NTHS LumberGram

As we begin our Thanksgiving Day Recess, I want to say thank you to the Lumberjack Family for giving me the opportunity to serve as your building principal these past almost 4 years. We continue to grow and succeed as a community of Lumberjacks supporting and pushing each other to set goals, increasing our expectations, and achieving our goals and dreams.

I hope that each of you enjoy the Thanksgiving Recess!

On Thursday, November 20th, NTHS was privileged to have Mr. Stephen Hill on campus to hold meaningful conversations with our students about substance misuse, mental health, and prevention. Mr. Hill's discussions were powerful and engaging. His presentations were sponsored by the Community Health Alliance of North Tonawanda (CHANT), North Tonawanda City School District, and the Tonawanda City School District. Mr. Hill tours the country holding these meaningful conversations with high school students.

Congratulations to our NT students from the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society. Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES centers, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.

The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students had to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.

Congratulations go to:

Lucas Daves in the Computer Technology program. He plans on attending college after graduation and becoming a programmer.

Derek Hendler in the HVAC program. He plans on going into the workforce right after graduation and own his own business someday.

Mason Kruger in the Animation, Film and Visual Effects program. He will be attending Villa Maria College and majoring in Digital Filmmaking. His goal is to become a video editor for film and TV.

Nathaniel McClure is in the Security and Law Enforcement program. He plans on enlisting in the military after graduation and his goal is to go into law enforcement.

Elizabeth McCrossan is in the Animal Science program and plans on attending college to get on the Pre-Vet track in hopes to go to graduate school to become a veterinarian.

Erika Myers is in the Health Occupations Technician program. After graduation she will be going to college to become a nurse.

Joseph Polek is in the Welding program. He plans to attend college after graduation and eventually own his own business.

Ireland Szymczak is in the Animal Science program. Her plans after graduation are to attend college to pursue a major in Biology on the Pre-Vet track and get a minor in ASL and Business. Her goal is to become a veterinarian.

NTHS had an awesome visit from the University of Wyoming, Josh Allen's alma mater on Friday, November 14th. Not only did the University send it's mascot, Pistol Pete, but also members of their marching band. The marching band took a few minutes to interact and play with Mrs. Dray's Concert Band program, but also provided a quick concert to students during their lunch periods. NTHS was the only Niagara County high school to be awarded with a visit. Great opportunity for our Lumberjacks!

Mrs. Kozlowski’s Class - Soup Day/Java Jacks/Community Outreach

The Work Based Learning students have been working very hard on our School Based Enterprise (SBE) with our Soup-er Jacks Soup Day and Java Jacks Coffee Cart! Our students are learning valuable life skills that will enhance their independence after High School. Life skills such as kitchen safety, personal care, money skills, cleaning/household chores, proper work attire, communication, social interaction, and community participation are some of the basic skills that the students will utilize in everyday life.

Mrs. Guadagna and Mrs. Kozlowskis classes hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for some staff members at NTHS. The students prepared different traditional foods from applesauce, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, turkey and various pies to share. The students also learned how to set the table and decorate to make the classroom festive for the feast. The students and staff enjoyed the meal together while conversing about their favorite Thanksgiving food and traditions. Thank you, Mrs. Guadagna and Mrs. Kozlowski!

The Jacks that Care work-based learning classes at the high school would like to thank the Jr. Honor Society group from the middle school for their donation of non-perishable food items. Also, a big thank you to the community for the donations of food items during Lumberfest.

The Jacks that Care work-based learning classes will sort the food, box the food, and donate all items to the Drake Elementary School food pantry.

We are always accepting donations. Any future donations can be made at the high school.

Mrs. Kouzan's History of the Holocaust students have been busy! Students were able to participate in the Mobile Museum of Tolerance, a traveling education center that empowers students to confront hate, embrace tolerance, and act for social change, which visited NTHS and NTMS October 29-31. For their mid-term assessment, students completed a research project on Resistance during the Holocaust. Students wrote a research paper and created exceptional handmade artifacts based on their research. Lastly, they had the opportunity to listen to guest speaker, Wendy Weisbrot, a 2nd generation Holocaust survivor. Wendy's Dad, Joe Diamond, was well known throughout WNY for speaking about his experiences during the Holocaust.

Congratulations to the girl's varsity volleyball team on being League Champions for the 2nd year in a row! This season the girls were 16-3 overall. This year's team captains were Belle Christopher, Bridget Lyons and Logan Baranich. The team also had All-League nominations- Jakayla Brown and Logan Baranich: 1st team, Cara Thompson: 2nd team and Haley Geartz: 3rd team. Congratulations on a successful season!

Congratulations to the following students for signing their D-1 athletic scholarships:

Annabelle Day: University at Buffalo for Basketball

Ryan Huber: Lincoln University for Lacrosse

Ella Marshall: Mount St. Mary's University for Softball

Meredith Roberts: Fairfield University for Swimming

9th grader – David Malley Jr., Sawyer Elliott, Shaylee Klaes, Liam Terry

10th grader – Vitalii Voloshyn, Lily Carey, Lilly Barba, Owen Killion

11th grader – Brithany Camacho, Emma Keleher, Nicholas Mackowski, Ava Wood

12th grader – Blake Suitor, Meredith Roberts, Morgan Manth, Emma Stahl