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.