WELCOME

Class of 2029

Hightstown High School

9th Grade Orientation

“New Year, New Herd”

RAM Core Values

Resilient

Build your confidence and perseverance through hard work, effort, encouragement, and teamwork.

Aspiring

Set and monitor goals; discover and pursue your interests and passion.

Mindful

Awareness of gratitude, respecting, valuing, and caring for yourself and others.

Administrative Team

Mr. Dennis Vinson, Principal

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Assistant Principals

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9th Grade - Ms. Brown

rbrown@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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10th Grade - Mr. Zapicchi

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11th Grade - Mr. Soto

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12th grade - Mrs. Riggi

9th Grade Team

Assistant Principal

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9th Grade - Ms. Brown

rbrown@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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Secretary - Iris Rodriguez

irodriguez@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

609-443-7738 Ext. 1334

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School Counselors

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Mrs. Gina Freihaut gfreihaut@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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Ms. Mora

jmora@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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Child Study Team (CST)

Dr. Jessica Corrigan

jcorrigan@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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9th Grade Advisor

Mr. Matt White

mwhite@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

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Clubs and Activities

Adelante Club

African American Awareness Club

Artists’ Union

Band

Biology Club

Chess Club

Choir

DECA

Drama

Ecology Club

F.I.R.S.T. Robotics

FBLA Club

FCCLA

Forensics Club

French Club

German Club

Gay/Straight Alliance

Jewish Student Union

Marching Band

Math League

Mock Trial Club

Model UN Club

National Honor Society

“O” Ambassadors

One Act Plays

Philosophy Club

Photography Club

Ram Report

Red Cross Club

Ski Club

South Asian Club

Spanish Club

STEM Club

Student Council

The Ram Page

Writer's’ Block

Yearbook

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and MORE TO COME!!!

Athletic Team

Mr. Chris Virag - Athletic Director

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Joann Hallahan- Secretary

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Lisa Sheehan - Athletic Trainer

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HHS Sports

Program Overview

• 1:1 Chromebook
• G Suite For Education/Student Accounts - Google School
• Genesis-Parent Portal
• Cell Phone Guidelines

Hightstown High School

Ninth Grade House

Pride In Performance

Through a safe, inclusive learning experience that is grounded in best practices, students in the East Windsor Regional School District will develop and strengthen academic, social, and emotional skills needed in order to be successful, productive citizens.

Attendance

Attending classes on a regular basis is MANDATORY for ALL classes. Need to show up on time. Important for acquiring the following:

• Course credits for graduation
• Post-high school institutions
• Third tardy to class will turn into detention after school or on Saturdays

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Attendance Policy: General Information

• Attending School/Classes
• First Class starts at 7:30 AM - in class ready to learn. (Enter building at 7:20 AM)
• Be mindful of time.

Passing time is to get to your next class, stop at your locker, use the bathroom, and be on time to class.

• Genesis - official attendance recorded

Genesis

Genesis is our Student Information System that provides both students and parents access to:

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• Assignments and Grades
• Daily Attendance
• Interim Reports, Marking Period Grades
• Student-Teacher-Parent Communication

Reporting Absences

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• Documentation - bring to Brown House office rbrown@ewrsd.k12.nj.us

Building Access & Signing-Out Students

• 1. Entry Procedure: All guests must wait to be buzzed in at the main entrance by security.
• 2. Visitor Escort: Meet with security, get supplied visible visitor ID, and will wait in the security vestibule (Main Office in front of the building)
• 3. Reception in the Security Vestibule: Security will receive the visitor and staff member will come to escort you to meeting/appointment.

Building Access & Signing-Out Students

• 4. Mandatory Escort Policy: It is mandatory that all visitors, regardless of purpose, be escorted throughout the building by an East Windsor Regional School District (EWRSD) employee.
• 5. Appointment Scheduling: We strongly encourage you to schedule meetings and appointments in advance to ensure proper arrangements.

Hightstown

High School

School Counseling

Department & Scheduling

Counseling Team

Lauren O’Brien

Supervisor of School Counseling

Gina Freihaut

9th Grade Last names A-L

Jenn Mora

9th Grade Last names M-Z

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Gerald Santoleri

9-12 ELL Counselor

Sheronda Howard

Student Assistance Counselor (SAC)

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Regular Bell Schedule

Regular Bell Schedule

Freshmen Lockers

Most lockers for 9th graders will be (A, D, F)-- near the Riggi House and Music Rooms.

Scheduling

• August 22nd - September 8th - Counselors will address all scheduling errors and omissions.
• Tuesday, September 8th - Counselors will begin processing all other schedule change requests.
• Changes made pending availability within schedule.
• Friday, September 15th - No Changes will occur after this date.

Graduation Requirements

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Upcoming Dates

First Day of School!!

September 4th (Thursday)

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September 8th (Monday - A Day)

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Back to School Night

September 17th (Wednesday @ 6:00 PM)

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PSAT

October 8, 2025

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HOMECOMING

September 26th (Friday) - Football Game

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COMMUNICATION

• Hightstown High School Webpage
• https://hhs.ewrsd.org/
• Google Classroom– Class of 2029
• code: klaf6a6d
• “Follow” HHS Principal Dennis Vinson on Twitter (X) @HHS_vinson
• Instagram @ewrsdk_12
• School Messenger
• 9th Grade Level Page
• District Email (Check Daily)

Additional Information

• Working Papers
• Health Office
• EWRSD Transportation
• Student Handbook 25-26
• HHSPA
• School Start Times
• School Policies

Have a great school year!