STEAM Academy Newsletter
December 2023
A Message from Mrs. Tara Buckley
Although November was a short month for school days, it definitely did not go without an abundance of trips, speakers, and engaging, hands-on science activities. STEAM Academy students successfully finished the first marking period and began the second marking period in overdrive with great enthusiasm!
We have been very busy this month doing a traveling roadshow to recruit new students at Intermediate East, Intermediate North and Intermediate South. There was a great turnout for the STEAM Academy Evening Information Session that was held on November 30 for students and their families to come learn about the academy and admissions for the upcoming year. We are looking forward to welcoming the Class of 2028 in the coming months!
Other exciting STEAM Academy news.... we are thrilled to offer the new Digital Media and Broadcast Journalism strand that will provide students another opportunity in addition to the Biomedical, Engineering and Environmental & Marine Science strands. In this new strand, students will have opportunities to work in the TV studio and on location to develop podcasts, commercials, PSAs and more!
Thank you to all of the families for your continued support of your children and of this wonderful program! I look forward to a fabulous second marking period!
Wishing you and your families a happy and healthy upcoming holiday season!
Tara L. Buckley
STEAM Academy Facilitator
STEAM Academy Students in Action
Marine Science II - Echinoderm Study
Students in Mr. Hoffman's Marine Science II studied echinoderms. Students dissected starfish and sea urchins to further explore their structure and anatomy.
Marine Science I & II: Cattus Island Park Trip
Mr. Hoffman's Marine Science I & II students visited Cattus Island County Park and the weather was great for water testing and hiking in our local ecosystem.
Marine Science I & II - Shelter Cove Biomass Studies
Marine Science 1 and 2 students visited Shelter Cove and completed marsh biomass studies and Winkler (dissolved oxygen) titrations.
AP Biology - "Pop Beadase" Enzyme Simulation
In Mrs. Fazzini's AP Biology classes, students used pop beads to simulate enzyme activity in our cells. In this activity students were able to compare normal enzymatic function to functions that are affected due varying factors such as, the presence of cofactors and different types of inhibitor. The students predicted then observed how these factors affect reaction rate.
AP Chemistry - Serial Dilutions
Students in Mrs. McLaughlin's AP Chemistry classes prepared multiple solutions of various concentrations via serial dilutions. Students were responsible for calculating the exact quantities of chemicals and selecting proper equipment, in addition to writing and carrying out their (instructor approved) procedure. All solutions will be used in a future experiment where a spectrophotometer is utilized to investigate how light interacts with the components of the solution (calorimetry).
AP Physics - Newton's Law and Atwood Machines
AP Physics I students used Newton's Second Law to derive an equation for the acceleration of a system. They used an Atwood Machine set up to collect data and complete calculations in Mrs. Ellerson's class.
Authentic Science Research - Growing Beyond Earth: Harvesting Herbs Day
Jameson Morris is studying the growth of plants for space stations as part of his research in Dr. Kretz's ASR class.
College and Career Lecture Series
On November 2, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Chief of Detectives, Anthony Carrington delivered a dynamic presentation on criminal law and prosecution. Thank you Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Carrington!
Upcoming December Career Presentations:
December 8: FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Career Panel - Careers in Engineering, Chemistry, Meteorology and Computer Science
December 15: Dr. James Vasslides - Careers in Ecology and Marine Science
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
December College Visits
If interested, students must sign up in the Guidance Office.
- December 11 @ 8:30am: Air & Space Force ROTC
- December 12 @ 11:15am: Salon Professional
2024-25 STEAM Academy Admissions
The 2024-25 STEAM Academy application is available online and can be accessed through the district website.
The 2024-25 STEAM Academy application deadline is DECEMBER 21, 2023.
The entrance exams is on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 4:00pm at High School East.
Students will be notified of their acceptance during the week of February 19, 2024.
Please click the link below for more information on recruitment and admissions for the Class of 2028.
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. November's workshop focused on "Academic Integrity"!
Click the link below for a full schedule of workshops.
FASFA Information (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops are offered on the following dates:
December 5, 2023 - 6pm
December 14, 2023 - 6pm
Spanish workshop dates:
- December 6, 2023 - 6pm
- December 15, 2023 - 6pm
Meeting ID: 161 9147 2863
Passcode: 094881
Please see your child's guidance counselor for more information.
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
Upcoming Important Dates
DECEMBER:
- 12/2: SAT
- 12/6: SAT/ACT Overview Workshop - 6:30pm @ HSS Student Center
- 12/18: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches - "Effective Communication" (Lecture Hall)
- 12/21: STEAM Academy application deadline for the 2024-25 school year
- 12/22: Early dismissal
- 12/23: Winter Break begins
JANUARY:
- 1/2: Students return to school
- 1/15: Schools Closed - MLK Jr. Day
- 1/16: STEAM Entrance Exam for Class of 2028 applicants at HSE 4pm
- 1/17: STEAM Student Monthly Workshop during lunches - "Volunteering and Community Service" (Lecture Hall)
FEBRUARY:
- 2/10: Lunar New Year
- 2/14: Valentine's Day
- 2/16: Schools Closed - Staff Professional Development Day
- 2/19: Schools Closed - President's Day