By HANNAH WALLACH

Features Editor

Students were welcomed back to CHS this year with syllabi and homework from their teachers, a speech from Principal James Gleason and Weaser’s Italian Ices from the Student Government Association.

Although the day began earlier than usual at 7:30 a.m., as per the new bell schedule, it ended on a high note with a school-wide assembly and a tasty treat.

During the assembly, Principal Gleason highlighted the successes of last year’s graduating class of 88 students who received 485 college acceptances and a total of $10,214,000 in offered scholarship money.

“I challenge each one of the classes as you go through here … [and] as you continue your careers and your education beyond these walls to continue applying yourself so that I can continue standing up here and talking about all of the accolades that you earn,” Gleason said.

Gleason also announced a new teacher and administrator evaluation system that is taking effect across New Jersey. The system, AchieveNJ, will involve pretests and student growth objectives (SGOs) in classrooms. It will also focus on students’ test scores. AchieveNJ is the result of the TEACHNJ Act, according to New Jersey’s official website.

After Gleason spoke, Skills USA adviser Kelly Harmon congratulated her Skills USA team on winning two silver medals in June in Kansas City, Missouri, where the team represented New Jersey at a national level. The six students competed among 15,000 others, said senior Olivia Reizer of Wall. She won second place in prepared speech. Junior Francesca Reznik of Ocean also won a second place award, in job interview.

Senior Sean Cavanagh of Middletown represented SGA as he joked about “Sparknoting” summer reading book The Book Thief and spoke of “bigger, better and stronger” school spirit. He defined students as risk-takers and givers.

“With the challenges facing our country and our everyday lives, it’s more important than ever that we look inside ourselves. We dedicate time contributing not only to our personal endeavors but to each other,” said Cavanagh.

Cavanagh cited that this year the school has received increased funding, giving CHS’ large Cultural Communications Club official funding as a club for the 2013-2014 school year.

True to Gleason’s professed mantra for CHS of “work hard and play hard,” SGA ended a long day of classes and assignments with blue raspberry, cherry, lemon, rainbow and chocolate Italian Ices.

SGA Vice President Lauryn Masciana, a sophomore of Middletown, said she and her council members had been planning the scrumptious surprise since the previous school year. Junior Sean Gilbert of Wall, an SGA council member, contacted his uncle Pat O’Hern to arrange for 400 of the desserts to be brought to the doors behind the school. O’Hern formerly owned a Weaser’s ices truck.

After months of keeping the planning “top secret,” Masciana enjoyed her favorite ices flavor — chocolate cherry.

Junior Amanda Contino of Hazlet said the Italian Ices treat was an appropriate way to introduce new students to CHS.

“We kind of are a very food-centered culture,” Contino said.

Other news included the announcements that Spanish teacher Kathy Mazzacco will retire in February and biology and health teacher Jeanine Gomez is expecting her third child.

Additionally, technology teacher Maryanne Rodriguez is currently taking a leave of absence for the marking period. Until she returns, Class of 2008 graduate Melissa Bradley will teach her classes.