It was all about creative education, music and the arts, and kindness and thoughtfulness to others that highlighted Cole Harbison’s report to the Henry Hudson Board of Education this month, when the senior student reporter made his comments during the meeting.
Harbison, under the guidance of student council advisors Dawn DeSanto and Miranda Saryian prepares and delivers a monthly report immediately following the administrator’s and business reports at monthly meetings of the Board. His reports highlight a variety of activities and achievements at each of the three schools in the district.
Reporting on the Highlands elementary school, Harbison highlighted faculty creativity in education in celebrating two events, the Winter Olympics and the 100th day of school for the year. First and second grade students teamed up to “pass the torch”, while learning about the importance of Olympic traditions, highlighting unity, perseverance, teamwork and friendly competition. Students thanked instructor Ms. Cook for bringing the Olympic spirit to life through Olympic-themed lessons in all the Phys Ed classes. At the same time students throughout the school celebrated their 100th day in class by dressing the part and participating in hands-on math activities where they counted, grouped and represented the number 100 through unique and collaborative projects, reinforcing their sense of numbers in creative ways,
At the same time, Atlantic Highlands school students hosted their 4th annual career day where students explored a variety of inspiring career paths through engaging presentations and conversations that included visits from the local Police departments as well as a Rutgers University assistant head football coach. The visitors shared insights about teamwork, leadership and service, while other visitors representing healthcare, media, public service, business and the arts sparked curiosity and encouraged goal setting in a variety of other fields.
Scholastically Harbison had a lot to report as he shared information that eight student teams from Mrs. Bellantoni’s EXCELerate Program at the elementary school advanced to the Regional Round in STEAM Tank competition, reflecting student creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills together with their ability to apply sciences, technology, engineering, arts and math to real-world challenges. The students from Atlantic Highlands designed innovative solutions and developed their own presentations. At Henry Hudson, four teams of freshmen in the Intro to Steam class qualified for the regional round of STEAM Tank Competition. And Hudson’s Multilingual learners, under the direction of Mrs. Chu, completed the WIDA Access testing this month, a mandatory state-wide standardized test.
Kindness and thoughtfulness to others are always parts of Harbison’s report highlighting how the school blends education with consideration for others.
As part of their ongoing Kindness Challenge, Highlands school students continued their pop tops program to support the Ronald McDonald House. Each month throughout the year, students focus on a different kindness initiative designed to give back to the community and reinforce the importance of empathy, generosity and service.
In Atlantic Highlands, the STARS Community Service Club “Scored a Touchdown against Hunger” by bringing Super Bowl excitement to the school with a Food Pantry competition, cheering on grade levels, tracking totals and showing school spirit working towards a goal in which they collected more than 2,000 items to support local families in need. The First Grade Foxes won the Super Bowl and Harbison expressed thanks to the generosity of the students and their families.
At the high school level, Hudson students participated in The Cupid Project through which they created hundreds of Valentine’ Day cards for residents of Care One Care Center for Valentine’s day, with thanks to Mrs. Koehler and the National Honor Society for organizing the event along with the National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Art Club, Design Art classes and 7th and 8th grade Math Lab. All gave their time during lunch break to create their handmade card which were received with deep thanks, appreciation and a lot of happiness by the care center residents.
At a school known for its outstanding plays and presentations, Harbison noted that Caterina Neno and Piper Dougherty, a 7th and 8th grade student, are heading the cast for the Admiral Players presentation of The Descendants, slated for March 13 and 14 at the high school. Caterina and Piper are leaders in the story of the next generation of Disney characters and playgoers will have the opportunity to see whether they follow in their parents’ footsteps of wickedness or change and move forward into the future in spite of their differences. Tickets will be available at the door for either of the two evening performances or the 3 p.m. production on March 14.
Along with all the education, giving to others, arts and music, there was still time for fun trips, Harbison reported as the Senior Class went for lunch and a trip to Sky Zone with chaperones and advisors Ms. DeWyngaert and Mrs. Kondas. And Student Council officers in all grades also took a trip, along with Mrs. Saryian and Ms. DeSanto to visit the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center at Montclair University. They explored the Yogi and Yankee exhibits and participated in hands-on activities and presentations highlighting leadership, perseverance and equality of all kinds in sports and industries. They learned how athletes and trailblazers overcome obstacles, break barriers and use their platforms for positive change.
The sophomore class hosted a Hudson Rope Hat Sale to spread both school pride and deliver Valentine Grams during lunch simply to spread cheer. Mr. Nick McGill reported to Harbison that the Bayshore Honor Band performed at Hudson, a group comprised of students from the 6,7th and 8th grades of schools in Keyport, Union Beach, Keansburg, Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Henry Hudson.
Harbison also noted that the Highlands school students participated in a worldwide singalong hosted by a company, Young Voices, from England. Mrs. Wolff taught the ensemble a medley of music from Wicked for the performance which was life streamed and included more than 30,000 youngsters from all over the world.
