The Reds Tale
February 8, 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
"The school counseling program fosters academic success, career development and personal and social growth for every student in a safe environment in order to improve student achievement and encourage life-long learning."
National School Counseling Week occurs from February 5-9, 2018. National School Counseling Week represents an excellent opportunity to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors to the educational success of our students (see picture gallery below). Our Counseling Center team consists of:
- Ms. Danielle McGavisk
- Ms. Caty Hugunine
- Ms. Stephanie Specht
- Ms. Sue Gardner
- Mr. Joe Feeney
- Ms. Deirdre Rosenberg-School Psychologist
- Ms. Kristin Leonard-School Psychologist
- Ms. Nichole Reinholtz-Prevention Counselor
- Ms. Mary Beth Springett-Clerical
- Ms. Patty Verbridge-Clerical
It would be easy to mention all the college applications, scholarships and scheduling challenges this team has navigated with our students. To do so, would overshadow the most meaningful work they do, which is to have a direct/positive impact on the pathway in all of us have that runs from our hearts to our minds. Our Counseling Center collectively connects with each and every one of our students and families at an extraordinary level. They are first in line to manage our grief after a loss, look for housing for a homeless family, and find food or clothing for a student with an empty closet or refrigerator. They are first in line to manage the supports necessary when a family experiences all forms of trauma!
As I reflect on the impact our Counseling Center has had on my work as a building leader, I recall the time a counselor spent with me detailing the school and home based struggles one of our students had faced as she prepared for her freshman year. He peeled back layer after layer of challenges this young lady was facing. When he finally reached the center of the onion so to speak he shared a simple piece of advice with me. He said, "Ya know Mr. Roote, this kiddo could probably use just a bit of special attention from you." With that simple sentence, he absolutely locked my mind onto this girl and what I could do to be a valuable asset in her life. His work with me will have an impact this year, but will also stay with me next year and until she graduates. I cannot think of a greater gift a counselor could give to their student.
From the Desk of Mr. Wagner
When I started here in 2015, I worked closely with the counseling team and learned quickly that my success in working with our students was dependent on collaborating with our counselors. I realized that their understanding, insight and relationships with our students was crucial to supporting kids. Thanks to our counselors for….
- Listening with empathy
- Supporting our students to be college and career ready
- Developing creative intervention plans for students to increase achievement
- Providing me with a deeper understanding of the challenges teenagers may be going through
- Helping foster productive and active members of society
- Shaping student character and providing guidance when students make questionable decisions
- Random acts of kindness and much more….
Working with the counseling team here at Newark has made me a stronger and more responsive educator. Thanks for all you do!!
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
You may recall the story I told at the start of the year of Pep's umbrella repair work in France. As a reminder, I told the story to encourage you to engage in little acts of kindness symbolized by passing along an umbrella. As we focus a bit more on kindness this month please be sure to pass the umbrella along!
Trauma Was Hiding at This School. How Teachers Found Out and What They’re Doing to Help.
From Natalie Acquista and her group dedicated to Putting Little Acts of Niceness Together, "I’m so happy to see how much PLANT has grown this year. How it went from a small little idea to a club that has made me smile and I hope so many others as well. So far this year we did a Santa’s little workshop for the kids at the Perkins and Lincoln schools. It was so heartwarming to hear from several parents. Ones that were just strolling through Wegman's and happened to see me and tell me that our letters to the kids from Santa made their Christmas.
This spring we are going to Perkins and Lincoln school and spending a day with them on National Kindergarten Day. We will spend time making friendship bracelets with them and other crafts. I hope this day will not only create memories for the group, but also memories for the kids that will last a lifetime. Our next initiative we are taking on is pay it forward cards. With February being the month for kindness our group especially wanted to make a difference. These cards will be given to 100 people and those people will be asked to perform even the smallest act of kindness like paying for someone’s drink at Dunkin Donuts. Then the card will be passed on to the person who received the act of kindness asking them to use the hashtag plant on twitter or Instagram showing they received an act of kindness. Thank you everyone for the unwavering support of this group and especially to Mr. Holland for helping me make this happen!"
Calendar Share
Thursday, February 8, Tuesday, March 20; and Thursday, May 3. Below 65 Progress. Contact: T Roote.
Friday, February 9. Teen Dating Violence Awareness, Wear Orange. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Friday, February 9 in health classes. Victim Resource Center presentations. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Monday, February 12 in FYE classes. Victim Resource Center presentations. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Sunday, February 11 at noon at Ontario Beach Park. Groot and Bouchey Polar Plunge. Contact: M Groot or J Bouchey.
Monday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 13 grade 12. Youth Risk and Protective Survey. Contact: T Roote.
Wednesday, February 14 grades 9 and 11 from 9:15-12:45 pm. Youth Risk and Protective Survey. Contact: T Roote.
A period 1 schedule runs on March 7, April 18 and May 23. A period 5/6 or 6/7 schedule will run on February 14, March 21 and May 9. SELF. Contact: T Roote.
Monday, February 19-March 24. Reception, Sunday March 11 from 2:00-4:00 pm. 36th Annual Wayne County High School Art Show.
Tuesday, April 17 in the afternoon. Capstone Presentations. Contact: K Ganter
Alumni Spotlight: Will Bean
Year graduated from Newark: 2001. College info and degrees:
- BA in Biology with a Minor in Education from St. John Fisher College
- MS in Computer Education from Nazareth
High school academic and/or sports accomplishments:
- Graduated in the top 5 (96+ Average) of my High School Class
- 2001 Wall of Fame recipient
- Played three varsity sports – Football, Bowling, and Baseball
- Played four years of College Football at St. John Fisher College as a kicker and punter
- Was selected as a 1st Team All-American by D3football.com as a Senior
Current status:
- Married to my high school sweetheart Katrina (Maloy) Bean for 11 years.
- We have three children: Andrew (6), Adison (3), and Alice (8 months)
- Live in Newark
- Work as an Instructional Coach at Newark High School, working with staff and students daily.
- Assistant Coach for both Varsity Football and Baseball
- Board Member for the Alex Eligh Community Center (AECC)
Misc. info:
- Fan of the Buffalo Bills
Words of Wisdom:
- “Loyalty is hard to find, Trust is easy to lose, and actions speak louder than words! Be aware of how you carry yourself.”
The Instructional Corner
As we continue to dig into student self-assessment, you may ask, “How will I recognize effective student self-assessment when I see it?” Effective student self-assessment is present when students can tell you about their strengths and weaknesses. Effective student self-assessment is present when student see the value of reflection and begin to do it routinely, whether asked to or not. Here are a few things you usually see in classrooms where effective student self-assessment is occurring:
- Students are asked to evaluate their own work regularly.
- Student sets their own goals ad monitor their progress towards them.
- Students can describe their own strengths and weaknesses
- The classroom environment makes it safe for students to ask for help.
- Mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning.
Keeping these ideas in mind, consider how consistently sharing the learning target and success criteria might support the development of student self-assessment in our classrooms. Student reflection and ownership is the ultimate goal, providing opportunities for students to take control of their own learning.
If you have not done so, please take a moment to complete the following Technology Survey. This will allow Aaron and I to plan and design meaningful technology sessions/training's to offer our staff.
Close up/Share a pic/vid!
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