TECH BITES
Issue #1 - October 2019
A.C.T. MINDFULLNESS
This year, our school is focusing on a CBT Concept derived from the ACT Matrix - Accepting, Committing, and Taking Action - as a way to help students move toward their goals. This idea helps students understand that in order to manage stress, besides being aware of their stress and making a plan, they must actually carry out their plan. We have created a space within the school, the ACT room, that is meant as a place for students to come and refocus when they feel as if they have lost sight of their goals. The goal is for ACT to be fostered throughout the school for continued wellness and success for our students! If you would like to incorporate more ACT activities within your classroom please utilize this link to our iBook! - Kayla Consalvo, Brianna Hamill, Marcella Hernandez, & Dana Malone.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lAV8WudTiwtSw-rr_6onusrnd_GIIRBF
FASHION SPEAKS!
Bergen Tech’s Fashion Design department has collaborated with Progressive Comprehensive Services, LLC, a center for Enhancing Abilities located in Morris, Bergen and Middlesex Counties, to create adaptive clothing for their members with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Designs will be showcased at their Annual Fashion Show titled “I’m Possible With the World in My Hand” at Mayfair Farms- 481 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ on October 12, 2019 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm.
Students across grade levels have successfully designed and executed clothing that balance fashion with function that are adaptable to the wearer. A Fashion line that takes one through a magical journey around the globe, in a world-class, multicultural arts production of ethnic diversity weaving a thread of “oneness”.
WEEK OF RESPECT
NAVIGATING SUCCESS THROUGH WELLNESS
The kickoff to our Navigating Through Success started with an open house in the A.C.T. room. During the open house students filled out forms on what part of mindfulness/wellness interested them. Examples were sleep, meditation, nutrition, and yoga. Students were also able to make their own suggestions on how this program could best help them in a suggestion box. b
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Victoria Coppolecchia; our Registered Dietician/Registered Yoga instructor, Elyssa Toomey; and our Master of Social Work intern Sydney Zulli are helping our students implement wellness practices that work for them.
The Wellness Team will begin a weekly program called, Take care of Yourself Tuesdays and Feel Good Fridays which are highlighted on the Navigating Success Through Wellness Calendar (see below). These groups will be held during lunch periods in the A.C.T. room. Come check it out!
RECOGNIZING OUR VETERAN TEACHERS
The Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro is recognized as one of the premier high schools both in New Jersey and the United States; an evolution that has taken place over the last 20 years. It is a credit to the hard work of so many dedicated, professional, and hard working teachers who have the most important job in the world. BT is fortunate to have many teachers who have been role models, idea shapers, mentors, and inspirers who have created moments of success for so many students over many years. As Henry David Thoreau once said “ Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” With this in mind, I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the following BT veterans teachers with more than 15 years of service to our school and district:
AWESOME UPGRADES
LET'S WELCOME OUR NEW STAFF MEMBERS!
If you have not had the opportunity to sit down with our new teachers here is just a small glimpse into who they are.
Sarah Michaels (Biology)
I graduated from Seton Hall University where I pursued my undergraduate and graduate degree in Biology. There I did research involved with orthopedics and inflammation and taught Anatomy and Physiology. I really enjoy teaching biology at the high school level because it covers all of the fundamental material that made me fall in love with subject in the first place. I cannot wait to start working with BCTS- Teterboro staff and students!
Joseph Conry (History)
I’m excited to join the BCTS team this year. An (almost) lifelong resident of NJ, I’m a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick and I’ve worked in education in one way or another for the past 15 years. I’m an avid NASCAR fan and try to visit a new race track when ever I can (I’m up to 3 so far). I come from a big family and have over 50 first cousins, most of whom I get to see regularly.
George Mann (Math)
Though I am a math teacher, I am a trained chemist that loves brewing my own beer. I enjoy all sports, most music, some activity, and know very little about current pop culture.
Matthew Dalzell (Math)
This is my 10th year teaching and my first year at Bergen Tech as a math and research teacher. I am a self-professed gaming geek, mentor youth in outdoor skills and leadership training, and enjoy camping and hiking through the wilderness.
Lisandra Docampo (Math)
I am a new math teacher who enjoys listening to pop music, working out and exploring new places.
Mateusz Rojek (Music)
I am the new music teacher! Besides tickling the ivories now and again, I enjoy most outdoor activities, especially soccer and hiking, as well as my fair share of video games.
Jessica Carey (Biology)
My name is Jessica Carey and this is my fourth year teaching. I majored in Biology Education and I am currently going for my Masters. I look forward to working with you all.
Anna Snyder (Collaborative Math & Science)
My background is in biochemistry and neuroscience research, and I still enjoy keeping up with what's going on in the field especially when it connects to education! I also enjoy hiking, play the piano, painting, metalworking, and listening to audio books about history political science, economics.
Andrew Pantelis (IT Support)
I am new to the district having just started this September. I love technology. I am a Volunteer Firefighter and when I'm not working, you can find me at the firehouse fixing things or just hanging out with the crew. In case you're wondering, I'm 6/5.
Kevin Price (IT Support)
I have come to Teterboro with 15 years of technology experience in the district. To me, customer service is the number one priority. I am a basketball coach, commissioner of youth basketball in my town, and also run a AAU Basketball program. I love all sports and am an overall fitness junky. FYI, I was the tallest person in Tech until Andrew started.
LAW & JUSTICE NEWS
Katerina Kaganovich, Sandra Kim and Suhelya Tozan were selected to the Junior Commission on the Status of Women
Matthew Paddock was accepted into Boys State and met AG Grewel among other community leaders.
Arlene Rodriguez attended a week-long summer program sponsored by the National Hispanic Bar Association calling it "an experience of a lifetime."
CHEMISTRY EXPO AT LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER
Each year National Chemistry Week is celebrated during the week of Oct 23rd because mole day 6.02 10^23 falls during this week. Students participate in hands on activities and utilize community outreach. This past Saturday our students Chrisitna Hermansen, Matthew Balestier, Robert Kapinos, Meher Kohli and Sabastian Fernandez (pictured below) were representing our school at the Liberty Science Center Chemistry Expo, performing hands-on activities for over 100 families who visited the expo. This years theme was “Marvelous Metals”. They engaged visitors with activities related to mineral metals from food, gallium metal transition, memory metal and ferro fluids to relate to metals and their properties. They won the overall first prize for the presentation of their activities. Please congratulate them!
LETS GET PERSONAL WITH THE PERSONNEL
Look at some of the amazing photos and events of our Faculty!
Happy 49th Anniversary to Bob and Evelyn McGee
Kayla Consalvo got her Zen on mediating with monks and washing elephants on her summer vacation!
Jon Lancaster standing tall on his summer trip to Cambodia!
ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR CLASSROOM?
Here is just one of the many activities that happened this past month in our colleague's classrooms. Please feel free to share activities and pictures each month from the amazing things happening in your classroom.
Kayla Consalvo's gallery walk where students discussed Technology, Science, Social Media and how it affects society.
Bergen County Technical High School
Website: bcts.bergen.org
Location: 506 U.S. 46, Teterboro, NJ, USA
Phone: 201-343-6000