Conti Chatter Dr. Michael Conti School PS 5

Kudos as well to 7th-grader Ayesha Asif, who was 1st Runner-Up in the Conti PS5 School Bee; going forward, both she and Benjamin will represent our school at the Jersey City Public School District Bee (unaffiliated with Scripps) to be held on March 23rd...Finally, ALL the participants in both our school-wide & classroom bees are to be commended for dedicating themselves to learning new words and being staunch competitors!

Music Returns!

Since September of 2023, our school has been without a music teacher, a void sorely felt by students, parents, & teachers alike. So after a months-long search, we are happy to announce that Music Specialist Claire Tsiporukha will begin her first day of classes at PS5 this coming Monday, February 12th.

A 2015 graduate of Montclair University's School of Music & recipient of a Benjamin F. Wilkes Scholarship, Ms. Tsiporukha has featured in operatic roles such as Adele in Die Fledermaus. Beyond opera, she collaborates with choirs; explores jazz, rock, & musical theater; has worked with prestigious ensembles; performed at venues like Madison Square Garden; and garnered a first-place finish in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) vocal competition.

While Ms. Tsiporukha shines on stage, she notes her true passion is nurturing young talent. For a decade, she has specialized in young voices and musical theater, through private lessons, directing musical productions, or leading workshops. "I want to unlock each student's potential, fostering a love for music that goes beyond technical skills...and am committed to creating an inclusive & inspiring environment," she says...We are delighted to have Ms. Tsiporukha join the Dr. Michael Conti School community!

.

Experiential Learning: COLLEGE STEM

The state-of-the art 70,000+ square foot STEM complex at Hudson County Community College was the site of an immersive day of learning for Conti 8th-graders in late January. During their visit, our students participated in several post-secondary-level science activities, while also interacting with professors and getting a feel for the college experience. This partnership is just one example of how Conti middle-schoolers benefit from relationships PS5 has fostered over the years with programs at Rutgers University, St. Peters University, HCCC, NJCU, and also out-of-state institutions of higher-learning. A remarkable experience for our students!

STEM Saturdays

The next STEM SATURDAY is scheduled for FEBRUARY 24th and will be for GRADES 6-8 only...Please register using the link: https://bit.ly/3OiwO6k. *Registration will close on February 15th*

.

Students of the Month

The focus TRAIT for the Month of JANUARY was RESPONSIBILITY - Keeping commitments and being accountable to oneself and others.

The focus TRAIT for the Month of DECEMBER was GENEROSITY - Unselfish giving and sharing of resources, time and talents with others.

Teacher Recognition

GOVERNOR'S EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR PROGRAM: PS5 TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Anna Lopez

Walk down the hallway by Ms. Lopez's Kindergarten classroom, and you may see students from our upper grades who have stopped by to either volunteer for community-service time, or are there to catch up and reminisce. Years out of kindergarten, students still fondly recall times with their "favorite teacher." And for Ms. Lopez, seeing how her former students have matured is reward in itself. "Nothing could be more gratifying than having had a part in inspiring them to achieve their goals & be independent," she says.

A seasoned educator with almost 40 years of teaching experience, Ms. Lopez says she knew from an early age that this was her calling. Her first position was as a Pre-K Teacher at the Puerto Rican Action Board Day Care Center in New Brunswick, NJ, where she was soon promoted to Head Teacher, and later the Deputy Director, in charge of running the entire center. In 1993, she moved to Puerto Rico, where she taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grade English at a Bilingual School, Colegio Marimee, for several years. In 1997, she & her family moved back to the states, where she began teaching in the Jersey City Public Schools. In the last 27 years, she has served as a World Language Teacher, Dual Language Teacher and a General Education Teacher for Kindergarten, 2nd & 3rd grades...According to Conti Principal John J. Rivero, Ms. Lopez "exemplifies all that is right in our profession - she knows her stuff, has high expectations, and cares deeply about her students' well-being."

.

GOVERNOR'S EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR PROGRAM: PS5 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Dominga Rivera

"Every day is a gift!" declares Dominga Rivera. "And witnessing my students' growth, curiosity, and creativity, makes each day a privilege." For Ms. Rivera, who has been a teacher aide & paraprofessional at PS5 for more than 25 years, gratitude & resilience have become a second language; in 2011, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, the most difficult of times for her and her family. Three long years later, she became cancer-free, and since then, this dynamo has continued making her mark at PS5, to the benefit of our school community. "Kids pick up on authenticity," notes Principal Rivero. "And Ms. Rivera is the real deal."

Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, she and her seven siblings migrated to Jersey City almost six decades ago. Educated at St. Peter's Grammar School, Our Lady of Sorrows, Ferris High School, and later Hudson Community College, she and her husband of 42 years would raised four children and eventually welcomed four grandchildren. In her leisure time, Ms. Rivera is involved with the Classy in Pink Cancer Society, and enjoys baking, reading, dancing with friends and family and embracing "genuine moments of joy," she says.

.

JERSEY CITY EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION ParaProfessional of the Year

Lateka McKiver

The local teacher's union, JCEA, has named Conti educator Lateka McKiver their Para-Professional of the Year. This is Ms. McKiver's 16th-year as a teacher aide in the Jersey City Public Schools, in both Pre-K and Special Education classes. She earned a Liberal Arts degree in 2008, and is currently finishing up a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Studies. Be it in the classroom or legal system, Ms. McKiver's aim is to help children stay safe & healthy -- physically, socially, and emotionally. In her free time, she enjoys getting out with friends & family, especially taking walks with her daughter, and "helping others that are in need."

.

FACULTY FAMILY FEUD!

Think teaching is all fun & games? Sometimes it literally is! While students this Wednesday had a half-day of classes, teachers remained in school, participating in an afternoon of Professional Development & analyzing data. Before the PD sessions got underway, faculty engaged in a quick team-building exercise - a mini-version of Family Feud. Things got pretty competitive, and sometimes downright silly, but the point was made -- fun & games really can drive engagement and motivation - a reason teachers sometimes use gamifying educational apps like Kahoot! or Quizlet to enhance lessons & help increase student performance!

.

A Peek into Classrooms

PROJECT-BASED-LEARNING PREP: INTERVIEWING EXPERTS & GATHERING DATA

SPERANZA THEATRE RETURNS!

For the third year, Conti students in grades K to 5 are getting to flex their creative muscles through PS5's partnership with Speranza Theatre. Over a span of 11 weeks, K-1 classes participate in Storybooks to Stage, focusing on new books and crafting stage props; grades 2 & 3 the Elements of Theatre, emphasizing storytelling & parts that go into a successful production; and for grades 4 & 5, a play-writing workshop...Thanks to our PTA for funding the K-1 classes; to PS5 LMS/Literacy Support teacher K.K. Sexton for organizing & facilitating artistic-literary partnerships; and to Principal Clerk Diane Wilson for her invaluable help with the necessary paperwork!

FIRST-GRADE BOOK CLUB

MLK'S LEGACY

TECHNOLOGY: PORTAL TO NEW PLACES

.

MORE VIRTUAL LEARNING: HOLY COW!

LEARNING BY DESIGN: STARTS IN CLASSROOMS...

....and PROGRESSES TO EVERLASTING LEGO LOVE!

Valentines Day is near, so let us reiterate how much our students ADORE spending time in Conti's state-of-the-art LEGO LAB -- whatever the grade level, we witness complete engagement as they participate in STEAM lessons!

PTA FESTIVITIES: THREE KINGS DAY