WHS Staff News - Week of 10/18/21

I hope last week's staff meeting was informative and gave you some insight into how students are feeling and what they are dealing with.  Thank you Kim and Liz for presenting. Resources from the meeting:  
Presentation
Pronoun Doc

First round of testing is over!!! Thank you for all of your help and cooperation. 

Students working in the hallways during class time 

I love seeing students working in the halls, courtyard and some of our outside spaces. 

What I don't love is seeing students in the halls who should be working on class work playing on their phones, talking with passing students and disturbing other classes. 

When you have students working in the halls, my expectations are:

• Monitor the students by walking around and checking on the groups 
• Give clear expectations on what needs to be completed in the time they are outside of the room
• Set guidelines for phone usage 
• Be sure students understand not to bother other classes 

Moving forward, as administrators walk around during class time, the following will take place:  students who are off task, playing on their phones, or disturbing other teachers will be walked back to their teacher/room.  If certain students can't handle the freedom to work independently, then they will not be allowed to work in the hallways. 

Last Call for PDP's
On Friday afternoon I will be going into Genesis and signing off on all PDP's. Please make sure you have entered your goals and the school goal.

PDP info was shared in a previous Source Post. Link to post

Budget Item
Anyone who is interested in purchasing Big Ticket items for the 22-23 school year (digital resources, single large items over $100, furniture or program needs items not normally purchased through Ed-Data yearly from School Specialty/Staples etc.) needs to fill out the document below, attach a quote and send to their Building Principal by Thursday, October 28, at 8am. As it says in the form, submitting a request does not guarantee purchase.
Link: HS Big Ticket Items

Senior Picture on the Hill

The senior picture is scheduled for Friday, 10/22 at 2:15.  Seniors should report to their Period 6 class for attendance. At 2:15 please walk your students down to the turf.  Seniors will be dismissed from the field, so they should bring everything with them. 

Looking Ahead 

Monday, 10/25 - Picture Retake Day

Friday, 10/29 - Halloween Costume Day 

MP 1 Grading Information -  Email from Ms. Cassidy 

WHS Staff News - Week of 10/11/21

Keep doing what you are doing! Focus on the students in front of you each period and give them your best.  Control what you can control!!! 

We are not alone. I talk to other Principals all the time, as I'm sure you talk with teacher friends from other districts. This year has been hard for everyone when it comes to behavior, student conflicts, HIB, TikTok Challenges, you name it, schools have been dealing with it.  We even had two streakers at a Football Game this year. Yep! Crazy!  It's obvious the transition back to "Normal" has been harder for a handful of students; however, there is so much good going on that we need to focus on that. The smiles and excitement on Friday during the spirit rally was great to see. Keep students engaged in your classes, talk with them, make the learning meaningful and continue to build those relationships.  I know the days are long, but the weeks are flying and before we know it, the December holiday break will be here. 

When you need a moment take it. When you need to vent, let it out! Your students need you at your best and that takes you being in the right mindset. I'm here for you! 

Start Strong Testing 10/12 - 10/15
See previous emails with Strong Info and Schedule 

PSAT - 11th Grade (10/13/21)
All classes will meet as normal with the exception of Junior level courses. Juniors will take the PSAT in the Cafeteria and the Media Center.  10/13 is a Day 1. Modified schedule is on the calendar. 

Working Wednesday 

We will meet as a staff on Wednesday 10/13 in the Little Theater

All crossover teachers should attend the HS the meeting  

Recent Blog post for WHS Principal's Blog
Pictures from Fall Spirit Rally (Thanks Ted)
Northern Highlands Regional High School is hosting Chris Herren for students and parents on October 20th!
Commended Students in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program

Looking Ahead

Friday, 10/22, at 2:15pm Senior Class Picture on the Hill 

WHS Staff News - Weekd of 9/27/21

I hope everyone is enjoying this early fall weather on the weekends. Get outside and enjoy it! Last week I randomly stopped in classrooms doing mask checks and asking kids to mask up. The more consistent we all are, the easier it will be. I will continue to pop in and remind students throughout the day. 

Starting today, Juniors are allowed to leave campus for lunch if they want to, which will help with the crowding in the hallways during lunch time. We did this last year and it helped with the amount of students in the building during the common lunch.

Back-to-School Night 

All updated videos should be on the BTSN Doc by 3pm tomorrow. I need to build the site for the parents. 

21-22 PDP's 

I know during last weeks DLC time, departments were starting to talk about their goals for the year.  Here are a few things related to PDP's:

Please enter into Genesis by 10/22. If you have them done, don't wait. 

For PDP's ... 3 goals total are needed.

• School Goal
• Department Goal
• Department Goal or Personal Goal

*Crossover staff can replace a department goal with the MS school goal. You only need to have 3 goals total.

If any department wants to do two goals, that's fine. That department members will not have a personal goal. 

For the HS, we are going back to the 19-20 goal, which we never really had a chance to finish. "Back to the Future"

School Goal
The school goal for the 21-22 school year will focus on implementing DLC’s (Department Learning Communities). There will be a focus on communication, collaboration, and Critical Thinking/Problem Solving.

Teachers will focus on:
Come to meetings prepared and ready to actively participate
Remain focused on the topic at hand and on student learning
Invite group members to pursue their best thinking
Are conscious of their impact on the group

Inclusive Environment @ WHS
This year, as we experience the return to full time live learning, you may have already encountered situations in which students have requested to be addressed with a name other than their legally documented name. As an inclusive and safe space, our hope is to make all students feel comfortable, safe and free to express who they are. Please feel free to ask students how they would like to be addressed, both by you, individually, and in the classroom setting. We can look at this in the same manner as we have with any nickname. Many times students have nicknames or shortened versions of their names. When possible, we will let you know if both a student and their parents have decided to change a name or prefer a different name.  However, sometimes it may be a bit more complicated and the student and or family may not be comfortable sharing the information of a name change with everyone. 

We are looking forward to getting some professional training in this area in the months to come. For the moment, we will do our best to keep you in the loop while still protecting both the student’s right to privacy and parental rights. Sometimes this will not allow full disclosure to staff. If you have any questions or feel uncertain about a specific student, please feel free to touch base. Please use legal names in Genesis and other legal documents, unless notified by administration of a change. Thank you in advance for your willingness to be flexible and mindful of students' individual needs

PSAT Schedule for 10/13 

All classes will meet as normal with the exception of Junior level courses. Juniors will take the PSAT in the Cafeteria and the Media Center. Here is the schedule we will use for the day. 10/13 is a Day 1.  I will have the proctoring schedule out later this week. 

Working Wednesday's Schedule for October 

9/29 - No meetings this week

10/6 - DLC Time 

10/13 - WHS Staff Meeting (Crossover Staff - I will talk to MM about where you go)

10/20 - DLC Time 

10/27 - No Meeting 

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/13/21

Mid-week post but better late then never. Last week and on Monday, Mr. Clancy and I had grade level meetings and one of the areas that we covered was the dress code. It seems to be all everyone wants to talk about. I had a great conversation with a few teachers yesterday about the subject and there will be more conversations to come.  Those conversations will also include students. 

Some of you may think this topic should be very cut and dry but unfortunately it's not. Dress codes in general are under scrutiny around the country because some people see them as discriminatory or sexist. Google it if you don't believe me.  So everyone knows, Mike and I are having conversations with students and parents about this topic, but understand it's a tricky subject right now.  

Don't let this consume you and take away from you staying positive and controlling what you can control. 

Picture Day - Wednesday 9/15
We will be running a Special Bell Schedule. Same as the first day. All staff should have their picture taken for the yearbook.  Pictures will be setup in the gym. 

DLC Time - All department should meet today to discuss 21-22 Department goals for the PDP's. 

The DLC coordinators and I are working on a complete Working Wednesday Schedule and will post next week.  

Thursday 9/16 - No School   

Back to School Night - 9/30/21 

On Thursday I found out that all schools in the district will have their virtual Back to School Nights on Thursday, 9/30. 

Like last year, each teacher will need to create a short video for the website I created to organize the event. Please review the BTSN doc for what I need to be completed by Tuesday, 9/28.  

Back to School Night 2021

Delayed Opening Schedule for Monday, 10/11 

PD info to follow

Clubs 

Most advisors were appointed at Monday nights BOE meeting.  We are planning a club fair on Tuesday, 9/21 during the second half of lunch. Please start to think about:

Creating a sign for your table

Asking students to help at your table

Flyer? QR Code with club info

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/6/21

We are off and running to start the 21-22 school year! I know we are all adjusting back to full classrooms, longer days, packed hallways but just take it class by class, day by day and remember your purpose/why!

I started to look at your "Change One Thing" requests and will start working on them this week. Thank you for the ideas and feedback. I am looking forward to the process of making these request happen! This will not happen over night, but I will get to every card. 

A few items

No Wednesday meeting this week. I am working on the working Wednesday schedule and will push out this week.

We are holding a 9th Grade Parent Orientation on Thursday 9/9/21 at 6:45pm via Zoom. The teachers that are involved with this already know who they are.

I have a blog post going out to parents today at 11:30am.  9th Grade Parent Orientation

Moe's of Mahwah Teacher Appreciation
Moe’s appreciates the teachers at your school and wants to welcome them back with a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE offer for any menu item (sorry meal kits and catering excluded) starting today through Wednesday, September 15th.

FYI - We are not using QR codes for the bathrooms this year.

Positive Referrals @ WHS
Warrior Pins are available! Please use this form to recognize a student that demonstrated outstanding character and should be recognized for their actions.

Grade Level Meetings

We will hold grade level meetings later this week and next during lunch. Meetings will start at 11:40.  

Grade 9 - Wednesday 9/8

Grade 10 -Thursday 9/9

Grade 11 - Monday 9/13 

Grade 12 - Monday 9/13 during period 8. (1:59 - 2:58pm)  

These meetings will be added to the Calendar 

Picture Day - Wednesday 9/15 

We will be running a Special Bell Schedule. Same as the first day. 

*I know block one is longer then the other classes.  I need to adjust that schedule for the future and balance out the length of periods. 

Duty List 

Right now, the duty list is vague with the exception of locker-room duty, study hall and Media Center.  That is going to change at some point. With Mr. Schultz filling in for the Tech Ed Teacher (Mr. Blatt) he is not available for the sub hall. So, if Donna needs to cover classes over the next few weeks, we will be pulling from the duty list. Until further notice, when you have a duty period please work at a high top table so we have a presence in the hallways. 

Summer Update 21-22 SY

Let's find a way! I hope everyone had a relaxing summer and had a chance to unwind from the last year and a half. As a staff, I will be asking everyone to focus on what you can control and keep it positive.  You know I respect all of you, want the very best for you and will do all I can to make this year as smooth as possible.  Our students need us to help them through these crazy times and there is no better group to make that happen! That's what WarriorNation and #OwnitWHS is all about! See you next week. 

Opening day for staff is Wednesday, September 1! 

The entire district will not be getting together this year to kickoff the school year. There will be a WEA meeting at 11:30 in the MSMPR for HS and MS staff. We will meet as a staff at 9:35 in the Media Center.  Here is the complete Agenda for 9/1/21.

There will be bagels for everyone in the Media Center by 7:45am. 

We have every intention to start this school year off as if we are back to pre COVID-19 life. That does not mean I think COVID is behind us or I am not focused on the the safety of the students and staff.  The plan is full day, in-person instruction with the rotating drop schedule. I will talk about COVID protocols and procedures on Wednesday in greater detail. 

Goals for the 21-22 SY ( I will talk more about these next week)

Focus 9 

Highlights nine essential skills that will prepare our students to be successful in the classroom and beyond. We believe these skills will have a lasting impact and will benefit students in all aspects of life. Website we created for Focus 9. 

Change One Thing 

I want to give each staff member one request to change something at WHS that drives them crazy. Maybe it something that you have told me in the past that I didn't get to or forgot. It could be something small or big but should be realistic. My goal is to eliminate something that bothers you about WHS. 

During the 9/1 staff meeting, I will be handing out index cards for you to write down your request and then throughout the year I will try to make your wish come true. Please give some thought to this before September 1.

Here is my blog post that went out to students and parents. Welcome Back 21-22 School Year. 

What to expect for the first day with students:

September 2 we will follow a Special Schedule where all classes will meet. The rotation will start on Friday, 9/3, with Day 1.
*Note Wednesday, 9/15, will be another Special Schedule with all classes meeting. We needed to do this for picture day and school bus evacuation drills. The Physical Education Department will take care of both of these things.

The entire school year has been planned out related to the rotation schedule. See link to the calendar for the year: 2021 - 2022 Rotation Schedule

Like last year, we continue to post monthly calendars for staff and parents.  You can find the link on The Answers.

New Staff joining us at WHS

Karly Tyson - Spanish 

Dan Blatt - Technology Education 
We have two student teachers who will be with us for the 21-22 school year. 

Caitlin Ernest - Language Arts 

Danielle Burke - Biology 

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 9/1, Schedule for 9/2, Meeting dates, Emergency drill procedures and much more!

Safe Schools & BOE Policies - Reminder: The courses you need to watch need to be completed by 9/7
Policy Acknowledgment 2021-2022 - Complete by 9/7

Back-to-School Night will be virtual again.

Enjoy the last few days of the summer break and I am looking forward to a great year! #OwnitWHS

WHS Staff News - Week of 6/14

Last Week!!!

Friday was pretty special! To have kids and staff laughing, cheering and enjoying themselves was great to see. WarriorNation was back!  This year, school spirit and staff moral was at an all time low and I hope Friday was the moment it all started to come back in a positive way.  We all need that back in the 21-22 school year and I am counting on each of you to be part of a positive return in September!  

I have said it all year and will say it again, THANK YOU for finding a way this year. We did it together and came out stronger because of it.  

End of Year Checklist - A list of items to close out the school year. 

We will have staff meeting on Tuesday at 1:45 in the Little Th. Change of date, Wednesday at 1:45. 

Senior BBQ is being moved to Wednesday because of rain on Monday. This year the BBQ will be outside by the Greenberg Center starting at 12:30pm.  All staff is invited to stop by. 

Update on advisor positions

As part of a district initiative, over the summer job descriptions will be created for each of the advisor positions. Once these are finalized the positions will be posted. I am hoping we will be able to appoint staff members at the August BOE meeting. 

AP Teachers (Reminder)

On Tuesday, June 15 and Wednesday, June 16 we will have a materials pickup day(s). 12:30 - 12:45 outside the Little Th. If you would like to speak with your future students you can use those two days or schedule a Google Meet with the entire group after 1:30 any day during the week of June 14.

*Students were informed (Monday 6/14 at 8am) via the Google Classroom I created: AP Information HUB. 

Wednesday and Thursday 

All seniors will be in school for the last time together attending their classes.   There were a few periods where class size was an issue, so for those teachers you have two options.  You can take your class outside or I have assigned you an alternative room. 

Period 1 - Room 145 (JN) can use the Little Th

Period 2 - Room 205 (PL) can use the Little Th

Period 3 - Room 140 (PL) can use the Little Th

Period 6 - Room 143 (DO) can use the Little Th

Period 7 - Room 140 (PL) can use the Little Th

Period 7 - Room 311 (NC) can use room 425

Period 8 - Room 311 (TC) can use the Little Th

Schedule for Friday 

• Everyone will be working from the building. There will be no afternoon responsibilities. 
• The Art Wing will be off limits after Thursday afternoon so Grad Ball can decorate.  Teachers that teach in the art wing will need to find a place for their virtual classes.
• At 1pm, the senior car parade will take place and finish up at the lower lot.  Feel free to stick around for the seniors. 
• Graduation starts at 7pm. If you are taking part in the ceremony, please be back by 6:30pm and meet in the Media Center so we can organize the line of march.  There will not be a reception prior to the graduation this year.