Remember McGruff the Crime Dog? (Uh-oh, some of you may be too young!). Well he's back and his National Crime Prevention Council has a big campaign to stop cyberbullying, which is defined as teens using the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. It's estimated that HALF of all teens have been affected by cyberbullying. You can read more about it, and how to help your teens prevent cyberbullying, at this link.
Here's one of their new online ads in the public service campaign called "Delete Cyberbullying:"
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Measuring Student Potential/Goodbye to SATs?
The New York Times and other media recently reported on a commission report calling for less emphasis on SATs. Read the article by clicking here. What do you think?
I'm sort of mixed on this. I'm all for less focus on the SATs. But the commission's suggestion -- that colleges instead require admissions exams more closely tied to high school curriculum and achievement -- seems to miss the point. It just replaces the one big SAT (which in this day and age is basically a huge moneymaking business) with several subject tests. It doesn't address the problem of relying on standardized tests to make predictions about students' future potential. You can read the letters on both sides by clicking here. I'm curious how Ridgewood parents feel about this...and how do you feel about RHS attempting to more "authentically" assess student achievement. Any thoughts?
I'm sort of mixed on this. I'm all for less focus on the SATs. But the commission's suggestion -- that colleges instead require admissions exams more closely tied to high school curriculum and achievement -- seems to miss the point. It just replaces the one big SAT (which in this day and age is basically a huge moneymaking business) with several subject tests. It doesn't address the problem of relying on standardized tests to make predictions about students' future potential. You can read the letters on both sides by clicking here. I'm curious how Ridgewood parents feel about this...and how do you feel about RHS attempting to more "authentically" assess student achievement. Any thoughts?
Friday, September 26, 2008
Back to School Night!
OK, I've got to come clean...I'm a back-to-school-night junkie. I admit it. I just love back to school night! It's kind of dorky, right? I'd probably go to other schools' back to school nights if I wasn't afraid I'd scare the other parents (and probably the teachers, too). I love the energy. Now that my daughter is in college and my son is at the high school, I'm down to my last few legit back to school nights. I'll be sad when they're all done...but until then, I'll enjoy walking the hallways, marveling at the crowds, sitting in the desks, checking out the artwork on the walls, chitchatting with friends and asking "how do they do this every day?" while fighting through the infamous intersection, and listening to the teachers explain how much they love our kids and how everything should go smoothly as long as we all (kids and parents) understand the "expectations." Honestly, tonight was one of the best night's I've had in a while! (no comments on the dull social life).
Some highlights from RHS tonight: the school looked pretty good overall...there were a lot of helpful student "ambassadors" to give directions...every class seemed full, which meant parent turnout was good...oh, this is a good one: almost every one of my son's teachers said they're using Blackboard regularly this year! I'm so glad! It's probably not the best program out there (the more I check it out, the more I realize it's probably better suited to the college environment), but it's what we've got and I'm glad to see it used as much as possible. I can't wait for the first time my son says "I need you to drive me back to school to get ___" and I'll say, "Well, Mr. Cook said it's on Blackboard so you can just download it now!"
One more thing I noticed tonight: the number of parents who walked out of classrooms and immediately called (or texted) their kids at home: "Did you know you have a test tomorrow? Did you know you have a project next week?" Another example of technology in the school!
Some highlights from RHS tonight: the school looked pretty good overall...there were a lot of helpful student "ambassadors" to give directions...every class seemed full, which meant parent turnout was good...oh, this is a good one: almost every one of my son's teachers said they're using Blackboard regularly this year! I'm so glad! It's probably not the best program out there (the more I check it out, the more I realize it's probably better suited to the college environment), but it's what we've got and I'm glad to see it used as much as possible. I can't wait for the first time my son says "I need you to drive me back to school to get ___" and I'll say, "Well, Mr. Cook said it's on Blackboard so you can just download it now!"
One more thing I noticed tonight: the number of parents who walked out of classrooms and immediately called (or texted) their kids at home: "Did you know you have a test tomorrow? Did you know you have a project next week?" Another example of technology in the school!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Board Meeting Highlight: Willard Expansion/Renovation
At the Board of Ed meeting on 9/22, Angelo DeSimone gave a presentation of the proposed Willard renovation/expansion on behalf of the Facilities Committee. Basically, the proposal for Willard addresses four main issues:
1) Extremely small existing classrooms in the 1926 portion of the building. (Some of the classrooms are approx. 600 sq. ft (or less!), compared to the 850 sq. ft. recommended by the state). Students at Willard are squeezed into too-small classrooms.
2) The need for small group instruction space, primarily for special education. This is a district-wide issue. In addition to needs for SGI, OT/PT, etc., we would like to find a permanent home for our growing PARRCA program, which services our district’s autistic children. In recent years, PARRCA has moved among different elementary school locations, which is disruptive for everyone concerned.
3) Undersized library – approx. half the size recommended by the state
4) Need for storage, especially for the lunch chairs & tables, which are kept in the auditorium during PE classes. Not the safest solution, but there currently is nowhere else to put them.
The plan presented Monday night adds a second floor above the current 1st and 2nd grade classroom wing. This will hold five new classrooms, a new (larger) media center/library, and computer lab. An elevator would be added for accessibility. The current older/smaller classrooms would be converted for small-group instruction and self-contained classrooms for PARRCA (plus storage space adjacent to the auditorium). The existing library would become two new classrooms.
These plans will be presented again at the Willard HSA meeting on October 20 at 1:30. I hope you will attend if you’d like to get more details or ask questions.
One more note, which Sheila Brogan mentioned at Monday’s meeting: if it seems like the Board is moving quickly, it’s because the state has specific deadlines by which we must submit plans in order to apply for grant money and/or debt service aid. We are carefully working, school by school, to meet those deadlines. Prior to any referendum vote, we will have more detailed plans, with side elevations, etc., to illustrate what any additions, such as Willard’s, will look like. Right now we are focusing on floor layouts, classroom counts, etc.
1) Extremely small existing classrooms in the 1926 portion of the building. (Some of the classrooms are approx. 600 sq. ft (or less!), compared to the 850 sq. ft. recommended by the state). Students at Willard are squeezed into too-small classrooms.
2) The need for small group instruction space, primarily for special education. This is a district-wide issue. In addition to needs for SGI, OT/PT, etc., we would like to find a permanent home for our growing PARRCA program, which services our district’s autistic children. In recent years, PARRCA has moved among different elementary school locations, which is disruptive for everyone concerned.
3) Undersized library – approx. half the size recommended by the state
4) Need for storage, especially for the lunch chairs & tables, which are kept in the auditorium during PE classes. Not the safest solution, but there currently is nowhere else to put them.
The plan presented Monday night adds a second floor above the current 1st and 2nd grade classroom wing. This will hold five new classrooms, a new (larger) media center/library, and computer lab. An elevator would be added for accessibility. The current older/smaller classrooms would be converted for small-group instruction and self-contained classrooms for PARRCA (plus storage space adjacent to the auditorium). The existing library would become two new classrooms.
These plans will be presented again at the Willard HSA meeting on October 20 at 1:30. I hope you will attend if you’d like to get more details or ask questions.
One more note, which Sheila Brogan mentioned at Monday’s meeting: if it seems like the Board is moving quickly, it’s because the state has specific deadlines by which we must submit plans in order to apply for grant money and/or debt service aid. We are carefully working, school by school, to meet those deadlines. Prior to any referendum vote, we will have more detailed plans, with side elevations, etc., to illustrate what any additions, such as Willard’s, will look like. Right now we are focusing on floor layouts, classroom counts, etc.
From today's Record re: new HS standards...
The following op-ed piece appeared in today's Bergen Record. (And yes I did notice that on the website, they spelled 'academics' wrong. Ha!)
What caught my eye was the statement that schools are not simply for job-training. I've said that for years. I believe it applies to college, too, but definitely high school.
With that said, however, while I do generally applaud the desire to educate our kids better, I have serious administrative concerns about some of these mandates which are so blithely handed down by Commissioner Davy. One example: She wants every single child to have some sort of individual academic plan created and, I assume, maintained and updated. Lovely idea. But realize it will take some sort of administration to make that happen...and this in the face of pressure to reduce administrative costs.
Anyway, just wanted to share the below teacher's opinion with you...and ask what you think?
Tougher academcis (sic) will develop better citizens
The purpose of education is not simply to gain employment.
LAST WEEK state Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy outlined a bold new plan for our secondary schools. It would require all New Jersey students to successfully complete a broader and deeper range of subjects in the areas |of science, language (both English and foreign) |and math.
Such an expansion is welcome, although I expect our students may feel differently.
Essentially her plan would give all our students the equivalent of a liberal arts education at the secondary school level. It means that our students will need to work harder to succeed in this enhanced curriculum, but there has never been anything wrong with requiring students to work harder.
Many will view some of these new requirements as impositions; students between the ages of 12 and 18 are not likely to see the value of these courses, although Davy clearly does.
What used to be acceptable requirements for graduation are no longer adequate, and Davy's initiative goes a long way toward rectifying that deficiency. Few would understand the controversy over stem cell research without having taken a course in biology. Similarly the opening of the new Large Hadron Collider in Europe has little significance to anyone lacking even a rudimentary course in chemistry or physics. In short many of the developments we read about cannot be understood without the basic knowledge that these newly required courses will provide.
Too many students have the idea that school's sole purpose is to provide an education that will enable them |to gain employment. I do not minimize that goal. But education should also serve the purpose of providing the tools to make intelligible the science articles in newspapers, those simple communications of basic information that we come across each day.
Such articles are clearly not interesting to everyone. But the ability to read and understand them is essential. There can be no intelligent public debate about stem cell research, for example, if the general population lacks a basic understanding of biology. Without a similar understanding of chemistry the news that North Korea or Iran has acquired more high-speed centrifuges has little significance.
Math is the underpinning of science, and as such mandating Algebra I and II is appropriate. Such courses provide a framework for problem-solving within the sciences. In the absence of mastering basic algebra skills, students find science courses substantially more problematic.
I was disappointed that geometry was not part of Davy's expanded curriculum as that course develops a skill that has applications everywhere: logic. Over the past two decades fewer and fewer students have been exposed to this course, and their education is diminished by its absence.
Nonetheless, I am happy to read of New Jersey's effort to offer a public education that will produce more well-rounded citizens.
Roy Landis, a math teacher, lives in Cresskill.
What caught my eye was the statement that schools are not simply for job-training. I've said that for years. I believe it applies to college, too, but definitely high school.
With that said, however, while I do generally applaud the desire to educate our kids better, I have serious administrative concerns about some of these mandates which are so blithely handed down by Commissioner Davy. One example: She wants every single child to have some sort of individual academic plan created and, I assume, maintained and updated. Lovely idea. But realize it will take some sort of administration to make that happen...and this in the face of pressure to reduce administrative costs.
Anyway, just wanted to share the below teacher's opinion with you...and ask what you think?
Tougher academcis (sic) will develop better citizens
The purpose of education is not simply to gain employment.
LAST WEEK state Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy outlined a bold new plan for our secondary schools. It would require all New Jersey students to successfully complete a broader and deeper range of subjects in the areas |of science, language (both English and foreign) |and math.
Such an expansion is welcome, although I expect our students may feel differently.
Essentially her plan would give all our students the equivalent of a liberal arts education at the secondary school level. It means that our students will need to work harder to succeed in this enhanced curriculum, but there has never been anything wrong with requiring students to work harder.
Many will view some of these new requirements as impositions; students between the ages of 12 and 18 are not likely to see the value of these courses, although Davy clearly does.
What used to be acceptable requirements for graduation are no longer adequate, and Davy's initiative goes a long way toward rectifying that deficiency. Few would understand the controversy over stem cell research without having taken a course in biology. Similarly the opening of the new Large Hadron Collider in Europe has little significance to anyone lacking even a rudimentary course in chemistry or physics. In short many of the developments we read about cannot be understood without the basic knowledge that these newly required courses will provide.
Too many students have the idea that school's sole purpose is to provide an education that will enable them |to gain employment. I do not minimize that goal. But education should also serve the purpose of providing the tools to make intelligible the science articles in newspapers, those simple communications of basic information that we come across each day.
Such articles are clearly not interesting to everyone. But the ability to read and understand them is essential. There can be no intelligent public debate about stem cell research, for example, if the general population lacks a basic understanding of biology. Without a similar understanding of chemistry the news that North Korea or Iran has acquired more high-speed centrifuges has little significance.
Math is the underpinning of science, and as such mandating Algebra I and II is appropriate. Such courses provide a framework for problem-solving within the sciences. In the absence of mastering basic algebra skills, students find science courses substantially more problematic.
I was disappointed that geometry was not part of Davy's expanded curriculum as that course develops a skill that has applications everywhere: logic. Over the past two decades fewer and fewer students have been exposed to this course, and their education is diminished by its absence.
Nonetheless, I am happy to read of New Jersey's effort to offer a public education that will produce more well-rounded citizens.
Roy Landis, a math teacher, lives in Cresskill.
Detailed Budget Online
There is now a complete "line item" budget posted on the District website. You can find it by going to the District website (click here) and clicking on Board of Ed and then click Budget on the left side. There is also something the state calls a "user friendly" budget (that's their term, not ours!), which is a summary version of the same information.
OK, I'll make it even easier: CLICK HERE for a direct link to the budget page.
OK, I'll make it even easier: CLICK HERE for a direct link to the budget page.
Monday, September 22, 2008
NJ's new high school requirements
Did you see the article last week about the new requirements the state of New Jersey is setting for students to graduate from high school? Here's a paste from the article in the Bergen Record 9/17/08:
The state education commissioner today outlined a broad “vision for transforming secondary education” for the next eight to 10 years. Specific plans call for a host of new tests and courses designed to better prepare students for college. The plans also call for districts to develop individual learning plans for all students in grades 6-12 beginning next school year.
New testing requirements were unveiled in April, and today Commissioner Lucille Davy presented some additions that include requirements for high school students to have completed coursework in personal finance and world history.
The state also plans to require high school students take at least five credits each in laboratory science and world language and be tested for proficiency in a language other than English. In addition, the state wants high school students to have completed at least one course online.
In order to graduate high school, students will have to pass tests in a host of individual subject areas, including biology, chemistry, language arts, foreign language and Algebra II by the year 2016. The tests are being phased in over the next eight years – starting with biology last year and Algebra I at the end of this school year.
I'm interested to hear what you think about these new requirements? How do you think this will affect our kids? Does it sound like too much testing? Or do we need to test more to ensure that our kids are actually prepared for their 21st century adult lives?
The state education commissioner today outlined a broad “vision for transforming secondary education” for the next eight to 10 years. Specific plans call for a host of new tests and courses designed to better prepare students for college. The plans also call for districts to develop individual learning plans for all students in grades 6-12 beginning next school year.
New testing requirements were unveiled in April, and today Commissioner Lucille Davy presented some additions that include requirements for high school students to have completed coursework in personal finance and world history.
The state also plans to require high school students take at least five credits each in laboratory science and world language and be tested for proficiency in a language other than English. In addition, the state wants high school students to have completed at least one course online.
In order to graduate high school, students will have to pass tests in a host of individual subject areas, including biology, chemistry, language arts, foreign language and Algebra II by the year 2016. The tests are being phased in over the next eight years – starting with biology last year and Algebra I at the end of this school year.
I'm interested to hear what you think about these new requirements? How do you think this will affect our kids? Does it sound like too much testing? Or do we need to test more to ensure that our kids are actually prepared for their 21st century adult lives?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Interesting news from the high school
There are quite a few exciting things happening at RHS. A sampling:
Thirty RHS students will be attending the 12th biennial Dodge Poetry Festival at historic Waterloo Village in Stanhope, New Jersey Sept. 25-28. The students will have an amazing opportunity to spend time in workshops and other activities with dozens of accomplished poets and storytellers, including state and U.S. Poets Laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, and an array of poets from diverse cultures and subcultures here and abroad.
According to Principal Jack Lorenz, RHS has nine National Merit Semifinalists this year. Apparently that’s a lot for a New Jersey high school. New Jersey’s cutoff scores (PSATs) are higher than for most other states. I didn’t know that the cutoffs differ from state to state and from year to year. Interesting. Let’s not forget, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a private group that can set the requirements for its awards however it sees fit. And it seems to think that different states should have different levels of achievement. Hmmm…I didn’t intend to go off on a NMSC tangent…I really just wanted to celebrate our nine semifinalists…congratulations!
Over the summer, 56 teachers received laptops so now every teacher at the HS has a laptop and can therefore check and respond to their own email, work on lessons and plans, etc., most efficiently.
Mr, Lorenz also announced that he would soon be sending out a letter to parents regarding academic honesty and ethical behavior in school. I actually got the letter last night…maybe I’ll post it here later. I think a reminder about honesty, doing your own work, etc., is not a bad idea for our high school students.
Thirty RHS students will be attending the 12th biennial Dodge Poetry Festival at historic Waterloo Village in Stanhope, New Jersey Sept. 25-28. The students will have an amazing opportunity to spend time in workshops and other activities with dozens of accomplished poets and storytellers, including state and U.S. Poets Laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, and an array of poets from diverse cultures and subcultures here and abroad.
According to Principal Jack Lorenz, RHS has nine National Merit Semifinalists this year. Apparently that’s a lot for a New Jersey high school. New Jersey’s cutoff scores (PSATs) are higher than for most other states. I didn’t know that the cutoffs differ from state to state and from year to year. Interesting. Let’s not forget, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a private group that can set the requirements for its awards however it sees fit. And it seems to think that different states should have different levels of achievement. Hmmm…I didn’t intend to go off on a NMSC tangent…I really just wanted to celebrate our nine semifinalists…congratulations!
Over the summer, 56 teachers received laptops so now every teacher at the HS has a laptop and can therefore check and respond to their own email, work on lessons and plans, etc., most efficiently.
Mr, Lorenz also announced that he would soon be sending out a letter to parents regarding academic honesty and ethical behavior in school. I actually got the letter last night…maybe I’ll post it here later. I think a reminder about honesty, doing your own work, etc., is not a bad idea for our high school students.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hello??????
chirp...chirp...chirp....that's the sound of crickets...as in silence. I was going to find a sound file of crickets chirping and add it to this blog so that when people visit, that's what they hear. But seriously, folks, I know you're visiting. The stat counter shows dozens of you are stopping by every day. Does anyone have a question? A comment? An observation? A joke? I would love to hear it!
I'll be posting some news from the high school tomorrow. I went to both the RHS HSA meeting Tuesday night and the Freshman Parents Meeting last night, so I think I'll share some observations. Too tired now...see you tomorrow!
I'll be posting some news from the high school tomorrow. I went to both the RHS HSA meeting Tuesday night and the Freshman Parents Meeting last night, so I think I'll share some observations. Too tired now...see you tomorrow!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
BOE Meeting 9/15
The Board of Education is meeting tomorrow (Monday) night at 5:30 p.m. for what has been billed a "special public meeting." What does that mean? Actually, this meeting is the Board's annual "Retreat," the purpose of which is to discuss issues that pertain to how we operate as a Board and also to set the Board's goals for the 2008-2009 school year. Normally, a Retreat would take place over the summer, but we wanted to have our new superintendent in place before we scheduled anything.
I find it pretty funny that we call it a Retreat -- gone are the days when Board members would go off to an out-of-town location (the Hamptons?) and talk about Board operations in a fresh environment, away from the daily stuff that makes it hard to talk and think with any perspective. Not only do the Sunshine Laws require that we meet in public, but we certainly can't go anywhere that would cost money for travel, etc.
So we'll be Retreating to the 3rd floor of the Ed Center. We're not going to discuss any regular Board business. We're just going to work on our own efficiency and effectiveness. I'll keep you posted.
I find it pretty funny that we call it a Retreat -- gone are the days when Board members would go off to an out-of-town location (the Hamptons?) and talk about Board operations in a fresh environment, away from the daily stuff that makes it hard to talk and think with any perspective. Not only do the Sunshine Laws require that we meet in public, but we certainly can't go anywhere that would cost money for travel, etc.
So we'll be Retreating to the 3rd floor of the Ed Center. We're not going to discuss any regular Board business. We're just going to work on our own efficiency and effectiveness. I'll keep you posted.
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