NEW CHIEF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR

Dr. Frances C. Stromsland Appointed

Superintendent of Watchung Hills Regional High School

At the February 28, 2006 Board of Education Meeting, the Board formally appointed Dr. Frances C. Stromsland to the position of Superintendent of Schools effective March 16, 2006. 

Since 2001, Dr. Stromsland served Watchung Hills Regional High School as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Director of Special Services.  In May 2005, she was appointed as the Interim Superintendent and continued for the past nine months in the dual role of the Assistant Superintendent and Director of Special Services while leading the district forward as the Interim Superintendent.  Dr. Stromsland has a Doctorate in Education from the Executive Doctoral Program in Leadership and Administration at Seton Hall.  Her post doctoral studies at Harvard Institute for School Leadership were focused on School Change Using Data to Achieve Strategic Improvements. She received her Master of Arts and Education from Rutgers University with an emphasis on Foundations of Educational Psychology.  Dr. Stromsland has also studied at The College of New Jersey, Montclair State University and Kean University. She is a Member of International Honor Society for Educational Achievements and an experienced classroom teacher and university professor.  Presently, Dr. Stromsland is teaching a course in guided research at Seton Hall University.

Dr. Stromsland is a results driven educational leader with experience in all areas of public school management including personnel management/staff evaluation, long range and strategic planning, community and board of education relations and outreach.

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Amraj Lalli Year of Induction 2006 Project Mousetrap Powered Vehicle Amraj exemplified superior ingenuity and creativity in his design.  Amraj’s car placed first (out of 40 students) in 3 of the 4 events (accuracy, distance, weight, and speed).

Science League Results          ------------------- "In my fives years of involvement in the New Jersey Science League, I have never been part of such an outstanding performance by all teams.  All coaches are to be commended for truly doing a great job".                Mike Gangluff                                                            ------------------------ On February 9th, the second of  four science league events for 2006 was held.  After a solid start in January, Watchung Hills really turned it on for the second event. Our six teams took 5 first place and 1 second place finishes. In my fives years of involvement in the New Jersey Science League, I have never been part of such an outstanding performance by all teams. All coaches are to be commended for truly doing a great job. The results: Bio I  -  1st Place Team score, 1st and 2nd place individual scores by freshmans Rachel Chen and Karen Tsung respectively. Bio II  -  2nd Place Team score, 1st place individual score by junior Lalit Gurnani. Chem I - 1st Place Team score, 1st place individual score by sophmore Eric Liu (who scored a 100%). Chem II - 1st Place Team score, 1st and 2nd place individual scores by sophmore Lisa Ma and junior Hashim Chaudry respectively. Physics I - 1st Place Team score, a tie for 1st place individual scores by sophmores Lauren Kahn and Andrew Kim. Physics II C - 1st Place Team score, 2nd place individual score by senior Eric Gunther. Great Job to All!!!  Next match is at home on Thursday March 9th.

Central Jersey Music Honors go to 21 at Watchung Twenty-one   students in Watchung Hills Regional High School’s music program have been named    to honors music groups which enlist the most  talented instrumentalists and vocalists in the region. In all, fifteen vocalists and six  instrumentalists were named to Central Jersey Regional music honors performing groups. Successfully  competing with some of the region’s best secondary school    vocalists were: Carianne Bennett  of Millington, Long Hill; Lauren Kahn, Andrew Tennant of Gillette, Long Hill; Emily Affrime, Neiloy Mukerjee, Tony Liu,  all of Warren; Susan Yang,  Green Brook; Michael Di Iorio of Watchung. They were named to the Central Jersey Chorus /Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass,  a mixed chorus (male and female singers). They  performed  in concert on Sunday, January 29, at 1:30 p.m. at the Monroe Township High School. Named  to the  SSAA Women’s Chorus (composed of soprano and alto voices), were: Elizabeth Flynn, Jamie Flynn, Sarah Gillis, Thais Wolfe, Esha Rakhit, all of Warren, Emily Clowes of Gillette, Long Hill and  Stephanie Chang of Green Brook. They will take part in the SSAA Choral Concert, to be held on Saturday, February 11 at 4 p.m.  at the Hopewell Valley Central High School. Named to the Central  Jersey Orchestra were: violinist  Elaine Ho,  and violists Alex Ho and Gabbie Sutjiawan, all of Green Brook;  Karen Tsung,  and Catherine Ha, both of Warren.  (Hills’ instrumental director, David Udell, said that Watchung Hills had the greatest number of student violists in the Central Jersey Region.)  They  performed in concert on January 29, along with the Central Jersey  Chorus. Freshman Andrew Funcheon, timpanist, was named to a very select group (the wind ensemble) that appeared in concert at The College of New Jersey on January 15. Funcheon ranked first in the percussion section. Both choral and instrumental honors groups attract hundreds of competitors each year. Those who capture  spots in the performing  groups will have gone through a demanding screening process before an impartial judging body of music educators. (Competition for a spot in the Wind Ensemble, in fact, was called “cut throat” by a member of the judging staff.) After   being appointed,  the  youth will put in 20 to 30 hours  of rehearsal time preparing for these public appearances.  Some of those chosen will go forward  to compete in the rigorous All State auditions, whose members will be invited to perform on other occasions, such as the annual fall New Jersey Education Association Conference in Atlantic City, and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Jim Kanach is Hills' Teacher of the Year      Oscars, Emmys,  Grammys, Teacher of the Year: They all seek to acknowledge  excellence in performance;  they all call upon public input—and they all take place, more or less, during the same season  of the year. New Jersey’s annual Teacher Recognition Program, though not as widely publicized, nor as “glitzy” as its show biz counterparts, nonetheless has more permanent and far-reaching significance; it honors educators whose effectiveness and whose personal contributions to students’ growth and development are noteworthy. On February 6, Jim Kanach, English teacher at Watchung Hills Regional High School,   was notified that he had been selected by a committee representing  staff, students, administrators and parents for the honor, “Teacher of the Year,2005-2006.” Kanach, now in his 26th year   at the school, came to Watchung Hills after completing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English at Seton Hall University. A  Certified Reading Specialist as well, he has taught all levels of sophomore English, from special needs to honors, as well as  such  other courses as Fundamental English for Seniors and Science Fiction and  Fantasy. He  also  taught several history courses in his early years at Hills. Always a “fair athlete himself,” Kanach has also been a coach, one, in fact, who received recognition in 2002 from  the Skyland Conference of the New Jersey St ate Interscholastic Athletic Association  for his all-round contributions to sports coaching. At this point, Kanach has coached sixty  seasons at both junior varsity and varsity levels, including boys and girls soccer, girls softball, girls tennis, girls basketball, boys and  girls bowling, and has been involved in 1,000 competitive games. This spring he will coach golf. The same philosophy which pervades his classroom is also apparent in his coaching style. Students know he expects them to “give 100%,” and not to stew over “shoulda/coulda” situations—a philosophy he inherited from his mother. His compassionate, even-keeled ways, his ability to “walk in someone else’s shoes,” the feeling he conveys that he cares about his students, might seem incompatible with what is generally labeled “good discipline,” but, says Kanach, “you can have discipline with compassion. Just a look can convey that.” Calling himself an “old-time teacher” in most  respects, Kanach says he is nevertheless becoming a “geek”—managing to stay current with the modern technology so dear  to students. He has developed a web page from which students can unload information and assignments, and podcasts, through which they  share their  creative writings  and art work.  In fact, “keeping up with computers,” a hobby the Hillsborough resident shares with his wife, will be on his summer priority list— along with polishing his golf skills, entertaining family and   friends, and adopting a new dog. Kanach is also vice president of the Watchung Hills Regional Education Association, and he has, for many years, organized the group’s annual spring golf outing. Principal Tom Di Ganci expressed the consensus of the selection committee when he said: “Mr. Kanach has been an outstanding English teacher, educator and coach at Watchung Hills for the past 25 years. He is loved and respected by our students, staff and  parents for his commitment to our students, his outstanding sense of humor and concern for the entire learning community. His ever-present smile, good nature and outstanding instruction have been an asset to our district during his tenure, and no doubt will  continue to serve it well in the future.” Kanach was presented with a plant when he was informed of his  selection; the Board of Education has also set aside the sum of $1,000, to be used to enrich or equip his students’ study of English in the classroom. Along with similarly-designated teachers, he will also be invited to attend the annual Governor’s Recognition Day, which honors the state’s “Teachers of the Year”, some time in the spring.                 Jim Kanach, named Watchung Hills Regional High School’s Teacher of the Year, receives   news of the honor as well as  congratulations from: ( left), Principal Tom Di Ganci, Board of Education Vice-President Michelle Hundt, Vice-Principal Beverly DiGeronimo, Board of Education President Barbara Vitarius, and Interim Superintendent Frances Stromsland, right end   (shown presenting Kanach with a plant). Kanach was selected   from among the nominees suggested by students, staff and community.

 

Watchung Hills students’ Mardi Gras combines fun with funds By Eleanor Mathews The idea of a “Mardi Gras” carnival is an old one, going back to the Middle Ages, an occasion for merry-making on the last day before the solemn season of Lent begins. As celebrated annually in New Orleans, the mardi gras is known for its jubilation, flamboyant celebration, theatricality. But what would February 28,   (Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins) be like in 2006,  given the massive destruction wrought last fall    by Katrina?    (As it turns  out, a scaled-down version of the event did take place at the appointed  time in that city  that is still struggling to  make a come-back.) Pondering  the devastation of the city and its thousands made homeless, concerned students at Watchung Hills Regional High School dreamed up a plan  that would convey the celebratory  atmosphere  of   the    carnival while raising funds  for those whose lives have been so dramatically shattered. Their own version of  mardi gras was the results of their efforts. Spurred by the Nike Club, the school’s longest-running service organization, clubs in the school planned the February 28 event to both reflect the     traditional, fun-loving spirit of the occasion and to reach out to the victims of Katrina. The largest  gym, 7-8, in the South Building, was decorated with streamers and balloons in the traditional mardi gras  colors; booths, displays and demonstrations    filled  the area visited by a constant stream of students and staff, estimated at more than 1500. Tickets on sale at the  gym entrance could be traded for popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, Po’Boy sandwiches, cookies, sno –cones,fruit drinks,     or for fun activities such as face-painting, washable tattoos, balloon animals, karaoke, fortune-telling. Blood pressure readings were free. The Red Cross   Club ran a “Faculty Find,” challenging  students to identify staff members from their baby photos. Other   groups (including   the Spanish Club, French Club, Drill-Dance Team, Free the Children, Action Against Hunger, Folio, Students for Animals, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Junior Statesmen) ran booths.And, in a more    serious vein, there was  information about the Food Bank and power point presentations by Dorothee Battiato’s, students showing Katrina’s destruction and the  rebuilding effort. Language teacher Colleen Roan, who is the Nike Club advisor and coordinator of the effort, was pleased with the  mardi gras’outcome. She estimated that 80% of the student body had attended the event, not only to briefly enjoy the exuberance of the experience,    but also to contribute to a most worthy cause.(Although  $2780 was collected at the door, expenses have not yet been subtracted; even so, it’s a healthy showing.) Roan also expressed appreciation to generous donors: to the school’s cafeteria managers, Aramark for the Po’boy sandwiches and decorations; to the Cold Stone Creamery of Warren for ice cream samples; to Ms. Sandy Savage for  prizes; to the Governale family for the use of the Dance/Dance Resolution game equipment; to Grand Rental Station of Bridgewater  for supplying various pieces of  rental  equipment; and for all the students   who took turns monitoring the booths. (Quick learners, they soon caught on to running the gadgetry that turned out sno-cones, pop corn, cotton candy, hot dogs,etc.) In behalf of the Nike Club, Roan also expressed appreciation for the administration’s go-ahead to hold the event; to the phys ed teachers who held classes  elsewhere while   gym space was being used; to the World Language teachers who allowed their students to participate in this cross-cultural event during   their class period. And, somewhere along the line, and many miles away, unknown others will also appreciate the fun and funding  that were the result of  the students’ mardi gras.  Photos by Eleanor Mathews   Balloon Animals:  Kamilla Kogan (left), Warren & Vicky Tong (Watchung) "Students for Animals". Karaoke:  Rachel Chen (Warren), "Action Against Hunger" member, acts as D.J.   Sno-Cone:  Amanda Force (Gillette), representing "Junior Statesmen," practices a new-found craft. Hot Dogs: Spanish Club members man the grill: from left, Leah Bezozo, Arielle Gerstenberg, Andrew Malzberg, Deepa Sathaye, all of Warren.   Face Painting:  Jerusha Knights of Watchung is the artist in the Drill/Dance Team's effort:   Melissa Desnoyers of Watchung waits her turn. Cotton Candy: Jeff Linn, Warren, has mastered the art of spinning cotton candy.  He represents "Free the Children."

 

Winter Track & Field Athletes to Compete at Nationals         Fourteen Watchung Hills track and field athletes will compete March 10th at the prestigious National Scholastic Indoor Track & Field Meet at the New York City 168th St. Armory.  Athletes who will be competing from across the United States, had to meet challenging qualifying standards for acceptance.  Last year Watchung Hills brought two relay teams and two individuals to compete.  This year the warriors have five individuals and four relays teams entered in the competition.  The team is coached by Mary Sok, Rebecca Zeek and Mike Staub. Senior, Brian Monetti will compete in the individual 60m Hurdles.  He is the current County and Conference champion, he placed 6th in the State Group Meet and 5th in the State Meet of Champions. Brian currently holds the school record of 7.46 in the 55m Hurdles.  Junior, Pete Gallo will also compete in the 60m hurdles, he has run a personal best of 7.7 in the 55 hurdles.  Juniors, Ryan Olexson and Nina Horowitz will compete in the Girls High Jump.  Ryan is the Conference Champion, Nina the County Champion.  Both girls competed in the State Meet of Champions Ryan placed 6th and Nina 12th.  Krystina Laucik is our star senior shot putter.  She threw a personal best of 37’4 to place 2nd in the Conference Meet.  Krystina has competed in the State Meet of Champions for the last two years.   Watchung Hills has the boys and girls shuttle hurdle relay teams competing once again. The girl’s shuttle hurdle team of Nina Horowitz, Carleigh Moore, Ryan Olexson and Lea Umansky hope to break the school record.  The boy’s team consists of Brian Monetti, Pete Gallo, Rudy Plesmid and Andrew Tennant are looking to run their best time of the season. The girls sprint medley team includes stand out sprinter Monica Rodriguez, school record holder in the 55m, 200m and 300m, sophomore Emily Shulan, junior pole vaulter and sprinter Sarah O’Meara and school record holder in the 600m and 800m Adele Banks.  The girls currently have the fastest time in the area of 4:17.  Rodriguez, Banks, and O’Meara will team with senior sprinting ace Caitlin Lashley to improve their school record time in the mile relay.                                                                                       Good Luck !