STEAM Academy Newsletter
September 2023
Welcome Back!
A Message from Mrs. Tara Buckley
We are thrilled to welcome back our STEAM Academy students and to welcome our 33 new freshman academy inductees! I am so excited to serve as the new STEAM Academy Facilitator this year! I come to this position with 25 years of experience in the educational field serving as a science teacher, an administrator, and university adjunct professor. Prior to wearing an educational hat, I worked in the environmental consulting and remediation field. At High School East, I am currently a chemistry teacher, gymnastics coach, and a member of the College and Careers Committee.
I look forward to getting to know all of the STEAM Academy students and watching everyone grow and flourish! Please reach out to me any time at tbuckley@trschools.com with any questions or concerns and I will be happy to assist you!
Wishing all students a successful 2023-24 school year!
Mrs. Tara Buckley
STEAM Academy Facilitator
First Week of Classes!
Honors Chemistry
Honors Physics
AP Research
AP Biology
STEAM Academy Parents Meeting
September 14 at 5:00pm
There will be a STEAM Academy Parents meeting for grades 10, 11 and 12 at 5pm before Back to School Night, which begins at 6pm on Thursday, September 14. The meeting will be held in the Lecture Hall and parents are encouraged to attend. Information on the upcoming school year will be discussed. This is a parents meeting; therefore, students should not attend.
Parent Tips for a Successful School Year
- have conversations with your child about school and their classes
- set reminders for deadlines (SAT registration, college fairs, etc.)
- encourage your child to seek extra help if needed
- encourage your child to advocate for themselves and to communicate effectively with their teachers
- encourage your child to get involved with clubs and extra-curricular activities
- discuss the extra opportunities that are available to students
College and Career Lecture Series
Every month we have several community members come in and speak to our students about their careers and the path that led them to where they are today. This is an invaluable experience for students to be a part of and may expose them to possible careers that they didn't even know existed!
We encourage students to sign up to attend sessions for careers and topics that interest them. Students must sign up in advance in the Guidance Office, where they will be provided a special pass to attend.
Any parent or family member who is interested in coming into High School East to deliver a presentation to students on their respective career or field, please contact Mrs. Buckley at tbuckley@trschools.com
Guidance Corner
Guidance Counselors
Mrs. Calhoun (last name A - Co )
Mrs. Millard (last name Cr - Han)
Mrs. Lulias (last name Hao - Mc)
Mrs.Bush (last name Me - Ro)
Mrs. Weinberger (last name Rp - Z)
If students would like to meet with their guidance counselor, they must complete a request form, which is available in the Guidance Office. It will be returned to the student with an appointment time.
Volunteer & Community Service
All Toms River H.S. East students are encouraged to volunteer in the community. While logging community service hours is not a requirement for graduation, the culture and spirit at East values those students who give back to their school and their community. As a school, we value public service and celebrate it! The Spirit of the Raider Award can be achieved when students have completed at least 40 hours of volunteering within a school year. For our seniors, who have achieved and dedicated at least 160 hours towards helping others, they will receive a cord to wear at their graduation ceremony.
What is community service?
Volunteering and hours earned for volunteerism in community service is considered to be any support or participation outside of regular roles or duties of the student. For example, a student who is a member of the National Honor Society has a responsibility to the organization in providing tutoring assistance. Part of their role is to serve as a student and this is extracurricular. Should a student volunteer outside of school, such as volunteering on their own time at the elementary school as a tutoring support, this would constitute a service to the community.
How do I turn in volunteer hours?
The Guidance Office has Community Service Hour log cards. A student can take a card, bring it with them to the volunteer event, and ask for an advisor to sign off on their hours/participation. All volunteer activities must receive a signature. For other community service opportunities, the Guidance Office can also accept letters from the organization stating how many hours a student received and in what way the student volunteered. These are due back to the guidance office in May where there will be an official record of hours kept on file.
Dual Enrollment Program with Ocean County College
What is Dual Enrollment?
- ways to earn college credit through Ocean County College by taking approved high school courses
- per credit tuition discount for Toms River Regional Schools students ($110/credit)
- will have an official OCC transcript
- must complete the OCC application and then complete the required forms in guidance
- deadline to register for the 2023-24 school year is late September
- click the links below to learn more about dual enrollment
Communication: Chain of Command
Please follow the appropriate chain of command when there are concerns with STEAM Academy curriculum and instruction:
1. speak with the teacher FIRST
2. speak with the guidance counselor
3. speak with Mrs. Tiffany Lucey, Supervisor
4. speak with Mrs. Stephanie Hines, STEAM Academy Administrator
5. speak with Mrs. Erin Anders, Principal
National Honor Society
The Raider Chapter of the National Honor Society is designed to honor students who have distinguished themselves in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and demonstrating high moral character.
Students may submit their candidacy for potential selection into the National Honor Society at the end of their junior year or the beginning of their senior year if they meet the eligibility requirements (see below). Students will be notified of their eligibility to become a candidate, then attend a meeting to receive the guidelines and directions that outline the standards and procedures for selection. Students wishing to obtain information about factors involved in selection into the National Honor Society may do so in Guidance or from Ms. Morgan.
The selection process used for the National Honor Society~Raider Chapter is as follows:
- An eligible candidate’s Grade Point Average is determined through the Guidance Office, including minimum 3.75 unweighted or 4.5 weighted effective as of the Class of 2024. (3.75 unweighted or 4.25 weighted effective through the Class of 2023; adjustment reflects recent shifts in relative course weights.)
Those scholastically eligible candidates will be notified and invited to a meeting in which they will be given a packet from the advisor that outlines and explains the remainder of the selection process. - The candidate then completes the necessary forms and essay included in the packet and submits them to the advisor for further consideration by the Faculty Council.
In accordance with the Constitution of the National Honor Society, the selection process will meet the following criteria:
- It is fair and applied consistently to all candidates.
- It is described and published in an official school publication which is made available for students, parents, faculty and others to review.
- It is consistent with the rules and regulations of the NHS as they are currently described in the national handbook.
- It is determined by and meets the approval of the local Faculty Council and administration.
- It concludes with a vote by the appointed members of the Faculty Council to determine individual selection to the chapter. The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council.
Please see Ms. Morgan in Room W-24 with any questions.
School Calendar
Click the link below for the 2023-2024 Toms River Regional School District calendar. https://www.trschools.com/calendar/docs/2023/07/_2023_2024-Calendar-_-Sheet1.pdf
High School East Student Handbook
Click the link below for the 2023-24 High School East Student Handbook.
Upcoming Important Dates!
SEPTEMBER:
- 9/14: Back to School Night @6pm
- STEAM Academy parents - report to the Lecture Hall at 5pm for an important meeting prior to the start of Back to School Night
- 9/19: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 9/25: Schools Closed - Yom Kippur
- 10/2: SAT
- 10/5: College Fair at RWJ Arena (must register on-line)
- 10/5: Homecoming Food Trucks & Fire Pits
- 10/6: Fall Pep Rally
- 10/7: Homecoming Dance
- 10/9: Schools Closed - Columbus Day
- 10/18: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 10/25: PSAT (grades 10 & 11)
NOVEMBER:
- 11/4: SAT
- 11/7 & 11/8: Schools Closed - NJEA Teacher's Convention
- 11/13: Second Marking Period begins
- 11/17: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 11/22: Early dismissal
- 11/23 & 11/24: Schools Closed - Thanksgiving Break
- 11/29: District Financial Aid Night
DECEMBER:
- 12/2: SAT
- 12/18: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches (Lecture Hall)
- 12/22: Early dismissal
- 12/23: Winter Break begins (students return to school on 1/2/24)