Clinton Township Newsletter

IN OUR S SCHOOLS: continued P a t r i ck M c g a h e r a n S c h o o l Mrs. Kelly Hill is PMG's Teacher of the Year! We are thrilled to announce that Mrs. Kelly Hill, 3rd Grade Teacher, is Patrick McGaheran School's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Hill is a kind, professional, and flexible educator. Mrs. Hill gets to know each of her students and their families to best support individual learning. Mrs. Hill is a teacher leader. She has been instrumental in the development of our new curriculum, which aligns with the new Core Curriculum Content Standards. She has worked to support her colleagues in understanding the curriculum and the programs we have chosen to support the curriculum. She makes learning fun by developing authentic learning projects across curricular areas. Mrs. Hill has developed projects that completely engage and motivate her students. One project stemmed from a student suggestion of getting a class pet. Mrs. Hill centered the project around the "Humphrey" book series. She had students research costs associated with the care of a hamster and the pros and cons of different types of hamsters. Students wrote persuasive letters to the Principal to get permission for the class pet. Students continue to enjoy their pet and use it to help with math, reading and more. They love it! Mrs. Hill and her students also took over the duties of running our school store to learn more about economics. They researched products, discussed supply and demand, and learned about inventory, profit and more. Mrs. Hill always remains positive, enthusiastic and warm. She is a pleasure to work with and highly deserving of the recognition! Mrs. Hill's philosophy of education is: "As a teacher it has always been my philosophy that children will learn best in an environment that is full of respect, caring and with clear expectations. I also believe that as a teacher it is my responsibility to know my students, especially their learning styles. Children learn in so many different ways, some are visual learners, some auditory and most hands on learning is what helps them understand topics. As a teacher I need to know how to reach children in a variety of ways, which often means being flexible with lessons. About a year ago I attended a workshop and the presenter said something that really stuck with me, "one of the best ways for children to learn is to take the teacher out of teaching", which means that the teacher should guide and introduce but give the students as much time to explore and teach one another. Round Valley's Teacher of the Year, Debra Tackney, began her career teaching in Clinton Township in September 1994. Previously she had taught in New York City. Deb was a fourth grade teacher for 16 years then changed to become a fifth grade teacher three years ago. She has worked at both Patrick McGaheran and Round Valley schools.  Deb has a passion for learning and is relentless in her pursuit of the best way to reach all kids. Over the past two years she has studied the Common Core State Standards and has become knowledgable on how this initiative has and will change teaching, student learning and expectations for performance. Deb is the consummate professional who shares her knowledge with her colleagues and does so readily with the understanding that we are a team and that together we achieve more. When asked to share her Philosophy of Education Deb responded: "Learning is fluid. It flows through the mind, and it is our challenge to provide an environment that nourishes and enhances it. Children strive to learn. They come to knowledge eager to grasp and hold onto it as their own. It's how they grow confidence and self This has changed the way I look at teaching and I have been often amazed at what the children have taught me. As Benjamin Franklin once said, 'Tell and I'll forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.' This quote is so powerful and I remind myself of it often that this truly the most important way to teach. MUSIC FILLS THE AIR! The Patrick McGaheran music room has been filled with excitement in recent months, as we have been busy preparing for our annual series of spring concerts. Each year we look forward to these dates as a wonderful opportunity to showcase musical learning through singing, playing instruments, dance, composition and improvisation. Our 2nd grade students recently performed on April 18 where the audience enjoyed whole-grade selections, individual class performances, and a special set of repertoire sung by our 2nd grade chorus. Later this month, our 3rd grade students will be presenting their annual chorus concert on May 22 at 7:00 pm in the Clinton Township Middle School Auditorium. Please join us for a wonderful evening of choral selections. Bravo 2nd and 3rd grade musicians! We are very proud of your accomplishments! Round Valley School respect. All children on this earth are natural learners. It is our charge to provide opportunities that ask children to think critically and creatively. We must challenge them to comprehend and analyze. Their minds must be able to apply what they've learned; evaluate and synthesize it. Education is a living force, forever changing and evolving. We must learn how to embrace its nature, and sustain its strength for the good of us all." We at Round Valley are delighted and proud to present Debra Tackney as Round Valley's Teacher of the Year, 2013. Clinton Township Middle School • A student representing Clinton Township Middle School recently received a perfect score in the second of three meets for this year's WordMasters Challenge™—a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students. Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the WordMasters Challenge™, seventh grader Prajeet Sarker earned a perfect score of 20 in the February meet.  Nationally, only 70 seventh graders achieved a perfect score. There will be one more meet this spring.  • The CTMS 7th grade Knowledge Masters team is preparing to compete in the national contest on April 24. This is an academic team competition and covers a variety of subjects from anthropology to zoology, as well as some totally useless trivia. Best of luck to our team! • The CTMS 8th graders are studying the Civil War, and will be visited by two area Civil War re-enactors, Charles Prestipone and Patrick Fancera. These soldiers of the Civil War bring in actual and replica tools, clothing, food, weapons and supply items for a hands on learning presentation. Students will also have the chance to be part of an enrichment field trip to Gettysburg Battlefield and Museum.  • The CTMS PTA will be sponsoring the annual visit from the Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey for a student performance. This year the students will be treated to a performance of Comedy of Errors. • Our 6th grade Move Up Dance will be held on May 10 from 7:00 pm-9:30 pm. This dance is open to all 6th and 7th grade students. Cost of admission is $5.00 and a permission slip must be on file in the main office of CTMS. Parents are reminded to pick up their student promptly at 9:30 pm. An orientation for 6th grade parents and students will be held at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. • Our 8th grade Dance and Boardwalk Party will be held on May 31 from 7:00 -10:00 pm. This dance is open only to 8th grade students and admission is free. A permission slip must be on file in the main office of CTMS. Parents are reminded to pick up their student promptly at 10:00 pm. • Congratulations to Mrs. Marlene Chynoweth, CTMS's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Chynoweth teaches 8th grade algebra at CTMS. Mrs. Chynoweth earned her B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University. When asked about her philosophy of education Mrs. Chynoweth shared the following: Coaching, connections and comedy… As a math coach, I instruct, correct and encourage.  The most important part of my coaching is to celebrate each student's achievement so they let go of past feelings of defeat and they are opened to future learning.  I love to help students see connections to prior knowledge, science, their world, and especially language.  To me, math is a language that can be "heard" in our words. I try to build emotional ties to the students and lessons with stories, jokes, fun activities, and laughter.   None of this is possible without collaboration and personal reflection. The teacher who nominated Mrs. Chynoweth stated: Mrs. Chynoweth's colleagues who teach next to her everyday are very impressed with her commitment to her students.  She offers extra help in the morning before school, during her lunch break and after school.  She is full of energy and enthusiasm for teaching and shows dedication to her students.  Being a math teacher is a challenge when it comes to creativity and motivation, but she engages her students on a daily basis.  Marlene is dedicated to her students even after they have graduated and moved on.   She attends plays, athletic competitions and graduations of former students on her own time.  Marlene cares not only about the academic successes of her students, but is a mentor to them in character, emotional and social growth. C TSD B o a r d o f E d u ca t i o n : Board meeting dates for the 2013 calendar year: April 29, May 2o*, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 23, October 28, November 18*, December 16*, January 6, 2014*(Reorganization) *Meetings will be held on the fourth Monday of the month, except where noted. Meetings held at CTMS (34 Grayrock Rd.) in the Auditorium or Library at 7:30 pm. Find out what's going on in our schools, meet the Board and the Superintendent! All residents of CT are encouraged to attend, not just the parents of CTSD children. For BOE mtg. minutes, visit: www.ctsd.k12.nj.us M a y 2 0 1 3 13

• To H--- with Elle!