New Haven High School: December 2012 Newsletter The Crown Jewel of East Allen County Schools Make it a Great Day or Not---The Choice is Yours!
Administrative Team: Greg Mohler, Michelle Wenglikowski, Dave Myers, and Keith Edmonds . It is that time of the year when Holidays are upon us, and we are ready to usher in a New Year. As I reflect on what has taken place in the first half of this school year, I realize just how blessed I am to get to work with the students, staff, community, and all shareholders principal of New Haven High School. This year has given us the opportunity to see tremendous growth in our students. We all must continue to work together to bring New Haven High School to “Crown Jewel” status!
We have given ownership back to our students as we have developed a THREE TIERED STUDENT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM that gives our students a VOICE" IN OUR SCHOOL. The students are working on projects inside and around our school to make New Haven the best it can be. They are working with me directly around my table in my office to discuss school policies, grades, school lunches, hallway behavior, restroom facilities, suggestion box ideas, and other projects that will only make our school stronger. Outside experts are coming into our building to work on helping our young people enhance their overall leadership to impact not only NHHS, but the community at large. There are some exciting things happening at NHHS! All in all- Our staff wants to wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable Holiday. Feel free to call me or give us ideas to help us become the best school--not only in the area--but the State. I believe we have the resources to accomplish our "Crown Jewel" status.
Sincerely,
Greg Mohler....Make today a great day!
Where to go when you gotta kn ow
Attendance Information: Sherry Smith 446-0180 ext. 7212 Faculty/Staff Phone and email list: http://nhh.eacs.k12.in.us/staff_list Parent Grade Access: https://rds03.eacs.k12.in.us/RDSParentAccess/
NHHS webpage: http://nhh.eacs.k12.in.us/home
I Pad Helpful Hints
Courtesy of Keith
Madsen —Technology coach
ACCEPTABLE APPS FOR IPADS:
The following categories of apps are not allowed on an EACS iPad and are a violation of the Student’s Responsible Use Agreement:
APP Categories: Examples of such an app:
Internet Browsers except Safari or Lightspeed Chrome, Google, Wapzilla,
Webleaf
Social Networking Apps ooVoo, Twitter, Skype, Facebook, Tumblr, Bubbly
Texting/phone/photo sharing apps textnow, textgram, textplus, textfree, text me!, talkaphone
The following categories of apps are not allowed to be used on an EACS iPad during instructional time in the schools. (They are acceptable at home with parental permission.)
APP Categories: Examples of such an app:
Streaming video apps airplayit, iTube, VideoDownloader
Streaming audio apps Pandora, tunein, slacker, siriusxm, tunein, Sirius
Any Game apps Temple Run, Angrybirds
NEW HAVEN ATHETICS: Dave Myers: Athletic Director
Are you a basketball fan? Just looking for something different to do on New Year’s Day? If you answer yes to either question, why not attend the Super Hoops New Year Classic at the Coliseum? The schedule is set out below. Pre-sale tickets are now on sale in the Athletic Office at New Haven High School. The cost is $10. If you purchase your tickets at the Coliseum on January 1, the cost is $12.00.
Game Time Super Hoops Teams Athletic Director Coach Visitors 3A New Prairie Brian Williamson Chad Cripe 1:15 Home 3A S. Bend St. Joseph Eric Gohlke Marty Harshman
Visitors 4A Valparaiso Mark Hoffman Joe Otis 3:00 Home 4A Lafayette Jeff Mark Preston Scott Radeker
Visitors 4A Columbia City Geoff Penrod Chris Benedict 4:45 Home 4A Northridge Dave Harms Ronnie Thompson
Visitors 4A Richmond Chad Bolser Joe Luce 6:30 Home 4A Zionsville Greg Schellhase Shaun Busick
Visitors 4A New Haven David Myers Al Gooden 8:15 Home 4A Huntington North Michael Gasaway Rob Irwin
Jim Rowland:
Instructional Coach
The role of an instructional coach is a classroom supporter, instructional specialist, curriculum specialist, data coach, learning facilitator, and learner. This is the first year East Allen County Schools has placed an instructional coach at New Haven High School. I am finding that it is a job that is very necessary and vital to the overall success of any high school. Currently, we are transforming our classrooms to embrace data-driven instructional practices. We are learning that many of our students are coming into our school lacking necessary skills to be successful. We MUST continue to use data to pinpoint these lacking skills, and help teachers fill in these gaps as quickly and effectively as possible! This is no small task; however, as we continue to partner with our feeder schools and provide valuable data-driven information, I honestly feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!
In cooperation with the administration and faculty of New Haven High School, we are delving into areas such as grading policies, late-work policies, assessment strategies, remediation practices, and instructional strategies. In our Algebra 1, II, and Geometry courses, we have initiated Daily Math Reviews to help bridge the gaps in our students’ mastery. The concepts used for DMRs are pulled directly out of our Acuity testing data, and we are slowly making progress in bringing our students up to speed. Language Arts teachers will begin using Daily Language Review in their classrooms as well!
In addition to these things, we have begun the initial research phase of an exciting new strategy called “Flipped Classrooms”.
What is a Flipped Classroom?? A reversed teaching model that delivers instruction at home through interactive, teacher-created videos and moves “homework” to the classroom. Moving lectures outside of the classroom allows teachers to spend more 1:1 time with each student. Students have the opportunity to ask questions and work through problems with the guidance of their teachers and the support of their peers - creating a collaborative learning environment. What are some benefits of this method?
What are Some Benefits of this Method??
1. Gives teachers more time to spend 1:1 helping students 2. Builds stronger student/teacher relationships 3. Offers a way for teachers to share information with other faculty, substitute teachers, students, parents, and the community easily 4. Produces the ability for students to “rewind” lessons and master topics 5. Creates a collaborative learning environment in the classroom
Family Group Specialist Spotlight: Denita Washington
Mix It Up Lunch Day Movement – From "....R.E.S.P.E.C.T., find out what it means to me!" to "All I do is Win, Win, Win, no matter what!" The New Haven High School's participation of the Mix It Up Lunch Day Movement was outstanding!!! It all started when students began to enter the cafeteria and at the door was a member of the Mix It Up Lunch committee, who handed out a piece of candy; which would later on be the student’s ticket to enter the cafeteria informing them on where they would sit for the day. After that, the show went on! The atmosphere of the cafeteria was indescribable as joy, curiosity and laughter filled the room. Parkview Live was a special guest that helped in playing games with the students; allowing them to identify healthy activities and factors for a healthy way of living. What the students were not aware of was that they were in for a little treat besides the fun games and prizes. There was a Flash Mob!!! The motto for New Haven High School is, “Promote Respect, Foster Pride and Inspire Excellence,” so the songs that were used were RESPECT, WORK HARD PLAY HARD, FOOTLOOSE and ALL I DO IS WIN. It was amazing! Students left lunch feeling like they had just been revived and positive comments and statements were made! One student said, “We should do them more often!” Another stated that, “This was one of the greatest things the school has EVER done.” This was a great turn out for New Haven High School's Mix It Up Lunch Day Movement.
Rodney Walker Jr., Mix It Up Committee Member
Restorative Practices I have conducted several circles this year under the program, Restorative Practices. This is an initiative where staff and students come together and discuss issues that challenge them and their voices can be heard. Restorative Practices cover a range of topics including academics, assignments as well as personal and social issues. There are a set of questions that are used to facilitate the circles, such as “What happened?” “What impact has this incident had on you and others?” and “What do you think needs to happen to make things right?” I’m excited to report that lots of relationships are being restored, through this process.
NEW HAVEN GEMS is a Mentor Group for young ladies that I work with each year. The mission of this program is to empower young ladies to reach their full potential academically, physically and emotionally. We will do this through positive interaction in the school and community. The cost is $20.00 which pays for your t-shirt and journal. I have space available for twenty young ladies to participate.
December Topic: Personal Management Activity: Community service project: singing songs of cheer to local businesses during the holiday season.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Denita Washington Family Group Specialist New Haven High School EMAIL: [email protected] CALL: (260) 446-0220 x7244
Teens - Stay well this Winter! Are you surrounded by sneezing and coughing and just can't face another one of those bad colds? Go Fruity -Try to load up on Citrus fruits - oranges, grapefruit, tangerines as well as Kiwi, and berries. These fruits have tons of nutrients to help you fight illness. And don't forget to Move it - exercise is the most powerful immune boosting habit. Grab that sweatshirt, tie up those shoes and get going to stay well!
Kathy Wehrle, RD Outreach Registered Dietitian East Allen County Schools has created an on-line survey for employees, parents and community members to complete. The intent of the survey is to better understand our patrons opinions on bell times and other transportation related services.
The survey can be accessed at the East Allen web site, http://www.eacs.k12.in.us/ , or the link below: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFVIS19JdUx0UnRDclBpNk4zblNIVnc6MQ Please take a moment to complete the survey to help us better understand your views. Thank you for your time. Kirby Stahly, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services
A Word from Officer Allen
I hope this letter reaches you all in good health and spirits. The topic I would like to cover this newsletter is social media. A lot of children now use social media as a means of communication, and quite often I see that your child uses more than one social media source. Examples of these social media sources are Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and Google Chrome. Other sources like Skype, OovoO and Facetime are now being used more frequently with the addition of the Ipad to the school learning environment. As a parent, do not be afraid to monitor what your child is doing on social media sites. You would be amazed at how powerful the platform has become for young people. Imagine making a comment that was fueled by emotions and that comment touches 1,500 or more people in less than a second, and those 1,500 people reply back to the comment whether it be positively or negatively. In just a moment’s time your child can reach 1,500 or more people that most likely live locally and know the situation your child is commenting on
What I see as a result of this inside New Haven High School is a significant amount of conflict mediation as a result of things that are done or said outside of school. Incidences like this take away the educational time your child is in need of and further distracts your child throughout the school day if
the conflict has not been reported or mediated. In this era where technology takes over the majority of communication, take some time to sit your child down and explain to them the importance of being responsible while posting status updates or while tweeting. Don’t be afraid to log into their Facebook or other social media sites and see what activity they are participating in. Most children I talk with regarding social media posts don’t understand the impact they make by publicly humiliating people and putting them down in front of peers and for the world to see.
Officer Gordon Allen
School Resource Officer for New Haven High School
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 260-446-0220 ext 7293
NHHS Library ~Where Books and Technology Meet~
QR Codes Mrs. Brower is using QR codes to get information to students quickly. For example, students conducting research can pick up a “Research Tips” bookmark from the library, scan a few codes, and find databases at their fingertips. Scan the code to the right for some quick research tips. Destiny Quest App Wondering if your student has any overdue library books? Want to see if they have a Biology textbook checked out? The Destiny Quest App allows you and your student to check their account. Just click on “Account” and “Titles Checked Out”.
Not set up? Just enter the following URL: http://destiny.eacs.k12.in.us The login information is what they use to login to a computer. (You can also access this on a computer by using the same URL and clicking the “login” button in the upper right corner.)
Want to do more than just check their account? Students can search the entire district for books they would like to read and even place their own holds. They can use the search feature to also search for websites just by clicking on the “Webpath” link in the blue bar. This is a really great tool for research as the websites have already been reviewed. eBooks @ Your Library!! At last we have begun our eBook collection! You can find these books by searching through Destiny Quest OR, if you are on the website (not the app), you can click the “Follett Shelf” button at the top. You will need the Follett Digital Reader app to download and read your books. See Mrs. Brower with questions.
T3 Recruiting Time (Teen Technology Team) Mrs. Brower is looking for students that would like to assist staff and students with basic technology issues. Students must be highly trustworthy and dependable. Training will be provided on how to trouble shoot tech issues. This is part of the in-school-internship program. Let Mrs. Brower know ASAP to be considered. [email protected]
Mrs. Brower is the NHHS Library Media Specialist and the recent recipient of the 2012 Indiana Library Federation’s Outstanding New Library Media Specialist Award.
Guidance Office Hours: The Guidance Office is open daily from 7:15 am – 3:30 Guidance Staff pm. Counselors are available during school hours by Maureen O’Donoghue, Director of Guidance ext. 7209 appointment. After hour appointments can be made by Grade 9 calling a counselor. Shanon Nunley, Counselor ext. 7214 Grades 10 & 11 Jana Gepfert, Counselor ext. 7208 Grade 12 Indiana Career Explorer Michelle Cordrey, Secretary ext. 7211 All students have registered for the Indiana Career Explorer on-line program. This provides students with access to Kuder Career Upcoming Dates Assessments, portfolio, graduation plans, work December 21 – Semester 1 ends and college resources. This program can be January 8 – Semester 2 begins accessed with the IPad and students and February 13 – FAFSA Day 11-7 NHHS Library parents are encouraged to utilize this valuable,
free resource. Indiana College Cost Estimators HELP is Available: This is a free service available to all families in the State of Indiana. The site is secure. We After School Tutoring – 3:05 – 4:00 encourage families with students of all grade levels Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to utilize this program to calculate the cost of college. This site also offers a variety of other tools in the Library such as college profiles, side by side financial aid comparisons, local scholarship information, and Teachers and peer tutors available to help! “Ask the Expert”.
www.indianacollegecosts.org NHHS Guidance Department recommends that all juniors take the SAT and ACT prior to the end of the junior year.
SAT Dates
Test Date Registration Late Registration ACT Dates October 6* September 7 September 21 Test Date Registration Late November 3* October 4 October 19 Registration December 1* November 1 November 16 January 26* December 28 January 11 September 8 August 17 August 18-24 March 9 February 8 February 22 October 27 September 21 September 22-Oct May 4* April 5 April 19 5 June 1* May 2 May 17 December 8 November 2 November 3-16 February 9 January 11 January 12-18 April 13 March 8 *Test given at NHHS March 9-22 NHHS School Code 152545 June 8 May 3 May 4-17 Register on line at www.collegboard.org