Prinicpals looking to improve achievement
SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex-Regional School District's three principals, Michael Gall of Wantage School, Shane Schwarz of Sussex Middle School, and William Kochis of the Clifton E. Lawrence School gave a presentation regarding analyzing data and identifying action plans to improve instruction and student achievement.
Schwarz talked about ways to improve instruction through brief principal classroom walk throughs and teacher peer review.
During teacher peer observations, the teachers discuss lessons, methods, and strategies after being observed by a peer. The goal is for the teachers to help develop one another.
The principals said growth areas include more balance between reading and speaking, higher thinking skills for older students such as synthesis, analysis, and more hands-on opportunities.
Schwarz said buses were a hot spot for harassment, intimidation and bullying investigations. After installing video cameras on buses, incidences are decreasing.
The principals also discussed student absenteeism and involving parents after four absences.
All schools have character education. Kochis said that CEL learns monthly character traits such as: friendship, honesty, and respect. It is wonderful when students are happy for their friends after receiving a reward certificate, the principals said.
Schwarz continued that High Point Regional High School students volunteer in a program called, “Heroes and Cool Kids,” where high schoolers talk to sixth-graders about drugs and alcohol.The DARE program also is presented at the Wantage school and Sussex Middle School.
Gall said Sgt. John Gray and officers have been quite helpful with school security and talking to the students about drugs and positive behavior.
Fourth-grade presentationFourth graders from teacher Deb Card's Wantage School class gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding a winter ecology program with Americorps students from the School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest.
School Board President Thomas Card supervised the Americorps students.
The students tested how animals survive during the winter by simulating hibernating animals, boiling water and Jell-o in a tube. If their “animal” did not turn into solid Jell-o, they knew they had chosen a safe winter-environment.
Three out of the seven “animals” survived.
On April 24, the fourth grade will conduct water studies at the environmental center; and on May 29, they will learn about: Native Americans, Colonial Life, Geo-Streaming, and Water/Stream Ecology at the School of Conservation. All parents are invited. Both students and principals gave presentations at the Sussex-Wantage School Board meeting,