PARENT NEWSLETTER~ OCTOBER 2008

The Debate That Shocked the School

On Tuesday October 28, 2008, just one week to the day before the Presidential Election, The Gifted & Talented Program and Mock Trials Teams debated all the issues that faced both John McCain and Barack Obama since the beginning of this campaign. With knowledge of the positions and well formed articulate points, all of the hundreds of students at North 13th Street got a real perspective of this election with intense detail as part of the many attempts to educate students outside of the classroom at North 13th Street. Representing John McCain was Dene Guions, Shainqua Stultz, Casey Nelson and Ytzayts Ojeda. Representing Barack Obama was Meriah Beckford, Jesus Benitez, Hermoine Mitchel, Shondel McPherson and Mariangela Ferreira. Both organizations were thankful to have Superintendent Dr. Pennella present, as well as Special Assistant to the Superintendent Ms. Spring Banks. Mr. Boon prepared an excellent lunch for all debaters, supervisors and parents. All the excitement would not have been possible without the incredible help and support of our Principal Ms. Jeter who joined us in this exciting venture of making this election part of the educational process at our school. Congratulations to all students on an excellent debate.

Click to Watch Two Video Clips Below:

NOTE: THE VIEWS PRESENTED BY THE STUDENTS ARE NOT THOSE OF THE ESSEX COUNTY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

The Presidential Election Comes to N. 13^th Street

A Mock Presidential Election, sponsored by the FBLA and Student Council, will be held for the Students of N. 13^th  on Election Day, Tuesday, 4 November 2008.  Students began registering to vote on 29 October 2008 and will be able to vote early on Tuesday, 4 November 2008 as well as during their lunch periods.  Votes will be tallied on Tuesday Night and results published on Wednesday, 5 November 2008 in order to compare our student body results to those of the national election. The presentation by the Debate Team and Gifted and Talented earlier in the week of the various issues and the candidate’s stance helped many students to become much more informed and prepared for this mock election. All members of the North 13th Street family as well as the nation congratulate the winner of both contests: President-Elect Barack Obama.

Another Season....More Excellence in Girls Volleyball

The Girl's Volleyball team ended their season in a state playoff game vs. Hawthorne, one they should be commended for reaching. This season again brought new highs including a 24-6 record and another undefeated season in the Northern New Jersey Technical Interscholastic League. The team also finished in 4th place in the state vocational tournament. Senior captains Catherine Detres and Moria Batista get to end their seasons on high notes, knowing they left behind a winning team. Congratulations on a great season!

In Cross Country News...

The cross country team participated in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® walk in Military park. At the NJTL Kyle Vega Tyrell Coleman and Darius Sanders placed in the top twenty in the J.V race.

Jessica Larrosa placed in the top twenty in the varsity race and Jetsenia Maldonado came in 7^th in the JV race.

Ms. Ranges would like to thank all her runners for a great season!!!!!

Martin Luther King, Jr., Youth Leadership Conference

Forty-One (41) students from grades 9-12 along with four (4) teacher chaperones (Ms. Axelrod, Mr. Rodriguez, Ms. Dunn and Ms. Bauknight) traveled to Ramapo College, to attend the Martin Luther King, Jr., Youth Leadership Conference sponsored by the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of New Jersey.  The Conference provided straight-talk workshops that addressed issues of etiquette, education, leadership, college and preparing for the world beyond high school.  Most of the students were not together in their workshops but reported making new friends.  In addition, the chaperones also gained opportunities to meet and work with groups and peers both inside and outside of Essex County.

The students who attended represented the N. 13^th Street community well. By their reports and complaints of not wanting to leave as we boarded the bus at the end of the day; those who are able to attend again next year are ready to do so.  

Student Council – Halloween and UNICEF

The Student Council held a Halloween Dance and Costume Contest for both Staff and Students in order to raise money for UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund).  Winners of the Costume Contest are as follows:  First and Only for Staff: Ms. Kathy Bailey, as Professor Mathematics.  For Students: First Place – Jason Stevenson; Second Place – Tamara Collazo and Third Place – Karen Ruiz. The dance was from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM in the Cafeteria with DJ Frosty providing the music. After expenses and prizes, the Student Council will forward $400 to UNICEF.

Visual and Performing Arts has been doing an outstanding job of bringing Edgar Allen Poe's work to life on the stage.  The students have worked collaboratively in production companies and have produced original scripts with music and costumes [in some cases - even scenery] and presented on the stage.

Ms. Bauknight's US II Class used the current issues of this presidential election as the sounding board for students to create their own parties and present their stance on the various matters so that 16 students could run for President of the Class.  This project was the brainchild of both students and the teacher.  The students developed their own parties that included such names as the Fresh Party, the Cupcake Party and the Tell-It-All Party and then presented their views on matters such as Oil, Energy, Healthcare, Housing and Afghanistan.  The result of this Class Presidential Candidate Debate will be a debate between the two (2) final candidates from which a President and Vice-President of the Class will be chosen.  In the audience during the initial debate were Ms. Jeter, Principal of N. 13th Street and Dr. Michael Zelkowitz, Supervisor of Special Education along with the classroom instructor and students. 

Archived Newsletters:

September 2008