PARENT NEWSLETTER

 

SEPTEMBER 2008

 

North 13th Street Chapter of FBLA - Future Business Leaders of America

  

FBLA held its’ opening meeting and first “Dress for Success Day,” on September 30.  This year’s theme is “GET THE EDGE.”   We’ve started our school year with great participation.  FBLA has 62 dues paid members and students still signing up.  The opening meeting was conducted by the FBLA Advisors, Ms. Ballance and Ms. Rudolph. During this meeting candidates for officers made their campaign speeches and voting took place at the end of the meeting.  The newly elected 2008/2009 officers are:

 

                        President – Dante Sprott

                        Vice President – Janye Gathers

                        Secretary – Mariah Jukes

                        Treasurer – Jetsenia Maldonado

                        Historian – Anabelle Baranis

                        Reporter – Shanna Thomas

                        Parlimentarian – Crystal Brotherson

 

On October 19, FBLA will be participating in the Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” in Newark.  We’re looking forward to break last year’s record donation of $639.00.  Anyone interested in joining in on this walk should contact Ms. Ballance or Ms. Rudolph.  Watch Out FBLA will do great this year!

 

Ms. Sanchez and Mr. DeRosa are proud to announce the Gifted & Talented Program is underway with peer tutoring and much more already. Students may receive tutoring in any subject area, and on any grade level, free of charge, after or before school. Please make an attempt to sign up for a tutor with Mr. DeRosa if you feel you need one.

 

On another note, if you think John McCain and Barack Obama are debating with full force, then buckle your seatbelts for Tuesday October 28, 2008. The Gifted & Talented Program and the Mock Trials Team will be teaming up for a Mock Presidential debate exactly one week before America selects her next Commander in Chief. This debate should prove to be exciting beyond belief. Below are some photos from last year's debate that dealt with issues discussed in the primaries. October 28, 2008 will bring the real debate between the two candidates to life!

     

              

 

The Parent-Teacher-Student-Association of N. 13th is looking for you! Parents, Teachers and Students who are willing to get involved and work together for the good of N. 13th Street with a variety of programs, activities and events. If you are interested, please forward your name and contact information to Ms. Bauknight at tbauknight@essextech.org.  We look forward to hearing from you and working with you soon!

 

The Underground Railroad of N. 13th Street

 

Students of Ms. Bauknight’s US History II class took their learning of the causes of the Civil War to the next level.  In cooperation with the staff of N. 13th Street, the students created an Underground Railroad throughout the school. Using student developed maps,  N. 13th Street became their river, the parking lot surrounding the building was a field; the hallways became streets and pathways and various classrooms and offices became local station stops along the way.  These stops included a local grocer (Ms. Ballance), Attorney-at-Law (Ms. Axelrod); a physician (Ms. Graziano); a specialist with herbs and home remedies (Ms. Bailey); a school teacher (Ms. Smith); an owner of a guest house (Ms. Riccardi); a garden-keeper (Ms. Florez); the Sisterhood of Friends: A Local Charity (Ms. Freeman, Ms. Simonson and Ms. Rubino); a master builder (Mr. Rodriguez); a minister (Mr. Walker),  a jailer, and bounty hunters (Mr. Plaza; Ms. Velez, and Mr. Gonzalez).  As students reported it was quite an experience – right down to learning to dress the part and go about the building without being caught.  This included using money from conductors to pay the bounty hunters, and various foods to give to the jailers in order to secure captives release.  Students were not sure who they could trust and who could snatch away their freedom.  Of the 17 students who participated, 4 were caught and placed in jail before reaching Canada (students’ original classroom) and 1 was caught in Canada without her papers.  When asked if they would do it again, students unanimously said, “YES!”   This project took on special significance because there are documented station stops in Newark and other locations in Essex County.

 

North 13th Street has a new web design course! The intent of web design is to create web sites that present content to the end user in the form of web pages. Such elements as text and  images can be placed on the page using HTML tags. The conceptualization, planning, modeling, and execution of technologies (such as markup languages) will be introduced. Students will combine creativity with HTML tags and elements to create and maintain web sites.

 

North 13th Street has expanded their vocational organizations to now include, SkillsUSA! SkillsUSA is a non-profit organization acting in a partnership with students, teachers and industry representatives, working together to ensure America has a skilled work force. It helps each student excel and prepare for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations. At North 13th we are striving to develop a successful chapter, including participation in the New Jersey SkillsUSA competition in May.  Participation in this competition not only offers practice of one's skills, but it also offers scholarships, exposure, and recognition for those student's who compete.  We encourage any student who is interested to contact Mr. Boon or Miss Castello.

 

On September 25, 2008 the English Department, Visual and Performing Arts and members of the N. 13th Hip Hop club attended the Geraldine Ford-Dodge Foundation Poetry Festival at Waterloo Village in Stanhope NJ.  The Festival was attended by over 5,000 students and faculty from throughout the United States.  World renowed poets performed their work in large outdoor tents and provided a forum for young aspiring artists to ask questions regarding the poet's inspiration and process. It was an extraordinary opportunity for students of N. 13th Street; ninth through senior grades to be exposed to a very prestigious, diverse group of writers.  At the conclusion of the Festival students who were the winners of the National Poetry Writing Contest recited their own winning entries.  The Festival also provided a gazebo in the center of the grounds where students who brought their own poetry could read and recite it for audiences. As one of our N. 13th students remarked while we walked to the bus "this has completely changed my vision of what I want to do with my life".  This was an incredible opportunity for our students.

 

The Law & Public Safety Academy is pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Angel Gonzalez teaching Forensic Science and Geospacial Information Systems Technology and Mr. Frank Deherde teaching Geospacial Information Systems Technology to our Academy!  They bring with them many years of valuable experience and extensive knowledge in their respective specialties.  This will enable our wonderful students the opportunity to excel in their academics and their respective careers with a diversified portfolio of knowledge. The Seniors of the Law & Public Safety Academy have been working diligently on their University/College Applications, Essays for University/College Admissions and Scholarships, and on preparing for their SAT's.  Keep up the great work everyone!  You are on the home stretch now!!!The Salsa/Latin Dance Club will be starting soon!!!  Get your dancing shoes on and keep your eyes and ears open for morning announcements to see when we will begin.  Permission slips to participate are in room 208.  See Ms. Velez for more information!

 

Congratulations to the Law & Public Safety Academy's dedicated students who worked hard this summer in internship programs!

  • Senior Ms. Genesis Jaquez for participating in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Summer Internship Program and graduating from the Junior State Trooper Academy.

  • Senior Mr. Steven Perez for graduating from the Junior State Trooper Academy and continuing in his endeavors with the Civil Air Patrol.

  • Senior Karin Tavarez for participating in City of Newark Community Youth Mapping.

  • A special congratulations to Senior Ms. Dante Sprott for working this summer through the All Stars Internship Program at the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and earning a year long internship within the Prosecutor's Office.  Good luck to you!!! ~Ms. Velez