Mine Hill BOE Fall Report
November 2016
Sustainable New Jersey Award Ceremony
Mine Hill Awarded SAIF Safety Initiative Award
LATI Classrooms - Changing the mindset of teaching!
From the Superintendent
Hello Mine Hill Learning Community!
The first marking period at CAS has been remarkable! The district is moving forward quickly with several contemporary initiatives to keep our school at the forefront of academic work, teaching strategies, sustainability, and technology. Cohort one of the Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom (LATIC) completed their initial training during the summer and are continuing to develop throughout the year with regular coaching sessions. Thanks to the efforts of our Green Team consisting of teachers, students, and administrators, the board was presented with an award at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s (NJ SBA) Convention for achieving bronze level certification with the Sustainable New Jersey program. Also recognized at the NJ SBA Convention, the district’s maintenance and safety protocols won a SAIF Schools award for the fourth year in a row.
Technologically speaking, we added more Chromebooks (bringing the total to over 200), doubled our bandwidth and added two 3-D printers to our computer labs. Every classroom is furnished with a technology package that includes a SMART Board, PC, at least two fixed student computers, wireless ability, and access to Chromebook carts. Students work with robots and a variety of multi-media software in their technology classes, produce a live daily broadcast news program, and develop new ideas and creations during innovation time.
Many years ago, the Board of Education constructed an addition to the building in anticipation of providing a middle school education for our students. That dream is very close to becoming a reality. Last year, we began the process of exploring the possibility of maintaining and educating our 7th and 8th-grade students in Mine Hill. That process continues this year with a feasibility study and transition team to examine our ability to house the additional students and offer academic programs that are equal to or better than what are currently offered. We also need to be certain that withdrawing our students will not have a harmful effect on either district. We held our first parent forum, which was very successful. There will be other opportunities for folks to give feedback and receive updates. I started a blog specifically for keeping the community informed on the 7th and 8th-grade initiative's progress. The blog can be accessed here: http://7thand8thcas.blogspot.com/
You may have also noticed that Canfield Avenue School has received a lot of positive press over the past two years. For current news, please know that we have a Facebook Page for school related events and news, and I maintain a Superintendent’s Blog for district level news (Sometimes they are one and the same!). http://minehillsuper.blogspot.com/
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or accolades. Please reach out to me anytime!
Warm Regards and have a pleasant Thanksgiving!!!
Mr. Nittel
Superintendent
Board Members:
Bridget Mauro (President), Jill Del Rio (Vice-President), Katie Bartnick, Karen Bruseo, Peter Bruseo, Debbie Giordano, Dina Mikulka, and Carolina Rodriguez, Board Secretary
“Panther Pal” Bench
The “Panther Pal” Bench was designed and created by the sixth grade Peer Leader Team, facilitated by Mrs. Snarski (School Counselor). A blue bench painted with the words “Panther Pals” now is located under the pavilion on the playground.
The student’s created the bench to eliminate loneliness and foster friendships on the playground. A student can sit on the bench when they are looking for a friend “Pal” to play with. Other students are encouraged to glance over at the bench and when they see students sitting on it by themselves can invite them to play with them. Students can also walk and talk with each other, or sit on the bench to socialize with their peers.
The Peer Leader Team is a group of students with invested interests in helping CAS strive for a positive school culture. They are spreading the message of empathy, inclusion, and kindness at CAS. (Pictured - Hannah Fuentes, Madison Moran, and Maia Bonilla)
5th Grade Science with Mr. Martyniuk!
Fourth Grade working with Kindergarten
Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom (LATIC)
English Language Learner (ELL) Family Literacy Night
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
The Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 all across the country. In Canfield Avenue School we celebrated big! During this month we were immersed in the Hispanic culture through different projects and events.
A big thank you to Mrs. Martinez and all of the teachers that participated for coordinating and participating in the events and to our parent volunteer, Mrs. Van Ness, for assisting! Below are some of the activities that took place:
*Cultural projects: Mexican mirrors, Mexican bracelet, Mayan clay pyramids, Molas from Panama, Aztec sun, Picasso’s portrait, Frida's self- portrait, Hispanic colored riced flags and Spanish guitars.
(Pre-K to 6th grade, student’s choice, different grade levels collaborating together) (collaborators: Lisa Van Ness and other moms )
* Hispanic Traditional Clothing Runway -Students created their costumes in representation of the Spanish speaking country they chose after research. They put together their costumes with help of their parents.Mrs.Champagne and her class shared important facts about 7 Spanish speaking countries during the runway. (Families were invited)
*Spanish Mini- Concert- Teachers and staff collaborated to put together musical performances and dances that represented Hispanic music styles.
La Malagueña - guitar
El Condor Pasa- music from Peru (guitar and flute)
Salsa and Merengue- dance
Siempre Brillarás- by Martina Stoessel (song)
(Collaborators: Mrs. Charlton, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Suarez, Mrs. smith, Mrs. Rodriguez and Mr. Castano)
*Skype video conference - with my cousin Roberto from Spain
*Plena - Introduction to Puerto Rican rhythmic instruments and traditional music style. (Collaborators: Mr. Nittel, Mr. Richardson and Mr. Suarez)
*Colombian traditional dance- Two students dressed in their Colombian traditional clothing and danced to the rhythm of the Cumbia, teaching the dance to other students in the class. (Collaboration with 3 classes)
* Hispanic Heritage Celebration- All student’s projects were showcased, parents brought traditional food, clothing, and artifacts from Spanish speaking countries. Spanish club members, "staff", were responsible for decorating the classroom and greeting parents and staff. (Families were invited)
Interdistrict School Choice - From the NJ DOE
The State Board approved the sunset readoption without amendments to the regulations pertaining to school choice proposed at N.J.A.C. 6A:12. The choice program was originally established by the State Board of Education in October 1999 as a five-year pilot. The rules were amended in December 2000 to conform to N.J.S.A.18A:36B-1 et seq., the Interdistrict Public School Program Act of 1999, which became effective January 18, 2000, and expired on June 30, 2005. The program continued under the rules that were amended again in December 2004. The chapter was readopted without amendments in 2009 with a sunset date of December 21, 2016. The Interdistrict Public School Choice Act was amended in 2010 to expand the program to additional school districts; N.J.A.C. 6A:12 accordingly was amended in 2012. The chapter expires on December 21, 2016. The choice program has been in operation for six years in its expanded form and has experienced tremendous growth in the number of participating school districts and student enrollments.
Mine Hill Township Board of Education
Email: lnittel@minehillcas.org
Website: http://www.minehillcas.org/
Location: 42 Canfield Avenue, Mine Hill Township, NJ, United States
Phone: (973) 366-0590
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MineHillCAS
Twitter: @MineHillCAS