CHS will open with renovated 200 hall, more class space

During the course of the year, extensive construction work will result in a new auditorium, new gym and locker rooms, new cafeteria, new TV and art studios and additional classrooms

By: Ruth Luse
   When Central High School students report for the first full day of school on Sept. 5, they will find a renovated 200 hall with five new classrooms.
   During the course of the year, extensive construction work will result in a new auditorium, new gym and locker rooms, new cafeteria, new TV and art studios and additional classrooms.
   "The renovation project — when completed in 2003 — will literally transform Central High School," Principal John Bach said.
   High school enrollment is currently at 1,035, according to Mr. Bach. The high school closed in June with 980 pupils — 55 less than the current number.
   All students will report to school at 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 5. Bus information concerning routes has been mailed to students.
   Freshmen and students new to the high school attended a special orientation session Aug. 28. This program enabled students new to the building to become familiar with the high school prior to the start of school.
   Principal Bach and a group of parents and teachers volunteered their time on Aug. 15 to kick off this year’s district-wide theme of "Respect." The group spent most of the morning discussing the various topics associated with this theme, and how it can mean different things to different people. Everyone agreed that the main goal of the district was to improve behaviors so that people treated themselves and each other with greater respect. How to achieve that goal will be each school’s decision. Central High School has formed three subcommittees to discuss topics related to students, teachers and parents. The school will have its first activity related to respect on Back-to-School Night, Oct. 11.
   Anyone interested in helping with this effort should call his or her PTO representative or the high school office at 737-1411.
   New staff members at Hopewell Valley Central High School for the 2001/2002 school year include:
   Inge P. Bachalis — teacher of German. Mrs. Bachalis is a native of Switzerland and has many years of experience teaching English and German. She replaces Martha Ebert who resigned.
   Kerilyn Katherine Cook — health and physical education. Ms. Cook is a2001 graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, physical and health education, and teacher education.
   Mary Ann Koslov — chemistry teacher. Ms. Koslov is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Pharmacy and holds comprehensive science certification from Cook College. She was a registered pharmacist for more than 10 years and has taught middle school science and has 10 years of experience teaching chemistry, physics, and general science at all levels at Piscataway High School.
   Stephanie Linney — music. Ms. Linney, who comes from Sugarland, Texas, received her bachelor’s degree in music education, magna cum laude, from the University of Houston and Moores School of Music and her master’s degree in music education and choral conducting, with distinction, from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. She has performed with the Westminster Choir and Westminster Symphonic Choir in performances with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony. She also has performed with the Houston Symphony Chorus and the Houston Chamber Choir. In addition, she has performed in four world-class operas at the Spoleto Festival, in which she was chosen for a featured role in the 2001 production of "Dido and Aeneas."
   Kevin P. Murphy — athletic director and K-12 supervisor of health and physical education. Mr. Murphy, who has replaced Steven Timko who has retired. He holds degree from Ursinus College and Rider University. He is a 15-year high school/collegiate administrator who has worked and coached at Jonathan Dayton High School, Drexel University, Rider University and Brandywine College of Widener University.
   George M. Needham — special education teacher. Mr. Needham has a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Susquehanna University and master’s degree in education from LaSalle University. He has been teaching at Titusville Academy.
   Heather Nelson — science teacher. Ms. Nelson holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from The College of New Jersey. She did graduate studies in microbiology/virology at Iowa State University. She taught biology at Monroe Township High School for four years.
   Toni Louise Scott — environmental science teacher. Ms. Scott is a 1996 graduate of Hopewell Valley and holds a degree in biology from the University of Richmond. Ms. Scott will replace Kay Widmer who is retiring.
   Abigail Smith — social studies teacher. Ms. Smith is a summa cum laude graduate of Rider University with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in French. She will replace Roberta Rydberg who retired.
   Ms. Mary Ternoey — mathematics teacher. Ms. Ternoey received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from St. Louis University. She taught at St. Louis University and at Ursuline Academy, Dallas, Texas. She also served in the Peace Corps in Kenya. Since moving to the Pennington area, she has been a financial analyst for Summit Bank.
   David Wilson — physics teacher. Mr. Wilson has six years of experience as a chemistry, physics, and oceanography teacher in the West Windsor schools and is an assistant track coach for Rider University. He is a 1995 graduate of Rutgers University.
   Tracy Norris — technology trainer. Ms. Norris graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown College. She has worked as a supervisor and trainer for the last few years in the Princeton area.
   Important dates are:
    Freshman/New Student Orientation Barbecue, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m.
    CHS Back to School Night, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.