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 On  June  20th,  2018,  the  Class  of  2018  said  goodbye  to  Demarest  Middle  School  (DMS)  and  its  administrators,  teachers,  and  staff.  The  concert  band,  led  by  Mr.  John  Zemba,  performed  “Pomp  and  Circumstance”  for  the  processional.  Sachin  Kirtane,  Class  Vice  President,  then  led  the  graduates  and  aKendees  in  the  flag  salute  and  the  naMonal  anthem.  Class  President  Tyler  Runyon  spoke  to  and  introduced  the  graduates  and  DMS  Principal  Mr.  Jonathan  Regan  welcomed  the  audience.    

 District  Superintendent  Mr.  Michael  Fox  gave  thoughTul  remarks  and  officially  presented  the  graduates.  Ms.  Diane  Holzberg,  President  of  the  Demarest  Board  of  EducaMon,  then  addressed  and  congratulated  the  graduates.    

 The  Class  of  2018,  represented  by  Class  Secretary  Caleb  Woods-­‐Bannan,  presented  the  school  with  the  gi\  of  an  entrance-­‐way  mat  welcoming  those  who  walk  into  the  school.  An  addiMonal  monetary  gi\  was  given  to  the  town  library,  which  was  presented  by  Class  Treasurer  Olivia  Barbieri.  These  gi\s  are  small  tokens  of  graMtude  for    

everything  that  has  been  done  for  the  graduates  over  the  past  four  years.    

 Ms.  Holzberg  and  Mr.  Fox  then  awarded  the  graduates  their  diplomas,  which  officially  signaled  the  end  of  their  middle  school  career.  Ms.  Sara  Gatanas  and  Ms.  Lorna  InfanM,  PTO  Co-­‐Presidents,  gave  out  the  PTO  awards  following  the  diplomas.  The  Leadership  Award  was  given  to  Olivia  Barbieri  and  the  CiMzenship  Award  was  present  to  Jennifer  Chung.  Mila  Kaplan  and  Sofia  Kaplan  were  awarded  the  scholarship  awards  for  academic  excellence.  Lastly,  Demarest  EducaMon  AssociaMon  Co-­‐Presidents  Ms.  Michelle  Greenberg  and  Ms.  Joanne  Werner  presented  the  Genevieve  Johnson  Academic  Growth  Award  to  Zoey  Ceitlin.  

 Mr.  Regan  concluded  the  ceremony  with  final  remarks,  followed  by  the  concert  band  playing  the  recessional.  Our  best  wishes  go  to  the  graduaMng  class  as  they  apply  lessons  learned  from  the  years  within  Demarest  Public  Schools  to  meet  the  challenges  of  high  school.    

Demarest Middle School Graduation 2018 by Toby Murphy

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 As  the  2017-­‐2018  school  year  concludes,  I  am  happy  to  share  all  of  the  work  that  has  taken  place  in  our  district.  County  Road  School  (CRS)  has  expanded  the  preschool  program,  filling  four  classrooms  in  our  three  and  four  year  old  programs.    During  the  school  year,  new  unit  venMlators  were  installed  as  well  as  new  cabinets  and  countertops  in  the  kitchen.  This  summer,  a  new  building  sign  will  be  installed  in  the  front  of  the  school.  

 At  Luther  Lee  Emerson  School  (LLE),  new  SMART  Boards  were  installed  in  the  second  grade  classrooms.  We  completed  both  our  parking  lot  repaving  and  landscaping  improvements.    In  addiMon,  a  second  boiler  was  added  to  our  facility.  To  complement  the  new  Next  GeneraMon  Science  Standards,  we  expanded  our  STEM  program  to  include  our  third  graders.  

 At  Demarest  Middle  School  (DMS),    we  installed  new  furniture  in  several  classrooms  and  new  flooring  in  the  seventh  and  eighth  grade  wing.  Northwood  Avenue  parking  lot  was  repaved  and  a  new  building  sign  was  installed.        

 The  DMS  Brain  Busters  Academic  Decathlon  Team  won  the  county  championship  and  our  Demarest  Science  and  Engineering  Team  

competed  in  the  state  finals,  where  they  were  tested  in  performance-­‐based  tasks  in  the  disciplines  of  ecology,  meteorology,  and  astronomy.    We  were  able  to  enhance  our  curriculum  in  the  middle  school  by  sending  our  sixth  graders  to  Fairview  Lake  Environmental  Center.    Our  seventh  graders  took  a  new  trip  to  historic  Philadelphia  to  study  the  American  revoluMon,  and  our  eighth  graders  enjoyed  an  educaMonal  visit  to  Washington,  DC.    

 In  May,  we  held  county  recognized  health  and  wellness  fairs  in  all  three  buildings  as  well  as  sensory  tables  to  promote  mindfulness  and  “brain  breaks”  to  teach  the  students  coping  strategies.    

 As  we  begin  our  summer  break,  I  encourage  all  to  read  and  enjoy  the  outdoors!  Our  district  wide  health  and  wellness  iniMaMve  throughout  the  school  year  showed  us  that  good  physical  exercise  helps  to  sMmulate  the  mind  and  encourages  good  thinking  and  strategy  skills.  I  wish  everyone  a  safe,  resTul  summer!    

District Updates by Mr. Michael Fox

Preschool Planting by Alyssa Plescia

Inquisitive preschoolers at Country Road School have been exploring the Curiosity Corner Unit on roots and shoots, which helps students recognize the importance of plants in everyday lives. Students used their senses to observe, predict, experiment, draw conclusions, and record observations. Throughout this unit, students learned what plants need to grow, parts of the plant, and how to grow and take care of their own plants.

Students read the story The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, which elaborates on the life cycle of a plant. This story inspired students to plant something of their own. The class learned about the different types of beans and seeds that produce a variety of plants,

flowers, vegetables, fruits, trees, and grass. In an effort to help further their understanding of planting, the students planted their own grass seeds. The preschoolers cannot wait to see how tall their grass will grow.

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 Fourth  graders  Angelina  Seo  and  Daniel  Neville  were  chosen  to  compete  in  the  North  Jersey  Regional  STEAM  (Science,  Technology,  Engineering,  Art,  and  Math)  Tank  compeMMon,  which  is  a  compeMMon  similar  to  the  television  show  Shark  Tank.  Students  are  given  three  minutes  to  pitch  ideas  to  a  panel  of  judges.  Angelina  and  Daniel’s  submissions  were  accepted  from  among  several  hundred  following  their  iniMal  presentaMons.  They  were  then  invited  to  The  New  Jersey  InsMtute  of  Technology  on  April  14th  for  the  compeMMon.  Angelia  presented  her  submission  of  the  Smart  Glove  with  Madeline  Lee  and  

STEAM Program by Chris Nerkizian

   

Health and Science Fairs by Noa Miller and Daniel Kim

 This  year,  seventh  and  eighth  grade  students  parMcipated  in  health  and  science  fairs,  which  provided  students  with  an  opportunity  to  learn  and  develop  presentaMon  skills.  These  events  consisted  of  visually  and  intellectually  appealing  student-­‐designed  projects.    

 The  health  fair,  an  eighth  grade  run  event,  required  students  to  work  collaboraMvely  to  study  how  nutriMon,  yoga,  acupuncture,  exercise,  music  and  creaMve  expression,  or  meditaMon  can  reduce  stress.  Assessment  was  based  on  informaMon,  presentaMon,  group  work,  and  leadership  skills.  Students  had  to  use  different  sources  for  their  research,  which  included  community  professionals  who  volunteered  their  Mme.  Each  presentaMon  included  visuals  and  an  engaging  demonstraMon.  One  group  created  healthy  smoothies,  promoMng  how  certain  foods  posiMvely  affect  students’  stress  levels.    

 Our  seventh  graders  completed  projects  for  the  annual  science  fair.  PresentaMons  covered  a  variety  of  subjects  ranging  from  video  games  to  illusions.  Students  had  to  meet  deadlines  corresponding  to  each  step  of  the  scienMfic  method.  In  addiMon,  students  created  a  trifold  presenMng  their      

informaMon.  On  the  day  of  the  fair,  students  were  able  to  show  off  their  hard  work  to  the  school  and  community.    

 By  parMcipaMng  in  these  events,  students  were  able  to  grow  in  their  knowledge  of  health  and  science  topics  and  were  also  given  an  opportunity  to  use  their  presentaMon  skills,  which  will  assist  them  in  future  classes  and  careers.  These  events  create  an  environment  of  learning  as  students  are  able  to  teach  their  peers  and  members  of  the  school  community.  The  health  and  science  fairs  benefiKed  all  involved  in  an  engaging  and  intriguing  way.    

Mia  Barbieri.  The  Smart  Glove  can  replicate  finger  placement  on  instruments  providing  students  an  inexpensive  alternaMve  to  owning  instruments.  Daniel’s  submission  was  a  board  game  called  Straight  Face.  The  game  is  made  of  recycled  materials  and  provides  hours  of  fun  by  challenging  contestants  to  keep  a  straight  face  while  other  compeMtors  complete  wacky  stunts.  Overall,  the  students  were  able  to  grow  as  learners  from  this  wonderful  experience.  

ECRWS Postal Patron Demarest, NJ 07627

Board of Education Diane Holzberg President Kristie Woods Vice President Theodore Alevrontas Erica Cantatore Christen Governale  Ammu Kirtane Sheila Verna   Michael Fox, Superintendent Thomas Perez Business Administrator

  

Demarest Board of Education 568 Piermont Road

Demarest, NJ 07627 http://demarestsd.schoolwires.net

Editors: Toby Murphy

murphyt@nvnet.org

Victoria Zimmerman zimmermanv@nvnet.org