FTMHS NewsFLASH
June 2020
Calendar Information...
Tentative June Events:
June 1:
- Florence Township Education Foundation Grant Due Today; $1,000-grant. There are five "Grants" available.
June 10:
- Special Delivery to Senior Students--between 9:30 a.m. to Noon; Please make sure you are home to receive your "Senior Box." The "Senior Box" will contain your:
- Cap/Gown;
- Yearbook;
- Honor Cord(s), NHS Collar, Interact Collar, NPFH pins; Awards, Plaques, etc.
June 11:
Drop Off Textbooks, etc. and Pick-Up Locker Contents
Please follow the directions outlined below:
- You MUST stay in your car.
- All items that you are returning to us MUST be placed in the TRUNK of your car. All items that we are returning to you MUST be placed in the TRUNK of your car.
- Please tape a sheet of paper onto the passenger side car window of your car BEFORE you leave your home. This piece of paper should have PRINTED on it YOUR NAME and YOUR HR TEACHER’S NAME.
- By popping your TRUNK, you MUST return items such as: textbooks, choir gowns, uniforms (if you have not already returned them from any season), etc. PRINT YOUR NAME on pieces of paper, and TAPE your name onto everything.
- ONLY 12th graders will return their Chromebooks. You must PRINT YOUR NAME on a piece of paper, and TAPE this piece of paper to the cover of your Chromebook. This must also be placed in the TRUNK of your car.
- If you miss your scheduled time to pick up your items, please make an appointment for a new pick-up date/time by calling (609) 499-4620, extension 4201 between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- If you have any questions prior to your pick-up date, email Mrs. Sadar at msadar@florence.k12.nj.us.
This “Schedule” is based on Homerooms.
- 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (Mrs. Triglia's HR and Mr. DuBrul's HR)
- 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Ms. Levine's HR and Mr. Batty's HR)
- 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Mr. Pyontek's HR and Mrs. Byrne's HR)
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Mr. Weatherbee's HR and Ms. Covaci's HR)
- 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Mrs. Hughes' HR and Mrs. Eckart's HR)
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Mrs. Pereda's HR and Ms. Fenn's HR)
- 12:00 p.m.to 12:30 p.m. (Mr. DeGaetano's HR)
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Mrs. Holmstedt's HR)
- 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Mrs. Croley's HR)
June 12:
- Drop Off Textbooks, etc. and Pick-Up Locker Contents
- This “Schedule” is based on Homerooms.
- 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. (Mr. Flynn's HR & Mrs. Mallon's HR)
- 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Ms. Paiva's HR and Mr. McEnnis' HR)
- 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Mr. Feliz's HR and Mr. Dow's HR)
- 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (Mr . DuBrul's HR and Mrs. Luyber's HR)
- 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Mr. Roberson's HR)
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Ms. Kessler's HR)
- 12:00 p.m.to 12:30 p.m. (Mrs. Fazekas' HR)
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Mrs. Smith's HR and Ms. Rodan's HR)
- 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Mr. Pereda's HR and Mrs. Zucchero's HR)
June 16:
- Last Day of School.
- "Graduation Plans" are TBD soon.
June 26:
- Report Cards will be available in Genesis after 2 p.m.
THANK YOU!
As we enter June and with the 2019-2020 school year coming to a close, I’d just like to take a moment to thank our students, our parents, and our teachers and staff for doing a truly remarkable job during these very difficult times.
- Thank you to our students for showing us just how capable, adaptive, and strong you are. You have shown us that you are able to overcome unprecedented challenges and obstacles. Prior to the start of this school year, I’m sure that you never imagined that anything like this pandemic could exist in our modernized world, and you’ve handled it phenomenally well.
- To our seniors, in particular, thank you for the leadership you have shown us throughout this health crisis. Your morning announcements, your involvement with our sports teams and extracurricular activities, and the commitment you have shown to your studies have not gone unnoticed. You’ve done an excellent job handling a very difficult situation, and we’re very proud of you.
- Thank you to our parents for continuously showing us the unwavering, unconditional, and never-ending love you have for your children. You have kept our students dialed-in throughout this crisis, and you have shown our teachers, staff, and school amazing support. We are so appreciative of all that you have done for your children and for us.
- Thank you to our teachers and staff for showing us that you have chosen the right profession! You have worked tirelessly to make sure that our students are provided with the best possible learning experiences and that they are supported during these unusual times. You have adjusted beautifully to an entirely different way of doing your jobs, and you have again shown us so very clearly how much you care about our students.
We have a special community in Florence. This pandemic will be over soon, and we’re looking forward to the day when we can all come back together to teach our students, prepare them for the future, and celebrate them for the amazing people they are.
Have a wonderful and safe summer.
Sincerely,
John Cogan
Principal, FTMHS
Best Wishes to Ms. Julia Fenn on her Retirement. Thank you for 34 GREAT YEARS! WE WILL MISS YOU...
Class of 2020...
Valedictorian - Congratulations to Anita Chacko
Salutatorian - Congratulations to Leuna Sen
"HONK" for our FTMHS SENIORS!
Character Education Program--"Word of the Month" for May was "Teamwork."
Our students have been doing a wonderful job personifying the character education trait of "Teamwork." Here are our Students of the Month for the month of May!
The following students were chosen by our faculty for the way they personified this character trait:
Alyssa Baldorossi, Sierra Barrett, Mya Cabanas Montero, Jayana Caesar, Anita Chacko, Stephanie Coble, Gavin Embley, Duygu Erzurum, Nafisa Hasna, Matthew Hoffman, Elle Jimenez, Alison Kuc, Cristin MacIntosh, Mikayla Maschke and Angelica Pruitt.
Congratulations to these students for doing such a great job!
Chosen to Receive Special Recognition!
"Teamwork" -- Character Education (May)
Thanks to our Parents Organization, Alyssa Baldorossi, Gavin Embley, Nafisa Hasna, and Elle Jimenez were chosen to receive $10 WaWa gift cards for doing such an excellent job!
Virtual "Morning Announcements" for the Month of May.
Thanks to Jason Baldorossi , Aaron McCown , Connor Kurtz, Cory Tindall, Gabrielle Fleming, Bria Moscetti, Joseph MacArthur, Nicholas Snively, Nathan Anthony, Abigail Anthony, Michael Varchetto, Sierra Barrett, David Buddie, Matthew Hoffman, Charles Estelow, Devonté German, Brett Schweiger, Daniel Jones, Aiden Daciek, Tanvir Raha, Rachel Aubry and Jacob Saltzman for doing an excellent job creating the Virtual "Morning Announcements" for the Month of May!
Thank You—NHS Council
Mrs. Hughes, Co-Advisor
Special "Shout Out"
…to our Faculty Council for conducting
22 NHS Candidate Interviews over the course of four days in Google Meet.
THANK YOU!
Ms. Diaz, Co-Advisor
Cleaning Up Classrooms
Spring Concert
On Tuesday, May 19 the Concert Choir, Show Choir, and Concert Band classes performed selections from our concert repertoire in "eLearning" style during our class period Google Meets. It was definitely not the same as a live performance, but we were all together making music at the same time! "
Instructor: Mrs. Croley
Show Choir
Concert Choir
Concert Band
No Place for Hate Committee
The "No Place for Hate Committee" is still working hard to spread kindness throughout the Florence Township School Community.
Please check out our "Pledge" video ...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z2803PTBfqEM1R_sLDIF8ykq41cq3RiY/view?ts=5eb4b71e
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 at the end of the 4th marking period.
Thanks to our GENEROUS Parents Organization, four students – one from each grade level – were randomly chosen and treated to $25 Wawa gift card!
Genesis Parent Portal (http://bit.ly/2hqH935)
Report Cards
Report Cards will be available after 2 p.m. in Genesis on June 26. To view your child’s report card, simply log in into 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 need your email and password reset, please contact your child’s counselor as soon as possible.
Classroom News...
French Classes
French I, II, III
All French classes meet every Monday and Wednesday via Google meet. In May, we interviewed a francophone person in French 2 and French 3.
Given the unusual circumstances, the French program will continue using various on-line resources. We are also reading short stories and other fiction and non-fiction materials together. On-line resources to be used include several used in the classroom prior to the shut-down, and some new ones for the purposes indicated:
- Conjuguemos for grammar study and testing;
- Duolingo for grammar and vocabulary study as well as for reading and listening comprehension with stories and podcasts in intermediate French;
- Quizlet for individual and group vocabulary study and maintaining pronunciation;
- Gimkit for group vocabulary study.
AP French Classroom
In AP French, the class has gotten together via Google meet every day up to the AP test on May 21. We used College Board videos and other test preparation materials to prepare for the AP test.
Every week, we interviewed a French couple who live in Lyons via Google meet as a way of preparing for the AP test, which this year is all oral because of changes to the exam format due to the quarantine under the coronavirus pandemic.
Instructor: Ms. Bjornstad
Virtual Learning Environment -- French Classes
Interview With Mr. Delma in French 2 and 3.
Dance Classes
...next year, we will be offering:
- Dance 2 and
- Ballroom 2
...for any students interested in continuing with dance classes.
Instructor: Mr. Breen
Play Production
For the last few months Mr. Donovan's "Play Production" class has been doing a Guest Artist Series. Once a week, we are joined in our virtual classroom by a professional theater artist. They talk about how they got into their field, their experience, and artistic process, then they take questions from the students.
It has really been a great experience for the students, who are gaining practical knowledge from industry professionals who are at the top of their craft.
A big thank you to all of our guest speakers so far!
Instructor: Mr. Donovan
...and next up, Broadway producer Rashad Chambers!
We have an exciting announcement...
Instructor: Mr. Donovan
Florence Township Education Foundation Grants--Due June 1.
Reminder to Teachers:
FTEF Grant information:
The Florence Township Education Foundation aims to support innovative and creative educational programs for the students and the faculty to enhance the excellence at our schools.
- Grant amounts have been extended up to $1,000 per grant and a total of $5,000 for the District.
- Visit www.smore.com/5sp0g for guidelines and the application form.
If it is technology related, you will have to email the grant to Mukesh for his signature prior to emailing it to your building principal.
- You may email a copy of the completed grant and all supporting documents to your building principal by 3:00 pm on June 1.
- Remember - think outside the box - we are looking for new and exciting programs for our students.
After School Clubs for the 2019-2020 School Year:
Class of 2020: Ms. Fenn and Mrs. (Couts) Byrne, Advisors
Class of 2021: Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Zucchero, Advisors
Class of 2022: Mrs. Pereda and Mr. Pereda, Advisors
Class of 2023: Mrs. Holmstedt and Ms. Tannenbaum, Advisors
Computer Science Club: Mr. Roberson, Advisor
Cultural Awareness for Everyone: Ms. (Delgado) Diaz, Advisor
Debate Team: Mrs. Bjornstad, Advisor
Environmental Club: Mr. DuBrul, Advisor
Game Club: Ms. Fenn and Mr. Weatherbee, Advisors
Interact: Ms. Rodan, Advisor
Marching Band Director: Mrs. Croley
Marching Band--Front Line Advisor: Mr. Obetz
National Honor Society: Mrs. Hughes and Ms. (Delgado) Diaz, Advisors
Newspaper Club: Mr. McEnnis and Mr. Lamaestra, Advisors
Science League Competitions: Mr. Flynn, Coordinator
Spring Musical: Mr. Donovan, Director
Student Council: Ms. Rodan, Advisor
Yearbook: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. (Finamore) Holmstedt, Advisors
Art Club
Hello, All Members!
The Art Club is open to any student with an interest in art, design, or creativity!
Please visit our google classroom for some art club activities that can keep us connected during this e-learning time!
I loved seeing your logo designs, they were AWESOME - keep sending me pictures of your work!!!!
Advisor: Mrs. (Finamore) Holmstedt
Class of 2020 (SENIORS)
Class of 2020 Officers for the 2019-2020 school year are:
President: Sophia Smith
Vice President: Reagan Glassmire
Secretary: Bella Dunphy
Treasurer: Olivia Loftin
Historian: Joe MacArthur
Class of 2020:
- Seniors had the opportunity to purchase "Senior shirts:" T-shirts, Long sleeve shirts or a Hoodie from May 21 to May 29.
- Senior Class Trip Refund Checks--during the week of June 1.
- Special Delivery on June 10; Be on the lookout for your "Senior Box" with your yearbook, cap/gown, award(s), etc.
Advisors: Ms. Fenn and Mrs. Byrne
Class of 2021 (JUNIORS)
Class of 2021 Officers for the 2019-2020 school year are:
President: Robert White
Vice President: Aaren Taylor
Treasurer: Mohammad Islam
Secretary: Kyle Oakley
Historian: Emily Habeck
Class of 2021
Alison Slotkin and the Class of 2021 contributed $75 on May 19, 2020 to "Slice Out Hunger."
Alison presented the idea to her advisors and researched "Pizza Vs Pandemic" campaign which will benefit both care workers fighting on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as small businesses struggling to stay open.
We are very proud of Alison and the Class of 2021 for doing this "act of kindness." Thinking of others and giving is just a small part of helping out our community in such tough times.
Let's keep thinking positive and WORKING HARD!
Advisors: Gina Smith and Alyssa Zucchero
Class of 2022 (SOPHOMORES)
President: Olivia Smith
Vice President: Cassaundra Alicea
Secretary: Finley Charles
Treasurer: Layla Lucas
Historian: Samara Lakhan
Class of 2022
We miss you all and can’t wait until we are reunited.
We are waiting for more participation from our class before we can share our special project.
Advisors: Mrs. Pereda and Mr. Pereda
Class of 2023 (FRESHMEN)
President: Christopher Krall
Vice President: Abigail Anthony
Secretary: Caitlin Corsi
Treasurer: Kate Woolston
Historian: Sydney Slotkin
ATTENTION: CLASS OF 2023:
Thank you for submitting your t-shirt designs to us!
We LOVED seeing them!
Stay tuned for the Class of 2023 class officer election information for the next school year!
Advisors: Mrs. Holmstedt and Ms. Tannenbaum
Computer Science Club
The Computer Science Club just finished the "No Place for Hate" video edits and are now beginning to work on the Riverfront School "No place for Hate" video.
Advisor: Mr. Roberson
Cultural Awareness for Everyone Club (CAFE)
The Cultural Awareness for Everyone Club (CAFE) members met via Google Meet to discuss the direction the club should go next school year and ways we can increase interest and membership.
We discussed suggested fundraising ideas for next year.
Advisor: Ms. (Delgado) Diaz
Debate Team
The Debate Team had a mandatory debate meeting in April. All team members were invited to attend including our seniors.
The following information was discussed:
1. Teams for next year;
2. What team members are thinking in terms of choosing to be affirmative or negative;
3. The resolution and thoughts about how to research it, narrow one's focus, etc.;
4. Sweatshirts/letter jackets;
5. Procedures we will follow in reference to participation etc.
Advisor: Mrs. Bjornstad
Environmental Club
Environmental Club Activities:
- On April 21
I asked for ideas for future field trips.
- On May 1
The club enjoyed a virtual trip to the Aquarium;
- On May 4
The club enjoyed a virtual field trip to the San Diego Zoo;
- On May 19
Mr. DuBrul posted reptile photos taken from the activities he was personally involved in this past month.
Advisor: Mr. DuBrul
Mr. DuBrul -- Lifts the back end of a turtle out of the water to virtually share with his Environmental Club members.
Game Club
The Game Club took a survey of "Favorite Games" during the Quarantine: Anthem, Uno (online), Risk, Need for Speed and Super Smash Brothers Ultimate. The Plague Inc. video game was voted off the island. The Galaga High Score Challenge is 6960 points.
If there is a free online game you like, make your own High Score Challenge in the Game Club Google class (code:ooo5rym). Google has changed our Classroom code, so spread the word: NEW CODE: ooo5rym.
Don't let the coronavirus quarantine get you down--the Game Club is a good way to stay in touch with others who are not in your classes or to make new friends, so join and play!
Advisors: Mr. Weatherbee and Ms. Fenn
Interact Club
The 2019-2020 Interact Officers are:
President: Anita Chacko
Vice President: Leuna Sen
Secretary: Ayisha Nahar
Treasurer: Rajveer Kaur
Sergeant at Arms: Fabiha Usha
Did you know that members of the Interact Club have completed 909 hours of service to their school and community and the number is still growing? Interact members are completing individual hours at home to meet their yearly requirement.
We would like to thank the 2019-2020 executive board for their hard work and dedication to the club.
We are pleased to announce the members of the 2020-2021 executive board:
The 2020-2021 Interact Officers are:
President: Rajveer Kaur
Vice President: Fabiha Usha
Secretary: Hazal Akkaya
Treasurer: Logan Trayner
Sergeant at Arms: Gusahajpreet Singh
Advisor: Ms. Rodan
Marching Band
Sign-ups for the 2020-2021 FTMHS Marching band have closed.
If you are still interested in signing up, please contact Mrs. Croley at acroley@florence.k12.nj.us
Band Director: Mrs. Croley
Musical
UPDATE:
After much thought, we have regretfully decided NOT to announce next year's musical at this time. We know this is a disappointment and we very much wanted to give students something to look forward to.
However, with the future so uncertain, we feel as if choosing a show at this time is unwise. Therefore, we will wait and see what school looks like in the fall--if there are any regulations/limitations that may affect the production--and choose a show accordingly.
Thank you all for your patience and support!
Director: Mr. Donovan
National Honor Society
After holding virtual interviews in May for our candidates, the FTMHS chapter of the National Honor Society will be holding virtual elections in June, run by our graduating senior leadership: Tommy Ulisse, David Buddie, Leuna Sen, Cristin MacIntosh, Jayson Emery, and Joe MacArthur.
Thanks again to our wonderful faculty council--Julie Luyber, Sirena Paiva, Erik Pyontek, Georgie Rodan, Joe Varga, and Matt Weatherbee--for your time and support during this difficult time.
Advisors: Mrs. Hughes and Ms. (Delgado) Diaz
Newspaper
The newspaper staff is putting together a senior-focused project to be included in our final issue of the newspaper for this year. This is what we need from our seniors:
1) A selfie (or two) --One can be with friends, but we would need a solo one as well.
2) BRIEF answers to the following questions:
- How will you remember your senior year?
- What are some of the positive things that have come out of this quarantine?
- Thoughts on the future?--College/Military/Workforce/etc.
Please send your responses to Mr. Lamaestra and Mr. McEnnis as soon as possible.
Advisors: Mr. McEnnis and Mr. Lamaestra
Softball Information...
Coach Zucchero
Student Council
Student Council
President: Kaitlyn Bernhard
Vice President: Madison Schubert
Secretary: Jayana Caesar
Treasurer: Bella Dunphy
BOE Rep.: Grace Skinner
Historians: Duygu Erzurum and Taylor Jusino
Executive Members: Jason Baldorossi and Leuna Sen
Student Council has been promoting school spirit by planning weekly spirit days. The executive board has worked hard to come up with fun and creative ideas to include the entire student body.
Student Council election packets will be posted in the coming days! We are looking for responsible and motivated individuals to help plan events to benefit the FHS student body and Florence Township community.
Advisor: Ms. Rodan
Spirit Week No. 6 (May 4 to May 8)
Spirit Week No. 7 (May 11 to May 15)
Spirit Week No. 8 (May 18 to May 22)
Spirit Week No. 9 (May 26 to May 29)
Spirit Week 10 (June 1 to June 5)
Yearbook
The 2019-2020 edition of the Florence Township Memorial High School Clavis YEARBOOK is still on sale! These are unprecedented times with unforgettable memories. We have a limited number of yearbooks still available which are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yearbooks cost $75 and can be purchased online under the student or parent resources tab on the school website or the link below. Yearbooks can also be purchased through the website! Any questions, please contact Mrs. Eckart or Mrs. (Finamore.) Holmstedt.
DISTRIBUTION OF YEARBOOKS
Details will be coming soon about the distribution of the yearbooks at the high school.
Also, look for information soon about a way to virtually sign yearbooks!
Any staff members interested in contributing ideas for next year’s book - please visit our google classroom for details!
Advisors: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. (Finamore) Holmstedt
Parent Organization News...
Gift Card Program
From the desk of Mr. Lamaestra (SAC) Student Assistance Counselor...
Character Education -- June Character Trait is "Resilience"
Character is what you do when you think no one else is looking.
Our June Character Trait is "Resilience."
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.
Opioids, Cannabis, Vaping and other drug information and paraphernalia
Links
What Parents Should Know When Their Child Is Prescribed Opioids
Preventing Opioid Misuse among High School Student-Athletes: Playbook for Students
Athletes vs. Opioids - Video
Vaping and other:
JUULERS AGAINST JUUL - Video
Study: Giving Up Pot for a Month Leads to Better Memory in Young Adults
Grosse Pointe teen with double lung transplant from vaping warning his peers
Is vaping liquids safe? - Video
Does heat affect vaping? - Video
Other Resources:
Parent Toolkit
Counseling Support Services:
I'm available for consultation, support, counseling and referral services including:
Academic.
Family Alcohol/Drug Use.
Technology Dependence.
Anxiety and Depression.
Divorce.
Behavior Management.
Other Mental Health Concerns.
Contact Information:
Please contact Mr. Lamaestra at the high school at (609)499-4620 x 4225 or email me at jlamaestra@florence.k12.nj.us if you have any concerns or questions and follow me on Twitter for important news, motivation and updates @FTSD_Counselor.
Counselor: Mr. Lamaestra
Marijuana/Cannabis Information
Marijuana/cannabis use is increasing among young people throughout the state. It’s very important to keep in mind that despite its social promotion and acceptance by the wider population--there are many concerns about the short and long term effects of its use on the teenage brain. Marijuana use is known to negatively impact a young person’s memory, especially short term memory, and motivation. It contributes to difficulty in managing stress, interferes with the development of emotional maturity and can cause anxiety disorders and other psychological disorders and make any psychological/psychiatric difficulty worse. It is far from harmless as is assumed by many.
Please take a few minutes to refresh your understanding of the known hazards of cannabis use and why young people need to avoid using it. The cannabis available today is not the same substance that was introduced into popular culture in the ’60s. It’s many times more potent and has been subjected to hybridization and genetic manipulation.
Links:
Oppose Legalization/Commercialization of Recreational Marijuana in NJ
Study: Giving Up Pot for a Month Leads to Better Memory in Young Adults
Contact Information:
Please contact John Lamaestra at the high school at (609)499-4620 x 4225 or email me at jlamaestra@florence.k12.nj.us if you have any concerns or questions. You can also follow me on Twitter for important news, motivation and updates @FTSD_Counselor.
Student Assistance Coordinator: Mr. Lamaestra
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. Students should also join the Counseling Department Google Classroom. The code is: kajumuv
Course Scheduling for 2020-21
Due to our virtual environment, students will make their elective course selections for next year via Google Forms. In each student’s English class, there will be an assignment to complete the Course Request Form. The students will then make their top 10 elective selections, and they will be asked to discuss their choices with their family. Core course selections are based on teacher recommendations and are visible in Genesis. Please contact your child’s counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
Dual Credit RCBC Courses
Rising seniors who choose to take an RCBC Online Dual Enrollment course as an elective in September will register for that course in June or July. More information will be forthcoming for those students. The Florence School District will cover the tuition cost, but the cost of the textbook will be the responsibility of the student. There may be some assistance available for those students on free/reduced lunch. Online Dual Enrollment courses are taught and graded by RCBC professors. Official final grades will be posted on permanent transcripts for both FTMHS and RCBC. Courses begin during the last week of August and students will be able to sign out a Chromebook at that time.
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 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 Admissions Testing
The SAT and ACT have undergone significant changes due to COVID-19. Please visit their official websites below for the most current information. Many colleges are now test-optional in response to the effects the pandemic has had on admissions testing. Check a particular college’s Admissions Office site for their admissions requirements and testing information.
SAT
Go to collegeboard.org to register for the SAT and for accurate dates, registration deadlines, and locations. SAT Fee Waivers are available for 11th and 12th graders on the Free/Reduced Lunch Program. Students with a documented disability may be eligible for accommodations on College Board tests. Please contact your child’s counselor or Child Study Team case manager to discuss the process and answer your questions.
ACT
Go to act.org to register for the ACT and for accurate testing dates, registration deadlines, and locations. ACT Fee Waivers are available for 11th and 12th graders on the Free/Reduced Lunch Program.
College Financial Aid Information
Seniors and parents -The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2020-21 school year will open on October 1, 2020. You will need information from the parent’s and student’s 2019 tax return. 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
CSS Profile
Many colleges require the FAFSA and CSS Profile for financial aid consideration. Check the college website for requirements and deadlines. The CSS profile can be accessed here https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority or HESAA
This 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 Scorecard
The College Scorecard provides clear, accessible, and reliable national data on college costs, graduation rates, student debt, and post-college earnings. collegescorecard.ed.gov
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.
Operating Virtually
During the closure of schools due to the health emergency, the FTMHS School Counseling Department will be operating virtually. School counselors are available through email and virtual meetings. Email is the best avenue to reach your school counselor. To schedule an appointment, students and parents may email the school counselor directly to find a mutually agreed upon date/time.
Mr. Joseph Varga: jvarga@florence.k12.nj.us
Mrs. Nancy Sebastian: nsebastian@florence.k12.nj.us
Mr. John Lamaestra: jlamaestra@florence.k12.nj.us
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
We will try to respond to parent and student emails and inquiries as promptly as possible, but if they are made after school is over for the day, then we may not be able to connect with you until the following school day.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out to their parent or guardian and these local agencies:
NJ PerformCare Mobile Response: 877-652-7624
Screening & Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP): 609-835-6180
For emergencies: call 911
Our website also lists many available resources:
https://sites.google.com/a/florence.k12.nj.us/ftmhs-counseling-department/home?overridemobile=true
Counselors: Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga
From the Desk of Our School Nurse--Mrs. Emery
A message from the Burlington County Health Department...
Special Announcement!! We have more COVID-19 test kits so our CALL CENTER IS OPEN to take appointments for Burlington County residents.
You do NOT have to have any symptoms! Call 609-726-7097, Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM
NJDOH Coronavirus Call Center phone number: 1-800-222-1222. Available 24/7 in multiple languages.
If you are sick and your symptoms worsen (chest pains, can’t breathe, or feel like you’re being suffocated), you MUST dial 911 and tell the operator or EMS your symptoms.
Please visit Burlington County Health Dept website for more information http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1845/2019-Novel-Coronavirus-Information
If you need to reach the school nurse for any reason, please go to my website.
https://sites.google.com/a/florence.k12.nj.us/ftmhs-nurse/
On my home page, you will find a google hangouts button. If you click that button, it will notify me you are trying to reach me. I have also been updating my webpage with the most current information.
You can also email me at aemery@florence.k12.nj.us
My Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
You can contact me in several ways...you can
- email me: AEMERY@FLORENCE.K12.NJ.US OR
- Conference with me using ZOOM OR GOOGLE HANGOUTS (using that email)
- Website: https://sites.google.com/a/florence.k12.nj.us/ftmhs-nurse/home
STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY!
School Nurse: Mrs. Emery
New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
The COVID-19 Information Hub is now online. The New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub provides New Jerseyans with the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the State's response, including information about services such as food assistance and small business assistance.
Visit the COVID-19 Information Hub.
School Nurse: Mrs. Emery
Athletic Department--Contact Information:
Winter Burlington County Scholastic League 2019-2020 All-Stars
On Tuesday, May 26, the Board of Education, at their regularly scheduled meeting, recognized the following students for their accomplishments for the winter sports season.
1st Team Independence Honors
Boys Basketball: Noel Nabors (Grade 10) and Justin Murray (Grade 9);
Girls Basketball: Gabrielle Loftin (Grade 9), Alexa Taylor (Grade 9) and Olivia Smith (Grade 10).
2nd Team Independence Honors
Boys Basketball: Rasheem Harris (Grade 10) and Cole Connelly (Grade 12);
Girls Basketball: No Second Team Honors.
Wrestling CO-OP with Bordentown/1st Team Patriot Division
Jason Baldorossi Jr. (Grade 12).
2020 Spring Athletic Coaching Staff
Baseball: Kyle Ballay
Softball: Alyssa Zucchero, Mackenzie Pyne
Tennis: Sue LaBaw, Dave Tindall
Girl's Track & Field: Mike Flynn, Carol Ballay
Boy's Track & Field: Ross O'Neill, Anthony Arecchi
Register for Fall Sports
There is still time to register for fall sports participation. A google form for "Fall Athletic Team Sports Sign-Ups" was distributed in Google Classroom by Administration. The "Sign-Up" is for incoming 2020-2021 Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors.
Please complete the form ASAP.
The online registration portal will be open on July 1.
⚡Go FLASHES⚡ #flashesproud
Contact Information
Mary Ellen Cassidy, AD Secretary (609)-499-4620, Extension 4149.
Audrey Tannenbaum, Athletic Trainer--Extension 4154.
John Cogan, Principal--Extension 4202.
Maria E. Sadar, Vice Principal--Extension 4204.
Please visit the Florence Athletic web page for all athletic information and schedules. Also, make sure to follow us for up-to-date Athletic information on our Facebook page @FlorenceAthletics and our Twitter Account @FTSD_athletics. LET’S GO FLASHES!
Visit the Florence Athletic Schedule Website for game dates, times, locations, and any changes due to weather.
GO FLASHES!
" Congratulations and Best Wishes to the CLASS OF 2020"
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