North Hunterdon-Voorhees
 Regional High School District

Star of the Month Award Recipients

Kristin Baratta & David Chango, North Hunterdon High School

The Star of the Month Award for April is given to Kristin Baratta, Guidance Counselor, NHHS, and to David Chango, SAC, NHHS.  There was a recent tragedy involving a student at the high school and Kristin and David were both willing and helpful to both students and staff members.  Both employees took charge of the situation and provided grief counseling and a smooth transition back to normalcy.  Faculty and students were grateful and appreciative for the caring and kindness shown to them by both David and Kristin.

Sue Boer, Guidance Counselor, Voorhees High School

Whenever you go to Sue with a concern about a student’s academic performance or talk to her about a student’s attitude or behavior, she makes you feel good about coming to see her.  Her attitude helps you feel that every problem is “fixable”.  She provides good advice, helpful counseling for both staff members and students.  You always walk out of her office smiling.

Connie Dillon, Copy Center, Voorhees High School 

Connie kept the copy room flowing smoothly even when the teachers’ machine was removed.  She made it possible for staff members to use a machine that normally is not available to staff.  It is pleasant to walk into the copy room.  She is efficient and has about a one day turn around for items being dropped off.  Connie is friendly and is willing to help.

Barbara Atherton, Special Education Teacher, North Hunterdon High School 

I was struggling to develop groups for therapy sessions and there were many conflicts in the groups.  Barbara was very accommodating and allowed me to mix up groups and session times.  She then arranged her lessons around my schedule.  The groups became much more productive, with less disruptions and better therapy session evolved.

Linda Farrell, School Nurse, North Hunterdon 

Linda has organized several blood drives in addition to keeping a wonderfully responsive office going.  She not only assists students, but also staff members.  Linda consistently extends herself as a medical professional, to students and staff.  She checks blood pressure, answers medical questions and acts as a sounding board/resource for people.  Everyone is treated with the utmost of care. 

Tom Ross, PE Teacher, Voorhees 

When the aide in the teacher copy center was absent for three days, Tom noticed how backed up the copy room was becoming.  He stayed for several hours after school to do the copying so that teachers had their work for their classrooms and so that the copy room was not backed up when the educational support person was able to return to work.

John Deutsch, NHHS, Teacher and Activities Director 

As Director of Student Activities, John has taken the time to educate the whole staff about the hard work and energy that all of the teachers put into their work with clubs and activities.  He beautifully pulls together all areas of the school from half time shows, to fund-raisers, arranging photos and celebrating  hard working staff members.  He goes out of his way to congratulate others.  He puts forth outstanding effort in and outside of the classroom. 

Antoinette Blaustein, VHS, Mathematics Teacher 

She recognized a need in the school and stepped up to head our Indoor Air Quality Committee.  She has volunteered endless hours to help our entire school community.  She is patient and diligent.   Through her desire and research there is a formal process in place for air quality issues through a committee in each building.

Dorothy Slicklen, VHS, Educational Support Person (Attendance) 

Her work goes largely unnoticed, but she is the person who helps many students who are otherwise lost at VHS.  She is tough, but fair – even with the more difficult students.  Because of her, kids stay in school, get to classes on time and do what she asks them to do.  Dot is fondly known by students and staff as “Mom”.

Kenneth Thompson, VHS, Mathematics Teacher

Ken helped a new teacher with a lot of questions and concerns she had.  He was always there for her to help in any way he could.  He gave her many ideas to assist her in becoming more organized and improve her class management.  He also gave her materials that could be used in class.  Ken made her feel very welcome at Voorhees.  He helped her transition into this job and school district go very smoothly.