We are so excited to announce that the District, in cooperation with Doug Black Productions, will be launching a new MTSD NEWS program. This news magazine program will highlight many of the amazing things happening in our District. Don't worry if you do not have Mendham TV, we will make it available to stream on our website. We hope to launch the program in early November!
This time of year is budget season for NJ School Districts. Over the past month, I have discussed our school budget for 2014-2015 with many groups in many different venues. If you click on the radio microphone below, you will be taken to the archived version of our live podcast through Blog Talk Radio. Thanks very much and enjoy!
I have attached a pdf of our school performance report information. The reports reflect the amazing work that our teachers and administrators are doing with the students here in Mendham Township. No doubt the results are also a reflection of the wonderful families we have and how much time and effort they spend working with their children. Excellent work!
Link to data: http://tinyurl.com/k8kgbd4 Link to reports: MTES MTMS Boy, what a four months! The holiday season affords all of us a great opportunity to reflect on our blessings and realize the true meaning of the season. This time of year I often find myself thinking about the things I value most – quality time with family and friends, education, and the caring people I work with on a regular basis. I am reminded again of how much we in Mendham Township have to be thankful for. We have assembled the most amazing teaching staff I have seen, we have excellent leadership at our schools, in Special Services, and with our Board of Education. Our support staffs are caring, considerate, and so hard-working. Our students are by far the finest in the state of NJ and we have the blessing of supportive families. Many of our students, staff and community members, both as individuals and as members of clubs generously give of their time, talent and money to help ensure the holidays are enjoyed by all. The staff, students, and families in Mendham Township are of course, very busy at this time of the year. Even with all of this, our students, families, and staff continue to find time to think of others and reach out to those less fortunate. Through your efforts, individually and collectively, we do make a difference.
One thing I have learned about being in Mendham is that there is a sense of community and working together to provide the best experience for our students that is present in all of us. That energy and spirit flows through our students and fills our schools with positive energy and enthusiasm for each day. In "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", the Grinch comes to the realization that the Who's feel this same sense of community and happiness. It lives inside all the Whos, gifts or no gifts and no matter how different they may be. That's just why the Grinch's plan fails—nothing he ever does could take that community spirit away, even after he stole all their gifts. And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss What I have come to realize during these amazing four months is that this community is so much more than what is on the surface. I have had the opportunity, through celebration, through destruction, and through tragedy to see the spirit of a community that is very inspiring. It makes me very happy to be here with you. Enjoy your time with your families and I look forward to a wonderful 2013. Being in schools this time of year is truly amazing. The students have an energy and excitement to them that is contagious. I guess I never realized how I rely on assemblies and concerts to make my holidays complete. Today's program called, "Harmonium" was wonderful and the kids were terrific. The HSA in Mendham Township does such great work putting together these programs. But the highlight of the season for me was 8 short pieces of music that I was able to play with the MT Elementary School Orchestra. Against my better judgement, get a glimpse in the video below...
I was surprised last night to find that my 8 year old daughters were awake when I came home from work. It was late and they were obviously ready for bed, but they ran downstairs to greet me and ask, "How was your day?" I answered them somewhat quickly, "just great", and got them off to bed because they need their rest, believe me.
As I sat down today, I realized that my day was more than that. It started with a trip around MTMS. I got to see students working on reverse outlines, highly engaged in revising and perfecting their work. I saw 7th grade students presenting diary projects, where they took on the role of a child of the holocaust or a Japanese internment camp...just amazing work that the students had every right to be proud of. Leaving the Middle School, recognizing the outstanding work of our faculty and our students, I arrived at MTES, ready for the rest of the day. As I walked through the building, I remembered that today was concert day. I spent some time in the gym, enjoying the sounds of our band and observing with delight the behavior of our audience of Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 2. I realized that I owe my daughters a better answer when I get home tonight. My day was not "just great". I get the chance to see these things each and every day I come to work, and for that I am truly blessed. According to a recent survey, Mendham Township ranks ninth for suburban settings in New Jersey. Another wonderful achievement for all the residents and certainly, for the school district.
http://mendham-chester.patch.com/articles/mendham-makes-top-ten-places-to-live-list?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001 Thank you so much to everyone who attended my first "Town Hall" meeting here at the Elementary School. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to talk about my first month here in Mendham and listen to questions and feedback. Each experience that I have teaches me more and more about the school district. I continue to be amazed at the work of our teachers, administrators, and staff.
If you didn't have the opportunity to come out last night, I hope you consider joining us next week. I will be at the Middle School on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00 PM. The meeting will begin with a short presentation, followed by an open question and answer session. I promise to stay and answer each and every question. Again, thank you very much for your warm welcome and I look forward to seeing everyone at our next school event! Mike Schmoker is a former school administrator, English teacher, and football coach. He is the author of many articles and books. His most famous is called, "Focus, Elevating the Essentials To Radically Improve Student Learning". In Focus, Schmoker encourages school leaders to prioritize around three things that are essential to improve student learning. These three things are:
1. What we teach (outstanding curriculum) 2. How we teach (strong pedagogy) 3. Authentic Literacy (purposeful reading and writing in all subjects) Schmoker is also critical of many teacher evaluation models. He believes that in order to use teacher evaluation to improve instruction, administrators should be making frequent, unannounced visits to classrooms. These visits should zero in on clear and well-defined objectives, student attention and student engagement, several short activities within a given lesson, opportunities for students to practice what was modeled, and teacher review for understanding. Here in Mendham, we are working to remained focused on clear, priority-driven teacher observation and evaluation that is designed to reinforce practices we believe to be exemplary. We think Schmoker would be pleased... |