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January School Highlights

Academy of Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences

CTE Director Sean McDonald and sophomores Pratham Bhatt and Divit Endal traveled to Anaheim, CA on January 31st for the Project Lead the Way Summit. The students won the National Design Championship last spring and were asked to present their Artificial Photosynthesis system design to the entire conference. The students and teacher Kathleen Wilhelmy and administrators met in virtual conference call meetings in the fall to prepare the presentation with PLTW staff. The students surprised the sponsors from Chevron and PLTW during the conference calls with a new virtual model of their design that vastly improved their concept and PowerPoint.

 

The Fall Career Choices program wrapped up January 31st. All eighth-grade students received certificates from their teachers and Michael Sullivan, assistant principal, and watched a slideshow of the highlights of their time exploring Construction Technology, Culinary Arts, and Digital Media. Approximately 180 students participated in the fall morning and afternoon shared-time learning program, rotating through the three shops.

 

On January 17th, Mike Sullivan hosted the annual Career Choices Counselor Day. There were approximately 30 CST members, guidance counselors, and others from multiple sending districts in attendance. In addition, we were joined by three in-district CST members from East Brunswick and Piscataway. Among the districts that attended were New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, Monroe, Woodbridge, Edison, North Brunswick, South River, South Amboy, Sayreville, and Old Bridge. Students from all shops participated by providing shop tours, delivering presentations, preparing refreshments and serving attendees.

 

Philip Krotenok, senior, has been awarded a prestigious Horatio Alger Scholarship. The Horatio Alger Association assists students “who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.” It seeks to recognize “academic achievement or leadership potential” among students “who have exhibited determination, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming adversity, as well as have critical financial need.” As a Horatio Alger National Scholar, Philip will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship and a number of other benefits.

 

Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technologies

MCA Cybersecurity invited Mizba Tawa from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), Ms. Niloufer Tamboly and Mr. Sanjeev Dayal from the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) New Jersey board to share with our juniors and seniors how to establish a secure online profile in business, on various public platforms such as social media and while gaming. Our presenters shared case studies, incidents from their own experiences and discussed careers in cybersecurity. The guest speakers highlighted how all cybercrime relates back to the basics – strong passwords and secure webpages.

 

Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. of the 6th Congressional District presented Adhya Khare and Serena Zeng with the Congressional App Challenge Award. Their app tracks the location of school buses and is intended for use by students, parents, school districts and bus companies. Congressman Pallone spoke about the importance of STEM education in the United States and engineering jobs in politics, and answered various student questions about his initiatives in Congress.

 

Sruthi Suresh and Dhyanashri Ramen received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Dhyana and Sruthi received a certificate, a letter from the president and a Gold Medal for their countless hours of community service.

 

Adrija Kundu, Shreya Jangada, Varija Mehta, Parth Harish, Dhyana Raman and Shivam Syal were selected as members of Congressman Frank Pallone Jr.'s Youth Advisory Council for the 6th Congressional District. The council is made up of civic-minded high school students who meet quarterly to provide the congressman with insight into matters that affect them and their peers.

 

Varija Mehta was awarded the Congressional Award. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration.

 

On January 21st, freshmen Varija Mehta, Esha Venkatanarayan, Shagun Khare and senior Sharanya Pogaku visited John Adams Middle School. They taught seventh-graders about the foundations of cybersecurity and how to protect themselves online. The presentation was well received by JAMS students and the administrators.

 

East Brunswick Campus

The East Brunswick Campus held a successful and well-attended Open House and Transition Fair on January 25th.   

 

Karnveer Singh, a senior in Pre-Engineering and Manufacturing, received a full scholarship offer from NJIT during their Instant Decision Day here at the East Brunswick Campus on January 16th.

 

Governor Phil Murphy visited the East Brunswick Campus on January 15th to take part in a lesson and tour of the Pre-Engineering and Manufacturing program. He then went on to deliver a press conference and interview. 

 

Students from the East Brunswick Campus participated in a community service event in conjunction with our Arts PTO, National Technical Honor Society, and the Interact Club.  Students volunteered to wrap utensils for Elijah’s Promise in New Brunswick. 

 

Out of over 200 submissions, four of our Digital Film student short films are Official Selections to the sixth Artists Alike Film Festival 2020. 

 

Alyssa Mendez and Maalaka Sharrief, senior students in our Theatre program, had their original scripts selected to be developed by the Newark Playwrights Festival 2020. 

 

Senior students in the Dance program, successfully organized, executed, and completed two nights of a Dance Choreography Show on the East Brunswick Campus on January 30-31. 

 

East Brunswick School of Career Development

Mrs. Rastelli and the EBCD Culinary students are working on appetizers for the Winterfest Competition March 1st.  It is a casino theme. It is an event hosted by the American Culinary Federation and is a great way for the students to connect with potential employers.

 

Mr. Gent and the EBCD HVAC tenth and eleventh grade students are working on their furnaces and boilers, analyzing the systems, how they work together, and diagnosing issues that may arise.

 

All seniors are now EPA 608 certified and are also completing the OSHA 10 and r410 certifications.

 

Christian Ambrose, senior, obtained a job with Jack Dolan and Sons Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. He is the third student working in the HVAC field (CVE) to join both Reilly McKenna and Brian Koenig who are both working with Edison Heating and Air Conditioning.

 

The Health Services Seniors packed a surgical mask, a pair of gloves, and hand sanitizer wipes in zip-lock bags along with an informational sheet about coronavirus and how to prevent the spread of the disease. This initiative was very beneficial for both students and teachers in raising awareness about infectious diseases. 

 

Perth Amboy Campus

The Perth Amoy Campus and students were provided with a brief overview of the Second Floor Youth Helpline. The Second Floor is a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults. Students are assisted with finding solutions to problems that they face at home, school or anywhere else. The areas that are covered are Bullying, Suicide, Drugs, Sex, Abuse, Mental Health, Divorce, Weight, and much more. Magnets and posters were distributed throughout the school.

 

January 17th, 30 male students participated in the Young Men’s Conference held at Middlesex County College. The Young Men’s Conference is intended to provide a full array of workshops on drugs and alcohol prevention, wellness and leadership in a context that is relevant to young men. The interactive workshops are designed to provide students with valuable knowledge, resources and tools that can be shared with their peers.

 

The Green Team and Interact Clubs are working with the Mayor’s Office collecting much needed items for the Hurricane Relief Fund in Puerto Rico. All donations will be given to the City of Perth Amboy by February 25th.

 

Piscataway Campus

Ms. Baez’s Basic Business Technology students have been practicing their skills by collaborating with other career majors and teachers throughout the school.  Menus, recipes and place cards were created for culinary events.  Senior BBT students worked on special projects with Adult Cosmetology, Welding, and Automotive shops to update class forms and brochures.

 

On January 17th the Young Men's Conference was held at Middlesex County College. The students who attended the conference attended workshops on becoming a man, dressing for success, growing up, and responsibility.  

 

Ms. Lucas’ Health Careers senior Brandon Matos has quietly made many significant strides achieving Honor Roll and High Honor Roll consistently throughout his high school career. Under instructor supervision, he provides CPR instruction to the underclassmen at our campus and, since he was 13, he volunteers every summer as a Counselor in Training at the Brain Injured Children’s Camp. Brandon is preparing to be the first in his family to attend college. This year he was identified as a NJ STARS candidate. Brandon recently received great news from two different colleges he applied to: St Peter’s University accepted him into their Biological Chemistry program in the College of Arts and Sciences for the fall of 2020, and he was awarded the Dean’s Academic Scholarship worth $23,000 a year for the next four years. Rider University accepted him to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the fall of 2020 and awarded with the Rider’s University Dean’s Scholarship worth $25,000 annually for the next four years.  He was also awarded a Campus Connection Grant worth $3,000 annually if he chooses to live on campus.

 

On January 15th, Mr. Araujo’s Global Logistics students attended their first of three workshops through the Rutgers University Business for Youth program (RUBY).  During this workshop the students began their business plan projects.

 

On January 12th, Brookdale Community College gave a presentation to Chef Mastrella, Chef Roth and Chef Grieco’s culinary and baking students. They talked about the opportunities available at the college in the hospitality field. Areas covered in the presentation included Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry and Hospitality Ma