Downward Dog With Montclair High’s Chapter of Girls Learn International

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 18, 2013 11:30am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Girls Learn InternationalGirls Learn International is a non-profit organization that gives American students a voice in the movement for universal education. U.S. High Schools are paired with schools in developing countries that do not normally educate girls. The Montclair High School chapter has a relationship with the Tambea High School in Kenya. For the chapter’s big fundraiser this year, they are hosting their second annual Yoga Class in Sunset Park in on June 22 from 10 am – 12 pm.

After an hour-long class, participants are invited to check out a raffle, eat home-made baked goods and learn about the wonderful work that Girls Learn International has accomplished. Help make this year the best yet for the girls at Tambea High School by coming out to show your support! All proceeds from the event will go to the Tambea School. Tickets are $12 at the door. Bring your own mat. All levels are welcome.

 

Montclair Board Unanimously Approves Strategic Plan Despite Protests

BY  |  Tuesday, Jun 18, 2013 7:00am  |  COMMENTS (16)

Strategic Plan

Dr. MacCormack explains Strategic Plan, while BoE President Robin Kulwin looks on.

Montclair Schools Superintendent Dr. Penny MacCormack tried in vain to convince the critics that her two-year educational Strategic Plan would be effective in improving Montclair schools.  Parents and students delivered petitions urging the Board not to adopt it so quickly, with more than 400 signatures from parents and 568 signatures from students.  After an interminable and contentious meeting, the Board voted unanimously to adopt it anyway, much to the chagrin of opponents who stayed for the final vote.

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Montclair’s Nishuane School Principal Promoted to Chief Academic Officer

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 8:53pm  |  COMMENTS (1)

<em>Authors Natalie Pope Boyce and Mary Pope Osborne with Mrs. Clarke, at this year's Pennies For Pages kickoff.

Mrs. Clarke with authors Natalie Pope Boyce and Mary Pope Osborne, at this year’s Pennies For Pages kickoff.

At the beginning of tonight’s Montclair Board of Education meeting, still going on now and streaming live here, Dr. MacCormack announced, among other positions, that Nishuane School principal, Mrs Gail Clarke, will be taking on the position of Chief Academic Officer.

Mrs. Clarke just sent the following letter to Nishuane families:

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Montclair Schools Strategic Plan to be Presented at Tonight’s BoE Meeting, Parents Urged to Attend

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 6:36pm  |  COMMENTS (3)

dr. penny maccormackLast week, Montclair Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Penny MacCormack sent out a message inviting parents to attend the BoE meeting, scheduled for tonight. Just now, she sent another email with more detail of the Strategic Plan and urges parents to attend tonight’s meeting:

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A Closer Look at Common Core

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 2:59pm  |  COMMENTS (3)

Common CoreThis is part of Barista Kids’ ongoing  series of education discussions about what’s going on nation-wide, state-wide and district-wide. 

Education across the United States, specifically 45 states and 3 territories, is in the middle of a big overhaul. The implementation of the Common Core State Standards will begin in the 2013-2014 school year. As with any type of change, Common Core comes with supporters and is meeting resistance. As part of a series of education discussions, this article will offer a closer look at what exactly the Common Core State Standards are and what it means for our schools.

Background
Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were created by the National Governors Association (NGA) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), not a federal mandate  under the U.S. Department of Education’s Secretary Arne Duncan. The initiative  grew out of a grassroots effort to improve our  nation’s overall education after seeing inequalities across the country. They were created to raise the bar and establish consistency in education. The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort that established a single set of clear educational standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts and mathematics that states voluntarily adopt. As of this article, 48 states and 3 territories have adopted CCSS.

CCSS build upon established state standards. For example, New Jersey has had Core Curriculum Content since 1996.  The standards described what students should know and be able to do upon completion of a thirteen-year public education and were revised every five years. Schools were already supposed to be making sure that curriculum and lesson plans were tied into the Core Curriculum. In 2010, New Jersey agreed to join and adopt the Common Core State Standards, which are broken down into Mathematics and English Language Arts.

The word to focus on is “Common.” The main change is the consistency in education across the board—ensuring that each individual school, district, state in the U.S. is preparing students in the same way.

According to CCSS website, “With students, parents and teachers all on the same page and working together for shared goals, we can ensure that students make progress each year and graduate from school prepared to succeed in college and in a modern workforce.”

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Montclair High School Seniors Get Ready For Prom

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (5)

MHS seniors at junior prom last year

MHS seniors at junior prom last year

For Montclair High School seniors the end of the year brings quite a few exciting events, one of which is the Senior Prom; the kick off to all the thrilling things ahead for the class of 2013, which includes graduating, and the subsequent festivities of Project Graduation.

This year the senior prom will be held at the Westmount Country Club on Thursday June 20. Prom tickets have already gone on sale and despite fundraising, the cost of prom this year is $95 per person.

Some students find the cost of prom ridiculous.

“Ninety-five dollars for prom is way too much money,” says senior Phoenix Herring. “Not everyone can afford to pay that much for one night.”

Prom is a pretty expensive event. It might not have been so pricey back in the day, but today it’s quite a pretty penny. The ticket, dress (or suit), corsage, jewelry, hair, make-up, and shoes can rack up to be a small but potent fortune.

However, many seniors will still shell out the money because prom, despite the cost, is something they’re excited about.

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The Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair Needs New School Supplies

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 10:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Human Needs Food PantryThe school year is about to end, and school supplies are probably the furthest thing from your mind. But the Human Needs Food Pantry in Montclair is thinking ahead to back-to-school time. They’re collecting NEW school supplies for Essex County kids in need.

Every August, we hand out school supplies; it’s one of our most popular giveaways! Please consider donating NEW notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. (also useful: glue, calculators, book covers, folders).

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Dig Into Reading Summer Reading Programs

BY  |  Monday, Jun 17, 2013 8:00am  |  COMMENTS (0)

Summer Reading ProgramsThere is no excuse for your kids to stop reading just because school is out. Your local library and bookstores are making it easy and enjoyable with summer reading programs and incentives. Unearth some great children’s books and summer programming ideas for this year’s underground theme, Dig into Reading:

MPL Summer Reading Kickoff
Who: All ages.
What: This year’s theme is “Dig Into Reading” and Montclair Public Library kicks off its’ summer events with the deep down and groovy sounds of The Bossy Frog Band! Kids and their families will be flabbergasted by Bossy Frog Band’s high energy banjo driven show which includes a 6 foot tall dancing frog! Hop and sing along to their silly tunes as these wacky characters get you ready for a summer of reading joy. After the show be sure to enroll in the Summer Reading Club at the 3rd floor Youth Services Department!
Where: Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ.
When: Friday, June 28 at 11 am and 1 pm.
Cost: Free. No registration required. In the auditorium. Please come to one show only.

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Montclair Parents Wanting Education Reform Through Petitions and Opt-Outs

BY  |  Saturday, Jun 15, 2013 5:00pm  |  COMMENTS (5)

Montclair Cares About SchoolsMontclair parents have joined a growing education reform movement, which includes Opting-Out of NJASK standardized tests, questioning Common Core State Standards and teacher evaluation methods, and the new Strategic Plan of the Montclair School district.

Concerns About Montclair’s Strategic Plan
One group, under the name “Montclair Cares About Schools,” has created a petition asking the Board of Education to defer the adoption of the Montclair Board of Education’s new Strategic Plan, which will implement district-wide quarterly assessments, at the meeting this Monday, June 17. The district recently announced new curriculum and assessments procedures for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year and the groups’ concerns are that questions still remain about the plan.

The petition states:

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Montclair High School CIP Spotlight: Nora O’Leary

BY  |  Saturday, Jun 15, 2013 12:00pm  |  COMMENTS (0)

Montclair high school

Since getting out of school on May 17 many Montclair High School seniors have been participating in the high school’s Career Internship Program otherwise knowing as “CIP” or “Senior Option.” During CIP the participating seniors are required to do an internship in their field of interest and report back to the school for weekly check ins and seminars. The program runs from May 20 to June 14.

MHS senior Nora O’Leary decided that for her senior option she would make a documentary with a local media company. O’Leary will be attending Middlebury College in Vermont in the fall where she may possibly major in English. O’Leary will spend the rest of her summer life guarding at the Montclair Golf Club where she will also coach their swim team.

O’Leary took the time to tell me a little bit about what she’s been doing since their CIP began.

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