December 2021

Principal's Message

Gratitude for our Veterans and Alumni

The last nineteen plus months have been challenging for all of us. We are proud to share that our first all-school assembly took place on November 12 to commemorate Veterans Day. Our learning community gathered in our auditorium. Representatives from our History Club spoke about the history of Veterans Day, distinctions between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, how best to commemorate Veterans Day, and a poem was read. Ramsey VFW representatives Joe Barnes (RHS ‘59), and John Rigg (RHS ‘89) were present and recognized, and Joe provided a reflection.

RHS teacher Keith Lyle coordinates the HS morning announcements and uses this platform to celebrate our veterans and to remember our graduates who gave their life for our country. Keith spoke with Rick Perkins (RHS ‘64) over the summer and asked if he would provide a reflection on his classmate and basketball teammate Dick Oviatt (RHS ‘65) who was killed in Vietnam in 1968. Rick asked Jack May (RHS ‘66), Ronald Reid (RHS ‘65), and Dick’s younger brother Tom Oviatt (RHS ‘70) to provide reflections on their memories of Dick. We were able to share these collected memories with the students and staff of the RHS learning community.

We consistently remind our students that they stand on the shoulders of giants who have come before them. We continually strive to evolve the high school experience to better prepare our graduates to succeed in our rapidly changing world. In doing so, we place an emphasis on the importance of building relationships that help us to transfer all we have learned and the skills we have built to each new circumstance we face. We are grateful to our veterans and alumni for sharing a part of themselves with us.

As always, thank you for your support and GO RAMS!

Michael J. Thumm Ed.D. Ryan Esdale, Ed.D.

Principal Supervisor of Education Gr. 9-12 and Student Welfare

Gift An RHS Paver!

A paved walkway connecting the front door to the flagpole, and a permanent "Big Stage" area has been constructed in front of RHS. Over the course of four years, all students at RHS are encouraged and prepared to embrace performing on life's "Big Stage". This project is an ever-present reminder of that mindset. All current, former, and future students and staff of Ramsey High School are invited to purchase an engraved paver stone with your name or message to display your pride and love for RHS.

Funds raised through the Paver Project will be used by the PTSO to enhance the student experience through programs, facilities and/or materials. As a bonus, all RHS families, alumni and staff who purchase a paver may become a MEMBER of the RHS PTSO for the current school year (you must still fill out the membership form) at no additional charge. PTSO Membership (normally $20 per family and $10 for alumni & staff) supports programs throughout the year and provides scholarships to graduating seniors.

Click here to purchase a Paver!

Alumni

Click Here to Register as a Ram For Life Alum!

PTSO and "Ram For Life" Alumni Partnership

The Ramsey RHS PTSO is Partnering with RHS to build an active and dynamic Ram For Life Alumni Network. Our mission is to enhance the overall student experience by providing support for current Ramsey High School students and staff, to foster a collaborative community of learners, to celebrate and promote the collective experiences unique to the Ramsey High School community. Cultivate positive relationships between Ramsey High School students, alumni, and the community, and support alumni in social and professional networking.

This group will encourage participation in alumni sponsored programs and strengthen the connection between alumni and the Ramsey High School Community.

Professionals in Residence Program

We aim to develop a group of “Professionals in Residence” from our alumni, parents, and community members to support students in the Profile of a Graduate Project (Senior capstone). These Profile Projects will challenge our students to produce a project of personal interest that draws from all they have learned. Students will need expertise from people in specific fields to complete their project. Register as a Ram For Life to get involved!

Learn more about the RHS Alumni/PTSO Partnership at www.GoRamsTV.com

Welcome home RHS Class of 1981. It was great to tour with you and to hear your stories!

Wellness

“teen Mental Health First Aid provides young people with actionable steps to support themselves and each other in the face of challenges. It is needed now more than ever before as the pandemic continues to disrupt the social and academic landscape so many young people rely on,” said National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia.

"Mental Health First Aid" Grant Recipients

Dozens of schools and youth-serving organizations throughout New Jersey will provide free teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) training to the youth they serve through an innovative grant program established by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in partnership with Born This Way Foundation.

As part of this opportunity, Ramsey High School has been selected to join a professional learning community and receive technical assistance and implementation support from the National Council. Schools and organizations will increase their capacity to effectively respond to teen mental health needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in a culturally responsive and trauma-informed way. The program will also increase the mental health literacy of the educators and young people trained and give young people the opportunity to share their stories through a youth advisory council.

The training teaches teens in grades 10-12, or ages 15-18, how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges and crises among friends and peers. The training gives teens the skills to have supportive conversations with their friends and teaches them how to get help from a responsible and trusted adult.

These mental health trainings are made possible due to funding provided by the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) through the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), as the National Council announced in February. Through this initiative, approximately 6,300 young people will receive tMHFA training in the 2021-2022 school year. Participating sites will have the opportunity to train additional teens in the 2022-2023 school year.

For more information, visit: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/

Academics

Physics Olympics

Preparations have started for the Physics Olympics! Physics Olympics is a competition for NJ high schools in which students apply their knowledge of physics concepts to design creative solutions to problems. Students work together to design and build projects such as a bridge constructed entirely of pennies and a wind powered elevator made of straws. It is a great way to see physics in action!

S.T.E.P. Life Skills

The S.T.E.P. program had the opportunity today to support a local business while learning life skills like reading a menu, ordering lunch, calculating tip & paying the bill, being patient while the food is being made, & having convos. Thank you to Brady’s at the Station for hosting our students!

Fun with Light

Chem Students worked to explain why fireworks explode in colors. To investigate, we analyzed light emitted when metals are lit on fire. Then, we donned diffraction glasses to split visible light into specific colors.

Activities

Celebrating Veteran's Day

Thank you, Sarah Patunas and Sophia Romero for representing Ramsey High School at Ramsey’s Veterans Day Ceremony. Thank you to all veterans for your service.

Seeking Special Olympics Unified Partners

Special Olympics is beneficial for the WHOLE community. Are you interested in becoming a UNIFIED PARTNER? Stop by Ms. Diakos' classroom to find out how. #InclusionLivesHere

Go Rams TV Sports Desk

For weekly RHS Sports updates, check out the GoRamsTV Social Media Channels on TikTok and Instagram for a new SportsDesk feature.

Instagram: @gorams.sports

TikTok: @goramstv

Arts

Drama Club Presents "39 Steps"

The RHS Drama Club's production of "39 Steps" was a big success. Performances took place on November 18-20 and were very well attended! Congratulations to Joaquin, Maddie, Yamini, and the rest of the cast and crew of The 39 Steps!

Athletics

Signing Day in Ramland!

Congratulations to our Student-Athletes on committing to play their respective sports at the next level!

Baeira Named "Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week"

Congratulations to Coach Baeira, who has been selected by The New York Giants and Gatorade as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for Week 9 of the 2021 Season. The Ramsey Rams finished the 2021 regular season with a perfect 9-0 record. It was the school's first undefeated regular season since 1982. The Rams went 6-1 in Coach Baeira's first season as head coach at Ramsey in 2020, winning the Super Football Conference American Red Division.

Congrats RHS Alum, Kassidy Shetler, and the Rutgers Field Hockey team as they defeated Michigan to win the Big Ten Championship. FH became the first RU program ever to win a Big Ten Tournament.

Boys Soccer Sectional Champs!

A picture says a 1000 words! Here are your 2x North I Group II Sectional Final CHAMPS!! Congratulations to our Boys Soccer Team!

Congratulations to Graham Badenhausen on finishing out his senior XC season strong - with a Holmdel PR and a 29th place finish! We are so proud of the way he represented and led the team.

Congrats to Helene Tyburczy on her accomplishment of being the co-player of the year in the Patriot Division of the Big North.

Events

The 2021-2022 Theme for Relay for Life is "Blue Zone Ahead." Please visit our RFL Website to join a team or to donate!

Parents of Student-Athletes, join us on Wednesday, Dec. 1 for a presentation by Dr. Jarrod Spencer, Sports Psychologist.