FTMHS NewsFLASH
December 2021
Calendar Information...
Tentative December Events:
December 1:
- Faculty Meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Atrium.
December 2:
- Musical Callbacks at 2:10 p.m. in the Auditorium.
- Yearbook at 2:10 p.m.; Advisors: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. Holmstedt.
- National Honor Society Meeting at 7:10 a.m.; Advisors: Ms. Diaz and Mr. Weatherbee.
- Environmental Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mr. DuBrul.
December 3:
- Community Event: "Tree Lighting" with our Marching Band.
December 7:
- "Annie LIVE" -- Special showing at 2:10 p.m. in the Auditorium.
- Debate Team Meeting at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mrs. Hughes.
- No Place for Hate Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Levine.
December 8:
- CAFE Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Diaz.
- Robotics Club/Computer Science Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mr. Roberson.
December 9:
- Black and Latinx Student Union at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mr. McEnnis.
- Interact Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Rodan.
December 10:
- Senior Class Trip Payment No. 4 to Mrs. Pereda in E109 or Mr. Pereda in the Gym.
December 13:
- Week of December 13, the Foreign Language, History and Music Departments will schedule their Writing Assignments.
December 14:
- Parent Meeting for the Musical Cast in the Atrium at 6 p.m.
- I&RS Committee Meeting starting at 8 a.m.
- Art Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mrs. Holmstedt.
- Debate Team Meeting at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mrs. Hughes.
- Newspaper Club Meeting at 2:10 p.m.; Advisors: Mrs. Covaci and Mrs. Petosa.
- Game Club Meeting at 2:10 p.m.; Advisors: Mr. Weatherbee and Mr. Senni.
- No Place For Hate Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Levine.
December 15:
- PLC Meeting starting at 2:20 p.m. in the Atrium.
- Debate Team Competition; Advisor: Mrs. Hughes.
- CAFE Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Diaz.
- Robotics/Computer Science at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mr. Roberson.
December 16:
- Virtual Winter Concert at 6 p.m.
- National Honor Society Meeting at 7:10 a.m.; Advisors: Ms. Diaz and Mr. Weatherbee.
- Black and Latinx Student Union at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Mr. McEnnis.
- Yearbook at 2:10 p.m.; Advisors: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. Holmstedt.
- Interact at 2:10 p.m.; Advisor: Ms. Rodan.
December 17:
- Progress Reports will be available after 2 p.m.
December 20:
- ScIP Meeting at 2:20 p.m. in the Media Center.
- Board of Education Meeting at 7 p.m. in the High School Atrium.
December 21:
- Spring Musical--First Read Through.
- Game Club at 2:10 p.m.; Advisors: Mr. Weatherbee and Mr. Senni.
December 22:
- Debate Team Competition; Advisor: Mrs. Hughes.
December 23:
- One Session Day--dismissal at 11:40 a.m.
December 27:
- Debate Team Competition; Advisor: Mrs. Hughes.
Making History -- Central Group 1 Champs!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Powder Puff Football 2021
"Thank You"
The Marching Flashes...
All seven of the graduating seniors were recognized at ACC's on October 31, and each and every one of them will be greatly missed next year!
Holiday Bags/Boxes
Parent Conferences
General Reminders--Updated Every Month:
- Arrival to School: Please arrive at school between 7:25 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Pull your car up to the Media Center door. Someone will be wearing a YELLOW vest in that area. When your car stops along the front of the school, students need to get out at that location and walk to the front door. We want to keep the cars moving at all times. Never pull out and try to pass by other cars in the lineup after you have dropped your child off--wait patiently in line for movement. Parents/guardians should not be dropping off or picking up students in the Main Parking Lot in front of the school. When picking up your child after school, go to the student parking lot.
- Unexcused Lateness to School: Students must be inside the building at 7:40 a.m. when the late bell rings. There are too many students coming in after the bell rings and are now counted late to school. When a student gets to 9 latenesses, he/she will receive one detention. When a students get 12 latenesses, he/she will receive 2 detentions and WILL NO LONGER BE PERMITTED TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. If the lateness pattern continues, the consequences will get more severe--so please come to school on time. A good arrival time is 7:30 a.m.
- Unexcused Lateness to Class in the Morning: In the morning, a student is counted late to class if he/she enters the classroom after the 7:40 a.m. bell.
- Chromebooks: Please remind your child that Chromebooks need to be charged every night so students are ready to use them the next day. If students need to borrow a Chromebook or charger during the school day, they must put their cell phones on silent and keep them in the Guidance Office until the borrowed Chromebook and/or charger are returned to Mrs. Gola.
- Free Breakfast and Lunch this Year: Students will be entering the building through the front main doors. Immediately upon entering, you may pick up a free "breakfast" bag and then go directly to your HR/Period 1 class.
- Feel Sick: If you feel ill during the school day, please have your teacher give you a pass to go get checked out by our school nurse, Mrs. Emery. If you are not feeling well when you get up in the morning, please stay home. Remember to wash your hands frequently
- Student Parking: Students need to park in the student parking lot adjacent to the Football Stadium. Please DO NOT DRIVE MORE than 5 mph in the parking lot area.
Character Education Program
Every month at least one student – from each grade level – will be recognized for the fine job he/she has done in bringing the word of the month to life. These students are nominated by our school staff. The Character Education “Word of the Month” for November was Helpfulness. We will communicate the rest of our character education traits to you over the course of the school year.
Let’s work together to get our students to focus on why each trait matters! We need all of our students to see that they can help others through their positive words and actions.
Character Education Program--"Word of the Month" for November was "Helpfulness."
Kayla Arnold, Ritika Bakkamanthala, Mercedes Colon, Benjamin Czifra, Quinton Davis-Smith,
Michael DelPazzo, Jason Diggs, Chloe DiPaola, Jaelynn Edwards, Darrean Harris, Rasheem Harris,
Sincere Johnson, Jaskiran Mangat, Rhiannon Miller, Damarisa Moore, Makayla Osburn,
Alexander Vance and Andrew Wirth.
Chosen to Receive Special Recognition!
"Helpfulness" -- Character Education (November)
Thanks to our Parents Organization -- Ritika Bakkamanthala, Mercedes Colon, Jason Diggs and Chloe DiPaola were chosen to receive $5 Wawa gift cards for doing such an excellent job!
Ritika Bakkamanthala
Nominated by: Mrs. Pereda
Mercedes Colon
Mercedes goes above and beyond to help others. She is always thinking about how she can be of assistance to teachers and her peers.
Nominated by: Ms. Rodan
Jason Diggs
Nominated by: Ms. Levine.
Way to GO!
Chloe DiPaola
Chloe always offers to help others with their work after she finishes her own.
Nominated by: Mrs. Triglia and Mrs. Bryne
Way to GO!
Principal's Academic List
We’ve added this program based on the feedback we received from students, staff, and parents. We have students who are hungry to show what they can do, and we’re eager to recognize them!
Academic Achievement Program
This is a wonderful program! We will once again be challenging our students to settle for nothing less than their best. We want to see our students succeed, and we will be communicating to them that we want them to set their sights on earning a GPA of at least a 3.0 (or a “B” average) with no “D” or “F” grades in any course for each marking period of the school year. Please join us in challenging your child to be content with nothing less than his or her best effort!
Students who earned at least a 3.0 (with no “D’s” or “F’s”) will be recognized for this accomplishment.
Thank You, PO!
Our Parents Organization has generously donated four $25 gift cards to support our students and reward them for all of their hard work! Four students were randomly selected to receive these gift cards, and they are:
Brayden Bernardo (Grade 9)
Hunter David Niemczura (Grade 10)
Makayla Osburn (Grade 11)
Marie Enselek (Grade 12)
Congratulations to these students, and Thank You to our PO!
RCBC Student Information Session
Genesis Parent Portal (http://bit.ly/2hqH935)
Progress Reports--December 17, 2021
Progress Reports will be available after 2 p.m. in Genesis on December 17. To view your child’s Progress Report, simply login to Genesis (https://parents.genesisedu.com/florence) and click on the “Grading” tab at the top of the window.
Also, please feel free to log in to Genesis at any time to see how your child is progressing in his or her courses. Checking Genesis frequently will enable you to see clearly how your child is performing throughout the school year.
If you are having trouble logging in or needing your email and password reset, please contact your child’s counselor as soon as possible.
Lunch Menu for the Month of December
Parent Organization
Our next FTMHS Parent Organization meeting will be held on Monday, December 20, at 6 p.m. in the HS Media Center.
We are currently looking for parents to join our fundraising committees to plan/organize our Prom Fashion Show in March. If interested please email us at ftmhspo@gmail.com.
Also, we have revamped our Scripts Gift Card Program. Those families interested in purchasing Shop Rite, Roebling Town Market or Acme gift cards to benefit their children's savings funds for school events/purchases please refer to the flyer below!
Dance--Mr. Breen
Mr. Breen’s Dance class has been working on Swing dancing. Students are having so much fun!
AP Chemistry Class -- Mrs. Triglia.
In AP Chemistry, we conducted a titration to determine the acidity of beverages last Wednesday.
In these photos, you will see Ryan Boracci, Anthony Cyples, Sa'niah Figueroa, Macklin Horner, Isabella Irilli, Jarif Gazi, Bella Obayanju, Krisha Patel, Rayne Roman, Ethan Saltzman, Andre Ulisse, and Rujula Warade. They are doing a great job.
Science Classes--Ms. Levine.
Physics class is learning all about Newton's Laws and Force. They have completed a few fun labs and learned some new tricks along the way to impress friends and family!
Have you ever wanted to try that cool trick where you pull a tablecloth out from under a set table? Well, this student did it while demonstrating inertia (the tendency of an object to resist motion) with our cool lab called "Water, please!"
Students extracted iron from Cheerios. Here are their results.
Health Classes--Mrs. Smith.
We also explored how to improve our listening skills so that when a friend needs help, we can truly help them. We concluded this Chapter with the Disney Movie "SOUL". Learning our (spark) and what makes us tick is extremely important because it gives the students a purpose and why they have a passion for what they do!
We will tackle Healthy Family Relationships next.
Production Technology 1 & 2 Classes and Material Processing Class -- Mr. Dow.
Production Technology 2 just wrapped up the acoustic phone speaker project.
Material Processing recently completed the co2 car project.
Musical Theater and Theater Performance Classes--Mr. Donovan
In our Theater Performance class, we have been doing some scene work, and fun games like "Night at the Museum".
After School Clubs for the 2021-2022 School Year:
Clubs/Activities
Black and Latinx Student Union
Class of 2022--Seniors
Class of 2023--Juniors
Class of 2024--Sophomores
Class of 2025--Freshmen
Computer Science Club
Cultural Awareness for Everyone
Debate Team
Environmental Club
Game Club
Interact
Marching Band Director
Marching Band--Front Line
National Honor Society
No Place for Hate Club
Newspaper Club
Robotics Club
Science League Competitions
Special Olympics
Spring Musical
Student Council
Yearbook
Art Club
The Art Club is open to any student with an interest in art, design, or creativity! The art club will meet in Mrs. Holmstedt’s room, F108.
The next meeting is scheduled for December 14.
Currently, students are working on a word design project and will be moving on to mosaics with tile, glass, and plastic next!
Advisor: Mrs. Holmstedt
Black & Latinx Student Union
The BLSU is moving into the holiday season with service as the goal. We will be assisting in the food drive and clothing drive.
Advisor: Mr. McEnnis
Class of 2022 (SENIORS)
Class of 2022
President: Lana Duke
Vice President: Cassaundra Alicea
Treasurer: Zaria Harewood
Secretary: Jaskiran Mangat
Historian: Samara Lakhan
Co-Advisors: Mrs. Leanne Pereda and Mr. Cesar Pereda
Class of 2022
Nine (9) of our seniors participated in the First Annual Senior Paint Your Parking Spot Day. They are leaving their mark with their masterpieces.
Senior Class Trip Information
The THIRD senior trip payment of $450 is past due. The final payment of $269 will be due on December 10.
All students attending the trip should have completed the Google form in Classroom related to rooming assignments. Any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Pereda.
Advisors: Mrs. Pereda and Mr. Pereda
Class of 2023 (JUNIORS)
President: Sarah Olatubosun
Vice President: Abigail Anthony
Secretary: Abimbola Obayanju
Treasurer: Mikayla Maschke
Historian: Sydney Slotkin
Junior Class FUNDRAISER information
Order forms will be sent home with all Juniors.
MIKE’S CRUMB CAKE FACTORY FUNDRAISER!!!!
ORDER THE BEST TASTING CRUMB CAKE AROUND!
A DELICIOUS-- 8” by 8” crumb cake for only $10.
All orders are due by December 1, 2021, and must be paid in advance.
Please make checks payable to FTMHS CLASS of 2023.
Crumb cakes will be ready for pick up at the high school on December 14.
Student sellers are responsible for picking up and delivering orders to their buyers.
Please email aholmstedt@florence.k12.nj.us with any questions
Advisors: Mrs. Holmstedt and Mr. Flynn
Class of 2024 (SOPHOMORES)
Class of 2024 Officers
President: John Paul Dunphy
Vice President: Matthew Barton
Secretary: Madelynn Hoch
Treasurer: Kaycee Carnival
Historian: Radika Dhar
The Class of 2024 is currently supporting the various holiday food and clothing drives throughout the district.
During the winter, we will be promoting a class fundraiser and after-school snack sales to help save toward our Prom and our Senior Trip! Please support the Class of 2024.
The class is also deciding on a unique charitable cause to support after the holidays.
We wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
Advisors: Mrs. Mary Byrne and Mr. Joseph Varga
Class of 2025 (FRESHMEN)
Class of 2025 Officers
President: Andrew Piotrowski
Vice President: Liam Virula
Secretary: Ritika Bakkamanthala
Treasurer: Rudrhaneel Sen
Historian: Cailyne Diaz
Beginning December 7, the Class of 2025 will be selling snacks in the front lobby at the end of the day on the first Thursday of each month to raise funds for future activities.
Please support your classmates and come grab something to eat on your way to the bus, practice or other after-school activities!
Advisors: Ms. Paiva and Mr. Senni
Computer Science Club
The Computer Science Club joined the American Computer Science Competition.
Students will compete against schools across the nation to complete computer science questions and problems.
Advisor: Mr. Roberson
Cultural Awareness for Everyone Club (CAFE)
Members celebrated a cultural Thanksgiving with sweet and savory food from various countries.
We will host a virtual holiday trivia night in December, a date to be determined.
Advisor: Ms. Diaz
Debate Team
The FTMHS Debate Team is preparing for its first competition within the South Jersey Debate League on December 15. Our competitions are going to be 100% virtual this year and will be conducted in the high school's media center.
The varsity team members this year are Lana Duke, Finley Charles, Tanisha Khabe, and Zaria Harewood.
Our JV team debaters will be Youssef Badaoui, Nadia Islam, Hunter Niemczura, and Rudrhaneel Sen.
This year's resolution is "The United States federal government should substantially increase its protection of water resources in the United States."
Advisor: Mrs. Hughes
Environmental Club
Mr. DuBrul's Environmental Club has been learning about fire ecology in the NJ Pine Barrens as well as growing native trees from seed. Students made terrariums and will be growing seeds from various trees around the world.
Advisor: Mr. DuBrul
Game Club
President: Kayla Weisneck
Vice-President: Alex Witty
Secretary: Position still open.
Treasurer: Emmanuel Blackwood
Parliamentarian: Harry Ravenel
Club Champion: Reese Salaga
UPCOMING GAME CLUB MEETING DATES FOR DECEMBER:
- December 7
- December 14
- December 21
We will be scheduling the SECOND Game Club Champion Tournament in December, TBA.
Look for announcements in grade level google classrooms and during morning announcements.
The club is still open for joining up and joining in...come and check out the Game Club on Tuesdays after school in D108.
Card games, board games and video games are all an option.
See Mr. Senni or Mr. Weatherbee for details.
Advisors: Mr. Weatherbee and Mr. Senni
Interact Club
The 2021-2022 Interact Officers are:
President: Logan Trayner
Vice President: Hazal Akkaya
Secretary: Burne Das
Treasurer: Preet Singh
Sergeant at Arms: Declan Yasick
Publicity Chair: Sarah Olatubosun
The Interact Club recently assisted the Flash Forward, Community group with a clean-up on the Avenues in Roebling. They also plan to participate in a community clean-up in December.
The group will be collecting toiletries and personal care items to create Blessing Bags for the Homeless throughout the month of December.
Advisor: Ms. Georgie Rodan
Marching Band
The Marching Flashes completed their 2021 competition season with NJ States Championships on Saturday, October 30 and Atlantic Coast Championships on Sunday, October 31.
They scored a season-high of 83.0 during this championship weekend, marking their highest competition score since 2016.
All seven of the graduating seniors were recognized at ACC's on October 31, and each and every one of them will be greatly missed next year!
Following the Thanksgiving Day game in November, the Marching Flashes will complete their 2021 season by participating in the Florence Township Tree Lighting and the Roebling Tree Lighting in December.
Keep your eye out in the spring for sign-ups for the 2022 season!
Music Director: Mrs. Croley
Musical Production
Musical--Upcoming Events:
December 14 at 6 p.m. - Parent Meeting
December 21 - FIRST Rehearsal/Read-through!
Director: Mr. Donovan
National Honor Society
Giving Drive and Local Food Pantries
Members continue to donate canned food that will be used to support the FTMHS Giving Drive and local food pantry.
Tuesday Tutoring Center
The Tutoring Center continues to be well attended.
Community Cleanup Event
Members participated in a Roebling Community Clean Up on November 20.
Wreaths Across America
Students will be working on the wreaths on December 18.
Community Support for Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch
Members will support the Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch on December 5.
Advisors: Ms. Diaz and Mr. Weatherbee
Newspaper
The Newspaper Club is off to a good start, so far, and we are working hard to meet our first publication deadline in November. Anticipated articles are Homecoming, new teacher interviews, and our staff bios.
New members are always welcome! We are looking for broadcasters, writers, journalists, photographers, and digital editors for our website.
Mrs. Covaci lcovaci@florence.k12.nj.us
Ms. Petosa mpetosa@florence.k12.nj.us
Website link: https://florencesentinel.wordpress.com/
_
Advisors: Mrs. Covaci and Mrs. Petosa
No Place for Hate
No Place For Hate is working on a School Climate Survey that will help us design lessons to best educate our student body about equity and respect in order to make our wonderful school an even more inclusive environment.
Advisor: Ms. Levine
Pit Orchestra
Pit Orchestra is an extra-curricular activity consisting of instrumental music students who perform for the Spring Musical.
Our rehearsals are going to begin in late December or after winter break depending on when the books arrive. If you are interested in being a member of the Pit Orchestra reach out to
Mr. Obetz so he can get you the information you need.
Pit Orchestra Director: Mr. Obetz
Robotics Club
The Robotics Club won a $500 grant for the First Robotics Competition. This allowed us to pay the entry fee and with club funds and purchase the robotics package to allow us to compete this year.
Fittingly, the topic this year is the "Future of Transportation."
Advisor: Mr. Roberson
Student Council
Student Council
President: Cassaundra Alicea
Vice President: Sarah Olatubosun
Secretary: Maiyah McDuffie
Treasurer: Bella Obayanju
BOE Rep.: John Paul Dunphy
Historians: Jaskiran Mangat and Gabrielle Fleming
Executive Members: Finley Charles, Zaria Harewood and Mikayla Maschke
Student Council would like to thank the following businesses for their support of our food drive:
DR. BLUM'S DENTAL OFFICE
FLORENCE DENTAL ARTS
BOYD'S PHARMACY
FLORENCE HARDWARE
ROCCO'S PIZZA
BIG RAY'S
VINNY G's BAGELS AND DELI
LAURA'S SALON
ROEBLING MARKET (IGA)
BOB'S CORNER DELI
MARIO AND FRANKS
JASMINE'S FAMILY CONVENIENCE STORE
We will continue to collect food items through December 11, 2021. Donations can be dropped off at the businesses listed above or be sent to school with your student.
Advisor: Ms. Georgie Rodan
Yearbook
The yearbook is welcoming all students that are interested in joining our staff! Come design this year's book with us! Meetings will be held in Mrs. Holmstedt's room F108 from 2:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. on December 2 and December 16.
2021-2022 yearbooks are on sale NOW!
Yearbooks cost $70, are hardcover and full color! Go to the high school website and order from the link under the parent resources tab or use the link below!
Shout out to your student and purchase a yearbook ad today! Click the link below!
Advisors: Mrs. Eckart and Mrs. Holmstedt
From the Desk of Mr. Lamaestra (SAC) Student Assistance Counselor...
The Development of GOOD CHARACTER ...
...is not an isolated skill to be taught in one area of a child’s life. It is an effort of home, school, and community to instill in our young people good values. The development of good character touches our personal development, it impacts our success with academic development in learning, and good character is essential in the workforce to be successful in our careers.
“Dare to Be...
When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.
When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.
When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.
When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.
When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.
When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.
When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.
When times are tough, dare to be tougher.
When love hurts you, dare to love again.
When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.
When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.
When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.
When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.
When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.
When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.
Dare to be the best you can –
At all times, Dare to be!”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Character Education: Word of the Month for December is COMPASSION.
Noteworthy Links:
DEA Issues Public Safety Alert on Sharp Increase in Fake Prescription Pills Containing Fentanyl and Meth
Importance of Mental Health during the Holidays
More teens are vaping cannabis. Experts say N.J. must send a warning message now.
Community Resources:
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed about COVID-19, or just want to talk to someone, the following resources are available:
2nd Floor Youth Hotline of New Jersey: 888-222-2228
PerformCare/Mobile Response: 877-652-7624
Camden County Crisis Intervention - Twin Oaks: 856-428-HELP (4357)
New Jersey Mental Health Warm Line (Mental Health Resources): 877-294-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Student Assistance Services:
Academic support
Family Substance Use
Technology Dependence
Anxiety and Depression
Divorce
Behavior Management
Other Mental Health Concerns
Consultation
Referral
Contact Information:
Please contact Mr. Lamaestra, Student Assistance Coordinator, at (609)499-4620 x 4225, or email me at jlamaestra@florence.k12.nj.us.
Counseling Office News
The high school counselors, Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga, invite you to visit the updated Counseling Department website which is accessible from the high school main page or by clicking here. There you will find useful information and links for academic support, mental health resources, college planning and research, post-secondary financial aid, etc.
ASVAB Testing
Select 12th graders will take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for free at the high school during the month of February 2022. Results can be used for career exploration, armed services entry testing and state graduation testing purposes. Scores will be given directly to students and will not be shared with recruiters. Students should speak with their Counselor if they are interested.
FIRST Marking Period Report Cards
This became viewable in Genesis on Friday, November 19. If a student has outstanding fines, the grade will not be viewable until the fines are cleared. Course grades impact sports eligibility, credits towards graduation, grade point average and class rank. In high school, a grade of 64 or below is a failing grade. Please contact your child’s teachers with any questions or concerns.
Seniors
Senior Class College Packets can be found in 12th grade English Google classrooms, the Class of 2022 Google classroom, and on our counseling department website. This PDF packet contains a wealth of information about the college application process. Seniors have a few tasks to do in their Naviance Student accounts, such as requesting recommendation letters and completing the Student Brag Sheet and Scholarship Application. The counselors have visited senior English classes and are meeting with seniors individually to talk with them about post-high school planning.
Colleges Visiting FTMHS
Any senior can meet with any of these college reps to learn about their programs, admissions process, housing, financial aid, etc. You must get a pass ahead of time from Mrs. Gola in the Counseling Office for the day and the time of the visit. Meetings will take place in the Career Room in the Counseling Office.
College and Trade School Visitations
Students who are researching colleges may be able to do a virtual tour from the college’s website or from virtual tour sites such as https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/.
BCIT Adult Education
This is a great, local trade school that is taxpayer-funded. Visit their website www.bcit.cc/AdultEdu and click on Registration to learn about their various programs.
College Admissions Testing
The SAT and ACT have undergone significant changes due to COVID-19. Please visit their official websites for the most current information. More than 1,600 four-year colleges and universities are now test-optional for this admissions cycle in response to the effects of the pandemic. Check a particular college’s Admissions Office site for their admissions requirements and testing information before you register for a test.
College Financial Aid Information
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2022-23 school year will open on October 1, 2021. You will need information from the parent’s and student's 2020 tax returns. Visit fafsa.gov to get started.
If you are applying to any New Jersey schools, you can find your state financial aid information on the HESAA website in your NJFAMS account which can be found under the Students tab. https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/Default.aspx
New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority or HESAA has valuable resources for college and career planning and financial assistance. One important ebooklet is the Student Loan Guide. Here is the link to several of their publications and ebooklets: http://www.hesaa.org/Pages/HESAAPublications.aspx
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
All college-bound student-athletes should explore the NCAA eligibility qualifications early in their high school careers. Please visit the following websites for more information: www.eligibilitycenter.org and www.2point3.org
College Cost Calculator-- What does college really cost?
Colleges are required to have a college cost calculator (aka net price calculator) available on their websites. Please check them out when researching colleges.
College Scorecard:
Updated for 2021: Compare colleges and get information on fields of study, salary after graduation, costs, debt load after graduation, etc. It provides clear, accessible, and reliable national data. collegescorecard.ed.gov
Feeling Overwhelmed?
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed about COVID-19 (or anything else) and want to talk to someone, the following resources are available:
2nd Floor Youth Hotline of New Jersey: 888-222-2228
PerformCare/Mobile Response: 877-652-7624
Camden County Crisis Intervention - Twin Oaks: 856-428-HELP (4357)
New Jersey Mental Health Warm Line (Mental Health Resources): 877-294-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255.
For emergencies: call 911
Counselors: Mrs. Sebastian and Mr. Varga
Special Delivery...
Staying Home When Sick and Getting Tested
Students, teachers, and staff who have symptoms of infectious illness, such as influenza (flu) or COVID-19, should stay home and be referred to their healthcare provider for testing and care, regardless of vaccination status. Staying home when sick with COVID-19 is essential to keep COVID-19 infections out of schools and prevent spread to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that parents keep children home if they are showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and get them tested.
Getting tested for COVID-19 when symptoms are compatible with COVID-19 will help with rapid contact tracing and prevent possible spread at schools, especially if key prevention strategies (masking and distancing) are not in use. Some localities might choose to use testing to shorten quarantine periods.
I Think or Know I had COVID-19, and I had Symptoms. When can I be Around Others?https://youtu.be/HNgDirLLZm8
School Nurse
Gatherings
CDC continues to recommend avoiding large events and gatherings. Currently, CDC does not provide numbers to define small and large events.
Large gatherings bring together many people from multiple households in a private or public space. Large gatherings are often planned events with a large number of guests and invitations. They sometimes involve lodging, event staff, security, tickets, and long-distance travel.
CDC’s large events guidance might apply to events such as conferences, trade shows, sporting events, festivals, concerts, or large weddings and parties.
Small gatherings are informal in nature and may occur with family and friends you regularly socialize with, often at someone’s residence. They typically do not involve long-distance travel.
Small gathering guidance might be more appropriate for social gatherings that are more intimate with close friends and family, such as small holiday parties, family dinners, and small special celebrations.
CDC offers the following guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Event planners should work with state and local health officials to implement this guidance, adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. This guidance is meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which gatherings must comply.
Promoting Healthy Behaviors that Reduce Spread
Event planners should consider implementing strategies to encourage behaviors that reduce the spread of COVID-19 among staff and attendees.
- Stay Home when Appropriate
- Educate event staff and attendees about when they should stay home.
- Advise event staff and attendees to stay home if they have tested positive for COVID-19, are waiting for COVID-19 test results, have COVID-19 symptoms, or if they have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has symptoms of COVID-19.
- Develop policies that strongly encourage event staff who are sick to stay at home without fear of reprisal, and ensure staff is aware of these policies.
- Consider developing flexible refund policies for attendees for events that involve a participation fee. See additional information about Communication, Leave (Time off) Policies, Back-up Staffing, and more in the sections below.
- CDC criteria can help inform staff about when it is okay to end isolation or quarantine:
- CDC recommends conducting health checks such as temperature screening and other symptom checking of staff and attendees in a way that is safe and respectful, and in accordance with any applicable privacy laws and regulations. It is important to keep in mind that temperature screening and screening of symptoms alone may not prevent someone from attending the event who has COVID-19.
- Physical (Social) Distancing
- Adjust the size of an event based on the ability of attendees from different households to stay 6 feet (2 arm lengths) apart.
- Remind attendees upon arrival to stay at least 6 feet away from people who don’t live with them.
- Discourage attendees and staff from greeting others with physical contact (for example, handshakes). Include this reminder on signs about physical distancing.
- Find additional information below about how to modify layouts and maintain healthy environments.
- Masks
- Require that staff and attendees wear well-fitting masks that fit completely over their noses and mouths. Make a plan beforehand for how compliance will be monitored and ensured.
- Encourage attendees ahead of the event to bring and use masks at the event. Consider having masks on-hand to provide to staff and attendees who do not bring their own.
- Advise staff and attendees that masks should not be placed on babies or children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- The following categories of people are exempt from the requirement to wear a mask:
- A child under the age of 2 years.
- A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability.
- A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the workplace risk assessment external icon.
- Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
- Require staff and attendees to wash their hands frequently (for example, before, during, and after taking tickets, or after touching garbage) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and increase monitoring to ensure adherence.
- If soap and water are not readily available, staff and attendees can use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol and rub their hands until dry.
- Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. If possible, keep music levels down so people don’t have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.
- Adequate Supplies
- Ensure that you have adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene pdf icon[290 KB, 2 pages] Supplies include soap, water, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, a way to dry hands (e.g., paper towels, hand dryer), tissues, disinfectant wipes, masks (as feasible), and no-touch trash cans.
- Signs and Messages
- Post signs in highly visible locations (for example, at entrances, in restrooms) that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread pdf icon[ 468 KB, 1 page] of germs by properly wearing a mask, physical distancing, and washing hands.
- Broadcast regular announcements on reducing the spread of COVID-19 on public address systems.
- Include messages (for example, videos) about behaviors that prevent spread of COVID-19 when communicating with staff, vendors, and attendees (such as on the invitation, on the event website, and through event social media accounts).
- Consider developing signs and messages in multiple languages and formats (for example, large print, braille, American Sign Language) for people who have limited vision or are blind or people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Learn more about reaching people of diverse languages and cultures by visiting: Know Your Audience.
- Find freely available CDC print and digital resources about COVID-19 on CDC’s communications resources main page.
New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
The COVID-19 Information Hub is now online. The New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub provides New Jerseyans with the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the State's response, including information about services such as food assistance and small business assistance.
Visit the COVID-19 Information Hub.
Nurse: Mrs. Emery
Athletic Department--Contact Information:
The winter season is just getting underway. Basketball started November 29 and the scrimmages and games in December are below:
Boys Basketball Scrimmages
12/6 - Florence vs Collingswood at 3:45 p.m.
12/8 - Florence vs Lawrence at 3:45 p.m.
12/14 - Florence @ Moorestown at 3:45 p.m.
Boys Basketball Regular Season December Games
12/17 - Florence vs Delran at 5:15 p.m.
12/21 - Florence vs Point Pleasant Beach at 3:45 p.m.
12/22 - Florence @ Maple Shade at 3:45 p.m.
Girls Basketball Scrimmages
12/7 - Florence @ Lawrence at 4 p.m.
12/11 - Florence vs Cherry Hill East at 10 a.m.
12/15 - Florence @ Nottingham at 4 p.m.
Girls Basketball Regular Season December Games
12/17 - Florence vs New Egypt at 3:45 p.m.
12/20 - Florence @ Bordentown at 3:45 p.m.
12/22 - Florence vs Maple Shade at 3:45 p.m.
Fall Sports Final Records
Boys' Soccer:
· Boys' Soccer record (15-4).
· Won the Central Jersey Group 1 title.
· State Semi-Finalists .
· Division Champions.
· @FTSD_BoysSoccer.
Cheerleading:
· Finished the fall season by cheering at our Thanksgiving pep rally and our home game vs Riverside.
Girls' Soccer:
· Girls' Soccer record (7-13).
· Won their first-round state game vs Bound Brook.
· @FTSD_girlsSoccer.
Field Hockey:
· Field Hockey record (14-4).
· Won their first-round state game vs Wallkill Valley.
· Division Champions.
· @FTSDFieldHockey.
Volleyball:
· Volleyball record (14-9).
· Made it to the Group 1 Sectional Semi-Final vs Point Pleasant Beach.
· Division Champions.
· @FTSD_Volleyball.
Football:
· Football record (5-4).
· They continued their winning ways on Thanksgiving beating Riverside 49-0.
· @FTSD_football.
Freddy Flash:
If you are interested in being our school mascot, “Freddy Flash.” Please email the Athletic Director at kkaminskas@florence.k12.nj.us to express your interest. Thank you.
Contact Information:
Kyle Kaminskas, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal --Extension 4150
Carly Jones, AD Secretary (609)-499-4620, Extension 4149
Drew Andrews, Athletic Trainer--Extension 4154.
John Cogan, Principal--Extension 4202.
Maria E. Sadar, Vice Principal--Extension 4204.
Also, make sure to follow us for up-to-date Athletic information on our Facebook page @FlorenceAthletics and our Twitter Account @FTSD_athletics. Any indoor sporting event will be streamed on our Youtube page @ FTSD Athletics.
Visit the Florence Athletic Schedule Website for game dates, times, locations, and any changes due to weather.
GO FLASHES!
Florence Township Memorial High School
Website: www.florence.k12.nj.us
Location: 1050 Cedar Lane, Florence, NJ, 08016
Phone: (609) 499-4620
Twitter: @FTSD_HS