Rocket Roundup
February 15, 2023
February 20 Professional Learning Day Schedule
Please click below for an overview of our February 20 Professional Learning Day. Details will be updated if revisions or additions become necessary, so please check in periodically to ensure locations and times are not altered.
Every Student Needs a Champion
From Rachel Schley, NJSD Equity and Inclusion Instructional Coach
One thing I have enjoyed over the past few weeks was the chance to be in classrooms, to meet students, and to get to know NJSD staff. My biggest take away has been how awesome people are at understanding how important building relationships with students is. Rita Pierson has a really great and rejuvenating talk that brings humor and wisdom to connecting with students. Click here for her TED Talk
Also, here is a teacher-created material by science teacher Jennifer Kinley. Students are using this resource of 25 Famous Black Scientists to support their fungi research experiments.
Online Health Assessment Screenings Due February 28
If you are enrolled in the District health insurance through Humana, you will need to complete both a biometric screening and the online health assessment through Go365 this month to receive the lower wellness premium rate. If you have a spouse on the plan, they are strongly encouraged to complete both activities as well to learn about their health and earn points, however it is not required. If you have not scheduled a biometric screening, be sure to schedule your appointment today at this link.
The deadlines are as follows:
Biometric Screenings On-Site via Veribook Appointments: Feb. 28
Go365 Online Health Assessment: Feb. 28
Submit Elementary Summer Enrichment Course Proposals
A form is now open for NJSD staff members to propose an elementary enrichment summer course. There are two sessions that run Monday-Thursday, 8:00-11:00 a.m. Session I is June 12-June 29 and session II is July 24-August 10. Each course is 90 minutes; 8:00-9:30 a.m. and 9:30-11:00 a.m. You may propose one or two courses per session and may offer the course either or both sessions. All enrichment classes will be held in person this summer.
Please complete one form for each course you are proposing by February 28. You only need to complete one form if you are offering the same course multiple times and/or sessions. Click here for the form
Marchionda Named Director of Instructional Technology
The Neenah Joint School District instructional technology department will be led by a familiar face as District technology coach Rocco Marchionda has been elevated to replace Matt Anderson, who is retiring after the 2022-23 school year.
Marchionda brings a classroom background to the position, having previously served as a kindergarten and third grade teacher for 13 years in the Fond du Lac and Oshkosh Area School Districts before coming to Neenah as a computer literacy teacher at Horace Mann Middle School. Marchionda taught two years in Neenah and has served as a technology coach since 2014, including his current role as Instructional Systems Analyst and Manager.
“Rocco brings an educational background as a strong teacher and has continued to be a learner within the technology world,” Superintendent Dr. Mary Pfeiffer said. “The growth from where he first started and the considerable contributions he has provided to the District have prepared him to take on this role.”
Marchionda earned a degree in child and family studies from UW-Madison and a master’s degree in educational technology from Marian University. He is a Google-certified educator and completed his technology coordinator licensure in 2017.
“I am honored to continue to build on the long history of great work by our technology department in this new capacity,” Marchionda said. “I’ve always been a teacher first and I will continue to be as we pursue the best ways to incorporate technology in our classrooms.”
Diffusers Not Permitted in Classrooms and Offices
Do you have a diffuser/candle in your classroom or office? Unfortunately these are not allowed. There has been a plethora of data published on the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from diffused essential oils. These studies have found that diffused essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree, were found to release terpenes, toluene, and benzene, among other VOCs, into the air. Terpenes have been associated with increased nocturnal breathlessness, bronchial hyper-responsiveness ("twitchy airways"), and variable obstruction of airflow among patients with and without asthma. Furthermore, fragrance is a known irritant to trigger asthma or migraines.
Given these findings, the nurses office recommends extreme caution with the use of essential oils, especially in the presence of those with asthma. Although you may find essential oils therapeutic or healing for yourself, they are not FDA approved and may cause harm to others.
LinkedIn Learning Professional Development Library
LinkedIn Learning is a free professional development library that is exclusively available to all educators as part of the Educator Effectiveness (EE) system through the Department of Public Instruction. Educators in the EE system will be able to access a free, extensive library of professional development materials through LinkedIn Learning over the next three years. Click here to subscribe
Elementary Summer School Application Now Open
Injury Prevention Session Offered for NJSD Staff
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Erica Kroncke, non-surgical sports medicine physician from Aurora Health Care, as she provided us with a virtual presentation about how to stay healthy and prevent common injuries that can lead to day-to-day pains. In this virtual presentation, she discussed ergonomics to help with back and neck pain, a proper way to warm up before activities, and ways to break bad habits that may be leading to injuries or pain. If you missed the presentation live, feel free to watch the recording here.
This Week in NJSD Activities
NJSD Staff free to all home regular season events by showing staff ID badge
Thursday, February 16
Boys Hockey, WIAA Regional Home vs. West Bend, 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball Home vs. Oshkosh North, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 17
Girls Hockey, WIAA Regional at Brookfield, 5 p.m.
Boys Basketball Home vs. Kimberly, 7:30 p.m.
Curling at State Meet (at Wausau)
Saturday, February 18
WIAA State Swimming and Diving Meet, 9:30 a.m. (at Waukesha)
WIAA Wrestling Sectional, 10 a.m. (at Oshkosh North)
Curling at State Meet (at Wausau)
Tuesday, February 21
Boys Hockey, WIAA Sectional Semifinal vs. Bay Port or De Pere, TBA
Girls Hockey, WIAA Sectional Semifinal at Green Bay, 8 p.m.