Lacordaire Academy hosted the final meet of the North Jersey Junior Forensics League on Monday, April 30th at the Academy’s campus in Upper Montclair. Over 50 students from nine schools competed in this public speaking competition in which they memorized a three to five minute humorous selection or standup comedy routine. The humor competition is one of four competitions held throughout the year, which also include reading, declamation and drama. Judges rate the students on use of voice, interpretation, poise, eye contact and memorization.

Lacordaire Academy won first place for the meet, with Captain Lauren McPherson winning first place overall and teammates Ana Bambrick-Santoyo, Jordan Rhodeman and Nicole Galioto all placing in the finals. Stephen Utley and Jill Canavari followed securing the first place spot for the team. The final awards ceremony for the 2011-12 season followed the competition. Lacordaire Academy won first place for the year out of the nine schools who participate in the league. Over a hundred and twenty students compete during the course of the year, and Lauren McPherson and Ana Bambrick-Santoyo tied for first place overall.

Lacordaire’s team will compete in the Union Catholic High School meet later in May during which they will face schools from all over New Jersey. Founded in 1920, Lacordaire Academy's mission is to engage young people as lifelong learners, helping them to become self-directed, competent, confident individuals capable of assuming leadership roles in school and throughout their lives. An independent Catholic school sponsored by the Sisters of St. Dominic, the Academy serves a diverse student body in its coed PreK-8 Lower/Middle Schools and college preparatory Upper School for young women. All divisions offer small classes, a challenging curriculum and enrichment programs in which students thrive academically, socially and spiritually.

Lauren Sauer, a sophomore at Mother Seton Regional High School i n Clark, and a resident of North Plainfield, took first place on Friday, April 27th, in Kean University’s 75th Annual Poetry Elocution Contest. Competing against students from fourteen other New Jersey high schools, Lauren presented expressively a program of poems by Sylvia Plath. Lauren, who resides in North Plainfield, had not done public speaking before this school year when she joined the forensics team at Mother Seton.

Junior Hannah Clark of Scotch Plains also attended the contest from Mother Seton. Hannah, who performed poems by Dylan Thomas, achieved a place as a semi-finalist.

Dr. Nira Gupta-Casale, Department of English, Kean University, was the Contest Director. She noted that the contest was being held this year in April, a month made famous in poems by Geoffrey Chaucer and T.S.Eliot—and the month named National Poetry Month by Congress.

Forensics coach Dr. Marylou Motto, who teaches English at Mother Seton, was jubilant about the day: “Both Lauren and Hannah chose difficult poetry that they loved. I couldn’t be any more pleased or proud of their performances.”

Lacordaire Academy's students were treated to an informative and entertaining educational program by a representative of the Raptor Trust during a recent assembly period. One of the premier wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States, the Trust is located in Millington New Jersey and surrounded by the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Trust includes a hospital with state-of-the-art medical facilities, quality exterior housing for several hundred birds, and an education building. A stalwart advocate for birds of prey for three decades, it is now recognized as a national leader in the fields of raptor conservation and avian rehabilitation.

Donna Pandolfino, an experienced speaker from the Trust provided the program for the Academy students, grades 2-12, to include a color slide production and presentation of a live bird of prey. The students and faculty were captivated and entertained by her demonstration of a beautiful Owl.

On March 22, 2012 Marist High School hosted their annual Fifth Grade Spelling Bee. With over twenty contestants this year the competition was fierce! Congratulations to Joshua Vila from Our Lady of Mercy Academy for taking 1st Place, Juan Lopez from Resurrection School for earning 2nd Place, and also to our 3rd Place winner, Davante Williams from St. Joseph School. All of the students who competed should be recognized for their efforts, you all did a wonderful job!

Christ the King Prep hosted over 40 old and new friends at its Leap Ahead in Education breakfast held on Leap Day, Wednesday, February 29. The breakfast was intended to introduce the Cristo Rey Network model and CtK to those interested in making revolutionary strides in Newark high school education. The event began with a networking breakfast followed by an hour-long program that highlighted students, corporate sponsors and foundation partners. Two champions of CtK Prep, Allison Banks-Moore, Chief Diversity Officer of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and Craig Drinkard, Program Officer for the Victoria Craig Drinkard Victoria Foundation Foundation, provided generous heartfelt testimonials for the school that resonated profoundly with the audience. Craig and Allison are changing futures of hundreds of Newark area students by their constant faith, actions and commitment.

Guests were immediately moved by the CtK Chorus' rendition of How Great is Our God. Fr. Robert Sandoz, CtK President, and Jackie Ross, CtK's Development Director, provided background on the Network and school as well as a financial snapshot. A short clip from the CBS news program 60 Minutes on the Cristo Rey model effectively illustrated the potential impact of the experience on students' lives when a young girl told her mother that she had just received a full college scholarship. "We did it, Mom," she said, choking back tears. Those tears reflected in the eyes of many attendees in CtK's CIP assembly hall that morning.

The 60 Minutes clip paled in comparison, however, to the impact our students had on our guests as they shared their own stories of how Christ the King Prep has changed their lives and their outlook. Seniors, Mesha Allen, Benjamin James and Karen Penafiel were poised, prepared, and powerful, offering the most compelling reason to invest in this innovative educational system.

On February 25, 2012, the Saint Dominic Academy Dance Team became the New Jersey State Champion when they were victorious in the varsity pom division of the New Jersey State Dance Championships held at Monroe Township High School. The annual championship is sponsored by the New Jersey Cheerleading and Dance Coaches Association, which is recognized as the official cheerleading and dance association of the state by the NJSIAA. Saint Dominic Academy bested fifteen other participating dance teams.

The week following their victory, the team traveled to the National Dance Alliance National Championships in Orlando, Florida, where they were a national finalist. They finished 10th out of 30 competing schools in the medium varsity pom division.

Earlier in the season, SDA seniors Alexandra Marrero of Cliffside Park and Shada Paula of Union City were inducted into the prestigious All State Dance Team. Both girls are finalists for the NJCDCA Senior Scholarship Award which will be presented in May.

In addition to Marrero and Paula, other dance team members include Samantha Gonzalez, a senior from Bayonne, junior Marciella Quintanilla of North Bergen, and Taylor Siebel of Bayonne, Taylor Best of Jersey City, and Tori Fortunato of Belleville, who are all sophomores. Freshmen Brittany Angrosina, Monica Feijoo and Gillian Johnson, of Bayonne, Kadira Johnson of Jersey City, and Francesca Quintanilla and Elizabeth Doody, both of North Bergen are also team members.

The dance team is coached by Saint Dominic Academy alumna Marie Pompeo-Maffia, class of 1979. She is assisted by fellow alumna Amanda Herring, class of 2006.

The Literary magazine, Driftwood, published by Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, was awarded first place in the annual American Scholastic Press Association Competition. This is the second consecutive year that Driftwood has won this award.

Mother Seton publishes Driftwood every May; the magazine comprises student-produced poetry, prose, artwork, and photography. Mother Seton students also handle all other aspects of putting together and publishing the literary magazine, including the editing process, layout, cover art, and everything else that goes between two covers!

The editors-in-chief of the 2010 - 2011 edition of Driftwood were Anudeep Grewal and Vivian Min; the other editors were Sheila Loesch, Simran Johal and Maria Clarice Chua. Advisor of the publication is Ms. Melissa Larson, an English teacher at Mother Seton.

For a second year in a row, Benedictine Academy (BA), the all-female Catholic college prep high school in Elizabeth, has won the prestigious Gold Medal Banner for the “Jefferson Award” Regional Competition for the state of New Jersey. The BA students achieved first place for their student service leadership efforts in their school and in the community.

The Academy’s Students in Action Team captured the Gold Medal Banner while participating in the “Jefferson Award” spring Northern NJ regional competition held at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station on March 27. “Jefferson Awards for Public Service”, created in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, are considered the “Nobel Prize” for public and community service in America.

Benedictine Academy scored 99.5 points out of a possible one hundred, and, as the top-point-scoring school in the state, will represent New Jersey in the Jefferson Awards National Ceremony and compete for the national title in Washington, D.C. June 18-20, 2012. The Gold Award represents Benedictine Academy's second year as top school in the regional competition, qualifying BA to move up to the Ambassador level of national competition next year.

During the regional competition, Benedictine Academy was evaluated by a panel of judges from United Way, Verizon, and several colleges for their oratory and presentation skills, as well as outstanding service leadership efforts in serving the local and global communities. The school’s Student in Action Team shared their many volunteer service leadership experiences while at the competition. This included their determined and persistent efforts to combat child slave labor by bringing awareness of the horrors of human trafficking to many, children and adults alike.

“It has been a year of committed service and leadership,” Linda Michalski, Benedictine Academy Campus Minister and mentor to the Students in Action team commented. “The world is changed by their efforts,” she added. “We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our Lord through compassionate action. At Benedictine Academy, we believe that we have a personal responsibility to act justly in making our world a better place.”

Benedictine Academy Principal Kenneth Jennings offered his congratulations to faculty members Michalski, who was last year’s Jefferson Award “Mentor of the Year”, and to Ms. Ashley Powell, and their team of Students in Action. “The student presentation on Tuesday, March 27 at the College of St. Elizabeth dazzled the judges who stated that our SIA Team displayed ‘passion, poise, and purpose’ in their adroit presentation,” Jennings noted. “Our excellent score should make us very competitive in the National Awards Competition in Washington, D.C. in June,” Jennings stated.

Selected in 2010 as an official “Jefferson Awards Service Leadership School”, the Academy was the first of any New Jersey school to join Students in Action. There are now 450 “Jefferson Awards Service Leadership Schools” serving as role models for other schools across the nation to emulate. Each school’s faculty leadership and student volunteers are helping pass the tradition of voluntary service to future generations, while promoting a culture of volunteerism, youth ethics and leadership.

A special note of congratulations to the following students for their outstanding performance at The Catholic Challenge held at the Archdiocesan Center on Saturday, 31 March 2012. These students went for many rounds before winners could be chosen. We are so very proud of them.

Kudos to all the student participants, principals, teachers and parents for the support of The Catholic Challenge, and all who made the event so successful!

Saint Anne School, Fair Lawn is proud to announce that four seventh graders, Zachary Kovach, Ryan McCary, Rachel Streiber, and Kristen Walsh won SECOND PLACE in the 12th Annual DePaul Catholic High School Science Challenge.

The challenge was to build a self-standing structure using only the materials supplied by the high school. These included sheets of paper, styrofoam cups, popsicle sticks, and tape. The team was one centimeter short of first place.

Thank you to these students, their science teacher and Ms. Stachiotti for distinguishing themselves and their school as well as bringing honor to the Archdiocese of Newark.

Please join in congratulating the following students from our Hudson County Catholic elementary schools for distinguishing themselves as awardees in the 54th Annual Hudson County Science Fair.

Congratulations to all of our Catholic school participants and their teachers for representing us so well and for the medalists who bring honor to all in the Archdiocese of Newark. Kudos!

All award winners will receive recognition at a ceremony to be held in April at St. Peter's College. The Jersey Journal's Hudson County Science Fair is sponsored by Liberty Science Center, Fidelity Investments, Comcast, PSE&G, and St. Peter's College.

Congratulations to the Kindergarten classes of Saint Joseph School, Jersey City for receiving a Creative Writing Award in the recent Celebrate NJ Powered by the Sun 2012 contest for students in grades K-5. The Kindergartners under the tutelage of Ms. Hull and Ms. Morrison prepared an artistic display illustrating solar panels on a house, light pole, car and even a trash can! The students worked as a team to design the pictures, draw and color the display. Three children collaborated to write a song and the entire class composed a poem. A YouTube video captured the students reciting the poem, singing their song and performing the cheer, Go Solar Jersey City! The children will be honored at Kean University on 23 March as part of the Garden State Green Fest.

A fifth grade team of students took FIRST PLACE in the Powered By the Sun Awards, an environmental contest. The team wrote a poem on solar energy and then video-taped themselves reciting it.

The award will be presented to the students at the Garden State Green Fest, on 23 March at Kean University.The school community also raised over $3,000 in our first annual Jump Rope/Hoops For Heart event.

Congratulations to Connor, Siya, John, Anuhea, Liam, Christopher, Angeleisa and Emilie, members of the fifth grade team and to all the students and faculty and Colette Vail, principal for the tremendous outpouring of generosity for the special Heart event!

How will ocean researchers manage some day to explore the darkest recesses of ocean canyons while surviving the intense water pressure that currently prevents them from swimming that deep? By donning the special wetsuits made from unusual fish fibers that four St. Rose of Lima Academy students recently designed, of course.

Whether their newfangled product reaches the production phase remains to be seen, but the students’ special wetsuit design has secured them first place regionally in ExploraVision, the national science competition co-sponsored annually by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association.

“We couldn’t believe it when they called our names in school,” said Isabelle Perry, one of the four sixth graders who won. “We were all shocked - like it was a dream.”

Perry, along with Samantha Tush, Claire Galvin and Isabella Vitalo, all from Maplewood, researched and designed their project over several months in class, after school and at home together on weekends, with coaching from their science teacher, Christina Wage. Their design was judged the best from among 92 projects submitted by fourth, fifth and sixth graders in the competition’s Region 2, which includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, as well as students of Armed Forces families stationed overseas.

Now, the four girls will spend several weeks fine-tuning their project, developing a web site for it and creating video content as they compete for the top prize against the winners from five other divisions across the United States and Canada. The other winners come from schools in California, Missouri, Michigan, Florida and New York. If the St. Rose team wins first place nationally, they will be awarded a $10,000 U.S. Savings bond and an all-expense trip to Washington, D.C. with two family members.

To help in the final stage of the competition, the St. Rose team will receive a Toshiba notebook computer with wi-fi capability, a webcam and Web design software.

As part of the competition, now in its 20th year, students must research and explain a current scientific technology and then predict how that technology will evolve in 20 years. Past winners have envisioned technologies ranging from a self-cleaning toilet to a new method of treating diabetes.

The St. Rose sixth graders’ project is called “Poseidon’s Shield.” Samantha Tush said they tried to figure out what kind of material could withstand the pressure of the deepest portions of the ocean – canyons that extend seven miles down. “We thought steel would be strong, but it would be silly to make a wetsuit out of that,” she said. Then their research turned up information about the hatchetfish, which lives deep in the ocean under intense water pressure.

“Fish can withstand the water pressure because their bodies are as dense as the water,” Tush said. So they decided their wetsuit would be made of material that mimics the strength of the fibers that make up a hatchetfish’s scales.

Isabella Vitalo said another advantage of using the hatchetfish fibers was that the fish can glow – an asset for divers heading into the darkened depths

.“This project helped me learn how to work as part of a team,” said Claire Galvin. “We learned that you have to research a lot. You can’t just come up with answers that easily.”

As part of their work the girls recently visited Underwater Adventures, a scuba store in Millburn near St. Rose of Lima Academy. They learned about modern scuba equipment, and later this month will get to try scuba diving out for themselves at a local indoor pool.

In the same age group, a St. Rose team of fifth graders – Caroline Dufner of Short Hills, Katherine Hearden of Summit and Madison Detweiler and Kayleigh Wolff of Maplewood - won an honorable mention for their project, a mirror that acts like a small, hand-held MRI machine, scanning the body to identify future acne and wrinkles, as well as genes for diseases and high blood pressure.

“We were looking at ways to address problems in people’s daily lives,” Detweiler said. “We thought this mirror would make it easier than going to a doctor. Working on the project was fun. Everyone in the group cooperated and had new ideas to add.”

Wolff said the team was “kind of in shock” when they heard they had secured an honorable mention. “We definitely learned how to work with different people, and how to do a lot of research,” she said.The Toshiba Corporation will visit St. Rose of Lima Academy later this month for a presentation ceremony.

Saint Dominic Academy freshman Issabela Tulalian, a cellist, of Jersey City recently made her Carnegie Hall debut as part of the Inter School Orchestra of New York.

Tulalian, who has been playing cello since she the age of 11 has been a scholarship member of the ISO since 2011. She plays in the Trinity Florentine Ensemble, one of six graded orchestras in the ISO. According to the Inter School Orchestra website, students in the ISO perform in traditional concert venues as well as in performances in nursing homes and churches throughout the City. They also perform in free concerts in the New York City public schools. The ISO is the only program in New York City where students see children their own age performing orchestral music. All in all, they reach a yearly audience of more than 7,000 people.

On February 2, 2012, the ISO presented a gala benefit concert at Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. A highlight of the concert was the world premiere of a new work for flute and orchestra by Lowell Liebermann with the Metropolitan Opera’s principal flute Stefan Ragnar Hoskuldsson as soloist accompanied by the ISO Symphony, the elite all-scholarship orchestra under the baton of Artistic Director Jeffrey Grogan. For more information, visit www.isorch.org.

Tulalian, a member of the Saint Dominic Academy Glee Club and “Dominoes” is currently preparing to audition for the Julliard School's Pre-College Program. Her audition is scheduled for early next year.

Union Catholic faculty member Kathy Webber’s freshman English classes recently spoke with Holocaust survivor and guest speaker Peter Fleischmann about his experience as a teenager during WWII.

Fleischmann and his family were able to escape Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia with the help of family and others who risked their lives to assist them in their time of need.

While speaking with the freshman English classes, Fleischmann emphasized how important it is to speak up when an injustice is seen, and he connected his own story to the timely subject of bullying.

Students responded well and were eager to hear from someone who avoided the camps, as well as learn about the three-month journey that led him from his home to France, Spain, Portugal, and ultimately the United States.

Through Christ the King Prep's wonderful partnership with Junior Achievement and Capital One Bank, on January 31, 88 freshmen participated in "Finance Park". This is the third year they have had the good fortune to participate in the financial literacy program developed by Junior Achievement. Upon completion of the curriculum in the classroom, under the direction of CtK faculty, Mr. Kris Scotto, students traveled to downtown Newark to the Verizon headquarters. There students met with 10 Capital One volunteers. These volunteers coached our young people,as they assumed adult roles, making real life budgeting decisions.

Testimony from students, as well as Capital One volunteers, spoke volumes asto the success of this program.

"I liked having the opportunity to learn how to manage a debit card and a budget. I feel prepared for adulthood." - NyaGee

"The highlight of my experience was seeing the look on the students' faces when they were able to complete the budget."

"I had a positive impact on my students because I answered their question and tried to explain how finances affect them with real world examples."

Congratulations to (l to r) Elinor Mokaya, 8th grader at Sacred Heart School in Jersey City, 1st place in the Senior Division of the Jersey City Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratory Contest, Shana Mae Gonzales, 5th grader at Resurrection School Jersey City, 2nd place in the Jr. Division and Karissa Gabot, 7th grader at Sacred Heart, Senior Division of the same contest!

Catholic schools across the nation and in the Archdiocese of Newark are preparing to celebrate National Catholic School Week beginning Jan. 29. This one-week observance is an annual celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for America's young people. This year Catholic Schools Week begins Jan. and concludes Feb.4.

The theme of 2012 Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service.” The theme focuses on three priorities that Catholic schools establish that make them stand out from other educational institutions: Children are taught faith— not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God; academics, which in Catholic schools are held to very high standards and help each child reach his or her potential; service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship.

The Catholic Schools Week 2012 logo is a rectangle, with the words Catholic Schools in red across the bottom of the rectangle. The “t” in Catholic is a purple cross and from the right top corner of the T/cross is an undulating green banner with words in white lettering that proclaim “Faith. Academics. Service.”

The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to build community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic schools throughout the country. During this week, many dioceses and schools encourage parents to take full advantage of the benefits of local Catholic schools by enrolling their children in those schools.

Our schools will kick off their celebrations with Mass on Sunday, January 29, 2012. During the week they will hold science fairs, give tours, conduct academic competitions, perform musical celebrations and more. In short, the week is a celebration of the God-given talents of our children. Please contact the Catholic school in your area to see what events they are holding for the public.

Oratory Prep School’s seventh and eighth graders partnered with Kent Place’s Middle School girls to make sandwiches for at-risk and homeless people being served by Bridges, an outreach program in Summit. Mrs. Cathy Marshall, Oratory’s Campus Ministry Coordinator for the all-boys school expressed her pleasure at the joint effort with the girls' school that is just down the street.

“Our school prepares sandwiches for the Bridges program between four and six times a year. When Kent Place said they were interested in helping us with this project, we couldn’t have been more pleased.” Both schools’ officials felt this was the perfect way for the pre-teens to do volunteer work as well as get to know their neighbors from just down the street.

At the after school activity, the boys and girls made 300 ham and cheese sandwiches and packed bag lunches of fruit, juice, chips for at-risk or homeless people. Bridges serves communities in Irvington, Newark and New York City on their “runs” (delivery days) to those areas where they offer lunches and warm clothing.

Volunteer work at Oratory Prep School is just that: there is no required community service, but the boys at the Roman Catholic school for grades seven through twelve are encouraged to become involved in a charity that engages their sympathies. For more information about Oratory Prep, visit their website at www.oratoryprep.org .

Union Catholic High School’s SMAC (Student Movement Against Cancer), along with faculty moderator Mr. Edward Thornton ’04 and the New Jersey Blood Services, hosted a blood drive on December 13, 2011. Union Catholic had 37 whole blood donors, including alumni, faculty, parents, and community members. Over 100 lives can potentially be helped by this level of service. Statistically, one out of every three people will need blood at some point in their lives; which is why UC is strongly dedicated to increasing awareness for this cause. A second blood drive will be hosted on March 15, 2012. All eligible candidates are strongly encouraged to participate. For general information regarding medical eligibility, visit www.nybloodcenter.org .

Clubhouse Adventures, a small socially conscientious company, focuses on providing empowering tools for children that are educational, as well as entertaining is partnering with Transfiguaration Academy in Bergenfield. DB Adventures, an interactive reading series, was created to encourage both boys and girls to dream and believe that anything is possible.

Through DB Adventures, creators Tracey Serebin and Lee Glynn have developed seven characters, each having their own special talents, and interests, with whom children ages 5 -11 can relate and find guidance. The seven characters work together to accomplish their goals, find solutions to problems, and help others in need, while having fun in the process.

The creators based this series on nearly 20 years of experience working with children. Serebin has been a Guardian ad Litem, founder of her own non profit organization to provide basic needs to children in foster care, and as a Family Dynamics Counselor, continues to help children and young adults to develop life, communication and social skills.

The DB series and website have been illustrated and produced by Lee Glynn, an award winning web-designer, multi-media producer and illustrator.

Transfiguration Academy is partnering with Clubhouse Adventures by serving as the "launch platform" for this inspiring, entertaining and educational series. We will also be introducing the related DB curriculum, activities and projects which have synergies with, and applicability to our Academy's reading, social studies and religion programs.

Through their adventures, the characters will teach young boys and girls that all things are possible, through use of their God given skills and talents, and by applying the values which we, at Transfiguration Academy, recognize and re-enforce as true Gospel values. The adventures are designed for and encourage children, ages 5 to 11, to:

"AT&T is committed to providing nearly 350 summer jobs in 2012 through a variety of summer jobs initiatives. These opportunities help students, from high school to recent college graduates, develop skills and gain insight while preparing them to more successfully enter the job market. Examples of our summer opportunities for college students include our leadership development internships in the fields of finance, retail, IT and engineering, as well as our participation in college internship initiatives with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program. In addition to these unique opportunities, we also provide high school students the opportunity to experience the world of work through the Mayor’s Interns Fellows Program for Dallas high school students and the Christ the King Corporate Internship Program in Newark, NJ. Also in 2012, we will reach our initial goal of providing 100,000 high school students with the opportunity to learn more about career options and what it takes to be successful in today's workforce through our AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow initiative."

While studying a unit on child development, the psychology class at St. Mary of the Assumption High School was assigned a project-create an original eight page story for ages 3-5. The story had to use a holiday theme which taught a lesson not only about the holiday but also about counting, colors, places, language, or animals.

The class studied children’s books to understand font size and style, color usage, page design and story development. They also reviewed Piaget’s theory on Cognitive Development. After several weeks of revising their stories, checking for appropriate vocabulary, fixing grammar errors, and finding the perfect visual aids, the juniors and seniors were ready for the final grade – the approval of St. Mary’s Daycare students.Miss Anna Rojas, the principal of the daycare, graciously allowed the Psychology class to read the stories to the different age groups.

The juniors and seniors soon realized if their stories held the interest of their audiences. Overall, the daycare children were eager to ask questions and participate in discussions about Halloween costumes, Fourth of July fireworks, Santa’s eight reindeer, and Mardi Gras food. As a follow up, the Psychology students compared the attention spans and learning skills of the different groups. They also applied their lessons on behavioral and developmental psychology as well as the unit on learning to their discussion class. They concluded that the project was a great success with a sweet ending-candy canes for everyone!

New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean urging passage of the Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) at a State House rally on December 1, 2011.

Lacordaire Academy's Secondary Division students enjoy a series of special trips to New York City. On Wednesday October 12th the seniors were treated to a tour of Bloomberg Corporation followed by lunch at the Shake Shack and then to the rooftop at Metropolitan Museum of Art and a viewing of the new Egyptian sphinx in the museum's great hall.

The series will include a visit to Central Park on Thursday, December 1st for the 11 th and 12 th grades to include a walk up Fifth Avenue to Central Park. The excursion will include viewing the tree at Rockefeller Center, the decorated windows at Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy's with a stop at St. Patrick's Cathedral.

The educational series will also include a visit to Highline Park and the Chelsea Market in January for grades 9 -12. The mile-and-a-half-long elevated park runs through the west side neighborhoods of the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Clinton/Hell's Kitchen featuring an integrated landscape, combining meandering concrete pathways with naturalistic plantings and spectacular views of New Jersey and New York City.

St Agnes School in Clark celebrated Veterans Day with community members who have served then USA in the past, and those who are currently serving.

The students in Grades 3-8 at Assumption Academy in Emerson were treated to a special Veterans Day assembly on Friday, November 11 in the school's gymnasium.

Lieutenant Colonel John Tumino, whose three children are students at Assumption, presented a tribute to our troops, including stories, photographs and memorabilia from various branches of the Armed Forces. He was joined by First Lieutenant Arthur VanDeWeghe, a World War II Navy Pilot.

Alan Krutchkoss, Director of the "Adopt-A-Soldier" organization also spoke about his platoon, which collects many items and sends them to our troops overseas. Anyone interested in supporting these collections is welcomed to contact the school office.

Members of the Assumption Academy student council presented gifts of thanks to the guest speakers.

Saint Joseph Regional High School hosted its “Fifty Golden Moments in Sports” Banquet as part of an on-going celebration of the school’s Fiftieth Anniversary. The dinner was held at the Park Ridge Marriott on October 23 ^rd .

The program recognized the school’s top fifty athletic events from the past five decades, including the exceptional accomplishments of individuals and teams. A host of St. Joe’s athletes, who have gone on to professional careers, were recognized as well. The top ten events were identified through an on-line poll of the school’s alumni.

Principal Barry Donnelly, Athletic Director Anthony Karcich and Alumni Director Augie Hoffmann hosted the event, and presented an oral history of the school’s athletic program, as well as a video tribute to the athletes and events that stood out during the past fifty years.

“It was definitely a special evening,” said Mr. Karcich, who was himself recognized as the winning-est football coach in Bergen County history. “It was great to see so many of our alumni athletes, and to re-live some of the exceptional accomplishments that have been the hallmark of our program over the years.” Notable alumni attend such as SJR Board of Consultants member Monsignor John O’Keefe, Pastor, St. Margaret’s Church, Pearl River, New York and SJR Grad and NY Yankees announcer and former player, John Flaherty(pictured above).

The top ten events included the school’s county basketball titles in 1981 and 2005, its football titles in 1987 and 1997, baseball championships in 1993 and 1998, a state wrestling crown in 1998 and the 2010 Frozen Flashback hockey game vs Delbarton, which raised in excess of $250,000 for cancer research and garnered national media attention.

The top two events, however, focused on the school’s nationally recognized track program from the late Sixties and early Seventies. The shot-put relay team of Steve Adams, Bob Brady and John Long was honored for establishing a national record that stands to this day, and the 1969 Track team was recognized for earning “Team of the Century” from several local and national track publications.

Former Coach Robert Murphy of Park Ridge, one of the original members of the school staff in 1962, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of the nearly four dozen members of the track and field program from the Sixties and Seventies who attended.

“I was young enough and idealistic enough to believe that with hard work and desire, anything was possible,” said Coach Murphy. “They were young enough and idealistic enough to believe me, and eventually, became the finest high school track team ever assembled. Going forward, my wish for the future is that we never lose sight of our unique bond with one another.”

On October 27th, St. Mary’s of the Assumption School in Elizabeth students had the privilege to be the guests of Colonel Jeffrey C. Lieb , Deputy Commandant for the United States Corps of Cadets at West Point. Class of 1979 alumnus, Colonel Jeffrey C. Lieb planned a day filled with activities beginning with a history of West Point. The constant drizzle did not dampen spirits as the students were given a tour of the grounds and Trophy Point by Col. Nawoichyk. The highlight of the day was the privilege of having lunch with 4,700 cadets in the mess hall. Afterwards, the juniors toured Arvin Gymnasium where cadets were practicing the obstacle course which has to be completed in 3 minutes and 16 seconds to graduate from West Point! After a chance to purchase remembrances of their trip, the juniors boarded the bus and headed home with a new respect for those in the military.

The All Stars Projects Inc. awarded trophies to Ms. Moses, Ms. Sykes, Mrs. Massey, and Ms. Everlyn Hay, principal of Queen of Angels School, for all the work they have done with the young people in the City of Newark for the last 35+ years. They were nominated by a former student, Taliah Jeffers. They went through a rigorous interview panel to determine if they would be chosen for the award. The reception was held at the PSE&G conference center. The trophies are called the Phat Friends Award.

Students at Mother Seton Regional High School , Clark, established a Chapter of GlamourGals Foundation. Mother Seton’s own “Glamour Gals” have partnered with Brighton Gardens in Edison Township. Approximately seventy students have volunteered for this community service event. The first makeover for Mother Seton students and the first makeover in Middlesex County were held at Sunrise Senior Living of Brighton Gardens, Edison Township, NJ.

Kavita Mehra, NYC Metro Area Program Director of GlamourGals and a 2000 graduate of Mother Seton Regional High School was instrumental in spearheading the launch of the first makeover session for her alma mater. “It is delightful to see Kavita working in this executive capacity. We are proud of her and of her accomplishments. She is truly living the mission of Mother Seton Regional High School” said Sister Regina Martin, Principal at Mother Seton Regional High School. Mayor Antonia Ricigliano of Edison joined Mother Seton’s volunteers along with GlamourGals Executive Board Member, Louis Valerio and staff to launch this event.

The first makeover session included fifteen students and several residents of Brighton Gardens. The girls arrived and the makeovers began! “Aside from the makeovers and manicures, the engaging conversations among the Mother Seton students and the residents were truly heartwarming” commented Joan Barron, Assistant Principal at Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark.

Senior,Emily Lubas, Linden, is President of Mother Seton’s chapter of GlamourGals, Junior, Zina Sockwell, Newark, is the Vice-President and Sophomore, Marialaina Nissenbaum, Fords, is the Rally Girl. “Our GlamourGals makeover not only fulfilled my expectations but also surpassed them. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the residents after the makeover is a feeling I will cherish always. It was a privilege to be able to serve the residents of Brighton Gardens by sharing in their companionship” said Emily Lubas, Mother Seton’s GlamourGals Chapter president.

GlamourGals is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has inspired and organized teens to provide companionship and complimentary beauty makeovers to women living in senior homes since 2000.

Thursday, 20 October saw the campus of Saint Joseph Regional High School bustling with over 300 eighth graders representing 22 schools from New Jersey and New York demonstrating their ability to think critically and demonstrate their knowledge in English, math, religion, science, social studies, art, spelling and the "Superquiz," which tests a "little bit of everything, and competing for academic laurels at the 13th annual Scholastic Olympics sponsored by the Montvale secondary school.

Mr. Barry Donnelly, principal of Saint Joseph Regional High School, reports that the following school teams took top honors:

First Place

Transfiguration Academy

Bergenfield

Second Place

Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Park Ridge

Third Place

Saint Elizabeth School

Wyckoff

Congratulations to all the participants, their teachers and principals for encouraging participation in this most worthwhile demonstration of academic ability and achievement. Many thanks to the community of Saint Joseph Regional High School for sponsoring this great event.

Congratulations to the school communities for being selected as 2011 Honorees in the New Jersey YOUTH Service Awards Program. We are all very proud of your achievements and your concern for the advancement of the common good and our brothers and sisters.

Seven students from Holy Trinity Interparochial School in Westfield have been honored as among the brightest students in the nation at a statewide awards ceremony for gifted children sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth.

The Center honored the students as participants in the 2011 CTY Talent Search, for their exceptional performance on a rigorous, above-grade-level test, given to academically talented second through eighth graders. The students are: Veronica Cunningham, seventh grader of Scotch Plains; Sarah Fannick, seventh grader of North Plainfield; Michelle Ferrer, seventh grader of Mountainside; Lauren McNeil and Jacqueline McNulla, both seventh graders of Plainfield; Daniel Scalia, sixth grader, and Hannah Toner, a seventh grader, both of Westfield.

During the Talent Search, advanced young learners take above-grade level tests designed for older students as a means of gaining insight into their abilities. Seventh and eighth graders take the SAT or ACT—the same tests used for college admissions, while second through sixth graders take the SCAT, an above-level test scaled for younger students.

The seven Holy Trinity Interparochial students joined more than 50,000 students worldwide who participated in this year’s CTY Talent Search. Because of the difficulty of the tests, only 25 to 30 percent of students who participated earned an invitation to a CTY’s Awards Ceremony to be individually honored for their academic performance and potential.

“They are a group of extremely bright students, well-deserving of the honor” said Sister Maureen Fichner S.S.J., principal of Holy Trinity School. “More importantly, they are fine examples of solid Christian citizens who contribute to our school community in a positive manner.”

This fall some 9,500 CTY Talent Search honorees were invited to participate in Award Ceremonies at 34 sites across the county.

Visitation Academy in Paramus was awarded an environmental grant: Lightening our Carbon Footprints, One student at a time. Visitation Academy won a grant to publish a calendar featuring student artwork. The ongoing theme is "Lightening our carbon footprints, one student at a time…" On Friday, October 14th, Ms. Brienza and two members of our Student Council, Alexa Valentin and Jordan Orriols received the grant at an awards ceremony at Bergen Community College sponsored by the Bergen County Utilities Authority.

A student from Sacred Heart School in Jersey City has founded her own charitable organization. According to NJ.com :"Most teenagers aren’t thinking too much about the world beyond their windows, but when Elinor Mokaya looks through hers, she’s thinking about it all intently — from the plight of her Jersey City neighbors all the way to Kenya.

"Elinor Mokaya is a serious 13-year-old who wants to make a difference in the lives of needy children in Jersey City and Kenya," said Elizabeth Royster, executive director of the local non-profit ShredLove.In consultation with her parents and mentors at Sacred Heart School in Jersey City, Elinor founded and launched Kids4Kids — an organization for kids who want to help disadvantaged children at home and abroad.

According to her father, Henry, he emigrated with his family from Kenya seven years ago. He said his daughter watched a special on TV and learned about the Somalian refugees who are settling on the border of Kenya."She was touched by the suffering of the children and wanted to help them," he said. "This was her motivation to start an organization. ... The goal is to get food, clothing and books to the children of Somalian refugees"

The Saint Dominic Academy Chinese Program, which is now in its third year and offering Chinese I, II, and III, recently received a generous donation of approximately $700 of educational materials from Hanban North America Education.

The Office of Chinese Language Council International, known as Hanban, is committed to making Chinese language and cultural teaching resources available to overseas Chinese learners in an effort to contribute to the formation of a world of cultural diversity and harmony.

SDA Chinese teacher, Ms. Yanfei Li gratefully accepted the resources, which included textbooks and other reading materials about China. The resources are both in English and in Chinese on topics such as literature, history, language, art, science, geography and cuisine. In addition, SDA received audiovisual materials about Chinese culture, travel and geography, as well as dictionaries and reference materials for both students and teacher.

Ms. Li has already begun to implement the materials in her classroom. “These materials will greatly help my students to learn Chinese. They provide an opportunity to make the learning process even more exciting through the usage of colorful audio-books and audio-dictionaries, character stories, videos and DVD’s about Chinese songs, scenery, culture and traditions. It is as if we now have a small library of Chinese resources here.

”Saint Dominic Academy, a Catholic, independent school for girls, has been empowering women for leadership in a global society for over 130 years. Located in an historic building on Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City, the Academy’s mission is to advance the causes of justice through education. The college preparatory program features a rigorous academic curriculum. Saint Dominic Academy is the only Catholic school in New Jersey to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. A rich array of co-curricular offerings include athletics, literary and artistic publications, service opportunities and a comprehensive women’s choral program, which has won many regional and national competitions and has performed at Carnegie Hall. Sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, the Academy is rooted in Christian values and embraces its richly diverse community of learners.

At St. Joseph of the Palisades Elementary School, Ms. Costa’s Kindergarten class had a wonderful time participating in different learning centers.

Ms. Costa sets up different stations around the classroom where the children practice different skills including: reading, writing, problem solving and math.

Children HAVE FUN while excelling in variety of skills. Great job, Kindergarten!

The Benedictine Academy (Elizabeth) CSI Science Contest held at the all-female Catholic secondary school on Saturday, October 1 brought together a total of twelve teams from seven area elementary schools. The young student participants spent several hours investigating a staged “crime” and then attempted to solve the mystery surrounding it based upon “clues” provided by the Elizabeth Police Department. Girls in grades 6-8 participated in the event, which featured teams of 3-6 students, guided by a faculty advisor, performing basic crime lab investigations. Each student team featured an “evidence collector”, a “lab technician”, an “interviewer”, a “sketch artist” and a “photographer”. The first place award for solving the “crime” was given to Robert Treat Academy Charter School in Newark. Second place went to Hillside Catholic Academy. Third place was awarded to Holy Spirit R.C. School, Union.

All eyes were on members of the Elizabeth Police Department's “Crime Scene Investigation” unit and the Elizabeth Fire Department’s Rescue One Squad at the start of the event, as they staged what was described as “a possible arson crime” in the parking lot of the Academy. As part of the exhibition, Rescue One staged an “accident” with “injuries” to demonstrate how an arson crime can originate. They also enacted a vehicle “extraction” for students to observe. CSI student participants were allowed to investigate the object of the “possible arson attempt”- a car that had been severely burned. After examining the burned vehicle and taking notes, the students spread out in numerous “investigation rooms” (classrooms).The police detectives on hand assisted by helping students piece together “clues” from “evidence” presented to the various investigative teams. They also offered insights into how the unit conducts analysis of such “crimes”. The student “crime scene investigators” examined “crime scene evidence” such as “fingerprint smudges”, “blood”, and “DNA” that they had collected, using microscopes and other state-of-the-art technology in Benedictine Academy’s new interactive science lab.

Benedictine Academy science department faculty member Tom Randle coordinated the event along with Elizabeth Police Sergeant Mike Jones. Elizabeth Police Detectives Neal Coleman, Joe Garcia, David Rosa, Mickey Colon, Andy Cox and Paul Pasternak participated and assisted students in their investigations. Faculty members from Benedictine Academy were present to help with investigations and logistics. The other schools that participated in the CSI Contest were: Our Lady of Guadalupe, Elizabeth; St. Mary and St. Elizabeth Academy, Linden; St. Genevieve, Elizabeth; and St. Joseph’s, Roselle. All students received certificates for participating.

Lucy Yoon, a senior at Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains who residews in Metuchen, scored a perfect 800 on the Math section of her college entrance SAT exam. Lucy, an international student from Korea who entered UC during her sophomore year, dedicated most of her SAT preparation time to the Writing and Verbal sections, but managed to take the highest level math and science classes during high school to ensure her success on the Math portion. Lucy noted that completing the AP Calculus AB course during her junior year best refreshed basic formulas and principles, since included in the class was other math course-content, such as Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus. By the end of her senior year, Lucy will also have taken AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, and AP Biology, as well as AP Physics through Virtual High School. All of this vigilant preparation is in hopes of her eventual attainment of a doctoral degree in renewable energy. Lucy’s current goal is to be accepted into a university, such as Cornell or Duke, with strong environmental and chemical science programs.

Seven Catholic elementary schools within the Archdiocese of Newark, are among fourteen schools in New Jersey that have been recognized as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools. The Catholic schools receiving the Blue Ribbon designation are as follows:

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan released the list of 304 schools to be honored at the November awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. The list of 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools includes 255 public schools and 49 private and parochial schools. The complete list of 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools can be found at: http://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools .

Since 1982 the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon Schools Program has honored public and private schools that are either high performing or have improved student achievement. The seven schools in the Archdiocese of Newark receiving the award have been recognized as high performing schools.

Schools recognized as high performing schools are schools ranked among each state’s highest performing schools as measured by their performance on state assessments or, in the case of private and parochial schools, schools that score at the highest performance level on nationally normed tests.

Public schools eligible for the Blue Ribbon Schools Award are nominated by their Chief State School Officer based on the school’s performance on state assessments. Private and parochial schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) which is permitted to nominate 50 schools each year. Schools nominated by CAPE must have scores on national standardized tests that place the school in the top 15 percent of schools nationwide in student achievement in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics. Each of the 2011 Blue Ribbon schools from the Archdiocese met this criteria based on the school’s 2010 TerraNova scores. In addition to the student achievement criteria eligible schools must have an enrollment of at least ten students in each of the grades tested during the most recent five years. Each of the eligible schools were invited to complete the Blue Ribbon application which required demographic data, an overview of the school and the community it serves, an analysis of assessment results, and descriptions of specific elements of the school’s program that contribute to students’ academic achievement. Additional information about the National Blue Ribbon Awards Program can be found at: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html .