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Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Spanish Teacher Christina Gauss has received a Learning and Leadership Grant from the National Education Association.

The awarding of the $2,000 grant was based on her proposal entitled Cuba: One Year Later, in reference to the time that has passed since U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro announced their normalization plan.

The grant will allow Gauss to travel to Cuba in January, 2016 for an immersive cultural experience. While in Cuba, Gauss and fellow educators will participate in a Witness for Peace Delegation hosted by the People to People Organization.

“I am very excited for the opportunity to enhance my Spanish language skills while developing an understanding of the Cuban people, their rich cultural heritage, and their perspective on being at the forefront of social change,” said Gauss. “I am also looking forward to sharing my insights with students in all of my classes, and working to coordinate cross-disciplinary activities.”

The group plans to get involved with and learn about many aspect of Cuban life and culture, including:

• The literacy campaign that led to Cuba’s designation as an “illiteracy-free” zone by the United Nations;
• Current education practices for Cuban youth and communities
Local, sustainable agriculture;
• The current “drivers” of the economy;
• Cuba’s response to global climate change, a particular threat to island nations;
• Creation of the art that sustains the Cuban soul, and live performances at The Martin Luther King Center, a hub for community education and faith;
• Ecology as it relates to the earth, the community, and the mind.

Gauss currently teaches Spanish I, IV, IV Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP) Spanish at RFH. The activities she plans while in Cuba correlate directly to the AP Spanish Language and Culture Curriculum with a focus on contemporary life, global challenges, personal and public identities, family and community, beauty and esthetics, and science and technology.

Upon her return, Gauss will develop curricular materials, activities, and presentations to share her findings with her students.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

News, Shrewsbury Police

Police Report: Fraud, Theft, DWI

November 25, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

The following criminal incidents and arrest were reported by Shrewsbury police. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.

Continue reading Police Report: Fraud, Theft, DWI →

News, Schools Scene

Fair Haven Students Go on ‘Google Expeditions’

November 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven students recently took a virtual reality field trip.

They participated in showcase of Google Expeditions. Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood Schools were among the first chosen for beta testing for the virtual trip from a wait list of approximately 6,500 schools.

Continue reading Fair Haven Students Go on ‘Google Expeditions’ →

Local Life

Rumson’s Charlie Puth and Chevy

November 24, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Have you heard it? Seen it?

Rumson’s Charlie Puth just spread the word to the RFH Performing Arts Society (RFH Pas), via Facebook, that his Chevy (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)commercial — using a coast-to-coast remix of his song “One Call Away,” partnering Atlantic Records and Chevy and featuring him, Brett Eldredge, Ty Dolla $ign & Sofia Reyes — is out and on YouTube.

It’s billed as a celebration of “the 2015 American Music Awards” on YouTube.

Check it out.

Puth also tells people on his Facebook page that if you pre-order his debut album, Nine Track Mind, you “get an instant download of “One Call Away” right now on iTunes http://smarturl.it/NineTrackMind.”

Puth graduated from RFH in 2010 and then from Berklee College of Music in 2013. An accomplished pianist and singer, he first gained notoriety when Ellen Degeneres discovered him via his YouTube channel and signed him to her record label eleveneleven. He is now signed with Atlantic Records.

Schools Scene

R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion

November 23, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

“Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” It’s a major tenet Rumon-Fair Haven area parents and students learned as they gathered together recently to view and discuss the documentary Beyond Measure, the sequel to the acclaimed Race to Nowhere.

Parents and students in the Rumson, Fair Haven and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) districts participated.

Here’s what happened …

Continue reading R-FH Area Schools’ ‘Beyond Measure’ Discussion →

Schools Scene

Insight into Fair Haven Schools’ ‘Expectations for the Future’

November 22, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Nearly 100 community members shared their visions for the future of the Fair Haven School District at a recent workshop.

Expectations for the Future, held on Nov. 11, was the second in a series of four workshops open to the public designed to help drive the district’s current strategic planning initiative dubbed FAIR HAVEN VISION 2020. The first workshop, held on Oct. 7, focused on “points of pride” in the present-day school district.

At the second workshop, facilitators Dr. Charles Ivory and Dr. Gerald Woehr, of the non-profit Education Information & Resource Center (EIRC), asked attendees to peer into the future.

“Envision a highly successful Fair Haven School District about three years from now,” Ivory told the group. “Then consider what factors are making make it great, and what steps had to be taken to get there.

“This your opportunity to ‘future think’ what you would like to happen for the children of this community.”

Continue reading Insight into Fair Haven Schools’ ‘Expectations for the Future’ →

News

RFH Winter Concert Stage Set

November 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

The date is set for Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) annual winter concert.

This year, the free concert will take place on Dec. 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the high school’s auditorium and feature performances by the concert band, string ensemble, jazz band, Tower Singers and chamber music ensemble.

“We really want the entire community to come out, bring their friends and family members, and support our student musicians in this celebration of the holiday season,” RFH Music Director Bill Grillo said.

— Edited release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Local Life

Focus: Fair Haven’s November Oktoberfest

November 16, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

It may have been a bit too chilly for lederhosen this year, but there was plenty of community warmth emanating at Fair Haven’s November Oktoberfest on Saturday.

There was also plenty of beer, sangria, food and dancing among friends.

Take a look.

Schools Scene

RFH Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

November 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

National Signing Day was Wednesday; and, surrounded by coaches, family and friends, 14 Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) athletes signed letters of intent.

The students and their college commitments are:

• Reid Bedell, Golf at Lafayette College;
• Butch Clark, Lacrosse at Pace University;
• Ian Clarke, Lacrosse at Pace University;
• Robbie Garavante, Lacrosse at Lafayette College;
• Maggie Jennings, Lacrosse at Villanova University;
• Stephanie Lesko, Basketball at Bryant University;
• Jacqueline Littleson, Lacrosse at Vanderbilt University;
• Madison Maguire, Field Hockey at University of Maryland;
• Nicole Morris, Basketball at Holy Cross College;
• Sydney Sabino, Basketball at Wagner College;
• Teddy Smith, Swimming at University of Denver;
• Morgan Steinhacker, Lacrosse at Bucknell University;
• Shoshanna Swell, Swimming at Cornell University;
• Matt Waters, Lacrosse at University of Delaware.

The National Letter of Intent serves as a binding agreement between student-athletes and Division I and II programs at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) colleges and universities.

— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.

Local Life

Fair Haven’s November Oktoberfest

November 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Hoist up your lederhosen and grab your beer stein. It’s that time of the year again in Fair Haven. It’s Oktoberfest time … in November.

So, they said it was a rain or shine event that was rained out.

It’s happening on Saturday … this Saturday, Nov. 14 … in November. Rain or shine.

Continue reading Fair Haven’s November Oktoberfest →

News

Knollwood Students Get Tech Savvy

November 12, 2015 Elaine Van Develde

Fair Haven students are getting more tech savvy every day.

And they’re doing so in different venues. The latest tech adventure: EdTech Coach Chris Aviles and eight Knollwood School students recently participated in the Maker Faire technology event at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Eatontown.

Maker Faire attendees experienced the latest technologies in 3D printings, robotics, coding and more Nov. 6 to 8.

Barnes and Noble had asked Aviles and his fifth- and sixth-grade Innovation Lab students to participate. The eight students who took part in Maker Faire also attended and helped facilitate two hands-on workshops on Nov. 7. The workshops — Little Makers, for ages 5 and up, and Junior Makers for ages 8 and up — allowed youngsters to explore the creation of structures using Lego brand building materials.

“I really enjoy my time in Innovation Lab, because there are so many different options for what we can work on,” said RJ McCormack, one of the students on hand at the event. “It’s really fun because you get to choose your curriculum.

“For example, we can disassemble iPhones, tablets, or cameras as well as work with Minecraft or on coding .— we’ve even taken bicycles apart and reassembled them to make ‘new’ bicycles for people who need them.”

Also on Nov. 7, Aviles made a solo presentation as part of Meet the Maker, where presentations were held daily to allow local “makers” — thought leaders and educators — to inform attendees about the latest trends in designing, building and creating. Aviles spoke about the importance of “making” and student-centered learning.

One of only about a dozen individuals worldwide with Google Lead Learner credentials, Aviles is also a Google-certified trainer and innovator. As the Fair Haven School District’s EdTech coach, his responsibilities include training staff and teaching students at Viola L. Sickles and Knollwood Schools in the use of technology.