PreSchool ABA Program

In this edition of my podcast series, I highlighted one of our special education programs at Van Derveer Elementary School.  Mr. Luke McGrath, Director of Special Services, discusses the district's PreSchool ABA Program.  This program has been extremely successful under the direction of Board Certified Behavior Analyst Michelle Turnbull.

2012-2013 School Budget

The Board of Education approved the 2012-2013 school budget unanimously on March 27, 2012.  The highlights from the budget include:
- Addition of General and Special Education Staff.
- Capital Projects (Van Derveer School Addition and the Renovation of the High School Locker Rooms)
- Technology Support
- Professional Development
- Increasing the General Fund Levy by 1.2%

As a creative visual representation, Mr. Boyce, Mr. Conroy, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Solomon and I created the following podcast:

Read Across America

Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, has been an inspiration for children everywhere!  His birthday, on March 2nd, marks the date for the National Read Across America Day.  This celebration is often magnified for a week long tradition of reading at the Somerville PreSchool under the direction of Mrs. Katie Neary.  Members of the Board of Education, students, teachers, community members, local politicians, service members and administrators partake in the excitement by sharing a story with the children.

Curriculum Development and Revision

Somerville Public School has a strong commitment to curriculum, instruction and assessment.  Teachers, administrators, community stakeholders and members of the Board of Education take an active role in curriculum development.  In this podcast, Thomas Conroy, our new Director of Curriculum and Instruction, discusses the curriculum development and revision process. The district parent curriculum committee is not restricted to parents.  We encourage all stakeholders to get involved.  For more information regarding the district's curriculum and professional development, visit the website at http://www.somervillenjk12.org/domain/301.

Athletic Appointments

I would like to take this opportunity to address circulating rumors regarding my involvement in athletic appointments.  Interviews and screening of candidates for athletic appointments are made at the building level with a final recommendation going to me.  I confer with my administrators at the building level and, if I am satisfied that the person being recommended is the best candidate for the position, I will recommend him/her to Board of Education for final approval, as required by New Jersey law.  I am involved in the process at the end.  I am 100% supportive of all athletic recommendations to date.  I expect that my recommendations will reach the Board during our annual coaching appointments in May/June.  The Board of Education is typically not involved in the process until it is asked to vote on my recommendation.  Any concerns over the process should be brought to the building principal first, then myself and then to the Board of Education.  Following the proper chain of command allows the concerns to be addressed in the appropriate manner.

Formation of the District Calendar-At-A-Glance

You may have wondered how the district calendar is formed.  This year, the Board solicited the input of several stakeholders using a committee approach to the calendar design process.  The committee was composed of a secretary, a custodian, a teacher at each school, an administrator, a member of the SEA executive committee, a parent, a Board member and myself.  The committee met with the task of designing a calendar that best meets the needs of all children.  This 2012-2013 calendar can be seen by clicking on the link below.  The calendar was officially adopted by the Board of Education at the January 24, 2012 meeting.

2012-2013 School Year Calendar-At-A-Glance

Principal Podcasts

I asked each of our building principals to create a podcast that encapsulates their school.  The principals presented the podcasts to their colleagues at a recent administrative council meeting.  The podcasts can be seen below and will eventually be posted on each of the school homepages.

Somerville High School
created by Mr. Jones

Somerville Middle School
created by Ms. Boulegeris

Van Derveer Elementary School
created by Mrs. Haynes

DNA Club at SHS

This year, we have a DNA Club at SHS for the purpose of performing authentic DNA Research.  The club focuses on microbiology and bioinformatics and mirrors the efforts of the Rutgers University Waksman Institute.  Students have an opportunity to extract DNA and use similar processes and software that are used in all major biotechnology organizations.  Mr. George Mellors, a teaching fellow from the Waksman Institute and an engineering teacher at SHS, serves as the club advisor.  

Caveat Lector - Graduation Rates and NJ

In my July 2, 2009 blog post entitled Maryland is a POOR Example of Successful Consolidation, I referenced New Jersey as having the highest graduation-rate percentage.  In fact, the EPE Research Center declared New Jersey 1st in the Nation with 86.9% in 2008.  New Jersey's ranking and statistics may change this year.

Caveat Lector!  This potential drop in percentage is not due to a cataclysmic failure of New Jersey's public schools, but rather a change in the graduation-rate percentage formula!  The data will be EXTREMELY misleading to the average reader.

Why is New Jersey's formula changing?  Outside of the fact that this is a Federal requirement for next year, the data would provide an equal, state-by-state comparison for grade-rate calculations.  The new formula uses an adjusted cohort graduation calculation called a Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI).  Previously, states, similar to New Jersey, self-reported the data.  New Jersey used its own formula for this calculation.

What is New Jersey's new formula?  According to NJ Spotlight, the CPI tracks "the students who enrolled as freshman through their graduation to determine actual graduation rates."  In New Jersey, this "tracking" will occur through NJ SMART system.  Additional information regarding NJ SMART can be found at http://www.nj.gov/education/njsmart/.

District Highlights

I continue to host monthly conversation lunches with interested parents/community members (Please note that it is BYOL: Bring Your Own Lunch).  I encourage you to attend.  The scheduled meetings are posted on the district website.

Mr. Skomba hosted a visit by Senator Kip Bateman on November 30th as a part of the Legislators Back to School program. Senator Bateman spoke to students who are currently studying the legislative branch of US government. Several students were afforded the opportunity to ask the Senator questions regarding their course of study.

Many members of our school community had the opportunity to attend McVDV Night!  The VDV staff served McDonald's customers and school families.  The hard work and efforts raised $230 for the Staff Angel Tree, which provides holiday gifts for families in need.  

The Ville Athletic Hall of Fame celebrated their 19th annual dinner on November 14, 2011.  My opening remarks can be seen in the podcast below!

Lisa Conklin Wins President's Award for Secondary Teachers

In addition to receiving the district Teacher of the Year Award, Lisa Conklin has also received the Art Educators of New Jersey President's Award for Secondary Teachers.  The award recognizes Mrs. Conklin for exceptional teaching methodology in the area of visual arts.  I was fortunate to have a few moments with Mrs. Conklin to discuss the awards and her background in the podcast below.  Tune in to hear her advice to future educators!

Podcast Series: Highlighting Ms. Ambos

In seventh grade, students have the opportunity to view the microscopic organisms that envelope our world!  The students observe cultures of four different types of protists and work in groups to create models of the energy flow in each organism's environment.  In the podcast below, students are gathering evidence of photosynthesis and behavior that indicates the food chain within the culture.  

In addition to teaching seventh grade science, Ms. Ambos serves as the Professional Development Chair for the National Association of Biology Teachers.

Podcast Series: Walking Wednesday

A school bus that walks?  At Van Derveer, students take the walking school bus every Walking Wednesday and Foot-It Friday!  All students and families are provided with a map that outlines the safest routes to school.  The initiative started in 2004 in an attempt to promote healthy decision making and pedestrian safety (as well as easing traffic congestion).  

 

Interested students and families should meet at the Skate Park on Wednesdays at 8 AM to join the walking group!

Podcast Series: The PreSchool Fall Fest

Under the direction of Mrs. Neary and our outstanding preschool staff, our students were fortunate to celebrate in a day of excitement and learning.  Students participated in Halloween themed activities to promote fine/gross motor skills, eye/hand coordination and artistic expression!

 

Tips from a Legend

On Thursday, September 16, 2011, Coach Sabol, the Somerville baseball team, Mr. Jones, administrators, members of the Board of Education and Mayor Gallagher had the opportunity to meet Joe Torre.  The legendary manager shared stories, emphasized teamwork and described the importance of character.  It was a unique opportunity for our players to meet one of the greatest baseball managers of all time thanks to the efforts of Mr. Ken Bateman and Somerset Medical Center.