Hope Township School

Teacher of the Year

 Hope Township School would like to congratulate Mr. Robert Kish as our 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year!

 Education:  Bachelor of Arts, Rider University,

Masters of Education, East Stroudsburg University

Teaches:     Gr. 5 -8 Social Studies and Gr. 5 Math

" In my 30 plus year career in the Hope Township school system, I have had the opportunity to teach a variety of grade levels and subject areas.  I have worked with students from grades three through eight, predominantly in mathematics.  Recently, I have been instructing fifth grade math and social studies to grades 5 through 8.  I also have taught mathematics to adults in night school.

 I have been involved in many extra-curricular activities throughout my tenure.  I have coached several sports, served as eighth grade advisor, advised safety patrol, student government, and am currently providing after school math support for grades 3-5 and math enrichment for grades 3-5.  I have also been actively involved in curriculum development and revision.  In my spare time, I enjoy fishing and spending time with my 2 grandchildren.

 My time in Hope has been very enjoyable.  I believe that every child has something positive to contribute to the class.  I have tried to create a learning atmosphere where students are confident and comfortable.  Expectations are set at a high level.  I try to present material so that it is immediately relevant to the students, and so they can see how one subject integrates with another.  I also believe that learning should be an enjoyable experience.  If learning is fun, then students will continue to be motivated.

 As an educator, there is no better feeling than receiving a letter or a visit from a former student and knowing that the education they received from Hope School has given him or her a solid foundation for their success.

 It has been a pleasure working with the administration, faculty, students and the community of Hope Township."

 - Bob Kish

 Mr. Robert Kish is the most senior teacher and employee at Hope School.  In his more than 35 years at Hope School, he has served in a professional manner in many different capacities. Teacher, advisor, and coach are all roles he has filled for Hope School Community over the past 4 decades.  Currently Mr. Kish teaches grades 5-8 social studies and grade 5 mathematics.  I appreciate Mr. Kish’s versatility as our school needed a middle school social studies teacher in 2006-07.  Since Mr. Kish was highly qualified in social studies, he became the logical choice.  After teaching math and social studies for many years in grades 5 and 6, Mr. Kish dedicated himself to develop lessons from our new social studies for grades 7 and 8. 

 Mr. Kish has also served this year instructing in two after school programs, “Ask the Math Teacher”, a weekly instructional support session for grades 3-5 students and “Math Unlimited”, a gifted program for grades 3 and 4 students.  Students enjoy their time with Mr. Kish as he finds ways to make learning fun. 

Mr. Kish is well liked and respected at Hope School. His colleagues regularly seek him out for advice and consultation.  Our students enjoy his lessons as he incorporates learning through interesting facts and related concepts.  He engages students in activities to construct or develop projects.  Last year he helped sponsor the Hope Township Government Day in which grade 8 students learned about and assumed the roles of township officials.

 Mr. Kish offers a relaxed and easy going nature that students respond well to in and out of the classroom.  His classes are well managed and students are provided with multiple opportunities to contribute.  High School students and graduates often return to visit Mr. Kish and share their experiences which include gratitude for having been a former student.

 As an administrator, I am fortunate to serve with Mr. Kish on our staff.  He is a pleasure to work with each day.  It is reassuring to be able to count on Mr. Kish as a veteran presence who contributes to the positive learning culture at Hope School and genuinely cares about the students he teaches.

 - Al Annunziata, Superintendent/Principal of Hope School

Board Bulletin – Being a School Board member

What is it like to serve on the Hope Township Board of Education?  It is both a challenging and a rewarding, enriching experience.  The challenge is trying to find the time in a world that seems to be moving at such a fast pace.  Balancing my career with my responsibilities as a parent and spouse is a difficult task and one I know that most, if not all, of us can relate to.  Just finding the time to do all that is required is very, very difficult at times.  My family lives by the calendar affixed to the inside of the kitchen cabinet.  It is the organizational chart that guides us through the sea of chaos.

So how does one find time to add another item to his/her already overflowing plate?  It won’t be easy!  However, I will tell you if you do decide to serve on the Board of Education you will find the experience to be both enlightening and rewarding.  Enlightening in that you will see firsthand the challenges of trying to help design a budget that is both fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Hope Township and provides all the programs and services necessary for all our students to receive the education they deserve.  Rewarding, in that the time you are giving is going to such an important cause, our children’s future!

 - Bob Merle, Board of Education

School Board Vacancy

The Hope Township Board of Education has an open Board Member seat available May, 2008 through April, 2009.  Qualifications:  Resident of Hope Township for one year and be registered to vote.  Interested parties should submit a letter to Dawn Huff, Business Administrator, Hope Township School District, P.O. Box 293, Hope, NJ  07844, no later than 6:00 p.m. on May 27, 2008 and should be prepared to meet with the Board at the meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on that date.

 - Dawn Huff, Business Administrator

Fair Food Prices

You may think that our school lunch prices are unfair, but think about it.  Hasn’t your food at the table gone up too?  Last year, to buy a 22 pound bag of flour would cost you six dollars.  Now that same bag is purchased for 20 dollars.  As the cost of food goes up, Hope School has to get that money to buy the ingredients for our lunches, and since prices are rising, they have to charge more just to cover their costs. 

-   Hannah Lucas, Panther Prints Journalist

Dismissal Notes

 Please remember to send in a note with your child if their dismissal plans are being changed for that day.   Phone calls taken during the day with alternate dismissal plans for your child may not always be heard by your child during afternoon announcements.  Please do not rely on these announcements to change your child's dismissal plans.  Notes are also needed when your child will be leaving early or coming in late.

 - Jennifer DeYong, CST/School Secretary

Jabbin’ Wit’ Jorden

 Q:  This earth day I wanted to go all green because I care about the earth.  My friends weren’t so into the whole idea. I love the earth but my friends don’t care. They don’t even try to learn about the earth or global warming. What should I do??

                                    Tree Hugger

A:  There are many things out there today that are cool and green.  Try a green fashion idea. You can find them on the internet or in a current magazine like Teen People for other fashion ideas.  They won’t even know that you are wearing environmentally friendly clothes. If you aren’t into fashion you should try fun activities from websites like Kaboose.com key word crafts. Try some other fun environmentally friendly things to get your friends ready    

                                    Jorden

Q:  There is a kid in a grade lower than me who likes me. He asked me out three times, and always gets his friends to do it. I always say no, because I don’t like him as more than a friend.  This kid just won’t give up, even though I have said no.  But, I can’t say no to his face, because he always gets his friends to do it for him. I’m not going to just walk up to him and say no because he is a nice person. What should I do about this kid?

                                    Love Dilemma

A:  Try to talk to this kid in private some time. Tell him that you like him as a friend, but not more. If this is too hard for you, then just ignore him when he asks you out. Eventually, he will stop.

                                    Jorden

NEWS AROUND HOPE

Fish and Chips Dinner

 Your local Hope Township teams are hosting a fundraiser to support their sports.  So why not help them raise money?  Come to the Hope Township School’s gym and enjoy some delicious food from Argyles Restaurant. On May 31^st relax and be waited on by the Hope girl softball teams. The serving starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.  And the food doesn’t stop at just fish and chips, it’s followed by many well-prepared desserts and refreshments.

 You can get tickets from any Hope softball or baseball player, or contact Elissa Merle at 459-9215.  Hope to see you there!

  - Paige Merle, Phoebe Sorensen, Nora Goodbody

Girl Scout Cookies are Still Available

Cadette Troop 871 still has cookies for sale at $3.50 a box!  Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches can still be purchased by calling Hope Lucas at 459-5753.  For other varieties, call Leslie Woodworth at 459-9128.  Get them before they’re all gone!!

 Thank you for supporting the Girl Scouts!

-Hope Lucas, Girl Scouts

Belvidere Wildcats Football and Cheering Sign-Ups

 Sign-ups will be held at theWildcats Field located on Market Street in Belvidere on:

 May 16 – 6 – 7:30

May 17 – 9 – 11

May 20 – 6 – 7:30

May 31 – 9 – 11

 For more information and registration forms: http://www.belviderewildcats.org/

  - Elissa Merle, Recreation Commission

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby started in 1874.  Last Saturday was the 134^th running of the Kentucky Derby.  The favorite to win the Derby was Big Brown.  But, Big Brown has raced only three times before this, he has tender feet, he’s skinny, and he’s three years old.  Pyro, Colonel John, and War Pass are other favorites. The horses running in the Derby are Colonel John, Big Brown, Pyro, Tale of Ekati, Court Vision, Gayego, Monba, Z Fortune, Bob Black Jack, and Cowboy Cal, and many others.  

 Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby!  However, the Derby was tragic for Eight Belles, the filly who came in second, but broke her legs.

  -         Ginny Peterson, Stephanie Ricker, Panther Prints Journalist

Basketball Camp

 Blair Buccaneer Fundamental Basketball School

Site:  Blairstown Elementary School

Time:  12:45-4:00PM

New Date:  Monday, July 8-Thursday, July 11

Cost:  $150 ($100 for each additional sibling)

Boys and Girls ages 8-15

Space is limited.

Contact:  Joe Mantegna (Head Boys Basketball Coach)

908-362-6121 ext: 5619 or email mantej@blair.edu

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Dates to Remember.....

NJ ASK Testing                                 

Spring Concert   

Grade 2 Field Trip

to Pax Amicus Theater

Graduation Pictures 

Blairstown Ambulance Corps

visits Gr. 2

Grade 8 Trip To Washington D.C.                                 

SCHOOL CLOSED                                 

Board of Education Meeting              

The next edition of Panther Prints is scheduled to be published on May 21, 2008.  If you have material to submit, you can send it to the school office, e-mail Jill Schennum at cemetery@goes.com, or call at 459-4264 by Wednesday, May 14.  Include a contact person and phone number