Monday, December 3, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 12/3/18


Midyear Assessments (Update)

All assessments will be approved by Friday, December 7
Can anyone give their assessment before the break? If you can please add your name/course to this doc
Our next step will be mapping out the assessments so that they are manageable for the students.  I plan to share a draft of the schedule with all of you next week, as well as get it out to the students. 

Waldwick School District Newsletter 

Please see Doc from Kristen Strauss for information related to district newsletter. 

Working Wednesday Schedule 
This Wednesday, December 5, we will meet for 10-15 minutes in the Little Theater.  Focus will be on school security.  I attended a training session on Friday and want to share some things I learned about. As an FYI we will be doing a lunch time drill later this week.  I will talk more about this on Wednesday.

Warrior Gear Sale - Last call. Sale ends Friday at 8am. 

Alumni Day - Friday, December 21st from 8 - 11:30. More details to follow. 



Monday, November 26, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 11/26/18


I hope everyone had an awesome break and enjoyed their time with family and friends. We have 20 days to the holiday break! Not sure how that is possible, but it is.  Let's make the most of those days. Here are a few ideas for what you could do during those 20 days:

  • Make one positive parent/guardian call/email each day for the 20 the days
  • Take 20 minutes each day to reflect and appreciate life
  • Take 20 minutes each day to read and learn. Alternate, one day for professional, one day for pleasure
  • Go for a 2o minute walk each day. During school, get outside or walk the halls.  
  • Over the next four weeks, spend 20 minutes a week talking with your students about their interests, hobbies, what makes them laugh, favorite movies, music, etc. This can happening during lunch, before school, after school, in the hallways, etc. 
  • Take 20 minutes to reach out to old friends, colleagues, mentors. Let them know you are thinking of them.  If someone made a positive impact on your life, let them know.    
These are just some fun ideas I thought of.  Come up with your own list,  I made my own list. 

Thanks for all the work you did on the budget over the last few weeks. I believe we are in a good place moving into the 19-20 school year. 


See Instagram post below, I would to love have a few teachers participate in the 20 day Takeover.  

Important Dates 

Tuesday 11/27 - Heroes and Cool Kids Training at BCC - 8:30 - 1pm (Names on Calendar)

Wednesday 11/28 - Working Wednesday (Agenda will be updated later today)

*ScIP Meeting 

Tuesday 12/11 - 9th Grade Assembly - 12 - 1pm @ Little Th (This will be a three part series for the freshmen class http://www.scottchesney.com/ )


Tuesday 12/12 - Winter Concert - 7pm @ Little Th



What I'm Reading

Leadership Contradictions via Jeff Zoul
Teaching Responsibility or Compliance? via George Couros
Lead Communicator via Tony Sinanis


Tweets/Posts

Alumni Day @ WHS - 12/21/18

Waldwick Gear Sale (Sale ends 12/7)


Monday, October 15, 2018

WHS Staff News- Week of 10/15/18




Fun times around Waldwick High School

Congratulations to the Boys Soccer Team on their HUGE win in the County Playoffs! Final Four! 

Spirit Rally Pics - A lot of laughs and smiles at the Rally on Friday.  Great job by Mr. Freeman and the Student Council for putting on great show!  Thanks Mr. Opderbeck for all the great pics! 

First edition of The Echo - Special Edition Great job by the Echo Staff, Mrs. Larson and Mr. Opderbeck's students.   

This Week

Tuesday, 10/16 - Voting Assembly in the Little Theater
1:00 - 1:25  Seniors
1:30 - 2:00 Juniors 
Bergen County Clerk, John Hogan will be speaking to our students regarding voter awareness.  
The goal of the program is to get students near voting age registered to vote and excited about participating in elections. What the program entails is a presentation from Clerk Hogan on the reasons why it is important to vote, the elections process in general, how to get registered, and most importantly, how to be an active participant in the electoral process. At the end of his presentation, Mr. Hogan sends members of his office around to students with voter registration forms and booklets with additional information about elections and voting. All students that are 17 and older can fill out a voter registration form and be free to vote in the first election after they turn 18 if he/she is not already. 

Tuesday, 10/16Becton HS Math teachers will be visiting and spending time with a few of our teachers 

Working Wednesday - Will update Agenda later today.  Please check back on Wednesday.  

Thursday and Friday - I will be attending the NJPSA Fall Conference and will not be in district.   

SGO's 
I know a lot of you have been working on your SGO's. As a reminder, data needs to be entered into the Staff Portal. The original due date set back in June was Monday, October 15 (Timeline).  If you will not have your data in by 3pm today, please email me so we can talk. 

New Field Trip Request Form/Procedures
Dr. Casarico has created a new Field Trip Request Form.  You no longer need to print it or have it on Goldenrod paper. It does require you to justify the trip and how it relates to the curriculum by answering the following four questions: (If your trip was already approved, you do not need to fill-out any new paper)
  1. What is the purpose of this trip?  How does it support the curriculum?
  2. What preparations will take place prior to the trip?
  3. Describe the learning activities that will take place during the trip.  
  4. How will it be determined if the trip was successful and that intended goals were met?
There is also a new Field Trip Permission Slip (Page 3)  which is on the doc as well. 

Process 
  • "Make a Copy" of the Field Trip Request Form 
    • (Naming Format: WHS FIELD TRIP/Teacher's Name, Date of Trip , Location)
  • Compete the form (Same old stuff and new questions)
  • Share the new Doc with me, which will be the first level of approval
  • I will share it with Mrs. Malagone who be the second level of approval
  • It will then go to Dr. Casarico for final approval and then be added to the next BOE agenda

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 10/2/18

Video Message regarding Semester Assessments and Monday's Professional Development Day. 




Resources

Semester Assessments Pilot - Information Sheet 

WHS Semester Assessments Survey

Working Wednesday Agenda 

Monday's Professional Development Schedule (I will add link here when finalized and send out)

Week of Respect - October 1 - 5
Wednesday - Assembly David Flood (2pm in the MSMPR)
*An announcement will be made for students to report to the MS MPR towards the end of Block 5 (Period 7) at approximately 1:55 PM

Friday - District-wide wearing Orange and Jeans




Tuesday, September 25, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/24/18



Back to School Night info
The link above has a few reminders for the night - please review them.  I know some of us have talked over the years about the need or importance of "Back to School Night." Let's use the night to tell everyone that enters your room that you:  care about their child, want the very best for them and will be there to support them.  Share your love and passion for teaching and have them walking out of the room saying, "That's the type of teacher I want teaching my child!" Have fun and enjoy yourself!  

Working Wednesday Agenda
Wednesday's 18-19 SY

Week of Respect - October 1 - 5

Monday - Wear Blue (World Day of Bullying Prevention) 
*We will make this a Warrior Monday

Wednesday - Assembly David Flood (2pm in the MSMPR)
*An announcement will be made for students to report to the MS MPR towards the end of Block 5 (Period 7) at approximately 1:55 PM

Friday - District wide wearing Orange and Jeans 

Important Dates 
Wednesday, September 26 - "ESL Back to School Morning" 9am in the Media Center 
Thursday, September 27 - Back to School Night 7pm 
Friday, September 28 - 9th Grade Class Meeting 1pm 
Wednesday, October 3 - Assembly "David Flood" 2pm
Monday, October 8 - Professional Development (Full Day)

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/10/18

When you think you are ahead, you never are.  It's just life! 

Please find a quiet place to sit and read The Source posts.  I don't write them for me, I write them for you so there is clear communication. 

I have to say with all honesty, the start of this school year has been more hectic than others for me. It's great having the students back in the building to see them smiling and talking and getting back into learning.  Hopefully, you have had a great first few days with the students and all of the other stuff is falling into place. 

It seems like the most important question around the building today is,"Do we still have Warrior Wednesday's?" YES we do, but remember it's picture day and tomorrow's picture will be going in the yearbook. 

Wednesday 9/12 (A lot going on)
  • Picture Day - All staff needs to have their picture taken down in the Greenberg Center 
  • Grade level Assembly - All teachers will walk their period 4 class down to the gym when called and sit with your class. An announcement will be made at 10:37. All instructional staff, counselors, CST, are expected to attend as well. Please find a seat in the bleachers. *All seniors are expected to be at the meeting as well if they ask.
  • Working Wednesday's - as mentioned in June and again on September 4, we will use Wednesday's throughout the year for meetings, professional development, collaboration and time to get things done.  Each week an agenda will be shared so everyone knows where they should be and what needs to get done. 
  • Select Wellness will be sponsoring a "Welcome Back" breakfast and massage on Wednesday, September 12, from 8 AM - 12 Noon in the Little Theater for all WHS staff. A sign-up sheet will be on the counter in the Main Office if you would like to sign up for a free 10 minute massage.
Friday 9/14 - Freshman Class meeting at the end of lunch. Meeting will begin at 11:45 and should be done by 12. Matt Rypkema (Class of 2018) will be here to talk about the heart screening and how the screening saved his life. 

Unit Plans
Dianna and I have met with a few teachers already about the unit plans and have come to realize that although we all had the same template, some of the expectations last year were different by department (My Fault). We also noticed that some classes need to do more changes to meet the template requirements than others. In order to make this week most effective, we are asking you to look at the material that has been sent out about this year’s expectations (Daily Unit Plan Expectations) and decide on 1 class that you are teaching this year that you can spend this week focusing on planning out Unit 1. This will be what we check on Monday and provide feedback on so you can apply it to your unit plans for your other classes.

If you started a few days and want to get them checked this week, feel free to reach out to Dianna to set-up a meeting and she can help you with the questions you may have. Please use this doc (Unit Plan Review Chart) to list the ONE class you want feedback on for Monday.

Monday, August 27, 2018

Welcome Back 2018-2019 SY

Summer hike - Bushkill Falls, PA

September 4 here we come! This year I waited as long as possible to send this post because we all deserve the time we get off and should take advantage of it as much as possible. I know most of you have already started thinking about school and I am looking forward to seeing all of you, hearing about your summer and getting excited for another school year. 

Opening day for staff on Tuesday, September 4 - The entire district will get together first thing in the morning in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room for the Superintendent welcome, followed by a WEA meeting. As a staff, we will get together at 9:30am in the Media Center. Here is the complete Agenda for 9/4. As you will see on the agenda, I will be meeting with each department for some 1 on 1 time to make sure any and all questions get answered. 


Like most years, there is change and as I have said many times, change is good and can lead to growth and hopefully bring us to a better place. This year that change is the administrative structure. Back in June we talked about heading into the 2018-2019 school year and that we just need to do a little more to "Be Better." Mike Clancy, Dianna Angelli, Mike Mayer and I are looking forward to this challenge and have spent a lot of time this summer talking and planning out the year. I will talk more about this at the staff meeting on 9/4. 

One of my goals for the 18-19 school year is to focus more on: Behavior, Respect and Accountability at WHS. This doesn't mean more rules, yelling or suspending. What it means is being more consistent with the rules we already have in place to include more followup and follow through with students, teachers and parents. Everyone needs to be accountable for their actions so we maintain the high standard expected at WHS.

Things we need to do, but let's make them meaningful!
SGO's - All returning staff should be in great shape with this. New staff, Ms. Angelli will work with you to develop your SGO's. SGO Resource Doc
Unit Plans - High School Daily Unit Plan Resource Unit 1 plans are due on Monday 9/17.
PDP Plan - I want people to use the PDP plan to drive themselves to "Be Better" and not just something we have to do. Use your goals to: Push Yourself, Stay Focused, Find your Passion, Be Better for your Students.

I will review/approve all of your goals via a Google Form (Goals for the 18-19 SY). You will then be able to input them into Genesis. Why the Google Form ... In all honesty I needed to be able to view them all in one place without having to click into each individual teacher within the Genesis Staff module.

Goals need to be submitted by Friday, September 21. Your results will be automatically emailed to me from the form and I will approve/give feedback. You will be able to copy paste them in to Genesis once approved.


What to expect for the first day with students

We will run a Special Schedule for Wednesday, 9/5, where all classes will meet. The rotation will start on Thursday, 9/6, with Day 1.

*Note Wednesday, 9/12, will be another special schedule (Assembly Schedule) with all classes meeting. We needed to do this for picture day and we will also have an all school assembly.

The entire school year has been planned out related to the rotation schedule. Here is the calendar for the 2018-2019 School Year.


New Staff joining us at WHS
Halime Bici - Business Education
Dr. Cindy Abashkin - Biology
Jeffrey Dodd - Biology
Audrey Donahue - Physical Education (Leave replacement for P. Olivo)
Karley Henig - Language Arts (Leave replacement for C. Pastore)
Kevin Rutz - Technology Education
Lois Gray - Nurse
Kimberly Monico-Rifi - School Psychologist
Diane Ciaramella - Director of Special Services
Deana Scardigno- Secretary, Director of Athletic (Leave replacement for Valentina Esteves)

Improvements around WHS
Wellness Center - We have created a "Guidance Suite" with all of the counselors in the Guidance Area (Fortini/Gastman/Hused/Sussman). The office space that Edna was in is being transformed into a Wellness Center to help our students who are struggling and need a safe place to spend sometime.

Cameras around the building - We now have 85+ cameras up and running around the entire complex

New Epson Interact Boards - four new boards/projects were installed over the summer. Rooms 138, 141, 143 & 300

Remind - We now have a paid school account with Remind. I will share more about this on 9/4. If you already had a free account with them, nothing should change for you.

Positive Coaching Alliance - The WHS Athletic Department has partnered with Positive Coaching Alliance

Building upgrades - Two bathrooms were renovated with new ceilings and lights

Resources
The Answers - Your staff manual for everything you need to know related to WHS. Here you can find the ... Master Schedule, Duty List, Agenda for 9/4, Schedule for 9/5, Meeting dates, Emergency drill procedures and much more!

Safe Schools - Reminder: The eight courses you need to watch need to be completed by 9/15
(Don't forget the Suicide Prevention training)

WHS Staff Personal Info - We have not done this is the past two years, so all staff please submit emergency contact info and phone numbers for our records.

Registration of Automobile - Only for new staff or if you have a new car. After completing the form, please see Edna for a parking tag.

Welcome Back Post 18-19 SY (Parents/Students)

Student Parent Handbook

Save the Date: Thursday, September 27 - Back to School Night

Enjoy the rest of August and I am looking forward to a great year! #OwnitWHS

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 5/28/18


The end of the year is just about to hit us.

A few items ... 


As a staff we need to finish strong! We all need to stay focused and be the best educators we can be. This time of year we are all tired and looking forward to June 22, but there is still work to be done in the learning rooms. It all starts with great lessons that keep students engaged. Be creative, innovative, try something new, give points towards the final exam (Thanks Sara for the idea) and most importantly, make the lessons engaging. 


Fourteen more days to the first exam. Please don't spend the last few weeks reviewing.  

One other item for all of us to focus on is that our students need to be where they belong! Please don't allow students to:

  • Walk around the building for no reason
  • Hangout in the halls/tables without a specific task/assignment (You need to monitor) 
  • Don't keep students with YOU without notifying the teacher that is responsible for the student 
  • I will be sure to be more present in the halls and will make it a point to stop in rooms during the next few weeks. The students need to know, there is still learning to be done. 
Recovery Days (R) have been scheduled based on the days we missed for snow. 
June 13 - Day 2 
June 14 - Day 3
*All three will be no lab days

Final Exam Schedule (Exams start Friday, 6/15)


Special Schedule for Friday, 6/15 

Period 1 --- > 8:00 - 8:47 (47 minutes)
Period 2 ---> 8:50 - 9:37 (47 minutes)
Period 3 ---> 9:40 - 10:27 (47 minutes)
Period 4 ---> 10:30 - 11:17 (47 minutes)
Common Lunch ---> 11:20 - 12:10 
Period 5 Final Exam ---> 12:15 - 2:15 

SGO's 

Ms. Angelli has put together two documents to help with the SGO Process for the 18-19 SY. 
SGO High School Timeline 2018-2019
SGO FAQ 2018-2019  
The due date is June 12 and all content areas should submit to Ms. Angelli.

Important Dates
Thursday, 5/31:  Prom
Wednesday, 6/6:  Final staff meeting (We will be meeting until 4pm)
Wednesday, 6/13:  Locker Clean Out 7:45 - 8am and during Common Lunch 
Wednesday, 6/13:  AP Meeting for 18-19 SY 3pm Little Theater
Thursday, 6/14:  Senior Collection of Chromebooks
Friday, 6/15:  Staff webpages updated with 18-19 SY Supply List 
Monday, 6/18:  Senior BBQ (All staff is invited to stop by the pool)

Monday, March 26, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/26


Student Voice in Action... On Saturday a group of WHS students headed down to Washington, DC to be part of the March for Our Lives event.  So proud of these special young adults that help bring change to our country! 
Big thank you to Mrs. Orlak for putting this together with the help of Mrs. Dojer, Ms. Hummel and Ms. Beck! 


Last week of March! 
The end-of-year process hit me in the face on Friday because it is coming very quickly.  I started working on the schedule for the end-of-year conferences and everything that needs to get done.

SGO's 
Non-Tenured Teachers - Due Monday, 4/2
Tenured Teachers - Due Friday, 4/27 

End-of-Year Conference Schedule (Tentative)
*The sheet has two tabs, one for non-tenured and one for tenured. Please review and if you are aware of a conflict please let me know.  

PD Hours/PDP Plan 17-18 SY
Start to input your PD hours and update your 17-18 PDP plan on Genesis.

PDP Plan for 18-19 SY
I will be getting you more information on this, but we will be doing this a little differently from past years. 



PARCC Time

Infrastructure Test on Wednesday, 3/28, at 9am. All Period 2 teachers are involved.
Email from Penny with all of the details


PARCC Testing Meeting 
Wednesday, April 11 
3:05 - 4pm
*Everyone needs to be at this meeting

PARCC Testing Schedule
ELA - 4/25, 4/26, 4/27 
Math - 5/2, 5/3, 5/4

Here is the preliminary schedule.  More details will be shared in the next week or two. 
 

AP Reviews during PARCC Testing
AP Teachers - Please see link and work together to share the time. Please note that two days have been set aside for seniors only AP courses.  

Intersting Video
How busy hands can alter our brian chemistry 

The episode was all about the brain and this segment discussed the importance of being hands on and how it affects our brain chemistry in a positive, healthy way. In this modern world of technology, it is often best to step back and use our hands again. 

Monday, March 12, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/12/18



Need help with the Musical ... New Show days/times
Friday, March 16, at 7pm
Saturday, March 17, at 2pm
Saturday, March 17, at 7pm
*Updated Ticket Taker List  (Need help)

A brief staff meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 13, in the Little Theater. We will be done by 3:25pm

Thursday, March 15, PD Day/Minimum Day (EdCamp) We will follow a special schedule with no lunch.

Period 1 (33)
8:05 - 8:38
Period 2 (32)
8:41 - 9:13
Period 3 (32)
9:16 - 9:48
Period 4 (32)
9:51 - 10:23
Period 5  (30)
10:26 - 10:56
Period 6 (30)
10:59 - 11:29
Period 7 (30)
11:32 - 12:02
Period 8 (31)
12:05 - 12:36

Heroes and Cool Kids
Because of the snow last week, the Heroes and Cool Kids training was canceled. It has been rescheduled for Monday, March 12, at 8am in the WHS Cafeteria.
*As a side note, this year with the new schedule we were able to schedule the Heroes and Cool Kids Elementary visits during the common lunch to avoid students missing class time.  Shout out to Ms. Hused for all she does with her groups!!!

PARCC Infrastructure Test will be on March 28 at 9am.  More details to follow; however, we will need everyone to take part. The test should only take 10-15 minutes. 

Posts/Tweets



Monday, March 5, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/5/18


Please take a moment and nominate one of your deserving colleagues.
2018 Bergen County Teacher/Educational Services Professional Recognition Program

Edcamp Waldwick - March 15
The 2018 Edcamp is quickly approaching (3/15/18) and we need instructors and courses. If you interested in sharing/presenting, please add your name and course to the sheet 

Safety Task Force 
Thank you to the 17 staff members who expressed an interest to take part in the Safety Task Force.  I have asked David Ling and Sarah Dojer to be C0-Chairs. We met last week and picked six staff members to be part of this task force. We felt a smaller group would be more productive. 

Drama Production
WHS Drama Club is proud to present, 9 to 5:  The Musical
Dates: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 3/8, 9 & 10  (All shows start at 7pm)

**I need a favor

Chaperones Still Needed. Looking for help Friday night.
Ticket Taker List (Please sign up to Chaperone one of the three shows)


Upcoming Events 
Tuesday 3/6 - Student Council, Leadership Trip 
Wednesday 3/7 - Learning and Collaboration Time 
Thursday 3/8 - Language Arts Department PD (Gravity Goldberg) *Media Center will be closed

Blog/Twitter Posts 
WMS Presents - A Parent Program "If I could have a do over"
Heroin and Opiate Abuse - A Program for Parents

Monday, February 26, 2018

WHS Staff News - Week of 2/26/18


Update from last week's staff meeting:

Great response for the Safety Committee. We should have this committee up and running by next week. Thank you to everyone that expressed an interest. 

Remind - There are 70 staff members that already joined. My records have 11 staff members missing. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so today.  I want to send a test message out later this week.

Girls Basketball 
Best of luck to the girls basketball team as they play tonight on the road in the first round of the State Playoffs against Cedar Grove HS at 7pm.  Good Luck!!!

Drama Production
WHS Drama Club is proud to present, 9 to 5:  The Musical
Dates: Thursday, Friday & Saturday, 3/8, 9 & 10  (All shows start at 7pm)

Chaperones Needed
Ticket Taker List (Please sign up to Chaperone one of the three shows)

Upcoming Events 
Monday, 2/26
Student Voice Meeting (11:25 Little Th)
ScIP Team Meeting 3pm

Wednesday, 2/28
Heroes and Cool Kids visit Traphagen

Thursday, 3/1

Heroes and Cool Kids visit Crescent
Student Council Dodgeball Tournament

Friday, 3/2

Seniors in School (10:30 - 12:30)
10am - Grade 9 Assembly - Narcotic Task Force Presentation

Recent Blog/Twitter Posts
We Got Matthew ... We Got Matthew - I am Sports Award
Heart Screening at WHS - Class of 2021