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RUMSON: FORRESTDALE HONORS CLASS OF ’16

Forrestdale ChoirAbove: 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

Peyton MingDiplomas 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.

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RUMSON: ART AND MUSIC IN THE HALLS

Tristan IzzoTristan 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.

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RUMSON MUSICIANS EXCEL AT WINTER SHOW

Forrestdale band concertForrestdale School band director John Lebitsch conducts the Jazz Ensemble during the annual Winter Concert program in the school’s auditorium.

Press release from Rumson School District

The winter blues were kept at bay for one memorable night, as the Forrestdale School Winter Band Concert took place on the evening of January 14. Led by Forrestdale School Band Director John Lebitsch, the Advanced and Intermediate Bands and the Jazz Ensemble played to a packed house, and delighted the crowd.

The evening’s lineup featured Advanced Band performances of “Autumn Fanfare” (composed by Mekel Rogers) and “Train Heading West” (Timothy Broege). The Intermediate Band performed the Brian Balmages composition “Midnight Suite,” and the Combined Advanced and Intermediate Bands teamed up for a performance of the Tchaikovsky favorite “March from the Nutcracker.”

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RUMSON: FORRESTDALE HONORS CLASS OF 2015

ForrestdalePress release from Rumson School District

The graduation ceremony for Forrestdale School’s Class of 2015 was held at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School on the evening of June 17, during which Rumson Board of Education President Colleen O’Connor and Deane-Porter School Principal Shari Feeney awarded diplomas to 118 students.

SGA Secretary Ryan Champeau, presenting the Class Gift, announced that the Class of 2015 would be providing a Bulldog mat for the entryway of Forrestdale School. Speakers included District Assistant Principal Amy Romano, Forrestdale School Principal Jen Gibbons, and SGA President Maxwell Connery, who recalled his time at Forrestdale School as a new student by observing that “I was made to feel included immediately, and then I came to realize what is unique about Forrestdale…we are free to be who we are thanks to an environment of acceptance.”

Forrestdale Music Teacher John Lebitsch led the Graduation Ensemble in performances of the Processional (Pomp and Circumstance) and the Recessional (Stargate VI).

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RUMSON KIDS SHINE IN ‘FOLLIES’

20150416_205200The duo of Max Squared — Max Tidalgo (vocals) and Max Connery (piano) — performed “Careless Whisper” by George Michael at the recent Forrestdale Follies.

Press release from Rumson PTO

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 auditorium of Forrestdale School. Proceeds benefited the Rumson PTO.

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RUMSON: MUSIC FEST SET FOR NEXT WEEK

tri districtPress release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School

Returning to the auditorium at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, the annual Tri-District Music Festival is slated for the evening of Tuesday, April 7. The free performance is open to the public and will take place at 7 pm.

Tri-District features student musicians from Forrestdale School in Rumson and Knollwood School in Fair Haven, as well as RFH. It offers a unique opportunity for the high school and “sending district” students to perform together, and always provides top-notch entertainment and a rousing finale featuring all of the participants. This year’s lineup includes Combined Band, Orchestra, Chorus, Jazz Band, and Flute Choir.

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RUMSON: FORRESTDALE MUSICIANS SHINE

Press release from Rumson School District

The Instrumental Music Program at Forrestdale School in Rumson took center stage for the Winter Concert on January 15, when the Intermediate and Advanced Bands and the Jazz Ensemble under the direction of John Lebitsch entertained a large and appreciative audience in the school gymnasium.

The Winter Concert featured selections that allowed various sections of the bands to shine. A crowd favorite, “Percussion Portrait” by Jerry Nowak, was performed by the Advanced Band and showcased the skills of the percussion section on six different instruments.

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RUMSON: FUN AT THE (BOOK) FAIR

V__EFD6Rumson PTO Book Fair attendees — and Clifford the Big Red Dog — enjoy a conch shell concert by Forrestdale School Music Teacher John Lebitsch, during the recent event.

Press release from Rumson School District  PTO

“I like books,” said Clara Winters, a first grader at Deane Porter School, when asked why she was excited to attend this year’s Rumson School District Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) Book Fair.

Judging by the number of excited youngsters clutching brand new books in anticipation of taking them home to enjoy, Clara was in good company.

The 2014 Rumson PTO Book Fair, held in the gymnasium of Deane Porter School from October 15 to 22, featured an astounding number of compelling titles to pique the interests of Pre-Kindergarteners through eighth graders at Deane Porter and Forrestdale Schools. Thousands of books and related items were available for immediate purchase, including a selection of titles for adults and young adults.

This year’s attendees were urged to make way for their new purchases by donating gently used titles to the Bridge of Books Foundation. Bridge of Books provides an ongoing source of books to underprivileged and at-risk children throughout New Jersey in order to support literacy skills and foster a love of reading. The generosity of the Rumson school community resulted in the donation of 20 cartons filled with books.

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TRI-DISTRICT MUSIC FEST TAKES IT OUTSIDE

TriDistrictThe June 12 Tri-District Music Festival will feature RFH student musicians along with their counterparts from Knollwood and Forrestdale schools.

An annual tradition for over 17 years, the Tri-District Music Festival brings together talented musicians and singers from Forrestdale School in Rumson and Knollwood School in Fair Haven, as well as from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School. This year, for the first time, the Festival will be held at the outdoor venue — Victory Park, just off River Road in Rumson.

The performance will take place on Thursday, June 12 at 6 pm, with a rain date scheduled for the same time and place on Friday, June 13.

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