REMEMBERING THE OPENING MONTHS
OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR
New students in Mr. Clifford’s English class looked back fondly on the first two months of school. These are their memories…
An eighth grade student wrote:
“I remember that I almost forgot when the first day of school was going to start. It was the last day of summer and I didn’t really want to get out of bed. Then I went back to sleep. After about thirty minutes I fell off my couch. I knew something was wrong, so I asked my mom to call the school. It turned out that school had started. I already had missed two classes by the time I made it to school. I was just about to miss social studies. While I was heading to class, I saw all my friends. It was like they were migrating to their own classes. It was good to see them all again after a very long summer! Even though I started a little late, seeing all my friends made me feel a lot better!”
Another eighth grade student wrote:
“I proceeded to wake up at 6:00 on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. The gleam of light shining through my windows woke me up. I also realized that summer has finally come to an end. I was starting a new school today and mixed feelings smashed together all at once. Though I was excited I didn’t exactly know what to expect. I was away from my main district, Ridgewood. I was different though nobody knew it. On the outside all you saw was this thirteen year old, respectable young man eager to start fresh…but on the inside I was screaming. The bell rang. Kids poured into the hallway like ice cream dripping down a cone on a hot summer’s day. I saw cute girls and tough guys; this is a school I knew I could fit into once I got into the swing of things. I tried to hide my identity as best as possible and you can still say I am as of this moment.
I proceeded to wake up at 6:00 on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. The gleam of light shining through my windows woke me up. I also realized that I was already in school for two months and fourteen days. Everything smoothed out. I was coming to school as a regular and following a daily schedule. My peers and teachers treat me with respect and they expect the same, that’s exactly what they get. Insinuations have been made but the problems were solved. I have enjoyed talking with Mr. Clifford and Mrs. Plaut on many topics and I feel like I’m safe with confiding in them.
My favorite activity this year so far has definitely been spirit week 2012. Everyone expressed their school spirit.”
A seventh grade student wrote:
“I remember when I had fun in gym class. My gym teacher let me exercise in the weight room. I got to quietly work out while actually having fun. For once in this school, I’m somewhat happy.”
Another seventh grade student wrote:
“ Ever since I got here I’ve made new friends. I’ve also started hanging out with eighth graders although I am in seventh grade. A lot of cool things have happened to me ever since I started here. I like all my teachers. They are all very nice. My favorite part throughout the school year so far was spirit week and the big ralley. I also like the food here better than Villano. Here in the high school I have more fun.”
Another seventh grade student wrote:
“I remember my first day of school here. At first I was really anxious because I had no idea what it would be like in a new environment. Everyone was so nice when I first walked into my science class. During lunch time I had so many people come up to me and ask me to sit with them. I finally found a nice group of friends to sit with and enjoy my lunch. They even made me a card to welcome me to the school.”
From the Desks of Mr. Clifford & Ms. Jakob:
Mr. Clifford's Busy Day:
Period 1: Social Studies 7
2: English 3/4
3: Language Arts 7/8
4: Study Skills 7
5: Study Skills 8
6: English 1/2
7: World History
8: Prep
Ms. Jakob's Busy Day:
Period 1: Prep
2: Algebra 1
3: U.S. History - ICS
4: Algebra 2
5: Biology
6: Algebra 2
7: Math 7/8
8: Geometry
What's happening in Ms. Jakob's classes:
In Math 7 & 8 class: Students are working on Number Theory and Algebraic Reasoning.
In Algebra 1 class: Students are learning how to Solve Equations. (One Step. Two Step and Multi Step Equations)
In Algebra 2 class: Students are working on Functions, Equations and Graphs.
In Geometry class: Students are learning Deductive Reasoning, Conditional Statements and Proving Angles Congruent.
In Biology class: Students created Biome Posters.
C.S. won Ms. Jakob's Guess the Number of Candy Corns for Halloween!
Recent Field Trips:
Recently, Nova visited the Ringwood Manor, Ringwood, NJ. The students and staff toured the beautiful mansion with a tour guide, who explained the early life of the manor.
Several Nova Students attended a mainstream World History class field trip to the Holocaust Museum in New York City.
Nova students visited The Sterling Hill Mine in Ogdensburg, NJ on March 22nd. Students visited the exhibit hall where they had a scavenger hunt for 5 items. Then we went on to visit the Museum of Fluorescence and then on to the Underground Zinc Mine. We had an excellent tour guide who kept the students engaged. Students chose a fluorescent rock as a souvenir.
Nova North's Annual Picnic at Pascack Brook Park, Westwood
