RUMSON: PUTH GIVES PIANO TO ALMA MATER
Rumson-bred pop music star Charlie Puth has donated a piano to the borough’s Forrestdale School, from which he graduated in 2006.
RUMSON: FOSTERING ‘PILLARS OF CHARACTER’
Press release from the Rumson School District
“True change requires a focus on creating a school culture that supports academic, social, emotional, and character development of children.” Maurice Elias
The Rumson School Guidance Department has established 10 Pillars of Character as the theme-based initiative for the 2017-2018 School Year to guide good choices for our students.
RUMSON: RUTTY GO-KARTS TO FUTURE
A champion Go Kart racer, Forrestdale School fifth-grader Christian Rutty has excelled both in the classroom and on the track.
Press release from Rumson School District
In 2016, Rumson resident Christian Rutty was chosen as a contestant on season two of LifeTime TV’s Child Genius. His family, however, chose not to pursue that opportunity due to scheduling conflicts — among them a commitment to the sport known as “karting.”
RUMSON 8TH GRADER TAKES A STAND
Press release from Rumson School District
In a recent event hosted at Monmouth University, eighth grade student Sarah MacGillis of Forrestdale School, competed in the regional level of National History Day, a non-profit education organization that engages over half a million middle- and high-school students around the world annually in conducting original research on historical topics of their choice.
The theme for this year’s competition was “Taking a Stand in History” — and Sarah’s entry, titled “Britain’s Failed Stands For Nationalism,” was a colorful and engaging display that highlighted Great Britain’s involvement in the Treaty of Versailles and its impact on the Middle East today – an ambitious and impressive project. Congratulations on a great job to Sarah, who will also be presenting her project at Forrestdale School’s “Enrichment Showcase.”
RUMSON SCHOOLS THINK SUSTAINABILITY
In November 2015, the Rumson Borough School District adopted Policy 7461: Sustainability — an initiative that guides our schools toward decisions designed to protect the environment from harm, educate our students to be environmentally responsible, and preserve natural resources.
More than a year later, the borough’s schools, Deane Porter and Forrestdale, have worked to put that policy into effect each day — and the district has formed a Green Team in support of various environmentally conscious projects.
RUMSON: DUCKS DELUXE, AT 4TH ANNUAL EXPO
The work of Pennsylvania-based woodcarver Karl Yankey (above) is spotlighted…and the decoys, shorebirds and wildlife art takes center stage…when the annual Two Rivers Exhibition returns to Rumson’s Forrestdale School on Saturday.
To fans of a certain “niche” sort of hobby, it’s an event worth traveling hundreds of miles for — while to the more casual enthusiast, it’s a best-kept-secret, right-in-our-backyard bit of local color that, well, beats getting up before dawn and shivering the morning away in some damp and lonesome duck blind.
It’s the Two Rivers Exhibition of Sporting Collectible Art, a happening that comes to Forrestdale School (60 Forrest Avenue in Rumson) for its fourth annual edition this Saturday, March 11. Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the school’s all-purpose room becomes a gallery space in which some of the region’s finest woodcarvers and wildlife artists get their ducks in a row, in a day hosted by the New Jersey Waterfowl Carvers Association in association with the Monmouth County chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
RUMSON HONORS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Press release from Rumson School District
At their meeting on January 25, the members of the Rumson Board of Education honored Keri Lecorchick and Carol Tagliareni as Teachers of the Year, and Debra Tomaino and Sandy Self as Educational Services Professionals of the Year.
Lecorchick is a second grade teacher at Deane Porter School, and Tagliareni teaches sixth grade ELA at Forrestdale School. Tomaino is a Speech Language Therapist and Self an LDTC/Special Education Teacher. The teachers were nominated by their peers, and a committee representing fellow teachers, administration, BOE members, and parents utilized a New Jersey Department of Education rubric to evaluate each nominee.
RUMSON STUDENT STARS ‘ROCK THE BOAT’
On the weekend of January 26-28, a troupe of 37 performers and seven crew members treated audience members to a star-studded performance of GUYS AND DOLLS JR. at Forrestdale School. The fast-paced school version of the hit 1950 Broadway musical comedy featured the Forrestdale Drama Club in such showstopping numbers (under the supervision of musical director Mrs. Barbara Leutz) as “Luck Be a Lady,” “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat,” and “A Bushel and a Peck.” Mr. Vinny Sabatino directed the cast highlighted by eighth graders Jamie Lynne Eckhoff and Aidan Herman (cast as Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson), seventh grade standouts Frances Forte and Matt Marra (as Miss Adelaide and Nathan Detroit), and supporting players Matt Black, Mackenzie Doherty, Ali Gagliardi, Kayla Kenny, Oliver Butters, Peter O’Connor, Tim Wisely, Lula Grand and Griffin Volk.
RUMSON SCHOOLS MAKE ART FOR CHHANGE
Press release from Rumson School District
Continuing a yearlong partnership between the Rumson School District and CHHANGE (the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education center at Brookdale Community College), Forrestdale School provides its 7th and 8th grade students with several fantastic educational opportunities.
In January, Rumson art teachers Amy Lepping and Robin Yaeger attended a professional development opportunity that focused on fostering an artistic response from our students as they witness the world around them. During their time at the Chhange center, the teachers were provided with a first-hand account from artist and Holocaust survivor Claire Boren, who has taken her experiences and created artistic representations in response to the events of her childhood.
RUMSON: THINKING AHEAD TO FUTURE CITY
Press release from Rumson School District
It starts with the question, “How can we make the world a better place?” To answer that question 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students imagine, research, design, and build model “Future Cities” that showcase their solution to a citywide sustainability issue.
On January 14, Forrestdale School sent eighth grade students Jackson Patton and Lang Daly to Rutgers University to represent their fellow members of the school’s Future City Team, in the 25th annual Future City Competition — an event at which Forrestdale’s future city, named Forrestopia, was granted the “Most Environmentally Friendly City” award.
A PERFECT FALL, FOR RUMSON SPORTS
The Boys Soccer team at Forrestdale School booked an undefeated 10-0 season for fall 2016, winning their division and conference title — a first-place performance matched by the Girls Soccer squad.
Press release from Rumson School District
The fall sports teams at Forrestdale School dominated the field hockey and soccer fields this year, living up to its mission of “igniting potential”.
The Boys Soccer Team finished their perfect season as undefeated division and conference champs, with a record of 10-0. This is only the second undefeated division and playoff championship in the history of the Rumson middle school team, with the lossless 1999 season occurring when Forrestdale Boys Soccer was still a club team.
RUMSON STUDENTS HELP PLAN SCHOOL’S I-LAB
The second phase of the Innovation Lab at Forrestdale School has been designed with input from inspired students, teachers, administration and members of the community.
Press release from Rumson School District
The Innovation Lab at Forrestdale School has completed Phase 1 of its design and construction. Part of a collaborative effort between administration and teachers, the first phase was made possible through a generous donation from the Rumson Education Foundation.
Currently the home of the technology/STEM classroom, which all Forrestdale students are enrolled in, the lab includes a student activity learning area that could be configured in countless possible arrangements in order to meet the needs of the students’ technology and STEM-based activities, as well as a state-of-the-art, touch-screen teacher and student display, and other technologies.
RUMSON SCHOOLS HOST EDUCATION EXPERT
Press release from Rumson School District
In October, the Rumson School District welcomed the internationally recognized author and educator Dr. Bertie Kingore to Forrestdale School for two days of continuing education for our teachers. Over the course of those two days, Dr. Kingore spent time with teachers across all grade levels, focusing on her theme that “educators understand the importance of nurturing every student while we recognize and appropriately challenge high ability learners.”
As a sought-after speaker on differentiation, reading and gifted education, Dr. Kingore (pictured in a “breakout” session with teachers from Deane-Porter School) has been recognized as an authority on gifted students’ rights, responsibilities and differentiation needs. She is the author and developer of the Kingore Observation Inventory [KOI], which is used to assist teachers in designing appropriate differentiated learning experiences for young learners.
RUMSON SCHOOLS WELCOME THERAPY DOG
Students at Deane-Porter School greet their new reading buddy, Violet, Rumson-Fair Haven’s therapy dog.
Press release from Rumson School District
Often, children who have difficulty reading, fear the judgment they receive and become self-conscious while practicing the skill aloud. A reading program involving a dog as a listener has the potential to change that.
Recently, students at Rumson’s Deane Porter and Forrestdale schools welcomed a very special regular guest, as Violet, the official therapy dog of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, joined several RFH students in English Language Arts classes at the two borough schools.
RUMSON: FORRESTDALE HONORS CLASS OF ’16
Above: Forrestdale School music teacher Barbara Leutz leads the Eighth Grade Choir in “The Climb,” during graduation ceremonies at RFH High School. Below: Student Government Association President Peyton Ming addresses his fellow grads.
Press release from Rumson School District
Diplomas were awarded to 104 rising high school freshman students, as graduation exercises for Forrestdale School’s Class of 2016 were held at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School on the evening of June 16.
In his “Greetings from the Class” address, Student Government Association President Peyton Ming urged his classmates to “Have a plan, take responsibility, take chances, and ask for help when you need it.” SGA Treasurer Rylie Spiegel, in her Presentation of the Class Gift, announced that the Class of 2016 will use funds they have raised to restore a vintage aerial map of the Borough of Rumson, which will hang in the lobby of Forrestdale School.
Music Teacher John Lebitsch led the Graduation Ensemble in performances of “Pomp and Circumstance” (processional) and “Sugar Creek Overture” (recessional). The eighth grade choir, directed by Barbara Leutz, performed “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.
RUMSON KIDS MOVIN’ ON UP TO FOURTH
Press release from Rumson School District
On the afternoon of June 9, a new class of Rumson students experienced a fun hometown rite of passage, when they took part in the annual “Movin’ On Up” Ceremony, presented in the cafeteria of Deane-Porter School.
Family members and school staff celebrated the achievements and promise of the third graders who are preparing to transition to fourth grade at nearby Forrestdale School.
“I know that you will accomplish wonderful things at Forrestdale,” said Deane-Porter School Principal Shari Feeney, while Jennifer Gibbons, Principal of Forrestdale School, welcomed her newest students at the ceremony.
RUMSON: ART AND MUSIC IN THE HALLS
Tristan Izzo plays the piano for an appreciative crowd, during the 2016 Evening of Fine Arts at Forrestdale School.
Press release from Rumson School District
Students, staff, and volunteers at Forrestdale School in Rumson outdid themselves once again, as the annual Evening of Fine Arts showcased students art and music on May 26.
A talented roster of student pianists – Norah Anderson, Gray Barnum, Louisa Barnum, Sydney Carroll, Hannah Duprey, Madeleine Ganun, Grace Harvey, Tyler Izzo, Tristan Izzo, George Kressler, and Hayden Marciszewski – provided a musical greeting as a throng of visitors entered the school’s lobby.
Artwork by fourth through eighth graders was featured in the hallways, cafeteria, and lobby. Parent volunteers helped prepare and hang the artwork for the PTO-sponsored event.
BESTSELLING AUTHOR VISITS RUMSON SCHOOL
Press release from Rumson School District
Learning about the creative process of a successful writer and being highly entertained were the orders of the day, as New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman visited sixth and seventh graders at Forrestdale School on May 13.
Korman’s day-long visit, which was sponsored by the Rumson PTO, included lunch with the author for students chosen in classroom raffles as well as opportunities for photos with Korman and book signings.
The Forrestdale sixth and seventh graders sported tie-dyed clothing in homage to the character of Capricorn “Cap” Anderson in Schooled, who Korman described as “a 13-year-old hippie who is also sort of a hermit.”
RUMSON KIDS TEAM UP FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS
Press release from Rumson School District
The students and faculty of the Rumson School District were excited to be involved in the recent Environmental Springfest at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. The April 23 event was dedicated to sharing information on the environment, mixed in live music, eco-friendly vendors, food, and other fun activities.
Mrs. Robin Yaeger and her Art Enrichment class at Deane-Porter Elementary School painted butterflies, dragonflies and owls on newspaper canvases that they had created. The bright colors and designs were eye catching to an environmentally crafted scene.
The Forrestdale School Art Club, taught by Mrs. Amy Lepping, created a colorful wall hanging of the Serengeti by fusing together recycled plastic bags. Their work was creative and inspiring to all.
RUMSON MARKS TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Press release from Rumson School District
In honor of the recent Teacher Appreciation Week, the Rumson Parent-Teacher Organization treated the staff to a week-long celebration. The week included breakfasts, lunches, a cookie swap, and a Wellness Event, all planned for the hard-working teaching staff at Deane-Porter and Forrestdale Schools.
The Wellness Event was certainly the staff favorite, as there was something for everyone to enjoy, including tarot card readers, massage therapists, golf swing analysis, refreshments and a fantastic selection of raffle items.
Students in the Forrestdale Spirit Club surprised all teachers with hand written cards honoring all that they do, while the Administrative Team recognized teachers with a small gift, starter herb seeds and this note: Teachers plant seeds of knowledge in their students. Take some time to plant your own garden and reflect on how many seeds of knowledge you have planted over the years in your students. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
RUMSON KIDS GO “OLD SCHOOL,” SCREEN FREE
Press release from Rumson School District
Studies show that children who watch less TV are more likely to read well and to be physically fit…and that each week, American children spend more time in front of a screen than they do in school!
During the Week of May 2, students at Forrestdale and Deane-Porter Schools participated in Screen-Free Week, a nationwide event sponsored by Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and celebrated by schools, families, and other civic and community groups each year.
During Screen-Free Week, millions of children and adults pledge to be screen-free for at least one full day. Instead of watching TV or playing video games, children are encouraged to read, play, think, create, get physically active, and spend more time with friends and family.
RUMSON SCHOOLS CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY
Forrestdale and Deane Porter students participate in the ceremonial planting of a tree as Rumson Borough Shade Tree Commission Chairman Stephen Barrett looks on.
Press release from Rumson School District
Students at two Rumson schools celebrated Arbor Day with a Legacy Project planting and a poem, as well as a ceremony held at Deane Porter School on the morning of April 29.
The celebration was attended by all students in Pre-K and Kindergarten, two student representatives from each first through third grade class, and Student Government Officers as well as Homeroom Representatives from grades four through eight at Forrestdale School. Dignitaries on hand included Rumson Borough Mayor John Ekdahl, Rumson Borough Shade Tree Commission Chairman Stephen Barrett, and Board of Education members.
For the Legacy Project, students in grades Pre-K through eight participated in a “Bucks for Barks” fundraiser organized by the Student Government Association. Donations totaling $6,281.00 were used to purchase trees that were planted on the school grounds by students in each grade level.
RUMSON SCHOOLS HOST KID’S LIT STARS
Press release from Rumson School District
In an effort to get kids reading this summer, the Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip RV will visit Deane-Porter Elementary and Forrestdale Schools on Wednesday, May 4. From 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., students and families will have the opportunity to participate in their very own “pop-up” reading festival, meet some of their favorite authors and illustrators, and engage in fun reading activities.
Scheduled to make the trip to Rumson this Wednesday are six authors and illustrators of popular titles and series from Scholastic, the major publisher of books and educational materials for children and young adults. They are Max Brallier (who, under the pen name Jack Chabert, writes the Eerie Elementary series), Gavin Brown, Kristin Earhart (the Misty Inn series), Dan Poblocki (the Mysterious Four series and other spooky novels), Amy Marie Stadelmann (the Olive & Beatrix series), and Judy Blundell (who, as Jude Watson, has authored several popular Star Wars titles for tween and teen readers).
RUMSON: TALKING INSIDE THE FISHBOWL
Press release from Rumson School District
On April 11, Forrestdale School held its annual Fishbowl event, organized and led by Forrestdale’s own Peer Mentors and Top Dawgs. These 8th grade students have been honing their leadership skills throughout the school year by planning events for all grade levels.
During this event, parents and students joined together in order to hear one another’s perspectives on key issues facing adolescents today. The format encouraged participants to actively listen, instead of simply waiting for their turn to speak, without interruptions or distractions.
RUMSON: NJ HALL OF FAME ROLLS INTO TOWN
Forrestdale School sixth graders (from left to right) John Barry, Cakie Dym, and Hunter Leonard learn about notable figures from their home state at the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum.
Press release from Rumson School District
Rocker Jon Bon Jovi’s jacket. A Les Paul guitar. A Green Bay Packers helmet representing longtime Coach Vince Lombardi. These were just a few of the items viewed by sixth graders at Forrestdale School in Rumson, when they visited the New Jersey Hall of Fame Mobile Museum.
“Everyone Needs a Hero” is the slogan of the Mobile Museum, which made a stop at the school on March 14. A 53-foot double-expanded trailer featuring 850 square feet of exhibition space, the Mobile Museum is a moving capsule of the almost 100 New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees’ contributions to history.
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