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RTNJ NEWS 1

Randolph Township Schools Newsletter September 26, 2017

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 26: K-2

Back to School

Night

Sept. 28: Grades

3-5 Back to

School Night

RHS Financial Aid

Night

Oct. 2-6: Week of

Respect

Oct. 3: Board of

Education Meet-

ing

Oct. 4: Communi-

ty Meeting

Oct. 5: RHS Back

to School Night

Oct. 7: Under the

Stars

Oct. 9: No School/

Full Day Staff De-

velopment

Oct. 10: Education

Committee Meet-

ing

Oct. 11: PSATs

Oct. 16-20:

School Violence

Awareness Week

Oct. 17: Policy

Committee Meet-

ing and Board of

Education Meet-

ing

Oct. 23-27: Red

Ribbon Week

Randolph High School AP Scores on the Rise!

More Randolph High School students are scor-ing higher on Advanced Placement tests than ever before, Director of Secondary Education Jonathan Olsen said.

In his presentation before the Board of Educa-tion, Olsen noted that 88 percent of RHS stu-dents who took AP exams scored a 3 or higher compared to 71 percent of students in New Jersey and 60 percent of students globally.

In addition, RHS students are taking more AP classes than ever before. In 2013, 246 students took AP exams at RHS which increased to 373 in 2017. The number of RHS students who took at least one AP exam and scored a 3 or higher also increased from 232 in 2013 to 328 in 2017, Olsen said. RHS students took a total of 486 AP ex-ams in 2013 and 802 exams in 2017.

RHS Principal Debbie Iosso said that RHS students continue to excel on Advanced Placement tests. “Our high school has made significant and notable gains in so many areas—not the least of which is our AP offerings to include great scores and many more students participating,” she said. (Above right, Director of Secondary Education Jonathan Olsen makes his presentation about Randolph High School’s rising AP

scores to the Board of Education this summer.)

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RHS Named Daily Record Derby Winner!

The Daily Record sports staff named Randolph as its No. 1 Derby winner.

On August 6, the newspaper announced that its sports staff established a point system to evaluate every Morris County’s high school’s achievements from the fall, winter and spring 2016-17 sports season. This accounting includ-ed NJSIAA Group and Sectional championships and individual accolades.

Based on this accounting formula, the newspa-per named our Randolph Rams its No. 1 Derby winner. For details, read the story here.

(Pictured right, the 2016-17 Randolph Rams spring track team is named the NJAC Champion.)

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Randolph Welcomes New Staff for 2017-18 School Year

Superintendent Jennifer A. Fano, Director of Secondary Education Jonathan Olsen and Director of Elementary Education Danielle

Soldivieri welcomed more than 45 new staff members to a three-day orientation program August 28-30 at Randolph High School.

The program kicked off with an escape room challenge. Later, the new staff enjoyed a bus tour of Randolph led by Randolph High

School Vice Principal Michael Sorge and took a tour of the Randolph Town Hall where Randolph Township Manager Stephen Mountain

spoke to staff about the town and its municipal government.

Other orientation programs included programs on student-centered learning and assessment and questioning strategies presented

by the district’s supervisors and principals. New staff also attended sessions on sustaining a positive learning environment, promot-

ing innovation and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

(Director of Elementary Education Danielle Soldivieri, pictured below, welcomes new staff as Superintendent Jennifer A. Fano looks

on. Below, right, Township Manager Stephen Mountain welcomes new staff to the town hall.)

Staff Returned September 5

All staff returned September 5 to kick off the 2017-18 school year to a special opening day program.

Randolph High School senior Gabby Toledo sang the Star Span-gled Banner followed by opening remarks by Superintendent Jennifer A. Fano who welcomed staff back to the new school year with a presentation which many staff called “inspirational.” Fano shared a video of students thanking teachers for making a difference in their lives as well as person-al photos of Fano’s skydiving plunge in which she did a backflip out of the plane. “I was empowered,” Fano said, adding her 300-second dive was “euphoric” and encouraged staff “to take risks, be a role model and empower students.” (Pictured below,

senior Gabby Toledo performs.)

Administrative Team Building

Randolph School District’s administrators enjoyed a fun team build-

ing activity in August when administrators were formed into groups

and built bicycles which they donated to children.

Supervisors, principals and directors worked together to build the

bicycles and then had the enjoyment of seeing the excited faces of

the children who received the bicycles.

“The success of an organization has much to do with building effec-

tive teams,” said Director of Elementary Education Danielle Soldivieri

who called the day “a high impact learning experience” that provid-

ed our administrative team an opportunity to work together toward

common goals. We gave back plus we had fun doing it!”

(Pictured below, administrators with the bicycles they built

and the children with their new bicycles.)

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Randolph students enjoyed the first day of school at all four elementary schools, Randolph Middle School and Randolph High School. Top left, Shongum second grader Alec Jain, first grader Tighe Nelsen, new kindergartener Aleah Jain (Alec’s sister) and third grader Barbara Melo wait for their bus on the first day of school. Top right, Guest speaker Cornell Thomas delivers a speech on “The Power of Positivity” at RHS on the first day. Above left, students get off the bus at Center Grove. Above right, parents take photos and videos of students outside of Center Grove. Below left, Mrs. Rubin talks to her Ironia students about the fourth grade. Below right, Mrs. Nimmo reads “Tiptoe Into Kindergarten” on the first day of school to her new kindergarten class. Bottom left, Randolph Middle School Social Studies

teacher Rio Clemente welcomes his sixth grade students to his class. Bottom right, Amanda Hazen reads “Do Unto Otters” to her students on the first day at Fernbrook Elementary School.

Scenes from the First day of School...

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Fernbrook Students Inspired at Summer STEAM

More than 100 rising third to fifth grade students at Fernbrook Elementary School spent three weeks engaged in creative problem solving and learning about engineer-ing, environmental science, computer technology, art technology and performing arts activities through the Summer STEAM program.

Fernbrook teacher Jenise Janulis, who directs the program, said students created a stop motion video, built robots out of Legos, designed and constructed an irrigation system for the Outdoor Education Center, investigated the best growing environments for plants in the school garden and performed an educational showcase about bees. The projects were showcased in a special open house.

(Right, Fernbrook Principal Dr. Michelle Telischak, fifth grader Livia Fontes, STEAM program director Jenise Janulis, counselor Peter Asaro and fourth grader Daniel Asaro check out the garden grown by students at the Fernbrook Summer STEAM open house.)

Register for Randolph Community

School Programs

The Community School is still accepting registration for

childcare for the 2017-18 school year including early

dismissal and holiday fun on certain days when schools

are closed. Many of our holiday fun programs include

special fun trips including pumpkin picking on October

9, the Lakota Wolf Preserve on November 9 and a spe-

cial Mad Science Fun presentation titled “Fire & Ice” on

November 10.

The Community School still has openings in many of its fall programs including Yoga for Kids,

Kidz Kraftz and Young Rembrandts art classes for elementary school students. The programs

are located in our elementary schools.

The Community School offers a new convenient online registration program. Please register at

https://register.capturepoint.com/RandolphCommunitySchool. For information, call (973) 361-

0808 ext. 8603 or visit rtnj.org and click on the Community School channel bar. You may also

email CommunitySchool@rtnj.org.

Randolph Hopes to Expand Successful Summer Academy

Some Randolph High School students spent part of their summer getting ahead and brushing up in mathematics at the Randolph Summer Academy. Students studied Algebra I and Geometry to help them get ahead and take more difficult math classes in the 2017-18 school year. Some students also took a refresher course which offered them some additional support in math before the

new school year.

The Randolph Summer Academy offers new opportunities for students to accelerate their learning, said Jonathan Olsen, the district’s Director of Secondary Education. “The Randolph Summer Academy is designed for students interested in taking a class this summer for credit or for those who would like additional help in high school math,” he said. “The original credit courses are for students who would like to fulfill a graduation requirement and be able to take higher-level or full-year elective courses during the regular school year.”

Olsen said he hopes to see the program expand next summer with more classes in mathematics, personal finance and possibly other sub-jects. (Pictured Left to right, RHS students Hannah Shortino, Andrew

Hanrahan, Nick Monogioudis and Loni Alnor work on a project in geometry at the Randolph Summer Academy.)

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Soccer Leadership Program

The Randolph High School Girls Soccer Team hosted the first annual MCGSCA Leadership Summit at Randolph High School last month with players from 11 girls soccer teams in Morris County.

Randolph Rams varsity players greeted teams as they ar-rived, below left, and students enjoy speakers including Randolph instructional coach Sylvie de Bourmont, pictured left, who spoke about “Mindfulness in Sport Preparation and Competition” Dr. Maryalice Thomas who spoke about “Sport Bullying and Substance Abuse” and “Clique Busting” by Patrick Naughter, head women’s coach at Montclair State.

RAMS Unveil New Uniforms

The Randolph High School Marching Rams walked with style into

the September 12 Board of Education meeting as they modeled the

band’s new uniforms. The band first performed with the new uni-

forms on September 8. The Randolph Board of Education recently

approved the purchase of new band uniforms after 14 years.

(Pictured above, Randolph High School seniors Chris Mantell,

Teacher Science Exploration

More than 40 Randolph teachers gathered last month to begin unit plan-

ning for the three dimensions of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in

Science. The dimensions are crosscutting concepts, disciplinary core ideas

and engineering and science practices, said Elementary K-5 Supervisor

Katherine Thorn. (Pictured below left to right, Shongum teacher Beverly Cirelli,

Center Grove teacher Pat Grunert and Shongum teachers Janet Stella and Joanne

Students Enjoy ESY Program

Students enrolled in Randolph’s Extended School Year program

enjoyed a special visit from a petting zoo with geese, ducks, rab-

bits, goats, chickens and turkey.

(Staff and children visit with geese above.)

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Student Art Exhibit

RHS seniors Hannah Coward and Erin Benard

have a special exhibit of their art work on

display at the Randolph Town Hall. Their

work will be on display from 8:30 a.m. to

4:30 p.m. through October 5. (Pictured left,

Randolph Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts Frank

Perrone congratulates Hannah, right, and Erin, left.)

RHS Freshman Orientation

Randolph High School freshmen were invited to

participate in a special orientation program with

Tomorrow’s Leaders. Students participated in

team building activities on the RHS ropes course

and toured the high school on three separate

days. (Left, students gets to know each other and

below, students enjoy team building activities.)

RMS Program for Teachers

Teachers from across the country traveled to Randolph Middle School to participate in a conference on Responsive Classroom.

The program, which took place last month in the sixth grade wing at RMS, featured workshops and presentations by a variety of speakers including RMS teacher Luke Mason, who facilitates below. Mr. Mason organized the workshop with RMS Teacher Kimberly Eiseman.

RHS Summer Guidance Programs

The Randolph High School Guidance Department offered college preparation workshops for seniors over the summer. (Below, an admissions counselor from Drew University speaks to students in the RHS library computer lab about the college essay.)

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RMS Summer Success Program

Randolph Middle School hosted a Summer Success Readiness

Program last month where students brushed up on academics to

help prepare for the new school year. Students also enjoyed a

trip to Camel Beach and other special activities. The program

received Title 1 funding. Summer Program Coordinator Suzanne

Grecco said it featured team building, language arts, science

technology and encouraged students to build social relation-

ships.

New Student Open Houses and Walk Throughs

Randolph Middle School and all four elementary schools offered special programs for new students before school started. Students enjoyed scavenger hunts, found their classrooms and familiarized themselves with their new schools.

(Right, RMS Principal Dr. Dennis Copeland welcomes mom Naazira Sheik, sixth grader Aafeen and little sister Afsheen, 4. Below left, mom Lucretia Ziobro and son Gavin find the nurse’s office during the Center Grove new student scavenger hunt. Below right, Gary Tahlmore and son David find his name outside his new kindergarten classroom at the Ironia open house. Below left, Shongum Vice Principal Michael Scott welcomes new third grader Kaitlyn Rafferty and mom Whitney. Below right, New Fernbrook students Felipe and sister Bruna Pesa explore the library at the Fernbrook new student scavenger hunt.)

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Randolph Hires New Staff for 2017-18 School Year

Randolph hired more than 45 new staff members for the new school year, many of whom attended the new staff orientation Au-

gust 27-30. The new high school staff are pictured above left with members of the RHS administration. The RMS administrators,

above right, welcome new RMS staff. Below left, Center Grove administrators welcome new staff and below right, Ironia adminis-

trators welcome new staff. Bottom left, Fernbrook welcomes new staff and bottom right, Shongum also welcomes new staff.

Parents Enjoy Back to School Nights

Parents enjoyed the district’s first Back to School nights at Randolph

Middle School earlier this month. Parents with children in grades K-2

headed back to school on Sept. 26 while parents of children in grades

3-5 will spend the evening at their child’s school Sept. 28.

Randolph High School parents will follow their child’s schedule at Back

to School Night on October 5.

(Randolph Middle School Vice Principal Jackie Fik welcomes mom Elizabeth

Ruiz, daughter Bryanna and son Angel Cruz on Sept. 13.)

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Educator and Author George Couros Meets With Staff

Educator George Couros, author of "The Innovator’s Mindset,"

spent a day in Randolph first inspiring administrators and then

teachers. Couros spoke about how the role of administrators

has changed and later spoke to teachers on how to focus on

what they know and create better learning opportunities for

students. (Pictured above, Mr. Couros speaks with administrators during the

program in the high school.)

RHS Homecoming Court

Randolph High School students were selected for the 2017 homecoming court.

(They are, pictured left to right, freshmen princesses and princ-es Chloe Whiting, David Jouban and Ilsy Benitez, sophomores Ethan Powell and Cali Louro, juniors Nicole Nodine and Anthony Sofia and senior Queen Makayla Taylor and King Nate Pan-garo.)

Tenure Recognition

On September 5, staff members received tenure including high school staff, above, Center Grove staff, below left, and Central Office staff, below center. A Fernbrook staff member was also recognized, but not pictured.

Tenure Recipients

Several Randolph Middle School teachers received tenure on September 5.

(They are pictured above.) Below, Ironia Principal David Kricheff, Director

of Secondary Education Jonathan Olsen and Shongum Principal Dr. Cliff

Burns received administrative tenure.