Welcome Back Letter/Info 2013 School Year

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail"

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Hopefully, everyone is having a relaxing summer and is recharging for the upcoming school year.   A new school year presents opportunities for various beginnings – new classes, new faces, sometimes new courses and new challenges.   Starting a new year gives us the opportunity to make new plans, design new strategies and implement new ideas. 

Together we have created something special here at Waldwick High School and that only happens with commitment and sacrifice.  I know how hard you work and I have the utmost respect for what you do as educators.   Just like in life, there is always something we can improve upon or learn something new to make us better. I ask you to embrace challenges, take risks and set professional and personal goals for yourself to keep you focused on being the best you can be.      

Last year in my welcome back letter to all of you I mentioned the educational landscape in New Jersey is changing and with those changes brought greater accountability for all of us.  I believe an increase in accountability can only help us as individual’s, grow as educators and in turn, our students should benefit as well.  I will continue to reinforce to all of you - do not stress over the new observations and/or the SGO’s.  If you hold yourself accountable to teaching every lesson the best you can, work on areas you think you could become better at, be open to feedback or recommendations to help you grow as an educator, then this new evaluation process will be something you will embrace, not fear. 

Earlier in the summer I wrote a blog post regarding Professional Growth Time @ WHS which I hope you had a chance to read.  In that post I set a deadline of August 9 to signup if you were interested but I have decided to extend that deadline and will be speaking more about the PGT model when I see you on September 4.   

We have three new staff members joining us this year who I know are going to be strong additions to the Waldwick High School staff.  They are:

• Amanda Fernicola  – Social Studies Teacher
• Daniel Freeman – Social Studies Teacher
• Amanda Lentino – Language Arts Teacher

Let me update you on a few changes that have taken place over the summer. 

• The boilers (which were original) have been replaced. Not the most exciting project but something that was needed.
• The following rooms were painted:  139, 140, 141, 142, 144 and 501
• The BOE will be moving forward on a renovation project for the HS Gym which will include: New bleachers and a new paint design for the gym floor.  Completion date is TBA. 

Your Genesis Gradebook is available to view your class lists.  

Below are two links you will need to click on and fill out the information required.  Each form should take you less than two minutes to fill out.   This needs to be done prior to the start of school.

The first link asks for your automobile information and the second link is for your personal information.  Once you fill out the form make sure you hit the submit button.

Registration of Automobile                                      Personnel Records

Important Links/Resources

WHS Faculty Manual - It is also available on Google Drive under the WHS Staff Resources Folder.  (For new staff I will show/explain the Google Drive Folder when I see on August 28).     

Laptop Cart Sign-out sheet  - This Google form will be used to signup for the laptops throughout the school year. 

Parent/Student Handbook 

Please have your staff webpages updated by September 6 for the first day of class. 

Important BOE Policies and other documents – will be posted later in the summer.

Students will report on Friday, September 6, 2013, for their first day of school. This will be a full day schedule, with a modified bell schedule. 

NOTE: 

Back to School Night - Thursday, September 26, 2013

September Faculty Meeting Learning & Collaborating Time

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 @ 3:10pm

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and I look forward to seeing you on September 4, 2013.

(I am off to Ireland today and will be disconnecting, powering down, not tweeting/blogging for the next 10 days.   Well, at least I am going to try)

Agenda for September 4 & 5:

Summer Post - 7/26/13

School News:  

Congratulations and best wishes to Carla DeGironimo and her new husband Aaron Pastore.  Welcome Aaron to #warriornation

If you didn't get to see my post on Personal Growth Time @ WHS the 80/20 model, please take the time to read it and if your interested please fill out the Google Form.  

GradeBooks are open! 

Don't forget to take care of the Suicide Prevention Online Course

Simply go to http://spts.pldm.com click on the class entitled “Making Educators Partners in Youth Suicide Prevention 2012-2013 “ the New Jersey version.  Once you have completed the class at your leisure please print out a copy of the certificate.  Maintain a copy for your records and provide me with a copy as well.  All staff will be required to complete this online course by November 1, 2013.  District Code - 5410

**This online course counts for 2 hours of PD, which can go towards the 20 hours required for the 13-14 School Year.  

Professional Development Resources 

Adam Bello who you can follow on twitter at @adambellow was one of the Keynote speakers at this years ISTE 2013 conference back in June.  It was a tremendous speech!!  The speech is about on hour long but I wouldn't recommend it, if I didn't think it was worth the time.  Hope you find the time to watch it.

You can jump ahead to the 21:40 minute mark on the video, which is when Adam starts his speech.   



This next video has nothing to do with Education but when a saw it on SportsCenter last week I thought it had a really powerful message about determination, perseverance and over coming obstacles.    

The inspirational story of Richie Parker, a man born without arms thrives in NASCAR

Personal Growth Time @ WHS

I strongly believe one of my responsibilities as Principal is to find different ways to make life less hectic and less stressful for my teachers.  I try to do this in a few ways:

• Eliminate distractions  
• Provide support and resources
• Respect your time
• Provide meaningful professional development 
• Provide Clear, Constant, Communication

This coming school year I have a proposal for all of you that will give you more time as teachers to grow and improve as educators.  A few years ago I heard about the Google work model of 80/20.  Employees at Google are allowed to spend 20% of their work time on “Passion Projects" which are not necessarily connected to their current job assignment/responsibilities.   The idea behind their 80/20 model is to keep employees thinking, creating and possibly developing something new that in the end could benefit Google.  New Milford High School implemented an 80/20 model two years ago with great success. The concept is now finding its way into more and more schools around the world.  

I would like to create an 80/20 model here at WHS called “PGT” Personal Growth Time.  I want to give you the freedom to explore, learn and create as long as the time spent is used to improve student learning and achievement here at Waldwick High School.  This model is optional and there is no expectation from me that everyone will want to take advantage of it.  

How are we going to this? ……. I know that is what you are all thinking. 

Here’s my plan.  For those staff members that are interested in being part of the WHS “PGT” Model, I will reduce your non-instructional duty assignment to only three or four days a week.   That means if you have cafeteria duty you would only be there for three days a week.  The same idea would apply to study halls, media center and hall duties.   

During your Personal Growth Time you will be expected to be working towards your “Learning Goal” and building your “Learning Portfolio”.

Examples of possible Learning Goals determined by YOU:

• Become a connected educator by developing and engaging in a Personal Learning Network (PLN)
• Researching best practice
• Developing innovative learning activity
• Creating interdisciplinary lessons
• Engaging in face-to-face professional development
• Learning to use new technologies
• Collaborating on projects with colleagues
• Create legacy projects 
• Enhance curriculum 
• Find/Research Common Core Resources 

If you choose to take advantage of the PGT Model, then you will be asked to create a Learning Portfolio.  The idea of the portfolio is to create a bank of information for you to refer back to or share with others.   You will document your progress throughout the year towards your Learning Goal.  How you create the portfolio is totally up to you. 

What your Learning Portfolio could look like:

It could be a log, website, Edmodo, blog, wiki, binder, etc. 

I will meet with each teacher twice during the year to hear about the progress (Mid-Year and End of Year Evaluation meeting) 

What the time is not for:

Doing graduate school work

Grading papers 

Having a second lunch

Calling parents for class related issues

Leaving the building 

If your interested, please fill out the Google Form below and create your learning goal.   If you would like to talk more about this, have questions, ideas please email me or give me a call.  I would love to hear your feedback.  

I do need to know if your interested by August 9 so I can finalize duty assignments.  

Summer Post - July 12, 2013

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer thus far.

The yearly rollover in Genesis will be completed as of July 17.  After the 17th, teachers will be able to access their Gradebook, see class rosters, input assignments, etc.  If anyone was interested.

Congratulations to Michael Pepe and his wife on the birth of their first child

Blake Michael Pepe born 7 pounds 5 ounces all are healthy let the trending begin #babypepeistrending pic.twitter.com/YJchxmNvgu
— Michael Pepe (@Pepechem) July 10, 2013

Reminder - If you're interested 

Summer Learning:

Looking to learn, share, collaborate this summer? Stop by WHS on:

Wednesday, July 24  (9 - 12pm)

Wednesday, August 7 (9 - 12pm)

My Summer Reading - practice what WE preach

Right now I am reading a terrific book called "Teach Like a Pirate" written by Dave Burgess.  I highly recommend it.  

To find out more about the book and the author:
Follow him on Twitter @burgessdave
Read his Blog DavidBurgess.com
Click here to get your copy


The picture below is what is currently posted on the outside sign.  If your reading this summer and on Twitter share what your reading using the hashtag #WHSread.  Remember we are Life-Long Learners!!

PD Resources 

Below are two blog posts I recently read that focus on how educators can make differences in their students lives, co-workers and most importantly their own.  Teaching and learning together can be very rewarding and can help create positive changes.  

Vicki Davis ( @coolcatteacher ) has a great blog "Cool Cat Teacher".  Her blog is a must follow for all educators.    
Why teachers should help lead a thankful revolution 

John Robinson ( @21stprincipal ) is a Principal from North Carolina who has an outstanding blog "21st Century Principal"
Guiding Principles for Fostering and Developing the Compassionate Classroom and School

Mark your Calender - Local PD Conferences 

Edscape Conference  @ New Milford High School on Saturday, October 19, 2013
EdcampNJ @ Linwood Middle School, North Brusnwick Twp on Saturday, November 23, 2013

Recent Tweets 

Thinking about #warriornation Hope everyone from @WaldwickWHS is enjoying their summer. #makeithappen pic.twitter.com/H0RcHofTJk
— Waldwick High School (@WaldwickWHS) July 7, 2013

For all the @WaldwickWHS followers I am going to start using a hashtag for all Tweets related to WHS. Our new school hashtag will be #WHSNJ
— Kevin Carroll (@WHS_Principal) July 12, 2013

Attention #WHSNJ - Hopefully U R finding time to read this summer. Share what ur reading by using the hastag #WHSread pic.twitter.com/6HgB81sMtE
— Waldwick High School (@WaldwickWHS) July 12, 2013

Almost There

A few items as the last day gets closer and closer........

Locker Clean out Day - Thursday, June 13
HR will be extended for fifteen minutes.  While the students are cleaning out their lockers, staff should be monitoring the area outside their room.   

End of Year Failure Form (Form 1)
This form was due yesterday to the Guidance Office.  All staff was to submit the form to Guidance whether they had any failures or not.  Please give the form to Guidance by the end of the day today.
End of Year Packet 
  
2013-2014 Calendar
Events/Concerts/Activities/etc for next year need to be emailed to me by 3pm on Wednesday, June 19.  

**Field Trips 

If you plan on taking any of your classes on field trips next year, please email me:  location of trip, purpose, full day/half day, weekend/night, grade level and when (I am just looking for which month you are planning on). 

Final Grades - Timeline for Posting  

Jackie sent an email out yesterday with all of the details/dates as to when grades are due for 4th MP and Final Exams.  As a side note, this year we did a great job with getting grades and comments in on-time and accurately.  Thank you for that!  Let's keep that going for 4th MP and Final Exams.  

If any other items come up I will be adding them to this post and sending out an updated link.  Hopefully then everything will be in one place.  

Recent Posts from the WHS Principal's Blog

The fun never seems to stop here at WHS even though the school year is almost over.  Below are a few recent blog posts highlighting students achievements. 

May Students of the Month 

Nick Bradly advances to State Tennis Final 

PSA Videos

 The five blog posts below showcase our AP Art students best work from their AP Art portfolios

AP Art Work - Sophie Labell 

AP Art Work - Robyn Wiley 

AP Art Work - Meredith Levine 

AP Art Work - Meg Hahn

AP Art Work - Dawn Cutrofello

June Staff Meeting

A lot to be proud of during the 2012-2013 School Year

• Success Stories
• Personal Accomplishments 
• Student Achievements 
• Saying Goodbye 

End of Year Procedures:

End of Year Packet 
Final Exam Schedule 
Key items:
Deadlines for Grades 
Technology Collection Sheets - Will be handed out to during Exam week
School Supplies posted on Website

Important Dates:

Wednesday, June 12 - Senior Awards Night 7pm
Thursday, June 13 - Locker Clean Out Day
Thursday, June 13 - Senior Ice Cream Social/Yearbook Signing 7- 9pm
Friday, June 14 - All computer carts and MC Computer Lab shut down 
Monday, June 17 - Senior Pool Party/BQ (All staff invited to stop by) 12:30 - 3pm
Friday, June 21 - Graduation 7pm

Summer Learning:

Looking to learn, share, collaborate using the edcamp model  The edcamp model is driven by conversation and is a democratic forum. An edcamp is not a lecture or a meeting, but an engaging forum that expands upon a focused topic. The technology and learning edcamps are voluntary and will focus on technology integration and new and emerging approaches to learning. All are invited to participate, present, and share.

Wednesday, July 24  (9 - 12pm)
Wednesday, August 7 (9 - 12pm)

Next Year:

Reflection - Staff feedback
Goals
Expectations
Accountability

Future Goals and Professional Growth Plan - Kevin Carroll

• Visiting multiple classrooms as often as possible to collect data and conducting helpful, face-to-face feedback to teachers
• Working towards an increase in height effective counseling, mentoring and additional support for our at risk students
• Expanding team meetings with Supervisors, Departments and Guidance
• Increase and support academic rigor throughout all classes 
• Work on areas that "WHS needs to improve on"