PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY TENAFLY HIGH SCHOOL April – June 2014

English Supervisor Brian Ross

Member of the THS English Department collaborated on several projects this spring. As they prepared to finalize their SGOs, several teachers met to discuss student work. Discussions expanded to include the process of creating and scoring SGOs, along with their effects on delivering quality instruction.

At the same time, teachers collaborated on course-, grade-, and departmental-specific objectives. Much of this discussion centered on developing final examinations that offer students the ability to demonstrate their mastery of literacy skills.

There was still time for interdepartmental teamwork, as English teacher Amanda Oppedisano and Social Studies teacher Tom Hutchinson worked to outline various units (e.g. Romanticism, modern art, etc.) for their Humanities Honors courses.

Social Studies Supervisor Mr. Glenn Peano

Tenafly High School Social Studies teachers continued to collaborate on a number of projects, assessments, and administrative mandates in the last quarter of the school year. Collaboration on final exams between department members has been ongoing, and the assessments themselves are being finalized for submission to the department supervisor on June 3rd. Teachers also collaborated to plan summer curriculum projects that support new courses, address curricular revisions, and ensure a viable and guaranteed scope and sequence to the Social Studies program. Teachers also discussed and chose the recipients of three senior awards from the department. With the summative evaluation process completed in this first year of Achieve NJ implementation, teachers have been reflecting on its various components, particularly Student Growth Objectives, with an eye towards next school year.

Tom Hutchinson and ELA teacher Amanda Oppedisano have continued to collaborate on the interdepartmental Humanities Honors program to better align the content of the classes and identify opportunities for interdisciplinary learning activities.

Science Supervisor Cathy Paz

Science department along with the Science Research teachers, Mrs. Helen Coyle, Dr. Robert Kennedy, and Ms. Anat Firnberg are happy to report on a successful Science Research Symposium. We were honored to have leading particle physicist, Dr. Michael Tuts from

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Columbia University speak to us about the ATLAS experiment at CERN in Geneva Switzerland. Four students also presented their science research that evening to an audience of 150. The other 40 science research students prepared and presented their research in a poster session in the cafeteria that evening. We are grateful to all science teachers for preparing their students to do high level and high quality scientific research. Thank you to the following staff members that helped with the symposium: Ms. Grace Woleslagle, Ms. Carol Pastushok, Ms. Jennifer Halliwell, Mr. Adam Rendell, Mr. Paul Nelson and Mr. Dan Vollenweider.

Mathematics Supervisor Ellen Nelson Math teachers have used recent collaborative time to:

1. Explore many facets of the new PARCC assessments. Tenafly field tested the Geometry PBA and EOY. Teachers have debriefed about the tech aspects of that assessment. In addition, they considered the standards covered on each part of the assessment and how that information will drive the work they will do this summer. 2. Analyze SGOs. Teachers examined the data from common SGOs and discussed results relevant to changes in how and when the content is presented. 3. Use Teachscape for Domain 4 artifacts. 4. Design multiple versions of final exams as the high school moves to a new period by period exam schedule. 5. Continue to explore the use of technology in the classroom, that is, the flipped classroom, Smartboards, and Catch Up Math. World Languages Supervisor Dr. Elizabeth Giblin

In Spring 2014, teachers in the World Language department conducted post-assessments for the Student Growth Objectives (SGO) to determine how well students met the benchmark set in the fall. The results of the SGOs showed students’ growth over time in their written and oral proficiency as well as their interpretive listening and reading skills. An overwhelming majority of students demonstrated growth by moving from one proficiency level to the next, according the proficiency scale set by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). The department also continued to explore the various functions of the Study 1200 system in the language lab while also considering the Sans/Sony lab system in an effort to streamline assessment in oral communication. Finally, teachers finished revisions of final exams to ensure that students are assessed in alignment with the communicative strands of the standards: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational.

ELL – Visual & Practical Arts Supervisor Freddy Nuñez

Change of conversation shifted to inclusion of PARCC Strategies into current ELL and Language Arts classes after the elimination of the proposed PARCC Courses for the 2014-15 school year. Teachers will be doing summer curriculum work to address these needs in the current curriculum.

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Business Supervisor Freddy Nuñez

Mr. Hiler and Mr. Nuñez visited Forest Hills High School in Queens, NY to look at their Virtual Enterprise (VE) program. Both agreed to investigate further as to the cost and flexibility of the program. Mr. Nuñez has been in contact with Nutley High School and Livingston High School in New Jersey to review how they use the program, while Mr. Hiler has been in contact with Morris Hills High School. The overall feeling was that the VE program would be a welcome capstone course for the Business Academy; however we do not want to be restricted because of mandated curriculum or because of cost. Once we have done our due diligence, we will report back to Dr. K and Mr. Cory.

Visual Art Department Supervisor Freddy Nuñez

The hydroponic STEAM initiative was a success and the Photography program has received many positive reviews from students and staff who have worked with Mrs. Kirschbaum and Mrs. Pacheco respectively. Discussion has taken place to see how we can implement another STEAM initiative in the 14-15 school year. Sadly, we are saying goodbye to Nancy Nagel, who is retiring. Pat Pacheco will be taking over the AP art Studio Course.

Family & Consumer Science Department Supervisor Freddy Nuñez

Summer Curriculum Work will be done in the Regional Foods to incorporate lessons that will gear themselves towards the cultures of our student population (Korean, Jewish/Israeli, etc.) . The Child Development teacher will be working with Mr. Nuñez to find ways to increase enrollment in the Tiger Cubs program at THS.

Physical Education Supervisor Bill Jaeger

The department members Jim Sutera, Dave Burns and Jeff Koehler have been working with Vice Principal Cory to identify obsolete equipment in our Fitness Center for replacement. These individuals also submitted new schematics for equipment placement, as well as, identified new equipment to be purchased. The new equipment has been ordered and a new lay-out for the Fitness Center will be arranged over the summer. Jeff Koehler, Jim Sutera and Kristen McCall have met for evaluation and revision of newly instituted Family Life 4 class. Ms. Weissman met with Ms. Spiotto to revise Project Adventure activities to meet the more limited schedule of days due to increased testing and other school functions. Ms. Weissman also met with Ms. Desplat to review and revise Project Adventure activities to meet the needs of some classified students. Ms. Capone continued to work with Ms. Gould to revise activities/presentation by Peer Leader and Teen Pep programs to high school underclass and middle school students. The department has met and discussed the need for new activities for the auxiliary gymnasium with an eye towards developing new activities for the coming school year.

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Special Education Supervisor Ann-Marie Desplat

The high school’s special education department continues to work toward improving student learning outcomes as the school year comes to a close.

Planning for the Language-based Learning Disabilities Program which will be in its first year of operation in 2014-15 has continued. Our department, in conjunction with the Transition Committee met to discuss and plan the transformation of Room 210, which included placement and storage of new laptops, Smartboard, television and furniture. Teachers have been approved for summer curriculum work to develop units of instruction; they have begun to order materials for the new English, History, Math, Science replacement and weekly health course. Special education teachers will meet in June with teachers in a neighboring district to observe and review their replacement programs and curricula. Class lists are being finalized, and our .8 posting has been increased to a 1.0 FTE due to increased need. The search for a qualified candidate continues. The, “It's All About Work” Program, offered by Heightened Independence & Progress (HIP) has come to a close and students will complete final surveys after finals which will be returned and possibly submitted to DVR for use in their future portfolios.

Faculty meetings, departmental PLC and common planning time were devoted to the high school’s new final exam schedule, and to the resulting development of a system to deliver accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans. The third exam slot in the afternoon necessitated pulling students who need 100% extra time to the second time spot. With each revision to the master, pulled rooms were reworked. A subset of special education teachers developed a presentation and met with administrators for input. Once the building plan was finalized, each student with modifications met privately with their teacher, counselor or case manager to discuss the need to be pulled. A new memo for staff was developed and distributed to staff with envelopes for the pulled students. Supervisors collected exams and were in communication with the special education department for their safe transfer.

Per NJ Special Education Code, IEP team decisions during annual review meetings necessitated revisions to student schedules as determined by such data as student course performance in the second semester, recent testing, mainstream and special education teacher, student, case manager and parental input. Appeal results continue to be updates as well and in some cases appealed again, and IEP members have been consulted again for input. A final Removing Barriers Report for Semester 2 was developed and shared with staff for classified students with a C- average or lower.

School Counseling Director of Guidance Jayne Bembridge

 School counselors worked collaboratively reviewing applications for local scholarships  Increase in vertical communication K-12 school counselors. Change in Genesis accessibility so all counselors can view sibling data in all six schools therefore increasing articulation and communication.

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 Weekly meetings of the I&RS/504 committee and interdisciplinary group composed of regular education teacher, school nurse, CST case manager, nurse, SAC, school counselor and administration with the specific goal of maintaining a comprehensive and coordinated process to address prevention and intervention of THS adolescents who may be at risk socially, emotionally and/or academically.  Special education and school counseling department have elected to work collaboratively to address and provide support for students with accommodation and modification on their final exams. Barbara Cohan has worked very closely with Jack Mullen to make this happen.  2014 AP exams- 725 exams were successfully and efficiently administered this May with the help and support of the school counseling department, teachers and supervisors.  Collaboration with content supervisors in developing master schedule 2014-15  Continued partnership with case managers and counselors working with special education students including IEP meetings, referrals, and home instruction coordination.

Library Media Center Supervisor David DiGregorio

 Study of Montessori teaching methodology and incorporate ideas into library media services. Research “work” that provide a hands-on deeper understanding of our world.  Design learning centers within the library for enhanced instructional support – a look at various models, ultimately coming up with an original for Tenafly.  A review of equipment utilization continues within district libraries and recommendations are forthcoming.  Development of a proposal – a new concept that modifies older approaches: professional group research travel or “mini sabbaticals” proposal to enhance / develop teachers and their content knowledge – coordinated through library media services.

Student Services Supervisor Donna Lewis

Tiger Leaps article, 4/25/14, -“Teens and Part-time Jobs” discussed the benefits of teens working as a means to acquiring lifelong skills. Some obvious advantages presented included learning to manage money; developing “people” skills; increasing one’s independence, responsibility and maturity; and engaging in career readiness opportunities. It was noted that colleges are responding favorably to student summer employment as an alternative or in addition to travel, internships or study abroad and generally view student employment as an indication of a student’s overall work ethic.

Workshop attended by THS SAC and Student Supervisor – “SNAP 2014: Educator’s Update: Latest Issues and Laws Affecting Schools and Students”. This workshop, organized by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office which addressed student, staff and building safety and security issues, included topics such as: youth trends in narcotics; when is an addicted teacher protected under the law against discrimination; access to schools for persons with disabilities;

5 recognizing signs of teenage depression and drug addiction; resources available for troubled youth; and important considerations for school building safety. Information gleaned was shared with Student Services Groups.

Girls’ Group continued their weekly meetings which provided peer-led discussions about teen girl high school life.

Student Services Group meetings were held biweekly among our student support team to review current issues and trends among our student body and to specifically collaborate on interventions for students at risk. Topics discussed included student mental health, attendance and behavioral concerns.

School Safety Team meeting held on 6/2/14 to review trends from this school year’s HIB investigations and make recommendations for future school safety initiatives and ways to enhance school climate. The school self-assessment was evaluated as well.

Senior students participated in a school environmental activity to help clean-up and beautify the school environs.

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