K-12th Curriculum Implementation
Curriculum is a set of predetermined work plans developed by or for teachers to use in classrooms by which the content, scope, and sequence of that content, and the skills taught through that content are defined and configured. Formal curriculum is predetermined and it structures the curriculum of the school, and appears in curriculum guides, state regulations, or officially sanctioned scope and sequence charts. Core Curriculum focuses on content and skills basic to the disciplines of Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. We are excited to announce that teachers in grades K-12th beginning Fall 2012, will utilize an updated curriculum that provides pacing and instructional guidance for our elementary schools based upon the 2009 NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards, as well as the new Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Mathematics.
Textbook Inventory & Management System
Last year, the district purchased the Follett web-based Textbook Management System. District-wide inventory of all textbooks is currently underway. With the full implementation of the Follett System, administrators will finally be able to account for and share available textbook resources within our school district electronically, and more efficiently adopt new texts as required.
Textbook Adoption
Naviance
Naviance is a proven resource that serves to inspire and guide students toward career and college readiness. It starts with students exploring options, setting goals and establishing an academic plan to meet those goals. Naviance will serve as a critical factor in helping the high school meet its goal of "ensuring that all seniors apply to a minimum of 4 colleges."
Preliminary SAT Scoring Service (PSSS)
The PSSS will provide students with opportunities to learn and practice proven strategies for successful aptitude testing. The PSSS test measures critical reading, mathematics and writing skills using the pre-disclosed 2012 PSAT/NMSQT Saturday test form. We will use the PSSS to help guide and inspire our students as they plan for their promising future.
Benchmark Assessments
Research indicates that the frequency of student assessments directly correlates to student achievement. Periodic benchmark assessments are implemented to provide school and district administrators with timely internal educational data to drive instruction of critically needed conceptual development in the classroom.
Gifted and Talented Program Expansion
During Winter 2011, Willingboro schools embarked on restoring the Gifted & Talented Program for students in grades 3-5. Teachers helped develop students who demonstrated high levels of proficiency on multiple platforms of assessment in their park school. The instructors, through partnerships with both William and Mary University and Rutgers University, were tasked to challenge these students to think critically and expand their aptitudes. This coming school year, these opportunities will be expanded to the middle grades.
Construction Referendum Year 2—Phase II
Alternative Education Programming
Our desire to meet the needs of all of our students inspired the design of a new Alternative Program located at Levitt School. The Alternative Program helps to academically prepare students who can benefit from smaller learning communities in an environment where alternative learning styles are explored to promote students success. Additionally, this program supports students who are returning to Willingboro Public Schools from out of district placements.
NJQSAC
The New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC), as required by N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-3 et seq., is a system whereby all public school districts in the State are monitored and evaluated. NJQSAC is designed to be a single, comprehensive accountability system that consolidates and incorporates the monitoring requirements of applicable State and Federal programs. This year we will implement the State approved District Improvement Plan (DIP) to ensure compliance with the five established NJQSAC components: Instruction and Programs; Fiscal Management; Personnel; Governance; and Operations.
Middle School Sports Initiative
Willingboro School District is very pleased to announced the restoration of competitive sports for our middle grade students. We believe the reinstatement of this initiative will add much to our overall program; by both motivating students to improve their performance away from the competitive environments and providing leadership opportunities for youngsters.
Professional Development Partnerships
In an effort to accelerate the academic performance of our students, and the instructional capacity of our teachers in secondary settings; the Willingboro School District is excited to announce multiple Professional Development Partnerships with Texas Instruments (Mathematics), and Standard Solution (Language Arts and Social Studies).
Benefits of the successful use of data to improve student achievement...
'The planned use of data is a common characteristic among schools that are high performing and beat the odds in terms of student achievement.The use of data to drive educational decision making results in improved teacher practices and school culture. Teachers report greater differentiation of instruction, greater collaboration among staff, increased sense of teacher efficacy, and improved identification of students' learning needs as outcomes of data use.'
In anticipation of a successful transition, we wish to thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the learning environments for our students and staff.
Summer Relocation Reminders
· Willingboro High School administrators are stationed at Levitt School
· Garfield East and Twin Hills Elementary administrators are now located at Memorial Middle
· Hawthorne administrators will move to Bookbinder Elementary on July 15, 2012
· WR James administrators will move to McGinley Elementary on July 30, 2012
The existing telephone extensions have been rerouted to the temporary locations.
7:00 PM - 11:59 PM Regular Meeting of the Board of Education