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Franklin Lakes Public Schools
School News and Views March 2014
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Dear Community Members,
Welcome to the first spring issue of School News and Views from Franklin Lakes Public Schools! Warmer weather is just around the corner...so they say! As always, things have been bright and sunny in our schools this month with marshmallow architecture, high tech presentation and celebration, center stage performances, "very important" dinner dances, reading across the District and America, a science circus, and good will and goodies for our overseas troops.
Thank you to all those who contribute the aforementioned and so much more. I am proud to serve such a purposeful and caring community.
I hope you enjoy this March edition of School News and Views.
Sincerely,
Frank Romano, III, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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District News
SNaV Curriculum: Marshmallow Madness!
The task is simple: in eighteen minutes, build the tallest free-standing structure out of twenty sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to sit on top of the structure. The key to success? Teamwork. Students in Ms. Darlene Marte's 6th Grade ACES class engaged in the Marshmallow Challenge, an exercise aimed at helping participants learn valuable lessons in  collaboration, innovation, and creativity. Throughout the challenge, teams of students discussed strategy, supported one another, and compromised to create structures to support their marshmallows. Aside from the students' energy and excitement around this challenge, used by businesses and organizations around the world in an effort to foster the same skills Ms. Marte is helping to develop in her students, the most exciting component came through the thoughtful reflection of the students after the challenge was completed. Teams related the successes and struggles they experienced working in their groups and shared profound thoughts about future challenges that involve working with their peers to overcome obstacles and achieve outstanding results in school and beyond.
SNaV Technology: Educational Computing Cooperative
The Franklin Lakes School District is a member of the NJ Educational Computing Cooperative, an organization devoted to promoting and supporting the integration of technology in education as it applies to student learning, professional development, and instructional planning. We are proud to announce that four of our teachers presented at this year's annual conference at Montclair State University on March 11th. The theme of the 2014 conference is "Technology Changes.....and so must Schools".
Ms. Linda Hay and Mrs. Michelle Rotella, Grade 1 teachers at CRS, presented 'Elementary Students Use Digital Tools to Produce and Publish Their Writing!'. Mrs. Stacia Mascharka, District Curiosity Corner teacher, spoke on 'STEM Education in the Primary Grades' (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and Mrs. Stacey Melhorn, WAS Kindergarten teacher, addressed 'Globally Connecting with Twitter and Skype in the Primary Classroom'.
These presentations were some of the most highly attended at the conference. In addition to our presenters, 11 faculty members and administrators from the District attended the annual conference, which offered over 50 presentations.
SNaV Business & Operations: School Budget Decrease
School Business Administrator Mr. Michael Solokas reported that the preliminary 2014-15 school budget will decrease by $58,669. Total school taxes required for next year will remain at the current level. These projected numbers should result in a slight decrease in school taxes for the average assessed home valued at $1,036,000. Please note that the County Executive Superintendent has not yet approved this budget AND the public budget hearing is scheduled for April 29th, so there is a small chance these numbers could change.
SNaV Special Services: Solar System Fun
Students In Mrs. Elaine MIller's 5th grade collaborative Science
class at High Mountain Road School are researching a self-selected topic related to the Solar System. They will complete a written report, create a visual component and present it during the overall 5th grade Solar System Science Fair to be held on March 27, 2014.
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FAMS News
SNaV FAMS: Broadway comes to FAMS
The FAMS Music Department, in partnership with the Franklin Lakes Education Foundation, hosted Broadway Night on Wednesday, March 12th. The evening featured favorite show tunes performed masterfully by J.Mark McVey and Christy Tarr-McVey right on FAMS' very own stage. The McVey family has performed hit shows such as Les Miserables and Jekyll and Hyde on Broadway, as well as toured across the country performing in all types of venues. FAMS' Chorus students had a fantastic opportunity to participate in a performance clinic from Mr. and Mrs. McVey during the school day. This amazing class was filled with professional vocal training and offered insight on pursuing a career in music performance.
The concert included a performance by the cast of the 2014 production of High School Musical, which debuts next Friday, March 21st. The evening came to a close with our students singing side-by-side with the McVey family under the bright lights. It was an incredible experience for all!
SNaV FAMS: High School Musical, Jr.
The Franklin Avenue Middle School drama club will bring the Disney hit musical "High School Musical, Jr." to life next weekend. FAMS Patriots are transformed into East High Wildcats in this lively story of clashing cliques and friendship.
This show features the talented acting, dancing and singing skills of 41 FAMS students and includes infectious songs "We're All in This Together," "Get'cha Head in the Game," and "Bop to the Top." The musical is directed by Mr. Curt Buckler, with FAMS alumni Ms. Julia Gebhardt as the vocal director. Miss Kayser, a resource and collaborative teacher at FAMS is the assistant director and the choreographer is resource room teacher Miss Stein. Mrs. Lori Lazan is the producer of the show.
The show will be on Friday, March 21st at 7:30 pm, Saturday, March 22nd at 8:00pm, and Sunday, March 23rd at 2:00pm. Contact Mrs. Christine Christopoul at cmchristo@aol.com for tickets. Tickets are $10 and seating is assigned, so don't delay! We hope to see many members of the Franklin Lakes community and School District at the show!
SNaV FAMS: FAMS Recognizes VIPs
The FAMS Peer Leadership Corps sponsored their annual VIP Dinner Dance on Thursday, March 6th. This dress-to-impress event gave our students an opportunity to recognize and thank an important adult in their lives. Our students chose someone who had helped them become the person they are today.
Students escorted their chosen adult through an evening filled with amazing food, live music, and great company. Our guest list included a wonderful selection of parents, teachers, relatives, coaches, and siblings. Thank you for everything you do for our students!
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CRS News
SNaV CRS: Read Across America
It's a bird ... it's a plane ... it's ... Read Across America Day at  CRS!
On March 6, students took a day off from jeans and sweatshirts in favor of dressing as caped crusaders, doctors, firefighters, police, professional athletes, and the like to celebrate Read Across America Day by exploring the theme of "heroes." Through a variety of activities and workshops grounded in reading and literacy,students brainstormed the characteristics of a hero and explored the question of "what makes a hero?" examining the "heroes" in their families, the community,as well as those in the world, and in literature. Activities ranged from concerts about "American Heroes" to visits from "heroic" guest readers, to ways in which we can work as team to navigate a course, and be a hero to be animals, and vice versa.
By the close of the school day, many students had helped fight hunger through the Free Rice/World Food Program, had contributed to the creation of a "hero rap," or had composed a "thank you" letter to a personal hero. To extend our celebration beyond our walls, CRS is now running a book drive through the end of the month, accepting new and very gently used books to donate to a children's charity.
SNaV CRS: Holocaust Assembly
Recently, our fifth grade students attended a very powerful assembly. A Holocaust survivor presented a moving depiction of his personal experiences during this tragic time. Our guest provided students with a real life survivor's perspective while also detailing historical events. This experience had a lasting impact on students, as they were able to hear a first hand account of the many details they have studied throughout their Holocaust studies. We thank our PTA for providing students with this unforgettable opportunity.
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HMR News
SNaV HMR: Science Day Fun
The PTA sponsored a wonderful day of Science on March 12th. Students enjoyed a school-wide Science Circus assembly, a
 Science Sportacular assembly for Grades 3 through 5, a Little Dragon Digestive System assembly for Grades Preschool through 2, and classroom workshops on water, creepy crawlies, electricity and magnetism, owls, and energy. What a great day exploring the wonders of science! Thank you to our PTA. SNaV HMR: Read Builds Character Our school community celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday on February 28th with a theme of building character. Activities included an assembly, guest readers in each classroom, a book  swap promoting recycling and reading, Reading in Paradise (the lunchroom was transformed into a sunny beach!), a book reading competition, a character scavenger hunt and more. Students were invited to dress as one of their favorite book characters, selected because of his/her strong character and message. Pictured are faculty members who chose the Purple/Emerald/Pink/Silverlicious characters including, from left to right, Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Kim Perry, Principal Mrs. Jaclyn Bajzath, Kindergarten teacher Ms. Marissa Lindenthaler, and student teacher - Ms. Shannon Knapp, standing in front of the Dog Bone board used to record the students' reading. |
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WAS News
SNaV WAS: Cards for Our Troops
Our fifth grade students made Holiday cards during their winter party and then sent them along with a bunch of goodies to soldiers in Afghanistan. One of our fifth grade students has a relative who is serving there and the classes received a wonderful response from Captain Trevor Johnson. He shared everything with his unit and they enjoyed the personalized cards from all of the fifth grade. It is truly heartwarming to know that our students' generosity was enjoyed and appreciated by the troops.
SNaV WAS: Snuggle Up With a Book
We celebrated Read Across America on Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Mrs. Stacy Melhorn, one of our Kindergarten teachers, graciously arranged for books for each teacher to read as well
 as having items for each student to remember the day. Our students practiced themed music for the day with our Music teachers and also completed a craft. Grade level teachers read to the students of the class they will be receiving next year after our fifth graders led the announcements with the Reader's Oath. Our theme for this year was "Snuggle Up with a Book," with all students and staff members enjoying a day of reading in pajamas!
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