Posts tagged Academics
Congratulations to the Class of 2010
Jun 13th
The 53rd Annual Commencement of Northwestern Lehigh High School was held on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Lehigh University’s Stabler Arena.
The Class of 2010 is comprised of 193 graduating seniors including: Valedictorian, Alexander W. Masetti, Jr. and Salutatorian, Ramzy T. Burns. The class officers are: Ramzy T. Burns, President; Olivia K. Danner, Vice President; Lauren A. Gradwell, Secretary; and Joseph K. Hall, Treasurer.
Northwestern Lehigh High School — Class of 2010
Advisors: Mrs. W. Ann Way & Mrs. Tracy Smoyer
Motto: “These are our moments, these are our times, let’s make the best out of our lives.”
Colors: Black & Gold | Flower: Gerber Daisy | Song: “Our Lives” by The Calling [see video below]
Addition to Ceremony: Prior to the presentation of the diplomas, senior Brittany A. Kittle addressed fellow classmates and the audience with a special recognition and tribute to the loss of their beloved classmate, Shaunice Jarjous. In honor of her memory, the graduates have chosen to donate their remaining class funds to her Memorial Scholarship Award.
In you were unable to attend the ceremony, a copy of the commencement program is included below:
Trombetta Proposes Charter School Digital Learning Network in Pennsylvania
May 4th
This story from PRNewswire caught my attention. Northwestern Lehigh School District started its own Digital Academy for the 2009-10 school year based on online curriculum provided by Lincoln Interactive and K12. Northwestern Lehigh currently has 7 full-time students enrolled in its cyber program – up from 3 students at the start of the year.
A projected cost savings for the district and added benefits for enrolled students were the main reasons to act as “trail blazer” for this initiative among Lehigh County schools. Many other districts are now in the process of strating their own cyber programs.
“Schools across the state are scrambling to create their own cyber programs. Soon every school will be a cyber school.” – Dr. Nick Trombetta
LANCASTER, Pa., May 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — With help from the state’s cyber schools, Pennsylvania’s 124 bricks-and-mortar charter schools can move seamlessly into the bricks-and-cyber future through a cooperative Charter School Digital Learning Network said Dr. Nick Trombetta.
Dr. Trombetta made the proposal in an address to the School Leadership Conference sponsored by the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools. Some 200 charter and cyber charter school board members, administrators and teachers from across the state attended a three-day meeting concluding May 2 at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Lancaster.
School districts which formerly fought cyber education are now trying to create their own online programs, said Dr. Trombetta, CEO and founder of the 9,000-student Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.
Public charter schools need to implement quality online programs to maintain their competitive edge, but their generally small size and tight budgets require that the cyber programs be both flexible and inexpensive, he said. The state’s 11 cyber charter schools have the expertise and curriculum to help their brick-and-mortar colleagues.
Predicting an era of rapid technological and educational change with online education becoming commonplace, Dr. Trombetta told the conference, “When a student comes to an administrator and says, ‘I want to learn Mandarin Chinese,’ the answer can’t be ‘no.’ The answer can’t be, ‘that’s something we don’t do.’”
One solution that’s already developed, he said, is an online curriculum prototype developed by the National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS), a nationwide online curriculum and management foundation. NNDS currently provides Lincoln Interactive curriculum to 200 schools in 12 states, including PA Cyber. Trombetta showed attendees some of the Lincoln Interactive courses and a sample digital charter school website.
The model, using Lincoln Interactive’s premium curriculum of 250 state-approved online courses, is designed to be flexible, inexpensive and easily customized to any school.
Charter Coalition President Larry F. Jones said Trombetta’s idea is very workable and could provide a great opportunity for the state’s 11 cyber charter schools to partner with the 124 bricks-and-mortar charters. Jones said this summer he will lead a group of charter school CEOs on a tour of PA Cyber and NNDS headquarters in western Pennsylvania so administrators can see how cyber school works.
Dr. Trombetta told conference attendees that before launching PA Cyber 10 years ago, he went across the state to meet with school district superintendents and intermediate unit administrators, inviting them to join him in creating a cyber school under the 1997 charter school law passed under the Tom Ridge administration.
“Not one of them was interested then and some of them laughed at the idea. They’re not laughing now. Schools across the state are scrambling to create their own cyber programs. Soon every school will be a cyber school,” Dr. Trombetta said.
“In Pennsylvania we lead the nation in cyber charter education, and I’m proud of that. But with that status comes a responsibility to show the nation what comes next.”
The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools is an association of and advocate for the commonwealth’s charter and cyber charter schools and the more than 70,000 charter and cyber charter students statewide that these schools educate. This was its first School Leadership Conference, providing education, targeted training and the opportunity for networking to charter school governance, administration and staff.
National Network of Digital Schools (NNDS) is a nationwide educational management foundation providing premier online curricula Lincoln Interactive for grades 5-12 and Little Lincoln for grades K-4.
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is a K-12 public charter school offering both virtual and self-paced (synchronous and asynchronous) online education. It currently enrolls 9,000 students from 490 of Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts. PA Cyber CEO and founder Dr. Nick Trombetta is a recognized national leader in educational reform and innovation. He recently presented at the 2010 Intel Visionary Education Conference in Washington, D.C.
Source: National Network of Digital Schools. Contact Communications Coordinator Fred Miller, 724.643.1180, ext. 1377, or 724.777.5918
SOURCE: National Network of Digital Schools
RELATED LINKS
http://www.pacyber.org
http://www.pachartercoalition.com
http://www.nndsonline.org
http://www.lincolninteractive.com
Northwestern Lehigh “Green Team” earns honors at Envirothon
Apr 27th
Today, our high school “Green Team” earned a very respectable 4th place in Lehigh County’s annual Envirothon. A total of thirteen teams of area high school students competed in this event held at the Wildlands Conservancy in Emmaus.
Envirothon - April 27, 2010
Northwestern’s 5-member team was comprised of one senior and four sophomores. Congratulations to Nick, Natalie, Kacy, Kailee, Zack and their teacher and team advisor, Mr. David Moyer.
Envirothon 2010 final standings:
- East Penn (team #1)
- Parkland
- East Penn (team #2)
- Northwestern Lehigh
The Envirothon is a national environmental event for school students throughout North America that provides learning opportunities and exploration about the environment throughout the school year. It culminates with a day of competition that measures how much the students have learned about these environmental topics: Aquatics, Soils, Wildlife, Forestry, and the Current Issue topic.
Lehigh Carbon Community College seeks Northwestern Lehigh to partner in early graduation program
Apr 27th
The recent Morning Call article below caught my attention for several reasons – most notably for providing me with a few more tidbits of information to the 6-seconds of a PR blurb (yes – literally!) mentioned at our school board meeting held on April 14th at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC).
Due to the brief mention of this topic, I had to do some of my own “digging” to actually see and understand this initiative further. Here are some of the links from Google that you may find helpful as well:
- Skills Commission.org
- www.skillscommission.org/boardexaminationproject.htm
- www.skillscommission.org/press_2-17-10.htm
- National Center On Education And The Economy
At first glance, I’m pleased to “read” we’re not taking a leap of faith into an unknown pool just yet. A quick review of our graduation requirements, curriculum and block scheduling does not appear to provide sufficient “time” for this to occur by the end of 10th grade presently. I’m eager to “hear” and learn more in the coming weeks ahead. I’ll keep you posted…
Go from 10th grade to college at LCCC?
School pushes Northwestern Lehigh to join new national early grad program.
Lehigh Carbon Community College wants to be part of a national pilot program that would allow academically eager and able 10th-graders to skip their last two years of high school and go right into a college classroom.
LCCC would like the Northwestern Lehigh School District to be its partner in an early-graduation program, modeled on those in Europe, that fast-tracks high school students with the skills to enter college early.
The program also would help students who want to go to college but still need to work on their skills.
”What a lot of schools are responding to is they know they have students who the current program doesn’t help — students who are bored at that level and students who just don’t have a clue,” said Susan Sclafani of the National Center on Education and Economy, who will be setting up early-graduation programs in eight states, including Pennsylvania.
Northwestern Lehigh isn’t sure it wants to be a guinea pig.
”It’s still under discussion,” said Interim Superintendent Brad Cressman.
Commentary: The reporter (or editor) should have performed a thorough proofread on this article (see below) – especially given the “educational” aspect of this topic…don’t you agree?
would set up a and those who pass would receive a high school diploma and could enroll at a two- or four-year college. Students could also opt to stay in high school and prepare for admission at a selective college.The National Center said the program The center is looking for 10 to 20 schools in Pennsylvania to ”see if it works as well as we anticipate,” said Sclafani. Schools in Connecticut, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont will also participate.
Efforts to offer high schoolers a spot in college courses isn’t all that radical, with many students taking community colleges credits that transfer to a four-year college.
Started in 2007, LCCC’s PA Academy for the Sciences, Arts and Advanced Technologies provides college-bound, academically superior students a chance to earn transferrable college credits. However, the PA Academy classes usually isolate high school students into their own classes.
Under the Board Examination System, Northwestern Lehigh students would take classes with LCCC’s general student population.
Source: Devon Lash. “Go from 10th grade to college at LCCC.” The Morning Call April 24, 2010
Senate Education Committee amends and approves SB 1192
Apr 21st
Today the Senate Education Committee, by a 9-1 vote, approved SB 1192, a bill that would take the place of the current Education Empowerment Act, which is due to sunset on June 30. The only “no” vote was recorded by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon).
Two amendments, one introduced by the bill’s prime sponsor, Sen. Jeff Piccola, the committee chair, makes substantive changes to the measure.
The Piccola amendment removes the term “adequate yearly progress” and replaces it with “academic performance target” to keep in it in line with potential changes made to NCLB by Congress. The amendment also changes the names of the different achievement levels to “warning,” “accountability level 1,” ” accountability level 2″ and “accountability level 3.” Schools or districts that miss academic performance targets for one year would be put on “warning” status. Schools or district that miss academic performance targets for two or three consecutive years would be put on Accountability Level 1 status. Those that miss academic performance targets for 4-8 consecutive years would be classified in Accountability Level 2. Districts or schools missing academic performance targets for nine or more consecutive years would be placed in Accountability Level 3. Schools and districts would only be identified in Accountability Levels 1, 2 or 3 if they miss academic performance targets in the same subject by the same subgroup for consecutive years.
School directors in a district that is identified as in warning and above would have to complete a 30-hour board training program on a number of issues within nine months of designation. Newly elected directors would have to complete the program within nine months of election.
Districts in Accountability Level 3 would be governed by a 3-member statewide academic accountability board which would be appointed by PDE. The Accountability board would be responsible for developing a district improvement plan, and for approving the district’s annual budget, employment or termination of a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal or assistant principal, approving collective bargaining agreements and approve any issuance or refinancing of debt. Elected school districts would continue to run the day-to-day operations of the district. If the school board does not comply with orders from the accountability board, the district or school is penalized through a loss of subsidy in the amount of $5,000 per day for the first violation and $10,000 per day for a subsequent violation.
A second amendment, sponsored by Sen. Andy Dinniman, was approved as well. This amendment would limit the no strike provision in the bill to only districts in Accountability Level 3 status and would remove the exemption from the Prevailing Wage Act, the Separations Act and the Steel Procurement Act from charter schools formed under the bill.
What’s next – The bill now goes to the floor; it is likely to be sent to the Appropriations Committee prior to a floor vote.
Source: PSBA Office of Governmental and Member Relations, April 20, 2010
Are Changes to our Grading System Needed?
Apr 18th
Occasionally, I’ve been asked by parents and students alike about our current grading system. My response will usually highlight a few key areas – including the emotional and personal aspect of this complex topic.
For as long as I can remember – or for at least the twenty-five years since I left the hallowed hallways of Northwestern as a former student – the existing numeric/letter grading system has been utilized. Unquestionably a lot of things have changed since that time, so today’s environment may be a very appropriate time to review this topic.
Recently, I’ve noticed a growing grassroots movement in our community who are expressing interest and advocacy for this issue. Nearly 300 students have mobilized their unity through a Facebook group and an online iPetition is being circulated by concerned parents.
The addition of the District’s parent portal has also helped to increase awareness and involvement in academic achievement and progress – a very positive step for education that is enhanced by the utilization of technology.
There are two main components to our grading system – the rubric used to determine an individual grade by subject/content area and the numeric scale used to determine the subsequent letter grade and weighted equivalent.
The majority of public discourse on this issue appears to be focused on our numeric value system as it translates to the equivalent letter grade – especially when compared to other school districts in Lehigh County who may utilize a completely different system. Our adjacent neighbor, Parkland School District, is often used as a comparison for students competing for college and university acceptances in which grades are used as a primary consideration in evaluations.
As a fellow parent, I certainly understand and appreciate this perspective. As a School Board member, I would be extremely supportive for a collaborative group of stakeholders to review this topic further. I believe it’s also important to acknowledge this topic deserves the proper analysis and due-diligence before a recommendation should be instituted.
When a family member demonstrated her advocacy to this topic a few months ago, a former school administrator suggested Robert J. Marzano’s “Transforming Classroom Grading” as a great resource for her to learn more. Nonethless, “Dad” found this book an extremely great source of information and perspective as well.
Making the Grade – PDE announces availability of District and School Report Cards
Apr 8th
Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE) has announced that, in compliance with No Child Left Behind Act, the 2008-09 District and School Report Cards are now available online at http://paayp.emetric.net/. PDE states report cards are an important source of information about achievement, accountability, other academic indicators and highly qualified teachers.
A copy of Northwestern Lehigh School District’s reports are listed below:
District AYP Performance Report
- Northwestern Elementary
- Weisenberg Elementary
- Northwestern Lehigh Middle School
- Northwestern Lehigh High School
