Recently we received this feedback from a PDE official regarding the increase in student achievement at the Junior Senior High School, "On anther note, I was looking at your achievement data on schooldigger.com. You might want to check out this site for information to help your Board understand the effectiveness of your work. For instance, when I compare the growth in your readers from 7th to 8th grade I find a lot of good news (7th graders in 2006 were 63% proficient in reading but as 8th graders in 2007 they were 74% proficient; 7th graders in 2007 were 57% proficient in reading but as 8th graders in 2008 they were 77.5% proficient (!); 7th graders in 2008 were 60.9% proficient in reading, but as 8th graders in in 2009 they were 73.1% proficient. The 11th graders of 2008 were 56% proficient in reading, but the 11th graders of 2009 were 72.9% proficient in reading. When you use schooldigger.com to sort high schools by rank (based upon PSSA scores) North Schuylkill ranked #249 out of 666 high school. This was an increase of a whopping 232 spots from the school's 2008 ranking. Only 21 of the state's 666 high schools improved more (in PSSA scores) in 2009 than North Schuylkill High School."
We wanted to share this message as it offers a neutral observation of what is being realized in our schools. Congratulations to our hard-working students, staff and principals- keep up the great work!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Social Studies Review to be Completed in 2011
North Schuylkill's K-12 Social Studies curriculum is currently under review with recommended revisions and adoptions targeted for Spring 2011. Among the concepts we will explore will be to teach Social Studies using a thematic approach. For example, content each year would be organized along 4 themes: historiography, economic forces/geography, career development and civic participation and engagement. This is as opposed to offering World History one year, American History another, and so on.
As we consider changes to our K-12 Social Studies curriculum, we want to ensure it is providing our students with a relevant and interesting course of study which will prepare them for life and work in the the 21st Century. It must also align with the Keystone Exams proposed for American history, world history, civics and government beginning in 2016-17.
As we consider changes to our K-12 Social Studies curriculum, we want to ensure it is providing our students with a relevant and interesting course of study which will prepare them for life and work in the the 21st Century. It must also align with the Keystone Exams proposed for American history, world history, civics and government beginning in 2016-17.
Friday, October 23, 2009
AHW 2009
Above are some photos of Van Wagner's visit with our elementary students during the 2009 Anthracite Heritage Week celebration. As you can see by the students' smiling faces, AHW 2009, was a success!
Friday, October 16, 2009
What Occurs During An In-Service Day
While North Schuylkill's students were enjoying an extended weekend their teachers were hard at work during two-days of in-service training held on October 12th and 13th. Among the professional development activities provided our staff were:
Teachers in kindergarten through second grade attended a 2-day workshop taught by noted author and educator Dr. Eileen Feldgus. Dr. Feldgus pioneered a child literacy program known as KidWriting. This program focuses primarily on teaching phonics in the context of writing. Many studies, including the Children's Literacy Initiative Project, show that early writing is important to the development of reading skills and that the Kid Writing approach in particular is highly effective.
Math and Science teachers in grades 4-12 continued their work on core curriculum mapping. Special Education teachers received training in development of standards-based IEP’s and identifying which students will be best served by taking the modified PSSA exams. Art, Music, and Physical Education teachers, along with our guidance counselors, participated in cross-district meetings and activities organized by the IU 29. They met with like-teachers in other districts and had an opportunity to share ideas about how they run their respective programs in their districts. Teachers in grades 3-5 received training on the delivery and implementation of the district’s new Reading series, Reading Street and My Sidewalks.
Dr. Dona Bauman of the University of Scranton presented a workshop on inclusionary classroom practices. Inclusion calls for special education and regular education students to receive instruction in the same classroom, at the same time. They are taught collaboratively, by a regular ed and special education teacher. Dr. Bauman guided the teachers in grades 6-12 through various activities which helped answer three key questions: Do we value all children equally? What do we mean by inclusion? Are there some children for whom inclusion is inappropriate?
So now you have some idea of what takes place during an in-service day. As you can see, the teachers are hard at work, working to refine their skills for the benefit of our students.
Teachers in kindergarten through second grade attended a 2-day workshop taught by noted author and educator Dr. Eileen Feldgus. Dr. Feldgus pioneered a child literacy program known as KidWriting. This program focuses primarily on teaching phonics in the context of writing. Many studies, including the Children's Literacy Initiative Project, show that early writing is important to the development of reading skills and that the Kid Writing approach in particular is highly effective.
Math and Science teachers in grades 4-12 continued their work on core curriculum mapping. Special Education teachers received training in development of standards-based IEP’s and identifying which students will be best served by taking the modified PSSA exams. Art, Music, and Physical Education teachers, along with our guidance counselors, participated in cross-district meetings and activities organized by the IU 29. They met with like-teachers in other districts and had an opportunity to share ideas about how they run their respective programs in their districts. Teachers in grades 3-5 received training on the delivery and implementation of the district’s new Reading series, Reading Street and My Sidewalks.
Dr. Dona Bauman of the University of Scranton presented a workshop on inclusionary classroom practices. Inclusion calls for special education and regular education students to receive instruction in the same classroom, at the same time. They are taught collaboratively, by a regular ed and special education teacher. Dr. Bauman guided the teachers in grades 6-12 through various activities which helped answer three key questions: Do we value all children equally? What do we mean by inclusion? Are there some children for whom inclusion is inappropriate?
So now you have some idea of what takes place during an in-service day. As you can see, the teachers are hard at work, working to refine their skills for the benefit of our students.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Second Annual Anthracite Heritage Week Planned
The week of October 19-23, 2009 will be recognized as Anthracite Heritage Week in the North Schuylkill School District and other Schuylkill County schools. The weeklong event, the second annual, is an opportunity for our school's K-12 teachers to craft lessons which help promote an understanding and pride in the culture and history of the anthracite coal region.
Anthracite Heritage Week is held during a week when October 23rd falls. This date was chosen because of its historical significance. Most historians recognize this date as the end of the 163-day Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902, as the majority of mines resumed operations that day. The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was successfully mediated through the intervention of the federal government, a landmark in U.S. labor history.
Among the highlights of North Schuylkill’s AHW 2009, celebration will be a tour of the Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland, Pa., by the district’s high school students and an assembly for its elementary students performed by Van Wagner. Wagner, a song-writer and underground coal miner, will perform a program which celebrates the past, present and future of Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal mining heritage. A goal of his program is to remind the audience why they should be proud to be from the Anthracite Coal Region!
Anthracite Heritage Week is held during a week when October 23rd falls. This date was chosen because of its historical significance. Most historians recognize this date as the end of the 163-day Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902, as the majority of mines resumed operations that day. The Anthracite Coal Strike of 1902 was successfully mediated through the intervention of the federal government, a landmark in U.S. labor history.
Among the highlights of North Schuylkill’s AHW 2009, celebration will be a tour of the Pioneer Tunnel in Ashland, Pa., by the district’s high school students and an assembly for its elementary students performed by Van Wagner. Wagner, a song-writer and underground coal miner, will perform a program which celebrates the past, present and future of Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal mining heritage. A goal of his program is to remind the audience why they should be proud to be from the Anthracite Coal Region!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Official PSSA Results Now Released
"Well done! This district has performed well this year, and appears to be on track to meet the goal of all students attaining proficiency in Reading and Math by the year 2014."- message conveyed to NS parents by PDE through its AYP website.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education released the post-AYP appeals results for the 2008-2009, Pennsylvania System of School Assessment scores (PSSA's). The results bring much good news, including the attainment of AYP by the North Schuylkill School District. Among the highlights:
The 11th grade PSSA Math and Reading scores were the highest-ever among North Schuylkill's junior students. The students in this Class of 2010, saw their Reading scores improve each year, from 5th to 8th to 11th grade. All totaled, 69.7% of the students were proficient in Reading.
The Class of 2013, this year's 9th grade students, saw their reading scores improve from 61% as 7th graders to 73.1% as 8th grade students.
AYP performance targets were met by students in grades 3,4,5,6,7 and 8. The target was also met in grade 11 through a "confidence interval" as proficiency levels increased from 44.5% to 54%.
Ringtown Elementary and North Schuylkill Elementary met all performance targets and made AYP. With all the good news, there is still much work to be done. Despite its improved scores, the Junior Senior High School did not make AYP. The JSHS met 16 out of 17 AYP targets in 2008-09, but failed to meet the Math performance target among its IEP (Special Education) student group.
If you are interested in a more comprehensive look at North Schuylkill's 2008-2009, PSSA results, please click on the link below:
District Results
Friday, July 31, 2009
District AYP Status is Historic
The preliminary 2009 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) reports reveal that the North Schuylkill School District has made AYP for the second consecutive year. This is significant as the district had never before achieved AYP status in consescutive years. Besides 2007-2008, and 2008-2009, the district has made AYP only one other time, in 2005-2006.
More details regarding last year's results will be reported in upcoming posts. For now, I wanted to share the goods news- student academic achievement is on the rise!
More details regarding last year's results will be reported in upcoming posts. For now, I wanted to share the goods news- student academic achievement is on the rise!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Computer Forensics Summer Camp Held for Young Spartans
From June 15th to the 18th, North Schuylkill high school teacher, Richard Gober, led thirteen curious middle-school-age students through a four-day investigation of Computer Forensics. The camp was sponsored by Bloomsburg University and Luzerne County Community College, financed through a 2+2+2 Workforce Leadership grant.
Students were guided through fun, hands-on and computer-based experiments which allowed them to gain a better understanding of the foundations of this growing field. The camp culminated with a field trip to Bloomsburg University and more activities, this time led by Dr. John Riley, professor of math, computer science and statistics.
A goal of the camp is to spark interest in computer forensics (which is increasingly being called digital forensics)and future enrollment in North Schuylkill's own computer forensics course and the 2+2+2 program available to North Schuylkill students.
Friday, May 15, 2009
New Reading Series Approved
The North Schuylkill Board of Education recently approved K-12, Language Arts curriculum revisions. Effective with the 2009-2010, school year, students in grades K-8 will refine their reading skills through the use of new reading series. Reading Street, published by Scott-Foresman, was approved for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, while students in grades 6-8 will use Pearson's Prentice Hall Literature: Language and Literacy series.
In addition to the new reading series, students in grades 9-12 will receive new grammar books. Also, approved was a required and recommended reading list for students in grades 6-12. All students will be required to read selected titles on the list while those enrolled in Honors English courses or AP English will also participate in a summer reading program.
In addition to the new reading series, students in grades 9-12 will receive new grammar books. Also, approved was a required and recommended reading list for students in grades 6-12. All students will be required to read selected titles on the list while those enrolled in Honors English courses or AP English will also participate in a summer reading program.
Olweus Program Coming in 2009-2010
The district was recently awarded a grant from the Center for Safe Schools to bring the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program to our elementary students and staff during the 2009-2010 school year. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop. Goals of the program include: Reducing existing bullying problems among students; Preventing new bullying problems; and Achieving better peer relations at school.
A Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee has been formed and will receive training on May 18th and May 19th. The entire elementary staff will receive training during the in-service days scheduled for August 2009. Parent information nights are also planned for August.
The program consists of school-level, classroom-level, individual-level and community-level components. Among the basic school rules against bullying which will be introduced to our students are:
Additional information about the Olweus Program can be found at www.olweus.org.
A Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee has been formed and will receive training on May 18th and May 19th. The entire elementary staff will receive training during the in-service days scheduled for August 2009. Parent information nights are also planned for August.
The program consists of school-level, classroom-level, individual-level and community-level components. Among the basic school rules against bullying which will be introduced to our students are:
We will not bully others
We will try to help students who are bullied
We will include students who are left out.
If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
Additional information about the Olweus Program can be found at www.olweus.org.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Math Teachers Begin Curriculum Mapping
During this past week, North Schuylkill's Math teachers have been working in teams to construct core curriculum maps. A core map identifies the skills and content which must be taught in each course. It also identifies where each of the state-mandated standards and assessment anchors are being taught.
Core maps identify and prioritize content at each grade level and will help ensure teachers are successfully navigating through their instruction using the same "map." The goal of this effort is to maximize student learning and to ensure North Schuylkill's students do not experience fragmented, incoherent or repetitive learning experiences.
The Math teachers will continue to refine their core maps throughout the remainder of the year before embarking on "diary mapping." The diary maps they devise will identify the assessments and lessons needed to implement these "core" curriculum maps.
The following photos show North Schuylkill's Math teachers working collaboratively and diligently in building their core maps.
North Schuylkill's Science teachers will begin core mapping in August 2009, followed by the district's Language Arts teachers. Eventually, all courses and departments which comprise North Schuylkill's curriculum will undergo this process.
Core maps identify and prioritize content at each grade level and will help ensure teachers are successfully navigating through their instruction using the same "map." The goal of this effort is to maximize student learning and to ensure North Schuylkill's students do not experience fragmented, incoherent or repetitive learning experiences.
The Math teachers will continue to refine their core maps throughout the remainder of the year before embarking on "diary mapping." The diary maps they devise will identify the assessments and lessons needed to implement these "core" curriculum maps.
The following photos show North Schuylkill's Math teachers working collaboratively and diligently in building their core maps.
North Schuylkill's Science teachers will begin core mapping in August 2009, followed by the district's Language Arts teachers. Eventually, all courses and departments which comprise North Schuylkill's curriculum will undergo this process.
Monday, January 12, 2009
YES Program Coming to NS
During the 2009-2010, school year, high school students will have the opportunity to enroll in YES (Your Employability Skills). The 120-hour program is a semester-long, curriculum-based elective course that teaches students skills such as conflict resolution, goal-setting, writing, interview training, resume writing and job application tips. Students who maintain a 95 percent attendance rate, pass the program's literacy and aptitude tests and pass a drug screening will receive a YES certificate issued by the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Council.
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