And the winner is.........

The winning photographer in the "What is JFK?" photo contest is SET Senior Genesis Encarnacion! Genesis submitted the photo below, taken behind our school.
The judges praised her picture because of its near-perfect exposure and composition, including the reflections of the trees which were just coming into their spring bloom in the stream below. The judges said, "This picture gives a positive feeling of renewal -- despite all of our stress and difficulties, spring always brings new growth and new hope."

Here is what Genesis said about her picture:
"This is a photo of the park behind the school. It represents JFK because the park is a place where students have gym when it is nice and where many students hang out."

For submitting the winning entry, 

Genesis will receive a $50. gift card for Amazon.com.

Congratulations!!

All of the photos that were entered were remarkable in their own ways; it's unfortunate that we can only choose one winner. Thanks to all of the photographers who entered our first photo contest. There will be more opportunities in the fall!

A Photo Contest Entry from STEM

Christopher Reyes, STEM Sophomore
It is nice to know that JFK High School is admired not just by people, but by wildlife, too.

Coming Down to the Wire

Photo Contests Entries

Edgar DeLeon, SET Junior
What Is JFK?  The hallways are always clear because our students go to class.

Edgar DeLeon

We are a good school now because we recycle. Look at the recycling bin.

Asia Lewis, SET Senior
When I look at Kennedy's gates, it gives me a sense of security. I know that I am safe.

More entries in our WHAT IS JFK? Photo Contest

Stephanie Cabrera, SET Junior
What is JFK? We are not that school anymore. JFK high school is history.   We are an evolved school. We are John F. Kennedy Educational Complex.

This is the school that changes as it gets older.

Waniece Moore, SET Junior
Kennedy is about creating a new path every year. We reach new goals and raise the bar for each year. We are history in the making. We are forever changing for the better.

More Photo Contest Entries

"This is JFK" Photo Contest deadline
extended through the end of final exam week.

Mara Kettle, SET Junior
This is JFK. Like many things in life, we have two sides, one good and one bad. Despite how hard the darkness tries to devour our spirits, we stay grounded and shine bright like warriors through the other side…

Latest PHOTO CONTEST entry

ENTRY #7, from Stephanie Cabrera, SET Junior:

 What is JFK? We are not that school anymore.

JFK High School is history.   We are an evolved school.

We are John F. Kennedy Educational Complex.

This is the school that changes as it gets older.

MS. McGUNNIGLE

Aysha speaks for everyone in Journalism I when she addresses our fantastic student teacher, Ms. Shelby McGunnigle, on the occasion of the end of her time with us. On Sunday Ms. McGunnigle will graduate from Montclair State University. Wherever she winds up teaching next year, those students will be very lucky to have such a dynamic, intelligent, fun-loving and motivated teacher. 
The space below is for anyone who wants to post a goodbye to Ms. McGunnigle.

*     *     *

Dear Ms. M,

 I will truly miss you. You were such a great student teacher that there is no doubt in my mind that you will be an amazing teacher. i know that all those times you kept motivating me although i didn't want to hear it was for you to see me better myself so thank you. i am going to miss you greeting with me in the morning and our taste in fashion is sorta similar (Forever 21 !!). i'm going to miss you a TON, so please come back and visit :)  I love you mrs. M <3     

- LOVE, Aysha

Editor's note: Send your messages for Ms. McGunnigle to Mr. Goffman at rgoffman@paterson.k12.nj.us.

Happy TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

More Photo Entries

New entries pour in every day in our What is JFK? photo contest. Check these out, comment on any of the pictures... and why not take some pics of your own?



Angelica Peralta, SET 12th, Entry #5
This photo also shows the beauty that surrounds our school.

Danielle Lowery, STEM 12th, Entry #6

This photo of track star Robert Laing of SET represents JFK because we have dedicated athletes.

WHAT IS JFK? Our newest entries.

Take a look at the first entries in our photo contest! Comment on the ones you like.... or don't like. Better yet, take some pictures of your own and send them to goffmanteacher@gmail.com. Just include your name, your school, your grade, and one sentence or so telling why this picture, for you, best answers the question What is JFK?

Entry #1: 

Alham Mughrabi, SET 12th-- This is a photo taken during a motivational speech given to the students of SET. Even though many people focus on the negative things that happen at JFK, there is a lot of positive that happens here.

Entry #2

Angelica Peralta, SET 12th--

This photo represents JFK because it shows how pretty the surroundings are around the school.

Entry #3

Genesis Encarnacion, SET 12th-- This is a photo of the park behind the school. It represents JFK because the park is a place where students have gym when it is nice 

and where many students hang out.

Entry #4

Justin Melendez, SET 12th-- These three daffodils were on the hill behind the school. We saw them when my journalism class went outside to take pictures. It was cool that nobody picked them.

This is representative of JFK because, for the most part, the students are good people.

LGBT RIGHTS

by Chris Reyes, Editor

Editor's Note: Do you have an opinion on this issue? Post your ideas here in a comment.

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY. YOU TELL OUR STORY.

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL!!!

Every year the School of Education and Training at JFK celebrates the life and works of the greatest writer in the English language, William Shakespeare. As in years past, there will be a professional production of one of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Also as in years past, we will have a birthday party for the Bard of Avon, featuring student and faculty creativity of all kinds, and great refreshments, too. If you have been to one of these events in the past you know it is the hottest ticket in town. Tickets are free... but there is a catch. Read on and find out everything you need to know.

CALLING ALL POETS

April, we hope you know, is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. What are your plans? How do you celebrate poetry in your life? Do you read your favorite poets? Do you HAVE a favorite poet or poem?
Do you WRITE poetry yourself? Would you like to see it published?
If YOU are a poet, submit one of your poems by email to goffmanteacher@gmail.com. Put POEM FOR BLOG in the subject line, and be sure to sign your name, plus your grade. We will be happy to publish student poetry this month -- and any month.
Here is a favorite poem by Robert Frost to get you started.

The Road Not TakenRobert Frost (1920) 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

This is NOT Shark Week

HEY! Did You Hear About Shark Week?

What’s Shark Week?

Jhaniya Lovett,
Wildlife Correspondent

Shark Week. The words themselves are thrilling, aren’t they? Well, they are to me. The problem is, Shark Week doesn’t happen until August.
If you’re like me, then you will be very happy to hear what I have to tell you. Every week is Shark Week! You just have to go to 
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/shark-week/

Now you can get your fill of watching sharks get their fill of fresh flesh any time you want. Woo-hoo! Have fun.

IT GETS BETTER.

Reminding us about the effects of bullying, Aysha Hood says, "Watch this video by Rise Up of their great new song, 'Make It Stop (September's Children).'"
http://youtu.be/XP4clbHc4Xg

SET SENIORS DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Bridget Angulo and Ermelly Diaz accessorize
their uniforms in a winning way.

On February 20th, seniors from the School of Education and Training took part in their first senior spirit day- Dress to Impress. Students were encouraged to dress-up and tastefully accessorize their uniforms.  The winner of the first spirit day contest is Ermelly Diaz!  Senior spirit days will be on Wednesdays for a month, except during HSPA. Students must be in full uniform in order to participate.

Dressing for Success,
Pamela Soto and Arige Taha pose
outside their homeroom.

Quadaija Kibler, Asia Lewis,
Imilsi Gonzales and Deja Wilkerson
show how it's done. 

NEXT SPIRIT DAYS WILL BE:

Wed., Feb. 27:

CRAZY TIE/BOWTIE DAY!!

Wed., March 13:

CRAZY HAIR DAY!!