STEAM Academy Newsletter
March 2024
A Message from Mrs. Tara Buckley
Greetings STEAM Academy Families,
We are now at the midpoint of the third marking period! Interim progress reports will be available for viewing in Genesis on March 4th at 4:00pm.
The upcoming weeks will be very busy with the Grade 11 NJGPA administration, STEAM seniors prepping for their Capstone presentations, and multiple school activities and events!
Thank you all for your continued support of the STEAM Academy and please don't hesitate to reach out at anytime with any questions or concerns at tbuckley@trschools.com.
Tara L. Buckley
STEAM Academy Facilitator
STEAM Academy Shout Out
Mrs. Jessica Kurtz - STEAM Biology Teacher
Mrs. Jessica Kurtz is one of 41 teachers honored for the 2023-24 school year by The Society for Science, a nonprofit that aims to advance STEM education and build science literacy. The society's STEM Research Grants program is "an initiative dedicated to advancing hands-on science education in middle and high school classrooms nationwide," the organization said. The grant Mrs. Kurtz is receiving is a research kit assembled and distributed by Society for Science that provides more equipment and materials and gives students more diverse research opportunities. Mrs. Kurtz plans to bring students this spring to use the kits at Cattus Island Park, Island Beach State Park, Jakes Branch Park and Double Trouble Park. (Toms River Patch)
STEAM Academy Students in Action
STEAM Geometry - Triangle Properties
Students in Mrs. Goodall's STEAM Geometry class spent 2 days investigating properties of 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles.
Honors Forensic Science - Gel Electrophoresis
Student's in Dr. Dirk's Honors Forensics class practiced running electrophoresis gels. Electrophoresis is a laboratory technique used to separate DNA short random repeats ( (STR) which can be used to determine possible suspects in a crime.
AP Seminar/STEAM English 10 - Planning for Public Speaking
Ms. Morgan’s students used dry-erase partitions to prepare for public speaking by quickly organizing their group's arguments and evidence, then revising as necessary.
AP Biology - Science Meets Art!
We put the A in STEAM. This hands-on STEAM activity that develops pipetting skills while also engaging the student’s artistic side.
Pipetting is a foundational skill found in many fields including forensics, environmental science/conservation, health science and food science in addition to chemistry and biology. A little bit of practice goes a long way! In this STEAM activity, students will make art using drops of color dye – similar to the pointillism art technique. They can either use a pre-made design or create their own design, using different colors and appropriate drop sizes to make the dots. By keeping track of the drop volumes on the student worksheet, they can calculate how much total volume they use, develop a sense of scale for the sizes of volumes, and fine tune their motor skills in handling a pipette
Authentic Science Research - Symposium Presentation
ASR senior student Jack Chen traveled to Costa Rica this past summer to do research on leaf cutter ants and their ability to produce insect repellents. Jack recently presented his research to his ASR classmates to prepare for the Symposium and Science Fair.
AP Seminar - Task #1 Projects
College and Career Lecture Series
Michael J. Whitmeyer, SPC USA
High School East graduate, Michael J. Whitmeyer delivered a presentation to students on career opportunities in the Army and National Guard.
Upcoming Career Presentations:
March 1: : Meghan Nayak, Esq. to discuss law and Innocence Project
March 8: Maria Weber, Merck & Co. Inc. to discuss careers in pharmaceutical research
April 19: Engineering Panel presented by the Navy
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
AP Testing Schedule and Practice Test Schedule
AP Practice Tests:
- 4/10: AP Statistics (Periods 2-6)
- 4/11: AP Language (Periods 2-7)
- 4/12: AP Literature (Periods 1-6)
- 4/15: AP Calculus (All day @ TR North)
- 4/18: AP Physics, Chemistry and Biology (Periods 1-4)
- 4/23: AP US History (Periods 2-5)
- 4/26: AP Seminar & Research - Submit Final!
AP EXAMS:
- 5/6: AP Government @ 8am
- 5/6: AP Chemistry @ 12pm
- 5/7: AP Statistics @12pm
- 5/7: AP Seminar @ 12pm
- 5/8: AP Literature @8am
- 5/9: AP Environmental Science @ 8am
- 5/9: AP Psychology @ 12pm
- 5/10: AP History @ 8am
- 5/13: AP Calculus @ 8am
- 5/14: AP Language @ 8am
- 5/16: AP Spanish @ 8am
- 5/16: AP Biology @ 12pm
- 5/17: AP Physics @ 8am
REMINDERS AND RESOURCES
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 Ms. Tiffany Lucey, Supervisor
4. speak with Mrs. Stephanie Hines, STEAM Academy Administrator
5. speak with Mrs. Erin Anders, Principal
Guidance Corner
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.
STEAM Academy Student Monthly Workshops
STEAM Academy students participate in monthly workshops to enhance their skillset and learn new strategies to maximize their education. February's workshop focused on "Resume Building" and was presented by Assistant Principal, Mrs. Stephanie Hines.
Volunteer and 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.
Please see the guidance office for more information on volunteer and community service.
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.
Tutoring
National Honor Society tutors are available in the media center after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:40 - 2:25pm.
Students can come for help in any subject!
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
High School East Student Handbook
Please click the link for the High School East 2023-24 Handbook.
School Calendar
Please click the link below for the Toms River Regional Schools 2023-24 calendar.
https://www.trschools.com/calendar/docs/2023/07/_2023_2024-Calendar-_-Sheet1.pdf
Archived STEAM Academy Newsletters
Upcoming Important Dates
MARCH:
- 3/1: Career Speaker - Mrs. Meghan Nayak, Esq. (Law & The Innocence Project)
- 3/1 & 3/2: Eastside Theater Company presents "Catch Me if You Can" @ 7pm
- 3/4: Activity Day Schedule - Read Across America
- 3/7: NJGPA Amazing Race Competition
- 3/8: STEAM Academy student commitment due (Class of 2028)
- 3/8: Career Speaker - Mrs. Maria Weber, Merck & Co. Inc. (Pharmaceutical Research)
- 3/9: SAT
- 3/12 - 3/15: NJGPA (all juniors)
- 3/13: Engineering Day @ Rutgers University
- 3/17: St. Patrick's Day
- 3/18: TSA CHAPTERCON @ the HSE Cafeteria 3-6:00pm
- 3/22: Activity Day Schedule
- 3/29: Schools Closed - Spring Break begins (students return to school April 8)
APRIL:
- 4/8: Students and staff return from spring break
- 4/18: Activity Day Schedule
- 4/25: Excellence Expo @ 5pm (Toms River High School North)
- 4/30 - NJSLA - Language Arts (all freshman)
MAY:
- 5/1: NJSLA - Language Arts (all freshman)
- 5/2-5/3: NJSLA - Science (all juniors)
- 5/6 - 5/17: AP Testing
- 5/21: Activity Day Schedule
- 5/21 - 22: NJSLA - Mathematics (all freshman)
- 5/27: Schools Closed - Memorial Day