Superintendent's Corner
Bernard F. Bragen, Jr. February 1, 2015
Our Transition to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC)
As you may be aware, New Jersey is one of over 40 states that have adopted the Common Core Curriculum Standards for Language Arts and Math to increase the rigor and expectations for our students. The Hazlet Township Public Schools eagerly adopted these new standards and adjusted our curricula to meet those new expectations and benchmarks.
Consequently, a new method of assessing student performance compared to these benchmarks is also being implemented. This new assessment is know as the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) and will be implemented this year in schools across New Jersey in grades three through eleven. Two significant changes with the PARCC, as compared to the former State assessment vehicle, the NJ ASK, are the alignment to the new Common Core Curriculum Standards and the fact that the test will be administered online. Our students and teachers have been preparing for both these changes and several grade levels actually participated in the pilot PARCC test last spring.
What can parents do to assist our students in preparing for PARCC this year? First and foremost, assuage any fears your child may have about this assessment. Our students are well prepared and have been instructed via curricula that are aligned to these new standards. They should have no fear of the new assessment’s content. In regards to the online format, our students have been using this technology since they started their schooling in kindergarten and most likely, even before that! To help students transition from a pencil and paper method of assessment to an online format, our teachers have had students take practice online assessments and simulations. I would encourage you to do the same at home. You can access a wealth of PARCC information and practice tests on our district homepage at www.hazlet.org. In addition, we have planned parent and student meeting to review PARCC scheduled for February 5, 2015 at 6:30 PM at Raritan High School (www.hazlet.org/Page/10529).
As with most changes, the anticipation of the impact is likely to be much more than it will be in actuality. Our students and staff are well prepared for this new assessment process. I am confident that working together as one school community, we can ease this transition for the NJ ASK to the PARCC so that our students continue to thrive and are able to achieve their maximum potential.
School Happenings
Kindergarten Students Share Artwork with Regency Park Nursing Center
Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center students demonstrated care for our community by displaying their artwork in the dining room and activities room at Regency Park Post-Acute, Rehab and Nursing Center in Hazlet, NJ. Regency Park residents, families and staff appreciated the young artists’ interpretation of Jackson Pollock, an influential artist in the abstract expressionist movement. Art teacher, Mrs. Diane Zimbaldi, will continue to share the students’ art work with Regency Park throughout the year.
Pictured in the photo are Recreation Director, Ms. Maribel Restrepo, and a Regency Park resident who are enjoying the students’ art work.
Handwriting Contest Finalist at Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center
Congratulations to Charlotte Mocarski, Sycamore Drive Early Childhood Learning Center finalist in the 2014-2105 Zaner-Bloser National Handwriting Contest! Mrs. Rene DiLaurenzio, kindergarten teacher, is so proud of her student’s legibility, spacing and slant. Charlotte will have an opportunity to compete at the state and national levels.
Spelling Bee Champ Crowned at Raritan Valley School
On December 19th, Raritan Valley School held their annual Scripps Spelling Bee with twenty students in grade four participating. The competition was intense and everyone did a great job! Joseph Murphy won first place and will represent Raritan Valley Elementary School in the countywide Spelldown at Monmouth University in March. Baileigh Gavin won second place, while Ryan Komosinski placed third. Congratulations everyone! We are proud of all our students who participated!
School Newsletter Links
http://hazlet.org/cms/lib05/NJ01000600/Centricity/Domain/349/BulldogBites.pdf
Hazlet Township Public Schools
Email: bbragen@hazlet.org
Website: www.hazlet.org
Location: 421 Middle Road, Hazlet, NJ, United States
Phone: 732-264-8401 . 1001
Twitter: @hazletsupt