RidgeBridgeVol6_Issu.. - Ridge PTO

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home access center update The Home Access Center system was recently updated. If you are having difficulty logging on to the HAC system, please use the following link: http://btshomeaccess.spihost.com First marking period grades will be posted on Home Access during the week of November 17, 2009. The new band director, Mr. Daniel Zugale, conducts the marching band during warm ups for the October 20th competition at Giants Stadium. MARKET DAY Next Order Date November 12 Next Pick-Up Date November 18 Order online at www.marketday.com or phone your order to: Brenda Miller at 908-903-9355 or Christine Marston at 908-647-0599 Introducing Mr. Daniel Zugale . . . Ridge’s New Band Director Mr. Daniel Zugale joined the Ridge faculty this year as the director of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Concert Band. He came to Ridge from the Westfield school system where he taught for 10 years. He is a graduate of Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in wind band conducting. In a recent interview, Mr. Zugale provided some insight into his plans for the music programs: Q: What are your initial impressions of Ridge HS? Ridge is a great place to work. So far everyone has been extremely friendly and supportive of what I am doing. Most importantly, I feel like I’ve been accepted by the students and I enjoy working with them very much. Michael Fackelman, the supervisor for Fine and Practical Arts, and Frank Howlett, the high school principal, have been very supportive of me and the band program. Q: What is your vision for the Ridge music programs and the Marching Band? My goal is to continue to build the bands both in terms of size and quality. A town such as Basking Ridge can and should have bands that are consistently large and thriving. We already have outstanding bands, but I think there is room to grow. One of the most important aspects of having a quality band program is having the correct instrumentation. We are seriously lacking in low brass (trombones, baritones, and tubas) and these are among the most vital instruments for achieving a quality sound. Q: What can be done to increase participation in the music programs? The first priority is to stress the importance of quality. People will naturally gravitate to programs that are perceived as being successful. Second, the public needs to know the benefits of joining the marching band. Here is a short list: 1. We support the team and entertain the crowd at football games, working with the cheerleading squad to enhance the game day experience. 2. We honor America by participating in the local Memorial Day parade and performing the Star Spangled Banner at home football games. 3. We work hard to achieve a creative, exciting and precise half time show for competition against other schools in the tri-state area. 4. Marching band is a great way to make friends. The relationships formed during the marching season can last for a lifetime. 5. Despite the rehearsal schedule (which is actually less than most sports), marching band members tend to be among the best students. 6. Although marching band is an extracurricular activity, the skills learned and reinforced during marching band certainly help the curricular band programs. Q: What are the latest trends for marching bands that you may introduce for the Ridge band? We are among a few bands to amplify the mallet percussion and it has made a big difference in our sound. It is very likely that this trend will continue. I have seen many bands use electronic keyboards, something I would like to utilize in the future. Q: The selection of this year’s program (music from Tommy by The Who) has been well received. Why did you select this program? My first priority when picking a show is to pick something that the students can perform from a technical standpoint while still leaving time to teach basic playing skills. I also feel that any music that we perform must have artistic merit. In this case it is a happy coincidence that we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of the Tommy album.
Books for Kids The Ridge High School Media Center, in conjunction with the Bernards Township Library, is participating in the annual Books for Kids book donation drive. Started in 1991, Books for Kids is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association. This program is undertaken with the hope that all children will be able to experience the joy of reading books of their very own. Last year more than 6,000 children, from infants to young adults, were given books through this program. In the nine years we have participated, Ridge High School students have contributed over 9, 000 books! Give a disadvantaged child the gift of reading by bringing a new or like-new book to the collection box in the High School Media Center. Book donations will be accepted through Friday, December 4, 2009, and will be distributed to libraries in needy areas of New Jersey. For more information, please call Mary Jane McNally at 204-2585 ext. 123. Bernards Township Education Foundation Seeks New Volunteers Over the past two years, the Bernards Township Education Foundation (BTEF) has raised funds to build the Greenhouse at Ridge High School and has obtained a $10, 000 grant from Verizon New Jersey to purchase 30 Amazon Kindles for the School District. An all-volunteer, taxexempt nonprofit organization, the BTEF’s fundraising focus is on corporate and foundation grants. The BTEF is currently seeking new volunteers to help write grants. No previous experience or skills are necessary. Training is provided, and a work program is in place. Holiday Poinsetta Sale Name Phone Email To Benefit Ridge High Senior BASH / Project Graduation Please indicate quantity desired Small – $10 6 1/2" pot – 5 blooms + 1 plant per pot Medium – $20 8" pot – 12 blooms + 3 plants per pot Large – $25 10" pot – 18 blooms + 4 plants per pot Total $ Due Red White Total For more information about the BTEF, contact Linda Wooldridge at jwooldri@compuserve.com or Cathy Costa at dcsilk@msn.com. Please return this form no later than Monday, November 16, 2009. Enclose payment by cash or check to Project Graduation By Mail: Project Graduation 130 Whitenack Road Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 By Email: JAMS719@aol.com Pick Up – Friday, December 4 from 3 to 7 pm, RHS Cafeteria
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Page 9: Varsity Athletes of the Month Septe

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