Friday, February 27, 2015

Each week you receive the emailed staff update where I communicate on what has happened or what will in the week to come.  Over the winter break, I met a principal from New Albany, Ohio, Dwight Carter, and he shared his Friday update with me. Aesthetically it was much more pleasing, more notable, was the information he was sharing. From this day forward, I will send a link to you each week. Click the link and it will bring you to this Blog where you will have an improved medium in which to read the latest news regarding teachers, students, and the community at large at NKHS. If you have news to share please forward it to me so it may be included in a future post.

Students as Learners

Two senior students, Christina Kennedy and Tyler Carter, from North Kingstown High School participated alongside students from the Newport Area Career and Technical Center Culinary Arts program in a culinary competition at the RI Convention Center. Chef Kalble, sent the following: We are all so happy to announce that in our first ever Prostart Competition we took the Silver Metal.  As a result our students received over 27 thousand each in scholarship money. The kids were really amazing to watch. They really were cool under intense pressure and very professional. We are all so proud. We would like to thank everyone that helped us in preparing for this competition. 

Rich Garland's 74 Financial Literacy Students receive certification and a citation from the General Treasurer.

About the event: On Tuesday, February 24, 2015. 

Ms. Martel, Greg, Clark, Dr. Auger, Mr. Magaziner,
Mr. Garland, Michael, Sean and Kevin.

The event was to celebrate 74 students from North Kingstown Senior High School for achieving certification in financial literacy using EVERFI, as sponsored by the RI General Treasurer's Office and People's Credit Union.  Seth Magaziner attended to congratulate the students, awarding each with a citation in addition to their certificate in financial literacy.  Along with Mr. Magaziner to congratulate the students were Amy Martel, COO and EVP from People's Credit Union, Courtney Hunter, Manager of Marketing and Sales from People's, Marianne Gianfrancesco, Associate Director of Rhode Island College's Early Enrollment Program, Madelyn Murphy from EVERFI, Dr. Mancieri, Cindy Normand, Dr. Humbyrd, and Dr. Auger.  

The course is an intensive course integrating the EVERFI tool to support certification, and in addition to projects and lessons supporting RI's financial standards, incorporates SIFMA's (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) Stock Market Game competing against schools across RI and the nation.

Students also earn 3 college credits through RIC's Early Enrollment Program, in addition to certification in financial literacy using EVERFI. Photo Credit goes to the student, Sean Nagel.

Student Management Office

2015 Health and Wellness Survey: On Tuesday, March 3rd, NKHS students will be administered the 2015 Health and Wellness Survey.  As in the past, this federally funded survey is designed to gauge better the attitudes of our students concerning underage drinking and drug use.  The data collected will remain anonymous and displayed only in aggregate form. The results will help local agencies to develop appropriate strategies and plans to assist in all of our efforts to protect our children.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Dean’s Corner

We are making progress with the development of the Social and Emotional RtI.  The referral process and paperwork will be the same as with the current RtI program. More information will be shared at a future faculty meeting.    

An update on our new attendance protocol and information about letters that have been sent home will be shared at the faculty meeting on Monday.

Friendly reminder:  We do not issue passes to students who are late to class.  If they arrive to your class late (periods 2-5) please allow them in your room.  You may issue a teacher consequence for being tardy.  Please do not send them to the SMO for a pass, as we will not issue them one. 

Health and Wellness

Taking care of your heart will help you live a longer, healthier life. 

Here are seven steps (Life’s Simple 7) you and your loved ones can take to reduce risk of heart disease – America’s Number 1 Killer (courtesy American Heart Association):

Get Active – Control Cholesterol – Eat Better – Manage Blood Pressure – Lose Weight – Reduce Blood Sugar – Stop Smoking

Technology

PARCC help and tips from our Technology Instructional Leader, Kim Ramos

https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/c-HxA1FJ8UWNAw/parcc-tutorials-and-practice-tests

Frank Fusco's students in his Honor Business Principles class are having fun with assessments because they think they are playing a game. Using their own device (phone) or computer they can be quizzed so Mr. Fusco can quickly determine who understands the concepts in class. 

This formative assessment app is known as Kahoot! Ask Frank about it or go to https://getkahoot.com/ to sign up for your own account. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to check out examples and see quick tutorials on their blog.

Upcoming Events

Fri, Feb 27^th – Student course selections due for 2015-2016  

Fri, Feb 27^th – March 26^th – NKSD student Art Show; NK Free Library

Wed, Mar 4^th – School Improvement Team meeting -2pm, Media Center

Fri – Sun, March 6^th, 7, 8 – On the Town student musical 

Tues, March 10^th – School Committee Meeting, 7 pm

Thur, March 12^th – Career Speaker Series, 7 pm, Media Center

Mon, March 16^th – PARCC testing begins

Wed, March 18th – Junior Parent Night, 7pm

Tues, March 24^th – School Committee Meeting, 7pm

Thurs, March 26^th – Band Concert

Videos Worth Watching

Why Change is so Hard.

Articles Worth Reading

The Five Best Study Aid Apps for Students

Senior Project News:

Hello, my name is Stephanie Dowling and I am a senior at the high school. For my senior project I am hosting a swing dance in the high school cafeteria on March 13, 2015.

I was wondering if you would be able to spread the word about my senior project?

Here are the details of my event:

Where: NK High School Cafeteria

When: March 13, 20157-8:30 PM

What: Stephanie Dowling's Senior Project

Invited: NK residents of all ages

Tickets: $5 at the door only, limited to 350

Dress: semi-formal

Food for Thought

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."

Mark Twain