Highlights since our last board meeting:

·      Advanced Placement Scores

Advanced Placement results are in, and Holmdel High School students once again posted some very impressive scores!

Over 90% of the more than 700 tests that were taken earned scores of "3" or better -- of that number, 77% earned scores of "4" or better, and 49% earned a perfect score of "5." 

Congratulations to the students who took the tests, the teachers who prepared them, and to the parents who supported everyone's endeavors on a job well done!

·      Governor's School

Two high school students were selected to attend the prestigious 2009 Governor's School programs:

(2010) -- School of Engineering and Technology (Rutgers: June 28th - July 22nd)
(2010) -- School in the Sciences (Drew: July 12th - August 1st)

Funded through private donations, the Governor's Schools have been in existence since 1983, and boast over 8,000 alumni.  This year over 1,600 students applied, and 262 were accepted, including 21 from Monmouth County.  At the Governor's Schools, "students take intensive courses, complete assignments, and learn management skills. It demonstrates for them the difference between high school and college-level courses - the demands, the thrill of real-life applications, the need for self-direction, and the excitement of using state-of-the-art equipment" (Press Release). Students attending the programs were first nominated by their respective schools, and then endured a rigorous application process. Congratulations to both of our students for earning this tremendous learning opportunity!

·      Class of 2008 -- Class Gift Supports the Arts

The American Academy of the Arts wrote recently to inform us of a new website they are sponsoring. "Poetry Resources for Teens", is up and running, and features links to "Poetry 101", "Poems Teens Like", "Writing Help", "Online Help", and "Discussion Forum". Their research showed that, on average, teens spend close to seventeen hours a week online, and that the best way to reach new writers and readers is in their early years through this medium. The Academy wrote to thank the Class of 2008 and their advisor, Ms. Jenn Sacks, for their generous donation to help fund this project. The website may be accessed at www.poets.org/teens.

·      NCTM News

Cresenda Jones, Holmdel’s Math and Science Supervisor and the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey’s (AMTNJ) 1^st Vice President, joined other mathematics educators from across the US at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Affiliate Leaders Conference in New Orleans.  The conference, with the theme “Growing Your Organization,” included a variety of leadership-enhancing professional activities for Affiliate leaders.  The professional activities promoted a commitment to improving mathematics education for all students. 

Henry (Hank) Kepner, NCTM President, said that “the increasing importance of mathematics for all students at every level of schooling means that more than ever teachers look to NCTM and its Affiliates for guidance, support, and resources to meet these challenges.  The Council and Affiliate leaders are partners in preparing the next generation of teacher leaders to organize professional development activities, become master teachers, support entering teachers, and lead the profession”.