May 2021 Message
From the Vernon Township High School Administrative Team
Welcome to May 2021!
As we begin May--and the final marking period of the 2020-2021school year--we would like to encourage you to continue stressing the importance of your child consistently attending class and completing their assignments. It is sometimes difficult for students to keep their focus on academics during the spring, but we want all of them to finish strong!
We would like to inform you that Mr. Nick Demsak, Assistant Principal for grades 11 and 12, has been asked to serve as the Acting Principal of Rolling Hills Elementary School for the remainder of the school year, due to Dr. Stumper's extended absence. We continue to work together as the administrative team before and after school hours through consistent and frequent communication, but wanted you to know that Ms. Van Orden and Dr. Anderson will be overseeing much of the day-to-day operations of the high school for the last few weeks of school.
This month, we are looking forward to our Junior Prom, which will be held at the high school on Friday, May 14th. We would like to thank Mrs. Trish Coesfeld and Mrs. Kristy Riegler for all of their hard work to day. We would also like to thank all of the parents and guardians who have offered assistance for the set-up of the event. Finally, we would like to thank the students from the Class of 2022 who have been working behind the scenes to ensure that their evening "Under the Stars" will be a great success!
As always, if you have questions and/or concerns about your child's educational experience, please reach out to your child's teacher first. The teacher is the best one to assist you with questions about specific classes, assignments, and assessments. We truly believe that when the home and school work collaboratively, students receive a quality education. Thank you for being our Partners in Education!
Sincerely,
Pauline F. Anderson, Ed. D., Principal; panderson@vtsd.com
Nicholas M. Demsak, Assistant Principal; ndemsak@vtsd.com
Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Assistant Principal; jvanorden@vtsd.com
Ashlee the Certified Therapy Dog to Visit VTHS!
Thanks to Mrs. Kristin Gudenkauf, Ashlee, a certified therapy dog, will be visiting in the courtyard at VTHS during our Unit Lunch on Monday, May 17th. She is sure to bring smiles!
Healing-Centered Engagement Pilot Program Begins at VTHS!
On Friday, April 30th, all staff members of VTHS participated in a 2-hour training session which focused on this new pilot program. Early Dismissal Days for VTHS students will be held on Monday, May 3rd and Monday, May 24th to allow time for the final two training sessions.
We strongly encourage all parents, guardians and community members to register for their own training sessions using the link provided below, so we can all be focused on developing VTHS as a Healing-Centered School!
Thank you for your cooperation and interest in this important program.
The first week of May is traditionally set aside to honor our educators and this year we would like you to join us in congratulating and thanking all of our teachers for their outstanding work during a challenging school year! This year necessitated all of them to work harder than ever in order to reach and teach all of their students. We would like to thank each of them for their dedication to our students! If there is a particular teacher who has had a positive influence on your child, please take a moment to acknowledge them during Teacher Appreciation Week.
VTHS Earns High National and Metro-Area Rankings in 2021 Best High Schools in U.S. News
Congratulations to our VTHS Robotics Team!
Although we have already reported on our Robotics Team's dedication to creating PPE during the heart of the pandemic earlier this calendar year, this week they were honored by the Honorable Mikie Sherrill of the Eleventh Congressional District of the Great State of New Jersey. This member of the United States Congress celebrated the Vernon Township High School Robotics Team for their role in assembling and distributing protective shields to assist local hospitals and nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Please see their certificate below.) Congratulations, one and all!
News from our Athletic Director!
Please help us congratulate our student athletes from the Class of 2021:
- Aden Moskovitz continuing his lacrosse career at Moravian.
- Senior Patience Hevi selected as Athlete of the Month for March for Girls Wrestling.
- Rebecca Bogdewicz continuing her field hockey career at DeSales.
NJ TSA State Conference Hosted by TCNJ
Our Vernon Engineering Students excelled at this year's virtual NJ TSA State Conference hosted by TCNJ.
VTHS students competed in three categories at this year's competition, with the following results:
- Placed first (in the state) - Optical Engineering- Mason Freifelder, Morgan Freifelder, Michael Cheng, Julian Porras and Joseff Santiago
- Placed second (in the state) Computer-Aided Design, Engineering Jack Foco, Nicholas Decker- both freshman!!
- Honorable mention - Engineering Design- Even though this group didn't place, they all did a great job against some tough competition from though out the state. Their project involved the group Engineers Without Borders which are helping people build better, safer communities). - Matthew Catania, Austin Felixbrod, Maverick Brendli, Nazir Domena
Because the awards ceremony was virtual this year, they didn't receive the physical awards yet, but the photos below will demonstrate the hard work that went into the projects!
Many thanks to Mr. Jon Bruno and Mr. Roger Foco for their dedication to our engineering students!
"Behind the Scenes" at VTHS!
Unified Track
Unified Track began April 12th. Unified Sports offers all students an opportunity to compete in high school sports and this is the fourth year that VTHS has offered this program to our student athletes!
"Ethics in Photography" Magazine Cover Project
According to Mrs. Terri Sabia, her Photo I class illustrated how easy it is to create an "Untruth." The students had to put themselves on the cover and combine it with someone else's face or imply an untruth by adding someone else in the photo and/or adding text that was not true. It really makes them so much more aware of how to not believe everything they see.
VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION
In order to be in compliance with The High School Voter Registrations Law, we are providing the following voter registration materials, a summary of voter registration eligibility requirements, materials describing the role of a citizen, and materials articulating the importance of voting to all eligible high school students prior to graduation.
Please take the time to review the important information listed below:
VTHS Dress Code Reminders
As spring always brings some dress code issues, discussions and violations, we are writing to remind you that VTHS follows the VTSD Dress Code as follows:
DRESS CODE (Policy 5511)
It is expected that the students of Vernon Township High School will exercise good judgment, taste, and discretion in determining what to wear to our school. All clothing, including shoes, must be in good repair. For complete information, please refer to the BOE policy on the district website.
Prohibited clothing and articles:
Shorts/skirts shorter than mid-thigh
Torn jeans that reveal skin above mid-thigh
Shorts, pants positioned below the waistline
Tube tops/halter tops/spaghetti strap tops or revealing/low-cut tank tops
Shirts that reveal any part of the middle section of the body
Tank tops with very deep armholes
See-through mesh shirts
Pajamas/ Pajama bottom pants
Any garment, accessories, footwear (high heel/platform shoes, slippers, etc.) which could be determined as unsafe
Outdoor jackets, coats, or hats except when entering or leaving the building and when there is a defect in the heating system
Sunglasses, hats, bandanas, hoods, visors, or any head covering (except for religious reasons with administrative approval)
Any clothing containing profanity or obscene/offensive references or gang affiliation
Undergarments that can be seen through blouses, shirts, pants, skirts and/or are visible
Anything deemed a disruption or distraction to the educational climate of the building
Noncompliance will result in the student being sent to ISS/ALC for the remainder of the day or until the student changes into appropriate clothing.
Your assistance in discussing your child's clothing choses during the last few weeks of school would be greatly appreciated.
Class of 2022 Senior Photo Dates!
Please mark your calendars:
- Class of 2022 Senior Photos - May 17, 2021 through May, 21, 2021 from 7:30 am - 2:00 pm
- Class of 2022 Make-Up Senior Photos - August 10, August 11, and Sept. 21 from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
We've Been Asked to Share this Information with You
SUPPORT THE SCA - BUY A PIE FOR MOTHER'S DAY
ESCA SPRING 2021 FLOWER SALE
THE VERNON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RAISES SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR THE CLASS OF 2021!
Vernon Education Hall of Fame Seeks Nominations!
Please take a few minutes to nominate a well-deserving nominee for this year's Hall of Fame honor. The Call for Nominations and the Nomination Form are provided below:
Nick's Hope FREE Mobile Thrift Shop is coming to Family Promise of Sussex County!
Nick’s Hope is a registered 501C(3) non-profit mobile and on-line thrift shop providing FREE gently used clean clothes, footwear & accessories to Northern New Jersey neighbors in need.
Nick's Hope's mobile thrift shop will be set up outside our office (19 Church Street, Newton, NJ 07860) on Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 11am - 2pm. Family Promise of Sussex County will be there distributing masks, sanitizer, and other PPE.
If you or someone you know is in need of clothing, shoes, PPE, or accessories, please stop by!! Please also feel free to share the below image on your Social Media pages and pass along this email to your friends, family, and contacts. Help us reach as many people as we can!
In closing...
As we enter a new month --- and the 4th marking period --- we are honored to continue our work with you and your children. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Happy Mother's Day to all of our VTHS mothers!
Wishing you all the best,
The Faculty and Staff of VTHS
Dr. Pauline F. Anderson, Principal
Mr. Nicholas M. Demsak, Asst. Principal (Grades 11-12)
Mrs. Jacquelyn M. Van Orden, Asst. Principal (Grades 9-10)
