RRRoselle oselle oselle PPPark ark ark PPPublic ublic ublic SSSchoolschoolschools District NewsletterDistrict NewsletterDistrict Newsletter

October 2012October 2012October 2012

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RP ART PROGRAM

RANKS #7 IN THE STATE

M rs. Carrie Russoniello, art teacher

at EJF-Aldene and Sherman

Schools deserves to take a step out of the

art room and into the spotlight! Carrie

has been recognized by Artsonia, the

world’s largest online kid’s art museum

for outstanding leadership in the area of

Arts Education. The school’s online art

g a l l e r y , w w w . a r t s o n i a . c o m /

aldenesherman1 ranks #7 in the state

and #43 in the nation, according to

Artsonia. The RP school district is proud

of Carrie’s accomplishments and we wish

to congratulate Carrie for her dedication

to the RP art program.

T he Leadership Award presented to

Carrie honors teachers who go

beyond the classroom walls to encourage

family and community involvement in

arts education. The award also

recognizes significant achievement in the

area of technology integration within the

school arts program. State and nation-

wide rankings are based on specific crite-

ria, which demonstrate both aspects for

the Leadership Award. While teachers in

more than 100 countries showcase their

artwork on Artsonia, Carrie Russoniello

has created a school community

deserving of recognition. During the

2011-2012 school year, the EJF-Aldene

and Sherman schools gallery showcased

6,353 pieces of artwork. This popular

collection of art has been visited more

than 439,787 times and has received 448

comments from friends and family.

“Artsonia is a simple, yet effect way to get

parents and family members more

involved in Art Education”, said Carrie,

“and my students love it.”

F amily members and friends can

show their support by purchasing

keepsakes imprinted with the child’s

artwork. Artsonia donates 20% of their

annual product revenue back to the

school art program. To learn more, visit

www.artsonia.com

CHANGES IN THE AIR AT

ROBERT GORDON SCHOOL

A s fall begins and temperatures drop, and as the days shorten and leaves

turn colors, change is in the air at Robert Gordon School. As people

enter Robert Gordon School, they are immediately aware of the warm and

positive climate that is evident in the halls and classrooms. The building is

alive with productive activity and evidence of the high value placed on

children’s work and learning. The classrooms are inviting learning centers

where children receive positive reinforcement for their accomplishments.

I n September, Mrs. Frances Kenny became the principal of Robert Gordon

School. Mrs. Kenny recently served as Director of Curriculum and Instruction

in Roselle Park. Prior to that, she was Assistant Principal at the high school

and an elementary school teacher for many years. When asked about her new

position, Mrs. Kenny said, “Having the opportunity to work with the dedicated

staff and parents in the Robert Gordon School community is truly a dream

come true!” She is very proud of the staff who works tirelessly to ensure that

all students have what they need to succeed.

A long with the new principal, a new PTA president was installed at Robert

Gordon. Mr. Joao Nolau became the PTA president in June. He and the

members of the PTA have many exciting activities planned for the children. In

addition, the PTA will continue to raise funds to provide opportunities

for students to go on field trips, celebrate holidays, etc.

T he library has been completely renovated and a new online library catalog

system has been installed. This means the students will search for books

on the computer, mirroring access to books found in public libraries. The

librarian, Lesley Carter, has been working to get this program up and running.

All books must be bar coded and scanned into the new program. Volunteers

are needed to help get this done. If you would like to volunteer, please contact

Mrs. Carter either by email, at lcarter@rpsd.org or by phone, (908) 245-2285.

Educational programs and activities ensure that Robert Gordon is a special

place which provides every child with an environment to develop an inquisitive

mind, strong feelings of self-worth, and respect for and acceptance of others.

All are invited to come by to see the changes at Robert Gordon School.

ROSELLE PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS NAMED

“HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT”

T he Roselle Park school district was named a “High Performing School

District” in 2012. This distinguished honor was earned after a monitor-

ing process that was taken by the Quality Single Accountability Continuum

(QSAC) and the County Office of Education.

A “High Performing School District” is a designation assigned to a public school district that satisfies at least 80% of the weighted performance

indicators of QSAC, which is the Department of Education’s system for public

school districts that focuses on monitoring and evaluating school district in

five (5) key components have been identified to be key factors in an effective

school district. The five components are:

1. Instruction & Program

2. Personnel

3. Fiscal Management

4. Operations

5. Governance

S uperintendent Patrick Spagnoletti stated, “My congratulations to the

teachers, to the principals, and to the staff who make this happen.”

Back to

Sch

ool

HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGSHIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGSHIGH SCHOOL HAPPENINGS

RPHS IS A PILOT SCHOOL FOR STEM

S even RP teachers attended the New Jersey Technology and Engineer-

ing Educators’ (NJTEEA) 2012 STEM Boot Camp. This full-day

professional development workshop was offered in order to instruct

teachers on how to successfully integrate Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Mathematics into their classes.

T he workshops focused on integrating STEM into existing classes and

the creation of successful project-based learning and technology

learning activities. The teachers worked collaboratively on two full

scale, design and build projects in order to practice the skills learned

throughout the day – such as a penny barge made of paper and other

household materials and an LED Flashlight.

T he integration of STEM into the curriculum has begun in Roselle

Park High School with the Foundations of Technology course which

is part of the Engineering by Design (EbD) iSTEM curriculum. RPHS is a

pilot school for the EbD Foundations of Technology course and has been

integrating STEM into all of their technology education classes.

The following teachers attended the workshop:

Raymond Bangs – High School Chemistry

Christine Beaver – Elementary School Computers/Technology

Karina DiLillo – Sherman Elementary

Denise Matarante – Sherman Elementary

Timothy Riesz – High School Physics

Danielle Romero – High School Technology Education,

Executive Director of NJTEEA

Randi Sheps – Sherman Elementary

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Pictured above: RPHS Varsity

Cheerleaders cheering at our first

game of the season.

Pictured above, from l to r: RPHS students Lisa Marie Palacio, Jandelle Serapio and

Manny Ramos check out some of the hundreds of new books added to the library collection.

MIDDLE SCHOOL: MIDDLE SCHOOL: MIDDLE SCHOOL: MEMOIRS, MOMENTS, AND MUSINGSMEMOIRS, MOMENTS, AND MUSINGSMEMOIRS, MOMENTS, AND MUSINGS

TREATS FOR SERVICE

I n tribute to all those who

were lost and the tens of

thousands who rose in service

on the sad day of September 11,

many thankful Americans have

chosen to perform charitable

acts of service on this, National

Day of Service and Remem-

brance. For Patriot Day, the

RPMS wanted to thank our

town’s servicemen and women

for all their continuous dedica-

tion to our town. Teachers and

parents donated baked goods

while students decorated thir-

teen extra large trays of deli-

cious treats before delivering

them to the Roselle Park Police

Department, Fire Department,

First Aid Squad and Casano

Center. Patriot Day was a per-

fect chance for RPMS to show

their appreciation for all that

these special citizens do for our

community each and every day.

Pictured above: Luciano Riggi’s eighth grade students created projects for Patriot Day .

HELPING HEARTS EXPERIENCE

The self contained students in Amy Balestrino’s class pair up with different seventh graders each month from Karen Carey-

Lynch’s Literacy/Language Arts classes for the Helping Hearts Experience. The students become pen pals with each other

and every Wednesday during their lunch, the seventh grade pen pals come to Mrs. Balestrino’s classroom to practice social

skills with the students. These seventh grade students truly make the middle school a friendlier place for our self contained

students.

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RPMS STUDENT ELECTIONS

T he Council of Ten recently performed their inspir-

ing presidential speeches to kick off the RPMS Student Council Election. After a week of serious campaigning by each candidate, the all-school election

was held. Nicholle Calenicoff was voted this year’s President while Franklin Tan was named the Vice

President. Under their leadership, the Council of Ten and entire Student Council will act as the liaisons between the students and staff as well as fill the role

as main coordinators of the RPMS student event calendar. These ten responsible role models are looking forward

to making this year a great one! Below from l to r: Sabrina LaSalle, Casey Crown, Lexi Tumblety, Nicholle Calenicoff, Alyssa Ortiz, Tyler Lieberman, Tyler Crown, Ryan Dubi, Franklin Tan, and Jonathan Limo.

Pictured above and below are the trays of treats that were

baked for RP servicemen and women.

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NEW FACES IN THE HALLSNEW FACES IN THE HALLSNEW FACES IN THE HALLS

T&G STUDENTS INVITED

TO STOCK EXCHANGE

M rs. Joanne Carbotti’s sixth grade T&G students were afforded

a once in a lifetime chance to test a new IPAD stock market

game that Phillip Ittleson, founder of Media Concepts International

and the creator of the game that was tested, calls “Super Stock

Jockey Game. Mr. Ittleson is an advocate of creating exciting

educational tools that can be integrated in the classroom where they

can highlight the importance of teaching critical real-world skills.

Mrs. Carbotti’s class was selected to participate because of her

affiliation with Biz World and both Mrs. Carbotti’s and her sixth

grade T&G students annual commitment to leaning about stock and

revenue, and money management through Biz World activities.

Biz World allows students to explore the possibility of becoming the next

entrepreneur by creating their own friendship business.

M r. Ittleson visited Carbotti’s class and explained not only the

stock market and his reasoning for creating The Super Stock

Jockey game, but the value this knowledge can lend an individual in

making good choices for future financial success and growth. This is

not a typical game that is just geared to children but this is an

activity that both parents and their children can participate in

together. It allows families to play and learn about the stock market

at the same time. Mr. Ittleson brought Mrs. Carbotti’s students

IPAD’s to use with the new product while Bloomberg News recorded

and taped the story which was aired on a Bloomberg News segment.

Also, Mrs. Carbotti and four lucky students, Claire Hafteck,

Charlotte Sanders, Brittany Crown and Madelin DeLayo, (the Biz

World 1st and 2nd place winners this year) were driven to New York

to a meet and greet to launch this new game through the ringing

of the Nasdaq Bell. What an awesome experience for all

involved!

Pictured above is a picture of the NASDAQ marquis welcoming the Super Stock Jockey.

THE TALENTED & GIFTED EXPERIENCETHE TALENTED & GIFTED EXPERIENCETHE TALENTED & GIFTED EXPERIENCE

WELCOME

Timothy Riesz Science

Lisa Robison Language Arts

Kristen Bocco Resource Center

Tara McDonald Speech/Language

Nancy Caputo Self-Contained

Jennifer Freund Academy Counselor

Meghan LaPolla Self-Contained MD

Matthew Savage Language Arts

Christina Vega Fourth Grade

PREPREPRE---SCHOOL STUDENTS HONOR PATRIOT DAYSCHOOL STUDENTS HONOR PATRIOT DAYSCHOOL STUDENTS HONOR PATRIOT DAY

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Above: On 9-11, Miss Dina Fellanto’s class

made handprint American flags and

dressed in red, white, and blue colors. Above: Kylie, a student from Miss Dina’s class, had so

much fun painting her hands to make an American flag.

Above: In celebration of the

“Letter Aa”, the class enjoyed

applesauce and apple cider.

They also made apple prints for

“Letter Aa” week.

APPLE-LICOUS! Miss Dina’s Pre-K class had so much fun tasting a variety of apples. Rayhan (above-left) colored his

apple yellow since his favorite apple was Golden Delicious. Madelyn, (above-center) made a flower using play dough.

Students (above-right) also made apple prints for “Letter Aa” week.

The surrounding photos

show Miss Dina’s Preschool

class working on their tree

projects. They painted a

tree and then glued on

ripped construction paper to

make fall leaves.

Pictured at left: Nicholas Stanko

and the other c l a s s m a t e s counted apples for “Letter Aa”

week.

ALDENE’S AWESOME ACTIVITIES!ALDENE’S AWESOME ACTIVITIES!ALDENE’S AWESOME ACTIVITIES!

Above: Kalliope Mikros, Andy Morales, Xavier Vasquez, Justin Mishoe, and Jose

Avendano were selected as EJF-Aldene’s Most Respectful Students of the Month.

Above: Dipanshi Soni, Allison Blanco, and Joana Cantero work hard on a

project in Mrs. Marina Teperman’s ESL class.

Above: First graders Marissa Colon and Julia

Perez proudly read a story to the kindergarten class.

SCHOOL-WIDE KINDNESS AND RESPECT PROJECT

S tudents at EJF-Aldene engaged in activities for a school-wide kindness and respect initiative entitled, “How Full is Your Bucket?” In the photo below-left:

Fifth graders Shawn Roach, Angelica Martinez, Roman Opryshko, Alex Velasquez, Nicholas Stark, and Daron Pierre along with Sam Farag perform a skit.

In the photo below-right Mrs. Judith Nese’s and Mrs. MaryLou Gugger’s fourth grade classes performed at a “Respect” assembly singing a song about peace under the direction of Mrs. Linda Green.

Above: Fifth grade students arrive on their first day of school. Pictured from l to r are Krishna Antala, Jon-Vincent Gonzalve, Aryan Pael, David Arocha, Danielle Hechavarria, Giovani Francois, Iyaan Johnson, Sebastian Barajas, Isaiah Zukasky, and Sam Farag.

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Above: Engineer Mike and Engineer John give a safety lesson to the second graders at EJF-Aldene School.

Above: First graders Brandon Hocutt, Kenneth Balisage, and Alex Perez are pictured showing their writing pieces about fall.

THE GORDON GAZETTETHE GORDON GAZETTETHE GORDON GAZETTE

JUMPING FOR HEARTS

E ven the dreary weather could not dampen the spirits of students

and staff at RG on October 4 when the

entire school celebrated the Fourth Annual Jump Rope for Heart event

sponsored by the American Heart

Association.

U nder the expert direction of Mr. Douglas Metzgar and Mr. Kevin

Carroll, students spent the afternoon jumping rope, hopping, and having a great time exercising. AM Kindergarten

students were treated to a morning session of exercise fun with Mrs.

Dawn Marie Warren, Mrs. Valente and

Mrs. Teresa Sacca.

A ll students received information on keeping hearts healthy as well

as stickers and book marks, courtesy of the AHA. Mrs. Heather Lopardo, representative from the American

Heart Association, stopped by for a visit to see the “sea of red” jumping

rope. All RG members were asked to wear something red in honor of the

day.

A big “THANK YOU” to all who

participated and to those families for donating to the American Hearth Association! A “heart felt” thanks to

the RG PTA for providing the bottles of

water to help keep students refreshed.

Above: Fourth grade students proudly smile after they jumped rope to help raise

awareness about heart disease for, “Jump Rope for Heart”. Mr. Kevin Carroll,

Mr. Douglas Metzger, Mrs. Frances Kenny, and Mrs. Teresa Sacca did an amazing job

of organizing such a great activity.

Above: Mrs. Josephine Marino and her fifth grade students wrote letters and

created colorful goody bags for our hard working troops.

WHIRLING FOR PEACE

S tudents in Mrs. July Bennett’s fourth grade class participated in International

Day of Peace on September 21, 2012. The students celebrated “whirled peace” by

making pinwheels that whirled in the wind in honor of world peace. The students discussed what peace and respect meant

to them and brainstormed ways to show peace and respect in their classroom com-munity. The fourth graders decorated

their pinwheels with words, phrases, and poems that define peace before taking them outside to whirl. On this breezy

afternoon, the children certainly found

“whirled peace”! See the two photos at left.

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Above: Students in Mrs. Dina Ortizio and Miss Lisa Layden’s class

decorated bags and wrote letters to the troops for Operation Goody

Bag.

Above: Principal Mrs. Frances Kenny poses with 4-B.

Above: from l to r: Andrei Hulpoi, Dalila Nikovic, Rachel Leone,

Pavana Manoj, Noelia Perez, and Kevin Costa holding their

pinwheels.

Above: Mrs. Dawn Marie Warren’s kindergarten students pose for a picture during the Jump Rope for Heart event.

Above: Students of the Month were

presented with certificates and pencils

for their hard work and dedication.

Above: Students enjoying the Jump

Rope for Heart activities.

SHERMAN’S SNIPPETS AND SNAPSHOTSSHERMAN’S SNIPPETS AND SNAPSHOTSSHERMAN’S SNIPPETS AND SNAPSHOTS

OPERATION GOODY BAG: Sherman School students participated in Operation Goody Bag in coordination with September 11: National Day of Service & Remembrance. The children wrote thank you cards and decorated a Goody bag for America’s first responders and troops. These were filled at Operation Goody Bag and distributed to the men and women serving at home and abroad who keep America safe. In addition, Sherman continues to reinforce patriotism with their outdoor “Friday Flag Salute” with Mr. Reed and the scouts.

SHERMAN SCHOOL CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL YEAR! At a school wide assembly program, Ms. Barbara Sokol shared a Powerpoint presentation of the history of Sherman School. Special guests Mr. Patrick Spagnoletti and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Faria also joined in the celebration. All viewed the tile wall and enjoyed birthday cake and juice. An open house will be held at the school on November 18 from 2 - 5 pm. More information can be found on the Sherman School website at http://rpsdsherman.sharpschool.net

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FOURTEEN ROSELLE PARK PIECES CHOSEN

S ix of the fourteen pieces of art featured in the 2013 Art Educators of

NJ’s Calendar are those by RP students! Carrie Russoniello, art teacher at EJF-Aldene and Sherman, submitted over thirty pieces of art to this annual calendar contest and was pleasantly surprised to hear

that so many of the RP pieces were chosen!

R epresenting EJF-Aldene School is Marissa Colon’s artwork of a city

she created in kindergarten class last May.

R epresenting Sherman School are Amanda Sern’s still life painting, Andra Constantin’s black and white marker design, Emily Tribiano’s

self portrait on a snow day, Natalya Tasso’s flower still life painting and

Tessa Dunkerton’s abstract collage piece.

T hese student artists will be honored at an awards ceremony on October 28 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

The original pieces of art are on exhibit now through December 7 in the Victoria Theatre Lobby of NJPAC. The six winning pieces of art featured in the calendar are shown on this page. Maya Lee, Mariangela Tapia and Logan Catalfamo were three of the finalists. Their art pieces are also

shown below.

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By: Emily Tribiano By: Andra Constantin

By: Tessa Dunkerton

By: Amanda Serna

By: Marissa Colon

By: Natalya Tasso

By: Mariangela Tapia

By: Maya Lee By: Logan Catalfamo

“A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT”“A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT”“A HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT”

NONDISCRIMINATIONNONDISCRIMINATIONNONDISCRIMINATION: : : The Roselle The Roselle The Roselle

Park School District does not Park School District does not Park School District does not

discriminate against handicapped discriminate against handicapped discriminate against handicapped

persons with regard to admission, persons with regard to admission, persons with regard to admission,

access to or treatment of employment access to or treatment of employment access to or treatment of employment

in its programs, activities, and in its programs, activities, and in its programs, activities, and

vocational opportunities. vocational opportunities. vocational opportunities.

For more information, contact

District Public 504 Compliance

Coordinator, Mrs. Susan Carlstrom

at (908) 241-4550.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONAFFIRMATIVE ACTIONAFFIRMATIVE ACTION: : The The The

Roselle Park School District Roselle Park School District Roselle Park School District

guarantees each student equal guarantees each student equal guarantees each student equal

educational opportunities educational opportunities educational opportunities

regardless of race, color, regardless of race, color, regardless of race, color,

creed, religion, sex, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, ancestry,

national origin, racial or national origin, racial or national origin, racial or

economic status. economic status. economic status.

For more information contact

District Affirmative Action Officer,

Mrs. Mary Christensen at

(908) 245-1886.

A Publication of the

ROSELLE PARK BOARD OF EDUCATIONROSELLE PARK BOARD OF EDUCATION

510 Chestnut Street

Roselle Park, NJ 07204

www.rpsd.org

Board of EducationBoard of EducationBoard of Education

Roseann Rinaldi Roseann Rinaldi Roseann Rinaldi --- PresidentPresidentPresident

Loren Harms Loren Harms Loren Harms --- Vice PresidentVice PresidentVice President

Alexander J. BalabanAlexander J. BalabanAlexander J. Balaban

Donald ChinDonald ChinDonald Chin

Troy GertenTroy GertenTroy Gerten

Barney LeinbergerBarney LeinbergerBarney Leinberger

Christopher MillerChristopher MillerChristopher Miller

Scott NelsonScott NelsonScott Nelson

Barbara SokolBarbara SokolBarbara Sokol

Patrick M. SpagnolettiPatrick M. SpagnolettiPatrick M. Spagnoletti

Superintendent of SchoolsSuperintendent of Schools

Susan GuercioSusan GuercioSusan Guercio

Business Adm./Board SecretaryBusiness Adm./Board Secretary

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ROSELLE PARK ROSELLE PARK ROSELLE PARK

PUBLIC SCHOOLSPUBLIC SCHOOLSPUBLIC SCHOOLS