The Hills Chronicle - July 2007
From the Superintendent...
By Dr. Frances C. Stromsland
Our High School family is comprised of an extraordinary group of parents, teachers and administrators whose passion and dedication have created a rich environment for our students.
Each school year provides our students with an opportunity to explore who they are and what they want to achieve. The connections and relationships made here are forever a part of their personal history. As a school family, In addition to adhering to the highest academic standards, we have tried to value the uniqueness of each one of our students and help them focus on their strengths and appreciate the strengths of others. That’s what families do... help each other grow. At Watchung Hills Regional High School you have a large extended family.
We have high expectations for all of our students, and the scope of their abilities reaches far and wide. We believe in what our students can do and what our students will accomplish. That’s what families do...believe in one another.
At our high school we teach the value of honest communication and the meaning of integrity—the “Warrior Way.” Part of communication involves a willingness to understand another person’s point of view or way of looking at the world. Our faculty has tried to give our students a global perspective. Just this past year, some of our students walked along the Great Wall of China. Our exchange programs welcomed many teachers and students from many countries and cultures to Watchung Hills. New courses have been added to our Program of Studies, such as Genocide and Holocaust Studies which give students insights into recent global events, such as the Darfur crisis.(Just recently, our students raised over $3,000 to benefit a campaign to help save refugees in Darfur, Sudan.)That’s what families do...teach each other about the world.
Our school family prizes building a sense of personal power and responsibility as a foundation for self-esteem. We reinforce these values here at the high school, and that’s what families do...teach each other values.
Faculty, department chairs, vice principals and our directors and principal have an unwavering commitment to students. Our students know from watching them that they always model a commitment to excellence.
Our parents/guardians nurture our students by offering acceptance and affirming their sense of who they are.
Parents/guardians play a critical role in our school family. Thank you for supporting us and for providing your students with guidance and encouragement.
Most things in a teenager’s world are constantly changing, but the love and support of the Watchung Hills Regional High School family is not one of them.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy summer. I look forward to next year and the new educational advances that will make “the Hills” an even better place to learn and grow.
-Frances C. Stromsland