January Professional Development Focus: Data Analysis and Data-Driven Instruction
On January 14, 2022 students were dismissed early and teachers spent the afternoon engaged in data analysis discussions. In grades K-8 teachers focused on looking at results from the winter Star 360 benchmarks and planned actionable steps to improve student learning and promote growth in the areas of reading and mathematics. In grades 9-12 teachers looked at data from various departmental benchmark assessments and planned for data-driven instruction.
Teachers will continue data conversations and planning for small group instruction on the next early dismissal PD day on March 4, 2022.
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Seal of Biliteracy
12 Butler High School Juniors and Seniors passed the testing requirements to earn the New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy. By achieving the Seal of Biliteracy, students demonstrate that they are able to speak, read, listen and write in two or more languages at a high level of proficiency.
The Seal of Biliteracy opens up vast opportunities for those students pursuing higher education or joining the workforce. As the world increasingly becomes more global, the need for employees with bilingual and multilingual skills has also been increasing
The Seniors who passed will be honored at a BHS Awards Ceremony on the spring. Congratulations to all students who passed the requirements!
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Curriculum Writing for Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Language
Teams of teachers across the district have been working together to revise and rewrite curriculum in Science, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, and World Languages. These new revisions will be articulated K-12 and will align with the 2020 standards released by the NJDOE.
Curriculum writers have also been tasked with infusing the new NJ curricular laws and mandates recently introduced including:
- Climate Change
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Contributions by LGBT and Persons with Disabilities
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Ms. Maroney and Mrs. Gelino's 6th Grade Social Studies class participated in the Continental Congress Using the green screen in the new RBS McGoldrick ThinkCenter, students in Ms. Maroney and Mrs. Gelino's 6th grade Social Studies class "participated in" the Continental Congress. | Guest Zoom from NASA Lab for Engineering and Robotics Class Emma Kelly, An engineer from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in California, spoke with our students for 40 minutes on January 21,2022. She spoke about engineering and robotics projects that she worked on in college and at NASA, including her critical contributions to the Mars rovers. Thank you, Dr. Allen, for providing such a valuable experience for our students! | Creating Ionic Bonds out of Felt Mr. Feinsinger gave his chemistry students a tactile activity of forming ionic compounds using felt pieces. Having conferenced with Mr. Feinsinger the day before, I saw the effort put into the lesson with him prepping all of the felt parts for the lesson. Students were engaged in building their Lewis dot structures. |
Ms. Maroney and Mrs. Gelino's 6th Grade Social Studies class participated in the Continental Congress
Using the green screen in the new RBS McGoldrick ThinkCenter, students in Ms. Maroney and Mrs. Gelino's 6th grade Social Studies class "participated in" the Continental Congress.
Guest Zoom from NASA Lab for Engineering and Robotics Class
Emma Kelly, An engineer from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab in California, spoke with our students for 40 minutes on January 21,2022. She spoke about engineering and robotics projects that she worked on in college and at NASA, including her critical contributions to the Mars rovers. Thank you, Dr. Allen, for providing such a valuable experience for our students!
Creating Ionic Bonds out of Felt
Mr. Feinsinger gave his chemistry students a tactile activity of forming ionic compounds using felt pieces. Having conferenced with Mr. Feinsinger the day before, I saw the effort put into the lesson with him prepping all of the felt parts for the lesson. Students were engaged in building their Lewis dot structures.
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Mrs. Baum's BHS Students Analyzing Conflicts Students in Mrs. Baum's BHS English class were analyzing multiple conflicts in The Crucible. | Mrs. Giancaspro's Students Writing Personal Narratives Students in Mrs. Giancaspro's RBS English class are exploring narrative writing by composing memoirs using their own life as inspiration. | Mrs. Casey's ADS Students Created "Heart"work In honor of Valentine's Day, Ms. Casey's Aaron Decker Students created heart art to decorate the halls. |
Mrs. Baum's BHS Students Analyzing Conflicts
Students in Mrs. Baum's BHS English class were analyzing multiple conflicts in The Crucible.
Mrs. Giancaspro's Students Writing Personal Narratives
Students in Mrs. Giancaspro's RBS English class are exploring narrative writing by composing memoirs using their own life as inspiration.
Mrs. Casey's ADS Students Created "Heart"work
In honor of Valentine's Day, Ms. Casey's Aaron Decker Students created heart art to decorate the halls.
Curriculum Resources to Check Out!
As we come across resources in our reading and research, we often share them in our Supervisor's Google classroom. Here are a few we have come across recently:
- Cult of Pedagogy Edutips (short podcasts on teaching practices) https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/edutips/
- Create your own (and have students create their own) interactive timelines here: https://timeline.knightlab.com/#examples
The Butler Public Schools Curriculum Team
