Parent Education Institute (PEI)
Presentation and Discussion
Parental Expectations: How Much Is Too Much?
Wednesday, February 5,  7:30PM, in the auditorium


Guest speaker Dr. John Grieco,Superintendent of Schools for the Bergen County Academies, will discuss when it is appropriate to push our children and when we should take a step back. He will explore how we as parents might effectively evaluate our academic expectations of our children and determine which expectations are realistic and beneficial. Dr.Grieco, with his insight and extensive academic and philosophical background, will surely leave us with much food for thought. We look forward to seeing you there!

January PPO Meeting Recap

PPO members heard about Emergency Contingency Plans and student stress at our January general membership meeting.


Pat Cosgrove reassured members that the Academy takes Emergency Contingency Plans seriously, and trains staff accordingly. She stressed that student safety is the Academy's highest priority.  Plans may be inplemented in event of local, state, and national emergencies, as well as weather related situations. Detailed instruction books on handling a variety of emergencies have been re-evaluated and tested.  Students and teachers have, and will continue to have, emergency drills, and the administration has received input from both local police and the Office of Emergency Management.


Ms.Cosgrove pointed out that effective communication is the most important tool in handling emergencies.  To this end, the PPO has been asked to recruit volunteers for an emergency "phone chain", which would alert and advise parents and guardians of all Academy students to the situation at hand, and what to expect regarding their student.  A sign-up sheet was distributed. Anyone interested in volunteering for the Emergency Phone Chain, can e-mail the PPO at acadppo@bergen.org.


The Academy will mail home Emergency Contact lists to students' guardians to ensure up-to-date and relevant phone numbers and contacts are on file.  Please return these sheets to the school as soon as possible.


This presentation was followed by a discussion of student stress by private clinical therapist, Mary Beth Kneis, and Academy student counselors, John Bercovici and Nancy Sytsma.  Both Ms.Sytsma and Mr.Bercovici addressed support systems available within the Academy including Peer Leadership Intervention, Time Management Groups for freshmen, and use of the Electronic Calendar to ensure even distribution of exams.  Examples of the effective use of the Electronic Calendar, as well as concerns from parents regarding students' willingness to confront teachers who are not using it, were heard.


Ms.Kneis covered signs of stress and coping mechanisms in children, and suggested calming a frantic child through activities that occupy both the hands and mind,such as card games. She noted that teaching time and anger management skills prior to a crisis, through parent example, may be the best stress deterrent.

Kudos to the Academy Math Team Our four NJ Math League Teams are tied for first, and also placed first statewide in the Association of Math Teachers of NJ competition. The Division A Team in the Mandelbrot is in fourth and Division B Team is in first place after two rounds. Parent volunteers are needed to bring snacks (contact Sue Ton suhneu.ton@verizon.net or Connie Hsieh connieh45@hotmail.com);  to chaperone for Harvard/MIT and ARML (contact any officer); and plan end-of-the-year party (contact  Lalitha Ramakrishnan rama.ramakrishnan@verison.net, Connie Hsieh or Fay Sharit faydave@optonline.net). Team members put in many long hours-- help us to recognize them for this. Check out the Math Team website at: http://www.academyppo.com/math/index.shtml. For Math Team news emails, send your email to faydave@optonline.net.

Knights Booster Club News  The season started strong thanks to Maria Careri and the administration support. Special thanks to Mr. Napolitano for acquiring field lights with a donation from the Sanzari Corp. Several football and soccer games used these lights, prompting better fan attendance. Merchandise with the Knights logo is available at PPO and Booster meetings and on most Fridays outside of the upstairs cafeteria. Our goal is to have every student, teacher, staff member, and administrators wear a piece of Knight apparel as part of school pride. All proceeds fund the athletic program's scholarships, parties, refreshments and Frosh/JV awards night. We would also like to purchase tents for the track team, basketballs, and pom-poms for the basketball and cheerleader teams. Please contact Marion Kaser if you are interested in using the available digital or video camera to record games. The Boosters will sponsor a cheerleading competition this February. Best of luck to our winter sports teams - hope to see you at Booster meetings and games!

Need A Gift? Booster Club Apparel (Tee Shirts, Shorts, Umbrellas, Bleacher Seats, Stadium Blankets and more!) is always available. Contact Karen Sanchez at 201-7996-6257; email KarenJRMac@AOL.com


It's time for Spring Sports Sign Ups! Tennis, Volleyball, Spring Track, Lacrosse, Softball and Baseball Team sign up deadline is February 21. Forms available in the Athletic Director's office in the gym. By NJ state law all students must have a physical by their own physician. If this is not available the district can offer a physical. Fall Sports participants still need forms for Spring teams. For more information contact Maria Careri, Athletic Director, at 201-343-6000 x2277; email marcar@bergen.org.
.