Science News: October 2015
PLC Groups for 2015-2016 & BENCHMARK #1 INFO (WITH PICTURES)
UCPS SCIENCE 2015-2016 PLC GROUPS
UCPS HS Science Teachers & Their Content Areas
Live, Laugh, Learn & Grow Together----It's all about the TEAMWORK & NETWORKING!!!!
Consider The Following (did you hear Bill Nye for a moment?):
If it takes a village to raise a child, then the same would apply to new teachers!!!!
FYI: ** Denotes Dept. Chair (if applicable)
90 Total UCPS HS Science Teachers for the 2015-2016 School Year
Classes listed denote overall experience. Please let me know if you have additional expertise in a content area that you are not currently instructing or if something listed is not accurate. Thank you.
David Daniels= AP Physics, Chem, Physics
Elizabeth Cross= Anat/Phys, Bio
**Kortney Kopchick= APES, ES
Miranda Calandro= Chemistry, Physics, Phys Sci
Raji Suresh= AP Bio, Bio
Cuthbertson (9 Teachers)
**Alissa Hammersmith= AP Bio, APES, Bio, Chem
Chad Schultz= Chem, Phys Sci
Ronald (Chris) Pierce= Astronomy, Physics, Phys Sci
Jennifer Fogle= Bio, ES
Jennifer Wells-Lewis= Bio, Marine Sci
Katherine Gorsuch= ES
Maya Schultz= Bio, Forensics
Todd Clemons= ES
Vincent Palmer= AP Chem, Chem, Physics
Forest Hills (6 Teachers)
**Christy Nichols (formerly Burris)= APES, Bio, Chem
Noah Setzer= Anat/Phys, AP Bio, Bio
Rick Harabin= ES, Marine Sci
Shena Massey= Bio
Shfanta McGee= Bio, ES, Phys Sci
Whitney Beard= ES
ICF (1 Teacher)
Keith Sweeney= Bio, Chem, ES, Forensics
Marvin Ridge (13 Teachers)
Amy Jacob= Chem, Phys Sci
Ann Stuntz= Chem, ES, Phys Sci
Ann Yochem= Bio, IB Bio SL
Ashley Green (formerly Lee)= AP Chem, Chem
Brook Hammers= Anat/Phys, ES
John Price= AP Physics, Physics, IB Physics SL
Karen Mitro= ES
Kaitlyn Harfmann= Chem, Physics, IB Chem SL
Luke Abercrombie= Bio, IB Bio, ES
Patricia Knight= Anat/Phys, Bio, Forensics
Rachael Wilson-Cranshaw= Bio, IB Biology HL
Sharon Jenkins= APES, Bio, Marine Sci
**Steven Wilson= AP Bio, Bio
Monroe (8 Teachers)
**Brooke Chambers= AP Chem, Chem, Phys Sci
Chad Hinson= ES, Phys Sci
Doug Galuppo= AP Bio, Bio
Kathryn Bention= Bio, ES
Katina Broadus= ES, Forensics
Megan Ehlers= Bio, ES
Sara Huckbody= Bio, ES
Tiffanni Craig= ES, Phys Sci
Parkwood (6 Teachers)
Alex Locklear= ES, Marine Sci
Allen Irwin= Physics, Phys Sci
Nicole Lopez= Bio
Richard Tammaro= Bio, ES
Trent Morgan= APES, Clean Energy (CTE), ES
**Wade Morton= Anat/Phys, AP Bio, Chem
Piedmont (8 Teachers)
Amanda Starnes= Bio
Annette Harris= ES, Phys Sci
Beth Walker= AP Bio, Bio
Donna Hyatt= Chem, Phys Sci
John Wallenburg= Bio II, Phys Sci
**Philip Apple= AP Chem, Bio, Chem, Phys Sci, Physics
Steven Kelly= Anat/Phys, Phys Sci
Tommy Arnold= APES, Bio, ES
Porter Ridge (10 Teachers)
Amy Carr (formerly Grzybowski)= Bio, ES, Marine Sci
Angel Washington= Bio, Phys Sci
Candace Macera (formerly Edwards)= Bio, ES
Dale Hunsucker= Anat/Phys, ES
Jane Walsh= Chem, Phys Sci
Jill Keller= ES
Michael Pipes= APES, ES, Phys Sci
Nicholas Gaetano= AP Bio, Bio
**Ryan Williams= ES, Forensics, Phys Sci
**Sandra Fugate= AP Chem, Chem, Physics
South Providence (2 Teachers)
Gabriel Oprea= Bio, ES, Phys Sci
Jenny Shackelford= Bio, ES
Sun Valley (9 Teachers)
Audrey Ostrander= Bio. ES
**Ed VonIderstein= Chem, Physics
**Jason Gvazdauskas= APES, Bio, ES, Marine Sci
Kelly Anderson= Anat/Phys, AP Bio, Bio
Kelly Smith= APES, Bio, Chem, ES, Forensics
Kristen Bochicchio= ES, Phys Sci
Phillip Chiarelli= Bio, Chem, Phys Sci
Tawny Mercer= ES, Marine Sci, Phys Sci
William Gay= Bio, Chem, ES, Forensics
UCEC (3 Teachers)
Crystal Powell= Bio, ES
Margaret (Elise) Long= Bio, ES
Tonya Adams= Bio, Chem
UCV (1 Teacher)
Kathryn Glasheen= APES, Chem, Phys Sci,
Weddington (9 Teachers)
Benjamin Pulley= Astronomy, Chem, ES, Forensics
Brian Allen= AP Chem, Chem, ES
Catherine McCloskey= APES, ES, Marine Sci
Jeffrey Wnek= AP Physics, Phys Sci, Physics
Kristy Dilsworth= Bio, ES, Phys Sci
Susan Winfree= Bio
Tanja Donelson= Anat/Phys, ES, Phys Sci
**Tiffany Manley= AP Bio, Bio
William (Rick) Belcher= ES, Chem
90 colleagues--down from 92 last year, varying amounts of experience, different locations, countless contrasting philosophies & personalities, but all UCPS Team Members.
I know that we can network and make strides together whether you are playing the role of mentor, developing teacher, or somewhere in between.
Thanks for your efforts everyone & pleasure to work with each of you!
~Keith
Benchmark Information (8 week)
Students Accessing Benchmarks: SEE THE PICTURES ABOVE!!!!
The way students get to Schoolnet has changed from last year. Have students begin from the high school technology start-off page. From there, they can select the NCEdCloud icon.
Once the student has logged into the Cloud, he or she can choose the icon for Homebase labeled “HB – IIS – Lea 900.”
Once students get into Schoolnet, not much has changed (if anything) from last year. They can access the Sample Benchmark & Actual Exams (once assigned) by going to their upcoming tests.
If you have challenges, I would first recommend asking another teacher in your building, but please do not hesitate to contact me. In addition to contacting me, you can also contact your school’s ITF for on-site help.
Best wishes for a successful administration,
Keith
Teachers Printing & Previewing Benchmarks:
All exams are listed as UCPS_(specific test name)
1) Click on the Schoolnet icon from the NCEdCloud (same as students).
2) Hover over Assessment Admin & click 'Find a Test'
3) Type in:
'UCPS_Sam' for 3 Question Sample Benchmark
'UCPS_Bio' for Biology
'UCPS_EES' for Earth Environmental Science
'UCPS_PS' for Physical Science
4) Once you've identified the correct test, you can click on the exam link & you'll have the option to print/view in PDF or Word Doc format.
MORE INFO:
1) Benchmarks are opened from 7am to 5pm Mon-Fri. from 10/13 to 10/23.
2) Students will not see their scores upon completion. In this way you can decide your scaling if applicable.
3) Answer choices are scrambled due to popular request of Science PLC members in attendance during meetings.
4) Please make the process easy for yourself & students (don't stress, it's just practice).
Benchmarks are in progress for all schools other than UCEC & I want to add in a few tips and answer a few FAQ's.
I know this is a very busy time for you & I appreciate you being flexible with everything going on.
Benchmark Codes:
3 Question Sample Benchmark (Open for all)= ME4DE9SY
Bio 1A= RA2VA2
Bio 1B= LU5TE4PE
EES 1A= JY9NY8
EES 1B= TE9TY5
PS 1A= BY3LU3K
PS 1B= GU7JY4GY
FAQ's:
1) When do I give the benchmark & should it count as a grade?
Answer: Schools determine when benchmarks are administered during the testing window & schools/PLC's should converse regarding grading aspects at your location.
2) Not all of my students have a Chromebook. How do I administer the test? Answer: You may in some cases use computers from your media center. If this is not possible, you may decide to utilize the paper/pencil option.
3) I feel that the exam is too long or covers material that I haven't taught yet. How do I approach these issues?
Answer: You are a professional and can make a judgement call pertaining to which questions you will count in order to determine an accurate depiction of what your students should know and be able to do at this point in time.
The purposes of the benchmarks for teachers are to provide a common assessment as a basis for discussion within PLC's, interpretation/analysis of data and means to inform further instruction. Students benefit from being exposed to EOC/NC Final Exam style questions, testing online and similar length assessments to their actual upcoming performances. Please make this process user-friendly for your team, self and students. It doesn't have to be stressful or tedious. Thanks!
****All tests are run through Schoolnet
Biology has 75 items (*Same exams as last year)
Earth/Environmental Science has 40 items (*NEW)
Physical Science has 40 items (*NEW)
Science Core Course Objectives/Info: https://drive.google.com/a/ucps.k12.nc.us/folderview?id=0B0-HFrJstlewd3VFcFdBZl9VMk0&usp=sharing&tid=0B0-HFrJstlewYU85VVhHNTQ4U2s
For your SEQ A Bio Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.2.1
1.2.2
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.2.1
4.1.1
4.1.3
4.2.1
4.2.2
For your SEQ B Bio Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.2.1
2.1.1
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.2.1
2.2.2
4.1.1
4.1.3
4.2.1
4.2.2
For your SEQ A EES Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
2.1.1
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.2.1
2.2.2
2.3.1
2.3.2
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.5.1
2.6.4
For your SEQ B EES Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
2.3.1
2.5.1
2.5.2
2.5.5
2.6.1
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4
For your SEQ A PS Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
2.1.1
2.1.2
2.1.3
2.1.4
2.1.1
2.2.2
2.2.3
2.2.4
2.2.5
2.2.6
2.3.1
2.3.2
3.2.2
For your SEQ B PS Exam, you have questions on the following objectives:
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.2.1
1.2.2
1.2.3
2.1.3
3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.3.1
3.3.2
3.3.4
Best of luck & let me know if you need help,
Keith