Find out what’s going on in the RFH Regional High School and Rumson and Fair Haven school districts.
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
If you didn’t get a chance to attend, now’s the time to find out how hard work, creativity, and abundant talent were driving forces behind the performances at the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Jazz Combo and Vocal Concert.
A variety of musical selections were presented by RFH jazz musicians and vocalists on the evening of May 18 in the high school’s auditorium.
The following is a press release from the Fair Haven School District:
If you didn’t get a chance to see the fourth and fifth grade Knollwood Drama Club’s recent production of James and the Giant Peach, here’s a look back:
Based on the book by Roald Dahl and adapted by Richard R. George, the production featured a cast of 36 students as well as a chorus of 16 and a troupe of 10 Cloud Dancers.
James and the Giant Peach tells the story of James Henry Trotter (Ryan-McCaskill-Schock), who lives with two horrid aunts named Spiker (Addie Cope) and Sponge (Anabelle Heinle). Poor James does not have any friends — until he meets the Old Green Grasshopper (Sophie Barabas) and the other insects taking up residence in a giant, magical peach. The group then sets off on an exciting adventure.
The production also featured Madeline Amper as Silkworm, Julia Coon as Earthworm, Kasey Hughes as Ladybug, Quinn McManus as Centipede, Nora Philips as Glowworm, and Sara Sullivan as Spider.
Scene Setters were Matthew Cruz and Ryan Giardino, and Sydney Gibson and Scott Gyimesi were James’s Mother and Father. Ben Durdack was featured as Old Man, and Vivianna Bermeo was the Captain.
Vanessa Lane and Emma Shaw were choreographers/head cloud dancers.
Thirty four students participated in the production as Ushers and also behind the scenes in backstage crew, makeup, set design, and technology crew.
James and the Giant Peach was directed by Viola L. Sickles School third grade teacher Morgan Bufano and Knollwood School fourth grade teacher Tammy Cappello.
The chorus was directed by Knollwood School music/chorus teacher Vince Mottern. Brian Ericson was tech director and Monica Caruso was the head of set design.
“Mrs. Bufano and Mrs. Cappello did an amazing job,” Knollwood School Principal Kevin Davis said. “The show was fantastic and the students were terrific.
“It was truly one of the best school performances I have ever seen!”
The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:
The Rumson School District has honored two as Teachers of the Year.
Holly Nixon and Lori Zucker were awarded the distinction, among many accolades from the Board of Education, friends, family and colleagues at the April 29 meeting.
“My goal is to bring excitement, curiosity, and enthusiasm to my classroom, and to foster an environment in which students have a joy in learning,” said Nixon, a first grade teacher at Deane-Porter School. “I am dedicated to giving my students an innovative education while above all helping to ensure their well-being, success, and growth.”
“I believe that teaching is one of the most fulfilling professions, and teaching at Forrestdale is a privilege and a pleasure,” said Zucker, an eighth grade English Language Arts teacher. “I love coming to work every day.”
Board President Colleen O’ Connor spoke of the many positive attributes displayed by both Nixon and Zucker, and the ways in which their students benefit.
“They are recognized as special teachers who build strong relationships with their students,” she said, “And they create a productive learning atmosphere where students are recognized and valued.”
Video tributes featuring students and colleagues were created for Nixon and Zucker, and shown at the meeting. Nixon was described as, among other things, “kind” and “caring.” Among the words used to describe Zucker were “warm-hearted” and “joyful.”
Nixon has taught at both Deane-Porter (Pre-K to 3rd grade) and Forrestdale (4th through 8th grade) Schools during her 14 years with the Rumson School District. She received her undergraduate degree from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attained her M. Ed. from Kean University in Union, New Jersey. A mother of four, she has been a resident of Rumson for the past 22 years.
“If you want to see patience in action, go see Mrs. Nixon,” said Deane-Porter School Principal Shari Feeney. “She is able to reach students in various ways because she is committed to them – and they know it.
“Mrs. Nixon sees tomorrow in her children’s eyes.”
Zucker has been teaching at Forrestdale School for 10 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and her M. Ed. from Teachers College/Columbia University in New York City. She began her teaching career at John Adams Elementary School in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and spent 10 years working in educational publishing before returning to the classroom.
“Mrs. Zucker is a respectful, reliable, and dynamic member of our eighth grade team, and is inspirational in so many ways” said Forrestdale School Assistant Principal Amy Romano. “She has a calling in her life, and has mastered the art of being firm yet fair while teaching her students to strive for excellence.”
“She does not work for accolades, but to enrich children’s lives.”
Nixon lives in Rumson with her husband Jeff and their children, Jessica, Amy, Allison, and Gregory, who attended grade school in the Rumson school district.
Zucker lives in Oakhurst with her husband Sam, children Annie and Daniel, nephew Keala, and dog Ziggy.
It’s curtain up on the 10th Annual Basie Awards on Wednesday and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) directors, actors, musicians and techies have already gotten a standing ovation in nominations.
Among its 11 nominations, RFH is up for Outstanding Overall Production in both the Drama and Musical categories for its Miracle on 34th Street and Young Frankenstein. In the acting categories, senior Julia Mosby also garnered nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in both the drama and musical categories for her roles in Miracle on 34th Street and Young Frankenstein.
RFH was also nominated for:
• Outstanding Set/Scenic Design in a Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Matthew Leddin;
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Matthew Leddin;
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Julia Mosby, Miracle on 34th Street;
• Outstanding Direction in a Drama, Suzanne Sweeney, Miracle on 34th Street;
• Outstanding Overall Production – Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Suzanne Sweeney;
• Outstanding Set/Scenic Design in a Musical, Young Frankenstein, Matthew Leddin;
• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical, Young Frankenstein, Matthew Leddin;
• Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra, Young Frankenstein, Vincent Mottern;
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Julia Mosby, Young Frankenstein;
• Outstanding Direction in a Musical, Suzanne Sweeney, Young Frankenstein;
• Outstanding Overall Musical Production, Suzanne Sweeney, Young Frankenstein.
Since 2005, the Basie Awards have served as a means to honor excellence in Monmouth County high school productions and performances.
The 2015 awards will be presented at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Wednesday night.
The three Count Basie Theatre Arts Impacts scholarships to be awarded to “high school seniors whose life, academic and career choice has been impacted by the arts” will also be announced at the ceremony: the Monmouth Medical Center/Barnabas Health Arts Impact Scholarship, the Monmouth County Freeholders’ Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education and the Moser-Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship.
For the full list of this year’s Basie Awards nominations, click here.
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students recently took the NJ Coast IEEE Robot Challenge and won third place.
Seven teams, 28 students, from RFH competed in the May 2 challenge at Brookdale Community College with Team Starlords taking the third place out of 40 teams from 15 New Jersey high schools.
The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:
Make Your Mark was the theme of the Fair Haven School District Art Show, featuring more than 1,000 pieces of original art.
“The art show is a great way to celebrate student talents and diverse ideas,” Knollwood School Art Teacher Kelly Fogas said. “The displayed works and items created throughout the year show the growth of artistic ability, conceptualization, and eagerness in our students.”
Students in Kindergarten through third grade at Viola L. Sickles School and in fourth through eighth grade at Knollwood School each contributed at least one project for display at the show on April 14.
This year’s show represented the district’s implementation of new standards in the Visual Arts program.
Those standards focus on essential questions to help develop both critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Fair Haven Visual Arts students are encouraged to create, present, respond, and connect their artwork to ideas that have personal meaning. This was reflected in the context of each of the displayed pieces.
Featured at the Art Show this year was a ceramics wheel and the Knollwood students’ creations from its use. The wheel was acquired as the result of a grant requested by and awarded to the Knollwood School Art Teachers by the Fair Haven Parent Teacher Association.
Also on display at the show was a variety of drawings and paintings as well as paper, wood and ceramic sculptures.
Fair Haven School District Art Teachers are: RoseAnn LaBrocca K-3, Viola L. Sickles School; Kelly Fogas grades 4 to 8, Knollwood School; and Chris Dudick, 5th and 8th grades, Knollwood School.
Art Show coordinators were Stephanie Bates and Marisa Coar.
The following is a press release from the Rumson School District:
From soulful ballads by talented vocalists and stirring performances by accomplished pianists, to comedy and dance extravaganzas and even a hard rock performance, there was something for everyone at the Forrestdale Follies talent show.
Presented by the Rumson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), the Follies took place on the evening of April 16 in the school’s auditorium. Proceeds benefited the Rumson PTO.
“Amid a sea of plenty, many in Monmouth County go without. We stand ready to take care of those in need, as long as we continue to get food and funds.” ~ Monmouth County Food Bank Executive Director Carlos Rodriquez.
The figures are in; and, it’s been determined that a Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) fundraiser has put 5,190 meals on the tables of area residents in need via the Monmouth County Food Bank.
The fundraiser, held on March 10 at Rumson’s Bingham Hall, was dubbed Empty Bowls to represent the empty bowls at the tables of many local families struggling to stock their cupboards with food, according to a release from RFH.
It featured original artwork in the form of 150 bowls created by RFH Ceramics students as well as members of the RFH National Art Honor Society.
The bowls, purchased by the public with the proceeds going to the Food Bank, were filled with a variety of soups provided by members of the RFH school community. Bread and desserts were served as well to accompany the soup meal fundraiser.
Both Sickles Market in Little Silver and Cups and Cakes Bakery and Coffee Shop in Rumson served as community sponsors of Empty Bowls, the release said.
The desserts were made and donated by members of the RFH Cooking Club, members of the RFH staff and community, and Cups and Cakes. Sickles provided bread for the event, it added.
Members of the RFH Character Education Club and RFH Cooking Club offered a helping hand at what was a well-attended event.
For more information on how you can help as a volunteer or by making a donation, visit foodbankmoc.org.
The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:
Did you make it to the Knollwood School Chamber Music Recital?
If not, here’s a look back at the March 23 evening:
The performances were based on the definition of the original 18th century chamber music — music played by a small ensemble, with one player to a part.
The following is an edited press release from the Fair Haven School District:
“Nothing in the creative process comes out absolutely beautiful the first time around,” children’s books author Lester Laminack recently told a group of Fair Haven parents. “If you focus on what your child did well – rather than what went wrong — then he or she will be encouraged to add more good things to the piece.”
Continue reading Author Offers Writer’s Insight to Fair Haven Students, Parents
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students were recently recognized by the Board of Education for their academic and athletic achievements.
“It is becoming increasingly commonplace for us to begin our meetings here in the auditorium to accommodate all of the students who are accomplishing amazing things,” RFH Superintendent Peter Righi told the assembled students, parents, coaches, and club advisors at the April 14 Board of Education meeting. “The certificates awarded tonight are not just another piece of paper – they have a much deeper meaning as the ‘end game’ result of a lot of hard work.”
Students honored were:
The following is a press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH’s)Janae Mayfield has signed her letter of intent to play NCAA Division I Basketball for St. Peter’s University in Jersey City.
Janae, a senior at RFH, put pen to paper and made it official on the morning of April 15 with her family and coaches proudly looking on.
“My parents put a basketball in my hands when I was four years old,” said Janae. “I loved watching my older siblings play, and as I got older my dad and I would shoot hoops in the driveway while I waited for my school bus.”
Continue reading RFH’s Janae Mayfield Signs Letter of Intent
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