Folsom Weekly Update
October 17-October 25
Message from Dr. Mazzoni
Happy Wednesday Team,
Below is a link to yesterday's staff meeting agenda and slides:
Unpacking Standards
A message from the NJDOE that is exciting for our PLCs unpacking standards in ELA and Mathematics.
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), in collaboration with the Partnership for Collaborative Professional Learning1, proudly presents K-12 instructional units based on the 2016 New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. The instructional units maintain the rigor of the standards and provide school districts and professional learning communities with a meaningful resource from which to build standards-aligned curriculum, instruction and assessment. In this version, the student learning objectives (SLOs) identify the skills and conceptual understandings that students must master to meet the expectations of the NJSLS in ELA and mathematics.
In 2019, NJDOE assembled and led teams of educators (teachers, coaches, supervisors, principals and higher education faculty) from across New Jersey to unpack the 2016 NJSLS in ELA and mathematics. Mrs. Michele Hetzel was a member of the English Language Arts team! The teams utilized the Connected Action Roadmap (CAR) process to guide the work of unpacking the standards. The CAR process is endorsed by the Partnership for Collaborative Professional Learning and helps drive a process of continuous school improvement by building and leveraging the capacity of educators. CAR helps educators to connect standards-aligned curriculum, instruction, assessment and professional learning to a school culture that promotes ongoing reflection on, and growth in, student learning.
The units with standards and SLOs can be accessed by clicking the English Language Arts/Mathematics Instructional Units on the left. Please click on the link below to access the SLOs in ELA/Mathematics.
Article of Interest
Creating a Classroom Culture of Shared Ownership: Getting buy-in from students at the outset encourages them to engage more deeply in their learning.
Author Miriam Plotinsky takes a closer look at how to get students more involved in their learning. This article was posted on the website Edutopia. Let’s take a look at some of the strategies Ms. Plotinsky writes about…
First and foremost, the learning in the classroom has to be authentic to the students – or in other words, relatable to their own lives. This is one strategy to engage students in the content / activity.
For students to be part of a classroom community, they need to have authentic buy-in from the beginning. Asking students what they think creates buy-in at the outset.
The act of students brainstorming as a whole or in groups help develop students develop their ideas, engage them in the learning, and provide insight to the subject. Some examples of capturing the brainstorming session can be through chart paper or a Google Doc. The same can be said for when assessing students – “Allowing students to be part of the assessment creation gives them ownership in the entire process—not just the outcomes.”
Below are other areas identified by Ms. Plotinsky for engaging ALL students in the learning process:
EMPHASIZE GROWTH
Show students how they are becoming better learners on a regular basis, particularly by embracing mistakes. Goal-setting and conferencing are excellent examples of emphasizing growth.
GATHER STUDENT VOICES
Responding to feedback and making changes based on their suggestions communicates to students that we value their ideas and perspectives. If students feel comfortable providing input that is informative but not tied to a grade or other consequence, we can better address learning needs.
LAUGH WITH STUDENTS
Welcome humor that is free of sarcasm. As a step toward creating student ownership, having a classroom full of laughter and humor builds relationships. When the teacher prioritizes strong rapport with students, kids are more likely to be vocal about their learning needs and take responsibility for their progress and achievement.
REDEFINE CLASS PARTICIPATION
Not every student wants to speak up, while others may monopolize class discussions. Give students a variety of ways to express ideas. They can share thoughts with silent discourse—the process of writing a thoughtful comment or question and passing it to another student. They can put sticky notes on the board with their thoughts and place check marks next to ideas that have appeal.
Providing choices, being flexible, and building positive relationships are the bedrock of making sure that kids know that they are the most important school stakeholders and that they own their learning.
Weekly Events
October's Character Trait is.... RESPECT!
17th
Hammonton High School 8th grade Assembly 8:40 gym
Cross Country Meet (Away) Estell Manor bus leaves @ 3:00 pm
HWHO 3:30-4:30 pm room 126
Folsom Singers 3:30-4:30 pm
Falcon Club 3:30-4:15 pm
18th
1st Trimester Progress reports due
3rd Grade Engineer/STEM presentation (Kylee Applebaum) 12:30 pm
Minecraft Academy 3:30-4:30 pm
Cheerleading Tryouts 3:30-4:30 pm
Dance (Student Council) 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
School Violence Awareness/Red Ribbon Week
21st
1st Trimester Progress Reports available on Portal
Band 3:30-4:30 pm
Drama Club 3:30-4:30 pm
Lego Club 3:30-4:30 pm
HWHO 3:30-4:30 pm room 122
22nd
12:45 pm Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences (1:30-3:30 pm)
23rd
Wear Red to kick off Red Ribbon Week
12:45 pm Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences (6:00-8:00 pm)
24th
12:45 pm Dismissal Parent-Teacher Conferences (6:00-8:00 pm)
25th
Cross Country practice 3:30-4:00
Folsom Singers 3:30-4:30 pm
Minecraft Academy 3:30-4:30 pm
Trunk or Treat 5:00-7:00 pm
Parent Teacher Conferences
Below is the Fall Conference Parent Sign in sheet to be used during fall conferences.
After all conferences are completed return parent sign in sheets to the front office.
One sign in sheet will be put in mailboxes prior to conference dates.
If you need extras please make copies.
SCHOOL UPDATES
Observations
Classroom observations will begin soon. Please see the attached schedule. You are to submit your SGO and PDP to the person you are meeting with for your summative evaluation. Please see Michele with any questions or concerns.
Classroom Observation Schedule 2019-2020 School Year
All Teachers should schedule a time with Michele to review curriculum for their grade/subject areas. This meeting will include receiving a hard copy of the curriculum that you will be responsible for until June. These documents will be used to reflect on the curriculum, add to the curriculum or just check off that it is accurate. The documents will be signed out and collected at the end of the school year.
Detention
Please refer to the link below for the detention schedule in GOOGLE. When assigning a student detention, either 45 minute or 3 hour, please refer to schedule for detention dates. After you contact the parent you should add the student(s) name to the detention schedule accordingly. 45 minute detentions are from 3:30 to 4:15 and 3 hour detentions are from 3:30-6:30 pm.
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact Angel.
Bell Schedule
A 3:07 PM bell was added to the regular bell schedule to assist the middle school staff and students preparing for dismissal. Students are dismissed for buses at 3:10 pm followed by a 3:15 pm bell for car pick-up.
District Testing Schedule 2019-2020
Happy Birthday to you!!
October
4 Jennifer Bailey
6 Kristen Deitz
19 Kathy Wendt
31 Nancy Alber