WHRHS Teachers welcomed back

Superintendent Elizabeth Jewett, Principal George Alexis and Director of Human Resources Beth Scheiderman welcomed teachers back on Tuesday, September 5, to the 2017-2018 School Year Opening Day at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS).
Following opening remarks at a Staff Convocation, the teachers were treated to a Luncheon BBQ in the south cafeteria, with burgers and hot dogs barbecued by members of the WHRHS Football Team and Touchdown Club. The teachers also attended two days of departmental meetings and breakout sessions on Sept. 5, and Wednesday, Sept. 6.
“It is truly a pleasure to be standing here in front of all of you this morning and it is my privilege to welcome you back for the 2017-2018 school year,” Jewett said in addressing the school’s teachers to start the speaking program at the Staff Convocation. “I truly enjoy getting to share with you all the progress we made over the summer as well as celebrate all of our district accomplishments and the role that you have played.”
Highlights from the summer of preparation for this school year, Jewett said, included the kitchen expansion and modernization in the south cafeteria. This construction project was the last major project funded through the 2013 referendum. The voter-approved improvements have covered over the last several summers multiple other physical facility improvements to the WHRHS physical plant, ranging from refurbished parking lots to kitchen and bathroom upgrades and modernizations.
Other improvements this summer included the replacement of a large walk-in refrigerator in the north kitchen, replacement of the aging water boiler in the south building, replacement of ductwork in ceramics and photography rooms, remediation of sinks and fountains that had failed lead testing requirements with new fixtures and filters, and continued exterior work on the Mountain Avenue athletic field.
Jewett also listed the broad and numerous upgrades added over the summer in technology, including a website upgrade, a new 1:1 Chromebook Initiative which has provided more than 500 Chromebooks to the incoming Ninth Grade students, new teacher laptops, 11 new SMART Boards, server upgrades and more.
She also listed the numerous awards, championships, academic honors and community-based accolades earned last year by students, as well as distinctions, and ongoing academic and professional improvements pursued by faculty and staff over the summer and throughout the school year.
Among the academic achievements that stand out were the ongoing excellence by WHRHS students in Advanced Placement testing and National Merit achievement, Jewett said. The average AP Exam score last year for the 1,169 tests taken was 4.19 out of 5. Out of 68 recognized students in the class of 2018, 15 have been named National Merit Semifinalists, the most ever at Watchung Hills.
The district continues to implement the goals set out in the Board of Education adopted Strategic Plan 2015-2020. Jewett said she is excited to start the 2017-2018 school year. She also announced that WHRHS has been awarded a Bronze Certificate and an accompanying $2,000 grant by the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program., which has been used to purchase new color-coded recycling bins.
“I look forward to an amazing year with all of you,” Jewett told the staff. “Watchung Hills is truly a world-class learning community.”
Human Resources Director Scheiderman introduced new staff at the opening convocation. They are: In the English Department, teachers Michelle Germinario, Sarah Sheridan, Michael Stultz, and Alicia Michalitsianos; in Math, Matthew Crawford; in Special Services, Danielle Esteves, Cynthia Sacco, and Douglas Graiver; in Guidance, Lauren Sagat and Patti Lampa; in Buildings and Grounds, Jennifer Zervopolous; in Transportation, Jannette Vega; and three student interns, Caelynn Robinson in Social Studies, Simone Waters in social work, and DeAnna LaSasso with the school psychology staff. Also welcomed back after leaves of absence are: Nancy Suppin, Kyla Garcia, and Heather Guirguis.
Teachers recognized at the Staff Convocation for 25, 30 and 35 years of service at WHRHS were: 25 years, Bonnie Burgdorf, Laura Goodson, Courtney Griffith, Michele Lettington, and Daniel Root; 30 years, James Carden, Lydia Chu, and Thomas Loeffler; and 35 years, Laurie Shoemaker.
Numerous volunteers, staff, parents and students pitched in to help make the luncheon BBQ a festive return to the school year. Among those volunteering and contributing were members of the Football Team, under the direction of Head Football Coach Rich Seubert, members of the parent Touchdown Club, and numerous businesses in the community.
Local businesses who contributed to the event were: Pomptonian Food Service, Fairfield; Costco, North Plainfield; in Warren Township: Kings, Acme, Dunkin Donuts, Ciro’s Pizza and Deli, and the Country Squire Restaurant; in Stirling: ShopRite and Blimpie; in Gillette, Starbucks and Primavera Regency; in Watchung: ShopRite and Dunkin Donuts; in Scotch Plains, Grillestone; and Stop and Shop, Corporate.

Opening Day BBQ

Among the staff happy to catch up after the summer by sharing a festive BBQ meal as the 2017-2018 School Year began, are, from left: Arts Supervisor Dan Bertelli, English Supervisor James Aquavia, Math Supervisor Dan Twisler, and Principal George Alexis.

Members of the WHRHS Cheerleader Squad joined the Football Team in volunteering at the Luncheon BBQ. With Football Team Defensive Lineman, #44 Frank Kane, center, are Jillian Mastrobattista, left, and Natalie Nitzberg, Cheer Captain.

Among the teachers who sat outside courtyard next to the south cafeteria at the Luncheon BBQ are members of the English Department.

The 2017-2018 School Year Opening Day Luncheon BBQ in the south cafeteria on Sept. 5 was the place to be for teachers to find out what colleagues did on their summer vacations.

Football Team Volunteers (above l-r) #83 Wide Receiver Jake Riley, #2 Running Back Zahveae Thorns, #5 Wide Receiver/Free Safety Tyler James, Head Football Coach Rich Seubert, #7 Quarterback Connor James, #9 Middle Linebacker Shreyas Sagi, and #44 Defensive Line Frank Kane.

Providing musical entertainment at the Luncheon BBQ was guest guitarist and singer Nicholas Stevens, right, who is also the President of the Long Hill Township Board of Education. Joining him on some of the numbers are, from left, WHRHS Board of Education Member Chris Collins of Long Hill Township and WHRHS English teacher Mike Porter.

Music Honor Society Welcomes Teachers
(pictured l-r) sitting: Jack Melillo and Anchal Dhir; standing: Ben Kosakowski, Sam Sinnott, Kyra Anthony, Ben Allgor, Will Johnson, Francesca Infante-Meehan, and Justin Horowitz.