CGSD Newsletter
April 2019
Dear CGSD Community,
This month, the CGSD celebrated Autism Awareness Month, a preK-12 effort geared not only to promote awareness, but inspire a movement towards acceptance and appreciation for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD.
Data from a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study of 11 states found New Jersey has the highest rate of autism. The CDC also found that one in 34 children in the state is diagnosed with autism, a 19 percent increase from 2016.
Though this is sobering news, there is also hope.
This past fall, Rutgers University launched the New Jersey Autism Center, aided in part by $4 million in funding from the Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. https://tinyurl.com/y2r2mfkp
The NJ Department of Health runs an Autism Registry of children diagnosed with ASD to better understand the disorder and also help link families to available services. https://nj.gov/health/fhs/autism/public/
The NJ Department of Education is also proactive in supporting all students with disabilities, including autism. In the past year, they've offered training sessions and outreach programs to school officials, including programming for students with disabilities, and most recently a transition conference focusing on preparing teens across the autism spectrum to enter adulthood and the adult service system. https://www.state.nj.us/education/specialed/autism/
We know that ASD impacts not just the child, but also parents, siblings, relatives, peers, teachers, and the broader community. As a loving uncle with a nephew on the spectrum, I am grateful for our local efforts to improve autism awareness and proud of the difference our work is making!
#WeAreCedarGrove
Sincerely,
Michael J. Fetherman
Superintendent
SE 1st graders were proud to show off their writing achievements to family and friends at SE’s annual Writer’s Publishing Party.
NE 1st graders in Mrs. Jacob's class acknowledge Autism Awareness Month by, among other things, wearing blue. Pictured here they are holding an Autism Awareness ribbon they created out of recycled puzzle pieces.
North End’s fabulous fourth graders celebrate figurative language. Similes, metaphors, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, alliterations and personification abound!
Elementary School Artists at Work...
Fourth grade students are involved in a "Future Ready" initiative of an authentic learning endeavor. After completing research in the media center, groups designed and constructed castles, using a STEAM model. Collaboration was key in the planning, engineering and creation of each castle.
Second grade and kindergarten students differentiated styles in the creation of artwork based on Paul Klee. Second grade used a mixed media approach, including graphics and wax resist techniques in the design of fish, while kindergarten had fun using their knowledge of patterns and colors to create Klee cats!
The MMS Student Council collected spare change during all lunch periods, sold Autism puzzle piece bracelets, pens and pens, to raise money to donate to Autism New Jersey.
MMS congratulates the top earners of the 5th grade Moby Max Spring Challenge!
Six MMS students were a part of the North Jersey Junior Regional Choir concert. These students endured long rehearsals on school nights and learned challenging repertoire in a short amount of time. The following students represented MMS well: Siena Giordano, Stefania Izzo, Ava Jablonski, Sophia Cordaro, Lilyana Ricco and Ian Wilson.
Over a dozen talented and creative MMS students worked hard to paint the sign advertising for April’s Alice in Wonderland Jr production. And did I mention that the show was awesome?!
MMS 6th grader, James Pakhomou, participated in the annual Anthony Rocks Autism event to benefit Fight4Autism, a Non-Profit NJ Organization founded by Autism Moms. Check out the video here:
CGHS students in Ms. Shutovsky’s Biology Lab Honors class completed silent debates on medical ethical issues surrounding Henrietta Lacks’ immortal cell line. The students developed their debate and rebuttaled the other side using post-it’s.
CGHS Driver's Ed instructor, Mr. Valenzano, is beyond excited to present our 2019 video submission as part of the Jersey Drives "U GOT BRAINS" competition! https://jerseydrives.com/champion-schools-program/#anchor4
Over 65 schools around the state developed a message geared towards teen driver safety. Those schools each make a video about their project. Check out our video here:
CGHS students in US History I participated in an Escape Room activity that teaches the Underground Railroad. They had to solve various clues to find the map to lead people to safety.
CGHS students in math class studied probability and used Virtual Reality technology to explore probability in real life situations.
CGHS students used Google Virtual Reality goggles to learn about Shakespeare in preparation for reading Hamlet.
CG and TCNJ pride!
Newly accepted to The College of New Jersey, CGHS senior Peter Corso attended a recent alumni event with CG’s K-12 Math/Science Supervisor, Mrs. Janine Barboza, TCNJ Class of 2002, and K-4 music teacher Ms. Maggie Stroh, Class of 2016.
Peter will attend TCNJ in the Fall to study History Education and plans to continue his involvement with the music program.
The event was held in Verona, hometown of both the newly appointed 16th President of the College, Dr. Kate Foster, and Mrs. Barboza.
Music Matters is a family-school organization supporting the music program at Cedar Grove High School. We work with the students and teachers to partner with and support community events and organizations in our wonderful town. Our 2018-19 theme is “It Takes Two!” and we are enjoying incorporating this theme into many of our music department activities throughout the year.
Please visit CGHS Music Matters online at: https://www.cgschools.org/cghs-music-matters/
On Facebook: CGHS Music Matters
On Instagram: cghsmusic
On Twitter: @cghs_Music
The mission of the Cedar Grove Education (CGEF) is to enrich and enhance the educational experiences of Cedar Grove students above and beyond the scope of the curriculum and to provide lifelong learning opportunities for the entire community.
Follow us on Facebook: Cedar Grove Education Foundation
CGSD Social Media: GET CONNECTED!
Email: fetherman.michael@cgschools.org
Website: www.cgschools.org
Location: 520 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ, USA
Phone: (973) 239-1550
Facebook: facebook.com/CedarGroveSuperintendent
Twitter: @Cgssuper