Thundering Herd
Woodbury Junior-Senior High School - Weekly Newsletter
Friday, March 29, 2019
Message from the Principal
Hello parents,
This week's newsletter brings a number of important topics to your attention. Below you will find a new morning drop off procedure, an explanation from both administrators and teachers about a more stringent approach to electronic devices, a celebration of students of the month, information about the upcoming Junior High dance, the Dare to Dream conference and our Rock Star Reader winners.
Enjoy!
Keep Love Present,
Dr. Vivadelli
Students of the Month
HS SOTM
9th Augustus Burkhauser-Giustino
10th Daamiyan Murphy
11th Siani Latane
12th Ty’Shawn Smith
JHS SOTM
6th Alejandra Ortiz
6th Carla Brown
7th Jacob Sennett
7th Theresa Strano
8th Lauren Backus
8th Michael Torelli
Photos of the Week
Upcoming Events
March 29 – Interscholastic Special Needs Olympics, 10:00 – 12:00, gym
March 29 – AVID trip to Mutter Museum
April 1 – BHM Assembly Program, 10:00-10:45, Auditorium, JHS only
April 4 – End of 3rd Marking Period
April 4 – Pretzel fundraiser after school
April 5 – JHS Spirit Day – Character Day
April 5 – JHS Dance, 7:00 gym
April 5 – Mr. Woodbury, 7:00 auditorium
April 10 – BOE Meeting, 6:30, SHS Spotlight
April 11 – NCAA Presentation, 7:00
April 11 – NHS Easter Egg Hunt
April 13 – Saturday School, 8:00-12:00
April 15 – Spring break begins
April 18 – JHS Relays
April 20 – Woodbury Relays
New Morning Drop Off Procedure
Unauthorized Use of Electronic Devices
This is an important announcement in regards to the student code of conduct. On page 15 of the student handbook it explains that an unauthorized use of an electronic device is a violation. Cell phones have become a major distraction to student learning. Teachers will no longer authorize cell phone use in the school building. There are Chromebooks in every classroom for any educational technology needs. Meetings have been held to ensure that all students are aware.
Beginning this Monday, April 1st, all cell phones/headphones/smartwatches or earbuds must be hidden from view the moment a student walks in the building.
High school students may use an electronic device during WoodburyONE from 11:27 AM - 12:21 PM.
Junior high students cannot use electronic devices at any time, including at lunch.
If any student uses or displays a device, staff have been informed to notify the child to put the device away and write a referral to the appropriate administrator. The student will then receive a detention and two discipline points will be added. There will no longer be warnings.
Please have a conversation with your child about the importance of respecting the policies that are in the handbook such as this one. I thank you all for supporting these measures. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our offices.
A Woodbury Teacher's Perspective on Electronic Device Usage
As champions of children concerned with academic achievement and rigor, many Woodbury teachers have been advocating for a reduction in electronic device usage for some time. Research shows that electronic devices have an unfair way of distracting both individual students from lessons as well as their peers. Dr. Brynn Winegard's landmark study coins this phenomenon the "cone of distraction." Anyone distracted in class doesn't just lose out on the content of the discussion, they create a sense of permission that opting out is okay, and worse, a haze of second-hand distraction for their peers. This is to say nothing of an adolescent's developmental propensity towards involuntary and emotional reactions to information they glean from those very devices. Sometimes all it takes is a quick glance at the notifications on one's screen to send him or her into distress.
Furthermore, studies show that eliminating cell phones during class time reduces the chance of cheating, increases academic performance, aids in retention of information, improves emotional and physical health, cuts back on online bullying and harassment, and provides equal opportunity for students who might not be able to afford a smart phone.
We are eager to use this policy reinforcement as an opportunity to encourage the soft skills that students will need as they approach college and the workforce: interpersonal communication, time management, focus, patience, integrity, grit, growth mindset, and curiosity. We are looking forward to partnering with administrators and families to help our students thrive.
Dare to Dream Conference
On Friday, 3/22/19. Ms. Chandler and her class attended the Dare to Dream Leadership Conference at Rowan University in Glassboro. The conference was sponsored by the Office of Special Education and highlighted the importance of student self-advocacy and leadership. The conference featured presentations from accomplished students and adults with disabilities who have demonstrated exemplary self-advocacy and leadership skills. Tim Wade, a senior in Ms. Chandler's class was a keynote speaker. In addition to Ms. Chandler's class, the conference was attended by Ms. Lewis and Ms. Dougherty, who along with some of their inclusion class students, presented a breakout session on "Learning Ways to Advocate Now and After Graduation." Ms. Ripley was also in attendance. The students had a great time and learned a lot from the conference and students in the region who share their disabilities, but dare to dream....and succeed!
Sophomores Visit The College of New Jersey
Socratic Seminar in Biology
Just turn on the news and you’re sure to hear about the rush to get various vaccines! This led to a Socratic seminar discussion in the honors biology classes about whether or not vaccines should be mandatory. The questions , opinions and utilization of text to support or refute comments made were truly impressive !
AVID 9 Student of the Month
Up for a challenge, conscientious , always willing to help and support others are how India Byes's peers would describe her and the reason they elected her as our AVID 9 Student of the Month!
Artwork from Diamond Lincoln
Here are 3 pieces from Diamond Lincoln's AP portfolio honoring the contributions of important African American women throughout history.
NASA computer scientist/mathematician Katherine Johnson
Singer/songwriter Lauryn Hill
Civil Rights Pioneer Ida B. Wells
Rock Star Readers
Emerald Sills
Juliana Polanco-Navas
Genita Childress
Andrea Martinez
Jasaun Solomon
Kaden Corrigan
Jonathon White
Alyssa Rodriguez
Julia Kamps
Free Daley
Caleb LeGrand
Jervon Cosby
Project Graduation
Project Graduation is a safe and free night of fun for our graduates. It has been a part of Woodbury High School for many years. For the last six years Project Graduation has been held at Rastelli’s Sports & More in Deptford, NJ.
The night of graduation, our graduates return to the high school approximately 9pm. The students and parent volunteer chaperones are bused to the venue. For the next 3-4 hours the graduates enjoy many activities such as a photo booth, basketball, swimming, Gaga Ball, volley ball, Tether ball and a live DJ. Food is provided for all graduates at the venue. In years past, we raised enough funds to give participating graduates a small gift of a Wawa gift card and a Project Graduation t-shirt. At approximately 1:30 am. the students and volunteers are bussed back to the high school.
All costs, including transportation to and from the venue, are covered through fundraising efforts and donations.
The 2018-2019 Project Graduation Committee consists of only 9 parent volunteers. Fundraising has been particularly challenging this year. Our efforts have not raised as much money as we have hoped for at this point. Having so few volunteers makes it difficult to raise the needed funds.
We need your help! It doesn’t matter if your child is in elementary school, 6th, 7th, 8th grade or in the high school. Please join us at our next meeting. If we don’t get more volunteers, we fear there will be no Project Graduation for our graduates this year.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Jennielee Elliot
856-628-7555
Sincerely,
Project Graduation Committee
The Weekly Update - March 29, 2019
Latest Have You Herd Episode
Athletics
Friday, March 29, 2019
4:00 pm Track & Field: Middle School Meet vs. Audubon Middle, Gateway Regional
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
4:00 pm Baseball: Varsity Game vs. Haddon Township @ Woodbury
4:00 pm Softball: Varsity Game vs. Haddon Township @ Haddon
4:00 pm Track & Field: Girls Varsity Meet vs. Haddon Township @ Haddon
4:00 pm Track & Field: Boys Varsity Meet vs. Haddon Township @ Woodbury
Thursday, April 4, 2019
4:00 pm Baseball: Varsity Game vs. Lindenwold @ Woodbury
4:00 pm Softball: Varsity Game vs. Lindenwold @ Lindenwold
4:00 pm Softball: JV Game vs. Lindenwold @ Lindenwold
Check Your Child's Grades and Attendance
Student Handbook
Food Services
Miscellaneous Attachments
Dr. Jason Vivadelli, Principal
Email: jvivadelli@woodburysch.com
Website: www.woodburysch.com
Location: 25 N Broad St, Woodbury, NJ, United States
Phone: 856-853-0123
Twitter: @JasonVivadelli