This workshop, presented by the President of NJ Association for Gifted Children, will provide participants with resources of activities, contests, collaborations and ideas that have been used effectively with gifted students and which provide opportunities to enrich learning, engage students, and stimulate creativity. Many of these programs and contests are free. Examples will be shared through DVDs and hands-on samples. Information on grants received and how to fund some of these programs will also be provided.
To solidify the skill sets necessary to help students perform optimally on state assessments, the Vernon Schools have implemented “blitz” programs for students in grades 4-8 and 11. Using multiple forms of data, students are tiered according to their ability levels and several days before the tests move together as cohorts to different classroom experts in the buildings to focus on specific cluster areas, test taking strategies, etc. The week culminates in an academic pep rally.
The overarching goals of this interactive session are to provide board of education members and school leaders, with a review of, and discussion centered on, the universally accepted character traits of respect and responsibility as related to creating district policy and expectations that will help to foster a culture of character within the school district. The session will outline and review the benefits of strong policy expectations, academically infused character education within schools, and identify effective strategies for implementation within the district and whole-school community.
We are in our third year of our Freshman Foundation Program which was designed to transition freshman successfully into high school academically and socially. Freshman have a morning academic block taught by a team of teachers with common preparation time. Students also have a Foundation class that offers academic support, enrichment and financial literacy. The Sophomore component offers a focused Humanities Block of instruction, the Junior year focuses all academic classes on an overarching essential question and offers various pathways of non-traditional options culminating in a Senior Thesis.
Using a combination of PowerPoint presentation, hand-outs, and time for Q and A, the presenters will discuss their experience in devloping a comprensive districtwide safe schools procedure and protocol. This workshop will walk participants through all of the steps required to join the new anti-bullying and school security drill laws into a district's daily routine. The district safety team, which is comprised of a school administrator, senior maintenance safety advisor and a police captain will provide a detailed account of what they've learned that a district must identify and incorporate into new procedures that will comply with state law. Participants will leave the workshop with a detailed understanding of how a district safety team needs to work together to make sure that all aspects of the school security are addressed.
This session explores the power of collaboration among stakeholders in developing a K-12 summer reading program that promotes a love of reading. Hear from a parent, teacher, and supervisor how the Somerville Public School district;s Curriculum Committee created a dynamic summer reading program that celebrates the joy of reading throughout the year.
Tenure reform and teacher evaluations are key issues in the education reform movement. Panelists on both sides of the issue will offer their viewpoints.
Participants will be able to understand the steps needed to improve security and safety at school events.