FTMHS NewsFLASH
April 2022
Calendar Information...
Tentative April Events:
April 1:
- HS Counselors Visit With Riverfront 8th Graders—Review HS Academic Offerings.
- SCT Students--Luggage check.
April 1-12:
- Prom Tickets are now on sale for $79 each. Purchase your tickets before/after school or during your lunch period in the Main Office. The Prom will be held at The Merion in Cinnaminson on Thursday, May 19.
April 2-5:
- Senior Class Trip to Disney.
April 4:
- End of Marking Period 1--please make sure all of your assignments have been submitted to your teachers.
April 5-8:
- National Honor Society Faculty Council will be conducting interviews.
April 6:
- Faculty Meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Atrium.
April 7:
- Senior Planning Day--Parent Organization meeting in the Media Center from 6 -8 p.m.
April 8:
- Report Cards are available after 2 p.m. in Genesis.
- RCBC Trip to the College to register for classes in the Fall from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
April 9:
- Florence Township Education Foundation: "Night at the Races," 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Florence Community Center.
April 11:
- Boys State Interviews--Roebling Post; starting at 9:30 a.m.
April 12:
- I&RS Meeting in the Media Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Parents/Students Paint Night is sponsored by the Parent Organization at 6 p.m. in the Atrium.
April 13:
- PLC Meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Media Center.
- Marching Band Open House from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Room A114.
- BLSU Pot Luck Event at 2:10 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym.
- Pre-Prom Assembly at 9:30 a.m.
April 14:
- One Session Day--Dismissal at 11:40 a.m.; LUNCHES WILL NOT BE SERVED TODAY.
- Boys State Interviews--Florence Post; starting at 9:30 a.m.
April 15 to 22:
- Enjoy your Spring Recess!
April 25:
- ScIP Meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Conference Room.
April 26:
- NJSLA Testing (Grade 9: English Language Arts)--Special Schedule.
April 27:
- NJSLA Testing (Grade 9: English Language Arts)--Special Schedule.
April 28:
- NJSLA Testing (Grade 11: Science)--Special Schedule.
- Prom Fashion Show Rehearsal from 6 .m. to 8 p.m.
April 29:
- NJSLA Testing (Grade 11: Science)--Special Schedule.
- Prom Fashion Show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
April 30:
- AP Exam Review for AP Biology in C112, AP Chemistry in C113, AP Spanish in D112 from 9 a.m. to Noon.
_________________________________
New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA)
Dear Parents,
In compliance with the New Jersey Department of Education, we will be administering more New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) this year. Here is our remaining testing schedule:
- NJSLA English Language Arts (Grade 9) – Day 1 – April 26th
- NJSLA English Language Arts (Grade 9) – Day 2 – April 27th
- NJSLA Science (Grade 11) – Day 1 – April 28th
- NJSLA Science (Grade 11) – Day 2 – April 29th
- NJSLA Mathematics (Grade 9) – Day 1 – May 16th
- NJSLA Mathematics (Grade 9) – Day 2 – May 17th
The Grade 9 NJSLA for English language arts and the Grade 9 NJSLA for mathematics are each comprised of two 90-minute sections. We will be administering one section each day. All of our 9th graders will be taking the same test for English language arts. The 9th-grade assessment that your child takes for mathematics will be predicated upon the course that he/she has this year (Algebra I or Geometry).
It is very important that our 9th-grade students put forth their best effort on these assessments. Based on the information that the NJDOE has disseminated, if your 9th-grade child is able to earn proficient scores in mathematics and English language arts, then that will satisfy the State’s standardized testing requirements for graduation (if your child does not pass the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment in 11th grade). Please click on the following link for more information regarding the New Jersey Department of Education’s graduation assessment requirements:
https://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/requirements/2023_2025.shtml
The Grade 11 NJSLA for science is comprised of four 60-minute sections. We will be administering two sections each day. Students will receive a brief break in between the sections. Please click on the link below if you are interested in learning more about any of these tests:
New Jersey | Reporting (mypearsonsupport.com)
All students who are testing on the aforementioned dates must report to school by 7:30 a.m. as testing will begin shortly after their arrival. Our students will be utilizing their Chromebooks for these tests, so they MUST bring them to school FULLY CHARGED. It is also important that they bring their chargers with them as well. PLEASE remind your children that NO CELL PHONES or any other electronic devices (smartwatches, etc.) will be permitted in a testing room. PLEASE also remind them that they are NOT permitted to discuss and/or communicate the content of these assessments with anyone.
All of our students who are not testing will be permitted to come to school at a later time. On our NJSLA English language arts and mathematics testing dates (4/26, 4/27, 5/16 & 5/17), our non-testing students (in grades 10, 11, & 12) should report to school by 9:30 a.m. On our NJSLA science testing dates (4/28 & 4/29), our non-testing students (in grades 9, 10, & 12) should report to school by 9:55 a.m. Our Transportation Department is currently working on schedules that will enable our non-testing students to take the bus to school at these later times. We will send them to you once they are available.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
As always, thank you for your support!
Sincerely,
John Cogan
Program of Studies for the 2022-23 School Year
Dear FTMHS Students & Parents,
It’s hard to believe, but we are already approaching the end of the school year! We want to congratulate you on all of your hard work, and we want to encourage you to stay focused on your studies through June 17th!
With the arrival of April, we would also like to help you begin to prepare for next year. To that end, we recommend that you and your parents review our Program of Studies for the 2022-23 school year. Please click on the following link to access our Program of Studies: https://bit.ly/3KTBJ9J
Your core course (English Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics) recommendations for the 2022-23 school year are accessible in the Genesis Parent Portal under the “Scheduling” tab. Your current teachers have made these recommendations after careful consideration. If you or your parents have any questions regarding a recommendation, please reach out to the teacher who made the recommendation.
One of your key tasks will be to select your elective courses for next year. We have included some important links below where you will find information about high school graduation requirements, scheduling, and course offerings.
Important Links
FTMHS Electives Presentation: https://bit.ly/3JrHL11
4-Year Planner and Electives List: https://bit.ly/36fMDIe
Grades 10 – 12 Course Selection Form: https://bit.ly/grades10thru12form
These links have also been posted in the Google Classroom for your grade level. Of the above links, the one that is the most important is entitled, “Grades 10 – 12 Course Selection Form.” You must be signed into your school email account to complete this form. Please read everything carefully, review the Program of Studies with your parents, and then complete/submit the form. Please submit this form no later than Friday, May 13th.
Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga will be visiting your English classes to talk with you about the scheduling process, provide their guidance, and to answer any questions that you may have.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Sebastian, Mr. Varga, or me.
Sincerely,
John M. Cogan, FTMHS Principal
Nancy Sebastian, FTMHS Counselor
Joe Varga, FTMHS Counselor
General Reminders--Updated Every Month:
- Classes Start at 7:40 a.m. Report to school by 7:25-7:30 a.m. Students need to be in the HR/Period 1 class by 7:40 a.m..
- Arrival to School: Please arrive at school between 7:25 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.
- Unexcused Lateness to Class in the Morning: In the morning, a student is counted late to class if he/she enters the classroom after the 7:40 a.m. bell.
- Unexcused Lateness to School: Students must be inside the building at 7:40 a.m. and in their Homeroom/Period 1 classroom when the late bell rings. There are too many students coming in after the bell rings and are now counted late to school. When a student gets to 9 latenesses, he/she will receive one detention. When a student gets 12 latenesses, he/she will receive 2 detentions and WILL NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. If the lateness pattern continues, the consequences will get more severe--so please come to school on time. A good arrival time is 7:30 a.m.
- Student Parking: Students need to park in the student parking lot adjacent to the Football Stadium. 25 students were randomly selected by the computer to park in Row 6 in the front Main Parking Lot due to insufficient parking spaces in the Student Lot. Please DO NOT DRIVE MORE than 5 mph in any of the parking lot areas.
- Dropping Off Students in the Morning: Pull your car up to the Media Center door. Someone will be wearing a YELLOW vest in that area. When your car stops along the front of the school, students need to get out at that location and walk to the front door. We want to keep the cars moving at all times. Never pull out and try to pass by other cars in the lineup after you have dropped your child off--wait patiently in line for movement. Parents/guardians should not be dropping off or picking up students in the Main Parking Lot in front of the school. When picking up your child after school, go to the student parking lot.
- Masks: Students have the option of wearing or not wearing a mask while in school or riding the school bus.
- Social Distancing: You should still practice social distancing.
- Keep Your Hands Clean: Wash your hands frequently--count to 20 while doing this.
- Feeling Sick: If you feel ill during the school day, please have your teacher give you a pass to go get checked out by our school nurse, Mrs. Emery. If you are not feeling well when you get up in the morning, please stay home.
- Chromebooks: Please remind your child that Chromebooks need to be charged every night so students are ready to use them the next day. If students need to borrow a Chromebook or charger during the school day, they must put their cell phones on silent and keep them in the Guidance Office until the borrowed Chromebook and/or charger are returned to Mrs. Gola.
- Free Breakfast and Lunch this Year: Students will be entering the building through the front main doors. Immediately upon entering, you may pick up a free "breakfast" bag and then go directly to your HR/Period 1 class.
NHS Successful Blood Drive--207 Lives To Be Saved!!!!!
BLOOD DRIVE sponsored by the National Honor Society
At the HS Blood Drive, we collected 42 successful donations and at the community evening Blood Drive, we collected 27 successful units.As a result, these collections will allow 207 lives to be saved.
NHS--Riverfront Clean Up...
Spring Musical -- "Annie"
...a Fabulous Performance!
Director: Mr. Marc Donovan
Supporting Team
Mr. Steve Obetz
Mr. Travis Breen
Mrs. Terry Perri
Mr. Matt Weatherbee
We would like to thank everyone who supported our Spring Musical!
Mr. John Dow
Members of the Cast
Members of the Orchestra
Members of the Lighting and Sound Team
Members of the Stage Crew
Elks' Students of the Month--Special Recognition
Zaria is a hardworking individual who was selected because of her strong character and academic and extracurricular achievements.
Congratulations, Zaria Harewood--February Student of the Month
Congratulations to Zaria Harewood!
Character Education Program
The Development of GOOD CHARACTER ...
...is not an isolated skill to be taught in one area of a child’s life. It is an effort of home, school, and community to instill in our young people good values. The development of good character touches our personal development, it impacts our success with academic development in learning, and good character is essential in the workforce to be successful in our careers.
Character Education Program--"Word of the Month" for March was "Enthusiasm."
Every month at least one student – from each grade level – will be recognized for the fine job he/she has done in bringing the word of the month to life. These students are nominated by our school staff. The Character Education “Word of the Month” for March was "Enthusiasm." We will communicate the rest of our character education traits to you over the course of the school year.
Let’s work together to get our students to focus on why each trait matters! We need all of our students to see that they can help others through their positive words and actions.
"Enthusiasm." Here are our Students of the Month for the month of March!
Veronica Babino, Jaelynn Edwards, Jamiel Horne, Emanuel Lawrence, Gabrielle Loftin,
Maiyah McDuffie, Dante Moscetti, Trinity Seahorne, Savvanah Shiflett, Stacey Tompkins and
Andrew Ulisse.
Chosen to Receive Special Recognition!
"Enthusiasm" -- Character Education (March)
Thanks to our Parents Organization-- Emanuel Lawrence, Gabrielle Loftin, Maiyah McDuffie and Angel Mercado were chosen to receive $5 Wawa gift cards for doing such an excellent job!
Emanuel Lawrence
Nominated by:
Ms. Levine
Gabrielle Loftin
Nominated by:
Ms. Omelczuk
Maiyah McDuffie
Nominated by:
Mrs. Triglia
Way to GO!
Jaelynn Edwards
Nominated by:
Mrs. Holmstedt
Way to GO!
Academic Achievement Program
This is a wonderful program! We will once again be challenging our students to settle for nothing less than their best. We want to see our students succeed, and we will be communicating to them that we want them to set their sights on earning a GPA of at least a 3.0 (or a “B” average) with no “D” or “F” grades in any course for each marking period of the school year. Please join us in challenging your child to be content with nothing less than his or her best effort!
Students who earned at least a 3.0 (with no “D’s” or “F’s”) will be recognized for this accomplishment and four students--one from each grade level--were randomly selected to receive a $25 Wawa gift card.
Report Cards: April 8, 2022
Report Cards will be available after 2 p.m. in Genesis on April 8. To view your child’s Report Card, simply login to Genesis (https://parents.genesisedu.com/florence) and click on the “Grading” tab at the top of the window.
Also, please feel free to log in to Genesis at any time to see how your child is progressing in his or her courses. Checking Genesis frequently will enable you to see clearly how your child is performing throughout the school year.
If you are having trouble logging in or needing your email and password reset, please contact your child’s counselor as soon as possible.
Genesis Parent Portal (http://bit.ly/2hqH935)
Girls State Information Meeting
Girls State Delegates for 2022
Maiyah McDuffie
Caitlyn Corsi
Bridget Lloyd
Codie Sciacca-Martin
Girls State Alternates for 2022
Sarah Olatubosun
Congratulations to ALL OF THE CANDIDATES.
Madison Clevenger
9th and 10th Grade Semi-Formal Dance
Mandatory Attendance Required for Students Attending the 2022 Jr.-Sr. Prom
Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022
Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Auditorium
Presenter: Timothy Shoemaker
Every person attending this program MUST register--student, parent(s)/guardian.
See the flyer for more details.
From the Desk of Mr. Lamaestra (SAC) Student Assistance Counselor...
Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health
https://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/start-conversation-10-questions-teens-ask-about-drugs-and-health#topic-5
Is vaping bad for you even if it’s just flavoring?
It can be. Research shows that many teens and young adults don’t realize that the flavors they use actually can contain nicotine, an addictive compound found in tobacco. Many vapes also contain propylene glycol, glycerin, chemical flavorings, and other compounds with unknown health effects. As a result, people who vape—even just flavoring—may inhale and ingest potentially harmful chemicals.
Recent studies showed that students who had already used any type of e-cigarette by the time they started 9th grade were more likely than others to start smoking cigarettes and other smokable tobacco products within the next year. And we know that cigarette smoking is a leading cause of cancer and other illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarettes cause more than 480,000 premature deaths in the United States each year—from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. This represents about 1 in every 5 U.S. deaths, or 1,300 deaths every day.
Other vaping products can also cause harm. In 2020, thousands of people got sick and dozens died from an illness called EVALI, which stands for e-cigarette or vaping-use associated lung injury. Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing vaping products, is strongly linked to EVALI. When heated and inhaled, vitamin E acetate can damage the lungs.
Community Resources:
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed or just want to talk to someone, the following resources are available:
2nd Floor Youth Hotline of New Jersey: 888-222-2228
PerformCare/Mobile Response: 877-652-7624
Camden County Crisis Intervention - Twin Oaks: 856-428-HELP (4357)
New Jersey Mental Health Warm Line (Mental Health Resources): 877-294-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Student Assistance Services:
Academic support
Family Substance Use
Technology Dependence
Anxiety and Depression
Divorce
Behavior Management
Other Mental Health Concerns
Consultation
Referral
Contact Information:
Please contact Mr. Lamaestra, Student Assistance Coordinator, at (609)499-4620 x 4225, or email me at jlamaestra@florence.k12.nj.us.
Menu for the Month of April
Special EDition Monthly Newsletter
Community News
Parent Organization
Thanks to the many parents who donated and helped with our 1st Annual Freshman/Sophomore MORP! The students had a wonderful time and we couldn't have done it without you!
There are LOTS of exciting events and fundraisers the PO is currently working on. Please check out our flyers below and support our school or PLEASE LET US KNOW how YOU can help!
Prom Tux Fundraiser
The PO has partnered with Princeton Tuxedos to offer our students a discounted rate plus the PO gets a percentage of tuxedos sold sent back to us! More information to soon follow!
Senior Day Parent Meeting
We will be hosting a Senior Day planning meeting on Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. in the HS Media Center. This is open to all senior parents who wish to help plan this fun day in June for our Class of 2022 seniors!
Student/Paint Night
The PO is hosting a paint night at FHS Atrium on Tuesday, April 12. This is like a "board & brush" kind of paint night. Register now for a great night! Register, pick your Design/Colors and pay online at: https://www.hammerandstainnj.com/collections/fundraiser
This would make a great Mother’s Day gift or a special night out w/ your child(ren). Student sport planks are customizable for sport/name/number and the Class Year planks are customizable for any class. Everything else is “as is” except for Names, Initials, and Dates, etc.
Prom Fashion Show
The Prom Fashion Show is back by popular demand. We are happy to host this great fundraiser and student event on Friday, April 29. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 6:30 p.m. We have over 50 baskets and gift cards, 50/50's, entertainment and many students from K-11 modeling spring/summer fashion and our senior class stars of the show modeling current and retro prom wear! We are currently accepting gift cards and new donations of items we can use to make baskets. Please contact us at ftmhspo@gmail.com if you can help! Save the date for a great show!
Scripts program
This is a great way to save money for your child's upcoming school events! If you shop at Shop Rite, Roebling Town Market or Acme make sure to take advantage of these savings!
Garden Flag Fundraiser
Our garden flag fundraiser is back! We have a new navy garden flag for sale! See the flyer for more details and click here to order: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKXhfZaQXDvjlNEw7EHTVuBbjvq86JkyEIF602jbRbknQG7A/viewform
Wawa Short Coupons
Get your Wawa Shorti Coupons before they run out! These make great basket stuffers or gifts! See the flyer below to order now!
Spring Clothing Drive Fundraiser
Save the date -- May 14! Clean out those closets and send your old stuff to us!
Teacher Appreciation Week
During the first week of May, we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. The PO will be providing lunch to our amazing FTMHS staff. If you can donate a food item (water, soda, cookies, brownies, paper goods) please email us at ftmhspo@gmail.com to assist.
Pre-Prom Promenade
On Thursday, May 19, prior to the Junior/Senior Prom the PO will host a Pre-Prom Promenade for the community to see our amazing students before they head off to their long-awaited prom. Please save the date! If you are a parent of an underclassman whose child is not attending Prom, please let us know if you can assist with setup, check-in, etc. We could use the extra help.
Show your love and order a Florence Flashes personalized SPRING SPORTS OR FLASHES FAN yard sign. The Pit Club is selling individualized yard signs (for all local spring sports as well as Florence Fan supporter signs). All signs are double-sided and come with a stake. Orders are due by Monday, April 4. Click here to order:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAxhpwjM47uYEmXlZ8DmVEPAzQMwom7Wk8_6dVVA8rdL67yA/viewform
The Florence Township Education Foundation
Concert Band, Concert Choir and Show Choir--Mrs. Croley
The Show Choir class has also been working hard in preparation for the Show Choir and Senior Showcase After School Recital on Thursday, June 2 at 2:30 pm. Both of these events are free and open to the public.
Intermediate Music Keyboarding--Mrs. Croley
Additionally, they spent some time learning about and listening to two influential female pianists: Martha Argerich and Kathia Buniatishvili.
ESL--Ms. Diaz
Health Class--Mrs. Smith
Mrs. Smith's Health Class is currently learning about Community and Environmental Health. Over the next few weeks, we will focus on community involvement, the importance of health insurance, air quality, protecting the land that we live on and the importance of clean water.
Another topic we will review is the process of recycling and how lucky we are to live in a country that has clean water and medical care at our fingertips.
This content will promote healthy discussion and it will also make the students aware of public health!
English I and Latin I--Mrs. Petosa
Students just finished reading Shakespeare's famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The culminating experience was a R & J re-write activity in which students cast modern-day actors in a number of famous roles and then justified their choices. Next up is non-fiction.
In honor of the Ides of March on Tuesday, March 15, students donned togas and re-enacted the assassination of Julius Caesar by reading selections from Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name.
Entrepreneurship and Sports Marketing Classes--Ms. Omelczuk
In honor of Women's History Month, students did a poster project on a famous female entrepreneur.
We have been studying advertising and promotion for sports events. Students created a proposal and designed a ticket for a minor league baseball team event.
Earth and Space Science and Physics Classes--Ms. Levine
Earth and Space Science
This class is learning all about weather and how to create forecasts using analog and digital data. Students are also learning how to interpret weather maps, high and low-pressure zones and isobars and isotherms.
Physics
The Physics classes have been discussing Einstein's Theories of General and Special Relativity. What is general relativity? Essentially, it's a theory of gravity. The basic idea is that instead of being an invisible force that attracts objects to one another, gravity is a curving or warping of space. The more massive an object, the more it warps the space around it.
Special relativity is an explanation of how speed affects mass, time and space. The theory includes a way for the speed of light to define the relationship between energy and matter — small amounts of mass (m) can be interchangeable with enormous amounts of energy (E), as defined by the classic equation E = mc^2.
ESL Classes--Ms. Diaz
Dance Class--Mr. Breen
Also, they have started the fundamentals of the ballet barre.
Theater Classes--Mr. Donovan.
EQUITY FOCUS: "Gender Equality"
This month in my theater classes, we have discussed such female trailblazers as Uta Hagen, who helped transform the methodology of acting in the 20th century.
After School Clubs for the 2021-2022 School Year:
Clubs/Activities
Black and Latinx Student Union
Class of 2022--Seniors
Class of 2023--Juniors
Class of 2024--Sophomores
Class of 2025--Freshmen
Computer Science Club
Cultural Awareness for Everyone
Debate Team
Environmental Club
Game Club
Interact
Marching Band Director
Marching Band--Front Line
National Honor Society
No Place for Hate Club
Newspaper Club
Robotics Club
Science League Competitions
Special Olympics
Spring Musical
Student Council
Unified Club
Yearbook
Art Club
The Art Club is open to any student with an interest in art, design, or creativity! The art club will meet in Mrs. Holmstedt’s Room, F108.
We are always welcoming any new members to our club!
Students are currently working on our small canvas paintings that will complete a mural to be hung in the school!
Our scheduled meetings are on:
- April 5 & 26
- May 10 & 24, and
- June 7.
Advisor: Mrs. Holmstedt
Black & Latinx Student Union
The BLSU has been continuing with the "Cards for Madison" Project.
Also, we have been having discussions about Women's History Month and the complicated relationship between Feminism and Women of Color.
Our last few discussions centered around Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and their racist beliefs and exactly how we should reconcile this with their good deeds.
Advisor: Mr. McEnnis
Class of 2022 (SENIORS)
Class of 2022
President: Lana Duke
Vice President: Cassaundra Alicea
Treasurer: Zaria Harewood
Secretary: Jaskiran Mangat
Historian: Samara Lakhan
Co-Advisors: Mrs. Leanne Pereda and Mr. Cesar Pereda
Class of 2022
The seniors are very excited about their trip to Disney!
Be sure to follow us along on the Florence Township HS Facebook page and Twitter pages.
Advisors: Mrs. Pereda and Mr. Pereda
Class of 2023 (JUNIORS)
President: Sarah Olatubosun
Vice President: Abigail Anthony
Secretary: Abimbola Obayanju
Treasurer: Mikayla Maschke
Historian: Sydney Slotkin
Prom tickets are on sale through April 12.
Tickets cost $79 each and must be paid for using a check or money order.
Please make checks payable to FTMHS Class of 2023.
Any questions please see your advisors.
Advisors: Mrs. Holmstedt and Mr. Flynn
Class of 2024 (SOPHOMORES)
Class of 2024 Officers
President: John Paul Dunphy
Vice President: Matthew Barton
Secretary: Madelynn Hoch
Treasurer: Kaycee Carnival
Historian: Radika Dhar
Class of 2024:
The Class of 2024 completed its Burlington County Animal Shelter Supply Drive. Many supplies were collected, and we thank everyone for their support and generosity!
We also had a Joe Corbi Pizza Fundraiser and our after-school snack sales continue every Tuesday.
Advisors: Mrs. Mary Byrne and Mr. Joseph Varga
Class of 2025 (FRESHMEN)
Class of 2025 Officers
President: Andrew Piotrowski
Vice President: Liam Virula
Secretary: Ritika Bakkamanthala
Treasurer: Rudrhaneel Sen
Historian: Cailyne Diaz
Be on the lookout for a clothing drive run by the Class of 2025 starting directly after Spring Break! Details to come in the coming weeks. Start checking closets and basements now!
Advisors: Ms. Paiva and Mr. Senni
Computer Science Club
Computer Science Club:
After a long process, we have gotten back to building our Florence Small Business website. The goal is to create a site and then an app to help the small businesses of Florence get their names out for easier contact!
Advisor: Mr. Roberson
Cultural Awareness for Everyone Club (CAFE)
Members are assisting Ms. Diaz in the planning of the Multicultural Family Night to be held on June 1.
Advisor: Ms. Diaz
Debate Team
The Florence Township Memorial High School Debate Team is already preparing for next year's debates in the South Jersey Debate League.
The resolution for next year's competitions is: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in one or more of the following areas: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity.
Join us after school on select Tuesdays in Room D110 for snacks, games, and improvisation fun as we prepare to debate in the league next year.
Advisor: Mrs. Hughes
Environmental Club
The Environmental Club has been learning about the local environment.
Club members have been spending time identifying local flora/fauna.
Advisor: Mr. DuBrul
Game Club
President: Kayla Weisneck
Vice-President: Alex Witty
Secretary: Position still open.
Treasurer: Emmanuel Blackwood
Parliamentarian: Harry Ravenel
Club Champion: Harry Ravenel
Spring Break won't be interfering with the Game Club as it has in the past. We have three meetings in April: 04//05/2022, 04/12/2022, and 04/26/2022 (heads up for May 05/03/2022).
We will be creating by-laws for officer elections, so if you are not gaming in the E-World (E108), come to the D-World (D108) to hammer out some political intrigue. Thanks to all the officers for running the Game Club Champion Tournaments and to Mr. Senni for hosting them. We should be having another Club Champion Tourney in April so look for announcements or ask Mr. Senni or Mr. Weatherbee for details.
Game Club Meetings in April:
04/05/2022
04/12/2022
04/26/2022
Time: Club Meeting time: 2:10 p.m. - Late Bus Departure.
Advisors: Mr. Weatherbee and Mr. Senni
Interact Club
The 2021-2022 Interact Officers are:
President: Logan Trayner
Vice President: Hazal Akkaya
Secretary: Burne Das
Treasurer: Preet Singh
Sergeant at Arms: Declan Yasick
Publicity Chair: Sarah Olatubosun
The Interact Club is continuing to collect items for Spring Gift Bags until April 6. Our goal is to complete 50 packages for Providence House of Burlington County.
Needed items include:
Small Stuffed Animals
Sidewalk Chalk
Crayons/Markers
Coloring Books/Mad Libs
Wrapped Candy Bubbles
Small Toys
Jump Ropes
Play-Doh
Craft Kits
Interact members will be assisting the Bordentown Rotary Club on April 9, with their Can-a-thon. Students and Rotary members will be at Roebling Town Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect non-perishable food items.
The group is also continuing their book drive for Book Smiles and the plastic drive for the bench project.
Advisor: Ms. Georgie Rodan
Marching Flashes
In April, the Marching Flashes will be holding open Workshops for those students interested in possibly joining the marching band for the Fall 2022 season. These sessions are open to any students that would like to try out some of the ways to participate in marching band with no commitment to sign up. All workshops will be held in the band room (A114).
Color Guard Workshop:
Tuesday, April 5, 2:10-3pm. For those interested in spinning flag, air blade, rifle.
Drumline Workshop:
Thursday, April 7, 2:10-3pm. For those interested in marching percussion (bass drums, quint, snare, cymbal) or pitted percussion (mallets, auxiliary).
Wind Workshop:
Thursday, April 28, 2:10-3pm. For those interested in woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone) and brass (trumpet, trombone, baritone, sousaphone) instruments.
Marching Band Open House:
Additionally, there will be an evening Marching Band Open House on Wednesday, April 13 from 6-7 p.m. in the band room. This is open to any interested students and their parents/guardians to come meet the marching band staff and some current members. This Open House would give you the chance to ask any questions about the marching band experience and get to know those involved in the program.
Please contact Mrs. Ann Croley (acroley@florence.k12.nj.us) or Mr. Steven Obetz (sobetz@florence.k12.nj.us) with any questions.
Musical Production
SPRING MUSICAL:
Thanks to all who came out to support "Annie." We COULDN'T have done it without you!
Director: Mr. Donovan
National Honor Society
Tuesday Tutoring Center
Tutoring Center continues every Tuesday -- please come out to get that extra help you might need.
Blood Drive
The Blood Drive Committee members conducted a well-orchestrated advertising/recruitment campaign to fill all available donor spots for the March 28 Blood Drive.
NHS Applications
Eligible candidates submitted NHS Application packets to meet the March 18 deadline. Interviews will commence in early April. NHS members are starting the planning phase for a second Crohns and Colitis Walk to occur in the Spring.
Advisors: Ms. Diaz and Mr. Weatherbee
Newspaper
We are still working on finalizing our edition for the 3rd marking period which should be out in the near future.
Mrs. Petosa mpetosa@florence.k12.nj.us
Mr. Tobass mtobass@florence.k12.nj.us
Website link: https://florencesentinel.wordpress.com/
Advisors: Mrs. Petosa and Mr. Tobass
No Place for Hate
NPFH is exploring ideas of gender norms during this month of gender equality.
THE TRAP OF MASCULINITY: HOW SEXISM IMPACTS BOYS AND MEN.
- Students will reflect on the societal messages, concepts and stereotypes of masculinity.
- Students will identify and share examples of the different sources and ways those concepts and stereotypes are perpetuated in society.
- Students will share or listen to personal reflections about growing up male.
- Students will create a male story character with stereotypical and non-stereotypical male behavior.
The historical and ongoing impact of sexism on women has been documented and explored in a comprehensive way. As a society, we acknowledge that sexism exists in a myriad of ways, personally and structurally. There are laws and structures in place to address institutional sexism. This does not mean that we have solved the problem, but sexism is most often thought of as something that affects girls and women.
What is less understood and mostly not acknowledged is the impact of sexism on our concepts of masculinity and male culture. The messages boys receive at an early age about what it means to be male are limiting, confining, stereotypical, and very powerful, especially because they are not typically articulated as such. These messages come from family, peers, the media, and elsewhere, telling boys and men how to behave and feel, relate to each other and girls/women, what their role and stature is in society. Some of these messages are harmful and have short and long-term consequences for themselves, their families, their community, and society as a whole.
This middle and high school lesson will help students explore how we, as a society, view boys and men and understand concepts of masculinity. Students will reflect on those messages, identify where those concepts and stereotypes come from, and begin to understand how they can be challenged.
https://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/questioning-masculinity-gmp/
Advisor: Ms. Levine
Robotics Club
Robotics:
We began to use chrome-tablets to code Ollies. Now, that we have gotten a basic downtime to build a test track and start seeing what we can come up with!!
Advisor: Mr. Roberson
Student Council
Student Council
President: Cassaundra Alicea
Vice President: Sarah Olatubosun
Secretary: Maiyah McDuffie
Treasurer: Bella Obayanju
BOE Rep.: John Paul Dunphy
Historians: Jaskiran Mangat and Gabrielle Fleming
Executive Members: Finley Charles, Zaria Harewood and Mikayla Maschke
Student Council is currently working on a Cultural Festival where they will partner with students from Riverfront. Our hope is to have as many cultures represented as possible. A Google form was sent out to the student body to serve on the committee. This event will include food, artifacts, and cultural dance.
Student Council members celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on Monday, March 21, 2022, by "Rocking their Socks."
People who have Down Syndrome have three copies of the 21st chromosome while most people have two! Therefore, 3/21 is the perfect day to celebrate each year!
The students also created a banner with socks designed by the FHS student body. Each sock was unique, just like the unique differences that people with Down Syndrome have that make our world brighter.
Advisor: Ms. Georgie Rodan
Yearbook
Thank you to our staff for all of their hard work, we made our FINAL deadline on March 25!
The staff is now working on the cover and theme ideas for next year!
2021-2022 yearbooks are on sale NOW!
Yearbooks cost $75, are hardcover and full color! Go to the high school website and order from the link under the parent resources tab or use the link below!
Advisors: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. Holmstedt
Counseling Office News
The high school counselors, Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga, invite you to visit the updated Counseling Department website which is accessible from the high school main page or by clicking here. There you will find useful information and links for academic support, mental health resources, college planning and research, post-secondary financial aid, etc.
Scheduling for 2022-23 School Year
The counselors have been giving presentations in English classes regarding course selection for next year. Scheduling links will appear in the grade-level Google Classrooms. Students will find an Electives Presentation, a link to the 2022-23 Program of Studies, a 4-Year Planner and a Course Selection Google Form. Students and parents should have a discussion about courses and should check their Genesis accounts under the scheduling tab for teacher-recommended courses. Questions about recommendations should be directed to the child’s current teacher. Contact your school counselor for scheduling-related questions or concerns.
Scholarships for Seniors
Scholarship information is coming in regularly and we are sending messages directly to senior email inboxes. They can also find the full list of local scholarships on their Naviance account messages page. Seniors should also access Naviance Student and complete the Student Brag Sheet and Scholarship Application in the “About Me” section. The Senior Class College Packet can be found on our counseling department website. This PDF packet contains a wealth of information about the college application process.
Post High School Plans
Seniors who have committed to specific post-high school plans should tell their counselor via email or in person. We keep track of our students’ final destinations, and we would like to brag a little! Let us know which college or trade school you will attend, or which branch of the military you will join. If you are jumping right into the workforce, let us know that too!
Career Exploration
All students are encouraged to use their Naviance accounts for career exploration. There are a number of student surveys and interest assessments that can be used to investigate potential careers. Log in at student.naviance.com/florence and use the “single sign-on” when logged into their Chromebook. At the top of the welcome screen, click the Self Discovery and Careers links and take any of the listed surveys and assessments. Speak with your counselor with any questions about the results.
College Admissions Testing
The SAT and ACT have undergone significant changes due to COVID-19. Please visit their official websites for the most current information. Already, more than 1,400 four-year colleges and universities will continue to be test-optional or test-blind for Fall 2023 admissions. Check a particular college’s Admissions Office site for their admissions requirements and testing information before you register for a test that you may not need.
Juniors and the SAT
College-bound juniors should consider registering for the SAT or ACT college entrance exams this spring. An email went out to all juniors with an information sheet that described the process of registering for college admissions tests. It is highly recommended that students do some test prep prior to taking these tests.
College and Trade School Visitations
Students who are researching colleges may be able to do a virtual tour from the college’s website or from virtual tour sites such as https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/.
BCIT Adult Education
This is a great, local trade school that is taxpayer-funded. Visit their website www.bcit.cc/AdultEdu and click on Registration to learn about their various programs.
College Financial Aid Information
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2022-23 school year opened on October 1, 2021. You will need information from the parent’s and student's 2020 tax returns. Visit fafsa.gov to get started.
If you are applying to any New Jersey schools, you can find your state financial aid information on the HESAA website in your NJFAMS account which can be found under the Students tab. https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/Default.aspx
New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority or HESAA has valuable resources for college and career planning and financial assistance. One important ebooklet is the Student Loan Guide. Here is the link to several of their publications and ebooklets: http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/HESAAPublications.aspx
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
All college-bound student-athletes should explore the NCAA eligibility qualifications early in their high school careers. Please visit the following websites for more information: www.eligibilitycenter.org and www.2point3.org
College Cost Calculator-- What does college really cost?
Colleges are required to have a college cost calculator (aka net price calculator) available on their websites. Please check them out when researching colleges.
College Scorecard:
You can compare colleges and get information on fields of study, salary after graduation, costs, debt load after graduation, etc. It provides clear, accessible, and reliable national data. collegescorecard.ed.gov
Feeling Overwhelmed?
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed about COVID-19 (or anything else) and want to talk to someone, the following resources are available:
2nd Floor Youth Hotline of New Jersey: 888-222-2228
PerformCare/Mobile Response: 877-652-7624
Camden County Crisis Intervention - Twin Oaks: 856-428-HELP (4357)
New Jersey Mental Health Warm Line (Mental Health Resources): 877-294-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
For emergencies: call 911
Counselors: Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga
School Nurse
Allergens and Pollen--Allergy Season is upon us...
Pollen is an airborne allergen that can affect our health. Pollen grains are tiny “seeds” dispersed from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds. The amount and type of pollen in the air depend on the season and geographic region. Though pollen counts are typically higher during the warmer seasons, some plants pollinate year-round.
Pollen exposure can trigger various allergic reactions, including symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when allergens like pollen enter your body and your immune system mistakenly identifies them as a threat. If you have allergic rhinitis, your body then responds to the allergen by releasing chemicals that can cause symptoms in the nose. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can occur during certain seasons or year-round, depending on the allergen, and affect as many as 60 million people per year in the United States. Symptoms from allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
Pollen exposure can also trigger symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the lining of the eye (conjunctiva) due to exposure to allergens like those in pollen. Allergic conjunctivitis is found in up to 30% of the general population and as many as 7 out of 10 patients with allergic rhinitis. Symptoms from allergic conjunctivitis include red, watery, or itchy eyes.
People with respiratory illnesses like asthma may be more sensitive to pollen. Exposure to pollen has been linked to asthma attacks and increases in hospital admissions for respiratory illness. Medical costs linked with pollen exceed $3 billion every year, with nearly half of those costs being linked to prescription medicine. Higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons can also make you more sensitive to allergens. This can trigger asthma episodes in individuals with asthma and diminish productive work and school days.
Extreme rainfall and rising temperatures also can contribute to indoor air quality problems. For example, they can cause the growth of mold indoors, which may lead to worsened respiratory conditions for people with asthma and/or mold allergies and heightened challenges in maintaining adequate asthma control.
CDC Allergen Resources:
- Asthma – guidance on asthma symptoms, triggers, and management
- Asthma and Allergies in the Workplace – NIOSH resources on a variety of asthma- and allergy-related topics
- Asthma and Mold After a Hurricane – Information for Clinicians Helping Patients with Respiratory Conditions After a Hurricane or Other Tropical Storm
- Covid-19 and Seasonal Allergies – Frequently asked questions about Covid-19 and seasonal allergies
- Pollen and Your Health
Here are some useful links for parents interested to learn more about e-cigarettes and vaping...
E-cigarettes Shaped Like USB Flash Drives: Information for Parents, Educators and Health Care Providers
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that can deliver nicotine and flavorings to the user in the form of an aerosol. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes.
WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE?
A new e-cigarette shaped like a USB flash drive is being used by students in schools.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.
The use of any tobacco product – including e-cigarettes – is unsafe for young people.
Parents, educators, & health care providers can help prevent and reduce the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, by young people.
AN INCREASINGLY POPULAR E-CIGARETTE DEVICE, CALLED JUUL,
IS SHAPED LIKE A USB FLASH DRIVE.
The use of JUUL is sometimes called “JUULing.”
JUUL’s nicotine liquid refills are called “pods.” JUUL is available in several flavors such as Cool Cucumber, Fruit Medley, Mango, and Mint.
All JUUL e-cigarettes have a high level of nicotine. According to the manufacturer, a single JUUL pod contains as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes.
JUUL became available for sale in the United States in 2015. As of December 2017, JUUL is the top-selling e-cigarette brand in the United States.
News outlets and social media sites report widespread use of JUUL by students in schools, including in classrooms and bathrooms.
Other devices are becoming available that look like USB flash drives. Examples include the MarkTen Elite, a nicotine delivery device, and the PAX Era, a marijuana delivery device that looks like JUUL.
E-CIGARETTE USE IS NOT SAFE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
E-cigarette aerosol is not harmless. It can contain harmful ingredients. However, e-cigarette aerosol generally contains fewer harmful chemicals than smoke from burned tobacco products, like regular cigarettes.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can harm brain development, which continues until about age 25.
Young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to go on to use regular cigarettes.
PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN HELP PREVENT AND REDUCE THE USE OF E-CIGARETTES BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
PARENTS CAN:
- Learn about the different shapes and types of e-cigarettes and the risks of all forms of e-cigarette use for young people.
- Talk to their children about the risks of e-cigarette use among young people. Express firm expectations that their children remain tobacco-free.
- Set a positive example by being tobacco-free.
EDUCATORS CAN:
- Learn about the different shapes and types of e-cigarettes and the risks of all forms of e-cigarette use for young people.
- Develop, implement, and enforce tobacco-free school policies.
- Reject youth tobacco prevention programs sponsored by the tobacco industry. These programs have been found to be ineffective in preventing youth tobacco use.
PEDIATRIC HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS CAN:
Ask about e-cigarettes, including devices shaped like USB flash drives, when screening patients for the use of any tobacco products.
Warn patients about the risks of all forms of tobacco product use, including e-cigarettes, for young
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices that can deliver nicotine and flavorings to the user in the form of an aerosol. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes.
Athletics
Athletic Department--Contact Information:
Spring Sports and Upcoming Home Games (schedules subject to change)
Track schedule will be updated soon!
4/1 Baseball Home Opener
3:45 Home vs Maples Shade
4/1 Softball Home Opener
3:45 Home vs. Holy Cross
4/4 3:45 Tennis Home Opener vs. Burlington Township
4/7 3:45 Tennis Home v. Palmyra
4/8 3:45 Baseball Home vs. Burlington City
4/11 3:45 Baseball Home vs Riverside
4/11 3:45 Softball Home vs Pemberton
4/12 3:45 JV Baseball Home vs. BCIT-Westampton
4/13 3:45 Tennis Home vs. Delran
4/14 3:45 Tennis Home vs. Cinnaminson
4/19 3:45 Baseball Home vs. BCIT-Westampton
4/19 3:45 Softball Home vs. Pennsauken
4/21 3:45 Softball Home vs. Northern Burlington
4/21 3:45 Tennis vs. Moorestown Friends Academy
4/26 3:45 Baseball Home vs. Willingboro
4/26 3:45 Softball Home vs. BCIT-Medford
4/27-4/28 Penn Relays TBA
4/29 4:00 Softball Home vs. New Egypt
Contact Information:
Robert Mannino, Interim Athletic Director--Extension 4150
Carly Jones, AD Secretary (609)-499-4620, Extension 4149
Drew Andrews, Athletic Trainer--Extension 4154.
John Cogan, Principal--Extension 4202.
Maria E. Sadar, Vice Principal--Extension 4204.
Also, make sure to follow us for up-to-date Athletic information on our Facebook page @FlorenceAthletics and our Twitter Account @FTSD_athletics. Any indoor sporting event will be streamed on our Youtube page @ FTSD Athletics.
Visit the Florence Athletic Schedule Website for game dates, times, locations, and any changes due to weather.
GO FLASHES!
Florence Township Memorial High School
Website: www.florence.k12.nj.us
Location: 1050 Cedar Lane, Florence, NJ, 08016
Phone: (609) 499-4620
Twitter: @FTSD_HS