Several students from New Testament Christian School, Norton, recently completed a "J-Term" class in amateur (Ham) radio.

“The school has a unique way to end the school year,” said administrative assistant Lisa Carvalho. “Students finish up their core classes at the end of May with final exams. For the remaining two weeks of school, students select from a variety of “J” (June) Term classes.  These full-credit courses are offered to students in Grades 7-11.  Through J-Term, students learn in a hands-on way, taking field trips to historical spots in our state, and participating in projects which would not normally be completed through the regular length.”  

The young people enrolled in Amateur Radio, four freshmen and a junior, spent two weeks erecting antennae, making radio contacts around the world (including one with Germany), building and learning about electronic circuits, and studying for the FCC amateur radio license exam.

“With a lot of hard work – in spite of a trailer truck taking down one antenna cable, all 5 students successfully passed their exams and are now licensed amateurs with their own call signs,” said teacher Skip Denault.  “We are very proud of their accomplishments.”  

Students include: Emmanuel Sutka of Tuanton, KB1YIR; Jacob Watson of N. Attleboro, KB1YIS; Galen Garofalo of Taunton, KB1YIT; Kellie-Ann Maxwell of Norton, KB1YIU; and Garrett Garofalo of Taunton, KB1YIV.

New Testament’s J-Term students selected from a variety of courses this year which also included Literary Massachusetts where students read literary work of Emerson, Hawthorne and Alcott then visited their historical homes in Concord as well as Plymouth. The students in this class included Norton residents Jilliann Larson and Catherine Howland.

Students who chose Wilderness Adventure studied topography and survival skills before spending four days hiking the Adirondack Mountains in New York and experiencing other outdoor activities such as kayaking. Students also completed complicated art pieces through the 2D/3D Art class offered.  Artwork was showcased in a gallery format on Awards Day.

New Testament Christian School is a church-sponsored, co-educational, college-preparatory day school for students in prekindergarten through grade 12. The school is committed to helping the student realize his/her full academic and spiritual potential. Openings for student admission are still available for the upcoming school year.  To schedule a tour, or request an information packet, call 508-285-9771, email info@newtestamentschool.org, or visit www.newtestamentschool.org.