November 19, 2021

Around the Building

Learning Commons Expands Leadership Resources

Each year, RHS is the beneficiary of funds from the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance, a community organization that works to reduce the impact of underage alcohol and drug use. The Municipal Alliance continually assesses the impact of alcohol and drug use in the community and oversees the distribution of grant funds from the Governor's Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (GCADA). During 2020-2021, the Alliance helped support student leadership training at RHS. Jim Stroker, motivational speaker and former RHS teacher and coach, worked with groups of student leaders on various leadership skills. The resources pictured here were recommended by
Mr. Stroker and RHS faculty advisors. Thanks to the financial support of the Alliance, the titles were added to the Learning Commons’ collection.

Author Malaka Gharib Visits RHS

On Monday, November 1st, RHS students from a variety of classes and grades participated in a live zine workshop presented by award-winning novelist and NPR journalist, Malaka Gharib. Ms. Gharib is the author of the graphic memoir, I Was Their American Dream, which details her experience growing up as a first generation Filipino Egyptian American and was one of the titles available for students to read during the recent school-wide book group initiative, “Tell Me Your Story.” Ms. Gharib guided students through the zine-making process, providing prompts designed to promote reflection and ignite self-expression on the theme “My Family History.” Despite being virtual, the workshop was highly interactive; students were encouraged to share their zines with the author and with each other.

November HSA Meeting

Ms. Kirtane presents school updates on behalf of the RHS Faculty.

In the Classroom

Interdisciplinary Project: English 9 and US-2

Mrs. Pollitt and Mrs. John’s English 9 class researched how elements of someone’s identity (e.g., their gender, race/ethnicity, age, disability, and/or socio-economic status) can complicate their quest for the American Dream. The freshmen shared their research with juniors studying the Progressive Era in Ms. Chamesian and Mr. Escobar’s US-2 class. They will reconvene as the juniors pitch proposals for modern-day reform.

APES Examines the Properties of Soil

Mr. Luo's AP Environmental Science class spent some time examining the properties of soil. Students separated the clay, silt, and sand within a soil sample to classify the type of soil present in Ridgewood. Then, they determined whether this soil was appropriate for growing certain crops and plants. Above, Courtney McKenna, Eleni Wain, and Annabelle Brodeur show off their soil sample column.

Students Using Geometry

Mr. Wohner's Engineering class took advantage of the nice weather and went outside to estimate the height of trees using an inclinometer they built and incorporated basic geometry.

Do you know how to wash your hands effectively?

CPM I students are studying how to break the chain of infection by learning how to wash hands effectively. Breaking the chain of infection using handwashing includes: frequency (how often), duration (20 or more seconds) and technique (remembering those most overlooked areas of the hands!).

Advanced Math Application

Students in Mrs. Anderson, Ms. Minichini, and Mrs. Ingoglia's Advanced Math Applications classes worked on a hands-on activity to visually represent what 1 radian looks like.

Club Happenings

November Maroon & White Recitalists pictured left to right are: Jiah Lee, violin, Rowan Mastrangelo, baritone, Sanjna Rajagopalan, soprano,
Karen Matsuura, piano, Sunny Rhew, clarinet, Markus Ryen, trumpet.

RHS Maroon and White Music Recital & Art Exhibit Series Returns for 59th Season

On Thursday, November 11, more than 100 people attended the opening concert and exhibition for the 59th season of the Maroon & White Music Recital and Art Exhibit Series. The concert was held in the RHS Learning Commons and was followed by a gallery opening in the Carroll Art Gallery.

The musicians chosen for the honor of opening this year’s recital series were
Markus Ryen, trumpet, Karen Matsuura, piano, Rowan Mastrangelo, baritone,
Sanjna Rajagopalan, soprano, Seung Hee (Sunny) Rhew, clarinet, and Jiah Lee, violin. Musical selections included works by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Paganini, Prokofiev, Rabaud, and Vaughn Williams. The art exhibit, which will be on display in the Carroll Gallery through December, includes original works by Ashlee Fong, Sarah Jeong,
Audrey Jerkovich, Brigitte Walla and LuLu Xu.

The next Maroon & White Recital & Exhibit will take place on January 13, beginning
at 3:45 P.M. in the RHS Learning Commons.

RHS Marching Band Places 2nd at Nationals

The RHS Marching Band had a great end to their competitive season on Saturday, performing at MetLife Stadium for the US Bands National Championship competition. The band placed second at Nationals with a score of 94.6 and was the top scoring band from New Jersey in their competition class. The band won multiple awards this season, including Best in Show, Best Music, Best Visual Performance, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard and Best Percussion. Congratulations to the Marching Band on a great 2021 season!

RHS Green Club Earns Bronze Certification for Sustainable Schools

The RHS Green Club celebrated with the ceremonial plaque recognizing RHS's actions under the state's Sustainable Schools program. The club then went back to the garden and harvested the remaining crops (bok choy, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, radishes) before the winter cold. Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for public schools in New Jersey that works to support schools as they pursue sustainability programs. RHS Faculty have worked to incorporate environmental themes in different classes, and the RHS Green Club has worked to promote and carry out projects to help RHS become a more environmentally-friendly community. Join the club's classroom page to stay updated and get involved in these actions!

Check out RHS Green Club's certification-acceptance video here!

National French Week 2021

Eiffel Tower replicas from FNHS + French Club

The French National Honor Society helped bring France out of the classroom during National French Week (Nov. 8-12). Daily trivia facts and French music helped set the tone for the week. On Friday (11/12), the FNHS and French Club partnered to learn about the science and engineering behind the Eiffel Tower and then make their own models out of dry spaghetti and marshmallows. On s'est bien amusé! (We really had fun!)

Student News

RAF Scholarship

Freshman Celina Kim was one of three individuals/arts organizations to be awarded a scholarship from the Ridgewood Arts Foundation last week. Celina designs and builds doll clothes, an art she has cultivated since she was in elementary school. The Ridgewood Arts Foundation supports artists and arts organizations in Ridgewood and surrounding communities. Pictured with Celina are two members of the Master Art Studio with owner Sasha Robinson; Joseph Suplicki, president (in tan jacket) and Jeanne Johnson, trustee (in grey jacket) of The Ridgewood Historical Society. Also pictured are Jeff Nyhuis, RHS Principal, Chris McCullough, District Supervisor for Music and Arts, and Ridgewood Arts Foundation Scholarship Committee member Kristen Plumley. For information about RAF events, including application info for the spring round of grants and scholarships, please visit www.ridgewoodartsfoundation.org.