STEAM Academy Newsletter
February 2024
A Message from Mrs. Tara Buckley
Greetings STEAM Academy Families,
We are now in the second half of the school year. Marking period 3 began on January 28 and we are all in! We are excited to be in the process of reviewing the Class of 2028 STEAM Academy applicants and to notify them of acceptance in the coming weeks.
Thank you all for your continued support of the STEAM Academy and please don't hesitate to reach out at anytime with any questions or concerns at tbuckley@trschools.com.
Tara L. Buckley
STEAM Academy Facilitator
STEAM Academy Shout-Out!
Jack Chen - Ivy League Acceptance
Congratulations to STEAM Academy senior Jack Chen who has been accepted to Yale University!
STEAM Academy Students in Action
AP Research - Capstone Project 3D Print Designs
AP Research students in Mrs. Vandurza's class are working on their 3D print designs for their STEAM Academy Capstone Project. They will be soon be testing their models in experiments!
AP Chemistry - Titrations
AP Chemistry students in Mrs. McLaughlin's classes standardized a solution of hydrochloric acid (to determine it's concentration) via an experimental technique called titration.
Honors Chemistry - Precipitation Reactions and Solubility
Students in Mrs. Buckley's Honors Chemistry classes explored precipitation and solubility by conducting a series of chemical reactions. Students predicted the chemical products and determined their solubility, analyzed patterns, and formulated rules. From their results, they were able to write and balance net ionic equations from their experimental data.
AP Seminar - College Board Task #1
Students in Mrs. Vandzura's AP Seminar class worked on Task #1 Group Presentations: Infinity Mapping, which assists with their line of reasoning for their argumentative group presentation.
STEAM Biology - Volvox Study
Students in Ms. Kurtz's STEAM Biology students worked with the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. They observed wild type and mutant Volvox- a type of freshwater algae. After they learned how to identify them, they chose an interesting mutated volvox, and isolated them for a 4 day period in diurnal (constant light) conditions. After 4 days, students observed the volvox and counted how many reproduced, and if they reproduced wild type or mutant.
College and Career Lecture Series
On January 8, Graceanne Taylor, Education Director at Save Barnegat Bay, spoke with students about the importance of environmental education. She shared her career path and the many exciting facets of her job!
Upcoming Career Presentations:
February 6: Theresa Najjar (American Institute) to discuss trade programs - dental assistant, medical technician, and electrician
February 20: Sgt. Michael Whitmeyer to discuss careers in the Army and National Guard
March 1: : Meghan Nayak, Esq. to discuss law and Innocence Project
March 8: Maria Weber, Merck & Co. Inc. to discuss careers in pharmaceutical research
Every month we have several community members come in and speak to our students about their careers and the path that led them to where they are today. This is an invaluable experience for students to be a part of and may expose them to possible careers that they didn't even know existed!
We encourage students to sign up to attend sessions for careers and topics that interest them. Students must sign up in advance in the Guidance Office, where they will be provided a special pass to attend.
Any parent or family member who is interested in coming into High School East to deliver a presentation to students on their respective career or field, please contact Mrs. Buckley at tbuckley@trschools.com
2024-25 STEAM Academy Admissions
The deadline for the NEW Digital Media and Broadcast Journalism strand of the STEAM Academy has been extended to April 12.
Students will be notified of their acceptance during the week of February 19, 2024.
REMINDERS AND RESOURCES
Communication: Chain of Command
Please follow the appropriate chain of command when there are concerns with STEAM Academy curriculum and instruction:
1. speak with the teacher FIRST
2. speak with the guidance counselor
3. speak with Ms. Tiffany Lucey, Supervisor
4. speak with Mrs. Stephanie Hines, STEAM Academy Administrator
5. speak with Mrs. Erin Anders, Principal
Guidance Corner
Mrs. Calhoun (last name A - Co )
Mrs. Millard (last name Cr - Han)
Mrs. Lulias (last name Hao - Mc)
Mrs.Bush (last name Me - Ro)
Mrs. Weinberger (last name Rp - Z)
If students would like to meet with their guidance counselor, they must complete a request form, which is available in the Guidance Office. It will be returned to the student with an appointment time.
STEAM Academy Student Monthly Workshops
STEAM Academy students participate in monthly workshops to enhance their skillset and learn new strategies to maximize their education. January's workshop focused on volunteer opportunities and community service and was presented by guidance counselor, Ms. Carrie Bush (pictured below).
Volunteer and Community Service
All Toms River H.S. East students are encouraged to volunteer in the community. While logging community service hours is not a requirement for graduation, the culture and spirit at East values those students who give back to their school and their community. As a school, we value public service and celebrate it! The Spirit of the Raider Award can be achieved when students have completed at least 40 hours of volunteering within a school year. For our seniors, who have achieved and dedicated at least 160 hours towards helping others, they will receive a cord to wear at their graduation ceremony.
What is community service?
Volunteering and hours earned for volunteerism in community service is considered to be any support or participation outside of regular roles or duties of the student. For example, a student who is a member of the National Honor Society has a responsibility to the organization in providing tutoring assistance. Part of their role is to serve as a student and this is extracurricular. Should a student volunteer outside of school, such as volunteering on their own time at the elementary school as a tutoring support, this would constitute a service to the community.
How do I turn in volunteer hours?
The Guidance Office has Community Service Hour log cards. A student can take a card, bring it with them to the volunteer event, and ask for an advisor to sign off on their hours/participation. All volunteer activities must receive a signature. For other community service opportunities, the Guidance Office can also accept letters from the organization stating how many hours a student received and in what way the student volunteered. These are due back to the guidance office in May where there will be an official record of hours kept on file.
Please see the guidance office for more information on volunteer and community service.
National Honor Society
The Raider Chapter of the National Honor Society is designed to honor students who have distinguished themselves in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and demonstrating high moral character.
Students may submit their candidacy for potential selection into the National Honor Society at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year if they meet the eligibility requirements (see below). Students will be notified of their eligibility to become a candidate, then attend a meeting to receive the guidelines and directions that outline the standards and procedures for selection. Students wishing to obtain information about factors involved in selection into the National Honor Society may do so in Guidance or from Ms. Morgan.
The selection process used for the National Honor Society~Raider Chapter is as follows:
- An eligible candidate’s Grade Point Average is determined through the Guidance Office, including minimum 3.75 unweighted or 4.5 weighted effective as of the Class of 2024. (3.75 unweighted or 4.25 weighted effective through the Class of 2023; adjustment reflects recent shifts in relative course weights.)
Those scholastically eligible candidates will be notified and invited to a meeting in which they will be given a packet from the advisor that outlines and explains the remainder of the selection process. - The candidate then completes the necessary forms and essay included in the packet and submits them to the advisor for further consideration by the Faculty Council.
In accordance with the Constitution of the National Honor Society, the selection process will meet the following criteria:
- It is fair and applied consistently to all candidates.
- It is described and published in an official school publication which is made available for students, parents, faculty and others to review.
- It is consistent with the rules and regulations of the NHS as they are currently described in the national handbook.
- It is determined by and meets the approval of the local Faculty Council and administration.
- It concludes with a vote by the appointed members of the Faculty Council to determine individual selection to the chapter. The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council.
Please see Ms. Morgan in Room W-24 with any questions.
Tutoring
National Honor Society tutors are available in the media center after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:40 - 2:25pm.
Students can come for help in any subject!
Parent Tips for a Successful School Year
- have conversations with your child about school and their classes
- set reminders for deadlines (SAT registration, college fairs, etc.)
- encourage your child to seek extra help if needed
- encourage your child to advocate for themselves and to communicate effectively with their teachers
- encourage your child to get involved with clubs and extra-curricular activities
- discuss the extra opportunities that are available to students
High School East Student Handbook
Please click the link for the High School East 2023-24 Handbook.
School Calendar
Please click the link below for the Toms River Regional Schools 2023-24 calendar.
https://www.trschools.com/calendar/docs/2023/07/_2023_2024-Calendar-_-Sheet1.pdf
Archived STEAM Academy Newsletters
Below are links to the archived 2023-24 STEAM Academy newsletters.
Upcoming Important Dates
FEBRUARY:
- 2/2: Groundhog Day
- 2/6: Career Speaker - Ms. Theresa Najjar, American Institute Trade School
- 2/10: Lunar New Year
- 2/14: Valentine's Day
- 2/15: Negotiating with Colleges Seminar - TR High School North Auditorium 6:30-8:30pm
- 2/16: Schools Closed - Staff Professional Development Day
- 2/19: Schools Closed - President's Day
- 2/20: Career Speaker - Michael Whitmeyer, SPC - Army & National Guard
- 2/23: STEAM Academy Monthly Lunch Workshop - Resume Building
MARCH:
- 3/8: STEAM Academy student commitment due (Class of 2028)
- 3/1: Career Speaker - Mrs. Meghan Nayak, Esq. (Law & The Innocence Project)
- 3/8: Career Speaker - Mrs. Maria Weber, Merck & Co. Inc. (Pharmaceutical Research)
- 3/9: SAT
- 3/11 - 3/15: NJGPA for Grades 11
- 3/13: Engineering Day @ Rutgers University
- 3/17: St. Patrick's Day
- 3/29: Schools Closed - Spring Break begins (students return to school April 8)