RIH Highlights & Happenings - November 22, 2024

November 22, 2024

A Message from the Superintendent

Greetings, RIH District Community,

Welcome to another edition of our bi-weekly newsletter. To ensure you see all its contents, please click the 'View Entire Message' option if it appears at the bottom. This message indicates that we have even more information to share with you!

We're extending the Student District Logo Design contest deadline to January 15. Let your creativity shine and design the future face of our district! More details are included in this newsletter.

Thank you to everyone who attended or viewed our Community Presentation on the Proposed Rotating Drop Block Schedule with a Later Start Time. Your feedback is crucial as we work to create the best possible learning environment for our students. Please complete the feedback form via the QR code on the next-to-last slide of the presentation (also included later in this newsletter) by December 4. We'll review your input and share FAQ resources afterward.

Please note that we'll have a minimum day on Wednesday, November 27, to allow for teacher planning and professional development. School will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 28) and Friday, November 29. We'll resume regular school hours on Monday, December 2.

From my home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving,

Shauna DeMarco

Superintendent of Schools

Deadline Extended: Enter the RIH District Logo Design Contest

Show your RIH spirit by designing a unique logo that represents our district. All current RIH students are invited to participate. The winning design will be featured on our official materials and will earn the designer a $100 gift card. The contest will run through the month of November, with a submission deadline of January 15.

Let's showcase our RIH pride together!

Click Here for Contest Rules and How to Submit

Watch the Recording: Proposed Rotating Drop Block Schedule with Later Start Time

If you missed last night's virtual information session with Superintendent DeMarco regarding the proposed 2025-2026 school year drop-block schedule with a later start time, please view the recording above. To provide feedback on the proposed schedule, click here.

A Heartfelt Performance Honors Our Veterans

The district would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Ryleigh Burchell for her beautiful vocal performance at the Oakland Veterans Day ceremony. Her heartfelt performance truly honored our veterans.

A big thank you also goes to Choir Director Susan Heerema for continuing the wonderful 20-year Indian Hills tradition of supporting the Veterans Day Ceremony.

Support the Schools at Upcoming Fundraisers

Click Here to Purchase

An Evening of Spirit Connection

Join renowned psychic medium Drew Cali on December 5 for a transformative experience. Connect with loved ones on the other side, receive messages of love and guidance, and witness the profound nature of the afterlife. Your ticket purchase directly supports the Ramapo Class of 2025 Project Graduation.

Click Here to Purchase

In Our Classrooms

After studying Macbeth in class, Indian Hills sophomores attended a performance at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and even got to chat with the director and actors.

To promote teen driver safety during Teen Driver Safety Week at Indian Hills, Mrs. Fackelman incorporated important safety messages into her class. Recognizing the unique risks faced by teenage drivers, such as distracted driving, speeding, and drowsy driving, she’s taking steps to educate students. A highlight of her efforts is an in-class distracted driving seminar using Distracted Driving Goggles and the new Car-Bike Driving Simulator.

Ramapo’s US History 2 students, led by Mr. Jackson, recently stepped back in time through a simulated stock market game. Students learned about margin, stock value, dividends, and future earnings, as well as the speculative adage “buy low, sell high.” This three-day simulation provided a hands-on experience of the 1920s stock market.

The Indian Hills Student Council's annual Powder Puff football game was a huge success! More than 90 students participated in this school-wide event, raising $460 for The Valley Hospital Foundation's breast cancer initiative. Congratulations to the Purple Team for winning the final round!

Ramapo High School’s SWell Club hosted a Glow Yoga session on November 19. A big thank you to Sivan Laufer, a Ramapo parent and owner of Fun Fit Sivan, for volunteering her time to lead the yoga class.

Señora Brown's classroom at Indian Hills transformed into a captivating campsite as students shared their original Spanish campfire stories. By immersing themselves in real-world simulations, students engaged all their senses, making language learning a truly memorable experience.

Mrs. Van Kampen's Ceramic and Sculpture 1 Class at Indian Hills has completed their latest project, inspired by the work of Barbara Kobylinska. Using recycled materials, students crafted imaginative animal sculptures that showcase their creativity and artistic flair.

Indian Hills students in Ms. Canonaco's Physical Science class brought erosion to life with a stream table lab. By harnessing the power of water, they observed firsthand how this natural force shapes our planet's landscape.

Celebrate Our Athletes

The Ramapo Football team, led by first-year Head Coach Nick Guttuso (a Ramapo graduate!), captured the North 1 - Group 4 Sectional Title with a thrilling 35-28 victory over Morris Knolls on November 16. They advance to the Group 4 State Semi-Final against Phillipsburg on November 22, game starts at 7 p.m.

Just days earlier, on November 12th, the Ramapo Volleyball team dominated the North 1 - Group 3 Sectional Championship and followed it up with a win against Millburn in the Group 3 State Semi-Finals. Coach Dave Van Hook and the entire team capped off an incredible season with a final record of 24-5, including an undefeated 8-0 league record and the Big North-Freedom Division Championship. Congratulations to Coach Van Hook, the team, and especially Dylan Rosano, named North Jersey Athlete of the Week!

Indian Hills' Fall season has come to a close, with both Boys and Girls Soccer teams making impressive postseason runs.

The Boys Soccer team pulled off an upset against Pompton Lakes in the sectional quarterfinals, setting up a thrilling semifinal match against Waldwick. This game held special significance for Head Coach Chris Mayer, who once played for Waldwick. Despite a hard-fought battle, Waldwick emerged victorious 2-1. This marks the second consecutive year that Indian Hills Boys Soccer has advanced to the sectional semifinals.

The Girls Soccer team had an equally remarkable postseason, defeating Kinnelon and Waldwick to reach the sectional final for the first time since 2003! Fueled by a delicious pre-game breakfast sponsored by PAC, the team battled Kittatinny to overtime, ultimately falling 1-0. While both teams will graduate key players, the strong foundation laid by these programs promises continued success in the years to come.

Congratulations to swimmer Katie Lawrence, who recently signed to swim at NC State, currently ranked #5 nationally for the 2024-2025 season.

Indian Hills Joins Forces with the Jets to Save Lives

Indian Hills School was among 12 schools invited to a CPR and AED training session hosted by the American Heart Association and the New York Jets. The event aimed to equip community members with lifesaving skills, emphasizing the importance of immediate CPR in cardiac emergencies.

Several members from local schools, including Nurse Shelly Storzum from Indian Hills, received CPR kits to train students, faculty, and parents.

The New York Jets, in partnership with the American Heart Association, is committed to promoting heart health and saving lives. By providing resources and training, they are empowering communities to respond to cardiac emergencies. Learn more here.

Click Here to Sign Up

RIH Art Department Thanks Parent Organizations for Fostering Creativity!

The Ramapo Indian Hills Art Department extends its heartfelt gratitude to both school's parent organizations – the Ramapo APTS and the Indian Hills PTSO – for their unwavering support!

The Ramapo APTS enables the department to continue its participation in the impactful Memory Project. This international youth arts program fosters intercultural understanding and kindness between children across the globe. Through this project, our students contribute to a network of over 320,000 participants in 57 countries, promoting global connection through art. Learn more at www.memoryproject.org.

The Indian Hills PTSO offers invaluable support to the upcoming District Art Show at IHHS on March 27, 2025. Their generosity in providing drinks and snacks will enhance the opening celebration, creating a welcoming atmosphere for families, friends, and visitors to enjoy the showcase of artistic talent and student creativity from both schools.

Support Our Students at the RIH Fall Plays

District Embraces Generative AI for Enhanced Learning

District faculty and staff are actively exploring the potential of generative AI to revolutionize our classrooms and workspaces. Through in-district workshops, educators have delved into powerful tools like Diffit, BriskTeaching, SchoolsAI, MagicSchools, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini, learning to leverage them for innovative lesson planning and content creation.

Teachers from various disciplines have been enthusiastically experimenting with these AI tools, seeking the best ways to integrate them into our teaching and learning ecosystem. Beyond in-district initiatives, our faculty and staff have participated in webinars and conferences focused on responsible AI usage and student perspectives. Additionally, they have formed Professional Learning Communities to delve deeper into the world of AI and its implications for education.

Counseling Corner

College Visits: Fall Wrap Up

RIH Guidance hosted approximately 150 college Admissions Counselors this fall. These visits are an opportunity for current Juniors and Seniors to meet with Admissions Counselors to learn about institution specific course options, campus life and career connections. Information sessions were hosted both in-person with the respective Admissions Counselor. All visit information can be found in Naviance.

Hosting School Counselors take notes which are made available to those students unable to attend the information session. Notes were made available here: RIH Guidance College Visits 2024.

Click Here to View the November Guidance Newsletter