Thursday, July 25, 2013

Summer Post - 7/26/13

School News:  

Congratulations and best wishes to Carla DeGironimo and her new husband Aaron Pastore.  Welcome Aaron to #warriornation

If you didn't get to see my post on Personal Growth Time @ WHS the 80/20 model, please take the time to read it and if your interested please fill out the Google Form.  

GradeBooks are open! 

Don't forget to take care of the Suicide Prevention Online Course

Simply go to http://spts.pldm.com click on the class entitled “Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention 2012-2013 “ the New Jersey version.  Once you have completed the class at your leisure please print out a copy of the certificate.  Maintain a copy for your records and provide me with a copy as well.  All staff will be required to complete this online course by November 1, 2013.  District Code - 5410
**This online course counts for 2 hours of PD, which can go towards the 20 hours required for the 13-14 School Year.  


Professional Development Resources 

Adam Bello who you can follow on twitter at @adambellow was one of the Keynote speakers at this years ISTE 2013 conference back in June.  It was a tremendous speech!!  The speech is about on hour long but I wouldn't recommend it, if I didn't think it was worth the time.  Hope you find the time to watch it.

You can jump ahead to the 21:40 minute mark on the video, which is when Adam starts his speech.   



This next video has nothing to do with Education but when a saw it on SportsCenter last week I thought it had a really powerful message about determination, perseverance and over coming obstacles.    

The inspirational story of Richie Parker, a man born without arms thrives in NASCAR




Personal Growth Time @ WHS

I strongly believe one of my responsibilities as Principal is to find different ways to make life less hectic and less stressful for my teachers.  I try to do this in a few ways:
  • Eliminate distractions  
  • Provide support and resources
  • Respect your time
  • Provide meaningful professional development 
  • Provide Clear, Constant, Communication


This coming school year I have a proposal for all of you that will give you more time as teachers to grow and improve as educators.  A few years ago I heard about the Google work model of 80/20.  Employees at Google are allowed to spend 20% of their work time on “Passion Projects" which are not necessarily connected to their current job assignment/responsibilities.   The idea behind their 80/20 model is to keep employees thinking, creating and possibly developing something new that in the end could benefit Google.  New Milford High School implemented an 80/20 model two years ago with great success. The concept is now finding its way into more and more schools around the world.  

I would like to create an 80/20 model here at WHS called “PGT” Personal Growth Time.  I want to give you the freedom to explore, learn and create as long as the time spent is used to improve student learning and achievement here at Waldwick High School.  This model is optional and there is no expectation from me that everyone will want to take advantage of it.  

How are we going to this? ……. I know that is what you are all thinking. 

Here’s my plan.  For those staff members that are interested in being part of the WHS “PGT” Model, I will reduce your non-instructional duty assignment to only three or four days a week.   That means if you have cafeteria duty you would only be there for three days a week.  The same idea would apply to study halls, media center and hall duties.   

During your Personal Growth Time you will be expected to be working towards your “Learning Goal” and building your “Learning Portfolio”.

Examples of possible Learning Goals determined by YOU:
  • Become a connected educator by developing and engaging in a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
  • Researching best practice
  • Developing innovative learning activity
  • Creating interdisciplinary lessons
  • Engaging in face-to-face professional development
  • Learning to use new technologies
  • Collaborating on projects with colleagues
  • Create legacy projects 
  • Enhance curriculum 
  • Find/Research Common Core Resources 
If you choose to take advantage of the PGT Model, then you will be asked to create a Learning Portfolio.  The idea of the portfolio is to create a bank of information for you to refer back to or share with others.   You will document your progress throughout the year towards your Learning Goal.  How you create the portfolio is totally up to you. 

What your Learning Portfolio could look like:
It could be a log, website, Edmodo, blog, wiki, binder, etc. 
I will meet with each teacher twice during the year to hear about the progress (Mid-Year and End of Year Evaluation meeting) 

What the time is not for:
Doing graduate school work
Grading papers 
Having a second lunch
Calling parents for class related issues
Leaving the building 

If your interested, please fill out the Google Form below and create your learning goal.   If you would like to talk more about this, have questions, ideas please email me or give me a call.  I would love to hear your feedback.  

I do need to know if your interested by August 9 so I can finalize duty assignments.  


Friday, July 12, 2013

Summer Post - July 12, 2013

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer thus far.

The yearly rollover in Genesis will be completed as of July 17.  After the 17th, teachers will be able to access their Gradebook, see class rosters, input assignments, etc.  If anyone was interested.


Congratulations to Michael Pepe and his wife on the birth of their first child



Reminder - If you're interested 
Summer Learning:

Looking to learn, share, collaborate this summer? Stop by WHS on:

Wednesday, July 24  (9 - 12pm)

Wednesday, August 7 (9 - 12pm)

My Summer Reading - practice what WE preach

Right now I am reading a terrific book called "Teach Like a Pirate" written by Dave Burgess.  I highly recommend it.  

To find out more about the book and the author:
Follow him on Twitter @burgessdave
Read his Blog DavidBurgess.com
Click here to get your copy


The picture below is what is currently posted on the outside sign.  If your reading this summer and on Twitter share what your reading using the hashtag #WHSread.  Remember we are Life-Long Learners!!





PD Resources 

Below are two blog posts I recently read that focus on how educators can make differences in their students lives, co-workers and most importantly their own.  Teaching and learning together can be very rewarding and can help create positive changes.  

Vicki Davis ( @coolcatteacher ) has a great blog "Cool Cat Teacher".  Her blog is a must follow for all educators.    

Why teachers should help lead a thankful revolution 

John Robinson ( @21stprincipal ) is a Principal from North Carolina who has an outstanding blog "21st Century Principal"

Guiding Principles for Fostering and Developing the Compassionate Classroom and School


Mark your Calender - Local PD Conferences 


Edscape Conference  @ New Milford High School on Saturday, October 19, 2013
EdcampNJ @ Linwood Middle School, North Brusnwick Twp on Saturday, November 23, 2013


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