May 13, 2022

Around the Building

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Learning Commons celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month throughout the month of May and beyond. Pictured above is this month's window display featuring newer fiction by AAPI authors. These books and more are available for checkout in print or in our ebook collections, MackinVia and Sora.

RHS Visits Central Europe

59 Students and 7 chaperones traveled to Berlin, Prague, and Krakow in April. The trip focused on Central European history and culture. At the end of the trip, students shopped at local grocery stores and donated food to the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Krakow.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The month of May is dedicated to bringing visibility, awareness, resources, and education to the public about the importance of supporting, discussing, improving, and maintaining our mental health. To promote unity and visibility for this cause, the RPS community is invited to wear green on Thursday, May 19th for the 2nd Annual Mental Health Green-Out & Mental Health Action Day!

To learn more about mental health literacy and getting back to the basics of our wellness, please visit the websites below.

Remember, MENTAL HEALTH IS HEALTH!

RPS School-Based Mental Health Website:

sbmh.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/

Mental Health America:

www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

Registration for RAX Program Now Open

The RHS Alumni Externship or RAX program is an opportunity for current RHS juniors and seniors to meet, receive mentorship from, and network with RHS alumni from a variety of career backgrounds. Sessions will be virtual and take place between May 22 and June 15, 2022. RAX session hosts will share a day in the life of their jobs, discuss how they navigated from high school and college to their careers, and allow time for interactive Q&A. RAX sessions are open to all RHS juniors and seniors. Students may attend up to three sessions. For more information and to sign-up please see the RAX Website.

Mr. Van Hise Named Math Teacher of the Month

Based on student input and recommendations, the Math Teacher of the Month (MTOM) Committee has selected Brian Van Hise for this month’s Math Teacher of the Month. After last month’s announcement, Mr. Van Hise has received a student nomination that reports Mr. Van Hise “is a master of his craft” and “makes his lessons interactive and interesting.” His recommendation also stated that when students ask questions, Mr. Van Hise returns with “comprehensive and personalized answers.”

In honor of his achievement, The MTOM Committee donated a flock of chicks through the Heifer Foundation. These chicks will be delivered to a family with all necessary training to supply them with a stable and nutritional food source. Chickens require little space and can thrive on readily available scraps; this allows families to make money from the birds without spending much.

If you are interested in nominating a math teacher for Math Teacher of the Month, please contact Mr. McDonald at gmcdonald@ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

A Flock of Chickens Changes Lives!

In the Classroom

Forensic Science

In Forensic Science class, students used trigonometry and "stringing technique" to analyze the trajectory of "bullets" and location of shooter in a mock crime scene. Pictured above are Rob Tylenda, Sean Hughes, Tommy Gammer, Bennett Mason, Brandon Henni, Say Ghinea, Grace Gin, Luke Brewer, Declan Byrne, and Victor Krivor.

Career Pathways in Medicine (CRM)

Students in CRM learned the techniques of surgery and suturing incisions.

Club Happenings

Sharing the Arts Club

Now in their spring session, Sharing the Arts Club enjoyed a beautiful day out on the front lawn. There were many smiles and laughs while singing and dancing to songs from the Descendants.

Project Interact Check Presentations

Project Interact 21-22 donated $200 to Ridgecrest for Toiletry Tuesday. Project Interact also collected $6300 hundred dollars for Ukraine relief.

Concert to Benefit T.E.E.E.M.

TEEEM is a non-profit organization that works with local high schools to teach students about empathy, leadership, and humanitarianism. They pair high schools with different global non-profits, where they work with executive directors and CEOs to come up with ways to address the needs and combat the issues of their communities.

The Ridgewood Guild is hosting a Benefit Concert for TEEEM at Van Neste Square in Downtown Ridgewood on Sunday, May 15 @ 12:30-7:00. Join us for live music, food trucks, face painting, raffles, and more! Space is limited so pre-register today! Featuring headliner ALMOST QUEEN, Wé McDonald, Carrington, Zane Sklar, Jason Recht Trio, and Miles Hardamon.

RHS Alum Nominated for Tony!

Jen Schriever, RHS and New Players Alum, Class of 1998, has been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lighting Design in a Musical! She's the designer of A Strange Loop..