RIDGEFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
Newsletter
STEM Edition: Learn more about our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Programs
Website: http://www.ridgefieldschools.com/domain/112
Location: 555 Chestnut Street, Ridgefield, NJ
Phone: 201-945-7747
Where We've Been
Over the past few years, the Ridgefield Public Schools have worked diligently to upgrade the facilities for our students to truly experience science. The district invested in a referendum that provided for brand new science labs for students in grades 7 - 12. These labs have been equipped with the latest technologies, safety, and science equipment for students to experiment with science through trial and error. We have also added an Engineering by Design class within our high school. This class provides students with the opportunity to explore the various facets of engineering through project based learning.
The science classes at the middle and high school levels also began preparing for the advent of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). These new standards call for a three-dimensional approach to science instruction. This represents a significant transition from previous state standards. Each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. The standards were mandated to be implemented in grades 6 - 12 in September of the current school year and grades K - 5 in September of 2017. The new NGSS standards will be discussed in greater depth in the "Program Highlights" section of our newsletter.
Providing students with the opportunity to experience science and apply it to the natural world allows them to really internalize the science concepts that they learn and put them to use. Students will develop an in-depth understanding of content and develop key skills—communication, collaboration, inquiry, problem solving, and flexibility—that will serve them throughout their educational and professional lives.
Business & Finance Focus
Security Upgrade in Ridgefield Public Schools
The Ridgefield Public Schools have invested thousands of dollars for our security systems. To date, the following security upgrades have been completed:
- Access Control centralization - enabling simple management of perimeter entrances through one common operating picture.
- Video Surveillance upgrades - used existing cameras and new state of the art megapixel cameras to enhance security coverage throughout the district.
- Digital Mapping - all the buildings have been digitally mapped using an application that provides future capabilities and situational awareness for first responders.
- Intercom Upgrades - all intercoms are being upgraded to digital units and integrated to the existing IP phone system.
The next phase includes the one button lock down system. This state of the art system will speed up the process of locking down the schools by integrating with existing camera and door technology. The system will also add strobe lights, mobile device access, and public address system integration.
The Ridgefield Public schools is committed to ensure that our children and staff members are prepared, protected, safe, and secure in our schools at all times.
Where we are now: The Science Experience
This year, we are continuing the development of the growth of our programs in the area of science. We have increased the time out of the classroom for the STEM chairperson to ensure that new initiatives are being implemented with fidelity and are vertically aligned. We have revised our science sequence at the secondary level to enable all of our students to encounter the world of physics. All freshman are now enrolled in our Geophysics curriculum and expand upon these concepts in their later science classes; such as Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. A teacher was added to our science teaching staff to accommodate the new class within the schedule at RMHS.
In order to better align to the NGSS, the middle school science classes are piloting new materials within the classrooms. Within the new program, students are exposed to all three areas of science, earth, life, and physical in all three grade levels, 6 - 8. Each year the concepts that the students learn build upon one another to provide the students with a deeper understanding of these important building blocks for science at the higher levels.
The Curriculum Department, STEM chairperson, and teachers in grades K - 5 are working to create curriculum and content that will align for the implementation of the NGSS for September of 2017. Teachers are researching various materials to determine which program will best suit the needs of our science curriculum and students during the 2017/2018 school year and into the future.
Spotlight on our Special Services - Two for one this month:
Our Strive Program
The STRIVE Program is a the Ridgefield Public Schools comprehensive life skills program for our students aged over 14 years. It provides life skills education in the areas of daily living, personal-social and occupational guidance and preparation where students with special needs can best develop these skills and become contributing members of society.
In STRIVE Functional Academics, students have been learning how to use their planners to manage time and their schedules including figuring out how many hours they spend at work sites each week. Students have been reading and finding information in The Record newspaper.
Students have started typing their Person Centered Plans. This involves students putting down the strengths and skills on paper and sharing with others in class. This is the beginning process of developing the Person Centered Plan to be used for future planning as well as a unique project later in the year.
The Daily Living class has completed their unit on Safety Skills in the kitchen. While preparing and learning simple and easy recipes in the kitchen, the students have incorporated safety. The class is also participating in a mock election. After nominating two students to be the candidates their peers have to choose who they side with based on their opinion and feelings. It’s a fun and different way for the students to understand how to vote for someone, a timely skill during this season. During Community Based Instruction, the class has played a scavenger hunt to find the different areas of the stores, in particular, the bathrooms, exits, opened cashiers and who the employees are in the stores. In addition, they have been walking to the local library every week.
Down Syndrome Month
On Wednesday, October 19, 2016, Mayor Anthony Suarez proclaimed October as "Down Syndrome Month". The proclamation asks the residents of Ridgefield to "respect and promote the inclusion of individuals with Down Syndrome and to celebrate their accomplishments and contirbutions". This is the second year this proclamation has been made. Slocum Skewes student Laci Rose Gage accepted this Proclamation on behalf of the town of Ridgefield
where we are going: The Future of Science
- Maintain the STEM Chairperson in the current role. The continuation and expansion of this vital staff member to provide expertise to the teachers in all grade levels from k - 12 will strengthen vertical alignment of our STEM programs.
- Maintain the additional science teacher at RMHS. The continuation of the Geophysics program is essential to best prepare our students for life after high school. Without this teacher, the program continuation can be in jeopardy.
- Provide the funding for curriculum resources to continue to invest and implement in the programs that have begun their implementation over the past two years. Continue to invest in programs that we are currently piloting during the current school year. The free pilot ends in June 2017 and our district will need to purchase the materials to continue to implement them within our middle school classes. We will also need to invest in materials for our classes in grades K - 5.
- Continue the expansion and modernization or our science programs with an additional teacher. In order to continue the growth and expansion of our science offerings, the district will need to invest in an additional science teacher. This teacher will provide our district with the opportunity to offer a greater number of science electives such as Forensics and Environmental Science. This teacher will also provide the opportunity to expand our integrated studies classes into combined science and math classes.
Science is an important component of the curricula for all students. Recent studies have demonstrated that the United States is falling behind other nations in the areas of science and math. Investments in these additional programs, resources, and personnel will help us to foster a love of science for all students.
Program Highlights: Next Generation Science Standards
THE NGSS OFFER FIVE INNOVATIONS FOR LEARNING
- Three Dimensional Learning: There are three equally important, distinct dimensions to learning science included in the NGSS: Scientific and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas.
- The NGSS connect all three dimensions. To prepare students for success in college and 21st century careers, the NGSS also connect scientific principles to real-world situations, allowing for more engaging and relevant instruction to explore complicated topics.
- All three dimensions build coherent learning progressions: The NGSS provide students with continued opportunities to engage in and develop a deeper understanding of each of the three dimensions of science. Building on the knowledge and skills gained from each grade—from elementary through high school—students have multiple opportunities to revisit and expand their understanding of all three dimensions by the end of high school.
- Students engage with phenomena and design solutions: In instructional systems aligned to the NGSS, the goal of instruction is for students to be able to explain real-world phenomena and to design solutions using their understanding of the Disciplinary Core Ideas. Students can achieve this goal by engaging in the Science and Engineering Practices and applying the Crosscutting Concepts.
- Engineering and the Nature of Science is integrated into science: Some unique aspects of engineering (e.g., identifying problems) are incorporated throughout the NGSS. In addition, unique aspects of the nature of science (e.g., how theories are developed) are also included throughout the NGSS as practices and crosscutting concepts.
- Science is connected to math and literacy: The NGSS not only provide for coherence in science instruction and learning but the standards also connect science with mathematics and English Language Arts. This meaningful and substantive overlapping of skills and knowledge affords all students equitable access to the learning standards.
There are many ways that parents can support science learning within the home environment. If you would like more information regarding the new standards and their impact within your child's classroom, please click on the link below: