Welcome to the Superintendent's Office!
Dr. Janine Walker Caffrey
Superintendent of Schools
Executive Secretary to the Superintendent
732.376.6201
Gaming just might save lives.
So...you think gaming is a waste of time? That kids are just engaging in mindless diversion when they play? Think again. Gaming can improve a variety of skills including logic, problem-solving, collaboration, science and math, language arts, and can be used to advance knowledge across a discipline. We are just starting to understand how important gaming can be to our kids. When there is interest, there is learning.
Watch this inspiring TED Talk video and learn how children can teach themselves faster than we ever thought. This just might change what you think about education.
How was your day?
Happy new school year! This is a wonderful time of new beginnings, exciting experiences, and a chance to learn more than ever before. One of the most important things for all of us to remember as we begin the year is how we can work together to make each child's education as effective and inspiring as possible. Simple communication about what is happening at school is very important for every family. If you are a parent, you may get frustrated by the typical end-of-day conversation that goes something like this:
Parent - "How was school?"
Child - "Fine."
Parent - "What did you do today?"
Child - "Nothing much."
In order to get past such typical responses, try these conversation starters:
- Tell me something funny that happened today.
- Tell me something new that you learned or did today.
- What did you read at school today?
- What did you write at school today?
- What other kids did you work with today? Play with today?
- What adult helped you today?
You will be amazed at how these simple, specific questions can lead to meaningful conversations about school. Let's all keep talking together about what each child needs to be successful, and how we can move forward as a school district.
It's going to be a great year!
Taking Charge of Our Own Learning
In order to improve student achievement, we must create a culture where everyone, each child and adult, takes responsibility for his or her own learning and for assisting others in doing the same. Here are some resources that will put us on the right track:
How can students assess their own and each others' writing?
Read this blog by The Innovative Educator about a free tool that helps students learn to review each others' writing, and become powerful writers themselves in the process.
The Innovative Educator
How can students develop and manage their own learning plans?
Check out this charter school organization that incorporates student-developed goals and weekly scheduling to keep kids moving through an individualized educational process.
The KED Program
Scroll down on this page to see what a typical individual student schedule might look like.
Innovative Manhattan Charter School
What innovations are helping educators to take responsibility for their own learning?
Check out Padcamp - an "unconference" that is quickly becoming a favorite among Perth Amboy educators.
Pad Camp
How can teachers improve instruction together?
This book is a great road map for creating sustainable teacher teams. We will be using this approach this year as we work together to raise the level of instruction in all of our classrooms!
Results Now: How We Can Achieve Unprecedented Improvements in Teaching and Learning
What Year?
For what year should we be preparing our children? A child who enters our early childhood program this year at age three will graduate from high school in the year 2026. A child entering elementary school this year will graduate in 2024, a new middle school student will graduate in 2019, and new high schooler will graduate in 2015. The education we provide must prepare each student for the world they will experience upon high school graduation. The world is rapidly changing. Take a look at this video to understand trends that are impacting all of us:
So, should our schools look the same as they did last year or in the last century? RSA Animate - Changing Education ParadigmsFor what year are we preparing our kids? I look forward to working with our entire Perth Amboy community to ensure that we have the very best schools possible to prepare our children to have the very best lives possible in our rapidly changing world. TED Talk video and learn how children can teach themselves faster than we ever thought. This just might change what you think about education.How was your day?Happy new school year! This is a wonderful time of new beginnings, exciting experiences, and a chance to learn more than ever before. One of the most important things for all of us to remember as we begin the year is how we can work together to make each child's education as effective and inspiring as possible. Simple communication about what is happening at school is very important for every family. If you are a parent, you may get frustrated by the typical end-of-day conversation that goes something like this:Parent - "How was school?"Child - "Fine."Parent - "What did you do today?"Child - "Nothing much."In order to get past such typical responses, try these conversation starters: - Tell me something funny that happened today.
- Tell me something new that you learned or did today.
- What did you read at school today?
- What did you write at school today?
- What other kids did you work with today? Play with today?
- What adult helped you today?
