Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy the holiday time – especially for those of you lucky enough to be able to spend time with family and friends. You can start the day off with some Thanksgiving Day football by coming out to watch the traditional Woodbury-Gateway game. The game is home and will start at 10:30 a.m.

We congratulate each of our four schools on their successful Thanksgiving food drives. Each of the elementary schools put together large baskets of food for Woodbury families – nearly thirty Woodbury families will have much more during this holiday thanks to these efforts. Additionally, the Jr.-Sr. High School Interact club helped lead that schools effort to collect and donate food directly to the Food Bank of South Jersey.

See the GCT’s article spotlighting Woodbury graduate Bryant McKinnie’s visit to the schools yesterday: GCT article on Food Drive

See everyone December 1st !

AVID in Action

(The following is a press release that was modified to be included here as a blog entry. I was fortunate to be present to witness our student performance. After hearing the opening testimonials from our senior AVID students, I knew that I was in for one of the most powerful student run programs I have ever witnessed. It is no exaggeration to state that it was one of my proudest moments as an educator. AVID is changing the educational landscape for many Woodbury students – over 20% of our students in grades 8 through 12 participate in the AVID program.)



Last week, as part of the eight seminar series of the New Jersey Network to Close the Achievement Gap, seventy school leaders met in Sewell at the EIRC to discuss a program whose mission is to ensure that all students are prepared for college, AVID. Students from Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School presented at the program to the gathered school administrators and teacher leaders.

AVID Executive Director, Robert Gira, visiting from California where AVID originated, along with AVID New Jersey Director, Ellen Nickerson, were also available to answer questions.

AVID is a fourth- through twelfth-grade system to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility. It has a proven track record in bringing out the best in students, and in closing the achievement gap. AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination.

AVID targets students in the academic middle — B, C, and even D students — who have the desire to go to college and the willingness to work hard. These are students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential. Typically, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families. AVID pulls these students out of their unchallenging courses and puts them on the college track: acceleration instead of remediation." In the case of Woodbury we include some A students who have the desire to be a part of the program.

The program included an introduction of AVID elective teachers and AVID testimonials by Seniors, Malcolm Beale, Rasheeda Roundtree, Anthony Blackwell, and Malcolm Beale. AVID seniors shared the college preparation process using a student created PowerPoint featuring senior, Shelby Martin. AVID “Tutorlology” sessions were demonstrated by eighth grade students. Students from all grades presented their AVID binders. Juniors taught the gathered school leaders to use Costa's levels of questioning to have deeper discussions. Finally, an AVID Socratic Seminar was be presented by freshmen.

(Coming soon – pictures from the day . . .)

Family Tiles @ West End Memorial

(This post was provided by Mr. Myers, West End Memorial School Principal)




Over the years we have had great success with our W.E.B.S.T.E.R. home projects that encouraged families to come together as a school community. Some of our past family projects have included multicultural children, wooden flowers that adorned our school gardens, a large community quilt -- which is still a matter of great pride for us here at West End Memorial School, and the “West End Students are Heads and Shoulders Above the Rest” banners.


During the 2007-2008 school year, we were excited to work on a new project: tiling the wall outside of our computer lab. West End families were able to use their imaginations to create a tile that uniquely represented their family. Once each tile was returned, first grade teacher Mrs. Spittal and representative from our PTA shellacked each one in order for the family tiles to “shine.” Each was then mounted on boards in preparation for display. These boards were then hung in the hallway. The final piece to this project occurred at the beginning of this school year when Mrs. Spittal orchestrated the effort to paint the wall around the tiles to give all of the boards some “pop.” Along with the blue and gold paint, various character traits from W.E.B.S.T.E.R. were incorporated along the wall boarders.



We were excited to be able to display all of the creativity and diversity from our West End Families!

Spotlight on Mrs. Stalter-Allen

Mrs. Stalter-Allen


Option II Coordinator


Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School


• Name:

Kathryn Stalter-Allen


• College(s) and degrees(s):

Eastern University, St. Davids, Pa BA - Organizational Management


• Work experience:

Salem Community College, Gloucester County OEL,

Cumberland/Salem Workforce Investment Board


• Favorite books:

o fiction: To Kill a Mockingbird
o nonfiction: The Last Lecture


• Favorite television show:

The Dog Whisperer


• Last movie I loved:

It's a Wonderful Life


• Music CD that I have almost worn out from repeated playing:

10th Avenue North: Over and Underneath


• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:

Homer, Alaska


• One item on my “to do” list that I can’t seem to get to:

Stand-Up Comic School


• Favorite animal (domestic or wild):

Horses


• Favorite sports team:

Woodstown Boys Varsity Soccer (sorry) :(


• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:

Kenya, Africa


• Details about the teacher I will never forget who inspired me to enter the profession:

College Professor D. DeRosier….. "Just keep learning"

Parent Conferences

Please note that we have our annual parent conferences scheduled for next week.

Elemenatry Schools
The elementary schools will be meeting with parents Monday afternoon, Tuesday afternoon and evening, and Wednesday morning.

(Early dismissal for students on Monday and Tuesday; no classes on Wednesday for West End and Evergreen; Walnut will make up a day on Wednesday -- early dismissal)

Jr.-Sr. High School
The Jr.-Sr. High School will have conference concentrated on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

(Early dismissal for students on Tuesday and Wednesday)

As part of our new Strategic Plan, we are operating on the concept that the district requires parent participation at conference time. Parents of Jr.-Sr. High School only need to meet at least one of the teachers on your child's schedule, though you are welcome to see as many as needed.

If you have a conflict with the dates and times of the conference, please contact the building principal.

Jr.-Sr. High School Concern. Wednesday, November 19th.

I am writing to report to you a concern that was relayed to the school district by the Woodbury Police department late Tuesday evening. The police provided a report that one of our students allegedly received a call indicating that there would be a bomb at the school on Wednesday, November 19. The family of the student contacted the Woodbury police, and the police reached out to school officials.

Late Tuesday evening, school district personnel and the police worked closely together to ensure that the school building itself was secure. Though these matters are almost always a hoax, we have obviously chosen to treat this case seriously.

In addition to last night’s efforts, all students will be checked upon entering school today through a designated doorway. We will have established checkpoints with enough adults participating in the process to ensure that students move through as rapidly as possible. The police will have officers available, and police cars are scheduled to be on campus at the start of the school day.

We anticipate that there will only be a minimal delay to the start of school as we move students through a common entrance. Once the above student procedure is followed, we will go about a regular school day with "business as usual."

Finally, students will be informed that a reward will be offered for the first person to provide information to the building principal that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for generating this concern.

Though this posting fully summarizes what we know at this time, you are welcome to call (or e-mail) me or any of the Jr.-Sr. High School administrators if you have additional questions or information.

A New Woodbury Venture

The Greater Woodbury Arts Council will introduce itself to Woodbury and surrounding communities on Friday, November 21, with their “Meet the Artist” night at 67 Cooper Street starting at 7 p.m.

Over twenty-five art works by local artists will be on display, and local musicians will be featured. Refreshments will be served. The event is free.

Come out and enjoy this fun and exciting kick off to a new arts venture in Woodbury. Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School art teacher Maureen St. John will be one of the featured artists!

Board of Education Meeting -- Wednesday 7 p.m.

The regular, monthly meeting of the Woodbury Board of Education will be held this Wednesday, November19th, at 7:00 p.m.

The board meetings are held in the Jr.-Sr. High School auditorium. Entrance to the building can be made through the lobby doors by the auditorium, across from the Cap Paine gymnasium.

The agenda for the board meeting will be posted on the district website later today. (agenda)

At this November meeting, there will be a report on our efforts to expand "Option II" and an update on the status of the implementation of our new Strategic Plan.

Spotlight on Mrs. Evans

Mrs. Denise Evans

School Psychologist

Woodbury City Public School District

• Name:

Denise Evans

• College(s) and degrees(s):

Temple University--earned my M.Ed in School Psychology; working toward my Ph.D in School Psychology (anticipated May 2009)

• Work experience:

I completed my internship at Paulsboro School District during the 2007-2008 school year. Prior to that, I worked at NewPoint Behavioral Health (formerly Gloucester County Mental Health) as a case management supervisor. I helped to link children and their families to mental health resources in Gloucester county and then supervised the delivery of these services. As a result, I feel more comfortable in navigating the mental health system and am more than happy to provide any assistance.

• Favorite books:
o fiction: Harry Potter series
o nonfiction: Anything related to ancient civilizations (Incan, Mayan, Roman)

• Favorite television show:

I love LOST, 24, The Office, and The Tudors

• Last movie I loved:

I'm a big fan of all the Harry Potter movies, but the last movie I saw was the new Indiana Jones film -- it was pretty good.

• Music CD that I have almost worn out from repeated playing:

Jack Johnson

• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:

I enjoy going to the park by my house or the library.

• One item on my “to do” list that I can’t seem to get to:

Finishing my dissertation--ugh, so frustrating

• Favorite animal (domestic or wild):

Panda bears

• Favorite sports team:

Pittsburgh Steelers!!!

• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:

Italy or Jerusalem

• Details about the reasons I entered the profession:

When I was young, my best friend lived next door. Her mother was diagnosed with mental health problems and ended up taking her own life. This had a devastating impact on my friend, who was very close with her mother. She was eventually diagnosed with similar mental health problems but sought out the help of a psychologist. This psychologist encouraged her talk about the issues with which she struggled and helped her address her problems head on. At the time, I remember wishing that I could help her and feeling like my hands were tied due to my lack of understanding regarding what she was going through and what I could do. After witnessing a positive change in her whole demeanor and attitude toward life, I decided that I wanted to learn more about psychology and what drives behavior and behavior change. After graduating from college, I decided to combine my own love of learning and children with psychology and attended graduate school to become a school psychologist. After many years of studying hard, I'm here to begin my journey as a Woodbury School Psychologist. I am looking forward to a great year!

Chatter Matters

Here’s a non-school post. We are a game family – we like board games. Games get the family around the kitchen table, talking, and having fun. I said in a recent post that we were playing a good bit of Monopoly over the break. A number of our games tend to be the traditional board games.

At the same time, my wife is always on the lookout for new, fun games that will engage everyone – especially at the holiday times. December is often a time new games get introduced.
Last night, my third grader wanted to play a game that has been in our house for a while now. It is not in my repertoire of “traditional” games because it is a relatively new entry into the game market. But, it is a fun game that has as a main goal to get the family talking --- about family. The name of the game is Chatter Matters Family Game.

If you are looking for a good gift for a family with children – give some thought to Chatter Matters. It is for 2 to 6 players and the box indicates ages 8 & up. My son and I played last night – but it is even more engaging with a bigger group.

Anyway – just a thought/suggestion. It is a Mattel game. See the link below for even more information, if you are interested.

More Info

Election Activity at Evergreen

(This entry was submitted by Principal Breland and 5th grade teacher Mr. Richardson.)

To celebrate and recognize the 2008 Presidential Election, students from Evergreen Avenue Elementary School gathered on October 30th to debate and sing patriotic songs.

The ceremony was opened with the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" by principal Tonya Breland and followed by songs that the students had practiced in their music classes with teacher Mrs. Savage.

With the auditorium decorated for the occassion, students from Mr. Richardson's and Mr. Grundel's 5th grade classes debated on the issue of attending year round school. Some points were argued that attending school year round allows for more opportunities to travel and could provide a chance for enrichment education during the many breaks. To counter some points, students rebutted by saying that year round schooling could cost the school more money and not allow students and teachers to have summer jobs.

After listening to the many points from each class, the school was then given the opportunity to vote for or against year round schooling the following day. All in all, the event was a huge success.

Peer Mediation @ Woodbury

(This posting was provided by Mr. Murphy, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.)

On Tuesday, October 28th, twenty-six students in grades 4-7 were trained as peer mediators. Students from each of our elementary schools and the junior high school participated in this year’s training. The final selections were made by the teachers and counselors, and training was held at RiverWinds in West Deptford, NJ.

During training, students learned the fine art of listening and the process involved in helping their peers resolve conflict. The day was filled with hands-on activities, and the students were provided time to practice the process through role-playing activities. After a full day, the students returned back to their respective schools eager to be a part of this character education program.

A group of students who were trained last year and who attended a refresher course this year also submitted Peer Mediation t-shirt designs. The designs were then voted on by this year’s peer mediator group. Congratulations to the design winners, 6th grader Megan Rogers and 7th grader Emily Repas. Each peer mediator will receive a t-shirt.

Parents or students who would like additional information about the program are encouraged to contact any of the school counselors.

Welcome to November

Welcome back, everyone. I hope that this fall break provided some opportunities to do things as a family that the hectic pace of the school week does not allow. Even if it was something as simply as a few Monopoly games (I know that is what capture the fancy of my family!).

At school, during the course of the last week, we had two days dedicated to a new initiative. The faculty started work on an ambitious project to move our local course curriculum documents into a new computerized format. This "curriculum mapping" process will allow for teachers to have easy access to all the curriculum in the district through a specially designed computer database.

We feel that the end product will provide new accessibility to important information and that this will help improve instruction across the district.

I would like to extend a special thanks to all the teachers who moved so quickly to begin tackling this curriculum mapping task.

Spotlight on Mr. Soper

Mr. Sheldon Soper

Teacher of Grade 3

Evergreen Avenue Elementary School

• Name:

Sheldon Soper

• College(s) and degrees(s):
Ithaca College/Rutgers University - BA History
Rutgers University Graduate School of Education - M Ed. Elementary Education with 6-8 Social Studies concentration

• Work experience:
4 years as a 4th grade inclusion classroom assistant in New Brunswick, NJ

• Favorite books
o fiction: The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker
o nonfiction: Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

• Favorite television show:
The West Wing

• Last movie I loved:
The King of Kong

• Music CD that I have almost worn out from repeated playing:
The Black Crowes - Darlings of the Underground Press

• Person (living or not) that I’d like to have lunch with and why:
Larry Bird - "Larry Legend" is the consummate example of how hard work and the philosophy of being the first to practice and last to leave can overcome one not being the strongest or the fastest. His success demonstrates the power of will, determination, and an innate competitive fire to be the best one can be can make the impossible a reality (Plus the '86 Celtics season was my first real sports memory growing up).

• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:
Geneva Point Center on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire

• One item on my “to do” list that I can’t seem to get to:
Finish writing/recording my goal of 12 songs (been stuck at 5 for quite a while).

• Favorite animal (domestic or wild):
Monkey

• Favorite sports team:
The Boston Celtics

• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:
The Mediterranean

• Details about the teacher I will never forget who inspired me to enter the profession:
Mr. Morrow - 4th Grade - Cranberry Pines Elementary School

Mr. Morrow was my first male teacher growing up. He had this innate ability to draw out our personalities and energy in a way I had never experienced before. We all were part of his team in that classroom, and as a result, we were able to accomplish some truly amazing things as 9 and 10 year olds that we likely could not have as individuals.

Additionally, Mr. Morrow was the first teacher I had who really integrated technology into the classroom as a powerful tool. We had no science text; instead he used fill-in-the-blank notes and laser discs to bring the content alive and push our understanding. The detailed and complicated things I learned in that science period carried me through science in high school and college.

Last year I had the opportunity to substitute for his class for a period of time while he battled bronchitis. At the end of the nearly two weeks, one of his students said, "Mr. Soper, you do that just like Mr. Morrow!" That was one of the best compliments I have ever received from a student. I simply replied, "Where do you think I learned it?"

This and That . . .

Well, news from this workshop has been a bit mixed.

The governor spoke yesterday, and he was one of at least three different speakers throughout the program these past couple of days to indicated that we may be lucky to simply maintain the level of state funding that was received for this school year. As some of you who have been following our financial situation know, Woodbury received a 20% increase in state aid for this school year, and we were slated (in accordance with the new state funding formula for schools) to receive a similar increase for the 2009-10 school year. The news regarding the toughening financial times and how that may impact state aid to school paints a much different financial picture for us. Time will tell -- we typically do not receive state dollar numbers until late January.

On the other hand, I just came from a wonderful presentation regarding the use of today's technology tools in the classrooms. I may be able to post the PowerPoint for the program in the near future. It was very upbeat and spoke to a very different, exciting classroom experience.

Finally -- how nice! World Champion Phillies. And, the 3-inning game allowed my kids (and me!) to be up to see it happening. That worked out nicely.

Have a great day.

NJSBA Workshop

The NewJersey School Board Association, in conjunction with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and New Jersey Association of School Business Administrators, is having their fall workshop/convention.

There are numerous opportunities for board members to network and engage in important informational sessions on a wide variety of matters related to education within districts and across the state. Woodbury is represented at this convention -- and it is the reason I am late with this post!

In addition to the planned sessions, there is a large exhibition that includes vendors who do business with schools. Again, this is a great chance to get better information on products and services that may help the local district.

The link on the NJSBA website provides all the detail of the program. NJSBA Workshop

New Jersey High School Redesign

Representatives of the Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School were in attendance at yesterday’s fourth of four New Jersey Department of Education’s (NJDOE) presentations to educators on the topic of redesigning the New Jersey high school.

There is a wealth of information on the NJDOE website.

The vision statement found at that site reads as follows:

Vision ~ New Jersey will educate all students to prepare them to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Through a public education system that is seamlessly aligned from pre-school to college, students will gain the requisite academic knowledge and technical and critical thinking skills for life and work in the 21st century.

One of the four major areas of emphasis of the redesign conversation is on “personalizing” the high school experience. At Woodbury, this has been an area of focus for us for the last few years and this concept is now embedded in our own, new mission statement.

There are a number of other interesting items that will be coming out of this state effort including new graduation requirements, new end of course testing, and a renewed interest on the part of the NJDOE to see districts employ more options for students.

Again – we feel that we are on the right course with much of the work that we did through our recent strategic plan development. Nonetheless, there will be more that the high school will need to grapple with during the upcoming months to be sure that we meet the specifics of these new expectations.

I am sure that I will revisit this “High School Redesign” topic in future posts.

Seriously Tired

I am having a difficult time with this baseball series and time. On Saturday, we were up 4-1. Next thing I know, the Rays have tied the game, and we are headed to the bottom of the 8th inning. What happened to the 6th and 7th inning?

Again, last night, I’m not sure if I was more excited about the fact that the Phils were able to get their bats going or that I was able to be awake during most of the homeruns hit.

This has been a real challenge. The most unfortunate part of the whole experience is not my inability to stay awake during these ridiculously late games. The real shame of the series is that my four kids – like many children – are missing a chance to see this World Series event.

As much as they like baseball, even they realize that the hour is just too late. They fall asleep with the game on in the background. The inevitable first question of the morning becomes, “Did the Phils win?” What a shame.

Oh well – one more game. Go Phils!

Spotlight on Mr. Banka

Mr. Robert Banka


Teacher of Science


Woodbury Jr.-Sr. High School



• Name:

Bob Banka

• College(s) and degrees(s):

University of Pennsylvania, BA in Geochemistry

• Work experience:

20 years as the 7th and 8th grade bio/chem and math teacher at Westfield Friends School in Cinnaminson, NJ.; 5 years, both full and part time, chemistry lab instructor and IA at Burlington County College in Pemberton, NJ

• Favorite books:
o fiction: The The Killer Angels (Michael Shaara)
o nonfiction: Chronicles, Volume One (Bob Dylan)


• Last movie I loved:

"Magnolia" directed by P.T. Anderson

• Music CD that I have almost worn out from repeated playing:

Eric Clapton's "One More Car, One More Rider (Live):"

• Person (living or not) that I'd like to have lunch with and why:

Film director Stanley Kubrick, because he was such a recluse and so little is known about his personal approach to filmmaking - his decision process, how and why he selected the projects he undertook. What was he thinking on the set and how did he determine what he beleved was the best way to communicate his ideas to the viewer with images and sound.

• Visiting this place makes me peaceful:

An art museum

• One item on my "to do" list that I can't seem to get to:

My degree is in geochemistry, and yet I've never been futher west than Ohio! All but the very northern reaches of New Jersey is a giant sandbox. There's almost no geology here to speak of. A voice is pleading... "Go West Young Man."

• Favorite animal:

Scottish Terrier. I was lucky enough to have one for a while. Her name was Bonnie.

• Favorite sports team:

Philadelphia Phillies

• Destination of my fantasy vacation trip:

A cruise along the coast and into the interior of Alaska

• Details about the teacher I will never forget who inspired me to enter the profession:

Professor Vincent Sollimo - an inorganic chemistry teacher who got me hooked on all things chemistry, which if you think about it IS all things. He was a fabulous presenter who had high expectations for his students, as well as the ability to generate enthusiasm and the desire for his students to reach them. Something he saw in me brought him to ask if I would like to begin leading review sessions for students having difficulties with some of the concepts being taught in class. I agreed to do so and found that I enjoyed devising new approaches to the material that would help the "lights go on" in the minds of students. Everything I've done since leads back to those review sessions and the boost of confidence given to me by Professor Sollimo.

• Anything else:

I have a passion for nearly all types of music from opera to smooth jazz to rock and folk. I've been playing guitar for many years and currently I play and sing in a 5-piece band. It's a wonderful distraction. I also enjoy writing poetry.

Who Won?

Okay -- 8:35 p.m. is too late to start these World Series games. Everyone in my house is a Phillies fan. What a great time. But, each one of us woke up this morning asking the same question: "Did the Phillies win?"

Last I heard was that they were warming up Ryan Madson -- Madson for the 8th and Lidge for the 9th. Sounded like a good plan. I guess the went to commercial. I was the last hold out in my house, but that commercial was it for me.

So -- I found out the answer to the question by checking the paper this morning. Nice. Winning that first game was important. Go Phils!