WHS Staff News - Week of 3/27/23

End of the marking period is almost here. Please make sure your gradebook is up to date so there are no surprises. Also keep parents informed about students who have fallen behind, are off track or failing for the marking period.

A little late but, Great job with NJGPA testing! Everything ran extremely well and I think testing all the juniors in the cafeteria allowed the rest of the school to function as normal and continue with instruction.

A lot happened last week related to construction. What I’m sharing with you, I think is the plan but things could change.

Construction Updates - 3/27/23

Due to the Main Office construction starting soon, please be sure to stop by the office today and empty your mailbox.
The refrigerator in the Main Office kitchen must be cleaned out as well.
Anything left behind will be discarded in the demolition.

Recent Blog Post

WHS Senior Class Fundraiser - Blue Moon (4/3/23

Waldwick Music Parents Association (WMPA) Clothing & Shoe Fund Drive

WHS Staff News - 2/28/23

Please consider nominating a deserving teacher or an educational service professional for this year's Educator of the Year for Waldwick HS. We have so many deserving educators here @ WHS. Please complete this nomination form by Friday, March 10th.

FYI - Junior Class meeting - Wednesday, 3/1 at 11:45 in theLittle Theater.  Focus will be on the NJGPA.  Testing dates - 3/13 - 3/17.

REMINDER - NJGPA Testing Meeting for all staff - 3/8/23 at 3:05.  All staff must attend this meeting. 

I NEED YOUR HELP - Drama Club Production
WHS Drama Club is proud to present: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Dates/times are - 3/9, 3/10, 3/11 @ 7pm  

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

WHS Staff News - Week of 1/9/23

Next week we will have an all staff meeting on Wednesday, 1/18 in the Media Center. Please make sure your schedule is cleared for you to attend.

Change is coming to working Wednesday. Last week I mentioned to the ScIP committee that I will be looking to make changes to when department meetings are held. Starting at the end of the month, not all departments will be meeting on Wednesday's. I will share my plan later this week and review it at the staff meeting.

Marking Period 2 ends in 15 school days (Friday 1/27/23)
A few things to do as the marking period comes to an end:

This week make sure your Gradebook is up to date
Make calls home for students in danger of failing (No surprises for parents)
Send positive emails for students that have improved from the 1st MP or showed growth during the 2nd MP
*Last week the counselors and I reviewed mid-marking grades and will be speaking with students

Documenting Student Issues
Some teachers have been using the Discipline tab in Genesis this year to submit referrals. Moving forward, if a teacher wants to write up a student, it should be submitted in Genesis. Here are two videos to show the different ways teachers can submit (Genesis calls them different names but they end up in the same place).

Discipline Tab in Gradebook - Discipline Tab Video
Referral Tab in Gradebook - Referral Video (This tab was added on Friday to your Gradebook)

Starting this week, parents will be able to see the referrals in Parent Access after an administrator addresses the issue. The teacher description in the referral does not get posted to the portal.

Monday 1/16 - Minimum Day / Professional Development
Dr. Elias posted the schedule this morning. 

Semester 1 Assessment blog for Students and Parents. This will go out tonight to parents and students.

WHS Staff News - Week of 1/2/23

Happy New Year! I know the break was short, but I hope you had a chance to relax and spend time with family and friends. 

Construction Update
Senior Wing - All HVAC units have been installed but have not been hooked up to a thermostat yet. Hopefully, that will happen soon. The fan speed was lowered this morning so that should help with the heat today. The panel was left open so teachers should be able to adjust the fan speed if needed. Please do not store any items on top of the new HVAC units.

Last week all of the HVAC units were delivered. Having them onsite will help bring closure to the future phases.

Phase 2 is moving along. All exterior windows and doors have been installed. Progress is moving along at a good pace.

The construction company is hoping to wrap up Phase 2 by the February break (2/17). I will keep everyone updated as we get closer.

Semester Assessments
Back on December 5, I shared information about the Semester Assessments. They will be here before you know it. Please take the following steps:

Review the Semester Assessment doc
Update/create your assessments and submit by 1/12
Work with colleagues on common assessments
Review the schedule (It’s different then years past)
*Delayed openings and early release are for students only. Staff should use the time to grade assessments.
Plan for assessment feedback during the week of 1/30.

Since we don't have an official meeting on Wednesday, I will be available to answer any questions related to the Semester Assessments in the Media Center after school.

FYI - The Sean Fisher Memorial Heart Screenings will be taking place on February 6 & 7 this year.  Blog post for Students/Parents. 

Testing Info for 2023

Thinking ahead and making sure all testing information is out there. 

Semester 1 Assessments

Semester Assessment Information

(Schedule)

*All semester assessments need to be submitted by 8am on Thursday, January 12.  

Tuesday, January 24, 2023
Period 1 - 9:02 - 11:03
Lunch 11:04 - 11:54
Period 5 - 11:55 - 1:56

Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Period 2 - 9:02 - 11:03
Lunch 11:04 - 11:54
Period 6 - 11:55 - 1:56

Thursday, January 26, 2023
Period 3 - 9:02 - 11:03
Lunch 11:04 - 11:54
Period 7 - 11:55 - 1:56

Friday, January 27, 2023
Period 4 - 9:02 - 11:03
Lunch 11:04 - 11:54
Period 8 - 11:55 - 1:56

Delayed opening with a 9:02am start and an early release at 1:56pm for all students
*For 1st semester assessments, all classes will meet whether they are giving an assessment or not. Example Related Arts, PE, electives, etc.

Spring Testing Dates
With only one grade level testing at a time, we will not need to run any delayed openings during state testing. This is a change from years past. 

April 20, 2023 PSAT 10

AM Testing Only 8 - 11:30am (Approximately)

Grade 1o will be isolated for testing (Cafeteria)

All other grade levels will follow our normal bell schedule

NJGPA Testing Grade 11 (Testing dates 3/13 - 3/16) 
AM Testing Only 8 - 9:55am (Approximately)
Grade 11 will be isolated for testing
Cafeteria/Media Center/Media Center Lab/Room 425 will be used for testing
All other grade levels will follow our normal bell schedule

NJSLA Testing Grade 9 (Testing Dates - 5/1 - 5/4)
9th Grade - ELA (3 sections) 90 minute units 
9th Grade - Geometry & Algebra 1 H (2 sections) 90 minute units

AM Testing window each day 8 - 10am
Grade 9 will be isolated for testing
Cafeteria/Media Center/Media Center Lab/Room 425 will be used for testing
All other grade levels will follow our normal bell schedule

NJSLA Testing  Grade 11 (Testing Dates 5/11 - 5/12)

11th Grade - Science (4 Units - 60 minutes each)

AM Testing window each day 8 - 10:30am
Cafeteria/Media Center/Media Center Lab/Ro0m 425 will be used for testing
All other grade levels will follow our normal bell schedule

All dates and info is also posted on The Answers - HS Testing Calendar 22-23

WHS Staff News - Week of 11/28/22

I hope you had an amazing Thanksgiving and enjoyed the four day break!

It’s back!!! “10 days to the Holiday Break” will start on Monday, 12/12. See link for all the details. A few things might get added before the 12th. Start planning! 100% optional, 100% fun!

10 Days till the Holiday Break - 2022  


Let's all keep an eye on the exit door by 309 going out to the temporary classrooms.

• If you walk by and it’s open, close it.
• If you are walking back to the building and there are no students behind you, close the door.
• Art wing hall duty teachers, please check the door before you take your post.

On Tuesday, during lunch we have a guest speaker for students. Please share this info.

• Thinking about a Career in Law Enforcement
• Presenter - Bergen County Prosecutor
• Careers in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
• November 29, 2022. 11am - Media Center (Lunch Meeting)

If you are interested - Free Wellness Series for Waldwick Staff & Community (Presented by Hackensack Meridian Health)

Letting Go of Stress: How to Adapt, Cope, & Thrive
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
3:15pm - 4:15pm

This presentation will discuss the nature of stress, types of stress, and gives language to the emotions associated with everyday stress. Effective coping skills and relaxation techniques will be shared with detailed instruction to offer new ways to respond to stress. Through experiential learning, participants will discover strategies to improve overall health and well-being.

The Global Awareness Club is selling Waldwick sweatshirts to raise funds for the Grace Project in Kenya. Everything will be delivered before the holidays! Blog post with links to order. 

WHS Staff News - Week of 11/14/22

That's one marking period down and Phase 1 90% complete! 

For those of you that were part of the Phase 1 and Phase 2 moving last week, THANK YOU! It was a crazy few days and I know it was stressful but we got it done.  I also need to thank Andy Gamper and the custodian staff for going the extra mile.

Senior Wing Teachers - What's still to come in your rooms 

• Blinds - Hopefully getting an answer later today on the timeline 
• Permanent HVAC unit - Hopefully getting an answer later today on the timeline
• Card access locks  
• Room number signs - Hallway/Windows/Inside room 
• Additional white boards will be going up 
• In the back corner of each room - small bulletin board (Under Clock) for evacuation map/room number/announcements 
• We need to bring the rooms to life with pictures/posters/etc. Let's start thinking about what you want. Let's start the conversations. 

For Wednesday, 11/16 there will be no formal DLC meeting.  Teachers can use the time to re-organize their space that they just moved into. We also have the Volleyball tournament going in the gym. 

We found out late yesterday that QSAC is now coming on Friday, 11/18 at 9:30am.  Can't make it up. 

Looking ahead to next week: 

Wednesday, 11/23 - Minimum Day

Thursday, 11/24 - No School 

Friday, 11/25 - No School 

Recent blog post:

New Genesis Links