What's happening at High Point Regional

Science Research Students in the Science Research Club at High Point Regional High School will begin to conduct primary research in coordination with Rutgers University's Waksman Student Scholar Program. The club is identifying genes found in Artemia fransicana (brine shrimp). The Artemia species is used as a model organism in research and determining its genome could be of great interest. Twenty other schools in the state will be working with Rutgers on the project, but High Point is the only school in Sussex County participating. Science teacher Madelaine Travaille, who leads the school's team, spent all of July at the Waksman Institute conducting research along with the student team leader, senior Nicole Monahan, who also trained this summer at the Waksman Institute. Guidance workshops From 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, the school's guidance department will present workshops that will include a demonstration of DISCOVER (the college and career planning system); the guidance department website; and presentations from college admissions officers on college application, admissions, and financial aid procedures. Counselors will provide resources to assist students in planning for college. Summer programs High Point had several students participate in summer programs. The Governor's School sponsored Rachel Weinrich at the School on the Environment at Richard Stockton College from July 3-30 and Jenna Gersie at the School of International Studies at Ramapo College from July 3-30. Molly Gill and Gina Martellacci attended the Rotary Youth Leadership conference at Drew University June 10-12. Senior Samantha Falcon attended this year's Career Institute at Douglas College sponsored by the Sussex Women's Club. Mary Jean Lanzilotti attended the HOBY leadership conference (Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program); For one week in June, Rider College hosted Boy's State and Girl's State, sponsored by the American Legion. Tiffany Lin, Hayley Tamburello, and Kate Walton represented High Point Regional High School at Girl's State, while Josh Howell and Jesse Lerch did the same at Boy's State, where the students learned about government and how it functions by developing their own state. SCCC partnership High Point has entered into a partnership with Sussex County Community College that allows juniors and seniors to enroll in a credit-bearing course as part of the high school day. More than thirty High Point students have registered for SCCC credits in courses offered at High Point. The fee of $100 per three credit course has made it an attractive way familiarize students with college level work and earn college credits while in high school. Strategic planning High Point students, parents, members of the community, teachers, administrators and support staff have been contributing their ideas to the district's five-year strategic plan. Five committees are working on different aspects of the plan by developing goals. When completed, the different plans go to a steering committee for approval. Foreign Languages On Friday, Oct. 7, the Foreign Language Department will host a concert by French singer Eric Vincent. Vincent performs all over the world, has several CD's out, and is well known in the Francophone Other Sussex County French classes have been invited. Technology news High Point may be the first high school in New Jersey and possibly the nation to offer programs that satisfy nearly all of national "Standards for Technological Literacy." Technology content standards were created under the aegis of the International Technology Education Association and its Technology for All Americans Project. Developed in 2000, the standards were reviewed and supported by the National Research Council's Standards Review, the Technical Review Committees and The National Academy of Engineering. "It has been a goal of the school for many years to promote the technological literacy of our students, said Mark Wallace, the school's supervisor of technological studies. "We have aligned our program offerings to national standards that have had input from a tremendous amount of people from business and industry." This year, the school is offering several new programs, including: Biotechnology; Communication Technology and Woodworking III, which includes units on construction and manufacturing systems; Power, Energy and Transportation Technology 1,2,3,4; Engineering and Design Technology 1,2,3,4; Computer Aided Drafting and Design 1,2,3; Architectural Design 1,2,3; Mechanical Movement Woodworking; Construction and Manufacturing 1,2,3; Media Technology 1,2,3; Biotechnology 1; Communication Technology 1; and Women in Engineering. The school has been recognized as a leader in technology education by the International Technology Education Association and the Technology Education Association of New Jersey. Members of the High Point Regional High School Technology Students Association traveled to their National Conference in Chicago this summer. The group earned a National Championship in the Manufacturing Prototype Competition and third Place in the Technology Problem Solving Competition.