Learning (an assessment

tool); developing a stand-

ardized discipline code;

and in revising our middle

and high school algebra

placements and course

offerings.

Our focus needs to stay

on the students, so the

students can focus on

achieving...and achieving

greatly.

Let’s keep the momen-tum going!

Ron Bolandi Interim Superintendent

Much is written about

best practices, data-

driven instruction, educa-

tional theories and how

they affect student per-

formance and outcomes.

For student outcomes to

be positively affected, we

need to develop a high

degree of trust and col-

laboration among all

stakeholders—

administrators, teachers,

support staff, families,

and community. Many

productive relationships

have been forged in

Montclair. These efforts

need to be maintained

and sustained over time

to truly support and im-

pact student achieve-

ment.

As you read through this

newsletter, you will get a

glimpse of some of the

constructive programs

that have been imple-

mented. Our work must

build on the evidence of

what is working for our

students, and we need to

put aside assumptions

and anecdotal stories.

Evidence of our accom-

plishments was reported

at the January 11 Board

of Education meeting. To

see the complete presen-

tation, click here. This

District Initiatives update

included a broad vision

for raising student

achievement and high-

lighted our work in creat-

ing tutorial programs both

in-house, community-

based and with our part-

ner Montclair State Uni-

versity; training staff in

Undoing Racism; imple-

menting Renaissance

Superintendent’s District Update

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) Update

Less than a year into the

district-wide 3D printing

initiative, our schools are

offering 3D printing as a

stand-alone elective with

the technology becoming

more integrated into the

curriculum. MakerBot

has recognized us for the

work that we have ac-

complished thus far, and

we will continue to rein-

force our skills and imple-

mentation by designing

professional development

days exclusively for this

purpose including new

staff members interested

in joining this initiative.

In an effort to involve lo-

cal professionals and col-

lege students in our

STEAM activities, the dis-

trict is attempting to es-

tablish a working relation-

ship with several local

entities, including a hos-

pital and two higher-

education institutions.

This opportunity will offer

our students a different

environment to explore

Montclair Public Schools

From the Desk of the Superintendent

Upcoming Calendar

Jan. 23—Full-day of

school for students

Jan. 23—BOE meet-

ing, Annex Atrium,

7:30 pm

Feb. 8—BOE meeting,

Annex Atrium, 7:30

pm

For more events,

please see the Dis-

trict Calendar at this

link.

January 25, 2017 Volume 2, Issue 2

Inside this issue:

STEAM 1-2

Curriculum &

Instruction

2-3

Around the Schools 3-4

Undoing Racism 4

February is Black History

Month. Story coming soon

to our website.

In January all schools cel-

ebrated Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr. Day with assem-

blies and days of service!

Read more here.

their curiosity and experi-

ence success in addition

to developing critical

thinking.

We continue to pursue

mutually-beneficial rela-

tionships with local organ-

izations such as Liberty

Science Center and the

Department of Defense

(Picatinny Arsenal), as

well as with neighboring

school districts as a

means to broaden our

resources, knowledge,

and methods. Mount Ol-

ive High School recently

opened its doors to us,

giving us a glimpse at its

significant STEM pro-

grams.

The district has

done a tremendous

amount to meet the

challenge of broad-

ening our STEM of-

ferings and we have

made significant

progress.

We are pleased to have the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Deter-

mination) return to MHS this year. AVID promotes student strategies for success

and school-wide change to close learning gaps. Discussion is taking place regard-

ing the feasibility of expanding into the middle schools for next year.

MHS – CSJ and CGI students will be attending Seton Hall University’s School

of Diplomacy United Nations Mini-presentations on February 24, March 24, and

April 7, 2017.

ELA and Math teachers in Grades 2—8 are exploring the use of multiple

measures of student learning for instructional planning. Many are using Renais-

sance Learning educational software to provide diagnostic/instructional planning

information.

Fact Power is receiving a renewed focus in elementary math this year. Teach-

ers are including regular practice without drill-type worksheets. Research shows

that automatic recall of basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

facts will facilitate success in higher-level math work. Parents are encouraged to

use MobyMax and follow directions from classroom teachers to support efforts in

STEAM continued:

Page 2 Montclair Public Schools

Buzz Aldrin Middle

School (BAMS) Innova-

tion Faire: Kevin Sampson

(MHS Physics Teacher)

demonstrates a Rube

Goldberg device that was

created by MHS students

for the event.

BAMS student Daniel Moroze teach-

es wood-burning techniques.

Fine Arts teacher Arin Leard leads students in a class on sand

sculpture in this outdoor classroom where students interact

with kinetic sand. Math and science classrooms have also used

this space for other activities.

STEAM GARDEN

Finch programming at Watchung...an intro to

Computer Science.

Highlights from Curriculum & Instruction

BAMS girls have competed in this event the past two years, earning a

spot in the finals each time.

MobyMax is a learn-

ing tool used in

classrooms and

available for practice

use at home. Ask

your child’s teacher

for log on infor-

mation for using

MobyMax, K-8, in

math, ELA, social

studies and science.

Ask your child

about MobyMax

this area.

Check your child’s school website for information about February’s Black

History Month.

ELA and mathematics curricula are in the process of being correlated to

the new NJ Curricular Framework and new NJ Student Learning Standards

(NJSLS).

Click here for the middle school and high school math course sequence.

In collaboration with the district review of World Language learning, all World Language teachers

will participate in professional development this spring on second language acquisition theory.

English as a Second Language workshops (link in Spanish) for parents/guardians are being

planned. More information will be shared through your child’s school.

A K-5 Parent SAIL Survey has been sent electronically. This is part of a district SAIL review. Rec-

ommendations and expected improvements are planned for implementation in September.

Please check your school website for midterm dates (middle schools and MHS).

For information on PARCC and upcoming testing dates visit our PARCC page on the district website.

Highlights from Curriculum & Instruction continued:

Around the Schools:

teachers, a chance to win a

basket of books, and all partici-

pants received a goody bag of

materials supporting literacy

skills at home.

Edgemont

The newly formed Mini-Imani

Debate Team and the Electric

Debate Team tackled two reso-

lutions: Electric Cars and Par-

ent Volunteers Making Lunch

for the Entire School during a

school debate which included a

unique partnership with high

school volunteers, teachers,

students and community lead-

ers. Overseeing the research

and preparations were teacher-

coaches Sandra McKnight

(Imani) and Regina O'Connor

(Electric). Mini-Imani used book

club time to read, discuss and

write persuasive argu-

ments to prepare, while

Edgemont’s PTA After-

school Enrich-

ment program

brought the Elec-

tric team togeth-

er. Everyone

cheered as stu-

dents voiced

their opinions. In

the end each team

won a trophy, but

more importantly, they

gained confidence in

their public speaking

prowess.

Hillside

Hillside Philharmonic, Chorus

Dancers and Drums of Thunder

(DOT) came together for a win-

ter wonderland concert. Lou

D’Amico who leads DOT was

honored in a surprise presenta-

tion. Given his extraordinary,

longstanding commitment to

the Montclair community, stu-

dents, and music education at

large, Senators Kip Bateman

and Michael Bateman secured

a high honor Joint Legislative

Resolution in his name from the

State Senate and General As-

sembly of NJ.

Bradford Bradford's Winter

Concert on Dec. 15

was quite a show!

Music Director Bev-

erly Chisholm wowed

the crowd with

three, Grade 4 mod-

ern dance perfor-

mances and three,

Grade 5 guitar presentations in

a Battle of the Bands show-

down. In addition, choral perfor-

mances from K-3 students and

the Bradford Singers reflected

the true spirit of the holiday

season.

Charles H. Bullock

Charles H. Bullock students and

their “grown-ups” took part in

CHB’s Third Annual Family

Reading Night on Dec. 13 (K-2)

and 14 (3-5). “Our Family Read-

ing Nights are the epitome of

what we love about Bull-

ock: bringing children and fami-

lies together for an evening of

reading, good food, camarade-

rie and fun,” said Principal

Nami Kuwabara. Family Read-

ing Nights included dinner and

reading activities led by Bullock

Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 3

Drums of Thunder

Bradford Singers

Bullock’s proud basket of books winners.

Learning to read is fun!!!

Watchung

A group of 5th grade students

visited Van Dyke Manor Nurs-

ing Home to help residents

celebrate the holidays. They

performed musical numbers

with music teacher Henry

Boote and made crafts to

share with the 60 residents.

They will continue to work

with area nursing homes

throughout the year as part of

community service.

Glenfield Middle School

The school enjoyed a visit

from a celebrity chef, courte-

sy of Chartwells Food Service

who coordinated the event.

Chef Bal Arneson, who hosts

the Cooking Channel’s “Spice

Goddess,” provided a cooking

demonstration during lunch.

She prepared her famous "No

Butter Chicken" for students

and staff to sample.

Catapult in the making at Buzz

Nishuane

Nishuane School second

graders were bedazzling in

their performance of Strega

Nona in December. Nishuane

welcomed new staff mem-

bers to their SNAP team:

drama teacher Faith Blasi

and music teacher Mr. Hill.

Also in December the com-

munity came together, spear-

headed by the PTA and Stu-

dent Assistance Counselor

Amillah Williamson, in its

annual gift giving event

providing families with gifts of

toys, books, and clothing.

Northeast

The Northeast Student Coun-

cil was busy with lots of pro-

jects during the first few

months of the school year,

including Trick-or-Treat for

UNICEF, the Thanksgiving

Food Drive for the Human

Needs Food Pantry and plant-

ing bulbs to get ready for May

in Montclair. The students

and staff are excited to see

them bloom in the spring.

Buzz Aldrin Middle School

An All-School Engineering

Design Challenge was held,

organized by STEM Leader

Dan Taylor and the Science

Department. Using their inge-

nuity, engineering and crea-

tivity (plus straws, spoons

and tape), students worked

together to design a catapult

that can launch a mini

marshmallow as far as possi-

ble.

Renaissance Middle School

On Dec. 23, Renaissance

held its first annual Ugly

Sweater Contest. Staff, in-

cluding Principal Edward

Wilson, participated in the

school-wide event, wearing

sweaters decorated by stu-

dents. The winners were se-

lected from members of Stu-

dent Council with help from

staff. Student Assistance

Counselor Gerard Citro took

first place.

Montclair High School

FTC Robotics Team 147

“Montclair Momentum”

came in first place at its

first competition at Millburn

High School. The Team

again took first at the “Robo

Joust” competition in Living-

ston on Dec. 11. Team

147 was one of six

teams out of 36 to qualify to

progress to the state finals

on Sun., Feb. 26.

Thank You to the Schumann Fund and MFEE - Supporting our Schools in Undoing Racism!

The District has been engaged in Undoing Racism training since Dec. 2015, and we expect all teaching staff to be trained by the

end of 2017. Each workshop consists of two full days of training relative to perceptions of racism; lessons learned from history;

undoing internalized racial oppression; identifying/analyzing manifestations of racism; and the social constructs affecting how

people think, understand, and relate to race and culture. Staff members are encouraged to use this training opportunity as a re-

flective tool to enhance efforts in eliminating achievement, opportunity, access, and learning gaps. This critical work could not be

accomplished without the generous grants from the Schumann Fund and the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE).

With their generosity, we are able to engage in professional development and create ongoing opportunities for culturally aware

and responsive learning environments for staff and students alike.

Around the Schools continued:

Ugly sweaters are cool!

NE Planting Bulbs

MHS Team 147

Glenfield students with Chef Arneson.

Registration for new students and school tour information coming soon.

Details will be posted to the website when available. Virtual school tour videos

can be viewed on the website at this link.