March 24, 2023
Around the Building
Read Across America
On Wednesday, March 22nd, the National Honor Society, with the help of faculty advisor Mrs. Demirjian, hosted a Read Across America event at Ridgewood High School. This school wide, interdisciplinary initiative brought students and teachers together in the Campus Center to spend time reading. Participants had the option of bringing their own books or browsing a selection of books organized by our Library Media Specialist, Mrs. Moss-Keller, and English teacher, Mrs. John. We thank them for their involvement in making this event a success! We also thank our school administrators for their support! It was so incredible to celebrate reading with our students and staff. We look forward to continuing this annual tradition at RHS!
World Down Syndrome Day
In recognition of World Down Syndrome Day, RHS 2001 Alum and Disability advocate, Diana Stolfo, presented her life story in an assembly program in the Little Theater. Due to Diana's many speaking engagements, the presentation was held on Wednesday, March 22 instead of March 21, the actual World Down Syndrome Day. After Diana presented to the RHS students, she was interviewed by Celinda Ortega Miss Dominican Republic USA (formerly Miss New Jersey USA 2021) to raise awareness and spread inclusion not only for Down Syndrome Day but also National Disability Awareness Month. Thank you to the Special Needs Siblings & Friends Club and Nancy Reilly for helping coordinate this special day.
*The 21st day of March was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome which causes Down Syndrome. Every year on March 21st, World Down Syndrome Day is observed to create awareness about Down Syndrome. March is also National Disability Awareness Month.
College Night at RHS
The Guidance Department hosted the first College Night at RHS since 2019 on Thursday evening in Gym 1. Over 65 colleges visited with hundreds of RHS students and parents!
In the Classroom
Pictured above left to right: Nicholas Bradbury, Ella Sand, and Charlotte Sand.
From Iceland to Physics Classroom
As a complement to the study of electromagnetism, Labowsky's Physics CP students researched renewable energy sources, as alternatives to fossil fuels, through the lens of climate change. They reflected on the Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s message, engaged in an energy debate, and then developed a business solution plan to convince sharks (the rest of the class) to invest millions of dollars in their energy plan. Charlotte Sand and Ella Sand created a paper mâché model of a geothermal power plant with volcano, generator, turbine, and water recycle schematics to pitch sustainable a geothermal energy plan that is used in Iceland. With teammate Nicholas Bradbury, they made a lively and enlightening PowerPoint presentation followed by a volcano eruption to impress the Sharks!
Traffic Stops/Driving Under the Influence
S.R.O Detective Mormino visited driver education classes this week to go through a mock traffic stop in order to educate students on how to behave & react if they are stopped by police. He emphasized the need for drivers to be cooperative & calm which assists in the process of keeping all parties safe during the stop. He also discussed and demonstrated some Standard Field Sobriety Tests which are administered if an officer has probable cause that a driver is driving while under the influence. (Pictured left: Matthew Wall participates in a traffic stop exercise).
Student Achievement
Congratulations Charlotte!
Charlotte Luster submitted one of her paintings to Scholastic's National Art & Writing competition. Her painting, entitled "YiaYia's House," received the regional Gold Key award. Charlotte's painting, along with the paintings of all the winners of this prestigious award, was on exhibit for several weeks at Gallery Aferro in Newark. A reception honoring all of the winners was held at the gallery on March 4.
Maroon & White
Recital & Exhibit
Recital & Exhibit
On Thursday, March 23rd the Visual & Performing Arts Department held its fourth Maroon & White Recital and Art Exhibit in its 60th anniversary season. The large audience enjoyed exceptional musical performances by (pictured above, left to right) Ryan Cho, Markus Ryen, Ben Harris, Claire Symonds, Avery Welcome, and Gina Vaynshteyn. Following the performance, renowned concert pianist Susan Wang (RHS Class of '01) treated the audience to a short selection. Everyone gathered in the Art Gallery afterward for the art exhibition and refreshments. Pictured above is a sampling of the works by: Emily Monestel Calderon, Sarah Jeong, Charlotte Luster, Leah Pasternak, Lauren Stuart, and Anastasia Toporova.
RPS Celebrates Youth Art Month (YAM)
GW Art Teacher, Jen Manke, with student, Parker Langheim
On Wednesday, March 22nd RPS held its annual YAM show at the Ed Center. This is a wonderful K-12 event that showcases the Arts program and allows students to proudly display their work and also visually conceive next levels of art education that await them. Seeing the joy in students faces as they showcase their art and introduce their teachers and parents was truly special.
Club Happenings
Project Interact
Project Interact collected $1,500 with shaker can donations during lunch and dollar at the door collection. The money will be donated to the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate. Biology teacher Ms. Darakjy is part of the Syriac Orthodox community and brought this charity to our attention. She even matched the club's donation for the cause!
Winter Varsity Track
Three RHS Winter Track varsity team members won medals at the NJ State Meet of Champions on March 5th:
Matthew Aono pole vault 2nd place
Luke Pash 3200m 7th place
Girls 4x400m 8th place
2023 Row-A-Thon Flyer.docx.pdfAnnouncements
Celebration of the Arts Mathematics Connection (1) (1).pdfIf you like math and art, consider participating in the Celebration of the Arts Math Contest. Submissions are due May 5th. See flyer above for details!
travell csa sign up info (1).pdf
Feed your family and support the Class of 2024! Order from Ridgewood family owned Chestnut Deli - a BAKE at home kit to include a house salad, semolina bread, chicken parmesan and 3 cheese pasta for a family of 4-5 people by March 27th for March 29th pick up. The entire meal is only $45 and the Woods family will generously donate $10 FROM EACH KIT to the class of 2024. Order with this link and enjoy not worrying about dinner! https://www.chestnutdelicatering.com/s/order/109?location=11ea8c9c8899ac68bd870cc47a2b63e4
LEAP Chef Training (3) (3).pdf
NHS TUTORING POSTER.pdfUpcoming Meetings & Events
March 28th: RHS Band Spring Concert, West Side Presbyterian, 7:30-10:00pm
March 29th: Financial Aid Night, 7-8:30 pm
March 31st: Last day of 3rd marking period
April 3rd - April 7th: Schools Closed, Spring Recess