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| Photo credit Michael Markman, student (WHS Photography Club Member) |
I am happy to report that the Waldwick High School's 80/20 model (Personal Growth Time) will begin starting Monday. I only made arrangements for the teachers that submitted the Google form. If you are still interested please see me. Let the learning begin!!
Are we READY?
Over the last two weeks I have attended a few workshops related to Common Core and PARCC . As I sat through the presentations, I started to question whether or not we were ready. I later spoke with Dianna and Amy (who were also at some of the same workshops) about what we have done as a school to prepare our teachers and students for what is a really big change. Let me ask you these questions:
- If you are teaching the same way you were teaching five years ago or even two years ago, are you ready?
- Do you think the Common Core only applies to Math and LAL?
- Have you looked at some of the sample PARCC questions?
Have you checked out Grade 10 ELA/Literacy - Prototype PARCC questions ELA/Literacy
- Are we (Admin Team) doing enough to prepare you for this change? Are you doing enough?
- Are you hoping this is just going to go away?
- Did you know that the SAT's and AP exams will be aligning with the new Common Core standards?
administrative team. It also takes a willingness to embrace change, take risks and get out of our comfort zone. The support is coming, and more information will be provided in the near future.
I ask all of you to consider your answers to the questions above and honestly self-reflect: are you ready, have you adjusted your teaching, are you teaching to the Common Core? When you write your lesson plans for next week and you find yourself writing the same things you did last year, that's a problem! In the end, if you don't change your teaching style to align with the Common Core, you will not be considered a effective teacher! That's the honest truth.
If you find yourself stuck don’t hesitate to come and talk with me so I can share with you some examples other schools are doing for your content area or we can find them together if I don’t know.
PD Hours - As a reminder, beginning this school year all certified staff members need to complete 20 hours of professional development. Mr. Puglise has created a new excel spreadsheet to help track your hours. As in the past this form will need to be completed and handed in to your supervisor as part of the end of year evaluation. You will need to hand in the summary sheet and the current school year sheet. Paul will be emailing everyone the form and also putting it on one of the drives.
Looking Back
Sorry for the short notice on the active shooter drill presentation. I thought I had posted that date earlier but later realized I never did.
Digital Citizenship Week - Thank you Ms. Hummel for organizing and blogging about the importance of positive online behavior. The hashtag #sincerewhs was a huge success! If you have not checked out Ms. Hummel Blog you are missing out. - Waldwick Media Center Blog
Looking Forward
10/29 - The Epilepsy Foundation is presenting a program regarding seizures on Tuesday, October 29. Due to the fact that we have several students with this issue, this is a MANDATORY meeting for all staff. This presentation will be held in the Little Theater at 3:10.
11/13 Learning & Collaborating Time - We will be meeting as a group for about twenty/thirty minutes. Then the rest of the time will be for your own growth time.
11/14 - Eighth Grade Open House (Save the date). I plan on asking the 8th grade parents "What are they looking for on that night" and trying to build our program around their thoughts. More to come on this.
Professional Development
Must watch - #edscape keynote by @gcouros via @TeacherCast http://t.co/kb8qgfRv0J Thanks @NMHS_Principal for a great conf #cpchat #njed
— Kevin Carroll (@WHS_Principal) October 23, 2013
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