Waldwick High School Principal's Blog

MEET THE WHS GUIDANCE COUNSELORS DATE: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 TIME: 6:00pm - 7:00pm PLACE: WHS Little Theatre The guidance counselors will be on hand to meet with parents and provide generalized information about the WHS Guidance office. The counselors will talk about WHS graduation requirements, Naviance, and generalized college and career topics. After a short presentation, the counselors will answer any questions you may have. This presentation is not intended for student specific questions. If you have specific questions about your child, you would need to make an appointment or call your child’s counselor.

This year our Back-to-School Night will be held on Thursday, September 27 . The evening will begin at 7pm with all parents reporting to their child's 1st period class. Here are a few items to help you get through the night: All Physical Education and Health classes will meet in the Little Theater  Science "labs" do not meet  All Study Halls will meet in Media Center  Below is the schedule for the evening: Period 1 7:00 - 7:20 (Special Announcements & 8 minutes) Period 2 7:24 - 7:32 (8 minutes) Period 3 7:36 - 7:44 (8 minutes) Period 4 7:48 - 7:56 (8 minutes) Period 5 8:00 - 8:08 (8 minutes) Period 6 8:12 - 8:20 (8 minutes) Period 7 8:24 - 8:32 (8 minutes) Period 8 8:36 - 8:44 (8 minutes)

The Waldwick Stigma-Free Committee will host Talk Saves Lives, Monday, October 1st, 7:00 pm, Waldwick Public Library, 19 E. Prospect Street. This free program covers health, environmental and historical factors that can collectively contribute to an individual’s coping skills being compromised. Talk Saves Lives can help the many “gatekeepers” in our communities assess the warning signs of suicide in our families, friend groups, co-workers, and acquaintances. Free tickets can be reserved here: https://talksaveslives2018.eventbrite.com This program will give attendees a basic overview of suicide as a major cause of death. Attendees will gain a better understanding of suicide risk, a heightened awareness to identify warning signs, and an understanding of the importance to get at-risk individuals to life-assisting helpers in the community. For more information on the Talk Saves Lives program, please visit: https://afsp.org/our-work/education/talk-saves-lives-introduction-suicid

It is my pleasure to introduce Lois Gray to the Waldwick community. Mrs. Gray is our new school nurse and we are very excited to have her as part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I grew up in Clifton with four sisters and one brother. I have lived in Waldwick for 21 years with my husband and our three children. I received my Nursing Degree from Ramapo College, the year my oldest graduated from high school. I continued my education at Felician University where I received my School Nurse Certification and a Masters in Education. I also received my Supervisory Certification from St. Peter's University last year. I have been a school nurse for almost nine years. What made you choose Education as a career? I began my nursing career after my daughter was born with the goal to become a nurse-midwife. I returned to school and after I graduated with my BSN, I worked at Hackensack University Medical Center in the Mother/Baby Department. During that time I

It is my pleasure to introduce Audrey Donahue to the Waldwick community.  Ms.  Donahue  will be a great addition to our Physical Education and Health Department. We are very excited to have her part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I grew up in River Vale, New Jersey and attended Pascack Valley High School. I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years and a member of my high school's varsity gymnastics team for 4 years. I went to Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania where I majored in Exercise Science. I then went on to earn my Master of Arts in Teaching Degree for Physical Education at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. Throughout my last year of high school and four years of college, I worked as a personal trainer and gymnastics instructor/coach. During my two years of graduate school, I also gained experience through substitute teaching at my hometown high school district. What made you choose Education as a career? From t

It is my pleasure to introduce Kevin Rutz to the Waldwick community.  Mr. Rutz will be a great addition to our Related Arts Department as a Technology teacher. We are very excited to have him as part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I was born and raised in Toms River, NJ and I always filled the role of handyman for my family. I would build, install and fix anything that needed repair. I played football and tennis, sang in chorus and acted throughout high school. I began my college career at Ocean County College and completed my Bachelor's Degree in interdisciplinary business at TCNJ (the College of New Jersey). I returned to school for Technology Education and received my MAT in Technology Education as part of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. What made you choose Education as a career? I originally earned a degree in Business, but was never satisfied with being behind a desk all day. Going back to my roots, I would spend my free time tinkering with new p

It is my pleasure to introduce Jeffrey Dodd to the Waldwick community. Mr. Dodd will be a great addition to our Science Department as a Biology teacher. We are very excited to have him as part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I have lived all over Northern New Jersey, went to Ramapo College for my Bachelors of Science and then to Montclair State for my Masters in Education. What made you choose Education as a career? We'll I sort of fell into it and before doing so, I had no idea I would love it. I was asked to be a tutor in college, then picked up more classes building up to a supplemental instructor as the years went by. This is where I fell in love with teaching as I had my own class. Moving on to my Masters, I taught as a graduate assistant, and following that, spent a little time as an adjunct professor. I have been teaching in one form or another in the classroom for nearly eight years and find that I can always learn something new from col

It is my pleasure to introduce Dr. Cindy Abashkin to the Waldwick community. D r. Abashkin will be a great addition to our Science Department as a Biology teacher. We are very excited to have her as part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? Growing up in Clifton, I was intrigued by Biology and Anatomy at an early age. I took that curiosity to Rutgers University to earn a degree in Biology and then attended Palmer College of Chiropractic to obtain my doctorate in Chiropractic. I have been practicing Chiropractic for ten years and have been teaching for two. What made you choose Education as a career? Having teachers at an early age that created a spark for knowledge is something I will always be grateful for. As I started teaching and consulting patients, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed teaching them about nutrition and wellness. Coming from a family of educators, I eventually came to realize it was a personal calling as well.  What appealed to you abo

It is my pleasure to introduce Kimberly Monico-Rifi to the Waldwick community. Mrs. Rifi will be a great addition to our Child Study Team as a School Psychologist.  We are very excited to have her as part of WHS. Can you tell us a little bit about your background? I have had the awesome opportunity of teaching 3rd-5th grade in Waldwick, at Traphagen, for the past 14 years. I graduated from Montclair State University in 2001 with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Then, in 2007, I completed a Masters in Educational Psychology. In May of 2018, I completed a 2nd Masters in Clinical Psychology, with a School Psychology certification. I am really looking forward to continuing my career as the School Psychologist in the Waldwick School District. What made you choose Education as a career? I don't remember what made me choose it, honestly. I can, however, tell you why I am still here. It is the hardest job that you'll ever love. I have not met many people that love their job