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The first Hope and Ascend Family Game Night was a huge success. Students and families engaged in games such as Glow in the Dark bowling, Jenga and Tetris Tower. Nurse Fatima bought in a guest to educate families on the dangers of vaping. Ms. Beatty and Ms. Lugo provided STEM based activities and Mr. DePaola and his students rocked the karaoke machine. In addition to this, the Passaic County Board of Human Services was present to provide support and assistance to our families. We are grateful for all who participated and look forward to more opportunities to connect with our Hope and Ascend communities.

Hope Senior Emmanuel Reyes Mejia represented the NRESC at the Passaic County Unsung Hero Awards on March 11th. Emmanuel "Ray" embodies the resilience and determination that defines the American teenage experience. As a newcomer to this country, as well as having recently lost the stepfather he so loved, Ray has faced challenges that would overwhelm many. Yet, within the halls of Hope Academy, Emmanuel's presence radiates with a quiet strength and a commitment to both his own success and that of his peers.

Despite the odds stacked against him, Emmanuel thrives academically, consistently meeting and exceeding expectations as well as displaying a hunger for knowledge that is truly remarkable. Whether delving into current events, class discussions or any other topic that strikes his curiosity (he is curious!) his passion for learning shines through in all he undertakes. But Emmanuel's impact reaches beyond his academic achievements. As a natural leader, he easily assumes the role of a cheerleader among his peers, lifting their spirits and motivating them to strive for excellence. Whether it's offering a word of encouragement in the halls, or lending a helping hand during group projects, Emmanuel fosters a sense of camaraderie and support that is integral to the fabric of the Hope Academy community.. We are very proud of Ray, and all the students at Hope and Ascend Academies.

We have connected with the Passaic County Board of Human Services to provide support to our families in connecting with invaluable resources in our community. Please contact Ms. Millie in the main office for more information.

Ms. Seaman's Graphic Arts classes did a deep dive into themselves in order to complete their project entitled: Me: Past, Present and Future. Students created their visuals to represent their life, and then presented themselves and their plans to their peers. We love seeing the creativity and goals our students have set for themselves.

This month, we delved deep into the fascinating world of catching criminals using science! We have been exploring DNA, fingerprint analysis, and other forensic biology techniques., discovering how scientists use these tools to solve cases and make sure justice is served.

But this isn't just theoretical - we're getting hands-on! Ascend students are going to conduct their very own DNA extraction experiment, right here on Harrison Street. Yep, you heard that right! By the end of our unit, each student will have isolated DNA from a piece of fruit. It's going to be a messy, fun, and eye-opening experience that'll really make these forensic techniques come to life for our Forensics classes.

Keep an eye on our social media for some pictures of our experiment in action!

Many thanks to Mr. Blum who conducted our Voter Registration Drive. Mr. Blum's classes studied the election process and took a deep dive into the importance of voting.

The Bridges Project came through big this month with two guest speakers for Hope students. First, students spent time connecting with each other, then learned about entrepreneurship and business management. Students then created business proposals and discussed. This past week, we were visited by a member of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Forensic team as well as a US Coast Guard Recruiter. Our students were very interested in the opportunities the USCG offered.

SAT is Coming!

Students are required to take the SATs as part of their graduation requirements for the Passaic School District and universities. Log on to https://www.collegeboard.org/ to register for upcoming testing dates.

Young men over the age of 18 must register for selective service. If you plan to attend college or trade school and apply for FAFSA you must register with the Selective Service System. Also, young women and men over the age of 18 register to vote. Your voice matters and voting is where it can all start. Register at Voter Registration | NJ DOS - Division of Elections, you must have a valid driver’s license/identification card or social security to register.

March 29th- Spring Recess Begins

April 10th-Eid al-Fitr- School Closed

May 6-10- NJSLA

June 18th-Hope Student Exhibit

June 18th- Hope and Ascend Graduation Celebration

266 Harrison Street

Passaic, NJ 07505

Hope: 973-928-1509

@HopeNRESC

266 Harrison Street

Passaic, NJ 07055

973-494-5433

@AscendNRESC