Upcoming Events
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CogAT Testing Gr. 3-5
February 1-3
BOE Meeting
February 9
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Bingo at FLPL
Minimum Day
February 12
Presidents' Weekend Recess
February 15 - 16
BOE Meeting
February 23
Leap Day
February 29
Rabid Readers 4th Grade Book Club at FLPL
March 8
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Franklin Lakes Public Schools
School News and Views January, 2016
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Dear Community Members,
January has been a very busy month full of surprises. The snow that the children thought would never come, finally found us. The Harlem Wizards came to town, to play against the "Franklin Lakers". I had a great time playing basketball with other administrators and teachers, and thank all of the elementary school PTAs for co-sponsoring the event. Through the generosity of FLEF, teachers and administrators were awarded over $200,000 in educational grants.
We recently learned that the new FAMS STEM course will receive a Program Excellence Award from the International Technology and Engineering Association. Congratulations to Mrs. Antonison, Mr. Keiser, Mrs. Hart and Mrs. Steines on this accomplishment. We will be sharing more about this honor after the award ceremony, which takes place in Washington D. C. in March 2016.
Kindergarten registration is now open. Parents interested in registering their child should visit the District website in order to begin the process. Registration information can be found under the Resources tab. Choose Parents and then New Student Registration from the dropdown menus.
The New Jersey School Boards Association will present a report about our District's Strategic Planning sessions that took place this fall at the February 9, 2016 Board of Education meeting. I have said this many times, but it is so wonderful to have had such great participation by administrators, staff, parents, community members and students at these sessions. I know the results of the process will mean a great deal to our District.
Finally, I am pleased and proud to announce that the Franklin Lakes Public Schools have just been notified of our selection for membership in the Tri-State Consortium. "The Tri-State Consortium is a dynamic learning organization of public school districts that values systems thinking as the foundation for continuous improvement. The Consortium assists its member districts in using quantitative and qualitative data to enhance student performance and to build a rigorous framework for planning, assessment, and systemic change. Collaborating as colleagues and critical friends, Consortium members apply the standards of the Tri-State model to benchmark member districts' progress in advancing teaching and learning." Membership will allow us to work with other high performing school districts from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, in order to learn and share with one another in meaningful ways.
Sincerely,
Lydia Furnari, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools |
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How We Connect
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District News
Curriculum & Instruction: Advancing Expertise
Franklin Lakes Public Schools are proud to recognize its educators whose professional commitment includes the continual improvement of students, themselves, fellow faculty members, and even out-of-district colleagues. Between the months  of August-December 2015, these informal leaders have formally availed themselves to provide continued learning opportunities and assistance to other educators by presenting and providing ideas, activities, and resources in support of improving teacher effectiveness. As noted by Marzano, Frontier, & Livingston (2011) the contributions of these individuals toward the professional learning of their colleagues supports "incremental gains in teacher expertise, which can produce incremental gains in student achievement." Toward that end, FLPS is proud to celebrate the professional learning contributions its educators make as they propel professional learning. Please click here for the most recent acknowledgements.
Technology: Educational Computing Showcase
The 30th Annual NJ Educational Computing Conference was held on January 13, 2016. Eighteen teachers and administrators from the District  attended. School professionals presented over 80 sessions which showcased innovative examples of educational computing. There was a strand for special education teachers and one for library media specialists. The Keynote Speaker, Shannon Miller, a teacher, librarian and technology integration specialist, spoke about giving students a voice in their learning and how libraries are changing. She presented many practical examples of how she has given her students their voices through social media and other technology tools.
One of the best attended sessions of the day was presented by two of our own teachers, Mrs. Antonison and Mrs. Zaporoshan.
 Their session, "Let's Go Googling", was useful and comprehensive, demonstrating how Google tools can enhance, organize and streamline a teacher's classroom. Our staff members brought back new tools and skills which some of them have already started to incorporate in their classrooms.
Technology: Excelling with Excel!
The students in Ms. Wendy Goodell's 1st grade class at WAS are working on grasping and using new technology! We learned to create an Excel spreadsheet, input our weekly sight works and
sort our information into alphabetical order. This lesson was designed to address technology standard 8.1.2.A.7 as well as reinforce sight word recognition. The students loved the hands-on aspect and use of technology. 1G looks forward to applying technology across all subject areas!
Business & Operations: Student Safety
The District is pleased to report that it has contracted to replicate the Borough's lightning sensor and alert system at each of our  four schools. The roof of each school will be outfitted with a remote siren station including solar power, strobe lights and sirens. Implementation is planned for early Spring. Our students' safety, both inside and outside of the school building, is our paramount concern; this initiative further strengthens our safety measures. Special Services: Making Progress
The Department of Special Services has initiated two programs for both general and special education students that will enhance our progress monitoring capabilities for IEPs, 504 and Intervention & Referral Service plans. The two programs, AIMSWEB and IEP Direct (for 504 and I&RS plans) has required training for administrators, teachers, CST members, and counselors. The installation of both programs will facilitate the implementation of action plans that assist students in accessing classroom experiences academically, socially and emotionally.
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FAMS News
Our second installment concentrates on Mr. Parr and his 6th grade Science classroom. Mr. Parr graduated from William Paterson University in 1998 and has been teaching in Franklin Lakes for 13 years. Mr. Parr started his career at WAS before coming to FAMS. Mr. Parr is a two-time Teacher of the Year recipient, most recently in 2012. His work with the 6th grade Science department has been outstanding and innovative.
Mr. Parr has created his own YouTube channel that currently has over 69,500 subscribers with over 21 million views and consists of popular songs that Mr. Parr has created over time. To find Mr. Parr's YouTube channel, please click here. Additionally, Mr. Parr has been invited to share his talents with many schools across the country and has even been the subject of articles written in Australia and Canada. While Mr. Parr is considered a master teacher  among his peers, he also continues to create tremendous lessons for the 6th grade students at FAMS including this lesson on tornados and Vortex Vehicles. Enjoy Vortex Vehicles on FAMS: A Closer Look!
FAMS: Expanding The Teachers' Toolbox
The FAMS Language Arts and Math departments recently received in-house training on student engagement and teaching to the block. Ms. Nicole Medrzychowski (FAMS, LA) and Ms. Kristen Emmel (FAMS, Math) presented turnkey training to their  departments that offered a variety of hands-on activities and strategies for their colleagues' reflection. The presenters described how teachers can incorporate student interaction, hands-on activities, movement, and imagery into their lessons in order to enrich student learning. In addition, the LA and Math departments conducted grade-level meetings in order to collaboratively plan student-centered, engaging lessons that will allow students to take full advantage of the double period blocks that are integrated into the FAMS schedule.
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CRS News
CRS: Learning to Problem Solve
Our program of the District's Character Education monthly themes continued in December with problem solving. Our students were exposed to the following Problem Solving Steps:
1. Talk about the problem.
2. Listen to understand.
3. Think of ways to solve it.
4. Choose the best plan.
During monthly Character Education lessons, our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Ballas, likes to focus on one literature connection per grade to reinforce the monthly theme. Every story is used in connection with a specific lesson for each grade. To discuss the message of respectful conflict resolution, some of the stories read are Mim, Gym, and June by Denis Roche, Horace and Morris Join the Chorus by James Howe, Six Dinner Sid by Inga Moore and Ruler of the Courtyard by Rukhsana Khan.
Click here for more information about the Character Education monthly themes and how they are addressed at CRS.
CRS: Challenger Space Assembly
Recently, our Second Grade students were treated to an exciting in-school assembly on  outer space! The students had to "hang onto their lab coats" as they were "transported" into space to explore the adventures of the solar system. We thank our CRS PTA for providing our students with this unforgettable experience.
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HMR News
HMR: Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills in Action
During the month of December, we had conversations with grades 3-5 about coping skills.  We shared some of life's disappointments and we walked through healthy ways to deal with those feelings of disappointment. Each one of us has our own personal ways that give us comfort. In fifth grade especially, we started the conversation of middle school situations that may come up, and how important it is to reach out for support, who to reach out to, and most importantly, how to find healthy ways internally to make yourself feel better!
 We talked about the importance of keeping an open dialogue with parents, especially throughout teen years. Many of the children made colorful lists including all of the things that are personal to them to help them feel better when they're feeling down. We look to keep anxiety down in Franklin Lakes and help children to always think about positive ways to care for themselves emotionally!
HMR: Geography Bee
Spanish teacher, Mrs. Kathy Lonati, held a geography bee for our 5th grade students. Preparation for the bee combined map skills with Spanish language study. Students studied the Spanish names of Spanish speaking countries, their capitals and continents, and a neighbor of each. The students learned a great deal and participated in a wonderful event.
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WAS News
WAS: Fifth Grade Scientists Share Their Findings
Our fifth grade scientists hosted an informational Science Fair as a culmination to their unit on variables. Scientists utilized the Scientific Method to ask a question, formulate a hypothesis, identify and  control variables, test their hypothesis, collect and record their data, interpret their data, and state their conclusion. It did not end there! Students then identified ways in which they could take what they learned and extend their knowledge even further. Parents, teachers, and students had a great day visiting the Science Fair and learning from our scientists in residence.
WAS: Teachers Innovating and Inspiring Thanks to FLEF!
The Franklin Lakes Education Foundation graciously donated funding to support so many of our innovative and inspiring grant proposals dreamed into life by our teachers! We are thrilled to begin using these materials in our classrooms as we provide our students with even more ways to explore, imagine, and create.
From an Imagination Playground to A Day in Clay to STEM centers, our students will be embracing what it means to be a curious, inspired learner. What's  more is that in addition to these amazing experiences, teachers are also able to update their classrooms with innovative teaching materials ranging from collaborative furniture sets to a Go Pro camera to catch all of our learning in action. Our teachers are grateful for FLEF's support of their ideas and innovations and look forward to continuing to provide our students with these unparalleled learning experiences.
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Franklin Lakes Public Library News
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Bingo
Tuesday, February 9th!
4th Graders - Do you love to read?
Join us in the Rabid Readers book club Kick off on Tuesday, March 4th at 4pm. |
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Franklin Lakes Borough News
CERT and CART Volunteer Needed!
Classes begin February 2
Register Now
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and County Animal Response Team (CART) volunteers are needed to assist the Franklin Lakes Office of Emergency Management. CERT training provides residents with basic training before, during and after a disaster. CERT training prepares you to take care of your family, your neighbors, and then the community. Classes begin February 2, 2016 for approximately two and half hours per evening.
Click here for additional information including class schedule and registration form. Residents of Franklin Lakes are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in attending, please contact Denny Knubel at 201-891-0048, ext. 2012 or
emergencymanagement@franklinlakes.org.
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