Weehawken High School News
February 2018
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24, 6:30 PM
Presented by the WHS Theater Arts Group
Innovative District
For the second consecutive year the Weehawken School district has been named an Innovative District by @RigorRelevance! We will showcase our #BlendedLearning partnership w/ @OCEARCH at #MSC2018!
Saturday School
WHS students are getting extra practice in reading, writing and math skills at special Saturday school classes intended to help them do well on the upcoming PARCC tests.
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union, in cooperation with the Weehawken Public Library, sponsored a Black History Month celebration on February 8. The evening featured musical performances by WHS alumna Diuky Marrero, WHS student Britney Trinidad, and Rhonda Dene’t and the SFS trio, as well as remarks by Amistad Commissioner and Weehawken teacher Ane Eberhard. The evening also introduced audience members to the work of the Amistad Commission and its collaboration with the NJ Department of Education to assist their efforts in identifying and evaluating curriculum materials and textbooks which integrate and infuse African-American history and the contributions of African Americans.
Spirit Week
The last week of February has been scheduled as Spirit Week. The Student Council, advised by Mrs. Yadira Figueroa, has planned a variety of special “days” to help students boost school spirit and celebrate their fondness for WHS. Specific details are not available yet, but the Student Council assures us that everyone will have a great time celebrating their school spirit.
Week of Kindness
The week of February 12 was designated as a Week of Kindness by our newly established Ambassadors of Kindness group. Consisting of over 50 students and moderated by guidance counselor Chiara Ziek and kindness specialist John Munro, students participated in a variety of events intended to spread kindness throughout the school. Teachers were also asked to conduct lessons on kindness in their classes.
Academic Team
SAT Prep Classes
WHS juniors are participating in FREE SAT preparation classes provided by Montclair Tutoring every Monday from 3-5 pm. The classes are intended to help students who intend to take the SATs raise their scores through the use of targeted techniques and specific practice lessons.
Totem Awards
Seniors were presented with their annual Totem Awards in a special assembly on February 15. Awards were given out in such areas as Most Likely to Succeed, Best Friends, Nicest Eyes, Nicest Smile, and others. Check out the winners in our forthcoming Indian Ink.
Honor Societies
English and Social Studies Honor Societies moved outside their classrooms to see American Hero at the George Street Playhouse on February 22nd. This was the second collaborative activity that the English and History Honor Societies have organized for their members, the being the trip to see The Darkest Hour on January 23 at the Cinema in Edgewater.
Winter Cheerleading
The Winter Cheer Squad has been working tirelessly, in between home games, to practice for their debut at the NJIC Cheer Competition. The competition will include 13 teams in our conference, with 5 other teams competing in our division. The girls never want a day off and take a lot of pride in their roles as cheerleaders for WHS.
In addition, advisor Maria Mattiace and the Winter Cheer Squad will be taking a trip to Women Rising, in Jersey City. Women Rising is an organization serving Hudson County a that assists women in need of jobs, shelter from domestic violence, freedom from substance abuse, and safe homes for their children. The purpose of this trip is to volunteer and serve our community, foster team bonding, advocate for the organization's positive mission, and build character and humility within our squad.
To add to the value of this trip the Squad will be sponsoring a diaper drive to collect diapers for the women who seek shelter with this organization.The cheer squad will host the diaper drive from Feb. 20-23 and will be visiting Women Rising on February 23rd. Please drop off any items at the main office of your school, Room 105 at WHS, and Mrts. Mattiace will pass by to pick up donations at the end of the day on the 22nd. For last minute donations, we will be able to collect items up until 8:15 AM at Weehawken High School just before we leave for Women Rising.
Ski Club
Thanks to a grant obtained by the WHS PTO, 31 students in the newly established ski club will be able to go skiing for only $8.00 per session. Three sessions have been planned at Vernon and students are looking forward to their weekends on the slopes.
Winter Sports
Wrestling
The Weehawken wrestling team had a tremendous year. In their second year, under the guidance of Coach Tom Montalbano, they not only had a winning season, but they earned a spot in the NJ state sectional tournament. In addition, the district has established 7th and 8th grade wrestling program. Because of our success and the help of Athletic Director Nick Destefano, the wrestling team will have its first independent program next year for the first time in 20 years.
Girls’ Basketball
The girls’ basketball team have a great shot at taking NJIC Meadowlands championship for the second year in a row. They will also play in the state tournament at home on February 26 against Glen Ridge.
Swimming
Sophie Axtens advanced to the Hudson County championships on Saturday in the 100 meter butterfly. This is the inaugural season for the girls season, and 35 girls came out to participate. . We also are competing in three relays in the championship.
Boys’ Basketball
The boys will play in the state playoffs against University High on February 26. Coach Panepinto and the freshmen boys pulled off a huge upset over the previously unbeaten (27-0) St. Mary’s Gaels.
Bowling
Turkeys aren’t just for thanksgiving anymore! The bowling team was brought back with nine students participating. While the team did not have a winning record, the squad was enthusiastic and ready for competition.