The Reds Tale
March 7, 2019
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
I am going to begin this edition of The Reds Tale with a question and end with a related question. If nothing else, please keep the questions in mind when you leave my entry this week. What happens when a freshman is not successful on a NYS Regents? I should add a bit of context here as my hope is that the primary audience for this piece is our families. First, let’s agree on a few assumptions to be made moving ahead (1) Success is measured as a 65%, though a lesser score could be applied for a small percentage of our students. (2) Not every freshman takes Algebra I and The Living Environment (3) In addition to The Living Environment and Algebra I our students (between grade 8 and grade 12) need to be a successful completer (course and NYS Regents) of Global History and Geography, Comprehensive English and United States History and Government.
Prompting my communication on this topic was my recent work analyzing ten major data points (five each in The Living Environment and Algebra I) in each of our freshman. The five data points were (1) Marking period 1 score (2) Mid-term score (3) Marking period 2 score (4) Absenteeism (5) Disciplinary referrals. Keeping the preceding in mind, I also examined the profile of our freshman that failed Algebra I and/or The Living Environment as a freshman last school year. Basically, I was using the failure of last years group to predict who may be in jeopardy this year. My data indicated that currently 37 freshman taking Algebra I are of concern and 32 freshman taking The Living Environment are of concern. Of those 69 students, 15 of them are of concern in both areas.
You may be asking yourself, has this principal lost his mind sharing such gloomy news. On the contrary, this is not gloomy news at all. In fact, Mr. Will Bean, our instructional coach would simply call this student evidence. This is student evidence that is saying I need more and I need something different and most importantly, I need your help!
In the coming weeks, I will be reaching out to you in different ways to communicate the myriad of supports at your fingertips to activate on behalf of your student. Some of these supports have been in place all year long, but are underutilized. Some of the supports are brand new and need to be utilized. I will be sure to outline each of them clearly for you in my communication in the weeks to come. I will be sure to reference "Algebra I and The Living Environment...HELP!" in my communication so you know exactly what my communication is designed support.
Back to the question I posed earlier...What happens when a freshman is not successful on a NYS Regents?
- Some freshman stay freshman as there is a required number of credits to be earned in order to become a sophomore.
- Some freshman are required to attend summer school. Unfortunately, there are cases where failure can be such that summer school is not an option. Also, should summer school ever occur in another school district nobody wants to be on a hot bus all summer!
- Joining our Wayne Technical and Career Center program becomes more difficult as course and Regents credit typically needs to be resolved before access to this program is guaranteed.
- Electives and "stretch" courses become difficult to program as long as course and Regents credits go unresolved.
- An on time graduation may be at risk until the course and Regents credits are resolved.
- The freshman my see non credit bearing courses in their schedule the following year in a Guided Study-hall, Learning Center or Academic Intervention Service.
Ok so enough of that gloomy stuff and back to OPPORTUNITYISNOWHERE. Yes I printed it, Opportunity is now here! Take advantage of it. I will close by asking you to ask a freshman that you know the following questions:
- Are you going to pass your Regents this June? And...
- What are you doing to get ready?
Together, I bet we can move the needle on this challenge!
From the Desk of Ms. Ross
Over the weekend I had a chance to see our students in action. Friday night I watched the performance of "The Music Man".
Emily Howard does a wonderful job every time she works with our drama club students. It is awe inspiring to see how she and the students are able to bring the characters to life and draw the audience into the story-line. The theme of the musical is all about transformation.
As I sat and watched both acts, I felt as if I was watching a Broadway show. From our actors and actresses to our hair, stage, light board, pit band, and sound crew, it was a pleasure to witness such a remarkable group of Newark High School students shine and showcase their talents.
Saturday morning, I was able to see our very own NHS Boys Varsity Basketball Team play in the Sectional Finals at the Blue Cross Arena. I could not have been prouder of not only our team of players and coaches giving their all out on the court, but our fans, standing and cheering for their classmates throughout all four quarters. To witness the school spirit in action was astounding, remarkable and humbling knowing that I am a part of Newark High School.
Mash Up
Know of a student in need of winter clothes? Click here.
"Good Morning.... I have some funding left for Utility Shutoffs or Reconnects in Wayne County. March is the end of our grant period. Please feel free to refer individuals to me if they have a utility termination, or a reconnect if their utilities have been shut off. We aren't able to "pay down" bills, but if they qualify and the utility company will accept the amount we can offer to avert a shut off, I'm happy to be of assistance. Please feel free to spread the word, or send a blast email, to your colleagues or other agencies. We are also listed with Lifeline 211. Thank you and have a nice day! Sandy A. Thomas, Community Resource Coordinator, Catholic Charities of Wayne County 180 E. Union St., Newark, NY 14513, Ph#: 315-331-4867, Fax#: 315-331-4918, Website: www.ccwayne.org"
The H.S. Art Department, "We would like to extend an invite to each of you for the Wayne County Council of the Arts H.S. Exhibition. You can view (108 W. Miller St.) the work of our Newark H.S. students, as well as, the work of other surrounding Wayne County high schools from February 18th until March 21st, Thursday - Saturday 12-3 pm. We are very proud of each of our students and hope you can join us in recognizing their efforts and achievements. Attached, you will find our individual art class lists or flyers outlining the specific names of students with work in this show. Thank you for continued support! Renee, James and Amy"
REPRINT. Attention seniors: The Josten’s representative will be here Thursday, March 14 during the SELF day to pass out graduation information on Cap/gown, etc. This is a very important meeting. The rep will be back on Thursday, March 21 during lunches to take your information and place your cap/gown order. Please plan on being here on Thursday, March 14 for the packet and again on Thursday, March 21 during all of the lunches, to place your order. WTCC students, your packet will be handed out to you before you board the bus on March 14. Questions, please see Mrs. Lannon or Mrs. Barry
An update regarding Newark Athletics….
- Congratulations to our Boys Swimming team for winning the Finger Lakes League Regular Season and Invitational Championship
- Congratulations to Trinity Wells for winning Section V Class C Champion in the 1000 meter run in Indoor Track
- Congratulations to our Girls Bowling team winning their third (!) straight Section V Championship this past Thursday
- Girls Bowling will bowl in the State Championships on Sunday, March 9th at Strike n’ Spare Lanes in Syracuse
Ms. Robyn Monahan, "As you know we will give all NCSD staff a T-shirt to run in the day of the Laurel House race. I'm looking for the perfect shirt design that represents not only The Laurel House but also Newark schools. If this interests you please submit to me your design. I would love it if you asked our classrooms for input. Maybe your class can come up with this years design for the 4th Annual LH Run. I would need your designs no later than April 30th and only two screen colors for front and one color on back of shirt."
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
Instructional Corner
Our legacy as educators lies in building community over time. The programs put in place will change. Initiatives will pass. Teaching trends will fall in and out of fashion. But the relational impact we have will outlast us by far. If we want to make a difference, we must first create a space where students can learn alongside us as well as their peers. First, we must resolve to do it together – as a team, a school, a family of professionals – instead of on our own. Next, we commit to being real and knocking down those barriers that we put up to feel safe and in control. We must be willing to be vulnerable and learn what we do not know. We must act – and help each other back up when we fail – in the best interests of students. Finally, we must take extreme ownership for what we do, the good and the bad. When we take ownership for problems, problems get solved. We are in control of what every 44 minutes in a class period should look like for our students. Work done to serve every kid in the room is well worth your while.
Document Sharing Space
Calendar Share
Tuesday's in the LGI: April 2, May 7 and June 4. Staff Meetings. Contact: T Roote.
March 14 and April 2. SELF Days. Contact: T Roote.
Wednesday, March 13. College Wear Wednesday. Future College Wear Wednesdays are: 4/10, 5/8, 6/12. Contact: Sue Gardner.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Friday, March 15. NHS Program/No WTCC Program. Contact R Ross.
Tuesday, April 30. Capstone Day. Contact K Ganter or D Barry
Important Band & Chorus Dates
- March 12-Cavalcade of Bands
- March 15/16-All county Band
- March 19-District Chorus Concert
- April 22-NYSSMA Preview Concert
- April 24/25-NYSSMA Majors
- May 11-Cabaret and Jazz Festival
- May 26-Memorial Day Parade
- May 28-ELENBE Awards
- June 3-High School Bands Year End Concert and Senior Recognition
- June 5-High School Choirs Year End Concert and Senior Recognitionbe
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