WHS News 11/24/14

Make the most of the time you have with your students on this short week.  Make it a great week!! #Ownit  

Looking Forward
On Tuesday 11/25 during period 4 there will be a student lead assembly held in the gym.  Students will report to their period 4 class and after your attendance is taken, please walk your students to the gym.  The presentation will focus on gender identity in order to educate and dispel myths about transgender issues. 

**I heard talk around the building last week wondering if something happened to bring on this assembly.  The answer is NO.  Ms. Beck, elementary counselor and advisor to the LGBT Club proposed the idea to me as an awareness assembly.     

On Wednesday 11/26 - Yearbook club pictures will be going on throughout the day in the little theater.  The schedule and times are posted on your outlook calendar.  

Reminder - "Homework Free Break"  

Call for Presenters for "Edcamp Waldwick" on January 19. 

We are looking for volunteers to teach 35 minute sessions during the afternoon. 

Please e-mail Lara Karpinski (karpinskil@waldwick.k12.nj.us) or  (hummele@waldwick.k12.nj.us) with your ideas.  

Important Dates

Wednesday 11/26 - Minimum Day 

Wednesday, 12/3 - Learning & Collaborating Time

Saturday, 12/6 - The football team takes on Westwood HS for the Group 2 North 1 State Championship @ MetLife Stadium at 10am.  More on this to come.  

Thursday 12/11 - Winter Concert at 7pm   

PD Resources

The picture above comes from a new site I recently discovered Photos for Class that automatically sites and gives the proper attribution to the image.    I learned about the site from Richard Byrne @ Free Technology for Teachers.   Photos for Class - Quickly find and cite creative commons images 

Last week at our staff meeting I mentioned a blog post I read on communication that really made me think about my communication skills and how well was I really communicating with staff/parents/students and what needed to change.  The post was written by Jimmy Casas, who is a HS principal in Iowa and member of my PLN. Poor Communication...The Root of All Evil? 

I hope you take the time to read the post and consider sharing your reflection and/or thoughts on it in the comments section on this post of The Source @ WHS.  We all can learn and grow together.   Can you be a better communicator? How?

WHS News 11/17/14

Tree planted in honor of Police Office Christopher Goodell

I have two words for you that I believe go hand and hand:  TIME & PRESSURE

Time... there is never enough time.  The pressure to get everything done related to school, home, health, family and on and on can become overwhelming.  Don’t think this only applies to adults.  Think about our students and the pressure they feel from teachers, peers and parents.  The stress of academics, athletics, fitting in, discovering who they are and the expectations put on them.  

I can’t add hours to the day, take away mandates, lower expectations or tell you everything is going to get easier.   We all are working extremely hard and trying to find the time to handle everything that is put on our plates.   

One thing that myself and the other district administrators want to do for you and our students is allow everyone to unplug and find time for family and for ourselves.   To do this, during the Thanksgiving break there will be NO HOMEWORK assigned for any class.  Students need a break and so do you.  I would also encourage all of you to leave the papers, and tests at school.  There will be no work-related emails or blog posts from me during our time off. 

No work should be assigned from Wednesday, 11/26 through Sunday 11/30.  Any pending assignments should be completed by 11/26 or must wait till Tuesday 12/2.  

*Dr. Casarico will be posting something formally to staff and parents later this week.  

  

Looking Forward 

Tuesday 11/18: The Boys Soccer Team plays for the Group 1 North Championship @ Indian Hills HS at 5pm.  Congratulation post for winning the Sectional Championship 

Wednesday 11/19: I would like to have a brief staff meeting from 3:05 - 3:30.  I have a few items I want to share with everyone related to the future!  

Friday 11/21: SGO Fun Club meeting right after school.  JEANS needed to get in!!!   

Wednesday 11/26:  Yearbook - club pictures will be taken.  A schedule with times and clubs will be posted later this week.  

Wednesday 11/26: Minimum Day

Wednesday 11/26 - Sunday 11/30 - No Homework Days 

Recent Blog Posts

I have been busy over the last few weeks posting on Waldwick High School Principal's Blog. I won't list all the posts individual, but if you have not been reading the blog here is the link.  

Waldwick High School Principal's Blog

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb" 

~ Nelson Mandela