Friday, March 4, 2011
SCHOOL BUDGET TIME
Specific information regarding the Blairstown Elementary School District Budget will be reviewed at a soon to be scheduled public hearing. It will also be posted here, in our electronic newsletter and on our school website. For now, the New Jersey School Boards Association has a new and unique website for you to visit. Go to www.voteapril27.com and you will see the focus on the importance of this upcoming election, the factors to consider when acting on our proposed school budget, the role of your local school board in the education system, and accurate and balanced information about the performance of our state's schools. There is also information about the campaign's mission, links to voter registration materials, and special messages for voters, parents, senior citizens and even college students. I look forward to hearing your feedback during the budget hearing process. Hope you all have a successful month of March!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
SNOW DAYS!
This has certainly been an extraordinary winter for us all and it's only half over! While no decision regarding the closing of school is ever take casually, some parents have asked how that decision is made. The first thing you should know is that this is not a decision made by any single individual. Our cluster, Knowlton, Frelinghuysen, Blairstown and North Warren Regional all communicate with each other before a collective decision is made. We do his because we share some transportation contracts with the same buses, and because the state, through the county office, insists we share services and cooperate with each other. Typically, our superintendent conversations take place the evening before a known weather event, with contact made with the state and local police and local departments of public works. This information is collated and discussed by all four superintendents. Other area superintendents are often consulted as well, typically Allamuchy, Hacketstown, Belvidere, etc. Only on rare occasions is a decision made the evening before as there have been many times where conditions improve or worsen overnight. And as we all know, weather forecasts are not always accurate. Any evening decision is always made prior to 9 p.m. Conditions are reviewed again in the morning, beginning with our phone calls at 5 a.m. I am always up by 4 a.m. checking the forecast and driving the local roads, if necessary, since both the superintendents of Knowlton and Frelinghuysen live far away. Even though the main roads may be passable and our parking lots and sidwalks clear, we must consider our hilly and narrow back roads and lanes in our considerations. Once a collective decision is made, calls are made to One Call Now System and the 554 notification calls begin. So, as you can see, this is not a decision that is made without due consideration for the safety of our children and staff. I am hopeful that though winter is far from over, we will escape any more snow days which interrupt the continuity of instruction!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Happy New Year Boards of Education!
Happy New Year to all!
I certainly hope that 2011 is better for us than 2010 was, at least from a budget and economic point of view. This month's post is curtesy of the National School Boards Association, and I thought it appropriate considering some of the Governor's rhetoric about abolishing local school districts and taking control by the state through the county offices of the DOE.
WHY SCHOOL BOARDS?
Are school boards necessary?
Should the present governance structure ofour nation's public schools remain in place?
The answer to both questions is, unequivocally, yes!
No one questions why planning boards, municipal governments, and state legislatures exist. And yet, some people advocate turning over control of school governance to those same bodies, saying we should let someone else take charge of the future of our children's future.
School boards, elected or appointed by their communities (ours are elected of course) represent the community's beliefs and values. Who better than these community representatives to shoulder the responsibility for preparing children to live productive and satisfying lives?
Consider these five reasons that the school board, which represents your community's beliefs and values, should be the decision maker in today's schools:
1. Your school board looks out for children - first and foremost. Education is not a line item in your school board's budget - it is the ONLY item.
2. Your school board is the advocate for your community when decisions are made about your children's education. The school board represents the public's voice in public education, providing citizen governance for what the public schools need and what the community wants.
3. Your school board sets the standard for achievement in your district, incorporating the community's view of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Your school board also is responsible for working with the superintendent to establish a valid process for measuring student sucess and, when necessary, shifting resources to ensure that the district's goals are achieved.
4. Your school board is accessible to you and accoutable for the performance of the schools in your district. If the schools are not producing, it is your right as a voter to select new board members who will see to it that your students and your schools succeed.
5. Your school board is your community's education watchdog, ensuring that taxpayers get the most for their tax dollars. Public education is a $423 billion business. In the majority of districts, school boards have taxing authority. That direct oversight - and responsibility - should not be given to politicians whose first priority is something other than education.
So I hope you agree that local control of the schools belongs with the local community, not in Washington NJ at the county level, or in Trenton at the state level. All that being said, I am hopeful that our children have a productive and energizing 2011, and that all of our "resolutions" for the new year are achieved!
I certainly hope that 2011 is better for us than 2010 was, at least from a budget and economic point of view. This month's post is curtesy of the National School Boards Association, and I thought it appropriate considering some of the Governor's rhetoric about abolishing local school districts and taking control by the state through the county offices of the DOE.
WHY SCHOOL BOARDS?
Are school boards necessary?
Should the present governance structure ofour nation's public schools remain in place?
The answer to both questions is, unequivocally, yes!
No one questions why planning boards, municipal governments, and state legislatures exist. And yet, some people advocate turning over control of school governance to those same bodies, saying we should let someone else take charge of the future of our children's future.
School boards, elected or appointed by their communities (ours are elected of course) represent the community's beliefs and values. Who better than these community representatives to shoulder the responsibility for preparing children to live productive and satisfying lives?
Consider these five reasons that the school board, which represents your community's beliefs and values, should be the decision maker in today's schools:
1. Your school board looks out for children - first and foremost. Education is not a line item in your school board's budget - it is the ONLY item.
2. Your school board is the advocate for your community when decisions are made about your children's education. The school board represents the public's voice in public education, providing citizen governance for what the public schools need and what the community wants.
3. Your school board sets the standard for achievement in your district, incorporating the community's view of what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Your school board also is responsible for working with the superintendent to establish a valid process for measuring student sucess and, when necessary, shifting resources to ensure that the district's goals are achieved.
4. Your school board is accessible to you and accoutable for the performance of the schools in your district. If the schools are not producing, it is your right as a voter to select new board members who will see to it that your students and your schools succeed.
5. Your school board is your community's education watchdog, ensuring that taxpayers get the most for their tax dollars. Public education is a $423 billion business. In the majority of districts, school boards have taxing authority. That direct oversight - and responsibility - should not be given to politicians whose first priority is something other than education.
So I hope you agree that local control of the schools belongs with the local community, not in Washington NJ at the county level, or in Trenton at the state level. All that being said, I am hopeful that our children have a productive and energizing 2011, and that all of our "resolutions" for the new year are achieved!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gifts of the Season
December is a very busy month, filled with special programs to attend, shopping, rehearsals, concerts, shopping, basketball practice, shopping, indoor soccer, shopping.......you get the picture! For me, there are also teacher instructional observations to complete, numerous state and local meetings to attend, professional development plans to develop, and the beginnings of our budget development for the next school year. Yes, part of what I must do is certainly best described as "multi-tasking." We have only just completed the wrap up of the 2009-2010 school year and will really only complete it at our December board meeting when Mrs. Goodman reviews our test scores and instructional plan. We are now, of course, in the midst of this school year, working hard with all of our young learners. I must continue to plan for the future, much of that planning is yet to come of course with information from the state, but instructional plans and staffing with corresponding budget figures are all being contemplated within the newly mandated 2% cap.
So during this festive holiday season, among the field trips, concerts and celebrations, know that quality instruction continues to be carried out every day here at BES. I wish you all a peacefilled and enjoyable holiday break, and wish you a happy and safe new year!
Mark Saalfield
Superintendent
So during this festive holiday season, among the field trips, concerts and celebrations, know that quality instruction continues to be carried out every day here at BES. I wish you all a peacefilled and enjoyable holiday break, and wish you a happy and safe new year!
Mark Saalfield
Superintendent
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A Time for Giving Thanks
November is always a difficult month with many interruptions for teacher's convention and thanksgiving. So before you know it, that wonderful holiday will be here, filled with friends, relatives and way too much food! That started me thinking about the things I am thankful for instead of all the challenges we face. With that in mind, I decided for this month's post to list my top ten things I am thankful for, sort of Letterman style. So without further ado, here are is my top ten list.
MR SAALFIELD'S TOP TEN THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
10. Our many wonderful Posse volunteers
9. Our dedicated para-professional staff
8. Our enthusiastic PTG
7. The overwhelming support for our budget from the school and community
6. A teaching staff that has embraced new ideas and changes, and tolerated the speed at
which I try to implement them.
5. An outstanding administrative staff; Principal, Supervisor of Special Services and Business
Administrator; who work more hours than can be counted and always put children first.
4. Wonderful cherished friends
3. Our hard-working support staff (secretaries and custodians) who strive for perfection
2. Our committed and well informed Board of Education
And the number one thing to be thankful for is:
1. We filled our two huge oil tanks last spring, saving thousands of dollars for the tax payers
(18,000 gals)
We should all take a look at our glass, and try to be sure it is always viewed as half-full. If we keep a positive outlook on life, as we navigate life's challenges, the outcomes we receive are most often what we desire. I hope you have a peace-filled month with many things to be thankful for.
MR SAALFIELD'S TOP TEN THINGS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
10. Our many wonderful Posse volunteers
9. Our dedicated para-professional staff
8. Our enthusiastic PTG
7. The overwhelming support for our budget from the school and community
6. A teaching staff that has embraced new ideas and changes, and tolerated the speed at
which I try to implement them.
5. An outstanding administrative staff; Principal, Supervisor of Special Services and Business
Administrator; who work more hours than can be counted and always put children first.
4. Wonderful cherished friends
3. Our hard-working support staff (secretaries and custodians) who strive for perfection
2. Our committed and well informed Board of Education
And the number one thing to be thankful for is:
1. We filled our two huge oil tanks last spring, saving thousands of dollars for the tax payers
(18,000 gals)
We should all take a look at our glass, and try to be sure it is always viewed as half-full. If we keep a positive outlook on life, as we navigate life's challenges, the outcomes we receive are most often what we desire. I hope you have a peace-filled month with many things to be thankful for.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Technology @ BES
I know many of you were excited to view the technology used by many of your children, in all grade levels. We are proud that every instructional space in Blairstown Elementary School now has a Mimio/Smart board. As you saw demonstrated at our back to school nights, teachers are enthusiastically utilizing their new instructional equipment and will be receiving additional training as the year progresses. It is important to note that not a single taxpayer dollar was used to purchase this equipment as all of the funding came from the federal ARRA monies. Blairstown Elementary School has also added a 30 unit, portable, wireless laptop cart which is housed in a separate section of the Media Center, enabling teachers to take their class to the library and have every child using a laptop computer. It's like adding an extra classroom space, again with no cost to the taxpayer. Currently, Mrs. Truelove is teaching computer skills to 3rd and 4th grade students, but as teachers are trained, all grade levels will be able to schedule time for their students to use the new computer lab.
Our new student information system is up and running and it includes modules for food service, teachers, and Special Education. These modules make our staff more efficient and provide for better service for children and parents alike. Soon we will be reviewing web-based lesson planners as well as parent-portals so parents can support their children and keep up-to-date with homework assignments, projects and special upcoming events on a school-wide basis. Several teachers provide a class web page for parents and students already with timely information for immediate and long-term use.
As Blairstown Elementary moves forward with our continuing efforts to bring your children the best possible educational experience, we must plan for the future. As far as technology goes, I will be holding a Technology Advisory Panel meeting during the latter part of October for all school and/or community members who may be interested in attending. The purpose of this meeting will be two-fold; first, to inform those members of the public attending what technology assets we have in place, and what our current plans for the future are; and secondly, to discuss future priorities as they relate to new equipment, infrastructure and training. In other words, where do we want to go and how do we get there! So please check the school website and weekly newsletter for more information regarding the date and time for this evening discussion.
Our new student information system is up and running and it includes modules for food service, teachers, and Special Education. These modules make our staff more efficient and provide for better service for children and parents alike. Soon we will be reviewing web-based lesson planners as well as parent-portals so parents can support their children and keep up-to-date with homework assignments, projects and special upcoming events on a school-wide basis. Several teachers provide a class web page for parents and students already with timely information for immediate and long-term use.
As Blairstown Elementary moves forward with our continuing efforts to bring your children the best possible educational experience, we must plan for the future. As far as technology goes, I will be holding a Technology Advisory Panel meeting during the latter part of October for all school and/or community members who may be interested in attending. The purpose of this meeting will be two-fold; first, to inform those members of the public attending what technology assets we have in place, and what our current plans for the future are; and secondly, to discuss future priorities as they relate to new equipment, infrastructure and training. In other words, where do we want to go and how do we get there! So please check the school website and weekly newsletter for more information regarding the date and time for this evening discussion.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Opening Day, 2010 at Blairstown Elementary School
"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."
- Benjamin Franklin
Welcome to my first blog post! It has been a very busy summer as we worked to prepare the district for the first day of school; visioning, planning, coordinating and delegating all of the many items that go into opening one of the largest and most important organizations in our town. I have coordinated the efforts of many individuals so that we will have a safe and healthful school environment, filled with the tools and equipment our fine teaching staff needs to provide the superior educational experience you have all come to expect and deserve. Our vacancies in teaching staff are filled, materials have arrived and been distributed, and schedules and transportation plans completed.
I have the responsibility to be sure that the school, parents and community work together for the good of all our students, and to provide the kind of positive communication which makes the continued educational progress possible. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the school year and I invite and encourage you to attend the various programs and events here at Blairstown Elementary School and see first hand the joy of learning taking place each and every day. Please feel free to contact me through the main office whenever you have a question or a concern. Let's all have a fantastic school year!
- Benjamin Franklin
Welcome to my first blog post! It has been a very busy summer as we worked to prepare the district for the first day of school; visioning, planning, coordinating and delegating all of the many items that go into opening one of the largest and most important organizations in our town. I have coordinated the efforts of many individuals so that we will have a safe and healthful school environment, filled with the tools and equipment our fine teaching staff needs to provide the superior educational experience you have all come to expect and deserve. Our vacancies in teaching staff are filled, materials have arrived and been distributed, and schedules and transportation plans completed.
I have the responsibility to be sure that the school, parents and community work together for the good of all our students, and to provide the kind of positive communication which makes the continued educational progress possible. I look forward to seeing you all throughout the school year and I invite and encourage you to attend the various programs and events here at Blairstown Elementary School and see first hand the joy of learning taking place each and every day. Please feel free to contact me through the main office whenever you have a question or a concern. Let's all have a fantastic school year!
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