The Reds Tale
November 15, 2018
Newark High School
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS
From the Desk of Mr. Roote
October was a very busy month for a group of us looking to find one voice on some challenging issues falling under the umbrella of bias. Student leaders are working closely with Ms. Rodriguez, Mr. Miller, Ms. Ohlson and myself and are members of the Newark High School Student Advisory Cabinet and Its REAL group. We were very fortunate to be led down a path by some change-mavericks in Mr. James Schuler and Dr. Bryant T. Marks, Ph.D. Founding Director and Principal Trainer, The Nat'l Training Institute on Race & Equity/Morehouse Psychology Professor. One simple and clear way to consider the work of Dr. Marks can be found in one of his re-tweets, “Bias comes in the machinery of your mind, not the content of your character.” The groups met to process several prompts, culminating in the production of a video. Prompts included:
- Have you seen examples of bias in your community?
- What bias do you see among your peers?
- Is there a connection between implicit bias and bullying? And careers?
- What can we teach others about implicit bias without making people defensive?
While the dialogue over all the preceding was A+, I need to say that I absolutely loved hearing students respond to the last prompt. They shared:
- Understand perspectives and
- Try to relate to the other person
Students were open and honest in their considerations, but not angry. They were willing to disrupt, without being disruptive. I am looking forward to hearing more from these groups!
From the Desk of Ms. Ross
Differentiated instruction is defined by Carol Tomlinson as “an approach to teaching that advocates active planning for and attention to student differences in classrooms, in the context of high quality curriculums”. Carol Weselby, in an article titled, “What is Differentiated Instruction? Examples of How to Differentiate Instruction in the Classroom”, breaks down the components into manageable categories, which, taken as a whole, is simply good teaching.
- Design lessons based on students’ learning styles
- Group students by shared interest, topic, or ability for assignments
- Assess students’ learning using formative assessment
- Manage the classroom to create a safe and supportive environment
- Continually assess and adjust lesson content to meet students’ needs
Although differentiated instruction is usually thought of as the teacher delivering lessons and materials to each student at their own level, Weselby points out it “may mean teaching the same material to all students using a variety of instructional strategies”. The development of great lessons and units of study still comes first, but teachers now have an unlimited toolbox of choices to help in the delivery of the content.
Mash Up
On Friday, November 16 at 10:30 am we will have a short staff meeting in the cafeteria where I will announce the winner of our Script N competition. We will also discuss the challenges associated with managing the influx of e-cigarettes. After that, our teaching staff will be asked to complete a survey.
This is a reminder to submit an SRT referral for students academically and behaviorally deficient in your classes. Submit your feedback into the notes section of SchoolTool (Building Only Passed with Promotion) and then fill out the form here:
Thanks.
The Reds Tale is off until November 29. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
From Ms Specht, "I wanted to let you know, my wife had our baby boy yesterday (11/11). His name is Ryan Lucas Specht. 8 lbs 6.6 oz, 21 inches long."
Ms. Specht will be out until next month being a mom! In the meantime, contact a main office administrator regarding student's on her case load that require special attention. Needs/issue will be prioritized and appropriately assigned. For lower level, day to day stuff her students are able to pop into the counseling office as they normally would.
A very warm thank you to those supporting our students at the NHS Induction Ceremony and/or the Academic Excellence Dinner. The dinner was made special by keynote speaker and alumnus Mr. Ian MacTaggart. Coordinating the NHS Induction was Ariel Denny and the Academic Excellence Dinner was led by Chelsea Fladd. In attendance as servers, supporters etc. were Mark Eakins, Elaine Esan, Becky Hauf, Alex Hennessey, Haley Curley, Laurie Reed, Mark Eakins, Shannon Hersh, Becca Yuhas, Danielle McGavisk and Justin Fladd.
Ms. Gardner, "I wanted to send a THANK YOU to all who donated to the Newark High School Food Closet! The attached picture (below) is only half of the food that was donated. The students are very lucky to have such a great staff!"
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
Well done Caroline McGavisk and the Counseling Office. They won the Red Ribbon Week door decorating contest. See picture below...
Alumni Spotlight: Bob Martin Class of 1979
While at NHS, Bob continually made Honor Roll, played football for 2 years and soccer for 1 year. Bob attended Alfred University for 2 semesters then transferred to MCC and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Technology. Bob worked at Gleason’s for 7 years, took a machinist’s apprenticeship then entered the Engineering Department. In 1986, Bob began work at Rando in Macedon first as a machine designer (10 years) then as a sales manager for 7 years traveling extensively. Bob began working for Optimax in Ontario in 2004 as an engineering tech designing tooling for 2 years, Quality Manager for 7 years and is currently the Senior Quality Engineer team leader.
Words of Wisdom: “Keep an open mind, never be afraid of change.”
Instructional Corner
The single best way to share the learning target and success criteria for today’s lesson is through a strong performance of understanding: a learning experience and resulting student performance that:
- Embody the learning target
- Promote mastery of essential content
- Translates the learning target into action.
- Develop students’ proficiency in specific reasoning skills
- Provide compelling evidence of student learning.
- Prepare students for the elevated degree of challenge that will face them in tomorrow’s lesson.
Engaged in a strong performance of understanding, students should be able to conclude, “If I can do this, then I will know I’ve reached my learning target.” Just as important, teachers should be able to conclude, “If my student can do this, then I will have strong evidence that they have reached the learning target.”
A performance of understanding is not the same as an assignment, as activity, a task, or homework. Although a task may be hands-on or interactive it needs to fulfill important requirements that both develops understanding of the topic of the concept and produces evidence that helps student and teachers gauge where that level of understanding resides in relation to the learning target and success criteria. It is a carefully designed learning experience that happens during the formative learning cycle in today’s lesson.
Document Sharing Space
Calendar Share
Tuesday's in the LGI: December 4, January 8, February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7 and June 4. Staff Meetings. Contact: T Roote.
UPDATED: November 29, December 13, January 17 and 31, February 14, March 14 and April 2. SELF Days. Contact: T Roote.
Wednesday, December 12. College Wear Wednesday. Future College Wear Wednesdays are: 1/9, 2/13, 3/13, 4/10, 5/8, 6/12. Contact: Sue Gardner.
Friday, November 16. All Staff must have their online BEDS forms completed. Contact: S Warren.
Friday, November 16 until 10:15 am. Half Day. Contact: T Roote.
Tuesday, November 27 at 1:45 pm in the afternoon in our auditorium. Jacy Good: Hang up and Drive. Contact: N Reinholtz
Friday, November 30 from 7:10-7:40 am in the auditorium and Alt. School hall. Script N Student and Staff Recognition Ceremony (hot breakfast provided). Contact: T Roote
Band and Choir upcoming performance dates. Contact: Cynthia Briggs.
- Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17-Sr. High Area All State (Bands and Choirs, select students at Webster)
- Friday, December 7-Eastview Performance (Bands and choirs)
- Monday, December 17- Winter Concert (Bands and Choirs)
- Friday, December December 21-Outlet Mall Performance (Bands and Choirs)
Friday, March 15. NHS Program/No WTCC Program. Contact R Ross.
Tuesday, April 30. Capstone Day. Contact K Ganter or D Barry
Close Up/Share a Pic
The Newark High School Mission, Vision and Values
The Newark High School Mission: We are a school community with deeply held hometown pride, committed to readying young people to be life-long learners with experiences aimed at continuously motivating us to hone our skills in the complex tasks of teaching and learning. Our community is devoted to providing supports for the aspirations of our adolescents as they mature into adults with ambitious plans for college and careers.
The Newark High School Vision: Staff embody the school values and impart confidence while providing an inviting classroom environment with clear expectations and specific academic and behavioral goals. Students embody the school values through intellectual and emotional perseverance. Families embody the school values while remaining actively involved as advocates for their children and supporters of the school programs and staff.
The Newark High School Values: Safe, Responsible, Trustworthy, and Respectful.
Email: thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org
Website: http://newarkcsd.org/Domain/84
Location: 625 Peirson Avenue, Newark, NY, United States
Phone: 315-332-3240
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nhsreds
Twitter: @Newark_HS