Season’s Greetings PHS students and families. As another calendar year comes to a close, I reflect on all of the amazing things the PHS community has accomplished. We wrapped up the fall athletic and marching band seasons, enjoyed the Drama Club’s performance of Macbeth, and saw the first marking period come to a close. We have also kicked off the winter athletic season and watched the band, orchestra, and choir perform to packed houses. While this seems like a full year of accomplishments, it’s barely scratching the surface of what happens here at PHS! I am humbled and honored to be a part of this community and its talented staff and students. I wish you all joy, peace, and good health in the New Year, as well a restful break. Recharge your batteries, because I know I speak for the entire staff when I say I can’t wait to see what 2024 holds for the PHS family.

Professor Leslie Alexander, the Dr. Martin Luther King Professor at Rutgers spoke with the Social Studies depart at PHS during the November 7th In-service. Her engaging presentation on African Americans in the American Revolution asked the question, “What did the outbreak of war mean for enslaved and free Black people?” She shared resources and lesser known stories about people and events that shed light on how African Americans responded to the Revolution and how they used it to bolster their fight for freedom.

On November 7th In-service, the PHS Science teachers met with Rick Lathrop, the Land Stewart for the RU Ecological Preserve. Mr. Lathrop explained the history of the place, and the way he teaches science in informal settings, and how integral he was in the development of the RUEP.

The HOSA Leadership team traveled to Kean University on November 3rd to attend the Leadership Conference, networking with other leadership teams around the region and state. The students had a wonderful time.

Piscataway High School senior Chelsea Panton has been selected to be a part of the 2023-24 class of the New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholars, counting her among some of the highest achieving students in the state. The program introduces selected high school and college students to industry, academic, and government research in New Jersey, to establish a relationship between these students and the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) sectors. Panton is one of just 129 chosen out of nearly 1,000 candidates. To qualify applicants must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctorial-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university, and demonstrate a strong passion for STEM.

The PHS Drama Club presented an outstanding production of Macbeth - with phenomenal acting, dancing, singing, fight choreography, scenery, costumes/makeup, and technical elements! Students and teachers approached challenging material with dedication and presented a truly stellar production. Congratulations to the cast, crew, and directors on a wonderful fall production!

The PHS Honors Chorale was featured on the News 12 Sounds of the Season Program as the high school choral program representing New Jersey! A huge thank you to Megan Suozzo for making this happen and to News 12 for selecting PHS!

PHS Drawing and Painting Academy students at PHS met together across grade levels for an afternoon of team-building, mentorship, and art-making. Senior Academy students led discussion and activity groups and all students painted plant containers to house plants that represent their growth as artists. Thanks to Dorothy Amme for providing this meaningful experience for our Academy students!

The VPA Team met for a full day department PD day. Our team participated in team-building, explored student voice and engagement, shared lessons and materials, and glazed ceramic cups for a community art and service project. A huge thank you to our whole team for sharing and presenting and a special thank you to Mary Wartenburg for all of her work sharing about Empty Cups and helping us create art!

Congratulations, to the list of students below that were inducted into the NHS on December 5, 2023 in the Performing Arts Center.

We had 114 staff and students volunteer to donate blood. We were able to collect 87 pints of blood. This is an increase of 31 pints from the May blood drive. Thank you to all our students, faculty and also Holly Cregar-Porch for organizing the event.

Link to pictures below.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-7G7Qq-nx3ncfM2VBQX_-Xsa3s32Q4Gz?usp=sharing

PHS students in Ms. Torok's gym classes are having alot of fun playing Cosmic Bowling. Take a look at the pictures below.

Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated in the 2023 Holiday Door Decorating Contest! Your doors helped make our hallways merry and bright for the holiday season. There were so many unique, fun and engaging designs. We would like to congratulate Ms. Klastava and her Fire & Ice hallway as the grand prize winner! Please view the slideshow link below using your pway.org google drive. All winners are listed in the slideshow!

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1j5VsVZNkUb8id15vjB56dspo1NiSIXWeBxMtATzQXnw/edit#slide=id.p

Happy Holidays!

I would like to remind you about ordering your cap and gown for graduation. Go to the link below to place your order. Great news, you can order now and pay later.

Cap&Gown

December 22 - Half Day of School for Students & Staff

December 25 - School Closed for Winter Break

January 3 - School Reopens

January 10 - Pway Experience

January 15 - School Closed for MLK Day

January 17 - Pway Experience Inclement Weather Date