By K.H 2021

The beginning of the school year brings lots of new and exciting things. Specifically, we were lucky enough to have a few new important staff members added to our St. Rose community. I recently had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Kempf, in order to get to know him a little better. He hoped that this interview would allow the students to learn more about who he is and his experiences. I started the interview with the basic question of where Mr. Kempf was from:

 

Mr. Kempf: “I’m from here in New Jersey. I graduated from South Brunswick High School.”

 

Kiernan Hickey: “Have you taught at any schools previously?”

Mr. Kempf: “Yes, I taught for 21 years at St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City. This is an all girls college prep school. More recently, I have taught mainly AP Classes and Precalculus at Keansburg HS and Rutgers Prep (I taught summer school and at other schools for very brief periods before SDA.)”

 

KH: “What are your hopes for this school year?”

Mr. Kempf: “I just want to provide the best learning experience I can for my students here and to try to fit in with the St. Rose community.”

 

KH: “In your opinion, what is the best part about teaching?”

Mr. Kempf: “I love seeing my students overcome obstacles. I take great joy in seeing them gain confidence when they do things that they thought they couldn’t do. I think you work very hard and still really enjoy what you’re doing.”

 

KH: “What is the hardest part about teaching?”

Mr. Kempf: “The part I dislike most is grading! But one thing that can be hard sometimes is convincing students that they need to change certain things that they are doing in order to progress. Sometimes students are taught very bad notation or other bad habits in math and they have become comfortable with that way and as a teacher I have to tell them that they have to change these habits or they won’t progress.”

 

KH: “What possessed you to want to become a teacher?”

Mr. Kempf: “I was very poor at math until 9th grade. My HS math teacher (Mr. Shelusa) encouraged me to study algebra and really helped me a lot. I still stressed, but ultimately it changed my life. I would like to help my students in the same way. They may not want to study math or become math teachers, but hopefully they won’t be afraid of it and they will be able to master the math they need to be successful.”

 

KH: “If you were to have any other occupation, what would it be?”

Mr. Kempf: “It’s hard to imagine, but I did work as an auto mechanic for a couple of years, so probably something along those lines.”

School in a Pandemic 

by MG and CM -2021

There is Wealth in Health 

Going to school during a pandemic is difficult, a learning curve for most, but the hard work and resilience of our staff and students have become beneficial to us all. After three months of virtual school, meeting together brings an abundance of joy but we must also remember the necessary precautions that will keep us all happy and healthy until things become normal again. Masks are the utmost essential part of keeping us safe when we are together. University of Maryland Medical System states, “Cloth face masks are effective. They create a barrier between your mouth and nose and those around you. This makes it more difficult for the droplets that spread coronavirus through coughs, sneezes, and talking to reach other people”. Along with masks, in each classroom, desks have been separated 6 feet apart, to maintain state safety regulations. When outside of the classroom, either during transfer times between classes, using the bathroom, or walking around campus, students (and staff) are asked to use designated hallway sides and staircases depending on their route in order to reduce unneeded face to face contact. On top of these necessary protocols, each student is also asked to sanitize their workspace after each class and to wash/sanitize their hands often. While everything might feel odd and take a while to get used too, we’re lucky to have such amazing staff who helps make it possible for us to be together again.

 

Protocol Changes- Virtual Learning Adjustment 

As the new 2020-2021 school year begins at St Rose High School, there are certain precautions and changes to be made. One important change is the virtual learning rotating schedule. This schedule is a new precaution to prevent the spread of the global pandemic- COVID19. This schedule is made to only hold 75% capacity of the whole student body in St Rose each day. There are four different groups based on last names alphabetically. It is a rotating schedule, therefore, when group 1 is out the first day the other three remaining groups are present in school. The next day, group 2 is out with the other three remaining groups in school as well. This schedule continues and repeats starting with group four in the next new rotation. This new schedule is an adjustment for the student body, but is working effectively and is helping prevent the spread of COVID19. 

 

Behind the Blog

By: D.R.- 2022

 

Well, here we are. After just over six months of sitting at home, learning virtually, and enjoying a drastically different Summer break, we’re finally back in the St. Rose building! Or least a heavy majority of us are. Now that we’re back in full swing, that means another year of great new happenings throughout 2020 into 2021 is incoming! And that also means another great year for the St. Rose Blog! Headed by Mrs. Conover and her stellar new band of Publications students, we’ve got some awesome plans to engage in all of St. Rose’s events, virtual and in-person. From interviews with new students, freshmen, and staff, to outlining the school’s protocol changes, to spotlights throughout the school community, here’s what’s going on in the St. Rose Blog these first three weeks.

 

What’s Coming Up in the Blog In The Near Future?

 

There are plenty of new ideas and plans to engage with the student body and community of St. Rose. Starting just this week past this post, we’ll be interviewing some of our new teachers and staff, along with the Freshmen Class of 2024 with their feelings about St. Rose so far. Next week, we’ll be discussing the impact of COVID-19 on our Fall Sports and how the Athletic department went about changes to make sure all our players on the field stay safe and healthy through the pandemic. Also next week, we’ll be spotlighting a few of the student body’s siblings in their own special shoutout. We’ll as well be talking with our new transfer students about their thoughts and concerns leading into the new school year. And finally next week, we’ll be looking back at learning during the lockdown earlier this year and what it was like to them to be going a-hundred-percent virtual for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year. This first week and next week are only just the beginning of a busy year of blog posts to keep you in the know of everything going on in and outside of St. Rose.

 

In week three of the blog, we’ll be taking a look at one of the new classes that started up this year. Along with discussing mental health, the postponed Walkathon, our first Mass this year, and where to get lunch around the school campus. I personally cannot wait to get some great recommendations for lunch in Belmar!  We’re all extremely excited about what’s on our way this year and we’re so happy to be back with you guys, together as a school community. This is only the beginning of another amazing year at St. Rose, and we’re ready to go! Are you ready?!