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 

WHS Staff News - Week of 10/17/22

We made it through last week.  Thanks to everyone that proctored either the Start Strong or the PSAT's.  I'm glad that week is behind us. 

PDP's (Due on Friday, 10/21/22)
I know some departments have had conversations about their department goals. Please have them finalized by this Wednesday and entered into Genesis by Friday, 10/21.

For PDP's ... three 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 three goals total.

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

The school goal for the 22-23 school year will focus on Gratitude and how each staff member can bring a little gratitude into their daily lives.

Teachers will focus on:

• Being an active listener with your colleagues and students
• Take a moment each day to put a smile on someone's face (send an email, write a positive note, send a text or make a phone call)
• Find different ways that work for you to show gratitude and appreciation for others

You may be thinking, is this really a goal? The NJDOE might not think so, but I don’t care. As I said in our first meeting about Gratitude …. As individuals, why don’t we focus on this more? Shouldn’t we? Let’s try!

People fail to understand how gratitude can change a life and change one’s perception for the good. A life without gratitude is often an unhappy, unfilled life. The thing with gratitude is that it actually helps you way more than the person you’re showing gratitude towards. We all need as much good in our lives as possible, so let's help each other make that happen.

Wednesday's Assembly with Kevin Atlas 

See link for schedule 

All staff should remain in the gym for the entire presentation.  Please find a seat in the bleachers.

Senior picture on the hill

Seniors will be taking their Class of 23 picture around 2:05pm on Friday.  Students will be called down from last block.  

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/26/22

Back to School Night is behind us. Thanks for putting on a great show. The parents that I spoke to throughout the night all had good things to say. What's the future of BTSN? I don't know, but I welcome ideas and suggestions because I'm not sure the current format is what we need any more. I will be discussing this topic with the ScIP Committee.

Testing week (Start Strong and PSAT/NMSQT) - 10/11, 10/12 & 10/13
The "All Doc" has been updated and included in my email.

Week of Respect - 10/3/22
Student Council is planning a few things for the week. More to come on what they have planned.
Monday, 10/3, wear blue to commemorate the national color for anti bullying
Friday, 10/7 wear orange for the Waldwick anti-bullying color
*Staff can wear Jeans on Monday & Friday


Spirit Week is coming - Week of 10/10/22 Spirit days will be released next week.

Update on Letter of Recommendations
The Bergen County Directors of Guidance recently shared information for teachers and counselors on letters of recommendation and a shift in how they are written and what college admissions officers are preferring.
See link for information on bulleted letters of recommendation. In discussion with many college reps, they prefer this type of letter over the narrative version. More importantly, it’s easier for counselors/teachers.
Google Folder with Letter of Recommendations Resources
I am not saying you need to go back and change what you have already written, but consider this new format moving forward.

Also, as a reminder: Teachers need to have their letters of reference (PDF format) uploaded in Naviance and their common app teacher forms completed and saved in Naviance by Oct. 12.

Duty Period Assignments
Next week I will be pushing out an updated duty assignment for hall duty teachers with locations. Lunch duty locations might be changing as well. No periods or times will be changed.

Recent Blog Posts

PSAT/NMSQT Testing for Juniors (Class of 2024) - October 12, 2022

NJDOE Start Strong Assessments - Schedule for the Fall 2022

Handle Hard Better

WHS Staff News - Week of 9/12/22

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Last week Mr. Clancy, Mr. Mayer and I had grade level meetings with the 9, 10 and 11 graders. Seniors will be this week. 

Start Strong will not happen as scheduled on 9/20 - 9/23.

I wanted to work the testing schedule with as little interruption as possible but that's not going to work with some of the state mandates related to testing procedures. I promised you 21 start days and I am keeping that promise. Penny and I are working on schedule for the second week of October. More details to follow.

Tuesday, 9/13 - Special Schedule 

We have a lot going on in the gym during the day.  School pictures will be in the Greenberg Center.  All staff should stop by at some point for a picture. 

Wednesday 9/14 - DLC Time 

All departments should get together to talk about:

*PDP's and department goals

*Needs/wants for the 10/10 delayed opening PD Day

Goodell Tree on front lawn

I asked Mr. Goodell to open up part of the fence around the tree so classes can sit out there during the day.  We wanted to protected it from the contractors. 

Upcoming 

Back to School Night - 9/22/22 (In-Person) 

*Donna will work on posting bell schedule. 

First Day reminders / things I forgot

 

WHS Staff News 22-23 SY  (See link for a few reminders - Waldwickschools.org account only) 

WHS Staff News - Summer Update (Almost that time)

Summer Update 22-23 SY

Opening day for staff is Thursday, September 1! Teachers are off on Friday, 9/2. The buildings will be open till 12pm on Friday. 

Agenda for 9/1. My goal this year for the 1st day was to give you as much TIME for yourself as a could.  We will get together as a staff at 10:15 in the Media Center. 

The entire district will not be coming 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.  The WEA is providing breakfast and lunch to all staff. 

Here is my blog post that went out to students and parents. Welcome Back 22-23 School Year.

What to expect for the first day with students:

Tuesday, September 6 we will follow a Special Schedule where all classes will meet. The rotation will start on Wednesday, 9/7, with Day 1.
*Note Tuesday, 9/13, will be another Special Schedule with all classes meeting. We needed to do this for picture day/school bus evacuation drills/Chromebook registration and senior gown fittings. The Physical Education Department will take care of all of these things.

The entire school year has been planned out related to the rotation schedule. See link to the calendar for the year: 2022- 2023 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

Dr. Cynthia Burmaster - Chemistry
Joseph Petrosi - Chemistry

Danielle Ramiccio-Special Education
Caitlin Ernest - Special Education

Melanie Moore - School Counselor
Liz Beck - School Social Worker

Nicole DeMatteo - School Nurse
Stefanie Gosse Batory - Media Specialist (Leave Replacement)

Judy Lowe - Instructional Aide

Student Teachers /Interns
Ashley Lewis - School Counselor
Maryellen Van Alter - School Psychologist
Madeline Hawkins - Social Studies
Bridget Powers - Math

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, Meeting dates, Emergency drill procedures and much more!

Safe Schools & BOE Policies - Reminder: The courses you need to watch need to be completed by 9/9
Policy Acknowledgment 2022-2023 - Complete by 9/9

Back-to-School Night will be on Thursday, September 22 (In-person) 7 - 9pm

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.  I hope you have plans for the long weekend! 

WHS Staff News - Week of 4/18/22

Welcome back!!! I hope you are ready for the final push! This year has been filled with a lot of ups and downs, frustrating moments but at the same time we have had some great moments and worked hard to rebuild relationships and get students back on track after the pandemic. 

PS - I survived Disney. We had a great time! I only lost me cool once!?!

We have 41 school days left this year. Yep! 41!
April 10 days / May 20 days / June 4 days of classes / 4 days for assessments / 3 days minimum days. 

Let's use those 41 days to be that educator students can't forget! 41 opportunities to make a difference. Check out this powerful video. 

“Thanks for Being the Teacher I Couldn’t Forget.”

Student Council Sprit Week take two!
April 18th through April 22nd:
Spirit Week
Monday — Beach Day/Snowcone Monday
Tuesday — Dress Like A Teacher Day - Best Teacher Outfit Wins Prize (Teachers Dress Like Students)
Wednesday — White Lies Day
Thursday — Color Wars (Staff wear Blue)
Friday — Crazy Day (Shirt, Socks, Outfit)


**Sprit Rally will be Thursday, 4/21 at 2pm (Period 5).