Charlotte's Web at Bernards High School

by Somerset Reporter

Friday November 21, 2008, 8:51 PM

"Charlotte's Web" is the fall production for the drama club of Bernards High School, Bernardsville.

Performances in the school Performing Arts Center are at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 plus 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

Pupils from elementary and middle schools in the Somerset Hills are in the cast of "Charlotte's Web," adapted by Joseph Robinette from the book by E.B. White.

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What's happening at Raritan Valley Community College...

by Marin Barrett

Friday November 21, 2008, 7:48 AM

Here's what's happening at Raritan Valley Community College...

Bio-talent forum

In celebration of NJ Life Sciences Week, Raritan Valley Community College will host a forum on "Bio-Talent: Strategies for Regional Economic Growth."

The RVCC forum, which will feature leaders from business, education and government including David J. Socolow, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Jane Oates, executive director, NJ Commission on Higher Education.

Topics include leveraging NJ higher education for BioTalent; partnering for talent expansion and re-tooling workers for real jobs in high demand industry.

The event is being sponsored by the college and WIRED Bio-1.

For additional information visit www.raritanval.edu/biotalent/.

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Christopher J. Christie spoke to students about getting involved with the community during Law & Public Safety Day at Somerset County Vocational & Technical H.S.

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Thursday November 20, 2008, 1:59 PM

COURTSEY OF SOMERSET COUNTY VOCATIONAL & TECHNICAL H.SUnited States Attorney for New Jersey Christopher J. Christie spoke to students about getting involved with the community by volunteering at senior citizen centers, soup kitchens and anywhere they could be of service to others during Law & Public Safety Day at Somerset County Vocational & Technical H.S. More than 150 students from Morris, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Ocean and Somerset County attended the event. Pictured, left to right, are Shweta Petro, Christie, Spreeha Choudhury and Leah Geiser. For more information call 908-526-8900, Ext. 7227.

Watchung Hills Regional High School takes stock in laughing

by Somerset Reporter

Thursday November 20, 2008, 8:10 AM

"Laughing Stock" by Charles Morey is the fall production for drama students at Watchung Hills Regional High School, Warren.

The comedy will be presented in the school's Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 20-22. An open dress rehearsal is open to senior citizens at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19.

This farce follows a summer theater company struggling to make ends meet in a 75-year-old playhouse in New Hampshire. The story begins with auditions at the playhouse, following the cast through its first meeting, subsequent production meetings and rehearsals, and memorable open nights of such plays as "Hamlet," "Dracul: Prince of the Undead" and "Charley's Aunt."
"Everyone in the theater has their own playhouse where there is never enough of anything -- time, staff, money -- and sometimes simply not enough talent or skill," according to Morey.
"The show is completely hilarious," said Laurie Wessely, a Watchung Hills teacher who leads the production crew.

Continue reading "Watchung Hills Regional High School takes stock in laughing" »

Bound Brook resident, teacher at Middlesex High School, featured tonight on NJN's State of the Arts

by Somerset Reporter

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 12:12 PM

This week's episode of State of the Arts on NJN Public Television examines the history behind the stories of four individuals, adding depth to the narratives and revealing the motivation behind their success in the arts.

As part of the program, the episode "Backstories" profiles Kelly Clark, a Bound Brook resident and art teacher at Middlesex High School, who is a Geraldine R. Dodge Artist Educator fellow.

State of the Arts producer Christopher Benincasa visits her classroom to see how the work she completed with help from the Dodge grants has translated into their classroom work. "Backstories" airs 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 with a rebroadcast 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26.

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Watchung Hills students enlightened and enthralled by Election Day

by By Eleanor Mathews/Correspondent

Monday November 17, 2008, 4:01 PM

WATCHUNG - Most students at Watchung Hills Regional High School were not eligible to vote in this year's election. Yet, gripped by election fever for the two weeks prior to Nov. 4, an enthusiastic group devised and implemented an educational/promotional political campaign worthy of the most savvy politicos.

Inspired and motivated by social studies teachers Ryan Murray and Kenneth Karnas, some two dozen energetic students came together after school a bare three weeks before Election Day for the purpose of getting their peers informed, involved and inspired about the national event which would determine the nation's course over the next four years.

Their mentors, who teach United States History I and II and were active in developing the campaign initiative, were pleased with students' enthusiasm but, frankly, harbored some doubt as to whether their ambitious effort could be put together before Election Day. However, the meaningful operation the students put together was an impressive one.

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Director of Branchburg's Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center attends World Forum in Hawaii

by Somerset Reporter

Saturday November 15, 2008, 7:50 PM

BRANCHBURG -- Kathy Feigley, director of Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center, had an opportunity to attend the World Forum in Kauai, Hawaii.

The World Forum is designed for leaders in programs providing education and care for young children around the world. Leaders from over 200 early childhood organizations providing services to over 500,000 families on five continents convened to share ideas on providing quality service, education and growing with integrity.

Experts worldwide presented information on quality, leadership, meeting the needs of families, developmentally appropriate programs, and staff development. Feigley had an opportunity to speak to leaders throughout the world including keynote speaker Jeremy Williams, chief academic officer from Knowledge Universe, who spoke on Growing with Integrity.

Continue reading "Director of Branchburg's Kangaroo Kids Child Care and Learning Center attends World Forum in Hawaii" »

Alternatives, Inc. in Raritan is using a $3,500 contribution from the Magyar Bank Charitable Foundation to expand its services for high school students in its Transition Services Program

by Somerset Reporter

Saturday November 15, 2008, 6:52 PM

Alternatives, Inc. in Raritan is using a $3,500 contribution from the Magyar Bank Charitable Foundation to expand its services for high school students in its Transition Services Program provided by Bridges to Employment, a division of Alternatives, Inc. Continue reading "Alternatives, Inc. in Raritan is using a $3,500 contribution from the Magyar Bank Charitable Foundation to expand its services for high school students in its Transition Services Program" »

What's Happening at Raritan Valley Community College

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Friday November 14, 2008, 1:51 PM

Here's what's happening at Raritan Valley Community College:

BIO-TALENT FORUM

A forum on "Bio-Talent: Strategies for Regional Economic Growth," will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 18, from 8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Conference Center at the college's North Branch Campus.

Amid growing evidence that New Jersey may be losing ground to other regional communities for the life sciences, the need to align resources for local bio-talent is more important than ever. The forum -- which will feature leaders from business, education and government -- will focus on such topics as the State of New Jersey's life science business sector; leveraging New Jersey higher education for bio-talent; partnering for talent expansion and retooling workers for real jobs in high demand industry.

The program will also include a panel discussion on Strategies for Regional Economic Growth.
The event which free and open to the public.

For additional information and to register visit www.raritanval.edu/biotalent/.

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Somerville High School Class of 1958 celebrates

by By Ann (Miller) Descoteau/Resident of Manville

Friday November 14, 2008, 7:12 AM

SOMERVILLE -- The Somerville High School class of 1958 held its 50 reunion from Oct. 17-19. The class of 1958 was the last class graduating class of Somerville High School that had Bridgewater/Raritan students in all four grades. The following year -- 1959 -- the Bridgewater Raritan High School was opened and all of the freshman and sophomores were transferred.

The class of 252 students commenced at Brooks Field, Somerville on June 16, 1958.
Many students -- at the reunion -- said "it felt like yesterday" as they recalled so many wonderful memories.

The three day program started with a pizza party at Alfonso's Pizzeria on Main Street in Somerville for a Friday evening dinner on Oct. 17. Sixty-five classmates enjoyed gourmet pizzas, salads and getting to know each other in the smaller group.

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Veterans Day Story from Immaculata High School

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 4:27 PM

Submitted by Terry Lavin Kuboski at Immaculata High School

SOMERVILLE - Mike Vecchio of Flemington has taught History at Immaculata High School since 2000.

A Vietnam Vet who served three tours of duty over there, he is a very active member of the many veteran organizations in Hunterdon County and the state.

What is most interesting is his feeling that 20 years after returning home from Vietnam, he found " the greatest therapy, greatest feeling I experienced was when I found myself talking to young people. To talk, to share, to explain to these young people was not only therapy for me, but it showed that our younger generation wanted to learn about our experiences in Vietnam. This, after more than 20 years...made me feel alive again and proud of my service to my country and to be a Vietnam vet."

Mike talks a lot about patriotism in his classes and his ability as a "primary" source to teach kids about history and pride in their country. "I find it rather ironic that when I felt lost and alone upon returning home...after more than 20 years....it was young people who helped me find my way back home and it was they who taught me to be proud. I am now on a mission.

Hunterdon Central will be inducting him into its Hall of Fame this spring.

If you have a story you'd like to share about a veteran or a would like to say something about the men and women who have served our country let us know by leaving a comment...

A funny thing happened on the way to the forum

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 3:05 PM

Exhibition in memory of Robert Kirby held at Raritan Valley Community College

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 2:30 PM

NORTH BRANCH -- Raritan Valley Community College is exhibiting paintings by Robert Kirby, a student who died suddenly last month shortly before his 22 birthday.

The Scotch Plains resident was a student in the Visual Arts program.

The nine paintings are on display until Wednesday, Dec. 3 in the lower level of Somerset Hall, across from the cafe, at the North Branch Campus.

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Take a Veteran to School Day hosted by Hillsborough High School

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Monday November 10, 2008, 4:28 PM

HILLSBOROUGH - Hillsborough High School will be hosting Take a Veteran to School Day ON Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Veterans will share stories of their service and students and faculty will view "The Story of Veterans Day," a documentary produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education. Select students will read essays they've written in honor of the day.

Themed dog tags, tee shirts and bracelets will be distributed.

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Teens invited to free youth conference at Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School Technology

by Marin Barrett/Somerset Reporter

Monday November 10, 2008, 12:03 PM

BRIDGEWATER - Somerset County teens in grades 7 through 12 are invited to attend a youth conference titled "INTERNETS TO GAMERS: Diverse, Independent & Empowered to Smart, Social & Superfast," from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School Technology and Conference Center on North Bridge Street and Vogt Drive.

Freeholder Director Peter S. Palmer, youth council liaison, and members from New Jersey Orators will speak about topics including daily habits that can benefit the environment, saving money, health and nutrition and the advantages and disadvantages of today's generation.
Reaching Everyone by Exposing Lies will be on hand displaying anti-tobacco literature and information on activities throughout the county.

Admission is free and includes refreshments.

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