Welcome to the 2015
On September 3rd, Mrs. Lustig and Dr. Smith worked with the Peer Leaders to welcome all Freshmen to Verona High School. Students were asked to participate in a scavenger hunt where they learned about the school, their schedule, their lockers, and had an opportunity to ask Peer Leaders questions that only a student could answer. The freshmen came to school and participated in this program between 8:00-10:00 AM. Grades 10-12 arrived to school at 10:00 AM where they were greeted by myself and Mr. Lancaster at the front of the building. From there, students were immediately on-task in the various classes in their schedule where they were observed participating in science experiments, team building exercises and assessments to determine a student's prior knowledge on subjects so that the teacher may develop an individualized approach to student learning.
On September 9, 2015, it is expected that Verona High School will be a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school where students will be encouraged bring in their electronic devices to enhance their learning experience. Mrs. Benz, our new Learning Commons Specialist, worked long hours this summer to prepare the Learning Commons/Media Center to be a more student-centered and modern learning environment. This learning space will have a bistro similar to that of a Barnes and Noble, a makerspace, and a new fiction book collection in a space where students can work without disruptions in a blended, BYOD environment. The Learning Commons currently has six Chromebook carts (25 computers to a cart) available to students and teachers. Additionally, we have approximately another six Chromebook carts throughout the building with specific teachers. This means there is approximately one Chromebook for every two students. In addition to that, we have other computers and devices around the building for students to use such as PC's and Apple Computers.
During the last week of summer the VHS Marching Band successfully completed another marching band camp. Mr. Lynch and his dedicated staff worked around the clock to position our band towards another banner year. The Verona High School Varsity Football team won their season opener against Central Newark by the score of 35-8. The cheerleaders and community came out to support their team in their first of many wins this season. We wish all sports and activities success this year. It is encouraged that each student participates in extracurricular activities because by doing so, the student becomes a well-rounded and more diverse individual.
Straight out of the gate, the teachers were observed engaging students in student-centered instruction throughout the building during the first two days of school. Most of the student body, by the end of the week, had been on Google and engaged in Google Classroom (see video below). GAFE will allow teachers to take down the walls and expand the student's access to the vast opportunities and resources available to them. Thank you to all staff and students who made this first stage of our transition into GAFE a success.
Mr. Lancaster and I would again like to graciously welcome each student, parent, guardian , and staff member back to Verona High School. We look forward to seeing and celebrating the great student achievements this school year.
-2016 school year at Verona High School and the first post on this blog. In a little less than a week the technology team, custodial team, support staff, and teachers made all the elements come together so that Verona High School was ready to open to students on September 3, 2015. During the summer there was a lot of construction to the gym, main office, driveway, high school entrance, and the infrastructure of the school building. People worked tirelessly around the clock and the result was a successful opening to the school year. On September 3rd, Mrs. Lustig and Dr. Smith worked with the Peer Leaders to welcome all Freshmen to Verona High School. Students were asked to participate in a scavenger hunt where they learned about the school, their schedule, their lockers, and had an opportunity to ask Peer Leaders questions that only a student could answer. The freshmen came to school and participated in this program between 8:00-10:00 AM. Grades 10-12 arrived to school at 10:00 AM where they were greeted by myself and Mr. Lancaster at the front of the building. From there, students were immediately on-task in the various classes in their schedule where they were observed participating in science experiments, team building exercises and assessments to determine a student's prior knowledge on subjects so that the teacher may develop an individualized approach to student learning.
On September 9, 2015, it is expected that Verona High School will be a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school where students will be encouraged bring in their electronic devices to enhance their learning experience. Mrs. Benz, our new Learning Commons Specialist, worked long hours this summer to prepare the Learning Commons/Media Center to be a more student-centered and modern learning environment. This learning space will have a bistro similar to that of a Barnes and Noble, a makerspace, and a new fiction book collection in a space where students can work without disruptions in a blended, BYOD environment. The Learning Commons currently has six Chromebook carts (25 computers to a cart) available to students and teachers. Additionally, we have approximately another six Chromebook carts throughout the building with specific teachers. This means there is approximately one Chromebook for every two students. In addition to that, we have other computers and devices around the building for students to use such as PC's and Apple Computers.
During the last week of summer the VHS Marching Band successfully completed another marching band camp. Mr. Lynch and his dedicated staff worked around the clock to position our band towards another banner year. The Verona High School Varsity Football team won their season opener against Central Newark by the score of 35-8. The cheerleaders and community came out to support their team in their first of many wins this season. We wish all sports and activities success this year. It is encouraged that each student participates in extracurricular activities because by doing so, the student becomes a well-rounded and more diverse individual.
Straight out of the gate, the teachers were observed engaging students in student-centered instruction throughout the building during the first two days of school. Most of the student body, by the end of the week, had been on Google and engaged in Google Classroom (see video below). GAFE will allow teachers to take down the walls and expand the student's access to the vast opportunities and resources available to them. Thank you to all staff and students who made this first stage of our transition into GAFE a success.
Mr. Lancaster and I would again like to graciously welcome each student, parent, guardian , and staff member back to Verona High School. We look forward to seeing and celebrating the great student achievements this school year.