The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players are in full swing rehearsal mode, setting the stage for their production of Disney’s Tarzan.
Category Archives: Schools Scene
Find out what’s going on in the RFH Regional High School and Rumson and Fair Haven school districts.
A Look at RFH’s Chinese New Year
Education and fun went hand-in-hand as the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Chinese Honor Society hosted an authentic celebration of the Chinese New Year.
PJ Rawlins: Knollwood Spelling Bee Champ
Fair Haven’s PJ Rawlins has been dubbed the spelling champ of Knollwood School and is headed to a regional competition.
The seventh grader won the Knollwood School Annual Spelling Bee on Jan. 31. By spelling the final word “feckless” correctly, he claimed first place in the school-wide competition for fourth- through eighth-grade students.
Competing along with PJ were eighth grader Alex Fratto, sixth grader Will Ross, fifth grader Michael DeFazio, and fourth grader Kate Cusick. The students were selected through competitions at the classroom and grade levels leading up to the school-wide spelling bee.
“I am amazed by our participants’ study skills,” said Knollwood School Principal Amy Romano. “This year, we had to dig deeper for more difficult words. I am impressed by all of our participants. Congratulations to all.”
Next up for PJ is county-level competition in the Regional Spelldown to be held on March 13 at Monmouth University.
— Edited press release from the Fair Haven School District
RFH Scholar Athlete’s National Signing Day
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH’s) senior scholar athletes have officially committed their talents to colleges for the fall.
There were 13 who took part in National Signing Day on Feb. 1 at the high school.
Surrounded by proud coaches and family members, they signed either National Letters of Intent or commitments to participate in National Collegiate Athletic Association programs at the colleges of their choice next year.
RFH students and their sports are:
• Nicholas Calabrese, Fairfield University, Boys soccer;
• Samuel Sapnar, St. Lawrence University, Boys Soccer;
• Hannah LoSavio, St. Joseph’s University, Girls Soccer;
• Grace Forsyth, Lehigh University, Girls Soccer;
• Samantha Beaudreault, College of St. Joseph’s, Girls Soccer;
• Thomas Chapin, University of Sioux Falls, Football;
• Timothy Leonard, Bentley University, Football;
• Michael Murdock, Lafayette College, Football;
• Michael O’Connor, Bryant University, Football;
• Tyler Pierson, Hobart and Williams Smith College, Football;
• Michael Ruane, University of Massachusetts, Football;
• Matthew Vecchiarelli, Holy Cross, Football;
• Michael Shaw, Loyola University, Mens Rowing.
— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH)
Show time at Knollwood: ‘Beauty and the Beast Jr.’
Thespians at Fair Haven’s Knollwood School are getting set to go on with a show in March — Beauty and the Beast Jr.
The 60-minute stage version of the 1991 Disney animated film and 1994 Broadway musical and is designed for middle-school aged performers.
The cast at Knollwood’s production is comprised of roughly 40 sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
The show tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her grisly captor, who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. In order to break the spell, the Beast must learn to love another and earn love in return.
With the help of the staff at the prince’s castle, including a loving teapot, a charming candelabra, and a nervous mantel clock, Belle and the Beast find uncanny friendship and love. Beauty and the Beast Jr. features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as “Be Our Guest” and “Belle,” as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
The March 2 Knollwood performance will be presented in the Knollwood School all-purpose room at 7 p.m. Admission is free, and donations of nonperishable food items for local food banks would be appreciated.
— Edited press release from the Fair Haven School District
Fair Havenite Soars to Eagle Scout Rank
Fair Havenite Michael Frissora has soared to the Boy Scouts of America’s Eagle Scout rank.
The award of the status, the highest attainment in scouting, was conferred by BSA Troop 67 Scoutmaster Michael Maier at a Court of Honor on Jan. 8 at Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church in Red Bank.
RFH Makes AP Honor Roll
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) is one of 433 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on its 7th Annual AP® District Honor Roll.
To be included in the Honor Roll, RFH needed to, since 2014, increase the number of students participating in AP while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher.
RFH boasts a commitment to providing students with an array of AP courses that pique intellectual curiosity and prepare students for post-secondary studies.
“Congratulations to all the teachers and administrators in this district who have worked so tirelessly to both expand access to AP and also to help students succeed on the AP Exams,” said Trevor Packer, the College Board’s head of AP and Instruction.
In 2016, more than 4,000 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, or both, and/or consideration in the admission process.
Inclusion on the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on a review of three years worth of AP data, from 2014 to 2016, and analysis of 37 AP exams, including world language and culture.
Criteria included:
RFH’s Global Empowerment Club’s Holiday Snowflake Drive Benefits 180
Photo/RFH
The Global Women’s Empowerment Club at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) recently held a successful Snowflake Drive to benefit 180 Turning Lives Around.
More than $400 worth of gift cards and over 400 items were donated to the Holiday Boutique of 180 Turning Lives Around, a private non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in our community. The donated items helped local families experience holiday cheer despite financial circumstances resulting from domestic violence.
“We were overjoyed to see so many RFH students helping such a worthy cause. More than 120 students participated,” RFH English teachers and Global Empowerment Co-Advisors Alexis Marinov and Hilary Strauch. “Thanks to their generosity, this year’s Snowflake Drive was an even bigger success than last year’s. It was an incredible experience to donate so many necessary items to 180 Turning Lives Around. We encourage everyone to visit the organization’s web site at 180 turning lives around inc. to see how they can get involved in other projects.”
Global Women’s Empowerment is an RFH student organization dedicated to supporting initiatives that help empower women around the world. Co-Presidents for the 2016-17 school year are Taylor Glassman and Avery Wall. Careena Menzel served as Snowflake Drive chairperson.
— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH)
A Look Back at the Knollwood Winter Concert
Do you hear what I hear? It’s the playback sound of student musicians at Knollwood School’s annual Winter Concert.
Continue reading A Look Back at the Knollwood Winter Concert
Living a Special Sisters’ RFH Dance Team Dream
There was a lot to cheer about recently as the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) football team enjoyed a record-breaking championship season.
Sharing in the excitement were sisters Malen and Mara Grubaugh, of Rumson. Mara is a member of the RFH Dance Team, and Malen is the team’s first-ever manager.
Malen’s appointment was a dream come true for the Grubaugh family, as Malen and Mara attend different schools. Mara is a fifteen-year-old sophomore at RFH and a member of the Dance Team. Eighteen-year-old Malen has Down syndrome and attends The Midland School.
Malen and Mara share a love of dance and have taken lessons for years: Malen in a special needs class at Family Resource Associates in Shrewsbury, and Mara at a local dance academy.
“For years, both of my girls have been on the sidelines for one another’s performances,” said the girls’ mother Laurie Grubaugh. “They are one another’s biggest fans. And when Mara joined the RFH dance team as a freshman, Malen had a new sideline to watch her sister from.”
Malen enjoyed attending RFH football games and watching Dance Team practices last year. This year, as Mara began her sophomore year, she and RFH Dance Team Coach Jen Costa had a conversation about Malen and how she could become involved.
“I knew nothing about this in advance, and when Coach Costa approached me with the idea it brought tears to my eyes,” said Grubaugh. “I just couldn’t believe that my girls would have a chance to do what they both love and do it together! This was the very first opportunity Malen had to be involved in an activity at her hometown school and with her sister. It was amazing.”
According to Grubaugh, the team embraced Malen; and, as much as Malen has learned from the girls on the team, the girls have learned even more from her. This past October, Malen and the Dance Team members worked together to support Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Malen provided bracelets to the cheerleaders and dancers to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion. Coach Costa made blue and yellow ribbons for all of the girls to wear as well.
And for one of the senior girls, getting to know Malen influenced a potential career path.
“Katie Pierson was Mara’s Dance Team ‘big sister’ and became friends with Malen as well,” said Grubaugh. “Katie has now expressed an interest in becoming an occupational therapist and working with special needs clients. This was something she never realized she had a desire to do until she met Malen. Again, so much goodness triggered by a coach and a sister with big hearts, understanding, and acceptance.”
As Team Manager, Malen is in charge of keeping the girls’ spirits and energy up. She is also responsible for everything from taking attendance to making sure that all the dancers are wearing the correct hair bows and paw stickers. And it is up to Malen to give the “go ahead” confirming that the girls are ready before music begins playing for their half time performances.
“After Malen’s first dance team practice, I knew that we had made the right decision by selecting her as Manager,” said Costa. “Even when we are freezing during a football game, Malen’s smile encourages the girls to give 110 percent. The team looks to Malen not only as a manager but as a teammate, friend, and sister.
“I see the girls looking out for her and wanting to know how her school day was, her favorite song … just simple teenage girl talk. As we begin our basketball and competition season, Malen will be present – she is a key part of the RFH Dance Team and when she is missing we are not complete.”
Grubaugh expressed appreciation for an experience that has enriched so many lives.
“It is truly amazing how much Coach Costa has done for both of my girls and for her team by just being kind,” said Grubaugh. “I am so very proud of Malen and Mara, the girls on the team, and Coach Costa. My hope is that there will be more opportunities like this for students with special needs in our community.”
— Edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School
RFH Alums to Students: World Language Skill Key to Success
They followed different paths to embracing world languages, yet they all arrived at the same conclusion — having an “international mindset” is a huge advantage in today’s global marketplace.
Continue reading RFH Alums to Students: World Language Skill Key to Success
Knollwood Students Learn ‘STOPit’ Cybersafe Rules
STOPit Cop Tom Rich, an internationally recognized expert on internet safety, shared his message with students and parents at Knollwood School on Nov. 29.
Continue reading Knollwood Students Learn ‘STOPit’ Cybersafe Rules
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