HUSKY HAPPENINGS

The Quarterly Newsletter of

August 2009

Dumont High School

Welcome To The 2009-2010 School Year

I am hopeful that you and your family have enjoyed your well deserved vacation and have made time
to connect with as many family and friends as possible. Those relations in our lives are, after all, the In This Issue
most important and bring us true fulfillment, peace, and joy. page 2-3
Need To Knows
This first issue of Husky Happenings 2009-2010 is full of important and needed information for both
you and your child. I urge you to read our newsletter thoroughly and keep on hand for future page 3
reference. I also encourage you to read about Dumont High School’s selection as a PLC Lab School. Curriculum News
This initiative will contribute to our mission of being a center of continuous learning for both students Guidance News
and staff. During the 2008-2009 school year, teachers were working together to research and discuss
page 4
new curricular programs that will enhance the education every child receives at DHS. Being School Security
recognized by the NJ Department of Education for these efforts and as a “school that works” is a point Athletics News
of pride for us. Future Husky Happenings will highlight our progress as a PLC Lab School. Clubs & Student News

Only the first edition of Husky Happenings per year will be mailed home. The remaining three page 5
editions will be found on the DHS website www.dumontnj.org in November, February, and April. Parent Groups News
However, if you wish to continue to receive a paper copy of Husky Happenings, please contact Mrs.
Stanek at (201) 387-3000, ext. 3003. page 6
Upcoming Events
Honorable Mentions
I look forward to once again seeing you on our fields, at our many events, and in our building.

Mr. Michael Parent

Principal

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HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009
Need To
Knows
New School Phone
Numbers
The phone system features an automated
attendant and voice mail system to
facilitate communication with district
faculty and staff. Please take note of the
following important main numbers. You
may also dial the Guidance Department
and Athletic Department directly.
DHS Main Office (and to call a student
in as “absent”):
(201) 387-3000
Guidance Department (direct number):
(201) 387-3010
Athletic Department: (direct number)
(201) 387-3094
DHS School Nurse
(201) 387-3000, ext. 3605
DHS Cafeteria
(201) 387-3000, ext. 3066
New Staff
Mr. Nicolino Nese joined the DHS staff
on June 1, 2009 as the new Director of
Athletics.
Ms. Kristy Curtin joined the DHS staff
on September 1, 2009 as the new School
Psychologist.
Back To School Night
The annual Back to School Night will be
conducted on Wednesday, September 30
beginning at 7:00 PM in the DHS Quirk
Gym. We look forward to having you
become familiar with your child’s
teachers and courses, as well as the
policies and procedures of DHS. A letter
will be sent to you shortly providing
details and inviting you to this annual
event.
8th Grade Open House
The annual 8th Grade Open House will
be conducted on Wednesday, October
14, beginning at 6:30 PM in the DHS
Auditorium. It will be a great opportunity
for parents and 8th graders to receive an
up close and personal view of DHS’s or other relatives) else in the household
outstanding curriculum and co-curricular be listed in Part 2, whether or not they
activities. have an income. All families qualified to
take advantage of this opportunity are
urged to provide your child with free or
Swift Reach
low cost nutritional lunches. Any
This year the district will continue questions, please contact Mr. Parent at
utilizing an automated phone service (201) 387-3000, ext. 3003.
called Swift Reach to alert our parental
community to school closings and other Student Drop-off And
pertinent emergencies. As all information Pick-up
from last year is still in the system, please
notify Mrs. Stanek at DHS (201) Please be aware that parents should use
387-3000, ext. 3003 only if you have Husky Drive as a drop off area for
changes to your contact numbers since students. Please do not use our faculty
last school year. parking lots to drop off students. This
practice may pose a danger to your
children and creates traffic issues in our
Student/Parent
faculty parking lots and on New Milford
Handbooks Avenue. To avoid traffic delays and build
It is extremely important that our new up on New Milford Avenue, we are
parents and students become familiar continuing to strongly encourage parents
with the contents of our Student-Parent to use the Dixon Avenue entrance as a
Handbook. This handbook will be drop off point. A walkway is available to
distributed to all students at the give students access from Dixon Avenue
beginning of September during to the Main Entrance. Also, parents are
homeroom. Please contact the Main reminded that visitor parking is only
Office at the high school should your available on Husky Drive in the parking
child not receive a Student-Parent lot directly in front of the new Media
handbook. This year, the handbook is Center and main entrance. If that lot is
also accessible via the Dumont High full, you are asked to find additional
School home page on the district website parking on the street as all spaces in the
(www.dumontnj.org). The handbook faculty lots are reserved.
clearly explains all school policies.
Student Yearbook
Free or Reduced Lunch
Pictures
If you believe that you qualify for free or
reduced meals, you must provide Student pictures will be taken on
verification of this fact along with your September 3 and 4. A makeup date for
application. Applications will be sent pictures will be announced at a later
home shortly for this purpose. Such time. Students will be able to place their
verification of eligibility may include, but orders with payment to the company,
is not limited to, copies of wages/salaries, Lors Studio, for any additional pictures
welfare, and child support payments, other than the ID student picture.
pensions. Social Security checks or any
other type of income that is applicable. School/Student Lockers
Be assured that any information you
provide will remain confidential. Student lockers have been re-organized
and re-assigned to all students. School
One type of form is to be used for all lockers are the property of the Dumont
students, with the youngest schoolchild in Board of Education and are on loan to
the family returning one form to his or students. Mr. Wichmann, Supervisor of
her school for all children in the family. Pupil Personnel Services, may be
Please note the application requests that contacted at 201-387-3000, ext. 3007, for
all students be listed in Part 1A, and questions regarding lockers.
everyone (including parents/guardians,
non-school age children, grandparents,
2
HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009 FERPA Curriculum Council will be afforded Dr. Collins and the Guidance team will
professional development and on-site be hosting parent evenings in the fall to
The Family Educational Rights and coaching from leading authors and demonstrate and explain how Naviance
Privacy Act is a Federal Law that requires educators who are well versed and works.
public schools to provide notice to experienced with PLCs.
parents of the types of student Testing Dates
information that it releases publicly. If As a PLC Lab School, Dumont High
you do not wish the Dumont Public School will once again be at the forefront HSPA at DHS
Schools to include your name in DHS’s of the latest educational movements all in October 6, 7, 8 (2009)
student directory, please return the an effort to sustain our commitment to
bottom portion of the FERPA form to providing our students and staff with he SAT at DHS
Mr. Parent by September 25. If we do best possible education. October 10, 2009
not receive written notification by this
date, your child’s name will be listed in PSAT at DHS
the student directory.
Guidance October 14, 2009

Parent Access To
Grades & Attendance
As you may be aware, DHS utilizes an
electronic grade book program entitled
Power Grade that features a parental
access component. A letter will be sent
home for logging on to the parent access
portal.
Curriculum
News
DHS Selected as PLC
Lab School
Dumont High School has been selected
as one of only thirty three Professional
Learning Communities Lab Schools by
the NJ Department of Education and the
Educational Information Resource
Center.
Professional Learning Communities (or
PLCs) are small learning groups of
professionals. PLCs are usually made up
of four to five people who study ideas or
issues related to student achievement or
school goals, conduct research on the
issue, and collaborate with each other to
find solutions, amend policy, or improve
practice.
The high school faculty worked in PLCs
last year to investigate a future Freshmen
Seminar course, a Pathways program,
Option II, and an Economics/Finance
course slated for school year 2010-2011.
As a result of being selected as a PLC
Lab School, every faculty member of the
News Contact Dr. Collins, Director of
Guidance, at (201) 387-3010 for test
information, as well as registration
Congratulations To The deadlines. You may check the school
Class of 2009 district website (www.dumontnj.org) for
additional information under Guidance
We are extremely proud of the Department.
accomplishments of the Class of 2009.
We continue to be proud
of the fact that a large Virtual High School
percentage of our Virtual High School (VHS) is a non-
graduating seniors pursue profit organization that collaborates with
educational opportunities schools to offer on-line, content-rich,
post graduation. In fact, credit-bearing high school courses to
an impressive 96.7% of students throughout the United States
the Class of 2009 planned and around the world.
to continue their education, with 62.2%
going to 4-year colleges, 31.1% going to Currently there are over 200 courses to
2-year colleges, 3.4% going to nursing, chose from in the following areas:
business, trade, and/or technical schools, Language Arts, Math, Technology, Life
and 1.0% to the armed services. 2.3% of Skills/Health, Foreign Language,
the graduating class is pursuing Science, Social Studies, Business, and the
employment opportunities. Arts. Courses may be either half-year or
full year. Students in grades 10-12 are
Naviance Arrives eligible. Please contact you child’s
Guidance Counselor for more
Naviance is a web-based communication information on enrolling you son or
system that allows each student to create daughter in a VHS course.
a personalized success plan. Because it's
on-line, students and families can work
together with counselors and Satellite School
administrators who become "success Schedule
coaches", working to ensure that each The Satellite School schedule for the
student stays on track with his or her 2009-2010 school year may be accessed
personal goals. on our school district website
www.dumontnj.org. As a point of
Naviance provides students and parents information, students attending the
with the framework to direct their own Paramus program are provided with bus
education, establish long and short-term transportation to the site at the following
goals, and plan for post secondary times: 7:20 AM for the morning session;
success. 11:30 AM for the PM session. If you
have any questions or would like more

3
HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009 information regarding the Satellite school Student IDs/Access Guardian permission is included in this
program, please contact the Guidance mailing and is due back to the homeroom
Cards
Department at (201) 387-3010. teacher no later than September 18,
All student ID/access cards will be 2009.
returned to the 10th, 11th and 12th

School Athletics
grade students who turned in their ID
cards in June. Students who did not hand

Security in or who lost their cards but paid the

$10.00 replacement fee will have new News
cards issued to them in September. All
Visiting DHS incoming 9th grade students and newly Fall Sports
enrolled students will have student ID
As a means to continue to enhance pictures taken for this purpose on The Fall Sports Season these teams will
school security, the district will continue September 3 and 4 during Physical open play on the following dates:
implementing a Visitor Management Education classes.
Procedure in all district schools. Girls Volleyball
Once IDs are processed and issued, 9/11 vs Cliffside Park, 4:00 PM
The Board of Education’s visitor policy students will be required to be in
states that all school visitors, including possession of their IDs at all times during Boys Soccer
parents, must report to the main entrance the school day. These cards will provide 9/11 vs Cliffside Park, 4:00 PM
to obtain a visitor’s pass before students access into the building in the
proceeding morning, during SDLs, and during the Girls Soccer
to any part lunch hour. Cards will also be needed to 9/12 vs Cliffside Park, 12:00 PM
of t h e access bathroom facilities.
b u i l d i n g. Football
W i t h o u t Students who arrive to school without September 11 vs Cliffside Park, 7:00 PM
exception, their access cards may lose campus
all visitors privileges such as open SDL and Lunch Boys and Girls Cross Country
w i l l b e periods, and may receive additional 9/15 vs River Dell and Fort Lee @
expected to disciplinary consequences. Students will Darlington Park, 4:00 PM
follow our be required to pay a $10.00 replacement
access and fee for lost or stolen cards. Meetings will Join in the excitement and experience all
visitation procedures. Visitors must use be held with students during the first few the action in the new stadium. For
the designated entrance to enter the weeks of school to discuss the system. athletic information, contact Mr. Nic
school. Once admitted into the building, Nese, Director of Athletics, at (201)
the visitor will report directly to the main 387-3094 or view the district website
office or in the high school’s case, the Video Security System www.dumontnj.org.
security desk area, to be issued a visitor’s For safety purposes and to ensure the
pass. protection of district property, the district

In order to obtain a pass, the visitor will

need to present one of the following
forms of identification, which will be
scanned into our computerized security
system: e.g. Driver’s License, Passport,
State/County Issued ID, Health
Insurance Card, NJMVC Non-operator
License, Resident Alien Card, Car
Registration, Utility/Tax Bill. The pass
that is issued will identify the person as a
processed visitor to the school with the
date and time and will serve as a sign-in
verification. At the end of the visit,
visitors should return to the main
entrance desk with the pass to be checked
out. Once a visitor is initially processed,
future visits to the building will be
expedited.
has installed web based security cameras
in common interior and exterior areas of Clubs &
the high school. Information recorded via
this system will be reviewed on a regular Student News
basis and will be utilized to ensure the
protection and welfare of the school DHS Youth Theatre
community. More information related to
Under the direction of Ms. Tuxill, the
the features of this system will be shared
DHS Youth Theatre will conduct its
during student homeroom meetings.
performances on December 4 and 5 at
7:00 PM in the DHS Auditorium. For
Photograph/Video Use information about these performances,
Authorization you may contact: Ms. Tuxill: (201)
387-3000, ext. 6092 or Ms. Mascarelli:
The Dumont Public Schools requires (201) 387-3000, ext. 3017.
parents/guardians to sign a Photograph/
Video Use Authorization Form
authorizing or denying permission to use
photographs/videos of their child(ren) in
publicity relating to the district’s
educational programs. The Parent/

4
HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009
PALS
The Peers As Leaders (PALS)
organization will be hosting the first
annual “Move-In Day” on August 27.
“Move-In Day” is a freshman orientation
program that allows the 9th graders to
explore the building, find their lockers,
and learn about the schedule prior to the
first day of school.
Student Council
The Student Council will be launching a
new program on September 1st called
“Bigs and Littles”. Mr. Hoffman and Mr.
Wells put out the call at the end of last
school year looking for seniors to
volunteer to be big brothers and big
sisters for freshman. 79 seniors
volunteered to mentor the 243 freshmen
we have coming in. Each “big” will
mentor three freshmen. We will be
framing the “Bigs and Littles” program
using the district’s outstanding Teacher
Mentoring Program and other national
and state peer mentoring programs.
Marching Band
DHS’s outstanding Marching Husky
Band will once again perform at the
football games during the Fall Sports
Season. The band, under the direction of
Messrs. Chiandusse and Pochini, will also
perform at the North Jersey Marching
Band Festival on Sunday, October 25 at
Montclair State University (the rain date
is November 1).
Parent Groups
News
Athletic Boosters
The Dumont Athletic Booster
Association was busy over the summer
with the start of their first big mailing.
The Dumont Athletic Association
throughout the year fundraises to support
every athlete and athletic association
throughout DHS. They strive to purchase
equipment in support of our athletes that
may not be covered under the DHS
budget. They also provide scholarships
and hold an All Sports Dinner to honor families to
our varsity athletes. This cannot be done become
without the support of you. If you have active
not done so already, please support the member s
Athletic Boosters by sending in your to help
membership. make this
their best
The first meeting will be on Thursday, year ever.
September 3. Plan to come to the
meeting and look for more ways to get In the past,
involved. The other meeting dates will be with the support of the members, the
posted on the high school website, and DHS Music Booster Association has
they are: granted awards and scholarships to
• Wednesday, October 7, 2009 graduating seniors and has sponsored the
• Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Thanksgiving Day Breakfast, Band
• Wednesday, January 6, 2010 Dinner, and Choral Luncheon for our
• Wednesday, March 3, 2010 students. They have also donated much
• Wednesday, April 14, 2010 needed equipment to the Music
• Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Department. Please consider joining their
organization and supporting our music
All meetings will be at 7:15 PM in the students.
DHS Media Center.
Meetings will be held in the Media
In May of 2009, the Dumont Athletic Center (unless otherwise noted) at 8:00
Boosters Association had the pleasure of pm on the following dates:
electing the new Executive Board for the
2009-2010 school year. Should you have • Monday, September 14, 2009
any questions or concerns, please feel free • Monday, October 5, 2009
to contact anyone of them. The new • Monday, November 2, 2009 (meeting
officers are: Lisa Sansone, President (201) in Room 109)
384-3777; Sandy Kraykowski, Vice • Monday, December 7, 2009 (meeting
President; Susie Reitano, Recording in Room 109)
Secretary; Tracy Cullen, Corresponding • Monday, January 4, 2010
Secretary; Lynne Vietri, Treasurer. • Monday, February 1, 2010
• Monday, March 1, 2010
Don’t forget about the DHS “Huskie” • Monday, April 12, 2010
clothing. There will be lots of new items, • Monday, May 3, 2010
so keep an eye out for the booth at • Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Dumont Day, and at athletic events and
school activities. You can view the items If you have any questions regarding
online (www.dumontnj.org, DHS page, membership or are interested in helping
Husky Store link) and download the flyer us on Dumont Day, or any other event
to place an order. They make great gifts throughout the year, please call Claire
and show your high school spirit! Pidi at (201) 439-1985.
Music Boosters Key Communicators
The Dumont High School Music Booster In order to provide parents with an
Association welcomes everyone back opportunity to become involved with
from summer vacation as they begin the happenings at Dumont High School, Mr.
2009-2010 school year and invites you to Parent is seeking volunteers to serve as
join their organization. Membership will Key Communicators. This committee is
again be $10.00 per individual or $15.00 comprised of a maximum of 25
per family, and registration forms will be members from the school community.
available at their table on Dumont Day. Key Communicators will meet with Mr.
The Music Boosters are encouraging all Parent and other high school
administrator s and supervisor s
periodically during the school year to
5
HUSKY HAPPENINGS August 2009 exchange ideas and information vital to payment coupons, to sign up for Project
the continued effectiveness of the school. Graduation 2011. The letter and Honorable
Mentions
Meeting dates in 2009-2010 will be payment coupons will also be available
announced at a later date. shortly on the Project Graduation
website. For further information, please
If you are interested in being considered contact Sandy Kraykowski at (201) Please join me in celebrating the good
to participate as a Key Communicator, 387-9181 or Gina Letizia at (201) news and exciting events for our faculty
please call Mrs. Terry Stanek, at (201) 384-2384. members:
387-3000, ext. 3003. Please understand
that there are a limited number of • The entire Dumont High School
custodial staff and the Dumont
individuals who may serve on this
committee. If you served on this Upcoming Buildings and Grounds crew for doing
a stellar job with getting the building
committee last year, and would like to
continue to serve in that capacity, please Events ready for the students. We are very
proud to work these men who are lead
call Mrs. Stanek as well. There will also
be an opportunity for parents to sign up September by Kevin Dunne, John Sperone and
as a Key Communicator on Back to • 2 First Day of School Craig Leotta.
School Night. • 3 Underclassmen Portraits • With the start of the 09-10 school year,
• 4 Underclassmen Portraits Ms. Genny DiTrani will begin her 40th
• 7 SCHOOL CLOSED-Labor Day year of service to Dumont High
Project Graduation • 9 Student Activities Club Fair School. Last year, Mr. Rich Markert
Project Graduation 2010 • 10 Senior Portrait Retakes celebrated his 40th anniversary as a
The Project Graduation 2010 committee • 11 Senior Portrait Retakes teacher. We and our students are
has set some upcoming meeting dates: • 11 PALS New Student Luncheon honored to have both of you on staff.
• Tuesday, September 8, 2009 • 13 DHS Cheerleaders Carwash @ • Ms. Nicole Dunne is now Mrs. Nicole
• Wednesday, September 16, 2009 DHS 9:00 AM Costa, and Ms. Karen Booker is now
• Thursday, October 1, 2009 • 17 College Night @ FDU Mrs. Karen Estrada. Mr. Curt Banicki
• Thursday, October 8, 2009 • 22 Senior Parent Night 7:00 PM is still Mr. Banicki - but there is now a
• Thursday, October 22, 2009 • 28 SCHOOL CLOSED - Yom Kippur Mrs. Banicki. All three teachers
• Monday, November 2, 2009 • 30 Back to School Night 7:00 PM celebrated their weddings over the
• Wednesday, November 18, 2009 summer. We wish them happiness and
• Monday, December 9, 2009 prosperity as they begin their new
October
• 6 HSPA Test families.
All Project Graduation meetings will be • 7 HSPA Test • Mr. Craig Post and Ms. Cari Koblitz
held at 7:00 PM in the DHS Media • 8 HSPA Test have been awarded a $1000.00 grant
Center. from the Bergen County Utilities
• 10 SAT Test @ DHS
Authority to continue their recycling
• 13 (Makeup) HSPA Test
The Fashion Show Fundraiser will be • 14 (Makeup) HSPA Test and environmental projects with our
held on Thursday, November 4 at the • 14 PSAT Test @ DHS students. This is the second year DHS
Florentine Gardens in River Vale at 7:30 • 14 8th Grade Open House 6:30 PM has been awarded this grant.
PM. Further information and tickets will • 15 (Makeup) HSPA Test • Ms. Elizabeth Tuxill’s semi-
be available in September. Any questions • 17 Forensics @ DHS 8:00 AM autobiographical play “It’s Your
please contact Stephanie McClinton at • 20 Powder Puff Game 7:00 PM Mother” was performed in New York
SRMC159@aol.com. • 23 Fall Sports Pep Rally 2:00 PM City this summer. Many teachers and
• 24 Homecoming Dance 7:30 PM students turned out for the
Project Graduation 2011 performances.
• 25 Band Festival @ Montclair State
The Project Graduation 2011 committee University 4:30 PM • We proudly welcome back Mrs. Tara
has set some upcoming meetings: Lennox and Mrs. Laura Sobek. Both
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
November are new moms (of beautiful children)
• 1 (Rain Date) Band Festival
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 and will be returning to DHS in
• 4 SCHOOL CLOSED-Election Day
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 September.
• 4 End of First Marking Period
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 • A heroic salute to Mr. Jason Cannici
• 5 SCHOOL CLOSED-Convention
who literally saved the life of a young
• 6 SCHOOL CLOSED-Convention
All meetings will be held at 7:30 in the girl this summer by using his Epi-pen
• 13 Career Fair 8:45 AM
DHS Media Center. training (required for all coaches in
• 25 ONE SESSION DAY Dumont) in a time of crisis.
• 25 Veteran’s Salute/Flag Raising
Junior parents should have already
• 26 SCHOOL CLOSED-Holiday
received in the mail a letter, along with • 27 SCHOOL CLOSED-Holiday