June 2013
Issue 6
NHS PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER
Monthly Message
It is hard to believe that the end of the academic year is upon us! We begin the season of milestones
and acknowledgments starting with the Senior Scholastic and Student activities Awards program on
June 11th, followed by the Senior Prom on Friday, June 14th. This year’s Graduation Ceremony will
commence at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 27th in the Oval, weather permitting.
Final Exams - The Final Exam Bell Schedule has been sent to parents and students and is posted
on the NHS website. Exams will run from June 19 th through June 24th. The last day of school for
students is Tuesday, June 25th.
Governor’s Teacher Program - Congratulations to Robyn Powell, NHS Physical
Education Teacher, for being selected Nutley High School’s Honoree of the 2013
Governor’s Teacher Program!
Congratulations to the NHS-TV Class and Mr. Jim Kelly for being a Champion Schools Winner!
NHS-TV collaborated with the New Jersey Brain Institute to make drivers aware of the hazards and
distractions while behind the wheel. For their impressive video entry – http://youtu.be/A7L6XsvfzXc in the “2013 UGotBrains Champion School Project”, Nutley High School will be awarded a Virtual
Driver Interactive simulator.
Our NHS-TV production class was also awarded first place in the JAM Video Awards PSA Category
on May 22nd and they were nominated as a finalist in the Program Opening Category.
Kudos on your well-deserved awards and for the great work you are doing at NHS!
Summer Suggestions - Studies have shown that the summer break can be detrimental to student
academic progress, with skills learned throughout the year deteriorating through lack of use. It is
important to keep an active mind and to engage in meaningful activities which help you discover or
support your interests. Internships, volunteer opportunities, work, travel, and research experiences
can broaden your horizons.
Do we have your current address and phone number?
If you have changed your phone number or email address since September 2012, you must make an
appointment to update your information with our registrar, Mr. Natty Ferrara at 973-320-8494.
Denis Williams
Principal
[email protected]
973-661-8824
NHS Mission Statement
NHS Students of the Month
Stephanie Zysk is a junior who would like to pursue a career in law. She has
had a legal focus since the 6th Grade. She finds that her passion for law draws
her interest to her History classes. She is learning about the Watergate
Scandal in her US History II class with Mr. Ryan and finds the study of History
to be incredibly interesting. Along with Mr. Ryan, she gives Mr. Rosati and Mrs.
Marcantonio credit for helping foster her love of the study of the past.
Stephanie has been a very active student the past few years at NHS. She is a
member of the SADD Club, Secretary of the Car Club, and active in the French
and Italian Clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the
French Language National Honor Society and has been active in Student
Council.
Outside of school Stephanie has a full plate - working at Rita’s Ice, volunteering at the Montclair Community
Church Youth Group and at the Nutley Public Library Summer Reading program with young children. In her
free time she likes to spend time with her friends and enjoys swimming as much as she can.
Aside from her History classes, she also finds her Culinary Arts class to be a great hands-on learning
experience. She loves the challenges that Mr. Huggins provides his classes to come up with new recipes and
by the asking them to rethink traditional dishes. During the recent Middle States Accreditation visit Stephanie
was part of the student-run program that provided food services for the visiting team.
Stephanie offers this advice to her peers, She states, “You should always try your best and have fun in the
process!” A great sentiment!
Congratulations Stephanie on your selection as student of the month and for your positive contributions to NHS
school community!
Eric Conklin is a freshman who set out at the beginning of the year establishing
goals for himself. He wanted to improve his organizational skills and his study
habits and he wanted to get a varsity letter in two sports. He has shown
academic improvement throughout the year and garnered varsity letters in
Winter Track and Golf!
Eric is actively involved in the Soccer, Track and Golf programs and has
become active in the Key Club and Student Council. He has volunteered for a
myriad of community service programs through these affiliations and has come
to recognize the importance of caring about others and serving the community.
Eric is active outside of school helping his Dad with his business and also
caddies at local golf courses to earn extra money. He is always trying to find
time to improve his golfing skills and tries to get on a course when he can.
Eric really enjoys his Spanish class with Mrs. D’Urso. He likes learning about a new language and culture and
finds Mrs. D’Urso’s class to be challenging and engaging. He also enjoys Mr. Viteritto’s English class, stating
that Mr. Viteritto’s positive spirit keeps him focused and on his toes. His advice to his fellow students is as
follows: “Do the heavy lifting in school now and it will pay off later!” Great sentiment!
Congratulations Eric on your selection as student of the month and for your positive contributions to NHS
school community!
Staff Member of the Month
Mr. George Ackerman is retiring at the end of this year
after having spent 42 years as an educator, coach and
administrator at Nutley High School. His Mom was an
elementary school teacher and his Dad was a contractor,
exposing George to what he called, “the best of both
worlds”, which lead him to teaching Industrial Arts. Mr.
Ackerman has taught close to every Industrial Arts offerings
- woodworking, metalworking printing, photography, and
mechanical drawing.
An alumnus of Montclair State University, where he acquired
a BA and MA. As a student, George admired Mr. Hugo
Carbone, his science teacher, for his down to earth
approach - an approach he adopted himself. He also
acknowledges the influence of Jack Ball, his physical
education teacher, for his ability to “call it as it is”, and Joe
Mattiucci - for inspiring his interest in industrial arts and his
mastery of subject matter.
His favorite aspect of teaching is watching students get excited about learning process, he shared the
following example: George had a project at Spring Garden school that he needed to complete; he
started the welding job in the High School metal shop and started discussing the particulars with
students. Through this interaction, the students took ownership and eventually took over the process
and completed the job.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Ackerman enjoys hunting, deep-sea fishing, bowling, and he is a fan of
baseball. He also enjoys working with wood and, when he retires, wants to buy a house and remodel
it himself.
Mr. Ackerman coached rifle for over 20 year, bowling for over 15, was the Key Club advisor for 35
years; sponsored the Industrial Arts Club, Stage Crew and the Fishing Club. He also took over the
504 Program and became Coordinator of the Intervention and Referral services. He has enjoyed
supporting student activities and interacting with all of his students outside the classroom.
George came into education with three goals: To be a teacher at NHS, to be coach of the NHS Rifle
team, and to be the Industrial Arts Department Chair when Mr. Mattiucci retired. He achieved all three
in his career- starting as teacher and coach in 1971and becoming an administrator in 1995.
George is going to miss the interaction with colleagues and students as he leaves us and we will
greatly miss his presence. He has been an integral piece of the fabric that makes up the NHS
community.
His advice to students – never stop listening and learning - you are never too old to learn something
new - pursue your passions… He offers that same advice for his fellow educators and also wants
them to remember that you are always dealing with kids, keep the faith, and to be courageous and
fearless in your pursuits!!!
We appreciate the sentiments and are glad that Mr. Ackerman has graced us with his presence - we
will miss his energy and dedication to NHS next year. To our June Teacher of the Month – Godspeed!
Departmental Students of the Month
The following students have been nominated by each department for displaying good citizenship,
responsibility, respect, and trustworthiness in the classroom, in addition to being positive contributors.
Business/Creative Arts
Alyssa Di Napoli
Travis Pied
English
Jamie Myre
Mark Al Zouibi
Math
Nate Peraino
Hye-Jo Ahn
Music
Gina Melillo
Kimberly Weitzel
Physical Education & Health
Chloe Jelley
Aili Lim
Science
Emma Politi
Sara Ramezzana
Social Studies
Casey O'Mara
David Roghanian
World Languages
Erin Toye
Wei Liao
Athletes of the Month
Heather Williams
Senior Heather Williams played
first base most of the year for
the softball team. When we
needed to make some moves
as we approached the state
tournament, she moved to
strengthen our outfield without a
second thought. She batted
.458 on the year, led the team
in RBIs and was a great leader
with our very young team.
Salvatore Gabriele
Senior Sal Gabriele is a captain of the
lacrosse team. He has broken the
schools record at 71 goals for a single
season. He also has career goals of
105, being only the second lacrosse
player to break the 100 mark.
DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS
Social Studies
While driving on New Street along side high school and notice the roped off areas on the grass, that
is Mr. Rosati and his Archaeology students conducting an archaeological dig on the grounds of the
high school. Findings as yet unconfirmed.
Business & Creative Arts
Financial Literacy
Miss Hrubash’s Financial Literacy classes are currently working on a Credit Card Comparison
Project. In the first phase, the students will examine the features (costs and rewards/benefits) of
three student credit cards (Discover It, Citi Dividend, and Citi Forward) using the Credit Donkey
website. After recording pertinent data for the three credit cards, the students will establish the pros
and cons of each card (in phase 2) based on their personal preferences. In the final phase, the
students will decide which credit card best meets their needs by providing several reasons for their
selection.
Science
SeaPerch team scored in the top 10 in both water events at the 2013 National SeaPerch Challenge
on the campus of Purdue University/Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN. Students participated in
competition events with schools from all over the country including teams from California, Florida,
Colorado, and Puerto Rico.
Media AV News
NHS-TV
The heat is on...as NHS-TV Students stay hot!
Radio/TV II - Students, Erin Toye, Alana Meo and Kelli D'Aito, produced two mini-documentaries on
the School to Career and Work Study Programs at NHS. In collaboration with Advisors, Mrs.
Romaglia and Mrs. Vallo, these programs were featured at a recent Career Advisory Board
Luncheon. Both productions also aired on Cablevision and Verizon. The work captured the true
meaning of the faculty and students engaging in the learning process.
Radio/TV III - At a recent press conference, students were presented with a $2,000 dollar donation
grant from the AWWA NJ Water Commission for their documentary in the 6th Living History Series.
Eric Davis and the period eight-production team produced the program. The AWWA of NJ received
National recognition for this video series at their May Conference, in Atlantic City. Nice job by the
entire production team!
Radio/TV II and III - students attended the Eastern Media Conference and Symposium in late May.
Students were recognized for the top Public Service Announcement in the student-based awards.
They were also recognized as finalist in the entire state of New Jersey for Best News Show OpeningRaider Nation. Congrats!
Radio/TV III - Coming on June 7th- The NHS-TV media campaign will debut the "Raiders Ride Safe
Campaign" at the NJ Champion Schools Award Luncheon in Freehold, New Jersey. Judges from the
NJ Brain Alliance will assess the final product. This was a terrific collaboration with the Chamber of
Commerce and local business leaders. Good Luck Raiders!!!
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHTS
VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM
Congratulations to the following baseball players for their postseason honors:
Junior Anthony Rossi and Freshman Anthony Condito have been selected to participate in the Union
County/Essex County Underclassmen All-Star Game, being played on June 15th at Kean University.
Also, Congratulations to Senior Alphonse Petracco and Junior Kyle Cresci for earning 2nd Team AllConference Honors in the SEC American Division, and Senior Joe Feraco for being selected as an
Honorable Mention.
BOYS TENNIS
Boys tennis team defeated Colonia in the first round of the states, but lost to top ranked Mendham in
the second round.
Our season record was not great, however, Charlie Bingham and Steve DelGrande had great
success.
They were awarded First Team All-League in a very tough division and the also made it to the State
Doubles Tournament which starts June 1st. Good luck boys!! Congratulations for an outstanding
season.
CREW

GIRLS
Girls crew team captured the overall team points trophy at the Passaic River Sprints for the
fourth time in five years with first place finishes in the varsity 4, varsity 8, junior 8 and freshman
8 races.

At Long Island Championships every member of the girls varsity squad took home a medal as
the Junior 4 won their event, varsity four placed second and the lightweights took third.

Stotesbury Cup Regatta girls varsity and junior fours each advanced to semi-finals. The junior
4 had 60 boats in their event placing sixth in the time trial while the varsity had 49 crews and
they placed ninth overall in semi-finals.

Girls Varsity four placed third at State Championships automatically qualifying them for
National Championships. The Junior four and lightweight four each made finals at State
Championships and eventually were invited to Nationals as well.

Earlier in the year, girls varsity 4 won the North Jersey Championships.


BOYS
Boys team earned two medals at Long Island Championships in the varsity four (3 rd) and
lightweight four (2nd).
At the Passaic River Sprints, the two boys fours earned medals again as the lightweights won
their event and the varsity placed second overall.
GOLF
 The team finished their season with a record of 11-9.
LACROSSE
 Salvatore Gabriele’s 71 goals broke the record for the most goals scored in one season. He is
the second Nutley High School athlete to break the 100 career goal mark by scoring 105
career goals. He made 2nd Team All-Conference.
 Pat Minneci made Honorable Mention in our Conference.
 The team finished their season with an 8-12 record.
SOFTBALL
 Carly Anderson and Victoria Malanga made SEC American Division, All-League, 1st Team.
 Heather Williams made 2nd Team SEC American Division. Honorable Mention went to Brittany
Currie.
 The team finished their season with a record of 22-7.
TRACK
The girls track & field team was awarded the SEC Liberty Division dual meet title, going undefeated at
6-0.
The boys team finished the season at 4-2. The following Raider track & field athletes won All-SEC
honors:
First Team:
Sherein Abdelhady – open
Arielle Falcone – Triple Jump
Ashley Gapuz – Pole Vault
Grace Montgomery – Javelin
Elias Sabeil – High Jump
Jasmine Small – Long Jump
Natalie Sooksatan – High Jump
Second Team:
Chloe Jelley – 3200m
Robert Melillo – Javelin
Luke Michels – open
Grace Montgomery – All-Around
Meghan Montgomery – Javelin
Ahmed Sabeil – Pole Vault
Honorable Mention:
Jon Braun
Ann-Margaret Conca
Two NHS records were broken a t the Essex County Championships, both dating back to the 1995
three-time sectional champion team: Grace Montgomery broke the record in the javelin, throwing 118'
10", beating the mark of 115' 8". Arielle Falcone bounded 36' 4" in the triple jump, surpassing Melissa
Branigan's jump of 34' 11". Congratulations to both juniors.
The following Raider athletes were NJSIAA State Sectional medalists, advancing to the Group III
Championship meet May 31 / June 1 in South Plainfield: Rob Melillo, who won the sectional
championship in the javelin with a toss of 163'0", Arielle Falcone, who was second in the long jump
and sixth in the triple jump, Gianna Duncan, who was fifth in the shot put and sixth in the javelin,
Grace Montgomery, who was fourth in javelin and also member of the 4 x 800m relay team, Meghan
Montgomery (fifth in the girls' javelin), Sherein Abdelhady (fourth in the 400m), Anthony Zhang (sixth
in the boys' javelin), and the girls' 4 x 800m relay team of Montgomery, Chloe Jelley, Katie O'Connell,
and Ann-Margaret Conca, who finished sixth.
Athletic Eligibility
Students and parents should be aware of the rules for athletic eligibility entering into the second
semester. Click here for more information:
http://www.nutleyschools.org.schools.bz/userfiles/185/Classes/6466/NHS%20Athletic%20and%20CoCurricular%20Eligibility-1.pdf
STUCO News
Following are the results of the class and student council elections. Thank you to all
students who ran, and congratulations and good luck to the newly elected class and
student council officers for 2013-2014:
STUDENT COUNCIL
President
Vice President
Corresponding Secretary
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Sherein Abdelhady
Cassandra Guarino
Joseph Iannini
Emily Boyle
Katie Hovan
Junior Class Student Council Rep.
Sophomore Class Student Council Rep.
Sydney Casale
Bryan Dieterle
CLASS OF 2014
President
Vice President
Corresponding Secretary
Recording Secretary
Treasurer
Tori Reyes
Patrick Minneci
Brittany Currie
Nick Perrone
Kelly Heugel
CLASS OF 2015
President
Vice President
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Daniel Angelino
Jesse De Furia
Victoria Matturro
Julia McCarthy
CLASS OF 2016
President
Vice President
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Daniel Chagnon
Jacob Michels
Luke Michels
April Klecak
CLASS OF 2017
Elections will be held in September
Club News
Cyber Safety Club
The NHS Cyber Safety Club participated in a group activity with the students in Mr. Siculietano’s
class at the John H. Walker Middle School on Thursday, May 9. The activity revolved around
diversity related questions from activity cards in the Characters Unite Program; therefore, the theme
of the activity was peer tolerance. Interaction that transpired between the club members and the
middle school students was tremendous.
Health Careers Club and School To Careers Program
The students who participated in the program at UMDNJ-Scotch Plains Campus and Children's
Dental Health Month, along with the three poster contest winners, will be recognized at a pizza
luncheon on June 3rd here at the high school. Students will receive certificates for their participation
in the various programs sponsored by the Health Careers Club and the School to Career program
here at NHS
From the Nurse’s Office
Summer will be upon us very soon. Just some health tips for you.
 Use sunscreen or block with an SPF of 15 or greater when out in the sun. Make sure you
apply to all areas exposed to the sun.
 Reapply after being in the water or heavy sweating.
 Drink extra water when in the sun to avoid dehydration.
 Wear appropriate light weight, light colored, clothing when in the sun to help avoid heat
exhaustion.
 Apply insect repellant when you are in areas where you are at an increased risk for insect
bites, such as swamps, woods, fields, even in your local park or back yard. Check your
clothing to be sure no insects are on your clothes.
 Fireworks should be used only with adult supervision.
 Make sure there is a water supply available in the event of a fire.
 If this is your first summer driving and even if it isn’t - Have a great time! However, observe the
speed limits, drive defensively and DO NOT TEXT OR USE YOUR PHONE WHILE DRIVING!
Have a safe and healthy summer!