Sparta High School Embraces Bring Your Child To Work Day

Written by: Elise Kerim

The halls of Sparta High School were open to the staff's offspring on Friday, April 27. Children traveled from classroom to classroom, working with their parents and experiencing a day at Sparta High School.

Credit: Mrs. Christy Graham,
Photography Teacher

The school's Media Resource Center was the hub of all the days activities. When it was time to recuperate and relax, the room held activities such as movies and crafts. Children also came to the MRC for a pizza lunch with various snacks.



The opposite of the MRC was the gymnasium, where gym students and the children played an annual game of dodgeball. Student athletes shined in the dodgeball game as they played with the young children, exemplifying true sportsmanship by inducing confidence in them and assisting with their skills.

Credit: Mrs. Christy Graham,
Photography Teacher

The science room conducted various science experiments, where staff of students were amazed by the reactions taking place. To further their creative side, the video production room allowed for the children to create their own version of Sparta High's morning announcements, The Sparta Scoop. The culinary arts room hosted cookie and cupcake decorating.









Over at the Sparta School Store, school store manager Jesse West and advisor Mrs.Chiappini gave away free ice pops to the children, in exchange for them working at the school store. The temporary new employees greeted customers, delivered orders, and learned how to use the cash register.

Each year, the traditions of Bring Your Child To Work Day come alive. The welcoming community of Sparta High School is a fantastic place to bring young children as the school puts together various fun events and high school students enjoy showing the children around.

Students of Sparta: Nadir Hassan

Nadir Hassan has only been a Spartan for a year, moving to Sparta in his junior year, but he is one that we all want to know. Nadir is honest and a genuine young man. After you talk to Nadir, you carry yourself a little better throughout the day as a result of his infectious kindness. 


I transitioned to a completely different community in 2016, and a community that is very different. In my hometown, there were a lot of mixed races which exposed students to different things and different ways of life. As a result, everyone got along because we were accustomed to accept different ideas and beliefs. I'm not sure why, but I've realized that it's different here. Personally, I know that the world doesn't just consist of me. There are other people with different lives. I wouldn't say I feel out of place in my new home, but I know other people who do and that is a tough feeling. I don't think Sparta is a negative community at all - but a lot of people are indifferent. Difference , diversity, and acceptance isn't something that is really a priority that they think about.

Sparta Orchestra Students Work With A Professional

Written by: Fiona Sipple

Students in the Philharmonic and Freshman Chamber Orchestras got the amazing opportunity to work with professionals part of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra during their class period. The atmosphere in the room was as dynamic between the students and conductor as it was in the music. The rehearsal took place as any other, but the students were able to hear constructive criticism from a professional standpoint. "The conductor, Jose, gave us all a once in a lifetime experience. We learned what it was like to play under a professional and we learned how to make music, not just play it," says Freshman Jenna Bargfrede, first chair Violin in the Freshman Orchestra. The opportunity was a once in a lifetime experience as well as a great learning experience. Students earned professional help to improve their playing skills and overall performance, no one else could have asked for a better opportunity.

Members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

Sparta District Implements SRO Position in Schools

Written by: Elise Kerim 

Notice any additions in the school building upon return from break?

Not the art murals.

Not the water bottle station -  that's been there for awhile.

Rather, a School Resource Officer. The Sparta Board of Education has implemented the position of an SRO in schools in an effort to increase safety and security for the district starting on Monday, April 9. There are different classes of SRO positions across the nation, however, the one Sparta has is a current serving police officer, Officer David Pridham. As a result of a 'job opening' within the police department, Officer Pridham has been assigned to be the designated SRO in all five district buildings. He has been trained in the position and was picked as a result of his interest in working for young people and schools.

An efficient School Resource Officer works in three strands that work cohesively:

EDUCATION: this may include going into classrooms when asked. For example, the SRO could be a guest speaker in a history class, discussing Amendment IV with students or going into health classes and informing students on signs of drug use and abuse.

CAMPUS SAFETY: includes general and additional safety concerns of the school which a police officer would be equipped to handle, such as emergency response management.

LEGAL ISSUES: issues that go above the standard school Code of Conduct that involves the law. The SRO would be necessary when a true legal matter arises versus a suspension of a student.

The responsibility of an SRO differs from those of the security guards at the high school. Security officers at Sparta High, Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Zill, are not expected to deal with legal matters and education in the classroom.

According to Vice Principal Mr. Schels regarding the new position, he stated that there was an SRO during the time Mr. Schels was a teacher. (Previously, Mr. Schels was a teacher and then the Social Studies and World Language Superintendent before becoming one of the Vice Principals of SHS.) Nearly a decade ago, the school faced budget cuts at the state level and the SRO was cut, Schels stating that it was "one of the tough choices made by the Board of Education."

Regarding his position, Officer Pridham stated, "I'm hoping kids will feel safer in the school and feel like they can talk to me. I want to be able to point them in the right direction." In the resurgence of the position, Officer Pridham is housed in an office next to the auxiliary gym. "I get how life as a student is difficult," Pridham continues, "I had two kids in the district. Students have their home lives, they're playing a sport, working, and it can get to be a lot." The stigma of a police officer in uniform may be intimidating to some, however the position will "absolutely not" impact school climate, according to the Board of Education and school administration. "I'm always here to talk. I want to be able to point them in the right direction," Pridham proudly states.