Recapping Wednesday

Great job on Wednesday! When we all work together, for a common goal, we can accomplish anything. It's all about our students success in the end. 

Jimmy Casas is a friend, a member of my PLN and an educator I have a lot of respect for.  This morning he tweeted his daily #ThoughtForTheDay and I thought his video did a great job highlighting what we envision the DLC's becoming.   

#ThoughtForTheDay Effective principals understand that leadership was never meant to be a committee of one. They invite others to lead w/them & when they choose not to, they seek 2 understand why & then respond appropriately. They see everyone as a leader. #Culturize #FutureReady pic.twitter.com/BmXa78yNXW

— Jimmy Casas (@casas_jimmy) March 22, 2019

 DLC's are about:

Collaborative leadership

Driving professional conversations 
Improving communication within departments 
Working together for the benefit of the students

This is exactly what it is! 

DLC's @ WHS (Presentation I used to introduce DLC's)

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/18/19

Update from the NJDOE on state testing... based on their memo released yesterday, juniors will no longer be required to test in either ELA or Math; however, there is some confusion with this that we are trying to figure out. This could effect juniors who have not met the graduation requirement yet. When we know more I will update everyone.
Just to clarify, the new name of the state testing is New Jersey Student Learning Assessments for English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. PARCC is no longer used.

Working Wednesday 
We will be meeting as a staff in the Media Center from 3:05 - 4pm.
As a staff we will be discussing school safety based on changes we have made this year and the presentation we saw last week from the Prosecutor's Office.

Looking ahead, Wednesday, May 1, will be our testing meeting to review all state testing protocols.

Recovery Day on 3/29
We will be running a special schedule with all classes meeting.  If we have a snow day between now and then, we will make that day up on March 29.

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/11/19

I know I am going to jinx myself by saying this but our staff attendance this year has been great! (As Donna reads this, she is saying WHY would he say that ... lol)  Thank you for being here when you can, as much as you can.  I know things come up in life but remember family always comes first. 

Why am I writing about this today, well last week I was checking in with Mr. Schultz on how the "Sub Hall" was working out this year.  He had a few suggestions and ideas that would help make things a little smoother. Overall he feels things are working out and there have been very few issues all year. 

Here are a few reminder I wanted to make sure everyone was aware of:

• Every morning I send a Remind message to the students on which teacher's are absent for the day.  This is working out well and replaced the door signs around the building. We have been doing this since October/November. 
• Please make sure you are leaving work/posting on Google Classroom. The assignments you are leaving should take most of the period to complete.
• When possible try to assign work that can be submitted on Classroom at the end of the period.  Having a deadline to complete the work, will help Tommy keep the student on task and help create less issues.  
• Mr. Schultz has a Waldwickschools.org email account so you can always email him if needed.  Please always cc Donna just in case.  
• The coverage for the "Sub Hall" for most weeks is Tommy Schultz Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and John Schmeding does it on Wednesday's. 

For the Week

Wednesday March 13 (3:05 - 4pm) in the Little Theatre
Active Shooter Presentation by the Safe Schools Task Force - Bergen County Prosecutor's Office

Thursday, March 14 - Minimum Day/Edcamp (Schedule will be posted before Thursday)

Tweets/Posts

Congrats to our Warrior Cheerleaders on their First Place finish today at the Inpact Cheer and Dance Challenge! 🏆 #WarriorNation pic.twitter.com/lgmKvE3iOd

— Waldwick Athletics (@WHSWarrior_ATHL) March 10, 2019

Amazing news! "Internal Pressure" was just selected by @BergenFilmFes via https://t.co/CYYmRUIxkP!
Best Student Film! Congratulations Eddie Moodie and Michael Mcnaught!!!! #whsownit

— WarriorBroadcast... (@WarriorBC1) March 11, 2019

WHS Staff News - Week of 3/4/19

Positive Calls ... The Why Always Matters.  Joe Sanfelippo is an educator I follow on Twitter who does these one minute videos with a weekly Leadership Challenge. They apply to all educators and this one was about positive calls home and the WHY.  I know a lot of you have positive calls/emails as a goal for this year, so I wanted to share this video.  Even if it's not a goal, finding a few minutes to recognize our students for the great things are they are doing goes along way. Relationships Matter! 

All on Joe's Leadership Challenges 

The Why Always Matters from Joe Sanfelippo on Vimeo.

Working Wednesday Schedule for March 

For Today

Upcoming Wednesday (All staff must attend -mark your calendars)
March 13 (3:05 - 4pm) in the Little Theatre

Active Shooter Presentation by the Safe Schools Task Force - Bergen County Prosecutor's Office 

March 20 (3:05 - 4pm) in the Media Center 

DLC's - Let the work begin

Last call for Teacher/Educational Services Professional of Year (Form)

March 14 Minimum Day / Professional Development (Ed Camp)

**After PD on Thursday, consider bringing your kids over (You can jump too!) to SkyZone in Allendale for a fun afternoon of jumping for a great cause sponsored by the Students for Global Awareness. The students have put this whole event together! Ted and I are very proud of the group. 

(Flyer) Bounce, jump, and play for a wonderful cause!

Letter to Parents

Tweets/Blog Posts

Summer Break Period for Athletes 
WHS Global Awareness Club - Fundraiser at Sky Zone on March 14

When you AP students do so well that they win a Just Dance session! #WHSOwnit @Gabem3lo pic.twitter.com/dgMvTGROVK

— Vanessa I. Monell (@SraMonell) March 1, 2019

WHS Staff News - Week of 2/25

Last week, the two Warrior Nation Family Nights / Stigma Free events were a huge success! Thank you to all the staff members that found time to stop by.  We had big crowds for both games and everyone had a great time! 

View this post on Instagram

Thank you #WarriorNation ... you made my night by singing Sweet Caroline. New traditions starting at WHS. Great night and lots of fun. #OwnitWHS

A post shared by WaldwickWHS (@waldwickwhs) on Feb 21, 2019 at 5:50pm PST

Working Wednesday Items  (See link)

Teacher / Educational Services Professional of the Year for the 18-19 SY
Dr. Casarico sent an email out on Monday with the nomination form. Please consider taking 10-15 minutes to recognize one of your colleagues. Submit your nomination to me by Friday March 9.

Update on Graduation Requirements (New Blog Post)

On Monday the state released updated information related to the graduation requirements for the classes of 2019 & 2020. 

9th Grade Assembly - Friday, 3/1/19, at 1pm

Presentation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's office: “Pathway to Addiction”

All students will report to their Block 5 class (Period 6) for attendance. Once attendance is taken, please walk your class to the Little Theatre.

Drama Production
WHS Drama Club is proud to present: The Music Man
dates/times are - 3/7, 3/8, 3/9 @ 7pm
**Chaperones Needed Ticket Taker List - Drama Club (Please sign up to Chaperone one of the three shows)

WHS Staff News - Week of 2/4/19

This week is National School Counselor Week
We have a special group here at WHS and it's an honor to work with them everyday and see the impact they have on their students. I wrote a song for them but since I can't sing, I will let you sing it to yourselves as you read it.  Think GhostBusters theme song as you sing the words.  

If there's something off 

with one of our students 

Who you gonna call?  (A Counselor)

If there's something weird 

with one of our students 

Who you gonna call?  (A Counselor)

I ain't afraid of seeing my counselor 

(music playing) 

I ain't afraid of seeing my counselor

If your having struggles 

with your academics 

Who you gonna call?  (A Counselor)

When times are tough

Who you gonna call?  (A Counselor)

I ain't afraid of seeing my counselor 

(music playing) 

I ain't afraid of seeing my Counselor

Feel free to add more lines and if you can sing, come by guidance and sing it loud and proud! The counselors would love that! 

School Safety 
The lockdown window signs were distributed on Friday. As a reminder, they should be covering the window during lockdowns.  A few school security reminders:

• Classroom doors should be locked at all times with the magnet covering the door plate 
• Stay calm and keep the students calm during all drills
• Be sure to hear the code word before releasing from any drill

Recommendations 19-20 SY
Later this morning I will share with everyone a Google Sheet which we will use to make recommendations.  

• There are tabs for each department 
• Within the department tab, the sheet is organized by teacher, then by current course
• The sheet includes: student name, teacher name, current course, current grades, course recommendation for the 19-20 SY and if you are recommending a change in placement, a column noting that you notified the parent
• The counselors and I will work separately with the AP teachers on AP placement 
• The CST will handle the Special Services tab; however, I will be working with special education teachers on those placements as well
• Recommendations are due Thursday, 2/14, at 8am

Working Wednesday 

Work on EDS Orders 

Start working/thinking about Recommendations 

New Faces at WHS
We have two new faces here at WHS who you will be seeing around the building.  Mr. Marzullo has a student observer from William Paterson University, Nicole D'Ascoli and Mrs. Gray has a nurse observer from Thomas Edison State University, Christine Truhn.  Please introduce yourself, say hello and welcome Nicole and Christine to #WarriorNation.

Important Dates

ASVAB Test
Friday, February 8 (8-11am) The names of students taking the test are posted on Google Calendar

EDS Orders Due (Email from Dianna)
All orders need to be submitted by Friday, 2/8.

Positive Coaching Alliance Assembly for Student Athletes
Thursday, February 14 (12 - 3pm) in the Little Theatre. The list of athletes attending will be posted on the Calendar.  All Sophomore and Junior athletes will be attending.

Recovery Day
Thursday, February 14 - If we do not use any snow days, we will run a special schedule with all classes meeting.
  

WHS Staff News - Week of 1/28/19

This "Where's Waldo" picture is what I felt like as I wrote this blog post with all of the upcoming events and tasks ahead of us. There is SO much going on schoolwide. Trying my best to make it manageable for all. 

Thank you for all the support so many of you showed our students on Friday, during a tough time.  Parents have been emailing me, with thank you messages for all we do for their children.  It's what #OwnitWHS is about, which bring #WarriorNation together in goods times and bad. 

Monday's PD Day

I was part of some great conversations yesterday and heard good things from the different groups. I hope you felt the time was productive and meaningful.

Working Wednesday

We will be meeting tomorrow as a staff for 15/20 minutes. 

Agenda Items: 

Mrs. Gray - update on medical procedures

School Safety - Classroom window signs 

Daily/Period Attendance 

EDS orders  

Recommendations - AP/Honors/Survey 

Future Working Wednesday
2/6
2/13

Unit Plans 
As we pass the mid-year point of year, we are going to start looking at Unit plans.  Next week we be reviewing plans.  Dates/reflections

Scheduling Process for the 19-20 School Year 

This week, during the second half of the common lunch (11:30 AM), the guidance counselors will be meeting with each grade level to go over courses requests. The meeting might extend 5/10 minutes into Block 4.

Wednesday, 1/30 - Current 9th Graders
Thursday, 1/31 - Current 10th Graders
Friday, 2/1 - Current 11th Graders

9th Grade Assembly (This is part two of the three part series for the freshmen class http://www.scottchesney.com/ )

Monday, February 4 (12 - 1pm) in the Little Theatre

ASVAB Test 

Friday, February 8 (8-11am) The names of students taking the test are posted on Google Calendar 

EDS Orders Due (Email from Dianna)

All orders need to be submitted by Friday, 2/8.  

Positive Coaching Alliance  Assembly for Student Athletes 
Thursday, February 14 (12 - 3pm) in the Little Theatre. The list of athletes attending will be posted soon.  All Sophomore and Junior athletes will be attending.  

Recovery Day 

Thursday, February 14 - If we do not use any snow days, we will run a special schedule with all classes meeting.

Winter Break 

Friday, February 15 and Monday, February 18. (No homework break)

Recommendations (10th - 12th Grade AP/Honors/Survey/CST) 

Due Thursday, February 14 at 8am

PARCC Testing Dates and Schedule 

Thursday, May 16

Monday, May 20

Tuesday, May 21 

PARCC Everything you need to know 2019 (Proctoring schedule is not done yet)

*With this schedule, there are no AP review sessions built in.  All but one AP test will be given prior to the PARCC testing.