 For Immediate Release: June 17, 2010
RFHRHS Immersion Day Brings Foreign Languages to Life at Forrestdale School English was not allowed during Immersion Day! On Thursday, June 3, the RFHRHS Department of World Languages with the International Club and Spanish, French and Chinese Honor Society members provided a special event for 7th and 8th grade foreign language students at Forrestdale School. The Second Annual Immersion Day took place in the Forrestdale gymnasium and featured many booths and activity areas that offered opportunites to converse in Spanish, French and Chinese. Immersion activities were based on curricular themes consistent in both districts. Topics included shopping and visiting a café, travel, sports, art and music of the Spanish, French and Chinese cultures. World Language teachers from RFHRHS and Forrestdale School worked together for many weeks planning immersion activities for the students. There was a scavenger hunt activity that required students to follow clues to identify pictures of various famous places and items and then make a connection to the corresponding spot on a map of Paris. RFH students presented a healthy diet pyramid and directed the 7th and 8th graders to distinguish between different foods to make decisions regarding the health benefits of each food group. Both groups of students, engaged in these tasks completely in the target language. At one station, students discussed different sports and activities and engaged in an activity totally in the foreign language. There was a station that concentrated on sports, and students had to identify which activity was enjoyed in which season of the year. There were two ‘restaurants’ complete with menus and a ‘grocery store’ where foods were bargained for and ‘purchased’ with paper Euros. At the Spanish restaurant, orders were deliberately mixed up so that authentic and meaningful conversations could be encouraged. French students created and served authentic crepes at Chez Manon in one corner, and Spanish students made tacos in the other. All ordering was done in the target language, and there was no service if the order was not communicated in French or Spanish. In a bow to the modern ‘speed dating’ model, a long table provided short visits of ‘speed friending’ where younger students went from seat to seat and chatted with the high school students in French. Each Forrestdale student was able to make a connection with a high school student, and they will meet again when the younger students reach 9th grade next year. There was a display of Spanish art where students engaged in descriptive discussion. Students were able to understand the art of Dali, Picasso and Goya using learned vocabulary and expressions. To practice their singing talents, students from both schools sang to the guitars of Señor Larkin and Señor Herman and their sombrero clad students. Chinese is being taught for the second year at RFH, and the Chinese display table featured Chinese language students engaged in conversation with each other, while their teacher, Mrs. Rebecca Wang, provided Forrestdale students with their names written in Chinese calligraphy on decorative bookmarks. The RFH Chinese class students demonstrated that they were able to read and speak the language confidently. This year there are 45 students in the introductory Chinese language class, and 46 students are taking Chinese II. This year, the Chinese National Honor Society inducted the first members from RFH. RFH Supervisor of World Languages Michel Salazar-Linden and Tracy Lederman, Rumson School District Supervisor of Curriculum and Staff Development, and the teachers of both World Language departments designed this event collaboratively. Mrs. Salazar-Linden said, “I am ecstatic that Forrestdale and RFH teachers were able to pool resources and act as a team to demonstrate that the curriculum is consistent between the two districts. The students demonstrated that they ARE able to communicate in their chosen languages. There was virtually NO English spoken throughout the day! This was a very successful initiative, and we will make it bigger and better each year.” For more information: Michel Salazar Linden, RFHRHS Supervisor of World Languages, 732-842-1597, ext. 248, msalazarlinden@rfhrhs.org Roberta Van Anda, RFHRHS Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net
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 For Immediate Release June 17, 2010 RFHRHS Student Excels in Trig Star Competion NJ Society of Professional Surveyors Honored Trig Star Winners
RFHRHS Sophomore Daniel Babiak was honored for achieving the highest score for RFH in the National Trig Star Competition. This state-wide competition had about 663 students from 25 high schools take part in the trigonometry test. The competition was sponsored by the NJ Society of Professional Land Surveyors (NJSPLS), which provided cash prizes for the winners. Their aim is “to show students important, real-world applications of trigonometry.” The letter announcing Daniel Babiak’s success said, “Land Surveying is a profession that seeks students interested in math and advanced technology. It combines an unusually diverse set of skills and interest such as math, history, travel, computer-aided drafting, outdoor work, and research. We surveyors are always looking for new entrants to the field.” They feel that the Trig Star Competition helps to introduce the profession to talented young math students. For more information, contact: Suzanne Cranwell, RFH Math Department, 732-842-1597, ext. 507, scranwell@rfhrhs.org Roberta Van Anda, RFH Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net |
RFHRHS National Art Honor Society “Runway to a Remedy” Showcases Student Fashion Talent On Sunday, May 23rd, The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School National Art Honor Society showcased the talent of its members at “Runway to a Remedy,” a “walking art” fashion show held in the Post Chapel at Fort Hancock. Profits from the event were donated to the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center. The “Walking Art” portion of the show displayed fashions made out of unconventional materials created to transform the wearer into a literal piece of art and to promote the notion that fashion is in itself an art form. All looks were designed and modeled by a variety of art students. Following this was the debut of “All Torn Up,” an original collection by RFH Senior Stephen Biga that was designed to “challenge the rigidity and austerity of fine tailoring.” Designers were: Stephen Biga, Daria Levitsky, Paige Maloof, Sarah Wasserman, Catherine DeWyngaert, Kate Kostecky, Ryan Maloney, Jodie Andrew, Kenny Robertson, Claire Barrett, Greg Mitola, Tori Singer, Tabitha Nicolas,Sarah Decelle, Nina Lucey, Kailee Heagney and RFH art educator Kristen Lanfrank. Models were: Shannon Rigby, Ashley Cooper, Courtney Armstrong, Moe Osmulski, Kendall Axt, Harley Mulheren, Kendall Radovich and Carley Bissett. The atmosphere was supercharged as the models strutted the runway between rows of enthusiastic viewers. Refreshments were served, and a chance auction provided a large assortment of prizes. The event was created by Stephen Biga and planned by the Runway to a Remedy Committee which he led with the assistance of: Courtney Armstrong, Margot Keale, Brielle O’Brien, Sam Stevenson, Sarah Decelle, Kristen Lanfrank, Sarah Pedersen, Robbie Trocchis, Katy Hellman, Nina Lucy, Tori Singer and Janie Wassel. Thanks must be given to the generous underwriters for the donation of the Post Chapel venue by Sandy Hook Partners, the DJ services by DJ Zero and beverages by Rumson Buy Rite. The event raised over $4,000, and all proceeds went to the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center. For more information, contact: Kristen Lanfrank, RFH Art Instructor and Advisor to National Art Honor Society, 732-842-1597, ext. 502, klanfrank@rfhrhs.org Suzanne Biga, 732-740-9378, Suzanne.biga@cbmoves.com Roberta Van Anda, RFH Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net |
 For Immediate Release: June 11, 2010 Everybody loves chocolate chip cookies, and the process from batter to consumption can usually be done in about ten minutes. Some RFHRHS students took a bit longer to get their treats because they made them in solar powered ovens at school. Teams of students from Cheryl Laviola and Susan Pagano’s Environmental Science classes competed against one another to create the most efficient solar ovens. Students placed their creations around the school campus in sites that they deemed the sunniest, placed cookie dough in them and checked their progress many times during the day. The criterion for victory was the fastest time to bake cookies, and the winning oven baked the dough in just over three hours. In fact, the cookies were somewhat over-cooked. Other ovens eventually baked the cookies but in a longer period of time and with less success. There were many different ideas and designs from the teams, but one constant was the use of tinfoil to reflect the sun’s rays into the cooking area of the structure. The winning team consisted of senior Matt Sergeant and juniors Matt Gilbertson, Vincent Padula and Drew Hitchner. The students used a large cardboard box and lined it with black lab aprons. Matt Gilbertson said, “Black is as close as we could get to a perfect radiator.” The secret ingredient was simple garden dirt which was used as insulation between the layers of the oven. Matt Sergeant explained, “Everyone else focused on heat gain. We decided to focus on minimizing heat loss.” A teflon fry pan centered in the solar oven maintained a constant temperature of 150* and baked the cookies slowly but successfully. Students enjoyed the competition but will probably continue to bake their cookies in ten minutes in their family kitchens. But, they now know what to do if there is a power failure. Roberta Van Anda, RFH Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net |
 For Immediate Release: June 4, 2010 Rachel’s Challenge Comes to RFHRHS Assemblies and Training Workshop Teach RFHRHS students the elements of Rachel’s Challenge, a national campaign to ‘pass it forward’ It is all a matter of timing. Caroline Bitterly, a freshman at RFH, and her father, Francis Bitterly, of Rumson were standing in line at an airport and began a conversation with the person in front of them. Their new acquaintance turned out to be Gene Bedley, the Chairman of the National Educational Advisory Board of a national organization called Rachel’s Challenge, which was created in reaction to the terrible events at Columbine High School in 1999. Rachel Scott was a sensitive young woman who was dedicated to helping others, and she was murdered sitting at a picnic table outside the school as she was having her lunch. She was the first victim on that dreadful day. Mr. Bedley, is a nationally honored educator who has founded many character education programs that are used in schools, and he is a friend of Rachel’s father, Darrell Scott. Rachel’s diaries left behind her thoughts and ideas for making the world a better place, and her father began Friends of Rachel to share these insights with young people around the world. After seeing a short video that Mr. Bedley had on his laptop, Caroline said, “I was given chills right there in the airport and wanted to do something to bring this program to RFH.” Upon her return home, she took her idea to Chrissy Camp, the Advisor to RFH’s Character Education organization, who suggested that she make a proposal to the Rumson-Fair Haven High School Foundation asking them to underwrite the expense of bringing a presenter from Rachel’s Challenge to the school. The Foundation was impressed with the program and enthusiastically agreed to provide the funding. Nicole Nowlen, who was wounded during the shootings in the Library at Columbine High School, was the presenter for the Foundation. She made the trip from Colorado and spent an entire day at RFH doing two assembly programs and a workshop that trained RFH Peer Leaders as well as other students who were “hand-picked as leaders.” Representatives from other schools also sat in on the workshop. A video about Rachel Scott was shown, and students described it as “moving” and “powerful.” It can be seen on the organization’s website: www.rachelschallenge.org Ms. Nowlen also presented an evening program that was open to parents and the community. Rachel’s Challenge seeks to establish groups called Friends of Rachel in schools across the United States. The purpose is to spread a message of sharing kindness, which can help cure problems such as bullying and can keep students from feeling unconnected to their peers. The things that Rachel’s Challenge stands for were all discussed in Rachel’s diaries: kindness, compassion, responsibility, helping others, “making my school a better place” and “making the world a better place.” The basic premise is to start a chain reaction by doing a kindness for another person. Ms. Nowlen provided activities for each of the headings. RFH has Peer Leaders and a Character Education group, and many of the Rachel’s Challenge goals have been touched on by these groups as part of their own goals. Ms. Nowlen suggested a Mix it Up Day in which students break from their normal groups and sit with new people at lunch. The RFH Peer Leaders have been successfully running this activity for several years, and a suggested welcoming project has also been done to help new students acclimate to the school. Other ideas were new and will be worked on by Character Education members under the leadership of their advisor, RFH Guidance Counselor Chrissy Camp, who worked with Ms. Nowlen on the presentations. RFH Peer Leaders, under the leadership of their advisor, Dr. Suzanne Fico, will also be involved in implementing Rachel’s Challenge goals at RFH. RFH Vice Principal, Chris Lanzalotto, helped to bring the program to RFH. He said, “Rachel's Challenge was a very powerful and moving experience for our students. The positive message that was emphasized in Rachel's "Code of Ethics" will be reinforced throughout next year within our Character Education Club.” The group’s advisor, Ms. Camp, said, “I was very moved by the presentation and have had many students and teachers express how the presentation has impacted them. Rachel's philosophy of life is spot on--being a compassionate person is one of the best qualities that a human being can possess because, at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is our relationships and how we treat other people.” In a diary entry, Rachel Scott said, “I have a theory that, if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.” When asked how it felt to have brought such a meaningful program to RFH, Caroline Bitterly replied, “I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to meet someone who had a powerful message that I could carry to our school. I hope that students and community members can use it as an example of how any one person has the potential to impact others in a positive way. Now it is up to all of us to continue the chain reaction or even create our own.” Maybe other local groups will be inspired to invite Rachel’s Challenge to help them make a difference in their own communities. The website gives all of the information needed to take the first step. www.rachelschallenge.org For more information: Chrissy Camp, RFH Guidance Counselor and Advisor to the Character Education organization, 732-842-1597, ext. 223, ccamp@rfhrhs.org Chris Lanzalotto, RFH Vice-Principal, 732-842-1597, ext. 216 Dr. Suzanne Fico, RFH Student Assistance Counselor, 732-842-1597, ext. 220, sfico@rfhrhs.org Roberta Van Anda, RFH Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net |
