After the retirement of guidance counselor Dr. Mitchell this summer, Nutley High School gained its newest addition to the School Counseling Department, Mrs. Lauren Birnbaum. Her transition from John H. Walker Middle School has been well received as she meets with her new students and helps them prepare for life after high school. Recently, Mrs. Birnbaum met with students from the Nutley High School journalism class to talk about her new position at Nutley High School.

This 2018-2019 school year, the Special Olympics Unified Sports program will be the newest club in Nutley High School. This is a national program and NHS has decided to integrate it into its club offerings. This is an inclusive sports program that combines an equal amount of Special Olympic athletes and partners on teams for training and competition. There will be different types of team sports for players to compete in such as basketball, football, volleyball, bocce, golf, and tennis. With club advisors Miss Caithness and Mrs.

On October 7, 2018, members of Key Club, an international student-led organization where students develop character and leadership skills through community service and volunteering, went to Six Flags Great Adventure to kick off to the new school year. This event is held every year during Columbus Day weekend. Members from all around New Jersey attended the Six Flags trip, giving students an opportunity to meet other members involved in Key Club from the state. During the event, the "Key Clubbers" discussed the volunteer services they will take part in during school year.

The senior cruise is a Nutley High School tradition, celebrated annually to honor the start of senior year. It is a night where students can enjoy the company of their class, dancing, and good food. For this event, seniors got dressed up and many girls got their hair and makeup done.  The class took a school bus out to the Hoboken docks to catch a cruise for the night.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day took place on April 26, 2018 across the country. Many kids go to work with their mom or dad or the day. To me, I thought April 26 would be a regular day, until 1a.m. when my mom woke me up.

“Armani,” my Mom whispered. “I’m leaving to Los Angeles for work."

“Okay Ma... Love you,” I mumbled.

As I walk into the classroom, I see a young, energetic man sitting at a desk. With a humble smile on his face, and charismatic eyes, I could tell that he would be exactly the way some of my classmates described him. We introduce ourselves, and I begin my interview to learn more about the well-spoken and respected, Mr. Joseph Dwyer.

The world of journalism is a complicated business. Throw in the politics of sports and the difficulty of live television, and you will find yourself in the realm of Jack Curry. Curry is a reporter and analyst for the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network, or YES Network. The 53-year-old covers all things New York Yankees, from player interviews to pre and post game analysis. On Friday, April 27th, Curry visited the Nutley High School journalism class.

On June 1, the results of the student council and class elections were announced after weeks of preparation and campaigning. For those who may have missed the announcements the results are as follows:

Student Council:

President: Zawar Ahmed

Vice President: Faith Bartell

Corresponding Secretary: Kevin Zhang

Recording Secretary: Jillian Garner

Treasurer: Eric Palomino

Student Council Advisor: Ms. Melissa Brady

NHS Promotes Safe Driving 

Nutley High School’s Radio/TV III students were able to engage with the entire student body on Thursday, June 5th, maintaining the “Raiders Ride Safe” message. This message is one that delivers and emphasizes the importance of safety when driving, as well as pedestrian and passenger safety. Raiders Ride Safe helps remind people of the importance of speed limits in school zones, staying off the roads when under the influence, and staying undistracted while at the wheel.

Most people usually begin to receive an education when they enter elementary school. After passing through their first few years of education, they move onto middle school and high school, where it becomes more challenging.  Once people enter college, they begin to focus on the things that interest them the most. The things that they decide to focus on will lead them to a career.  We each go through many years of schooling, and by the end, we hopefully earn the jobs that we have always strived for.

Richard Pitts, a sophomore at Nutley High School, seems far older than he looks.  On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, he visited the Nutley High School Journalism class and spoke about foreign policy, politics, and his writing background.  “My political leanings are left wing,” said Pitts.  “And I advocate for the expansion of healthcare and an overhaul to our educational system. I also have quite the interest in foreign policy.”

There were many new clubs formed at NHS in the past two years, but amidst them all one of them that is particularly in the spotlight right now is the United Club. The United Club was founded in September 2017 by NHS junior Zawar Ahmed.

On Friday, February 9, 2018 the Nutley High School journalism class had the opportunity to interview TAP Into Nutley’s editor and publisher, John Lee. TAP Into Nutley is an online news outlet for the town of Nutley, where people are able to read about upcoming events and recent, community news.

NHS Freshmen Experience Life as a High School Student

For the 2017-2018 school year, Nutley High School offered more electives than in previous years due to the new Rotating Drop Schedule. Amongst these newly-introduced classes is the Creative Writing course, taught by English teacher, Mrs. Jenifer Rainone.

Nutley High School houses approximately 1,220 students and 120 staff members. The NHS staff is led by  one principal and two vice principals: Principal Denis Williams, Vice Principal Joseph Materia, and Vice Principal Jacquelyn Devore. They lead and manage the school.  Mr. Williams has been the principal of Nutley High School since September of 2012. Prior to that, he was a vice principal. Mrs. Devore and Mr. Materia have been vice principals since 2016.  

Nutley High School Senior Takes Part in Research Program at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Grace Pula, 16, is currently a junior in Nutley High School and the Student Council Treasurer for the Class of 2019.  The treasurer is responsible for keeping school events, such as Junior Formal, Prom, and the Fashion Show, cost friendly. The treasurer also collaborates with other officers to think of new ideas for fundraisers, new events and different themes. As a result of being part of the Student Council, Grace is very involved in NHS and its events.

For the past three years, Mr. Michael Gurrieri has been teaching at Nutley High School. Prior to Nutley High School, he worked in a performing arts school which was part of the New York City Department of Education.  After being there for one year, he changed schools and for the following three years, he worked in the Freehold Regional High School District, located in central New Jersey.  Throughout those seven years, Mr. Gurrieri taught ninth grade English and various theater art classes.  During that time, he also had the opportunity to direct several plays and musicals.  

Eric Sebek Takes on Pippin

Eric Sebek, 17, is a junior at Nutley High School and stars in this year’s spring musical, Pippin. Eric isn’t new to singing and acting though. His father, Christian Sebek, sang opera around the world, and was even in the broadway play, Phantom of the Opera, for five years. Eric’s brother, Zach Sebek, also sings opera and plays the saxophone.