Folsom Weekly Update
Jan. 16-24
Message from Dr. Mazzoni
School-Climate Survey
A survey was developed for staff, parents, and students (grades 3-8) that focus on the school-climate. The surveys originated at the New Jersey Department of Education and were shared with districts. I shared the surveys with the Folsom Education Association to get their feedback on the questions/statements prior to moving forward. Next, the surveys were built in Google forms and is ready for the entire staff’s input. The hope is that the surveys will provide qualitative data in what we are doing well and areas that need immediate attention. Your participation in the survey is greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below to access the staff survey:
https://forms.gle/qUM9hm6x2cVN4o4B6
Attendance and Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (PBSIS)
Student attendance, effort and attitude are areas that we are making a concerted effort to address at Folsom. During the 2018-2019 SY, Folsom reported 7 confirmed incidents of Harassment, Intimidation, & Bullying (HIB), 12 alleged HIB incidents, and 13 incidents leading to student removal from the instructional program. In addition to the aforementioned data, approximately 27 percent of students missed 10 or more days of school. Furthermore, 8 percent of students missed 15 or more days. Research shows that chronically absent students are at-risk of academic failure, dropping out of high school, and even criminal behavior. A growing body of evidence shows that improving a school’s climate and culture can reduce student-related issues such as HIB, behavioral issues, and chronic absences.
We are using the PBSIS approach to motivate students in the middle school to not only attend school, but also keep striving in their efforts and attitude! A student committee was developed to build in incentives for students on a monthly basis. For example, students who exemplify positive academic behavior, attend school, and doing the right thing will earn an event at the end of each month. At the present time, middle school students are earning free gym time from 2:05 – 3:05 pm if they meet the Soaring Beyond requirements.
Middle School Teachers: Please review the packet and Soaring Beyond Expectations on Thursday, January 16th at the start of 2nd period.
Commissioner of Education
The district consolidation conversation seems to be on the radar for some, but not for the NJ Commissioner of Education Dr. Repollet. The Patch ran a story back in October suggesting the state is moving in this direction (https://patch.com/new-jersey/pointpleasant/big-move-plan-eliminate-nearly-300-nj-school-districts). Last Friday, I had the chance to raise the consolidation question to the Commissioner at the Atlantic and Cape May Superintendent’s Roundtable meeting. According to Dr. Repollet, consolidation is not moving forward under the direction of the Department of Education.
Business Office Information
Weekly Events
January's Character Trait is....GRIT!
16th
HWHO (rm 126)
Math Club (2nd grade) 3:30-4:30 room 115
Falcon Club 3:30-4:15 room 102
Girls Basketball game (home) 4:00 pm vs. Hammonton
17th
Minecraft 3:30-4:30 pm (rm 130)
20th
School Closed-MLK Jr. Day
21st
Creating a Positive Culture Assembly (K-2 @9-9:45) (3-5 @10-10:45)
Faculty Meeting 3:30 pm
Boys Basketball 3:30-5:30 pm
Girls Basketball 3:30-5:00 pm
Math Club (4th grade) 3:30-4:30 pm
22nd
Basketball games (AWAY) bus leaves 3:00 pm Linwood
HWHO (rm 126)
Band 3:30-4:30 pm
Drama 3:30-5:00
Math Club (3rd grade) 3:30-4:30 pm (rm 115)
Student Council 3:15-4:00 (computer lab)
Yearbook group A 3:30-4:30 pm
23rd
Basketball games (AWAY) bus leaves 3:00 pm Assumption
HWHO (rm 119)
Drama 3:30-5:00 pm
Math Club (2nd grade) 3:30-4:30 pm (rm 115)
Meatballs and Math-dinner starts at 5:30 pm; Math starts at 6:00 pm *flyer below
24th
Minecraft 3:30-4:30 pm (rm 130)
Assembly on positive school climate
We will be having an assembly for grades K-5 on January 21, 2020 focusing on positive school climate. Lisa Graham, local children’s book author, will visit us, read her book, and have a question and answer session with the students.
Who: (K-2 @ 9-9:45 and 3-5 @ 10:00-10:45) *Special area teachers: please relieve homeroom teachers at your designated class time.
When: 1/21/20
Where: APR *Jenn will make an all-call
Why: The assembly directly correlates to our 1st and 2nd district goals regarding social emotional well-being and ensuring a school environment that is welcoming and inviting, accessible, safe and secure.
Each student will be receiving a soft-cover, autographed copy of the book, The Adventures of Finely and Cisco, courtesy of the Folsom Home and School Association.
Below is the link to Lisa’s site, which includes a short video of her describing the book and reading it.
“I have written a book The Adventures of Finley and Cisco for children ages K-5 which addresses the delicate yet necessary topics of bullying and exclusion, while at the same time teaches the value and virtues of kindness, tolerance and acceptance, forgiveness, paying it forward, courage, strength, integrity and standing up for what is right. A lot to tackle (no pun intended) in 750 words? You bet…but the children are listening and responding.”
Please see Michele Hetzel or Amanda Petersen if you have any questions. We are looking forward to Lisa’s visit!
Curriculum
Observations
Round 2 observations will begin January 13th.
Meatballs and Math
Meatballs and Math- Please make sure you are sending home information to your parents. They must RSVP to Jen in the front office. We are keeping track of which class has the most participation. There is a shareable Google Link to sign up for Meatballs and Math as a teacher and for materials needed for activities. This information is due by Friday, January 17th.
Testing
As you finish MAP testing and F&P benchmark assessments, make a copy of the district benchmark data sheet for your grade level and update the information. Be sure to send me a shareable link via email so I can copy the information and update the master copy. In Kindergarten we will be adding a column for Dibels. All benchmark assessment should be completed by January 31st.
Curriculum materials needed for the 2020-2021 SY should be submitted to me by February 7th.
Michele L. Hetzel
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Notes from the Office
- check your contact information in REALTIME to make sure your phone number is current and checked to receive phone/text notifications in case of inclement weather.
- continue to remind parents to notify the front office if they are not receiving the monthly Folsom School newsletter.
- as spring approaches and our school day gets busy...please send all information about classroom events, trips, etc. to Jen.
Spirit Wear
Happy Birthday to you!!
January
7 Mindy Alliano
7 Hesh Peterson
9 Sarah Gallagher
9 Mia Belsky
11 Anthony Parzanese Jr.
12 Gabrielle Hoyer
14 Sarah Doherty
19 Susan Edmondson
23 Lori Abruzzese
23 Stephanie LoSasso
24 Kimberly Ruberton
28 Amanda Petersen