Engage2014 FEA/NJPSA/NJASCD Fall Conference

Presented by, Dr. Hope BlecherMs. Michele Armento

North Plainfield Public School District

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Embracing theLegacy of 9/11 Commemoration

• Who-Introduction of presenters

• What-ForAction Fellowship• Where is North Plainfield• Why we are here today

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Projects• Wish Wreaths• Showcases• K-9• Benches• Avenue of Flags• Memorial

renovation• Boulders for

plaques• Recognition of staff who are

veterans• Klubhouse Kids• Sign Language Star Spangled

Banner• September 2014-trip to

Baltimore

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Books and DVDs• September Roses by Winter

• book, crocheting, rose pens, rose bush• I Survived by Tarshis• It’s Still a Dog’s New York by Roth• The Little Chapel That Stood by

Curtiss• 14 Cows For America by Deedy

• Leads into community service• Son of Hamas by Yousef• Terrorism’s War with America by

Pisziewicz• September 11, 11 directors, 11 stories,

1 film• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

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From iPads to Screensavers

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-School tech department is able to set screensavers on all district iPads and computers.

-Simple yet effective way to communicate the importance of certain days to students.

Lesson plans and resources• ForAction http://www.foractioninitiative.or

g/

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• NJDOE

http://www.state.nj.us/education/holocaust/911/

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Standards and Areas addressed by this project

• Just to name a few…

• Common Core: Integrating Social Studies and Literacy; Using Arts Infused Instruction

• High Quality Instruction: Creating a Classroom Environment that Encourages Innovation and Collaboration

• PARCC: Primary sources and informational text

• Technology: Google Tour Builder, iPads; Photography; digital journalism website

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Standards and Areas addressed by this project

• Improving Climate and Culture: • Supporting Social and Emotional Learning; Bullying

angle; Supporting successful students

• Exposing students to survivors of historical events including the Holocaust and September 11th in order to foster respect, facilitate awareness and sensitivity, and support reflective thinking

• Enhancing Leadership Skills: • The flag ceremonies evolved from teacher-guided

to student written and delivered speeches, as well as student photographers and reporters.

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Avenue of Flags

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Avenue of Flags

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NJ ROTC

*Helps promote patriotism in the school and the community

*Cadets participate in ceremonies and pep rallies throughout the year.

*Positive program with a large enrollment. Students learn valuable skills that will benefitthem throughout their lives.

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NJ ROTC

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NJ ROTC

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North Plainfield ROTC Program

Elijah was asked:

“How does the ROTC benefit

the high school and the North

Plainfield community?”

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North Plainfield ROTC Program

Kyle was asked:

“Why are the

remembrance

ceremonies important?”

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North Plainfield ROTC Program

Nancy was asked:

“What do you and your fellow Cadets get out of being a part

of the ceremonies and being a member of the ROTC?”

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Google Tour Builder

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-New program developed by Google allows students to take virtual field trips

-Google filmed N.P.H.S. students using the students as part of their initial marketing campaign

-Has numerous uses and is a great way to integrate technology into lessons

Veterans Day to Flag Day

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Stand by Your Graphic!In order to assist the 9/11 committee with a wallpaper design for Veterans Day, the students in Mrs. Sandoval’s Language Arts classes voted on an appropriate graphic for the morning ceremony. After viewing three images (selected from a Google search), students voiced their opinions on which picture best illustrated honor and respect.Initially, most students were divided on two of the three images.Representatives from each side attempted to persuade their peers about why their picture should win.

One group defended their final selection by pointing out specific attributes, “The light conveys strength and the stars shine whereas the other picture is weak and boring” as supporting evidence that strengthened their argument. After hearing several students voice their reasons, the majority agreed with the group who favored the appealing graphic. Hopefully, our veterans will agree!!

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Patriots Day

• National Remembrance Flaghttp://www.911remembranceflag.com/

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Scrapbook• Reflections of September 11, 2001:

• Administrators• Teachers• Students• Community Members

• Questions to consider:• Where were you that day?• What did the day mean to you then and

now?• Where are we 10 years later?• Why reflect?

• Scrapbook #2• Written reflections• School and community

events• School newspaper pieces• Pictures

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Scrapbook

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Scrapbook

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Dance Class• Dance is choreographed and performed in honor

of 9/11• Performed at Faculty Performing Arts Show

• Song: “Don’t Let Go Yet” by David J. Roch• A tribute to 9/11

• “When you danced as a tribute to all those affected, I felt touched. It was beautiful and told a story; there wasn’t just dance, there was life.” (NPHS Senior and audience member)

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Dance Class

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Dance Class

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Debate Club• NPHS students in the debate club wrote and sent “Thank You

Soldier Letters” to soldiers overseas thanking them for their service during the holiday season.

• Themes of hope, faith, courage, heroism, reflection, coming together, and appreciation.

• “Never give up hope. Hope is what will keep you alive for as long as you’re there. Your family and friends miss you, and your service to this country is greatly appreciated. Hope know no fear…” (NPHS student letter)

• “You may not be famous or recognized worldwide for your actions, but honestly, the things you give up and the battles you fight make you a true hero to me.” (NPHS student letter)

• “Now that you are fighting for our country, consider us all family. You can always fall back on us, and we’ll be here to catch you; we’ll be your rock. Remember that we are all part of a team, the winning team.” (NPHS student letter)

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Klubhouse Kids• Students in the aftercare program worked with

their counselors to create this mural.

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Quilts• Fifth graders

make the quilts as a geometry lesson

• These are donated to babies in the neonatal unit and to veterans

• This project includes retired teachers, previous students and learning to sew on a machine and by hand

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Quilts

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Quilts

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Star Spangled Banner Ceremony: June 2014

• This ceremony included: • Staff, students and members of the community • Participation of the mayor and chief of police

• We began with a video of the history of the American Flag, and students sang a song that included some of our American Sign Language students.

• We followed with a student speech and acknowledgement of staff members who have become citizens.

• See our brochure for further details.

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Roses and Benches

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Community Support/ParticipationIncludes but is not limited to:

•School BOE

•Maintenance/Custodial team

•Staff

•Students

•Police

•Town Council

•Local businesses, such as Weldon Concrete/ Builders

•Local landscapers

•Parents

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Your first steps

Share

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Our websitehttp://www.nplainfield.org/Page/10041

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Contact InformationDr. Hope Blecher, Supervisor

• NPHS, 34 Wilson Avenue, North Plainfield, NJ 07060

• Hope_blecher@nplainfield.org

Ms. Michele Armento, Academic Support ELA, ESL and Adult School teacher

• Michele_armento@nplainfield.org

Mr. Michael Mulry, Social Studies teacher

• Michael_mulry@nplainfield.org

• NPHS, main number is 908-769-6000

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Our Fellowship Team

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Thank you for

• Coming today• Listening to us• Being interested in this topic

• Your commitment to excellence

• Drive safely!

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