HAPPY NEW YEAR!HAPPY NEW YEAR!January 2017

GOODNEWSThe Ewing Public SchoolsJune 2005

Due to budget restraintsNO Summer School Programs

will be offered by the Ewing Public Schools

during the Summer of 2005.

Safety TownJune 30 - July 11

Contact: Jean Conrad609-538-9800 x1302

for application

On April 18, 2005 Ms. Chiavuzzo, Mrs. Walker and 30 Ewing High School freshmen joined several Mercer County high school and college students, and politicians to hear a presentation given by Mikhail Gorbachev at the Sovereign Bank Arena. Gorbachev was the last communist leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. During his term he instituted various policies including his political policy of Glasnost and economic policy

Ewing High Students Attend Gorbachev PresentationWhitney Lewis, EHS Freshman

Have a Happy Summer!!GoodNews will resume

with the September issue of the Observer

The recipients of the 2005 Teacher of the Year Awards were honored at a luncheon on April 29th. Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year, was a guest speaker. 1st row (L to R): Joan Zuckerman, Principal Antheil; Sharon Solomon, Lore; Jan Fay, 2004 Mercer County Teacher of the Year; Inetta Emery, Principal Parkway; Danielle Miller, EHS; Superintendent Ray Broach. 2nd row: Darrell Jackson, Principal FMS; Donna Andreas, Antheil; Don Barnett, FMS; Betsy Turgeon, Parkway; Rodney Logan, Principal EHS.

Nearly sixty years since Allied forces liberated the Nazi concentration camps, the now elderly survivors of the Holocaust are turning to a new generation to preserve their testimony about their wartime experiences for future generations. Holocaust survivors are steadily dwindling in number. Many have made it their mission to educate the world that anti-Semitism and racism easily lead to murder, and to speak about the horrors they and their families suffered. With the passing of time, it has become urgent to find a new generation to continue the survivors’ mission and tell their stories after the survivors can no longer do so. On April 12, the Adopt-a-Survivor (AAS) program was introduced to the Trenton area at Ewing High School. Six Holocaust survivors were adopted by twelve Ewing High sophomores. The adopted survivors—Moshe Gimlan, Vera Goodkin, Marion Lewin, Ruth Lubitz, Charles Rojer and Jack Zaifman—were originally from Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Belgium. The AAS program pairs a survivor with one or more students. The students embark on a joint journey with the survivor through discussions about life before, during and after the Holocaust. Participating students will be able to represent the survivor and tell the survivor’s story with accuracy and feeling in the years to come. In addition, each student makes a commitment to tell the survivor’s story in a public venue in the year 2045, a hundred years after the liberation of Auschwitz. The twelve student adopters are Dave Angebranndt, Tyler Barnes, Annie Cook, Liz Dunham, Emily Everett, Curtis Fornarotto, Vildana Hajric, Devon Jones, Jen Meade, Billy O’Callaghan, Nikyta Sharma and Melysa Wilson.

Adopt-a-Survivor Program Begins at Ewing High School

Teacher of the Year Recipients are Honored

of Perestroika. His policies reopened churches, released political prisoners, and lifted bans on previously censored books. The 20th anniversary of Perestroika was one of the essential themes of Gorbachev’s presentation. The policy’s main goal was to make the Soviet economic system more efficient. Perestroika involved the transfer of control from the government to the business owners. This policy

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The Ewing Public Schools

Five teams from Ewing High School’s Future Business Leaders of America Chapter have successfully made it into the 2016-17 regional round of the JA Titan® Virtual Competition! This competition challenges participants with the task of managing their own virtual business. Teams are able to monitor their success, develop new and exciting features for their product, and try to be more successful than the other competing

EHS Future Business Leaders of America Competing at JA Titan® Virtual Regional Competition

By: Ben Sulton & Jack Rivasteams. The JA Titan® Virtual Competition is a rigorous event, which allows team members to use acquired knowledge from other classes offered in the Ewing High School Business Department. Students will assume the role of CEO and make decisions which will affect the profitability and sustainability of their virtual company.

This year, 256 teams from around New Jersey participated in the JA Titan® Virtual Competition. Only 64 of these teams qualified to compete in the regional round. We are proud to announce that five of the seven registered teams from EHS have qualified for the regional round of the competition, which will take place on January 24, 2017 at Munich RE’s Princeton-based headquarters. FBLA Advisor, Mr. Joseph Perricone, would like to thank the FBLA students who participated in the first phase of the JA Titan® Virtual Competition, and for their month-long dedication to the tournament. We hope that you will wish us luck as we continue to represent our school at this exciting event!

The Ewing Schools’ Business Office was recently honored for its achievement in the areas of financial record keeping and employee safety awareness.

The Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund recognized the district for its outstanding audit performance and for achieving the highest levels of local safety awareness as measured by the group’s Safety Incentive Program.

The district was the recipient of a $2,500 check to support the Ewing School’s innovative employee health, fitness and safety initiatives.

School Business Administrator Dennis Nettleton presented the check to Board President Stephanie Staub during the December Board meeting.

Ewing Schools Honored for Business Office Excellence“We are committed to the highest standards

of business office excellence and promoting a safe and healthy work environment for our employees,” Mr. Nettleton stated.

Start the Year Off Right on a Musical Note

EHS Winter Concert: January 12th Don’t Miss It!

The Ewing High Music Department has been busy during the first half of the 2016-17 school year. The staff and students have been working very hard for their upcoming winter vocal and instrumental concert on January 12, 2017. The concert will feature the Orchestra, Concert Choir, Mastersingers and the Concert Band.

Instrumentally, the orchestra will perform pieces such as ‘Capriccio Espagnol’, ‘All About That Bass’ and ‘Overture’ as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The Orchestra will also feature senior viola soloist, John Bentz, in Charles-Auguste de Beriot’s ‘Air with Variations No. 14’.

The concert band will perform standard works such as ‘Lassus Trombone’, ‘Gospel John’ and ‘Stevie Wonder in Concert’. In addition to the concert band program, the band students worked hard to present their marching band field show, ‘Queen’. The band had 11 performances during the fall at both home and away football games. The show incorporates music, choreography and movement together to provide maximum entertainment. The Queen show featured tunes such as ‘A Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

The Concert Choir will perform a variety of different styles including, Classical, Folk, Jazz, African-American Spiritual, and Multi-Cultural music. In addition, the Mastersingers will perform an a cappella arrangement of modern pop music.

Come on out and start 2017 on a musical note by attending the Ewing High School Winter Concert on January 12, 2017 at 7:00 PM in the Ewing High School Auditorium. This concert is FREE to the public, so take a night off from practicing your accordion and join in the fun!

Ewing High School’s Project Unify, Culinary Club, Rotary Club and Key Club members collaborated together to make over two dozen pies for clients of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

The Ewing Public Schools

Fisher Middle School firmly believes in acknowledging student accomplishments. During the 1st Recognition Assembly for the 2016-17 school year, a total of 320 students were acknowledged for acquiring Honor Roll status. Of the 320 students, 73 were noted for obtaining all A grades in each subject and 247 achieved grades of A and B in each subject. During the assembly, the 320 honor roll students all received an Honor Roll Student Certificate and were given a Smart Kids Rule in Ewing backpack from the EPEF by way of the Credit Union of New Jersey. One randomly-selected backpack held a winning ticket for one free game at Slocum’s Bowling Alley, supplies provided by the school store, and an AMC movie gift card. Additionally, 479 students were nominated as FMS Good Citizens. Those students received a Certificate of Achievement and a Gold Card which can be used for purchases at the school store. Furthermore, one Good Citizen per grade

Washington Crossing State Park’s Seasonal Naturalist

Visits Lore SchoolKevin Kavanaugh, Seasonal

Naturalist at the Nature Center at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, New Jersey, presented a nature education assembly to Lore students in Kindergarten through third grade. The topic of the assembly was

the signs of autumn and what happens to plants and animals in the fall. The assembly provided students with a close encounter experience with a baby Snapping Turtle, a Stinkpot Turtle, an Eastern Box Turtle, and an Eastern Milk Snake. Mr. Kavanaugh, also the Lore School PM Extended Day Program Head Teacher, also gave the afternoon EDP students an up-close and personal encounter with the nature center’s reptiles. The Lore School PTO generously made a donation to the nature center.

FMS Orchestras Have a Special Guest

In December, Dr. Harold Levin from the College of New Jersey visited the Fisher Middle School orchestras. Dr. Levin is the adjunct viola professor and Director of the Orchestra at TCNJ. The professor listened to students perform and worked with them on their concert repertoire. Students received valuable feedback regarding their individual technique and how to make a better ensemble sound.

was selected via an online random name selector. Those winners were given a FMS backpack filled with school supplies and an iTunes gift card.

The ceremony was led by Mrs. Freeman, Dean of Students. However, multiple staff members provided assistance to ensure the program ran flawlessly. Principal Brower and Assistant Principal Dwyer addressed each grade level and offered congratulatory remarks. Mr. Bonner acknowledged students of the month.

The guest speaker for all three assemblies was Student Council President, Yamir Chapman. He did a phenomenal job speaking with his peers. Yamir, an honor student and Good Citizen, provided sound advice about what Safety, Ownership, Achievement

and Respect should look like at Fisher. He reminded the students to be more mindful of how they treat one another despite their differences. Yamir also talked about setting and achieving goals and the importance of encouraging yourself as you set forth to achieve your goals. He compared some of the privileges FMS students have versus their counterparts in other states and how they should not take those privileges for granted. He concluded with sage advice, emphasizing the importance of owning our good and bad decisions. Yamir encouraged his peers to learn from their mistakes and improve upon them. He ended with, “Don’t forget you make your own world, don’t let the world make you!’”

Fisher’s First Student Recognition Assembly

Throughout the 2016-17 school year, the administration of the Ewing Schools has been working hard in the planning, creation and establishment of a Community Transitions Program for the neediest students of the community.

Over the past several years, the Life Skills program at the high school has expanded considerably. The program serves students with autism and other developmental disabilities. The program now has eight students, but is expected to grow to as many as 20 over the next several years.

“We have exceptional teachers, strong leadership and a wonderful curriculum,” Superintendent Michael Nitti stated, “but we realized we needed a better way to integrate our students into the workplace and the community, which was the genesis of the Community Transitions Program.”

The Ewing Public Schools have partnered with several community stakeholders to build the program and integrate positive, relevant life experiences for the students. These groups include the ARC of Mercer, Parents of Autistic Children, Rider University, the New Jersey Travel Independence Program, and Advancing Opportunities.

“We recognized the importance of transitioning our students into adult services with meaningful work and life experiences,” Director of Special Services Harry Louth stated. “The Community Transitions Program allows us to provide a dynamic curriculum for our students.”

According to Mr. Nitti and Mr. Louth, the main focus of the program is to integrate the students into the community, provide opportunities to enhance and practice social skills, and to provide career exploration that will help the student transition to a job post-schooling.

The program offers functional experiences, such as using HomeFront’s state-of-the-art kitchen to build culinary skills, and students have the opportunity to take music lessons, art courses and develop technology skills. Community-based activities and structured learning experiences are centered around the results from each child’s ‘Person-Centered Planning’ (PCP) and the program’s commitment to follow each student’s interests. Students investigate a variety of employment interests, such as janitorial, culinary, supermarkets, horticultural and technology.

Furthermore, the program is supported by the recently adopted ‘It’s All About Work’ curriculum, which provides lessons and assessments that evaluate both independent living skills and career readiness choices.

“Active participation in our community means not only creating opportunities for our students, but also encouraging engagement with local businesses and organizations through meaningful employment experiences,” Mr. Louth stated.

“We are grateful and appreciative of the support of the Board and community in this endeavor, and look forward to seeing a positive impact on our students,” Mr. Nitti concluded.

Ewing Schools Established Community Transitions Program

The Ewing Public SchoolsElementary Schools Unveil

‘Nitti Gritty Award’When it comes to the significant things that

students learn in school, perhaps nothing is more important than the value of persistence and determination, often referred to collectively as ‘grit’.

“It is the rare student who does not encounter challenging frustration in their studies, particularly in the area of math,” District Supervisor Don Wahlers stated. “We want to encourage students to work through their frustration and to keep striving for success.”

For the 2016-17 school year, to honor district elementary students who exemplify the Math Practice Standard of “making sense of problems and persevering to solve them,” the district elementary schools have initiated the ‘Nitti Gritty Award’.

The brainchild of district teacher Pat Cox, the award is named for school district superintendent, Michael Nitti, whose name fortuitously rhymes with ‘gritty’ and recognizes those students who have persevered in math class to solve problems, and shown ‘grit’ – the ability to work through challenges and never give up.

The ‘Nitti Gritty Award’ is awarded to one student in every K-5 class for recognition of showing determination and dedication in math. The certificates, suitable for framing, will be awarded every marking period.

For his part, Mr. Nitti was honored to be a part of the concept.

“It is essential that our students understand the importance of perseverance and resiliency,” Mr. Nitti stated. “Learning math is not always sunshine and rainbows. There will be struggles, and students have to overcome obstacles and work through challenges to keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.”

Mrs. Cline’s second grade class hosted a special event to thank Ewing’s police and firefighters. A Celebration of Heroes featured students performing short plays, special bracelets made by the students, and a photo area featuring student-made props. Everyone had a great time!

Look ForwardIn five short months, the Ewing Public Education

Foundation announces its grants funding for the 2017-18 academic year. The Foundation’s all-volunteer board has been very busy throughout 2016 and now kicks into high gear. We look forward to awarding teachers the support they need to bring innovative, inspiring programs to our Ewing students. Help us collect those much needed funds by supporting our ‘Champions for Education’ campaign. For the price of five fancy winter coffees, you can put $25 toward enriching programs for our kids! Contribute now at www.EPEF.org. Become a part of the conversation by following us on Facebook and Twitter!

What do you like best about Ewing High School? The thing I like best about Ewing High is the amount of school spirit that everyone in the school portrays. Everyone shows an

immense amount of love for the teams, clubs and teachers at the school. With all the respect, Ewing High makes me feel at home.Who are your favorite teachers or coaches? There have been many coaches and teachers who have allowed me to excel in my education and athletics. Coach Monty has been a huge presence in my development as an athlete. He’s always been there for me, trusting me. It is a great feeling. Coach Harris also allowed for me to develop as a swimmer and was a great coach. My favorite teachers are Ms. Hafer, Mrs. Walker and Mr. Perricone who have all taught me multiple lessons which will benefit me in my future.What activities do you participate in? I participated in cross country in the fall, all four years. I also was part of the swim team for three years. This year I am participating in winter track for my senior season. I have also been a member of the spring track and field team during all four of my years at Ewing High School. Lastly, I am a member of the school’s peer leadership program, which is an extraordinary program.

What is your favorite memory of high school? The memory that sticks out the most for me in high school was when I set the school’s 100 backstroke record my sophomore year. I worked all season for it, coming within a second from the record multiple times. I would swim slower and it began to frustrate me, but I continued to work hard in the pool and eventually beat the record by two seconds. I never looked back. I would later set two more records that year and one the next year.

What do you do outside of school? Outside of school I have two jobs, I work at PEAC Health and Fitness on the turf side working birthday parties and the juice bar during the week. In the summer, I work at the ESCC as a summer camp counselor.

What are your plans after you graduate? Once I graduate, I plan to attend a four year university to start the road to my future. I will be majoring in business management with a minor in philosophy. I have aspirations of attending law school and becoming a sports agent.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Five years from now I see myself with one degree under my belt and beginning my attendance of law school to become a sports agent. I see myself with the countless opportunities with internships through the sports world. I see myself with a small job to get me through law school without an immense amount of debt to pay off and, lastly, becoming the most successful man I can possibly become.

Senior Spotlight: Meet Derick Wyatt

Antheil’s Fifth Grader Lends a Helping Hand

During first grade ‘Buddy Read’ time in Miss Sabatino’s class, first grade friends work on their fluency and comprehension skills by reading and discussing their stories together. One Friday, we were so

lucky to have Courtavious, a fifth grade friend, come to lend his expertise. Pictured here, he is buddy reading with first grader Remedy. He was able to read to her and listen to her read, giving tips and encouragement along the way. Miss Sabatino’s students are STILL talking about his visit and can’t wait for their turn to read with our smart, cool new friend! Thanks, Courtavious!

A Celebration of Heroes at Parkway School

The Ewing Public Schools

January 2017 Schedule in Ewing SchoolsJan 2 School Closed - Winter BreakJan 4 EHS - PSAT Family Night @ 6:30pm (New Date)Jan 9 EHS - Student College Application Workshop @ 2:30-4pm BOE Organization Meeting - 7pm @ FMS Parkway - PTA Meeting @ 7pmJan 10 FMS - FPA Meeting @ 6:30pmJan 12 EHS - Winter Concert @ 7pmJan 16 School Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr.Jan 18 EHS - Winter Concert Snow DateJan 19 FMS - Band Concert @ 7pmJan 23 EHS - Student College Application Workshop @ 2:30-4pmJan 24 FMS - Band Concert Snow Date @ 7pmJan 25 EHS - College & Career Night @ 6:30pm Antheil - PTO Meeting @ 6:45pmJan 26-30 Early Dismissal - EHS ONLY (Exams) FMS - Orchestra Concert @ 7pmJan 28 Odyssey of the Mind Officials Training @ FMS Jan 30 FMS/Elementary Schools - End of MP2Jan 31 Closed - EHS Student ONLY (Transition Day)

K-8 Early Dismissal

?Superintendent’s Office609-538-9800 ext. 1102

Email: thullings@ewingboe.orgWebsite: www.ewing.k12.nj.us

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The Ewing Public Education Channel (FIOS31/Comcast 19) displays district and school information, concerts and awards presentations.

Instant Alert is an important communication tool for The Ewing Public Schools. A link is available on our website under Parent Information/School Closings. It is the responsibility of the parent/staff member to manage the profile for receiving alerts. Please update your profile.If you are receiving alerts and are not a member of the Ewing Schools commu-nity, please notify us (538-9800 X1102 or thullings@ewingboe.org).

Virtual Backpacks, Calendars and Headlines pages on the website are where you will find up-to-the minute information on district-wide events, deadlines, fundraisers and interesting stories about our schools, students and staff. Ewing Recreation and other area events are posted in the VBP under Community Information.

Residency Investigation Hotline 538-9800 X8999 Anonymous Tip Hotline 538-9800 X1199

Policies and Regulations: All current policies and regulations for The Ewing Public Schools are available on our website under the Board of Education/Board Policy/Regulation tab.

Ewing Twp Recreation InfoPlease check the Virtual Backpack link under our website homepage headlines for important information pertaining to Ewing Rec opportunities and events. Details and registration forms are posted on the Virtual Backpack/Community Information page of the website. Ewing Rec Pool Fees and Summer Camp information is in the community info virtual backpack.

Please visit our website daily for up-to-the minute information: www.ewing.k12.nj.us

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The Ewing public Schools TweetThe District uses Twitter as a means of sharing ‘what’s happening now’ information. The Twitter page for The Ewing Public Schools can be found at www.twitter.com/TheEwingSchools.

Emergency School ClosingsWe will communicate during emergencies via our official communication

portals: the district website, Instant Alert, Channel 19/31. Twitter is not an official emergency communication tool.

Should there be a delayed opening, all students report to school 1 hour and 30 minutes later than normal. Do not drop your child off earlier as there will not be sufficient staff for supervision.

Delayed Opening Hours: Early Dismissal Hours:Ewing High 9:15am Ewing High 12:15pmFisher Middle 9:55am Fisher Middle 12:55pmElementary 10:30am Elementary 1:40pm

Employment Opportunities for the New YearThe Ewing Public Schools anticipates employment opportunities

for Food Servers and Substitute Food Servers to work in various schools throughout the district. Positions are generally 3.5 hours per day and substitute positions are on-call. If interested in either position, please send your information to lzablow@ewingboe.org. The Ewing Public Schools is an EEO/AA employer.

Giving BackIn December 2016, many staff members at Fisher Middle School donated

unused household items to be sold at a Student Holiday Shop. All items were sold for $5.00 or less to students to buy holiday gifts for family and/or friends. The proceeds of the sale averaged over $800.00. $200.00 was taken from the proceeds and pet supplies were purchased for the Ewing Animal Shelter. The remaining money went to the HomeFront Shelter. The Fisher Family appreciates guidance counselor Jen Citarella and her team for spearheading this event.