The Mist and All
by Dixie Willson
I like the fall
The mist and all;
I like the night owl's lonely call
And wailing sound
Of wind around.
I like the gray November day
And bare, dead boughs that coldly sway
Against my pane.
I like the rain;
I like to sit
And laugh at it
And tend my cozy fire a bit.
I like the fall
The mist and all.
This is a poem from my childhood—very possibly from my days at School Number 2 (Mansion Avenue School) where I grew up in the close, caring community that was then and is now Audubon. If I recall, we actually sang this song to a little tune that still plays in my head. I do like the fall, but find this one a bit odd as I am not returning to school as either a student or educator for the first time in fifty-six years. Instead, I am forging a new path through the beautiful leaves, a path that includes two-year-old Gracie, who is teaching me to "have patience" indeed. Autumn is a splendid time of year and life. I hope you are enjoying yours as I am mine.
I also hope you enjoy reading about the wonderful people and activities that make our district so special.
- Suzanne McKenna
Haviland Hornets Buzz into Fall
Open Library draws summer crowds. Throughout the summer, the Haviland Avenue School held “Open Library” on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. With the help of Mrs. Lisa Terlingo, children and their parents were invited to read, take out books, listen to stories read aloud to them, interact with Book Flix on the Smart Board and make use of available computers. For students who would enter kindergarten in September, this was an opportunity to become familiar with the building and get to know Mrs. Terlingo. Principal Dr. Carleene Slowik received much positive feedback from parents who made this a part of their weekly summer routine, and hope it will become an annual offering.
We are truly the World! When the children of Haviland returned to school this September, they received a BIG surprise. Painted on the blacktop of the schoolyard is a giant map of the USA. This was the culmination of a year-long project by Audubon High School Student, Ryan Kappel. The planning, fund raising, purchasing of materials, and actual painting was accomplished to help fulfill requirements for Ryan’s Eagle Scout Badge. Ryan’s family was in attendance at the September Audubon Board of Education Meeting when he was recognized for his hard work and generous gift to the students and staff of Haviland.
“Give me an H-A-V…” On the first Friday of every month, the students and staff of Haviland will celebrate Spirit Day. Everyone is encouraged to wear Green & Gold that day. The HAS PTA has been helping out by selling Green & Gold tie-dyed Haviland Hornet Shirts. Our spirit is hard to miss!
Summer Reading Program promotes literacy. Many Haviland students participated in the Summer Reading program. Each time a book was read, it was noted on a log sheet, and log sheets were signed by a parent. When school opened in September, all the participants were treated to a Pizza Party courtesy of the Partners in Learning Committee of the HAS PTA. HAS readers thank members of the Committee for such a delicious treat!
Technology Update. Due to the generosity of the Haviland PTA, the Audubon Education Foundation was able to provide Haviland classroom teachers K-2 with Flip video cameras, battery packs and tripods. Additionally, a Mimeo has been purchased for the Basic Skills Room. These “tools” will be used in a multitude of activities to enhance learning and support our goal to increase the integration of technology into instruction. Many thanks for the ongoing support!
Mansion Mountain Lions Roar into Fall
Technology Update (or Yikes Skypes!) Principal Mr. Ted Clarke reports that “Skyping” has come to MAS. Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chats over the Internet. One of the projects the staff will be working on with the students this year is making connections to other classrooms around the world. The teachers attended a workshop with Michael Sloan, District Technology Coordinator, and got a tutorial on how to set up a Skype-ing account and other helpful topics. We will hopefully make some interesting connections around the world.
Response to Intervention/Enrichment This year we have set aside forty minutes each day for a group of teachers to work with small groups of students whom they have identified as needing a “boost” academically. While some of the teachers are working with these small groups, other teachers will be working with students in larger groups on enrichment activities. These activities come directly out of our present curriculum. The areas addressed in the enrichment cycles will come from the Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies curricula. Those students involved in the intervention cycle will be able to participate in large group enrichment activities on Fridays. We will be kicking off our Intervention/Enrichment cycles beginning in November. Our first enrichment cycle will deal with the topic of bullying, harassment, and intimidation.
NJASK Results If you have not already heard, the students in grades 3-6 made Adequate Yearly Progress as measured by the results of the NJASK testing done in May of 2011. We are very excited about this and we celebrated together as a school and a district. The students and staff worked exceptionally hard to reach this goal. We improved curriculum, instruction, provided students with after school programs, and much more. Ms. Cara Novick, Mrs. Lisa McGilloway, Ms. Beth Canzanese and Mr. Donald Borden played key roles in our success by providing the necessary resources to help the staff and students.
We Share the Spotlight!
Girl Scout Silver Award Winners shine! AHS sophomores Victoria Davis and Kelsey DeFrates earned their Girl Scout Silver Award as freshmen! The Girl Scouts of Central and Southern NJ Recognition Committee acknowledged the time and effort the girls put into their community service project: “Girl Scout Law Workshops.” Tori and Kelsey were honored at a Girl Scout recognition event in May. The fact that the girls have achieved this distinction is, in itself, amazing. Doing so as freshmen deserves a WOW!
Let’s take a bow! Congratulations are extended to the staff and advisor, Mr. John Skrabonja, of the 2011 Le Souvenir, Audubon High School’s yearbook. The book produced by last year’s staff earned First Place Honors in a contest sponsored by the American Scholastic Press Association. The Association serves to promote excellent journalism, to help improve high school publications and to give recognition to the school and staff for their achievements. Last year’s staff bested our previous award winning books by earning the highest total point score (930 out of a possible 1000) for any Le Souvenir yet. Previously, Le Souvenir had earned Bronze Medal Certificates in contests sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008; and second place honors in the 2009 and 2010 American Scholastic Press Association contest. The following students are commended for their outstanding effort: Editors Cassie Martorano and Sammi Snyder; and Staffers Anna Henry, Megan Anstotz, Sophia Boyle, Anthony Cianfrini, Amy Coombs, Colleen Devine, Emily Howard, Billy Schujas, Amber Snyder, and Sarah Urban. Now, I only have one question: how do we top that?!
Can you dig it? Members of the AHS Environmental Club have been extremely busy this fall. The Club began the year by harvesting a summer crop: ornamental and giant pumpkins, tomatoes, and icebox watermelons. Members continue to harvest rosemary and basil as they enjoy the stunning wildflower borders around the garden, which is behind B Building. Currently, members are replanting mums and planting garlic and daffodils for the spring as they await the fall harvest, which will include radishes, lettuce, and carrots. The garden has been expanded twenty square feet with the addition of fifteen cubic feet of compost (grass, leaves, and kitchen waste) made right here at AHS with pride, of course. Old MacDonald has nothing on students who, along with advisor, Mr. Matt Webb, are members of the Environmental Club.
The Surf Shoppe serves up great sales! In a “wave” of good fortune, we are happy to announce the grand opening of “The Surf Shoppe,” a new school store located in room A102 at Audubon High School. The store, which is open after school on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, offers an array of merchandise including Green Wave T-shirts, hoodies, gym shorts, school supplies, and snacks. Several personalized items can be special ordered. Facilitated by Mrs. Patti Myers-Griffith and Mr. Dennis Bantle, the school store is run by the students enrolled in Independent Living, L.I.F.E. (Learning Information for Employment), and/or S.L.E. (Structured Learning Experience) courses. The store serves as an in-house work experience for students preparing for post-secondary transition. Students are responsible for stock inventory, pricing, store maintenance, and sales. Additionally, each student volunteers twice each month to man the store, which provides experience in sales and cashier activities, and practice in developing positive co-worker and customer relations. The financial responsibilities associated with retail sales often become part of students’ math instruction. Profits from the school store will be used for restocking merchandise and career exploration field trips. This “real-life” work experience provides a wonderful opportunity for students to gain experience and confidence as they prepare for gainful employment. At the same time, great merchandise is now available to the school community as we continue to celebrate “Wave pride.”
Athletes' Corner
Athletic Director Mr. Anthony Carbone reports that the Green Wave fall sports program is underway and meeting success. Here’s the update:
The Boys’ Varsity Soccer Team is off to a 9-7 start. The most significant win (3-2) came against a previously unbeaten Gateway team. Bob Tegan has led the way with fifteen goals this season. Mike Tegan and Luis Giron have done a great job anchoring the defense, and Kevin LaFleur has been highly effective in goal. Looks like the boys are on the way to making the playoffs!
The Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team, with a record of 10-5-1, has bragging rights as well. Considered one of the top teams in Group 1, the team can look to Apryle Panyi (12), Maddy Lord (11), and Jenna Rizzo (9) for goals while Goalie Megan Shaeffer handles the shutouts--nine to date!
The Varsity Field Hockey Team is still in the hunt for the Colonial Conference Patriot Division championship with a record of 9-6. Senior Megan Anstotz has scored an amazing sixty-six goals, shattering the school’s scoring record of fifty-three goals. Megan will be enjoying the warm southern air next year when she continues to play for the University of Louisville.
The AHS Girls’ Tennis Team is holding its own this season as well with a record of 9-7. Big wins came against Highland, Haddon Heights, and Woodbury. This year’s team is young with the exception of Senior Rebecca Ruoff who is playing first singles. Other singles players include Michele Archevela and Emily Lutz who have posted great wins themselves. After making it to the States, the team fell to Pitman in the first round. Nonetheless, everyone on the team has made progress, so it looks like next year just might be the year!
The AHS Green Wave Football Team under Coach (and AHS grad) Dominic Koehl scored an impressive 10-0 over Lindenwold in the season opener. Kaheil Chislom rushed for over 150 yards, and Keith Michalski was named Scholar Athlete of the week.
Faculty Highlights
This summer AHS English Teacher Karen Dyer took the trip of a lifetime when she traveled to Europe with her daughter, Amy, to celebrate a BIG birthday. Karen and Amy went to Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken and Brienz in Switzerland, as well Salzburg, Austria, Prague ,Czech Republic, and Krakow, Poland. Karen reports that she used German whenever she could and even learned a little Polish and Czech to at least say please and thank you. Karen and Amy visited the amazingly beautiful city of Prague as well as the thought-provoking, tear evoking Auchswitz and Terezin. They hiked in the Alps where they saw beautiful glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, charming Old World towns and mountain vistas. Perhaps the most unusual place they visited was the bone church outside Prague which is decorated inside by human bones from people interred there. However, Karen reports that the most unusual incident had to be the chance meeting she had in a small museum in Switzerland on a rainy Sunday afternoon. There Karen met a woman with whom she was confirmed, and then later played basketball. In fact, the two graduated from high school together, and Karen had not seen her since graduation! She too is a teacher as well as a cancer survivor!
On September 24, HAS Physical Education teacher (and AHS grad) Amanda Brown participated in the annual Multiple Sclerosis bike ride from Cherry Hill to Ocean City. This is Amanda’s fourth time participating in the event, which raises money for those in our area who have MS. Amanda’s journey began at the PATCO Station in Cherry Hill and ended seventy-five miles later at Ocean City High School. She raised over a thousand dollars herself for this wonderful charity organization. The HAS school community is proud of Amanda, who is one of the many outstanding teachers at HAS.
AHS Art teacher, Ms. Anne Marie Harris was busy throughout the spring illustrating a popular children’s book, Cat and Crow: An Amazing Friendship. The book, written by animal lover and former newspaper columnist Lisa Fleming, tells the story of a lonely, stray kitten and the heroic crow that adopts and saves her. While the book is designed for children ages three and up, adults will love it too. Based on a real life story, the book includes educational, fun facts about cats and crows, clippings from newspapers that covered the story, and real life photographs of the two main characters at play. Anne Marie completed sixteen color illustrations that, according to one critic, “add exciting color and depth to the story.” Anne Marie is a graduate of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has pursued a career as a freelance illustrator in addition to teaching virtually every art course at AHS. The district is lucky to have an accomplished artist who is also an outstanding teacher!
Alumni Corner
Mr. Jack Klett, AHS Class of 1994, is currently the Director of Graduate Admissions at Philadelphia University. In that capacity, on Tuesday, September 27, Jack spoke to AHS seniors about the importance of believing in their ability to succeed. Jack stressed that all are entitled to a college education if they choose to pursue one, and he highlighted students' earning potential over a lifetime, depending on the level of education they achieve.
I had the great fortune to visit with Dana Rebmann, AHS Class of 1989, at Long Beach Island over the summer. Dana, who lives with her wonderful family in California, vacations on LBI each summer where her mother, who has also relocated to CA, maintains a summer home. Dana and I have maintained contact over the years, but have never connected at the shore until this past summer. After a successful career in TV news production (Dana says she was the “voice in the ear” of a prime time news anchor in San Francisco for several years), Dana decided she needed to spend more time at home with her two daughters. Her love of travel led to a second career as a writer and editor focusing on “traveling with kids.” And I do mean traveling! To date Dana and her family have toured Japan, England, Switzerland, France, Spain, and even China, which was a three week trip. Based on her own experiences Dana writes a blog about how to prepare kids for long distance travel. She reports that often she travels for free as destinations invite her to visit, then inform parents about the opportunities for families at their locale. To read more about Dana’s experiences, go to www.danarebmann.com. For those of us who “knew her when,” Dana doesn’t look a day older than when she graduated from AHS. Of course, why should she? She’s perpetually on vacation!
That’s all for now. Please support the newsletter with items that highlight all that is so special about our school community. My next deadline is November 30 for publication by December 15. Forward items to me at smckenna@audubonschools.org.