HUSKY HAPPENINGS

The Quarterly Newsletter of

November 2008

Dumont High School

Taking Time & Giving Thanks

As the autumn draws to a close and we prepare for the holiday In This Issue
season, it is time that to reflect on people and fortunes that give us
such great pleasure in life and to offer thanks. For me, I am truly page 2 Need To
Knows
thankful for the dedicated faculty and terrific student body of
Dumont High School.
Guidance
News
Nearly three months have gone by this school year and I can tell you
that each day it has been a pleasure to serve this school and this DHS Gains
community as the principal. Each day, I am reminded of how great Accreditation
this teaching staff is, how respectful and goal-oriented our students
are, and how lucky I am to have such great support from the parents. Homeroom
For this, I am thankful. Meetings

Flag Raising/
As your family prepares for the holidays, please take some time to
Veteran’s
reflect on how truly great life can be, how much your family means to
Salute
you, and how much you mean to your family. Take pleasure in the
moments you share together, or carve out time in your week or Athletics
month if you find yourself wanting more moments of significance News
with your loved ones.
page 3 Clubs &
Enjoy your holidays. Be well, be safe, and find time to share. Student
News

Boosters &
Parent
Groups
Cordially, News
Michael Parent
Principal page 4 Upcoming
Events

Honorable
Mentions

1
HUSKY HAPPENINGS November 2008
Need To Knows
School Phone Numbers
• Dumont High School 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
Report Cards
Report cards for the 1st Marking Period All homeroom meetings are at 9:05 am in
will be issued on November 26. The the DHS Auditorium.
official report card is on blue paper with
the school seal watermark imprinted.
Contact the Guidance Office at
201-387-3010 should you wish to make
an appointment with your child’s
guidance counselor.
Guidance News
The Guidance Department recently held on Husky Drive. Veterans of the Armed
it’s annual 8th Grade Open House. Dr. Forces, firemen, policemen, and
Paul Collins, Director of Guidance, emergency service workers are
coordinated the program, which recognized.
provided parents with an overview of all leaders, as well as the DHS Band and
the programs offered at DHS.
DHS students will begin course selection
for the 2009-2010 school year in January.
There will be a 7th Grade Open House
on April 2, 2009.
DHS Receives
Accreditation
DHS has once again been accredited by
the Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools. A team of five educators
visited DHS on November 12, 13, and
14. The team visited with teachers,
students, parents, and administrators,
and interviewed members of each group.
The team also poured through piles of
school documents and our two student
achievement objectives. In the end, we
were granted Middle States accreditation
and found to be a school that is
progressive, ambitious, collaborative,
and student-focused.
2
Girls Soccer
Homeroom The Girls Soccer Team, under first year
Meetings Head Coach Stacey Del’Re, finished
Grade Level Homeroom Meetings have their season with 8 wins, 10 losses and 1
tie. The team qualified for the County
been scheduled for the following dates:
and State Tournaments this season.
• Nov. 17 - Grade 9
• Nov. 19 - Grade 10
Football
• Nov. 20 - Grade 11
The Varsity Football Team, under first
• Nov. 21 - Grade 12
year Head Coach Andrew Wells, is
• Feb. 2 - Grade 9 currently 3 and 5. They will be playing a
• Feb. 3 - Grade 10 State Consolation game against Pascack
• Feb. 4 - Grade 11 Hills on November 14, and they will
• Feb. 6 - Grade 12 finish their season playing against Tenafly
on Thanksgiving morning.
Boys and Girls Cross Country
The Girls Cross Country Team, under
Coaches Jon Bennett and Tom Montuori,
competed in the BCSL American League
Flag Raising/ Championship Meet and the County
Veteran’s Salute Championship Meet. The Boys Cross
County Team also competed in the
The annual Flag Raising/Veteran’s BCSL American League Championship
Salute will be conducted on Wednesday, Meet and the County Championship
November 26 at 7:45 am at the flagpole Meet.
Cheerleading
The Cheerleading squads did a terrific
Student Government
job igniting school spirit into the teams
and fans this season under the direction
Color Guard, will participate in the
of third year Head Coach Alyssa
ceremony.
Ruggero and first year Assistant Coach
Dana Rivers. Also, the Cheerleaders will
be hosting a Cheerleading Competition
Athletics News at DHS on February 14, 2009 at 10:00
am.
Fall Sports
DHS winter season student-athletes will
attend a mandatory substance Winter Sports
awareness/sportsmanship program on Good luck to all the winter sports teams
who are just getting their practices
Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 pm in
the DHS Auditorium. The guest speaker underway. Support the boys and girls
basketball teams, indoor track, wrestling,
will be Mr. Pete Cinella. Mr. Cinella is
the Woman’s Head Basketball Coach at bowling, and hockey teams. Schedules
Fairleigh Dickinson University in are posted daily outside the Trainer’s
Teaneck. Office, and are also available for viewing
on the district website www.dumontnj.org
under DHS Athletic Department. For
The Fall Sports Season wrap up:
any further athletic information, contact
Mr. Robert Klie, Interim Director of
Girls Volleyball Athletics, at (201) 387-3094 or view the
The Lady Husky Volleyball Team, under website.
second year Head Coach Jamie Kipp,
finished their season 14 and 4 in the
league and 18 and 7 overall. The team
qualified for the County and State
Tournaments this season.
Boys Soccer
The Boys Soccer Team, under first year
Head Coach Chuck Hogan, finished
their season with a record of 6 wins, 8
losses and 3 ties.
HUSKY HAPPENINGS November 2008
Clubs & Student
News
DHS Youth Theatre
Under the direction of Ms. Tuxill, the
DHS Youth Theatre will perform “The
Face on the Barroom Floor, or, Glimpsed
Through the Saw Dust” on December 4, 5,
and 6 at 7:00 PM in the DHS
Auditorium. For information about these
performances, you may contact: Ms.
Tuxill: (201) 387-3000, ext. 6092 or Ms.
Mascarelli: (201) 387-3000, ext. 3017.
Marching Band
Congratulations to the DHS Band for
performing at the annual Montclair State
University Band Festival on October 26.
The DHS Marching Band’s annual
dinner will be held on December 2 in
DHS Cafeteria.
S.O. Night
S.O. Night will be held on January 29,
30, and 31 at 7:00 pm in the DHS
Auditorium. Mr. Dan Cooke, Advisor,
coordinates the evening, with assistance
from Ms. Jolie Kurz and Mrs. Lynn
Bonilla.
Dance Team Showcase
Under the direction of Cari Koblitz,
Dance Team Advisor, the Dance Team
will perform at their Showcase on
February 6 and 7:30 pm in the DHS
Auditorium.
Unity Club
The Unity Club recently participated in
a walk-a-thon for Habitat for Humanity,
and they are presently collecting pop tabs
for Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Their next project is collecting candy for
Project Appalachia.
Teen Freedom
Teen Freedom members participated in
the Make-A-Wish Foundation walk-a-
thon. They are presently fundraising for
holiday baskets for needy families during
Thanksgiving, and they have also started
their campaign for “Bear Hugs for the
Holidays.” Members are collecting new
stuffed animals to be sent to children in
area hospitals. Stuff animals will be
collected at DHS in Room 224 until
December 5.
3
dumontnj.org. Click on Athletics and
Dumont Captains for print out your order form.
Tomorrow’s Children
The DC for TC visited Hackensack Information! The next scheduled
Medical Center recently. The fall sports meeting will be on Tuesday, January 6th
captains visited children who are stricken at 7:15 pm in the DHS Media Center.
with various forms of cancer. They spent You can view the meeting schedule for
time with the children, helped pick up the remainder of the year by logging
their spirits, and brought them a gift. onto the high school website at
The athletes then wore the name(s) of a dumontnj.org. All meetings begin at 7:15
child on their uniform for their next pm.
competition, and that was followed up by
a note and picture to the child. Mr.
Thank you! The Dumont Athletic
Marty Caspare is the advisor for DC for
Booster Association would like to thank
TC, and the tradition will be continued
all of their volunteers. Your time and
with two more visits to HMC (winter and
spring). efforts are always appreciated. Have a
wonderful holiday season and we look
forward to seeing you soon.
Boosters & Parent
Groups News Music Boosters
The Music Boosters will meet on the
Athletic Boosters following dates for the 2008-2009 school
The Dumont High School Athletic year:
Boosters Association is still accepting • December 1, 2008
membership for the 2008/2009 school • January 5, 2009
year. Parents of all athletes are urged to • February 2, 2009
join and become active members. The • March 2, 2009
money raised by the group helps provide
• April 6, 2009
ALL SPORT GROUPS with the
• May 4, 2009
opportunity to purchase “extras” for their
• June 1, 2009
programs that may not be available
through the school budget. In addition, All meeting are scheduled for 8:00 pm in
there is an annual Sports Dinner to the DHS Media Center.
honor the efforts of Juniors and Seniors
that have earned a varsity letter. Your Also, the annual Band Dinner is
help is a vital part of the success of our scheduled for 7:00 pm on December 2 in
organization. Please become a member the DHS Cafeteria. Any further
and consider volunteering a few hours of questions, please contact Judy Famulare
your time. at (201) 384-2370.
Volunteers are needed! Specifically for Key Communicators
the snack concessions during the winter Key Communicator meetings are
season at basketball games and wrestling scheduled for the following dates for the
matches. For volunteer information remainder of the 2008-2009 school year:
please email Tracy Cullen at • December 9 - 7:00 pm, Media
dksmom817@msn.com or call
Center
201-385-8045.
• February 10 - 7:00 pm, Media
Center
Save the Date! The DHS Athletic
Booster Holiday Dinner will be held on • April 7 - 7:00 pm, Media Center
Friday, December 5th. We hope to see
you there for a fun evening. For
information contact Tracy Cullen at the Project Graduation
above email and number. Project Graduation 2009
The parents of the Class of 2009 are
Go Huskies! As the holidays quickly continuing to finalize plans for Project
approach, the Husky Store is still Graduation–a drug and alcohol-free
thriving. These items make wonderful celebration for all members of the
gifts for both past and present attendees graduating class – which takes place after
of DHS. The parents love them too! graduation on June 22, 2009. It is the last
Support the Huskies and show them that chance for the whole class to spend a fun
they are the best. Look for new and and event filled evening together before
favorite items on the high school website, they head off in different directions.
HUSKY HAPPENINGS November 2008 Don’t let your child miss out on what is meetings for the Fashion Show • 12 BOE Workshop Meeting 8:00
sure to be a very memorable experience! committee are scheduled for November pm
20 and January 22 at 7:00 pm in the • 14 Cheerleading Competition @
The total cost of Project Graduation DHS Media Center.  The next meeting DHS 10:00 am
2009 is $250. If you have not sent in any for Project Graduation will be sometime • 16-17 SCHOOL CLOSED
payments yet, it is not too late. You can in February, 2009.  • 26 Winter Concert 7:00 pm
make monthly payments of $50 for the
• 26 BOE Monthly Meeting 8:00 pm
next five months if it is easier for you, or REMINDER:  The first installment
you can pay the full amount by March payment of $65.00 was due on
13, 2009. Please call Donna Pleus at November 3rd.  Payments can be made
(201) 387-9153 to make payment at anytime during the year, but Honorable
arrangements, to find out the amount please include the coupon with your
you owe, or if you have any other payment.     
Mentions
questions about payments. Please make • Mr. Jeff Sokolik for his continued
checks payable to Project Graduation Project Graduation 2011
successful work on the “Get It
2009 and send payments to: Project Project Graduation is a fun-filled, drug
Graduation 2009, c/o Mrs. Donna Pleus, and alcohol free evening following Together” Challenge with State
561 Prospect Avenue, Dumont, NJ graduation ceremonies for the Class of Farm Insurance.
07628. If you are making installment 2011. The first meeting will be held on • Mrs. Elise Ferencevych for her
payments, the second payment of Wednesday, December 3 at 7:30 pm in fundraising efforts in support of the
$100.00 was due on September 19, 2008 the Media Center. The initial meeting Make-A-Wish Foundation.
and the last payment of $75.00 is due on will include a set up of officers for the • Mr. Craig Post on winning a $940.00
February 27, 2009. If your child wishes organization and a vote on fundraising grant from the Bergen County
to attend Project Graduation, but you prospects. We hope you will attend and Utilities Authority to implement a
have a financial hardship that will lend your talents and time to create a recycling program at DHS.
prevent your child from attending, please very memorable evening for our
• Ms. Genny DiTrani for her
call the principal, Mr. Parent, at (201) graduates. Please contact Sandy
387-3000 no later than March 13, 2009 . Kraykowksi at 201-387-9181 or continued great work with new
All inquires will be kept confidential. teachers in the Mentoring Program.
sandyk24@msn.com with questions
• Mr. Andy Hoffman and Mr. Andrew
about this meeting.
Our meetings for the rest of the year are: Wells for spearheading fundraising
• Thursday, January 8, 2009 efforts for one of our students in
• Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Upcoming Events need and for their work with the
Student Council on Spirit Night.
• Monday, March 9, 2009 December 2008
• Thursday, April 9, 2009 • 4-6 Drama Production 7:00 pm • Ms. Lori Liskiewiczs for assisting one
• Thursday, May 7, 2009 • 9 Key Communicators 7:00 pm of our student-athletes as a one-day
• Thursday, June 11, 2009 • 11 Mandatory Winter Sports coach.
• Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Athletic Meeting 7:30 pm • Mr. Dan Cooke for preparing to
• 12 Pep Rally 2:00 pm publish his first novel.
All meetings are at 7:30 pm in the DHS • 13 Forensics @ DHS 8:00 am • The Student Council and PALS for
Media Center. Please check the Twin • 17 Financial Aid Meeting 7:00 pm their efforts to fundraise for a student
Boro News in case it is necessary to • 18 Holiday Concert 7:00 pm in need.
change any of these meeting dates. • Mrs. Maria Barnes and the
• 18 BOE Workshop and Monthly
Meeting 7:00 pm Tomorrow’s Teachers class for
We are committed to making Project donating much-needed materials for
• 24-26 SCHOOL CLOSED
Graduation 2009 a success. If you have a student in need.
any questions or comments, please • 29-31 SCHOOL CLOSED
• Mrs. Jamie Kipp, Mr. Tom
contact Peaches Fiorelli at (201) 385-2666
Montuori, Mr. Curt Banicki, Mr.
or send an e-mail t o : January 2009
dhsprojgrad2009@verizon.net. Together • 1-2 SCHOOL CLOSED Andrew Wells, Ms. Megan Moran,
we can make graduation night a safe and • 15 BOE Workshop Meeting 8:00 Mr. Michael Force, Mr. Scott
fun experience for our children. Wisniewski, Mr. Todd Minimi, and
pm Mr. Mike Weber for their coaching
• 19 SCHOOL CLOSED
Project Graduation 2010 effort this fall season.
• 22 BOE Monthly Meeting 8:00 pm
Project Graduation 2010 -  We have had • Mr. Brian Palumbo on the birth of
several meetings for Project Graduation • 29-31 S.O. Night, 7:00 pm his first child.
2010 as well as for the Fashion Show, • Mr. Sean O’Beirne, Ms. Elizabeth
which will be the major fundraiser for the February 2009 Tuxill, Ms, Susie Eisen, and Mrs.
class. If y ou have not been able to • 6 Dance Showcase 7:30 pm Tara Lennox for chaperoning a
attend any of the meetings, but would 10 Key Communicator Meeting successful HAD Leadership Lock-in
like more information and would like to •
7:00 pm on November 15.
get involved, please call Stephanie 
McClinton at (201) 385-1542 or e-mail • 12 Dumont Youth Theatre - London
SRMC159@AOL.COM.  The next Theatre Presentation 7:00 pm