Principal's Newsletter
#TWPPRIDE
September 2, 2020
An Update from Mr. Strout
Dear WTHS Community,
We are ready for the 2020-2021 school year and whatever it has in store for us! These trying times have changed everything in the world around us, but especially in the realm of education and school. We salute our parents for trusting us and for all they do to support our kids. I am especially grateful to the administrators, secretaries, custodial and maintenance staff, our IT staff, teachers, counselors and all of our support staff members that continue to work so hard to help us get ready for the start of this school year, which will begin very differently than any other in our school's history.
I am most excited to be able to welcome our students back to school, whether it be via the hybrid learning model or via a full remote learning pathway!
As a reminder for all students and parents, ALL students will begin the year via remote instruction starting Tuesday, September 8th through Friday, September 18th. Students scheduled for the hybrid model that will include live instruction two days per week will begin the week of September 21st.
This is the first monthly newsletter for the 2020-2021 school year, and I hope you find it informative and helpful.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of our dedicated staff with questions or concerns that may arise during the course of the year. We are here to serve.
A link to all newsletters will be archived on my website: www.wtps.org/wthsprincipal.
Our staff will continue to engage in meaningful and relevant professional development on this topic. Teacher leaders have begun to curate and share resources and best practices in Schoology as just one way we can stay focused on improving our ability to ensure equity in our classrooms.
Critical Information
VIrtual Transition Tour
- Navigating the building with new walking paths
- General safety procedures relative to Covid19
- Understanding a student's schedule
- Review of our Restorative Justice Student Code of Conduct
- And much more!
Click on the link below to watch this video that we hope you'll find helpful!
Welcome our New Teachers!
Mrs. Biegler
Mr. Boncardo
Mrs. Burdasz
I am so excited to be joining the WTHS family. I know this year will be different, but I can’t wait to meet and get to know faculty, staff, administrators, and most importantly, the students! I graduated Albright College in 2002 with a degree in English and Secondary Education. I have been teaching English, at Orchard Valley, since September 2008. Before teaching at OVMS, I taught high school English for four years. I have been teaching for 17 years. I am married to my incredible husband, Tom, have a six-year-old son, Travis, a four-year-old daughter, Anna, and an eight-year-old dog, Wrigley. Being a parent keeps me very busy. When I am not at school, teaching, I am at home enjoying my family. Some of my hobbies include reading, scrapbooking, exploring the world of Legos and Barbie’s, and traveling. My life is truly an adventure! I also hope to take my ninth grade students on many adventures in reading and writing!
Ms. Comer
Ariel Comer is so excited to be joining the Township crew this year, especially as a brand new resident to Washington Township. Ariel is entering her 8th year as a Math teacher, coming from Woodbury High School, where she has been the past 5 years. At Woodbury she was not only a teacher, but also a coach, student council advisor, and class advisor. Ariel has been a South Jersey native her whole life. She received her undergrad at Rowan University and recently complete her Masters in Education Technology at Wilmington University this past summer. Ariel enjoys skiing, traveling, and being active. She is also a HUGE Philly sports fan! Ariel is looking forward to making a difference in Washington Township, and she cannot wait to get started!
Ms. D'Avelia
Megan D'Avella is happy to join the Art Department at Washington Township High School this year! She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Arcadia University with a degree in Art History and minors in Fine Arts and Art Entrepreneurship & Curatorial Studies. While in school, Megan cultivated a love for travel. So far she has been to 11 countries, and her adventures included riding camels in Marrakesh and exploring volcanos in Santorini. At home in New Jersey, however, she spends all of her free time creating art, reading, and relaxing with her husband and two dogs.
Mr. Diaz
My name is Rodrigo Diaz and I’m very excited to be part of Washington Township High School this new school year. I consider myself a motivated and devoted teacher that loves teaching Spanish and about culture. I’m a native from Peru, but I was raised in Somers Point in South Jersey. I have a criminal justice degree from Stockton University and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Thomas Edison State University. In my spare time I enjoy working out, playing soccer and traveling to different countries. I am looking forward to working with all of you to help the students succeed this school year.
Mrs. Dornisch
Jacquilyn Dornisch is excited to join the Washington Township School District! Jacqui graduated from The College of New Jersey in 2014 with a BA in Arts Education and a minor in Art History. Jacqui grew up in the South Jersey area and is excited to be “home”! When she’s not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their three year old greyhound, Duke. Jacqui’s goal as an educator is to enrich students' lives with art, create a warm and welcoming environment, and inspire the "maker" in them.
Ms. Duhaney
Mrs. Koering
Megan B. Koering is so excited to join the Washington Township High School family. She moved from Vineland to TWP with her husband in hopes of growing their family and sending their future children to TWP schools. They now have a one-year old rambunctious boy. Megan earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees, Education and Writing Arts, from Rowan University. She is currently pursuing her Special Education MAED at Stockton University. When not at work, she loves to cook, but she says that’s just a labor of love because her real love is eating! She also enjoys traveling, going to the beach, lounging at the pool, and hiking dog friendly trails. Megan loves dogs and volunteers regularly as a foster dog mom for an Australian Shepard rescue which is where she found her very smart and energetic Aussie. She swam with sharks, hiked through an active volcano, traveled through Europe, and scaled a mountain in the dark just to see the sunrise from the perfect spot.
Mrs. Michael
My name is Rachel Michael and I cannot wait to join the Washington Township Team. I graduated from Rowan University with a bachelor's in public relations with minors in advertising and business administration. I love teaching business and bringing my enthusiasm into the classroom. When not at work I enjoy spending time with my husband and two dogs. My newest dog was a rescue from Aruba. We love taking hiking trips and enjoying beach days together. I also raise and tag Monarch butterflies for research and data collection purposes.
Ms. Norris
After 19 years in 8th grade, I'm very happy to be graduating finally to 9th! Of my 19 years, 12 of them were spent at Chestnut Ridge. I received both my Undergraduate degree in English and my Master's in Reading Education from Rowan University. I am recently divorced and have four wonderful children: three boys and one girl. They are all grown and independent (mostly). I spend my free time these days learning home repair and remodeling via Youtube videos. I also enjoy reading and traveling.
Mr. Pollock
Mr. Skipper
Mr. William Skipper is very excited to come back to Washington Township, his alma-mater, as a special education teacher. After attending Rutgers University he began his career working within the Camden charter system and and eventually moved to teach English within Moorestown Township public schools. He is very excited to be back with his family and extended family in Washington Township. When not in school, he enjoys being outdoors as often as possible. Adventures in hiking, camping, and climbing are some favorite pastimes. In his down time you are very likely to catch him reading some obscure book on history or the most recent sci-fiction/fantasy release.
Mrs. Totora
Mrs. Kaitlyn Totora is excited to become one of the newest members of Washington Township High School as a Chemistry Teacher. Mrs. Totora is married with three young children; a first grader, third grader, and a fifth grader. She graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in Chemistry. After graduation, Mrs. Totora spent ten years working in her field before returning to receive her Masters Degree in Science Teaching from Rutgers University, Camden. In her spare time, Mrs. Totora enjoys hiking with her family and dog, as well as crocheting and sewing. We are thrilled with Mrs. Totora joining our faculty, sharing her love of science with everyone around her.
Facilities Updates
All staff and students will be required to adhere to these strict walking path expectations from 7 am until 12 pm each day that students are present in the building.
9/10 WING 1st FLOOR
9/10 WING 2nd FLOOR
CORE 1st FLOOR
CORE 2nd FLOOR
11/12 WING
Signs Around the Building
CDC Parent Checklist
CDC Checklist
NJDOH Immunizations
Temperature Checks
How to Properly Wear a Face Mask
Covid Testing Sites
Student Dropoff and Pickup Details
- There will be 8 points of entry for our students and staff to enter each morning.
- Doors will be unlocked and propped open with staff supervision from 7 am until 7:20 am each morning.
- Doors will be relocked at 7:20 am each morning.
- Students arriving before 7 am must remain their car or practice safe social distancing from other students if waiting to enter the building. All students must have a mask on as they enter the building.
- 9th and 10th Grade Students arriving after 7:20 am must enter through the vestibule in the Core.
- 11th and 12th Grade Students arriving after 7:20 am must enter through the vestibule in the 11/12 wing.
Student Attendance Reporting
*On Remote Learning days ALL students MUST log into Schoology by 12:00pm each day to be marked PRESENT. If students DO NOT log into Schoology by 12:00pm, they will be marked ABSENT for the day.
Cohort D - Attendance will be taken on a daily basis for all students on Cohort D through Schoology; students MUST log into Schoology by 12:00pm each day to be marked PRESENT. If students DO NOT log into Schoology by 12:00pm, they will be marked ABSENT.
Student Restrooms
ONLY 2 students will be permitted in any restroom at one time.
Students must have their ID Badge.
Core
Downstairs (near Cafeterias C/D)
Downstairs (near the IBPAC)
Upstairs (across from G-212)
11/12 Wing
A Hall (across from A-27)
Little C Hall (across from C-1)
E Hall (across from E-6)
Student ID Badges
Students will be provided up to 2 temporary student ID badges per semester. A $5 fee will be assessed for any student needing to secure a 3rd student ID badge in a given semester.
Refillable Water Bottles
Under no circumstances, should students share their water bottles!
2 Minute Rule
Any student that must travel from one wing to the other will be permitted late to the next class up to 2 minutes, if necessary. It is important that students share their schedule with their teachers so that teachers are prepared to allow for this 2 minute grace period.
To be clear, the passing time between periods is 5 minutes for all students except for the following:
· Students going from a class in the 9/10 or 11/12 wing and traveling to the opposite wing will be permitted up to 2 minutes late to the next class, so they may have 7 minutes to travel.
· Students traveling to or from Little A Hall, Little B Hall or Little C Hall in the 11/12 Wing to the 9/10 side of the Core, or the 9/10 Wing, or conversely, will be permitted up to 2 minutes late to the next class.
*NOTE: The 9/10 side of the core are classrooms G-111, 113, 115, 216, 218, 222, 223, 224, 225, 229, 231, and 235.
Grab and Go Lunch Details
Important Reminders
Technology Support
SAT Testing Cancelled at WTHS For August and September
Forms of Communication
Staff Celebrations
Congratulations Karen Kirk...
Karen's daughter Michele and her fiance, Max tied the knot on August 1st.
Best wishes Mr. and Mrs. Troast!
Best Wishes to Karin Carpenter and Family
Karin's son John Eckert got engaged to Allie Brumbach - both WTHS 2012 Graduates.
Her other son, Justin Carpenter and his wife, Jennifer are expecting a baby boy in December.
Follow the PTO on twitter @PtoWths
WTHS ADMINISTRATION
Steve Selby, 9/10 Executive Assistant Principal
John Saverase, 11/12 Executive Assistant Principal
Steve Cordner, 11th Grade Assistant Principal
Angela Costello, 9th Grade Assistant Principal
Kevin Murphy, Assistant Principal/Director of Athletics
George Passante, 10th Grade Assistant Principal
Dan Saia, 12th Grade Assistant Principal
Email: jstrout@wtps.org
Website: www.wtps.org/wthsprincipal
Location: 519 Hurffville Crosskeys Road, NJ, United States
Phone: 589-8500
Twitter: @twppride