RIH Highlights & Happenings - October 25, 2024

October 25, 2024

A Message from the Superintendent

October sure has been filled with more treats than tricks! I hope you have been able to savor the month's sun and warmth at some of our RIH athletic events and extracurricular activities, where our students continue to represent our district with pride.

This month we celebrated a successful Open House event in each of our district schools. FLOW families arrived en masse to both RHS and IHHS to learn about the schools and their opportunities. From balloons and confetti to student-based activities and academic overview sessions, RIH did not disappoint. Tremendous thanks to everyone who contributed to these fun-filled, informative events.

Thanks to all for your cooperation with our PSAT facilitation on October 22. Please be reminded that the start of November brings the end of Daylight Savings Time, Election Day, and two school closure days for the NJEA Convention.

I hope you enjoy this edition of RIH Highlights and Happenings. We appreciate your review of its contents so that you stay updated on our district news, events, and activities. Be sure to check out the links to FLOW community newsletters included in this edition. Stay safe, happy and healthy this Halloween season!

Yours in education,

Shauna DeMarco

Superintendent of Schools

Indian Hills Showcases Academic and Extracurricular Opportunities at Open House

Indian Hills High School welcomed prospective students and their families to an informative open house last week. The event provided an opportunity to explore the school's superb academic offerings and vibrant extracurricular scene. Student ambassadors guided tours, sharing their personal experiences and passion for Indian Hills.

School administrators were also available to discuss the curriculum, facilities, and the school's unique learning environment. Various academic departments and student clubs showcased their activities and programs, providing a hands-on glimpse into the school's educational opportunities.

Does Your Logo Have What it Takes?

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 November 30. Let's showcase our RIH pride together!

Click Here for Contest Rules and How to Submit

Say Something, Make a Difference: Introducing SS-ARS

Ramapo Indian Hills is pleased to announce the launch of the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System (SS-ARS). This program is designed to foster a safer and more supportive learning environment for all our students.

SS-ARS empowers students, teachers, and staff to recognize and address potential threats to themselves or others. By teaching participants to identify warning signs and signals, we can take proactive steps to prevent potentially harmful situations.

Key benefits of SS-ARS include:

Early intervention: Identifying potential issues before they escalate.
Anonymity: Providing a safe and confidential way to report concerns.
Community-wide involvement: Encouraging collaboration between students, teachers, parents, and administrators.

SS-ARS is being provided at no cost to our school through Sandy Hook Promise, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to school safety.

Get Ready to Play: Winter Sports Registration Begins

We are pleased to announce that Genesis is now OPEN for winter sports registration!

All student-athletes that plan to play a winter sport must have (3) items completed before they are allowed to participated.

They have to be registered via Genesis.
They have to have the hard copy of a sports physical on file with the School Nurse. Click here to download Sports Physical Packet
They have to have the Health History Update form completed in the Genesis Parent Portal.

All athletes must register for winter sports via Genesis, submit a sports physical, and complete a health history update. Post-COVID clearance may be required. Medical forms are due November 4. Bowling, ice hockey, and swimming seasons begin November 25 and basketball, fencing, track, and wrestling seasons begin December 2.

Popcorn for a Cause: Support IHHS '26

Support the IHHS Class of 2026 through an online fundraiser with iRaiserMore, selling a variety of tasty popcorn treats. Every kernel you buy helps us reach our fundraising goals!

The sale runs until November 4, so don't miss out. Click this link to browse our popcorn selection and place your order. When adding items to your cart, enter the group ID 43114.

At checkout, under "Who are you supporting?," enter:

First Name: IHHS
Last Name: 2026
Group/Team Name: IHHS 2026

Indian Hills "Click Clack Front and Back" Team Featured on News12

Indian Hills High School's "Click Clack Front and Back" team was recently featured on Channel 12 News for their outstanding efforts to promote driver safety. The team, advised by Drivers Education Teacher Jill Fackelman, won the Grand Prize in the 2024 U Got Brains Champion Schools Program at Great Adventure in Jackson, outperforming 57 other participating schools.

The "Click Clack Front and Back" team's final project submission video highlights their work to raise awareness about the importance of wearing seat belts, both in the front and back seats. They have been actively advocating for state legislation, such as S2125/A433, that would strengthen the rear seat belt law to primary enforcement.

In Our Classrooms

Ms. Marino's Audio Visual class has been collaborating to produce dynamic and engaging morning announcements that are a highlight of the day at Indian Hills. The students are looking forward to the positive feedback and reactions they will receive from their classmates and teachers.

Mrs. Deamer’s PreCalculus students at Ramapo enjoyed completing their math problems in the outdoor classroom on a beautiful October day.

A collaborative speaker series hosted by Mrs. Smalley's Law/Human Rights and Sociology classes, along with Mr. Michels and Ms. Canonoca's Forensics classes, continued with a presentation by Mark Wilder. An experienced security guard at Indian Hills, Mr. Wilder discussed his journey into law enforcement, the importance of good character, and his time as a SWAT negotiator.

Mr. Walkowich and Ms. Batti collaborated on an interdisciplinary guest speaker event in AP Art at Indian Hills. Mr. Walkowich discussed scientific inquiry questions, their importance, and how they guide investigations. Class discussion connected these concepts to the College Board's Sustained Investigation criteria.

To showcase their understanding of tissue types, students in Ms. Murphy's Anatomy & Physiology class completed a choice-based project. The class gathered to admire and analyze these creative projects during a "Tissue Art Gallery Walk." We congratulate the talented students who were recognized as Best in Show!

A fun-filled pétanque match took place between Señora DeDiego's Spanish class and Dr. B's French class at Indian Hills. In pétanque, the objective is to score points by having boules closer to the target than the opponent after all boules have been thrown.

The Ramapo Raider Marching Band, led by Drum Majors Neuburger and Drob, has had a successful season. Their show, "Bond...James Bond," has earned them a Third Place, a Silver Rating, and a First Place. They compete next at Wayne Valley High School on October 26.

Some special education biology classes took a multisensory approach to teaching about cells and cell structure.

During an outdoor photo session, Mrs. Higbie's photography students at Ramapo snapped some amazing shots of the phys ed students enjoying the zip line.

Spread Holiday Joy: Support the IHHS Holiday Festival for Oasis

Let's make this year's Holiday Festival extra special for the children of Oasis in Paterson, a nonprofit organization that supports women and children as they work towards a brighter future. We've created an Amazon Wishlist filled with festive items to make the event magical.

Click here to visit the wishlist. Choose an item to donate and purchase it through Amazon. Your gift will be shipped directly to Indian Hills High School.

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Let's spread holiday cheer together!

Celebrate Our Athletes

Congratulations to the Ramapo Gymnastics team for their consecutive Bergen County Championships under Coach Michelle Markowski’s leadership! The Ramapo Boys & Girls Soccer Teams are also set to compete in the Bergen County Semifinals on October 26, facing Don Bosco and Old Tappan. The Ramapo Girls Volleyball Team will also take on Old Tappan in their county semifinal. Athletic achievements continue for Ramapo, as Zach Bernstein from the Boys Cross Country team qualified for the Bergen County Meet of Champions, and the Girls Cross Country team, led by Brianna Potaki, also secured a spot in the meet.

North Jersey Athlete of the Week! A well-deserved shout-out to Ramapo Gymnast Sophia DeLorenzo! Sophia is the North Jersey Athlete of the Week, showcasing her dedication and talent. Check out the full story and video from NorthJersey.com.

Indian Hills has been having a fantastic fall! The 8th grade Open House was a fun time, and our coaches and players got to meet a lot of future Braves! Both the Girls and Boys Varsity Soccer teams made the quarterfinals of the BIT Soccer Tournament. Girls Tennis ended the season with a win in their last match. The gymnastics team finished their season at the League Championships. Anella Cavalieri (vault) and Sarah Quadrini (vault, beam, floor, all around) both placed on the podium.

The Varsity Football team added two games to extend their season. They will be playing on October 30 and November 6 with both games being played at Indian Hills. Girls Volleyball is finishing up the season strong and looking forward to the State Tournament. Boys Cross Country just took home the Group C Bergen County Team Championship. Frank Coppa led the way, running the race in 16:40! On the girls' side, Camryn Finn and Summer Myhren both finished in the Top 6 in Group C. The boys team, as well as Camryn and Summer, all earned the opportunity to participate in the Bergen County Meet of Champions on Saturday, October 26. The Braves are looking forward to the rest of the fall and then the postseason!