Dear Editor:
As a school board trustee, this is the time of year that we say good bye to winter and begin to look forward to the end of year celebrations of our children’s success. This year we have a new event kicking off the celebration season.
On March 31, close to 20 Hoboken High School Juniors will be honored to celebrate their successful completion of the Gateway SATMAX program sponsored by the Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken High School. SATMAX is a practical workshop designed specifically for high school students taking the PSAT or SAT. The program utilizes Stevens faculty and students who are trained as “micro-teaching” tutors. After a group introduction session, Hoboken High students were assigned to teams of four and underwent training in the four basic areas of the test: Test taking strategy, mathematical skills, verbal skills, and written composition.
Many would measure the success of this program through the scores that the children attain on the PSAT and SAT, and that is certainly an important measure. There is another measure that is equally important and it can be captured through a conversation I had with a mom. “This program has motivated and excited my child about taking the SAT. He studied for the PSAT, but not with this enthusiasm. This time he seems to hurry home to use the training that he received. He pores over the practice materials every night. He is excited and motivated.”
This collaboration with Stevens is inspiring and motivating our children. Working with Stevens faculty and students gives them the tools, but almost more important the confidence and enthusiasm they need to be highly successful college students.
This is another example of the priceless value the Hoboken Public Schools receive from our collaboration with Stevens Institute of Technology. Stevens has provided professional development to over 250 Hoboken teachers, teaches our children through the CIESE programs such as WaterBotics and sports camps, as well as donations toward our robotics curriculum at the middle and high school level.
In addition, all 6th grade students in every school in Hoboken is invited to will come to Stevens on June 2nd for the city’s first STEM-a-thon, a day of fun and learning about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This day promises to be a celebration of unity and the potential for all Hoboken students!
As Hoboken grows, so are the learning and science opportunities for our children. I am truly grateful as a parent and the president of the Hoboken Board of Education for Stevens’ interest and investment in our schools.
Kind regards,
Ruth Tyroler
President, Hoboken Board of Education