscataway High School graduate from class of 2022, Shannen Justiniani, attained her private pilot’s license at a selective flight school this summer, making the most of opportunities she earned through the PHS Air Force Junior ROTC program.
Shannen Justiniani was Piscataway High School's cadet commander from 2021-22 of the AFJROTC program. She won a scholarship to the eight-week Flight Academy through the Air Force. The rigorous program selects 300 JROTC cadets nationwide, including just 200 from high school. Justiniani was selected based on her GPA 3.0 or higher, a high fitness score, and completing Aircrew Qualification Test.
Justinian thanks Piscataway's AFJROTC program and instructors for her love for aviation and extremely grateful for helping her succeed in the flight Academy.
Please see below for a few pictures of Shaneen Justiniani. Congratulations Shannen!
Congratulations Mr. Tuskan
Congratulations to Piscataway High School’s Brian Tuskan who was selected as New Jersey’s James Madison Fellow for 2022.
The James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation offers $24,000 James Madison Graduate Fellowships to individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level.
Welcome Back
The Social Studies Department welcomes new staff member Gabriel Martinez to the team. You may recognize him as he is a 2018 PHS graduate. Welcome Back Gabe!
Superchief Band Camp | Ken Zampella, Christian Lopez, & Marching Band Staff
The Superchief Marching Band held band camp at PHS at the end of August. Students worked for 6 days with long hours to learn their show - ending with a performance for family and friends - (and even an epic staff vs. student rock, paper, scissors battle)! Looking forward to a great season! Thanks to Ken Zampella, Christian Lopez, the marching band staff, and all of the band parents that made the week possible!
Chiefs Dance Team Workshop Jessica Taylor
The PHS Chiefs Dance Team had a workshop with the Montclair State University Complexions Dance Team! Thanks to Jessica Taylor and our awesome CDT alumni who give so much back to our program!
PHS AP Art Chickens! | Dorothy Amme & Lisa Lentini-Pombrio
Our PHS AP Art students created these amazing chickens at the end of last school year! Every chicken has their own unique story and they took up residence in the PHS media center all summer - bringing a smile to all who visited. Thanks to Mrs. Amme and Mrs. Lentini-Pombrio and our AP Art students for bringing joy to our community!
PHS Theatre Student Performs at Paper Mill Playhouse | Michael Yoson & Erik Hall
Congratulations to PHS Theatre student Najm Muhammad on a truly outstanding performance in the Paper Mill Playhouse Summer Conservatory production of A Whole New World: A Tribute to Alan Menken! This New Voices concert featured 120 of the best young performers in NJ. Najm was invited to be part of this conservatory through his nomination in the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards for his performance as Spongebob Squarepants in The Spongebob Musical. Najm rehearsed for 4 weeks at Montclair University and then performed on stage at Paper Mill.
Lin-Manuel Miranda attended the performance and Najm got to meet him! What an amazing experience and opportunity!
PSAT - October 12, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Americans are the largest minority group in the United States. The Hispanic population in the United States totals 60.6 million people.
The theme for this year is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation".
Important Fact of Hispanic Heritage Month
It started in 1968, under Presidency of Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week and then under President Ronald Reagan in 1988, it became Hispanic Heritage Month. September 15 signifies the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries.
PHS Picture Day
Upcoming Events for October
October 1 SATs
October 5 School Closed (Yom Kippur)October 10 Genesis Closes for MP1 Interims @7pm
October 11 Underclassman Picture Day/Faculty (Patton Gym)
October 12 PSAT Testing
October 13 Underclassman Picture Day/Faculty (Patton Gym)
October 17 MP1 Interims Available to Parents
October 20 Pep Rally/Half Day Schedule
October 21 Underclassman Picture Day/Faculty (Patton Gym)
October 24 Diwali/Teacher In-Service Day (No School for Students)