The Reds Tale
November 17, 2016
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 Mr. Roote
"My parents are gay and planned to get married this summer, what is going to happen now?"
"I don't care what anyone thinks I can be a racist now."
"What is going to happen to me? I’m half black and gay and Trump is going to take away all my rights as a human”
Those are just a few of the election day follow up thoughts that hit my desk. As a result, I felt compelled to spend some time learning how to advise you given the fact students have the most ready access to you as they explore their feelings on our new president.
I met with Mark Eakins to talk a bit about the current political climate and to explore some of the students comments. While I am far from proficient in my understanding of how to address the concerns of our kids, I did like Mark's advice and looked at Hillary's concession speech for some words to use with our kids. Here is what I found:
- But I still believe in America, and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power. We don't just respect that. We cherish it. It also enshrines the rule of law; the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity; freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them.
- Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time. So let's do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear. Making our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top, protecting our country and protecting our planet.
- And breaking down all the barriers that hold any American back from achieving their dreams. We spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that the American dream is big enough for everyone. For people of all races, and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and people with disabilities. For everyone.
- And to all of the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.
- I count my blessings every single day that I am an American, and I still believe, as deeply as I ever have, that if we stand together and work together with respect for our differences, strengthen our convictions, and love for this nation, our best days are still ahead of us.
I will close with an unbiased summation of Mr. Trump's likely policy on education. I presume many of you are far past the bullet points below, but I thought I would share some of Trumps policy thinking nonetheless:
- A number of national media outlets and education policy sources are reporting on how education policy may change under Donald Trump’s Administration, focusing on K-12 and higher education. Coverage tends to be somewhat dire in tone, suggesting that Trump may end beneficial policies or that his proposals have been lacking in detail. A number of reports also deal with perceptions that Trump may have an effect on bullying and student security.
- Education Week (11/9, Ujifusa) reports that Trump’s campaign rhetoric “included strong support for school choice and sharp denunciations of current education policy,” noting that his election “leaves widespread uncertainty about what’s in store for public schools under the first Republican administration in eight years.” Trump “spent very little time talking about K-12 education during his campaign” and “has no track record to speak of or draw on for insights into what he may propose.” The piece reports that beyond “sound bites,” the only K-12 policy Trump floated during his campaign was a proposal for “a $20 billion federal plan to dramatically expand school choice for low-income students.” Moreover, education policy experts say since “Trump’s views on education are largely a black box, the role of Republicans in Congress as well as of the U.S. Secretary of Education and senior staff at the Education Department could grow under his administration.”
- The Seventy Four (11/9) reports that American Enterprise Institute Education Policy Director Rick Hess has suggested that Trump will likely not focus on education at first, and that it’s not yet clear whether Trump will actually develop a coherent education agenda. Nevertheless, the Seventy Four reports, Trump has called for ending the Common Core State Standards, expanding school choice, rebuilding schools, and “doing away with gun-free school zones.”
- Take Part (11/9, Dwyer) reports that the dearth of campaign rhetoric regarding K-12 education has left “some Americans to wonder what the education agenda of President Donald Trump will be.” The piece quotes education historian Diane Ravitch saying, “It is a mixed picture. Certainly Trump said nothing during the campaign that showed any interest in public schools.” However, citing Trump’s comments on the stump, the piece reports that “he may attempt...to shrink, gut, or completely eliminate the U.S. Department of Education.”
- In a piece for The Atlantic (11/9, DeRuy), Emily DeRuy reiterates that it “is unclear” what will happen to education policy under Trump, given his relative silence on the issue during the campaign. She suggests that it is unlikely that he will completely eliminate ED, but says “there’s a very real chance he’ll scale back its scope drastically,” devolving much of its power to the states and local education authorities. Moreover, “Trump is likely to push what he’s called a ‘market-driven’ approach to education.” DeRuy writes that the “Obama administration has seen the Education Department as a critical watchdog when it comes to making sure students’ civil rights are protected,” but Republicans have “balked” at perceptions of Federal overreach, and says that it seems likely that ED’s current ESSA regulations may not remain under Trump. She also points out that Trump will not be able to follow through on his vow to “repeal” the Common Core State Standards, since they are not a Federal program.
- Andrew Ujifusa writes at the Education Week (11/9, Ujifus) “Politics K-12” blog that Trump education adviser Gerald Robinson, an American Enterprise Institute research fellow and former schools chief in Virginia and Florida, says that Trump “will work to ensure ‘a new way of how to deliver public education’ that focuses on educational entrepreneurship and strong public and private school options.” He also said that Trump will “streamline” ED, and “will likely take a significantly different approach than President Barack Obama’s administration when it comes to contentious spending rules under the Every Student Succeeds Act.”
- Politico Morning Education (11/9, Thrush) reports that Trump “is likely to shake up the current education establishment just as aggressively as he plans to disrupt Washington,” saying his “presidency casts a great deal of uncertainty over federal education policy going forward.” Trump has “made clear that the Education Department would play a reduced role in his administration — and he has even proposed eliminating it completely, which would take an act of Congress.”
- THE Journal (11/9) and the Hechinger Report (11/9) also cover speculation about what a Trump presidency will mean for K-12 education policy.
- Clues Emerge About Trump’s Education Team. Chalkbeat (11/9) reports on whether Vice President-elect Mike Pence could take a lead education role in the Trump Administration, given his role in Indiana’s “role in the state’s contentious fights over education.” Pence has been “a darling of social conservatives mostly for his support of religious rights and anti-abortion policies,” and “served more than a decade in the U.S. Congress, where he was one of just 25 Republicans to vote against No Child Left Behind, citing opposition to federal intrusion into education policy.” Meanwhile, “Pence has supported expanding charter schools and voucher programs” as Indiana governor.
- BuzzFeed (11/9) reports that according to a “short list of Trump surrogates and advisers to take top positions in his administration next year,” former GOP primary candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson could be asked to serve as Education Secretary or HHS Secretary. The Hill (11/9, Vladimirov) also covers this story.
From the Desk of Mr. Wagner
Social and Emotional Learning: The PRIDE skill for this month is Responsible Decision Making which is demonstrated by students making positive choices, following the code of conduct, completing homework, participating in classes and studying for exams. Responsible decision making can also be supported in the classroom by offering students choices. Some ideas that came out of a Social and Emotional Leaning Conference I attended on November 1 include:
- Choosing odd or even numbers in a homework assignment
- Students can choose two meaningful activities from the five listed
- For certain tasks, students can choose who they want to work with
- For certain tasks, students can choose what materials or supplies they need
- If student discipline arises, provide students with a choice for their consequence such as an after school appointment, a written reflection, or a seat change
- Choice of summative assessments
Based on the research completed by the Institute of Educational Development, providing a choice will help internal motivation and build responsibility and commitment. At times, I can use choice in my student discipline role for specific violations. For example, just the other day, I worked with a student on tardiness to class. I gave the student a choice to serve and after school detention until 4:00 or to schedule a detention two weeks later held in abeyance with the expectation that the student corrects the behavior. The student decided to take option two and work on correcting the issue by making it to class on time. This allows for teaching responsibility and can motivate the student to make positive choices.
Mash Up
From Mr. Eakins, "I apologize for the short notice, but I have juniors that are excited for this opportunity on Wednesday morning. The Newark social studies department is planning to show the History Channel’s updated 2016 version of 'Roots' on Wednesday morning in the high school auditorium. 'Roots' is a historical portrait of American slavery recounting the journey of one family and their will to survive and ultimately carry on their legacy despite hardship. Most Newark students saw parts of the original 'Roots' in 7th grade social studies. We’ll call junior students down around 7:45 am and begin Part 1 & 2 of the miniseries at 8:00 am and end at 10:15 am when we dismiss for the day. Students can bring their belongings, but tell them to finish any breakfast and/or drinks before they arrive to the auditorium. Please accompany your class if you have a class of juniors. This is an enrichment activity and teachers are able to hold their classes or particular students back if needed."
Plan for November 16 Half Day Staff Development for NHS:
- 10:30-12:00 pm for teachers: Assessment items that evaluate higher order thinking. We will be in the cafeteria.
- 10:30-11:30 pm for teacher assistants: Provide support to teachers/building assignments
- 11:30-12:30 pm for teacher assistants: Lunch
- 12:00-1:00 pm for teachers: Lunch
- 12:30 pm until end of work day for teacher assistants (or until 3:30 pm for those who need CTLE credit and wish to extend their work hours): The Power of Our Words with Robin Uveges in the cafeteria
- 1:00-3:00 pm for teachers: Office 365 training options
November 22 assembly schedule:
- Period 1 7:30-8:08 AM
- Announcements 8:08-8:16 AM
- Period 2 8:19-8:57 AM
- Period 3 9:00-9:38 AM
- Period 4 9:41-10:19 AM
- Lunch 5 10:22-10:52 AM, Period 6/7 10:55-11:33 AM, Period 8/9 11:36-12:14 PM
- Period 5/6 10:22-11:00 AM, Lunch 7 11:03-11:33 AM, Period 8/9 11:36-12:14 PM, Period
- 5/6 10:22-11:00 AM, Period 7/8 11:03-11:41 AM, Lunch 9 11:44-12:14 PM
- Period 10 12:17-12:44 PM
- Period 11 12:47-1:14 PM
AM BOCES will miss period 8/9 as they will be required to take lunch 9. PM BOCES will get a double lunch (lunch 5 and lunch 7).
Early release day schedules, November 16:
- Period 1: 7:30-8:07 AM
- Homeroom: 8:07-8:15 AM
- Period 2: 8:18-8:55 AM
- Period 3: 8:58-9:35 AM
- Period 5/6, 6/7: 9:38-10:15 AM (PM BOCES students do not have this class in their schedule and as a result will be provided a studyhall until their departure at 11:30 am)
March 16
- Period 4: 7:30-8:07 AM
- Homeroom: 8:07-8:15 AM
- Period 7/8, 8/9: 8:18-8:55 AM
- Period 10: 8:58-9:35 AM
- Period 11: 9:38-10:15 AM
April 4
- Period 1: 7:30-8:07 AM
- Homeroom: 8:07-8:15 AM
- Period 2 8:18-8:55 AM
- Period 3 8:58-9:35 AM
- Period 5/6, 6/7 9:38-10:15 AM
Social Emotional Learning and the Plan for Excellence
Calendar Share
Wednesday, November 16 at 10:15 am. Early Dismissal. Contact: T Roote.
Thursday, November 17 from 3:00-4:00 pm in the cafeteria. After School PD Hour. Contact: T Roote.
Thursday, November 17 at 5:40 am on Channel 8. Newark Celebrity Chefs Featured on the News Channel 8 Honor Roll Segment. Contact: M Groot/S Kiley.
Friday, November 18 AM. Tom Out: Principal Meeting. Contact: T Roote.
Friday, November 18. The Great American Smoke Out: Wear Red, White and Blue. Contact: N Reinholtz.
Monday, November 21. Tom Out. Contact: T Roote.
Tuesday, November 22 in the afternoon. All School Assembly: SAC and Pause Before you Post. Contact: A principal.
By 3:00 pm: December 1, January 10, February 14, March 22 and May 2. ↓65 Infinite Campus Grade Reports. Contact: T Roote.
Thursday, December 1. No Reds Tale. Contact: T Roote.
College Wear Wednesday: December 14.
Save the date: Special Olympics will be May 12 at North-Rose Wolcott CSD.
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, Trustworthy, and Respectful.
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