The Reds Tale
March 5, 2020
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 the High School Principal-Mr. Tom Roote
It likely comes as no surprise to you that a high school freshman experiences the most challenges of any student in any high school. A look at our academic and behavioal data reinforces this point. Observational data, often most compelling, tells us that freshman are waging a war against their emotions and social influences. There are volumes of print information written on the subject. From Campus Explorer and 10 Most Common High School Freshman Mistakes:
- Believing your freshman year doesn't really count and you can improve your grades later. If you slack off in your first year, it will be really hard to catch up later. Don’t forget: Your freshman year grades count toward your overall grade point average as much as your grades in later years, and you want that GPA to be high to better qualify you for college admissions.
- Sacrificing your grades for your social life. You should definitely try to have a rich social life in high school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get good grades too.
- Skipping classes and missing homework. Teachers share important information during class, and listening to their lectures helps you to better understand the subject.
- Failing to make up missed assignments. Some teachers are very reasonable in negotiating extra time for you to complete your homework, so just because it’s late doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. I
- Assuming you’re not doing well because the teacher “just doesn’t like you.” Your future is your responsibility, and you shouldn’t let personal feelings interfere in your path to get the degree or career you want. You won’t get along with everyone in life, but that’s not an excuse to slack off or give up. If you’re struggling with a subject, ask your teacher for help, get tutoring or talk to your counselor. Schools want you to succeed if you are willing to do the work.
- Not signing up for extracurricular activities. Many students say they don’t have time for extracurriculars, but keep in mind that these activities can help both your social life and your college applications.
- Deciding that high school is about dances, partying and sports, not classes. Big mistake. Even though social activities are an important part of high school life, they shouldn't be your main focus during the school day.
- Not asking for help. If you're having problems in school, there are many people out there who can help you: parents, teachers, friends and your school counselor are all good sources for advice and assistance.
- Not asking questions in class. You’re not going to have all the answers, and you’re not going to get them unless you are willing to ask questions.
- Taking classes just because your friends are taking them. It can be fun to be in all the same classes as your friends, but it can also be a distraction. Also, your friends may have different interests, academic skills and college goals than you do. So if you’re interested in classes that your friends’ aren’t, take them. You just might make some new friends, and you’ll be one step closer to getting into the college of your dreams.
In an effort to mitigate the aforementioned missteps, I continue to work hard to connect with many of our freshman to develop an understanding of what works for them at NHS. One student has drawn my attention and as a result I am working a bit harder to engage him in the ways Mr. Bean wrote about last week in the Instructional Corner. The student doesn't know it yet, but I have begun to interview him for a vacancy: His high school graduation! I am making an effort to use his name and I am working to extend our conversations beyond a casual hello and goodbye. He is reciprocating so I must be making headway. Last week, after observing his social studies teacher I said to him, "You do great in here, what works for you?" He said, "I love this class!". I quickly noticed he didn't say he loved the teacher, or the other students or social studies. Instead, he said he loved the class. I noted a few things as I left our conversation and the room: (1) His teacher uses an easygoing/casual tone with him. Leaving him some space to test boundaries, but also to hear when a limit has been reached (2) There was a commitment in the room to look at the furniture as a tool to be used in a variety of ways as opposed to only one traditional way (3) There was a series of instructional "moments" that I would identify as high calorie/low nutrients. That is to say they were attention grabbing, but not critical. There was also a lot of meat on the bone. That is to say there were few if any chances for the students to get too loose and off track. Finally, (4) the students in the room seemed to accept one another, leaving a guest in the room to feel like he had arrived late to a party.
I plan to continue to check in with our students on what works and share back some of their stories with you.
Contact me at thomas.roote@newarkcsd.org or 315-332-3250.
From the Desk of the Administrative Intern-Mr. Jason Dentel
"Sometimes, the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up." Brene Brown
Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor who has spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. I have spent a ton of time binge-watching her TED talks, books, interviews, and Podcasts over the last few months. Her work on the interconnection between courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy has inspired educators to do the difficult work we do.
As I walk inside classrooms on what I attempt to be a daily basis, I notice the connections our teachers make with our students. Newark High School teachers work hard every day and face many obstacles along the path. Our teachers show vulnerability with each other and with our administrative team by reaching out and asking for assistance. The empathy shown to our neediest students is the blend of structure and support that will help them now and in their future. Teaching and working with students throughout our building is a passion that the staff at Newark High School demonstrates.
In my life, I have been a lifeguard, McDonald's manager, worked customer service, and had a paper route. In all of these jobs, when you went home, you left the job behind you. Teachers go home and worry about their students and how they can inspire their success daily. I wanted to acknowledge this week our teachers and the courage it takes just to show up. Here is a Brene Brown Ted Talk. She also has a great discussion on Netflix.
Contact me at jason.dentel@newarkcsd.org or 315-332-3255.
Mash Up
Be sure to check out the Spring Musical Big Fish this week/weekend!
Take a moment to welcome our substitute school resource officer, Deputy Thomas Radka. He will support us when Deputy Vaughn is out. Deputy Radka will be training with Deputy Vaughn this week so please introduce yourself and make him feel welcome. He can be reached through school e-mail or at x3332 at the High School.
From Mrs. Bailey, "As we head into National Arts Month I wanted to share this article with you. In my last 28 years as an art educator I believe this in my core and finding your voice in art is the foundation of my art classes. This year thanks to teaching the Multi Cultural Studies English class with Danielle I have witnessed it in a broader context and become a reality with this group of brave agents of change students. In turn, I have witnessed it inspire my own art classes to dig deeper. I hope all of you try to integrate the arts- visual and performing, in your classes more this month and always. We can help you, you just have to brave enough/have the time to ask. We don’t bite! The art frames have been ordered and will be up sometime this month in your rooms to help promote the arts more!"
REPRINT: We will adjust the bell schedule on March 11 for the Jostens (7:35-8:05 am grades 11-12) and Pause Before You Post (8:05-8:35 am 9-12) assemblies with Mr. Scott Fitch. All classes will meet. Plan to take attendance prior to being called to the auditorium. Ms. Cohrs will troubleshoot any WTCC issues that may arise. Bell schedule below.
REPRINT/UPDATE: From Ms. Krystal Crawford, "Good afternoon, I wanted to communicate what will be happening next Thursday, March 12th. Save a Life Tour will be coming that day and setting up in the Auditorium. It is a virtual distracted driving experience for students. The morning would consist of a 40 minute presentation that includes all 11th and 12th graders (we will call student down after attendance is taken). For the rest of the day, PIG/Economics and US History classes will be escorted down, after attendance, to participate in an additional simulation experience. Those 1st period students that will miss their slot due to the morning presentation will be given passes to come down through out the day. I wanted to send this to everyone so you have an idea what is happening that day, even if you do not have 11th or 12 graders. The schedule for the day will not change, so 11th and 12th graders will miss first period that day. Any questions, let me know."
The Reds Tale Archives:
In the spirit of tier I interventions deployed and managed to promote fidelity, here is a reprint of an e-mail to all staff around this time (I may be a bit early) last school year, "[...] This week marks the end of what has typically been a long stretch. Our kids have done a decent job of rising to our challenges. I suspect some mark reporting as well as freshman/junior/senior goal setting occurred at a good time which may be compelling some of our student to step up their game. I would ask you to continue to be vigilant with how you are handling students entering and leaving your supervision. It is my job to compel you to reflect on your practice in this area as it is critical, from a safety and security standpoint, that we know where our students are at all times. We have had no fewer than three significant disruptions this year where student whereabouts during a class were in question. Here are a few thoughts to guide you (1) You colleagues expect their students to have a pre-signed pass in order to leave their supervision. When you allow a student to join your classroom (more on this to come), that is not on your roster, be sure to follow our pre-signed pass procedures. (2) When students fail to report to class on time and instead go directly to another location it is up to the staff that received them to double check there whereabouts as they transition from A (assigned space) to B (new space). (3) Seniors with privileges do not have carte blanche to wander the building. They are required to be in supervised spaces. (4) Do not allow students to go to the cafeteria outside of their lunch. (5) Use the one in and one out rule for hall and bathroom passes. Also, consider the rationale a student is giving you to leave your space. It needs to be of some importance. (6) Understand that gimmicky passes don't allow staff to check details for why a student would be in the hall. They are discouraged. (7) As you become aware that a student is disrespectful to a hall monitor, I would ask you to back up your colleague by indicating to the student what the desired behavior is. In many cases it is as simple as asking a student to stop and answer the question the hall monitor is asking. My experience is that this moment or two from the student can lead to a happy and healthy conversation. In the absence of it, one would assume the student is not doing what they are expected to be doing. This united front can pay strong dividends. In fact, I am seeing this strategy work wonders as I develop a healthy working relationship with Paul, a bus driver who covers our WTCC runs. As kids see he and I working together, laughing etc., they are apt to soften a bit.(8) We are working to greatly limit the daily practice of absorbing students onto a roster that are not assigned to the roster. If you have a class, I would ask you to limit visitors to only those making a direct contribution to the class as a peer mentor or something similar. A student joining your roster to sit in the corner and watch their phone adds little value to the classroom. A senior coming in to work with a student on a lab or equation is perfect. If you are a safe/trusted adult for a student and you need help establishing boundaries in that relationship please work with a counselor to do so. I recently uncovered this as a challenge when I learned that a few of us were giving our more anxious kids passes to "take a lap." This practice is not well accepted in the main office and counseling office as it can distance a student from adult support as opposed to connecting them to it. (9) Hold students to the bell...always!"
Instructional Corner
Spring is traditionally the season of beginnings, and for high school students, spring is often the beginning of the testing season. There are district tests, state tests, and national tests for students in grades 7-12 that begin in March and continue through the end of the school year. We can use of student data from formative and summative assessments to begin targeted planning for how we will prepare our students for their end of the year assessments.
Some in class ideas involve teachers holding review sessions, issuing practice tests, and teaching test-taking skills to be the most effective means of assessment preparation. Practice tests are frequently used because well-designed practice tests support learning, serve as a review, and build students’ test-taking skills. Additionally, periodic benchmark assessments can be a good predictor of student performance on state assessments. Teachers can use the results of the benchmark assessments diagnostically to guide their instruction.
Other ideas include small-group instruction, peer tutoring, and web-based learning programs are some of the most popular strategies teachers use to prepare students with diverse learning needs for testing. Small group instruction enables teachers to focus on the needs of the group. Peer tutoring benefits both students because one student gets extra help while the tutor gets to develop skills that reinforce learning. Web-based programs allow teachers to focus on specific content for a group or individuals to help prepare them for assessments. Teachers report that interactive content, such as games and competition, helps engage and motivate students. Additionally, enabling students to monitor their own progress keeps them involved in their learning and makes them feel successful as they watch their individual results improve.
Additionally, communicating with parents on a regular basis is an integral part of engaging them in their child’s success in testing. Teachers report that sending home notes with practice materials for parents to work through with their child helps keep parents involved. Teachers also use other tools, such as email and websites, to communicate with parents. These tools give parents visibility into their child’s progress and convey ways in which they can help their child at home.
Contact me at william.bean@newarkcsd.org or 315-332-2305.
Document Sharing Space
Calendar Share
Wednesday morning, March 11 in the auditorium from 7:35-8:35 am (bell schedule below). Jostens (7:35-8:05 am grades 11-12) and Pause Before You Post (8:05-8:35 am grades 9-12) with Mr. Scott Fitch. Contact: D Barry, A Hennessey and A Pieters
Thursday, March 12 from 7:35-8:20 am in the auditorium. Save a Live Tour (grades 11-12). Contact: K Crawford
Saturday, March 21 from 7:00-10:00 pm at the Alex Eligh Community Center. Senior Snow Ball. Contact D Barry
First Tuesday of each month. Staff Meeting. Contact T Roote
Thursday, March 26, Thursday, April 30 and Thursday May 28. Below 65 Detailed School Tool Reports. Contact: T Roote.
Friday, April 3. No PM WTCC Program. Contact: T Cohrs.
Friday, April 3. Spring Pep Rally. Contact: B Yuhas and L Walters
Friday, April 17 from 1:30-2:30 pm in the auditorium. Merry Go Round Theater: Numbers. Contact: A Lannon.
Thursday, April 30. Capstone Day. Contact D Barry, K Ganter or R Ross
Monday, May 11. Field Trip Black Out Begins. Contact: T Roote.
Upcoming Field Trips
- Tuesday, March 3: PIG Field Trip. 8:45-2:30 pm. Contact: Mark DeYoung
- Wednesday, March 4: Monroe County Math League meet. 7:30-3:00 pm. Contact: Lori Reed
- Thursday, March 5: Drama Club. Kelley, Lincoln and Perkins. Contact:Emily Howard.
- Monday, March 16: Counseling Office, Rochester Convention Center. 8:00-12:00 pm. Contact Danielle McGavisk.
- Tuesday, March 17 Workforce Development @FLCC Canandaigua. Contact: Deb Barry
- Wednesday, March 18: Child Psychology Class to Roosevelt Children's Center 7:50-10:50 am. Contact: Nicole Favreau.
Wednesday, January 8: Rochester Museum & Science Center 9:00 am-2:30 pm. Contact Aaron Harrington.
Thursday, May 7, English 10 @ Geva Theatre. 10:30-2:30pm. Contact: Amy Austin & Chelsea Fladd.
Monday, May 18. Physics Day at Darien Lake 9:00 am-6:30 pm. Contact Aaron Harrington.
Tuesday, June 2: Drama Club, Auditorium Theatre. 6:00-11:30 pm. Contact: Emily Howard.
Close Up/Share a Pic
Bitmoji of the Week
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, Respectful and A Community.
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