December School Highlights

 

Academy of Allied Health & Biomedical Sciences

On December 3^rd and 4^th the mandatory Parent Information Sessions were held for prospective freshmen and their parents.

 

The admissions test for the Class of 2023 was administered on Saturday, December 8^th.  A team of counselors, administrators, and teachers orchestrated the day, which was a success and ran on time. Students will be notified of their standing in January and interviews with the top 140 students will begin in February.  The students are ranked based on admission test, writing sample, grades, and admissions essay.

 

The Red Cross Club, led by Advisor Marie Bowen, held a Blood Drive on December 19^th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Gym.

 

Students began their Capstone Research Mentoring hours.  In December, students go once or twice a month to develop a relationship with their mentors through job shadow experience with several people in the office.  The students keep a log of their hours and a work experience journal.

 

The Career Choices students are in the third and final rotation of the Fall semester.

 

Anisha Patel, a senior, was chosen as New Jersey’s Alternate Delegate to the 2019 United States Senate Youth Program.  Her notification stated that a distinguished panel of educators selected her based on her outstanding leadership abilities, high scholastic standing, strong commitment to her school and community, and interest in government, history, and politics. If either of the first Delegates is unable to attend the week-long program in Washington, D.C (March 2-9, 2019), Anisha will be invited to participate.

 

On Friday morning, December 21^st, homeroom was extended for the annual Gingerbread House building competition.  The fine bakers at the Piscataway campus bakery provided the gingerbread templates and boards for constructing the houses as well as the icing for holding the structures together.  The students worked on themes and designs. All 12 homerooms in the high school and 2 in Career Choices participated.  The competition categories were Most Festive, Most School Spirited, and Most Unique.

 

Academy for Science, Mathematics, & Engineering Technologies

Startups Club host our first ever local Hackathon at the Edison Academy.  Huge thanks to Mr. Fernandez, Mr. Mosaad, Mr. Jimenez, Manas H., Sharanya P., Avaneen P., Aditya V. & Serena Z. for their hard work.  Big thanks to Alumni Surya V. & Abhishek P. for helping as guest judges.

 

Approximately 900 visitors attended our Information Sessions held over 2 days at the Performing Arts Center at Middlesex County College.  Students picked up their testing tickets, had an opportunity to hear from administration, guidance, and current students about the Edison Academy.  Students and parents had an opportunity to ask question about the

admissions test, student transportation, engineering majors, sports, course offerings and advanced placement classes.

 

Approximately 400 eighth grade students from the 26 towns in the county sat for the admissions test to the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies.  Teachers and student volunteers helped out that day as proctors, runners, line managers, and ticket takers.  The testing was completed in the Edison Academy and several rooms in Middlesex County College’s Crabiel Hall.  

 

Talent Show 2018. Our students had an opportunity to show their myriad of talents up on stage.  Dancing, singing, instrumentals, magic, orchestra and jazz bands were some of the acts that performed.  Big thanks to Middlesex County College for letting us use the Brunswick Room in Crabiel Hall and for providing us with a stage and sound system. 

 

East Brunswick Campus

Ms. Mack and her Dance students presented their performance “Water” in collaboration with Ms. Anello’s Arts Technology students.  These performances took place at night on December 13^th and December 14^th as well as a matinee performance for students and staff on December 17^th. 

 

The MC Green Robot proposal for Middlesex County Improvement Authority has been completed and represents the first collaborative effort between Edison Academy Engineering and East Brunswick Campus Pre-Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing students and faculty.

 

Mr. Mercadante, instructor of the Pre-Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing program, successfully completed a Green Belt Certification project plan through Rutgers University.  The purpose of this project is to define the curriculum to teach and certify students in Lean Six Sigma.

 

Stage management students in Ms. Aladren’s Theatre program had the opportunity of shadowing the McCarter Theatre stage manager during the production of “A Christmas Carol”. 

 

Twenty students had the opportunity to attend a Junior Achievement conference on December 13^th at the Johnson and Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick. 

 

Ms. Treadwell, our school Technology Media Specialist, had the opportunity of presenting at the New Jersey Association of School Librarians fall conference. 

 

East Brunswick School of Career Development

On December 8^th, HOSA sponsored a blood drive to benefit patients in the central New Jersey area.  Ms. Zendjebil, the Health Services Teacher, ran the event.  In total, 32 pints of blood were collected. 

 

The East Brunswick Career Development coat drive was a huge success with the collection of over 200 coats and other garments.  Coats have been distributed to those in need all over Middlesex County.

 

The first ever Transition Fair was held on the Dec 13^th, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at East Brunswick Career Development.  Organizations throughout Middlesex County attended to explain the services that they offer to students with disabilities while attending school as well as services available after they graduate.  The fair was open to all Career Development 11th and 12th grade students as well as their parents.  The Transition Fair was organized by Nicole Benfatti and Jennifer Moir. 

 

Perth Amboy Campus

The Perth Amboy Campus is proud to announce that a 10^th grade Computer Systems Technology student was crowned the New Jersey State Champion in Microsoft Office Specialist for Excel and has been invited to compete at the M.O.S. National Championship in Orlando, Florida in June.

 

The Perth Amboy Campus hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Middlesex County Park which is under construction across the street and will house our sports fields. Freeholder Director Rios, State Assembly Speaker Coughlin, and Mayor Diaz from Perth Amboy were all in attendance and spoke about the benefits that his park will bring to the City of Perth Amboy and the Perth Amboy Campus.

 

The Culinary Arts shop hosted the annual Gingerbread House contest where all students design their ideal Gingerbread House.  Congratulations to all of the Culinary Arts students who participated in the event on a job well done!

 

Piscataway Campus

On December 5^th seniors and juniors were invited to attend a presentation from Kean University regarding the Exceptional Educational Opportunities/Funds (EEO/EOF).  The program provides access to higher education for financially disadvantaged students. The program provides student-centered advising, counseling and academic support services to assist students in developing their educational, interpersonal, and professional goals. The main objective of the program is to assure that all students obtain their baccalaureate degree and pursue professional fields of work or graduate studies. 

 

Annually, the Piscataway Campus comes together to donate specific items to families for the holidays.  The staff shared their holiday spirit by giving hats, scarves, and socks to a local shelter which were displayed on our Holiday Giving Tree.

 

The Student Council reached out to our Piscataway Campus Community and distributed Holiday Baskets to needy families. Through our annual food drive, several baskets were filled with food and supplies, and delivered to families during the Holiday season.

 

Carpentry Instructor, Mr. Wiater, and founder of a nonprofit organization called “Friends of Solo" which is dedicated to ensuring the safety of K-9 dogs through the purchase of Body Armor and Safety Equipment, arranged for the Monmouth and Middlesex County Sheriff's Department to give a presentation to our students.  After learning about a police dog that was killed in the line of duty, Mr. Wiater wrote a children’s book titled: “The Adventures of Solo, The Big Dog” about a police canine.  The proceeds have gone to purchase armor vests

and safety equipment for K-9 dogs.  This year he will be donating his 9^th custom made body armor for a very special K-9 Officer!

 

Skills USA went to the Rutgers Athletic Center (RAC) this month and helped raise funds by working at the Concession Stands.

 

Twenty students in Ms. Fernandes 11 Honors classes went to a workshop hosted by Junior Achievement of NJ, at Johnson & Johnson.  After a brief introduction about the Junior Achievement of NJ, and the Johnson & Johnson Company, the students participated in activities such as Leadership and Mock Interviews.  The students also had the opportunity to speak with the mentors and ask them questions about college and career readiness.  After lunch, the students participate in a fun scavenger hunt activity.  All in all, the trip was quite fundamental.

 

On December 18^th the Junior Class attended a Young Audiences presentation by Gayle Danley featuring “Soul Portraits”.  This performance helped to enforce and enhance the Arts in Education Program that has been ongoing at Piscataway Campus in coordination with Dr. Simone Patterson, English Instructor.  Our guest artist, Josh Campbell, has been working with the juniors in Dr. Patterson’s classes to enhance their social and emotional learning skills and writing skills through the exploration of Social Justice Themes.