Bergenfield Public Schools

“Where Children Come First” MarchMarch 200 20099WinterWinter Edition Edition

DistrictBergenfield Pu

DistrictBergenfield Pu

NewsletterDistrict NewsletterDistrict

Dear Bergenfi eld Community Members:One only needs to turn on the tele-

vision or open a newspaper to fi nd out that the current economic status of our country is presenting challenges to our schools, communities, businesses, municipali-ties, and state governments. The Board of Education of the Bergenfi eld Public School District is poised to meet these challenges, while striving to maintain the highest academic expectations for all students. Despite funding issues, we are deeply committed to preparing each and every child for a place of honor in a competitive global marketplace.

On January 16th, I received a letter from NJ Commissioner of Education, Lu-cille Davy, outlining Governor Corzine’s concern for our economy. New Jersey is facing a 2.1 billion dollar gap in the cur-rent 2009 state budget. The Governor also asked that we put a “freeze” on all discre-tionary spending and non-essential spend-ing for the rest of the school year. I have complied with the Governor’s request and know that “positions of leadership” demand making tough decisions.

My mission has been and always will be to “Put Children First.” While sensitivity to the potential magnitude of this recession is required, it will not alter our values. Our goal is to honor our mis-sion, while not increasing our taxpayer’s burden in any way. No doubt, funding is essential to operating a school district, but it is not the heart of our Bergenfi eld Schools. As long as we have our highly qualifi ed teachers and classrooms fi lled with students, learning will definitely take place.

President Obama signed the Ameri-can Recovery & Reinvestment Act into law on President’s Day. This federal stimulus package is expected to provide New Jersey schools with more than $900 million over the next two years. In the meantime, every NJ school district is anxiously awaiting Governor Corzine’s Budget address to learn how much of the Federal Stimulus money will go directly to school districts and our community. This information will have a dramatic impact on the development of Bergenfi eld School District’s 2009-2010 budget. However,

From the Desk of the SuperintendentBy Dr. Michael Kuchar, Superintendent of Schools

please know that the Bergenfi eld Board of Education is acutely aware of the burdens our taxpayers are facing. We pledge to apply due diligence to ensure the best education for Bergenfi eld’s chil-dren, while exercising the utmost fi scal responsibility.

We have implemented several ex-emplary programs over the past few years that have prompted other districts, colleges and universities to explore and duplicate. We are committed to going forward. With the exceptional educators that comprise our team, we should be able to stand our ground to continue working to engage all students in active learning on a daily basis. While we would love to keep improving our facilities and curricula, we may have to be content with what we have now dur-ing this challenging time. This will still leave the Bergenfi eld School District with a deep sense of gratitude. It gives some peace of mind to refl ect and acknowledge that nothing is more signifi cant in the life of a child than dedicated parents, teachers, and community members. In our local school district, we have this in abundance. Together we will pull through, because our community has a long history of facing challenges head-on and emerging even better than before. You should expect nothing less. It is such an honor to serve the community of Bergenfi eld and all of our wonderful students. Together, we will survive these diffi cult times, and become stronger and more effi cient.

With Bear Pride,

DISTRICT NEWS

AROUND THE DISTRICT

Wrestling Towards the FutureBHS senior Chris Rankin was hon-

ored as The Record Male Athlete of the Week on March 3rd, following his victory in the 119-pound bracket at the Region 2 Championships. Rankin avenged his only loss of the season against Ryan Giovenetti of Ridgewood in the tournament.

Rankin aspires to be an offi cer in the U.S. Army, and hopes to attend West Point to apply the lessons he’s learned on the wrestling mat.

“You can’t go into things expecting to goof off and take the easy way out,” said Rankin.

Fellow classmate Emmanuel Fran-cisco Perez, sharing similar dreams, has

Top 10 Ways Teens Trick Their ParentsToday’s teens have numerous

methods to trick their parents and keep their social behavior secret from their home life. Everyday items such as cell phones, cameras and after-school gather-ings and social functions can help teens shield their drug or alcohol use from parents and caregivers. And according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, many parents have a diffi cult time talking with kids about drugs and alcohol or hav-ing ongoing conversations on the subject. Today, it is crucial that parents never un-derestimate their teenagers, ask questions about friends and after-school activities and talk openly with their children about the risks of substance abuse.1. When the Cat is Away the Mice Will Play:

Your teen insists on going to a friend’s house for the night when you’re going out for the evening. Once you’ve left, your teen returns home to your un-supervised house with a group of friends. (Watch out for: holidays, anniversaries and other special occasions.)2. The Cameo Appearance:

Attending a school dance, your teen is allowed to leave the dance at any point in the evening. Why is this a problem? Many couples will take their picture at the

dance to prove that they attended and then go to an empty house to party.

3. Wide Open Spaces:Community festivals are not highly

patrolled events, and teens can leave the premises at any time to use substances in nearby woods, parking lots, or behind nearby building. Also, be aware that your teen might start their night at one event, but be taken to a different party by an older student who can drive.

4. After-School Freedom:After school when you are still

at work, you child and his friend might congregate at your empty house and do as they please until you arrive home. A few hours is enough time to experiment.

5. The Deserted Forest:When walking to a nearby friend’s

house, you teen can meet up with friends on their way in deserted or secluded areas and use substances or engage in sexual behavior. (This can take place in broad daylight!)

6. School Functions Gone Wrong:Your teen might say they’re attend-

ing school functions (such as sports games, concerts or club meetings), which seems perfectly safe and reasonable, however your teen might have other plans, and can

easily sneak away to go use substances in the unsupervised areas with other kids.7. Sleep-Over Sneak Outs:

Although you may be home when you teen has friends sleep over, it’s pos-sible that while you’re sound asleep your guests are sneaking out of your house to walk somewhere else, or be picked up in a car down the street to go to a party.8. Turning Water into Wine:

An old trick – your teen steals alco-hol from your liquor cabinet and then, if necessary, makes up the difference in the bottle’s volume by adding water.9. Not your Usual Math Homework:

Although you might be pleased when your teen goes to a friend’s house to do homework, this may not actually be what your teen will be doing once she leaves the house. (When she leaves, check and see if she’s actually carrying books.)10. A Change of Plans:

Your teen says that he is going to a friend’s house to spend the night and then ends up elsewhere at the last minute – forgetting to fi ll you in on his changing plans.© 2007, Adapted from a piece by The Student Congress of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati.

already received his offi cial appointment to West Point.

Pictured here, Perez is congratulated by Dr. Kuchar and his assistant Victoria Carroll, whose son is BHS alumni and a 2006 graduate of West Point.

On February 25th, high school teachers Roma Buendia and Matthew Baumuller were joined by eleven of their students at Hackensack Soup Kitchen in an effort to feed the homeless, where they were able to feed over 150 hungry mouths.

Helping the Needy

AROUND THE DISTRICT

This winter brought the excite-ment of two Bergenfi eld native music legends back to BHS. World-renowned jazz guitarist Al DiMeola and Hall of Fame songwriter/performer/producer Bob Gaudio both came back to visit their old hometown, but for entirely two different purposes.

Al DiMeola, class of ‘72 Bergen-fi eld High School graduate, treated over

800 attendees to a live performance in the high school auditorium. The event was a fund-raising concert collaboration between the Renaissance Program and the Bergenfi eld Volunteer Ambulance Corps. DiMeola was able to tour the school and visit former teachers during his stay.

Bob Gaudio’s purpose for hisvisit was not to perform in concert, but to graduate with his Bergenfi eld High School diploma just 50 years after dropping out of school.

Gaudio, who would have graduated with the class of ‘59, had dropped out of school following the advice of then-prin-cipal Paul Hoffmeister. The 15-year old prodigy had left school to tour with his group the Royal Teens following the suc-cess of their hit song “Short Shorts,” and never returned to school — until now.

Gaudio went on to become the backbone of the musical group the Four Seasons, alongside Frankie Valli. After writing numerous No. 1 hits for the Four Seasons, Gaudio wrote songs for music greats like Michael Jackson, Neil Dia-mond, and Marvin Gaye to name a few. Today, he is credited for his production work on the Broadway hit “Jersey Boys,” which relives the story of the group.

Bergenfi eld Takes “Positive Action” Towards $1-Million GrantThe Bergenfield Public School

District was awarded 1 million dollars over three years to expand the counseling services to the fi ve elementary schools, and provide more indepth counseling outreach in grades 6-12. The United States awarded the Federal CASE (Counseling, Assess-ment, Service, Education) Program. The majority of these funds have gone into hir-ing three counselors to work with children grades K-5. It is through early intervention and prevention that we look to strengthen student achievement, and at the same time reduce at-risk behaviors that we see in the adolescent years. In addition to the CASE Counseling grant we have implemented a character education program called Re-sponsive Classroom. Together we expect these programs to be the foundation of systematic reform in Bergenfi eld.

Responsive Classroom is a program brought to national notoriety by the Mas-sachusetts-based organization Northeast Foundation for Children. The program is a new approach to teaching and learning that promotes safe, challenging and joyful classrooms and schools. This approach to teaching practice brings together social and academic learning throughout the school day.

We believe that all children are born innocent and good, and that every child is unique and special. They enter this world with their own particular destiny. As educators, one of our most important chal-

lenges is to recognize, honor, and then nur-ture our children’s unique growth process. The core belief of the program states that it is important to know children individually, culturally and developmentally before mak-ing decisions about curriculum, classroom organization, classroom management, and discipline. Teachers know that the best academic learning occurs within a positive social context, and material can be applied within that authentic context.

Positive Action, an evidence-based program, has both school-wide and targeted tools to help us achieve our goals for the grant. Here are the top 5 reasons that Bergenfi eld chose to use Positive Action for our grant:1. It’s the Top-Rated ProgramPositive Action is recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education’s What Works Clear-inghouse as the only program in the nation to show “positive effects” in behavior (violence, drug, alcohol and tobacco use, and suspensions) or academics in character education. 2. It’s Evidence-basedMost programs address the micro-level predictors of problem behavior and do not attempt to affect the multifaceted, distal factors. The Positive Action approach emphasizes youth asset development, re-silience, and building on strengths rather than just weaknesses or risk factors. This approach has led to these sustainable effects and more:

• Up to 78% reduction in general disci-pline• Up to 85% reduction in violence• Up to 71% reduction in substance use • Up to 37% reduction in dropping out• Up to 40% reduction bullying• Up to 52% improvement in academic achievement

3. It’s Easy to Use and DisseminatePositive Action has tools for teachers, counselors and principals. These tools make it easy to replicate the program and ensure consistent results across multiple sites. 4. It Unites Schools, Families, and Com-munitiesPositive Action promotes collaboration be-tween schools, families, and communities. Positive Action is the only program with tools for everyone: K-12 schools, families, and community partners. 5. It’s Effective for All Populations and SettingsPositive Action has been proven effec-tive for: Caucasians, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Pacifi c Islanders, Native Americans, and others in all school settings and sizes.

Schools across the nation use Posi-tive Action as the key to their school-wide, classroom, and counseling initiatives. Adapted from an article from Positive Ac-tion Consulting.

Hall of Fame Musicians Revisit Their Roots

Congratulations to the BHS students who were accepted into the 2009 North Jersey Region I Honors Ensembles. Re-gion I is comprised of the seven counties in North Jersey (Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Sussex, and Warren). Representing BHS for chorus are: Kerry Schade - soprano; Ashley Gallagher - so-prano II; Catherine Ruesch - soprano II; Ginette Montoya - alto I; Taylor Munoz - alto I; Melissa Naylis - alto II; Anita Mbogoni - alto II; Colleen Naylis - alto II; Jessica Aleman - alto II; Joseph Fritz - tenor II; Patrick Verzosa - bass I; Joshua Arcilla - bass I; For orchestra: Chris-topher Pena - clarinet; Charlene You - piccolo; For band: Christopher Pena - clarinet; Sarah Stypulkoski - alto clarinet. In addition, 16 students were accepted into Bergen County Chorus and 5 more were accepted into Bergen County Band.

Christopher Pena was also selected for the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble and for the All-Eastern Honor Band. Sarah Stypulkoski was selected for the New Jersey All-State Symphonic Band. Jessica Aleman, Arielle Castillo, Joseph Fritz, Anita Mbogoni, Ginette Montoya, Melissa Naylis, and Lauren Wheeler were accepted into All-State Chorus.

Congratulations to the following Roy Brown students for their acceptance into the Junior Region Choir - 7th7th7 Grade: Kevin Joseph, Ariel Sanchez, Alexandria Villa-gracia. 8th Grade: Kim Acosta, Jasmine Davis, Rino Diamante, Krizia DeVera, Kris Harris, Lydia Ko, Marissa Moran, Sheanine Samson, Nicole Sandoval, Lau-ren Tolentino. Also, congratulations to Eric Roque on making Region Band and Clara Boudrot for Region Orchestra. In Clara Boudrot for Region Orchestra. In Clara Boudrotaddition, 3 RWB students were accepted in the Bergen County Band and 12 more students were accepted in the Bergen County Chorus.

The High School girls bowling team won their 5th consecutive league cham-pionship this year. Members of the team are Brittany Kneisler (league-high aver-age, game, and series), Cassidy Fiore, Alexis Ruiz, Lauren Wheeler, Danielle Hayes, Samantha Griffenkranz, and Ni-cole Schielzo.

On February 11th, Roy Brown held their annual induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. The 2009 inductees are: 7th7th7 Grade: Danielle Aviles, Steven Budziszewski, Thomas Bufi s, Bryan Claveria, Nisha Desai, Jennifer Doll, Jithin Easo, Seth Goldstein, Cenadra Gopala-Foster, Jacob Heifetz-Licht, Steven John, Angelica Johnsen, Kevin Joseph, Samia Khan, Thomas Monaghan, Kyla Moutenot, Sheldon Pinto, Gabriele Podwin, Michele Pothen, Amira-Cheska Roxas, Adrienne Sangalang, Emma Taub-ner, Gabriela Toledo, Barbara Tsaousis, Julia White; 8th Grade: Lola Akingbade, Marisa Budziszewski, Leeza Camilo, Kevinejoyce Claveria, Zachary Kazarian, Anthony Occidentale, Eric Roque.

Congratulations to the following BHSstudents who are the 2009 National Honor Society inductees - 11th Grade: Akhil Saji, Albert Abrenilla, Ashley Foglio, Charles Buffi n, Christian Francke, Christine Rog-ers, Christopher Pena, David Ricco, Emily Rankin, Erica Fernandez, Hazel Malaz-arte, Ishra Lehra, Joseph Fritz, Kaitlyn Lehr, Kerry Schade, Marly Relato, Melissa Naylis, Monique Rivera, Nathalie J Corres, Niky Calderon, Nolan M Sucdad, Patrick Verzosa, Rosario Saccomanno, Rose Anne Montemayor, Toni Rose Sarsua, Valerie Jean Lualhati; 12th Grade: Christine Asun-cion, Roxanne Saliente, Angeli Dumlao, Jane Lee, Satchel Victory, Joby Mathew, Denise Inrio, Jake Factora, Jazmin Juarez, Saron Guintu, Laura Nappi, Sneha Daniel, Rhama Reyes, Lauren Empleo, Anju Rejit, Lauren Wheeler, Jeanette Salgado, Chris-tina Jones, Nicole Bufi s, Tia A Ziagos, Analyn Delfi n, Yohann Ramilo.

Career Day 2009 will be held on Friday, April 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This rd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This rd

is our third annual Career Day at BHS, and the entire school will be participating. Students will choose sessions they would like to attend and hear speakers discuss their career paths.

NEWSMAKERSThe Bergenfi eld High School Wind Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble and Cham-ber Orchestra are set to perform at New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center on March 10th at 7pm. The An-nual Tri-State Young Performers Festival Showcase Concert will bring together ensembles from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania to perform individual programs on one of the world’s fi nest concert hall stages. Avery Fisher Hall has been home to many outstanding professional ensembles since the 1960’s, most notably being the New York Phil-harmonic.

The following BHS students have received the High Schools That Work Award of Education Achievement based on the courses they have taken at BHS, and their high scores on the NAEP-based as-sessment they took in January 2008. The standards on the assessment were raised this year to refl ect college and career-readiness standards. The HSTW award is given to only the highest scorers across the country; Suzanne Baptist, Stephanie Cabalatungan, Michelle Caparas, Alejan-dra Corredor, Jamie D’Esposito, Rebekah Forni, Monica Franklin, Christin George, Albin Mammen, Phillip Morris, Mariana Posada, Dhara Shah, Nanishka Torres.

Congratulations to the following stu-dents on their early acceptance into col-lege: Olufunmilayo Ajakaiye - Briarwood College, Casey Leeann Camp - Ramapo College, Pati Candelario - The College of New Jersey, Caitlyn Dowling - West Virginia State University, Charles Ferrer - Pennsylvania State University, Christo-pher Morales - United States Naval Acad-emy, Anju Rejit - Rutgers, Marissa Rosado - St. John’s University, Kaitlyn Schnell-bacher - Stevens Institute of Technology, Sukhwinder Singh - Rutgers, Jed Taccad - Saint Peter’s College, Rebecca Wallace - Dominican College of Blauvelt.

Bergenfi eld High School’s student- produced television show, Bears Country, will be airing soon on CableVision’s chan-nel 77. Under the direction of art teacher Mr. Charles Bogusat, the students in his Introduction to Television Production classes have been working hard this year to gain the knowledge and technical skills to make this show a reality.

Each of the students in the class

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experience all aspects of producing a show from start to fi nish as they explore the many unique jobs of editor, journalist, camera operator, sound engineer, lighting director, fl oor manager, graphic artist and on-air talent. By rotating through different on-air talent. By rotating through different on-airassignments, each student develops an un-derstanding of the responsibilities associ-ated with that position and a strong sense of cooperation and team work necessary to produce a fi nal product. The students are enthusiastic about the programing they have developed to broadcast to the school and community in the coming weeks.

Introduction to Television Pro-duction is a full-year course open to all students enrolled in Bergenfield High School – grades nine through twelve. All interested students should see their guid-ance counselor for additional information and to register for the course next year.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 — a day that will remain signifi cant in American his-tory forever. Around the district, students of all ages witnessed the historic inauguration of our 44th president. Our children watched excitedly, as America swore in the fi rst Afri-can American president ever to hold offi ce. Cheers from the anxious students echoed throughout the hallways, as they watched Obama deliver his fi rst speech as our newly elected president.

Pictured above, Lincoln School studentsictured above, Lincoln School studentsictured above, Lincoln School watch eagerly on the new fl at screen television, do-nated by the Lincoln School Parents Club.

A Part of HistoryA Part of HistoryA Part ofComing to a Television Near You

PREPARING FOR TOMORROW