On Wednesday, a meeting of the Special Academics Program Committee was held at the Board of Education office. The purpose of this group is to coordinate and communicate the multiple curricula efforts currently underway within the district. The Committee was formed by Dr. Petrosino and will meet weekly. Attending the meeting were Ms. Hillebrand (John Hopkins Expansion), Ms. Dominique (International Baccalaurate Program- Middle Years Program), Ms. Lopez (LitLife, Read 180, Reading First, NCLB), Ms. Kamarsky (Supervisor: English and History), Mr. McKenzie (Supervisor: Mathematics and Science) and Mr. Enrico (Saturday U Program). A quick summary of the meeting:John Hopkins Expansion Program- Currently students are being identified and prepared for the extrance exam which will be given in mid November. There are also efforts underway for recruitment of teachers for site specific expansion at Calabro and Wallace.
Middle Years Program- Work is underway is assisting students with their "personal projects". In the final year of the programme, each student completes a personal project, a significant piece of work that is the product of the student’s own initiative and creativity. Each project must reflect a personal understanding of the areas of interaction. Students apply the skills acquired through one of these areas as well as approaches to learning.
Students are expected to choose their project, which can take many forms, and take the process through to completion under the supervision of a teacher in the school. This involves: planning , research a high degree of personal reflection. The personal project is assessed by teachers against a set of IB assessment criteria.
Students are expected to choose their project, which can take many forms, and take the process through to completion under the supervision of a teacher in the school. This involves: planning , research a high degree of personal reflection. The personal project is assessed by teachers against a set of IB assessment criteria.
LitLife, Read 180, Reading First, NCLB- Professional development is underway for LitLife throughout the district. Training has also been development and is underway for Read 180. Each of these programs were instituted last academic year.
English and History- Monthly meetings are underway in the high school coordinating vertical alignment of the curriculum and this past week as special "State/Presidential Election" was held in Hoboken High School.
Mathematics and Science- Coordination of efforts with Liberty Science Center for professinal development in the High School is being coordinated as well as visits to the elementary schools to coordinate the 8th-9th grade transition.
Saturday U- Posting have been made for positions and an expansion of offerings are well underway. This coming year we will introduce Computer Animation, Geography and a special Cultural program which will include visits to New York City (this program will be enrichment and will be done during the week *not* on Saturday).
