Hoboken High School Weekly Update
March 22, 2024
Our Classrooms without Walls group is off to Spain and Portugal. They left Hoboken at around 5:00 pm yesterday, and have landed safely and began their adventure. Please check our social media feeds to hear about all their adventures. Many thanks to Mrs. Delarosa and Mrs. Cruz for making this happen.
I have sent many emails to families about completing the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. For those who have completed it, thank you. For those who have not, no worries there is still time. The survey will close on March 31st. If you lost your code, just email me and I will send it over. The feedback you provide is critical to the process.
We are two weeks away from the close of the third marking period. While I know it is hard to believe, the year is quickly coming to a close. For my seniors, there are so many exciting events with graduation the culmination of four years of hard work. I look forward to celebrating all these events with you, but it is very important that you finish the year strong. All activities, including prom,, require students to be eligible academically. If you need assistance, see Mr. Benway in the Academic Support Center.
Remember, this week is the last week before Spring break. We have a 1:00 dismissal on Thursday, and Friday schools are closed. We reopen on Monday, April 8th.
All the best,
Ms. Picc
History Department
US History II classes continue the US History course theme of the changing roles of women in America.
After discussing how women were a key force in America's "Arsenal of Democracy" that led the United States to victory in World War II, students analyzed television and print media for the way in which they portrayed women's roles in the 1950s . Then they compared these portrayals with documents to determine how accurate those portrayals were at the time. Students then compared these accounts to the present in an effort to assess how the role of women has changed in American history.
Additionally, students also discussed the struggle to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) building on the successful passage of the 19th Amendment to the US constitution. They will analyze how it came so close to passage, but was ultimately defeated. Finally they discussed recent attempts to revive the ERA and the future of legislation protecting the rights of women.
Who is to blame? The doctor? The patient? The pharmaceutical company? Students in Business Ethics tried to answer this question concerning America's opioid epidemic. With a focus on Purdue Pharmaceuticals, students analyzed which "12 Business Ethics Principles" were completely ignored or overlooked with the FDA approval of the addictive pain killer. It was a tough assignment but a crucial activity for our teens.
Culinary Arts Department
This week in International Pastries we had the judging of the Cupcake Wars competition.
The students had to use a cookie and a fruit. They chose the theme they wanted to make and that their cupcakes would represent.
We had a Puerto Rican beach theme with Pina Colada cupcakes
Europe theme with Black Forest cupcakes
Ocean Theme with Vanilla cupcakes and white chocolate ocean animals
Volcano Theme with Chocolate strawberry cupcakes
Sesame Street Theme with Cookie Monster cupcakes
and Spiderman themed cupcakes.
Europe and Sesame Street won 1st place.
All the cupcakes looked great and the judges loved them.
English Department
After finishing Like Water for Chocolate, the students in Ms. Stephens’s English 10 classes tried their hand at blackout poetry. Through the process, they played with word selection and word order to find new meaning in passages they had previously analyzed for theme and author’s style. Students strengthened their skills in understanding diction and syntax, creating poetry that often contradicted the thematic components of the original passages. They added images and then analyzed their poems as a new piece of art.
Science Department
Speed, Kinetic Energy and Sustainability
Students in Engineering Design have been learning the principles of Energy Conversion and the importance of developing sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Their design challenge has been to design and build a rubber band powered car that can go a total distance of 10 feet within a track the width of 3 feet. Besides using classroom materials, students were tasked to bring recyclable materials from home to be used as part of their design. Plastic bottle caps, old CDs or DVDs, milk cartons and cereal boxes were among some of the items students brought. Winding up a rubber band increases its elastic potential energy. Letting it go creates kinetic energy which can be used to rotate the axle of the car. Although it is a simple concept, students encountered lots of design problems which had them iterating and improving their designs to perfection.
Students in AP Biology recently completed a unit on evolution.
They combined their knowledge of genetics with their study of evolution by studying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. This principle states that populations will not have a change in allele frequency due to certain conditions: populations size must be large, mating must be non random, no natural selection can occur, there can be no genetic drift or gene flow. They simulated this process by using a card game and doing several mating trials under various conditions. They explored the conditions needed to preserve allelic frequency – and which ones can actually disrupt Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in real time. They pooled their data, completed the calculations and found it to be a really fun experience! Many of the students felt that this was their favorite lab of the many that we have done this year.
The students then connected many principles studied throughout the course by completing a lab experiment on artificial selection. The students took plastic petri dishes and double sided tape. They used a hole puncher to make a tape punch of this double sided tape. They then used a fine paintbrush to add a fixed amount of sea monkey eggs (Artemia sp.) to the tape. They made several solutions of sodium chloride (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%) and added these solutions to each petri dish. They then incubated the plates for one week. They counted the number of eggs added versus the number that hatched to obtain hatch rate data. They graphed the results and contrasted them with their hypotheses. Importantly, they connected this with our study of evolution by realizing that those Artemia sp. that hatched would have offspring with a greater hatch rate in the next generation - since the ones that hatch carry genes that would be well adapted to hatch at that particular concentration!
The innovation lab is proud by having not one or two but four teams qualify for the regional STEAM Tank Challenge! These bright young minds stood confidently in front of a panel of esteemed judges, pitching their innovative ideas with poise and engaging in thoughtful dialogue through the question-and-answer sessions. The feedback from the judges was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the creativity, depth of research, and practical impact of our students’ designs. This experience has not only showcased their hard work and dedication but also underscored the importance of fostering curiosity and innovation in our educational journey. The positive response to their innovations is a testament to their potential to make meaningful contributions to society through STEAM fields.
Continuing The Hoboken Innovation Lab “Leading Ladies Series” the Innovation Lab spearheaded an empowering journey for a group of our young female innovators to The Hive cafe in Hoboken. There they had the invaluable opportunity to meet with the dynamic duo behind the thriving establishment, owners Catherine and Kristin. This walking field trip was not just a breath of fresh air outside the classroom; it was a deep dive into the real-world application of hard work, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through an engaging and dynamic discussion, Catherine and Kristin shared their journey of opening The Hive, the day-to-day challenges they overcame to grow their business, and the various ups and downs that come with the entrepreneurial path. It was an eye-opening experience for our students, providing them with firsthand insights into what it takes to turn a vision into a reality, the importance of a company’s mission, the many challenges women face in business and the resilience required to sustain and grow a business. This outing emphasized the importance of perseverance, creativity, and the spirit of entrepreneurship, inspiring our young ladies to dream big and work tirelessly towards their goals. Not to mention it also provided the students with the opportunity to try some delicious treats from the cafe. A very big Thank You to Catherine Willhoit and Kristen Karotkin for having us and sharing your story with our amazing future Leading Ladies.
Guidance Department
2024-2025 FAFSA
If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please keep in mind that colleges have different deadlines pertaining to when the FAFSA application must be submitted. Please make sure you are regularly checking with the schools you are interested in applying to for their specific deadlines. If you have any questions or need help during this process, please stop by the guidance department.
College Planning Night
Mrs. Gleason and Mr. Terry hosted over 50 parents and guardians for the annual College Planning Night this past week! Those in attendance were able to learn about specific preparations for the remainder of high school as well as current trends in higher education.
Data Center Day
Data Center Day was a great success! Thank you to all students who stopped by to learn more about the field and careers offered relating to STEM programs. The team who presented the info session provided our students with the many different options and career paths within a Data Center and what that means. Students actively engaged and acquired insight on a rapidly growing field. For anyone who missed either one of the sessions and may be interested, please stop by guidance for a brochure. This field is not just for those seeking college degrees, but also those interested in hands-on, trade work, as well as plenty of opportunities for women in a male dominant career!
Steven's - SWE
Steven's will also be holding an event called Stevens SWE Starts, a free afternoon event where students grades 6-10 can learn more about pursuing careers in STEM. This will include Q&A, STEM activities, lessons from Stevens students, and more! This event will be taking place on April 21, 2024, from 1pm-4pm. Please view the attached flyer for more information and instructions on how to register for this event!
Steven's ACES - SAT Prep Workshop
I am excited to announce that the dates for the next Stevens ACES Spring 2024 SAT Prep workshops have been released! These workshops will be taking place on Monday, April 15th from 6-8pm (Reading & Writing), and Thursday, April 18th from 6-8pm (Math). The sessions will be held via Zoom and the link to participate as well as study materials will be sent after registration is verified. This course will be taught by the organization Bell Curves and will enable students to receive a general overview of all SAT sections and provide strategies on how to do well on the exam. If you are interested in participating in the SAT Prep session, please complete the following:
1. To register for the event, please fill out the form linked below.
2. Once registration is confirmed, a zoom link along with course materials will be sent out prior to the workshop.
Registration Link
Please do not hesitate to reach out to guidance with any questions you may have!
NJACAC Regional College Fair @ Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU)
On Wednesday, March 27, at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus to experience the Morris County College Fair hosted by the New Jersey Association for College Admissions Counseling (NJACAC). Meet up to 120 colleges and universities in FDU’s Ferguson Recreation Center from 6 PM to 8 PM.
To view a full list of the colleges/universities that will be participating, please click here.
If you would like to attend this event, please register by visiting here.
Columbia Science Honors Program
The Columbia University Science Honors Program (SHP) is a highly selective program for high school students who have a strong interest in the sciences and mathematics. The SHP holds classes at Columbia from 10:00AM to 12:30PM on Saturdays throughout the academic year. Courses are primarily in the physical, chemical, biological, behavioral, and computing sciences; and instructors are scientists and mathematicians who are actively engaged in research at the University. For more information about the program and application instructions, please follow the link below! Submission deadline is March 27th. Do not hesitate to contact the guidance office with any questions!
Columbia Engineering Science Honors Program
ACT Deadline
You can still take the ACT this year in April, June, and July. Please reach out to your School Counselor if you would like assistance with registering.
Test Date: 06/08/24
Registration Deadline: 05/03/24
Test Date: 07/13/24
Registration Date: 06/07/24
Internships
The Guidance Department has been in communication with a team from the University of Chicago that has developed a database for high school internships. The database can be accessed by clicking here. While this does not include every internship that might be available to a high school student, we hope that it might serve as a starting point for you. There are a variety of parameters that you can use to search for a particular area of interest and see the requirements/deadlines. Should you have any questions about a particular internship, please reach out to your counselor.
Summer Internship Opportunity (juniors)
Juniors who may want to explore their passion for technology and manufacturing, there is a summer internship opportunity you may be interested in. This program is partnered with Eastern Millwork, Hudson Community College, and Thomas Edison State University.
Internship for Juniors - application deadline is April 15, 2024
Please see flyers below or click here for more information.
Pre-College Programs
While the list linked below does not encompass every single pre-college program in the country, we hope that it will serve as a resource and starting point for students interested in pursuing a program over the summer. In order to access the list, please click on this link and feel free to browse. This sheet will be consistently updated over the next few months as we receive more information about additional programs to add.
Scholarship Opportunities
Merit Scholarship for 2024
-Student must be a US Citizen or legal resident
-Award amount $1500.00
-Online application will be open from March 15th-April 26th
-Winner will be announced on May 22nd
-Must complete online application which includes the following items submitted electronically:
- Official High School Transcript
- Two (2) letters of recommendation ( 1 from guidance)
- Community service essay
- Proof of community service (i.e. letter from organization)
***Please see flyer below where you can access the QR code in order to register or stop by guidance for a hard copy of the flyer***
Dustin J. & Daniel Friedland Foundation Scholarship
-$1000.00 scholarship
-GPA 3.0 or higher
-Two letters of recommendation
-Unofficial Transcript
-3 page essay describing values, character, interests, hobbies, and how this scholarship will help you achieve your goals
-Application deadline May 1st
Presinzano Civic Foundation Book Scholarship
-10 $250 Book Scholarships
-Must be a Hoboken resident
-GPA of 2.75 or higher
-Must have participated in extracurricular activities
-250 word essay on "What Hoboken means to me"
-Application deadline June 3rd, 2024
De Pinto Family Scholarship
-$5000.00
-Must have letter of acceptance to 4 year college
-2 letters of recommendation
-500 word essay about intended course of study
-Application deadline March 29th, 2024
George and Florence Moller College Scholarship
Paid directly to institutions for tuition and textbooks only. Awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and merit.
-Transcript
-Resume
-Letter of recommendation
-1st two pages of current IRS tax return for parents and self
-Acceptance letter if you have one and financial aid package
**Please visit guidance to see full scholarship requirements and request scholarship application**
Upcoming College Visits
March 27th - Lincoln Tech
April 16th - Binghamton University
Sign up for College Visits!
Any students looking to sign up for upcoming college and US Armed Forces visits, please complete the following steps:
1. Click on your google 'waffle'
2. Select Naviance (typically at the bottom)
3. Click on the 'Colleges' tab at the top of the home screen
4. Select 'College Visits'
5. 'Register Now' for any information session you would like to attend
World Language Department
We are excited to announce that we began to read a graphic novel in our Señor Wooly learning platform. Our first story is “La Lucha de la Limonada” by Juan Carlos Pinilla. Our students can read and listen to the story of Justin and Chad to continue their language acquisition journey. The story is about two siblings, Chad and Justin. We previously saw a video of Justin asking his teacher to go to the restroom.
We began our journey with these characters now through the “Puedo ir al baño” song, and we were so intrigued. When Justin sang «¿Puedo ir al baño?» to his teacher, most assumed it was a simple and relatable tale of someone desperately needing to go to the bathroom. However, as is often the case in the world of Wooly, there was far more happening under the surface than anyone realized. It's finally time to learn the shocking answer to the question that no one ever considered asking: Why DID Justin need to go to the bathroom? Justin and Chad had a Battle of the Lemonate. We were able to secure a digital copy to enable all of our students to access the novel at any time from home or school.
From Sra. DeLaRosa and Sra. Cruz
And just like that, the first day of our adventures through Portugal, Spain, and France is here!!! 30 of our Redwing students will be participating in this amazing learning adventure. We will depart for the airport on the red-eye flight on Friday, March 22, 2024, and arrive in Lisbon on Saturday, March 23, 2024. Our students are so excited to explore Lisbon and to immerse themselves in the culture, language, and environment around them. All the students will be very busy participating in cultural activities, walking from early morning to late at night, learning, and engaging with everything around them. We always tell the students that these trips are not vacations but extremely active learning tours. These activities and experiences are priceless and will help our students learn so much about every lens of their educational life. We are so excited and can't wait until Friday to start our fantastic journey!!!
Math Department
Mrs. Tank's Pre-AP Algebra 2 and Algebra 2 CP reviewed the entire chapter on Rational and Radical functions and worked in pairs. They also took a practice test and a test . Students in Algebra 2 CP and PreAP Algebra 2 classes also started exploring exponential and log functions. The Algebra 2 Pre-AP students reviewed Rational and Radical exponents and took a quiz on Thursday. In Mrs.Tank's AP Pre-Calculus class, students practiced 40 multiple choice and 4 open ended practice exams throughout the week. AP Calculus students in Mrs. Tank's class practiced 30 open ended problems from the workbook throughout the week. All AP-PreCalculus and AP Calculus students took a 3 hour full length Practice exam on Friday.
Mrs Clark’s Pre-AP Geometry students are continuing to learn about the properties of circles. This week they investigated the relationship between inscribed angles and their intercepted arcs using Geogebra software. They also learned about angle and segment relationships in circles and the standard equation of a circle.
Mrs Clark’s statistics class wrapped up their unit in probability and have moved onto sampling distributions. They learned how to prove or disprove a claim based on a simulated dot plot.
This week students learned what it means and what is required to be an Airplane Mechanic, Air Traffic Control (ATC), and the requirements for a private, commercial and military pilot. The students used the simulators to practice being an ATC for two of their peers. This included instructions about how to taxi the planes on the runway, how to maintain a required heading, and then how to communicate with the area controller outside of the airport. Overall, students loved the experience and learned how difficult it is to sometimes communicate with the pilots while other pilots are asking questions.
Child Study Team
March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. World Down Syndrome Day was officially observed in 2012 by the United Nations to End The Stereotypes of people with Down syndrome. Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes are “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how the body forms and functions as it grows. Around 1 in every 800 babies will be born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome occurs naturally, by a random error. Down syndrome can cause varying degrees of intellectual disabilities, a distinct facial appearance, developmental delays, and associated medical issues such as thyroid or heart disease.
Stereotypes stop people from being treated as individuals. Stereotypes can lead to people with Down Syndrome getting treated like children, being underestimated, and even abused. It is important to know that those with Down Syndrome and any other disABILITY are individuals with unique talents, interests, likes and dislikes, just like everyone else. This year, in honor of World Down Syndrome Day, the HHS Best Buddies Chapter led a "Lots of Socks" campaign inviting all students and staff to wear their funkiest and most colorful pair of socks to school to raise awareness for the rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down Syndrome. The student body pledged to #EndTheStereotypes by signing a large pair of socks that Ms. Amatucci & her Element of Art class created for us. We are always so grateful for your talent and support. A special shout-out goes to Mrs. McGreivey for helping to create the banners that hung proudly in the cafeteria. Leciel Enamorado and Briana Frias were chosen as winners for sporting their craziest pair of socks to school and received a Best Buddies gift bag. We want to thank all students, staff, and administration for participating in the day's events. It was a tremendous effort towards inclusion. Enjoy the photos and remember to #EndTheStereotypes.
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society is in the planning stages for our senior citizens prom, date set for May 2. We are revising our donation letter, which students will bring to local businesses seeking raffle prizes for our guests, as well as food donations for the event.
We are also in the middle of our selection process for new members. Over 100 letters went out to eligible sophomores and juniors to inform them of the process and invite them to a Google Classroom. That's where they could complete their essay and candidate information form detailing their leadership, service and extracurriculars. Fifty-five students submitted all materials by the March 15 deadline. Now we are collecting faculty feedback on the candidates. All of the above steps are dictated by our national parent organization.
Interviews with our 5 member Faculty Council will take place after spring break.
Theater Department
In Mr. Kinnear's Backstage class, students have been studying the ins and outs of costume design for theatre. Throughout the quarter, they've focused on the intricate nuances of imagination, subtext, practicality, budget, concept, and collaboration, all essential elements in crafting the perfect costume for a production.
To bring these concepts to life, students read through and watched a professionally filmed performance of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, "Romeo and Juliet." They explored the play's depths, analyzing characters and themes. Then, they were tasked with selecting unique settings and concepts to inspire their design choices. For example, what would the costumes look like if Romeo and Juliet pulled from the film noir/silent movie design look? Or, what would the characters wear if the show was set during the late 1960s/Hippie era. Each student envisioned a world where Romeo and Juliet's love story took on a new, visually captivating form.
Students had to research the time and place and then consider how the character's traits and storyline also impact the overall look. Practical considerations like materials, costs, and availability added another layer of complexity to their designs, challenging students to think critically about every detail.
With costumes complete, the class now sets its sights on the next challenge: sound design. They'll start by venturing into the world of Foley effects. They'll be tasked with identifying the appropriate sound effects needed to enhance a script and how to go about creating these effects live using everyday materials and objects.
Physical Education Department
This week in Physical Education, students engaged in a fun and fast paced game of Pin Bombardment. The overall goal of the game is to earn points by throwing a variety of foam balls at specific targets laid out on the opposing side of the gym. Teams earn 1 point for knocking down a bowling pin, 2 points for scoring a goal, 3 points for making in the basketball hoop, and 5 points for successfully throwing a ball through a hula hoop that was placed under the basketball rim. The skills utilized in this game were throwing, catching, accuracy, and dodging as well. The game brought out the competitive side from many of our students and gave everyone the opportunity to try something new. Overall it was another fun filled week for Hoboken High Physical Education!
Heroes and Cool Kids
Our amazing Hoboken High School students known as the "Heroes" visited the Middle School for their second visit! This visit was jam-packed with curriculum guided lessons to offer a wealth of support and information dedicated to bullying, cyberbullying, social media, conflict, empathy and the power of sportsmanship! The Middle School Tigers, referred to as the "Cool Kids" who are in the 6th grade, were reminded of the importance of being an upstander rather than a bystander.
The Heroes explained how bullying and conflict are different and provided relatable examples. The Heroes encouraged the Cool Kids to openly discuss how conflict is a natural part of human interactions. The Cool Kids were asked to participate freely in various problem solving scenarios. Several students volunteered in role playing to demonstrate how they should or would respond to the situation. The Heroes also shared their stories and life lessons about sportsmanship, managing their emotions, how to respectfully disagree, and how to apologize while placing an emphasis on the power of empathy.
Literary Art Magazine
The Literary Art Magazine continues to meet every Tuesday. The club is currently sponsoring a Spring Writing Contest in which students are encouraged to enter their favorite pieces of writing, art, and photos. The contest runs through April 23. All entries will appear in the Spring edition of the magazine.
Athletic Department
Best of Luck to the Hoboken High School Spring Sports Programs as they begin their scrimmages this week!
Congratulations Hoboken HS Senior Aidan Arroyave who has been awarded Essex/Hudson County Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award for Football Performance, Academic Achievement, And School Leadership by the The Essex/Hudson National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
Please see the Hoboken High School Weekly Schedule
https://www.hcial.org/public/genie/398/school/4/date/2024-03-25/view/week/
District Wide News
Content Area Supervisors/Director
Hoboken Public Schools - A District Dedicated to Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
Our Vision
The Hoboken Public School District will be recognized as a premier educational choice and widely known as a best-practice model for academic growth, high quality instruction, innovative and equitable programs, engagement, facilities and personalized pathways that are essential for college, career and life-preparedness in our ever-changing, interconnected global society.
Our Mission
The Hoboken Public School District will prepare confident and resilient graduates who value academic achievement, embrace challenge, honor diversity, appreciate collaboration, and respectfully contribute to their local and wider communities.
Our District Goals
The Hoboken Public School District will implement a rigorous, relevant and responsive curriculum that meets the needs of all students, fosters personalized pathways for learning, and ensures continuous academic growth.
The Hoboken Public School District will support its diverse staff in professional growth, encourage them to serve as role models, and empower them to provide the highest quality of instruction for our students.
The Hoboken Public School District will develop and implement unique and innovative programs that promote global learning, ensure equitable access, and foster the social, emotional and academic growth of each student.
The Hoboken Public School District will engage and communicate with families and the wider community to bridge understanding and advance partnerships.
The Hoboken Public School District will operate well-maintained and safe facilities that respond to our growing student enrollment, support our academic and co-curricular programs, and promote pride across the city.
Email: District@Hoboken.k12.nj.us
Website: www.hoboken.k12.nj.us
Location: 524 Park Avenue, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Phone: (201) 356-3600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoboken.schools/
Twitter: @HobokenSchools
Information on Lunch Program
Your child received a hard copy of the lunch form. It is very important that we receive these forms back. If you completed online, no need to return. If you didn't, you must complete, even if you are not interested in the lunch program.
http://www.payschools.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Dashboard%20and%20Menu.mov
Parent payment (or prepayment) options are:
PaySchools Online: Pay by Credit Card or Electronic Check @ https://payschoolscentral.com
(Please note that there is an online convenience fee for all transactions through PaySchools)
In-Person: Payments (Cash or check) may be dropped off at the main office of your child’s school. Checks should be made payable to “Hoboken Board of Education Cafeteria Account” and include your child’s ID# in the memo line.
Technology Assistance
Chromebook Insurance
Chromebook Insurance
Optional Chromebook Insurance is now available to purchase for 2nd to 12th graders. If you think your children might be eligible for free and reduced-cost school meals, just sign in to your www.payschoolscentral.com account and fill out a free-and-reduced application (one form per family), as Chromebook insurance is of no cost to children who receive free or reduced lunch. If your child's Chromebook is broken, please fill out Hoboken Public School Technology Help Request for Parents, Guardians and Students.
Technology Assistance
This link can help you address some of the frequently asked questions during the first weeks of school, Hoboken Public Schools Parent Tech Site.