STEAM Academy Newsletter
October 2023
Off to a Great Start!
A Message from Mrs. Tara Buckley
The first month of school was an exciting and productive time for both students and staff! We are now all in and we encourage all students to get involved.... whether it is a school club, a sport, a volunteering opportunity or one of the many other opportunities that are available to them at High School East!
As the school year progresses, it is important for students to stay on top of their coursework and to maintain an open and proactive line of communication with their teachers. If needed, there are many venues for extra help in a class such as extra help provided by their teachers and peer tutoring through the National Honor Society.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events planned for the upcoming months. We will keep you informed through the parent newsletters and the district website. We are grateful for you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we can all make this year a memorable and successful one!
If you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at tbuckley@trschools.com
Mrs. Tara Buckley
STEAM Academy Facilitator
STEAM Students in Action!
AP Biology - Oreo Statistics
Students calculated the standard deviation of Oreo cookie filling mass in Mrs. Fazzini's AP Biology classes.
AP Environmental Science - Beach Profiling
STEAM Academy students went to Lavallette to perform beach profiling on September 20 with Mr. Hoffman. The second half of their day involved seining and collecting organisms for the classroom aquariums.
AP Chemistry - Finding the Formula of a Hydrate
AP Chemistry students performed an experiment to determine the formula of a hydrate in Mrs. McLaughlin's class.
STEAM Biology - Pillars of Biological Science
STEAM Biology students sharpened their measurement and data collecting skills using appropriate tools and units in Mrs. Kurtz's class.
Honors Physics - Motion Sensors
Honors Physics students used motion sensors to create position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs in Ms. Ellerson's class.
Honors Chemistry - Graphing Chemistry Data
Students in Mrs. Buckley's Honors Chemistry classes analyzed various types of chemistry data and developed graphs to illustrate the results.
STEAM Academy Student Monthly Workshops
September's Workshop - Getting Organized!
Click the link below for a full schedule of workshops.
College and Career Lecture Series
September 11th Presentation
Lieutenant Peter Sundak, Toms River Police Department, delivered a powerful presentation to students on the historic events of September 11.
Upcoming Career Presentations
October 13: Sgt. Noah Dankocsik - Careers in the Air Force
October 27 : Officer Mary Amato - Careers in the Department of Corrections
November 3: Ocean Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Chief Anthony Carrington, OC Prosecutor's Office - Careers in Criminal Law and Prosecution
November 21: Maria Webber - 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
October College Visits
October 5 @ 9:45am - Lynn University
October 6 @ 8:10am - Caldwell College
October 11 @ 9:15am - Scranton University
October 13 @ 10:30am - University of Rhode Island
October 16 @ 10:30am - Kean University
October 18 @ 8:10am - Alvernia University
October 19 @ 8:10am - Rider University
October 23 @ 9:45am - Drew University
October 25 @ 8:10am - Binghamton University
If interested, students must sign up in the Guidance Office.
FAFSA Information (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops are offered on the following dates:
October 2, 2023 - 5pm
October 24, 2023 - 6pm
November 14, 2023 - 6pm
December 5, 2023 - 6pm
December 14, 2023
Spanish Workshop Dates:
- October 25, 2023 - 6pm
- November 5, 2023 - 6pm
- December 6, 2023 - 6pm
- December 15, 2023 - 6pm
Click the link below for more information and to register.
Meeting ID: 161 9147 2863
Passcode: 094881
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!
REMINDERS & 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
Guidance Counselors
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.
Volunteer & 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.
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.
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
School Calendar
Click the link below for the 2023-2024 Toms River Regional School District calendar. https://www.trschools.com/calendar/docs/2023/07/_2023_2024-Calendar-_-Sheet1.pdf
High School East Student Handbook
Click the link below for the 2023-24 High School East Student Handbook.
Upcoming Important Dates!
OCTOBER:
- 10/5: College Fair at RWJ Arena (must register on-line)
- 10/5: Homecoming Food Trucks & Fire Pits
- 10/6: Fall Pep Rally (periods 2 & 3)
- 10/7: Homecoming Dance
- 10/7: SAT
- 10/9: Schools Closed - Columbus Day
- 10/18: Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 10/25: PSAT (grades 10 & 11)
NOVEMBER:
- 11/4: SAT
- 11/7 & 11/8: Schools Closed - NJEA Teacher's Convention
- 11/13: Second Marking Period begins
- 11/17: Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 11/22: Early dismissal
- 11/23 & 11/24: Schools Closed - Thanksgiving Break
- 11/29: District Financial Aid Night @6:30pm TRE cafeteria
DECEMBER:
- 12/2: SAT
- 12/18: Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 12/22: Early dismissal
- 12/23: Winter Break begins (students return to school on 1/2/24)