Voice of the Village - Marion P. Thomas Charter School
Transcription
Voice of the Village - Marion P. Thomas Charter School
The Voice of the Village Back to School edition •October 2015•Volume 7•Issue 1 “It takes a whole village to raise a child” Welcome to the new Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary & Performing Arts Hello MPTCS Village! I feel extremely fortunate to be the Founding Principal of Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary & Performing Arts. I recognize that the Principal White decisions that we make will have a lasting impact on our children. Our goal is to ensure that every scholar evolves into fine examples of young, dynamic and thoughtful world citizens who internalize that learning is a never-ending process. The academic, personal, culinary and performing arts skills that we help students to develop will be referenced throughout their lives and used to change the world for the better. This will only be accomplished through the collective effort and support of parents, staff and community members. We are all a part of the MPTCS Village, and it is important that we respect and honor the contributions that we all will make toward the success of MPTC High School. I am grateful for the support you - our parents and our community will continue to give to our students and staff. Improved communication and the continued development of a collaborative culture is our goal, and it will be fostered through us welcoming your assistance at our school. It is our belief that our students can achieve anything that they set their minds to achieve and it is our mission to help them succeed. MPTC High School of Culinary and Performing Arts has great potential. We now have the charge of moving beyond potential to reaching true success. With your help and continued guidance, our children will one day become the leaders of our community, our city, and our world. Our hearts, minds, ears and doors are open and we welcome you to the village. Regards, Kimberly Wright-White Kimberly Wright-White Founding Principal Marion P. Thomas Charter High School of Culinary and Performing Arts Important Dates October 2015 10/5-9 – Week of Respect 10/12 –SCHOOL CLOSED-Columbus Day 10/19-23 – AntiBullying Week 10/20 – SCHOOL CLOSED FOR SCHOLARS ONLY Professional Development Sessions for Staff November 2015 11/3 – 1st Marking Period Ends 11/5-6 – SCHOOL CLOSED for Scholars – Professional Development for Staff 11/17 – ½ Day for Scholars; Parent-Teacher Conferences – 1:15 – 3 PM & 4-7 PM The MPTC High School of Culinary & Performing Arts 11/18 - ½ Day for Scholars; Parent-Teacher Conferences – 1:15 – 4 PM (PS, ES, ACADEMY, MS) & 2-8 PM (HS) 11/25-27 – SCHOOL CLOSED – Thanksgiving Break Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 1 “We are looking forward to a successful year!” A message from Dr. Doreen Land Chief Academic Officer “It takes a whole village to raise a child” Dear MPTCS Parents/Guardians: As I begin my second year as the Chief Academic Officer for the Village, I am excited to be a part of all that has been done to ensure that your child is supported emotionally, socially and academically during his/her time with us. In order to instill a sense of urgency for providing a great education, we coined the term: The house is on fire! For us, that phrase means that we each have to be planned and prepared every day no matter what our job is at the Village! From an academic/instructional perspective, we have put the following in place: Reintroduction of Fundations at the Kindergarten and First grades, in order to give scholars a strong foundation for reading and writing in their classrooms. The next level of the program will be utilized at the Elementary School for small group, targeted support. The Go Math Program is now being implemented in grades K-8 Philosophically aligned approach to Science instruction through Lab-Aids and FOSS from Primary to High School The role of the Instructional Support Assistant has been revamped to that of an Intervention Specialist (IS). An IS has been assigned to each campus and will provide small group, targeted support for scholars not achieving on grade level We thank you for partnering with us with your child’s education. Some things you can do: Read to your child every day or ensure that your child reads daily Engage in conversations with your child, and ask them questions that require more than a one word answer. This will help with oral language development. Help reflect the sense of urgency for getting work done in school, and at home The teachers and instructional staff are committed to providing all scholars with targeted instruction, to ensure that each scholars needs are being met. We are looking forward to a successful year! Your partner in education, Dr. Doreen C. Land Dr. Doreen C. Land Chief Academic Officer Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 2 Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year! Dear MPTCS Parents and Scholars, It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year! As I enter my 6th year as a principal at Marion P. Thomas Charter Middle School, I am still energized and motivated as we work together to make our school the premier charter school in the City of Newark. We will continue to build upon the expectation of excellence in our “Village.” As the building principal, excellence starts with me, and extends to my administrative team, staff and especially, our scholars. Our scholars have untapped potential and my goal is to ensure they reach it. So I wake up each morning excited to come to work, to see the faces of our scholars, and to know that by the end of the day, they will be one step closer to college and career readiness. In addition to our middle school campus, I now have the pleasure of serving as Principal of our upper elementary facility known as “The Academy” the campus for our 4th and 5th grade scholars. This is a great opportunity for our school to tailor our instructional practices to the needs of children in the intermediate school range, while also strengthening the culture and school community in two different settings. I am truly looking forward to leading both the Middle School and The Academy. Our team has been working diligently to ensure that both campuses will have an exceptional year. In closing, I truly believe that you have selected one of the best schools for your child. We treat your child with the same love and care that we provide our own children. When you send them to school, please know that they are in good hands. Thank you again for selecting Marion P. Thomas Charter School. Working together, your child will be well on his or her way to becoming a scholar who is academically, socially, and emotionally fit to complete in the global society of the 21st century. Welcome to the 2015-2016 Scho Principal Gamble Middle School & Academy 4th & 5th Grade Academy For the Children, John H. Gamble Jr. John H. Gamble Jr. The Academy and Middle School Principal Middle School – 6th – 8th Grades Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 3 Welcome Elementary & Primary School Scholars and Families As the new principal for the Elementary School, I am energized and I am committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our scholars. Certainly, I am looking forward to an exciting year of learning and growth in Principal White what we affectionately refer to as The Village. For the 2015 – 2016 school year, we have set the highest expectations for all members of the learning community. By establishing high standards for teacher performance, increasing academic rigor for all students and engaging the learning community and the community-atlarge in our mission, each scholar will receive a quality education and be prepared to successfully navigate his/her journey toward college and career readiness. I am proud to say that the administration has been working diligently over the course of the past several months to assemble a staff that is dedicated, enthusiastic, and excited about teaching (and learning). These professionals will work diligently and purposefully with our scholars to raise the bar for academic excellence. We embrace the challenges that await us, while continuing to celebrate and cherish the village-wide traditions and successes of the past. We look forward to a continued partnership with all stakeholders to make MPTCS a unique place where one can learn, develop, and fulfill their individual potential and promise. Certainly, we encourage you to be active participants in the learning community during these critical early years of your scholar’s education. Our doors are open – whether it be involvement in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), school-wide events, or volunteering on occasion, and when time permits, we welcome the support of each and all! I look forward to a wonderful and productive year in the village! Yours in Education, It is a great privilege to serve as the Primary Principal of Marion P. Thomas Charter School. Here on the primary campus, we are working with scholars and their families to ensure first school experiences are positive and optimally address students’ social, emotional and academic Principal Porcaro needs. While all our scholars benefit from the ongoing support of the village and that community strength, we seek to instill a sense of personal empowerment in each and every scholar through enriching experiences and the use of a rich curriculum. Here in the village, we reinforce daily the concept that each and every person can make a difference through our mantra “Excellence starts with me.” Our focus on empowerment will be demonstrated each morning as we recite the scholar creed and “Excellence Starts With Me” poem together. Our Pre-K classes are supported academically and developmentally through the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum. Students are provided with opportunities to learn through hands on, interactive experiences. Our kindergarten scholars are also encouraged to learn through ongoing student interactivity and are supported by programs such as Go Math and Schoolwide’s Reading and Writing Workshop. Through the workshop models, students learn strategies in reading and writing in meaningful ways, encouraging greater retention of newly learned concepts. Motivation of students is a strong focus at Marion P. Thomas Primary School. We believe students are most motivated when they are met where they are developmentally and academically by their teachers. We look forward to taking many steps forward in the future throughout the school year as we work with you and your scholar toward optimal success. Sincerely yours, Damon M. White Damon M. White Elementary School Principal Elementary School, Bldg B 1st – 3rd Grade Primary School PreK & Kindergarten Laura Porcaro Laura Porcaro Primary School Principal Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 4 From the desk of the CEO Dear MPTCS Parents “It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child” Dear MPTCS Parents, As we welcome the freshman class of 2019, preschool class of 2029 and everyone in between, we are off to an awesome start of the school year. The theme for the year is: Are you Committed or Involved? This year we are involved in several new projects and initiatives: New Science curriculum and clusters for all grades were approved and adopted by the Board Mandarin was introduced into our World Language program The new high school for culinary and performing arts has opened on Sussex Ave. A cutting-edge new culinary program was implemented Performing Arts has been extended across all campuses The new Academy for 4th and 5th grades has been launched on Shipman St. SELECT ( Scholars Exhibiting Lasting Excellence in Character and Teamwork) has been revitalized with many new activities and opportunities And so parents this year we need you to be both committed and involved. Here are some key ways: Make sure your scholar gets to school on time Help us create a culture where Learning is a pleasure and a privilege not to be taken for granted Work with us to instill the belief that Excellence begins with Me Demonstrate that we are a Village and It Takes a Whole Village to Raise a Child Let us see your happy face in the place The administration and staff have been working hard to prepare for what we believe will be a year of growth and achievement for the entire Village. Looking forward to the best year yet! Yours in commitment, Dr. Karen Young-Thomas Dr. Karen Young-Thomas Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 5 Who’s Who? Primary (PreK-Kindergarten) & Elementary School (1st – 3rd Grades) Staff Directory Don’t hesitate to contact the appropriate staff member for assistance for your child(ren) Name Position Email Main Office Laura Porcaro Darcele Washington Damon White Regina Pierson Kurvan Rankin Miriam Yowakim Valerie Hall Michelle Saunders Ana Munoz Tonya Tunstall Nkiruka Ndichie Prekindergarten Renae Riley Tiffany Oakley Ola Sheira Samantha Sanchez Adriana Zelaya Prekindergarten Resident Teachers Karima Ali Ashlee Culver Tammy Drayton Paula Gray Shanda Harris Ashley Holden Tara Moran Janice Melo Qydeara Nathan Chunteau Abney Pre-K Floaters Shakira White Quiyon Brown Kindergarten Gloria Chen Angie Ferrer Krystal Phillips Latoya Sajous 1st Grade Angela Kozlowski Jennifer Medy Monina Martin 2nd Grade Arabia Boyd Kristen Blom Amiri Mayo Primary School Principal Primary School Office Manager Elementary School Principal Elementary School Office Manager Dean of Students, Elementary & Primary Campus Social Worker Instructional Coach/Child Study Team Coordinator [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Instructional Coach Family Worker – Prekindergarten Family Liaison School Nurse [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Pre-K Master Teacher Pre-K Teacher Pre-K Teacher Pre-K Teacher Pre-K Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher Resident Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Pre-K Floater Pre-K Floater [email protected] [email protected] Kindergarten Teacher Kindergarten Teacher Kindergarten Teacher Kindergarten Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher Teacher Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher Teacher, SELECT Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 6 3rd Grade Dave Ferguson Kalika Glover Fatimah Lewis Special Education Sarah Davoren Melissa Gregory Blake Pistner Interventionists Janell Brown Krystal Parker Pamela Frazier Meggan Fasching Kyeisah Livingston Rankin Lakisha Smith Tyria Stokes Eugeno Valencia Timothy Winn Specials De’Angelo Cooper Pamela Frazier John Wagner Leni Cordero Shahidah Dunbar Shante Evans Ian Fidalgo Tiffany Johnson Rhonda McQueen Teacher, SELECT Teacher Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher, PreK – 1st Grade Teacher, 3rd Grade Teacher, 2nd Grade [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Interventionist, PS Interventionist, PS Interventionist, PS Interventionist, ES Interventionist, ES Interventionist, ES Interventionist, ES Interventionist Interventionist [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Music & Movement Teacher Vocal Music, Pre-K Music Teacher, 3rd Grade World Language/Spanish Teacher Wilson Basic Skills Teacher Health & Pys Ed Teacher Recreation Facilitator Technology Teacher Science Teacher [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Who’s Who? Academy & Middle School Staff Directory Name Position Email Principal Vice Principal Dean of Families & Culture Office Manager – Middle School Office Manager – Academy Dean of Family & Culture School Social Worker Family Liaison [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher, Math & Science, 4th Grade [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Main Office John H. Gamble, Jr. Genique Flournoy-Hamilton Denise Gaffor Stephanie Conley Solange Davis Denise Gaffor Ronnise Johnson Gia Lusk 4th & 5th Grade – Academy Wayne Alnutt Katrica Boykins Dionne Taylor Teacher, Math & Science, 4th & 5th Grade Teacher, ELA & Social Studies, 4th Grade Johnanna Fuentes Teacher, ELA & Social Studies, 4th & 5th Grade [email protected] Kisha Slaughter Angela Harper Teacher, Math & Sicence, 5th Grade [email protected] [email protected] Teacher, Math & Science, 5th Grade Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 7 Julia Fluck Joshua Brooks Summiya Abdul-Quddus Elizabeth Stinvil Charae Baulkman John Wagner Yalixza Valentin Annette Williams Saif Plant Berkley McDowell Middle School JoAnne Ashe Alicia Codrington Shakoor Reid Donovan Jasmine Tira Clegg Terry Johnson April Washington Raafi Bell Darrell Williams Jennifer Flores Teacher, ELA & Social Studies, 5th Grade Teacher, ELA/Social Studies, 8th Grade [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Patricia Harris Tawanna Saxton Shamhadeen Mayers Heather Cutchin Wahid Carvan RaeMona Chance Sophie Smellie Karen Catena Maria Parelis Support Staff Nasier Oliver Bruce Halstead Pamela Frazier James Haynes Kishan Smith Darrell Johnson Rushondia Higgs Specials Elizabeth Stinvil Tosin Bada Chaundra Cameron Grant Neary Teacher, Math, 8th Grade Teacher, Math, 8th Grade Sped Teacher, Math Sped Teacher, ELA Sped, Teacher Sped, Teacher, Math Teacher, Basic Skills Teacher, Basic Skills Teacher, Basic Skills [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Interventionist Interventionist Interventionist Safety Officer Safety Officer 1-on-1 Aide 1-on-1 Aide [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher, Technology Teacher, Music Teacher, Performing Arts Teacher, Physical Ed [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Teacher, ELA & Social Studies, 5th Grade Teacher, ELA, Special Ed Teacher, Technology Physical Ed Teacher/Interventionist Music Teacher Interventionist Interventionist Safety Officer Safety Officer Teacher, ELA, 6th Grade Teacher, Math/Science, 6th Grade Teacher, Math & Science, 6th Grade Teacher, ELA/Social Studies, 6th Grade Teacher, ELA/Science, 7th Grade Teacher, Science, 7th Grade Teacher, ELA, 7th Grade Teacher, Science, 8th Grade Teacher, Math 7th Grade [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ELA = English Language Arts ISA=Instructional Support Assistant Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 8 Who’s Who? High School Staff Directory Name Position Email Principal Office Manager Administrative Asst. Dean of Families & Culture Dean of Families & Culture Dean of Families & Culture Dean of Families & Culture/Social Worker School Nurse Family Liaison Attendance Officer Instructional Coach [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Science Teacher Interventionist Spanish Teacher Physical Ed/Health Teacher Theatre Arts Teacher English/American Lit. I Teacher Dance Teacher Science Teacher Math Teacher US History I Teacher Basic Skills Math College Counselor Physical Ed & Health Teacher Science Teacher Journalism Teacher World Language/Spanish Teacher Alumni Relations, Counselor Credit Recovery Teacher Sped Teacher Math, Algebra II Teacher US History II Teacher Physical Ed/Health Teacher Physical Ed/Health Teacher Biology Teacher Teacher, Multi-cultural Lit. Math, Algebra II Teacher Chemistry Teacher College Counselor English/American Lit. II Teacher English/American Lit. II Teacher Physical Ed/Health Teacher US History Teacher Culinary Arts Teacher Theatre Arts Teacher School Social Worker [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Main Office Kimberly Wright-White Cherlyn Williams Taliah Closs Samuel McGee Aswan Minatee Robert James Nicole Johnson Carol Collins Elise Sanchez Latisha West Theresa Izzolino Content Specialists Olajide Adeniji Xiomara Armogan Lauren Anania Pedro Aragon Chaundra Cameron Karin Campo Taylor Carey Michael Cericola Aron Cohen Jason Craig Adeena Daley Chanel Gaither Troy Gehrke Shatira Gilmore James Griffin Amir Guergues Rui Gomes Ammirah Holloway Alyson Hairston-Beresford Nikiruka Ike-Egolum Justin Jacobs Jonathan Jaronczyk Logan Kaminsky Jennifer Kutch Namley Losier Ethel McGinn Jay Mariano Edaine Murray Austin Murphy-Park Winifred Patterson-Odom Melvin Phillips Joseph Piparo Arthur Rawls Shareese Reed Jennifer Renko [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 9 Tula Richards-Gift David Ritter Kevin Sembrat Doyal Siddell Sanchin Singh Mark Speight Sandra Stuart Carey Taylor Max Valcourt LaToya Waddell Laura Werner Timeka Whitehead Venice Whyte Tracy Yett Shaquana Young Khadijat Yekeen World Literature Teacher Culinary Arts Director Sped Teacher Financial Literacy Teacher World History Teacher Culinary Arts Teacher School Social Worker Dance Teacher US History I (AP) Teacher Math Teacher Physical Education/Health Teacher Freshman Seminar Teacher Sped Teacher Sped Teacher History Teacher Interventionist [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Who’s Who? Central Office Staff Directory Name Dr. Karen Thomas Jeanette Taylor Femi Amorin Dr. Doreen Land Melinda Johnson Randy Gooden Kimm Gourdine Naomi Widener Mary Dickens Anthony Avery Daniel Christofferson Milton Tannis Craig Jackson Anna Brown, Bobbie Brown Michele Griffin Dana Wilson Position Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Superintendent Executive Asst to CEO/Superintendent School Business Administrator Chief Academic Officer (CAO) Academic Administrator, Instructional Coach Supervisor of Planning, Research & Evaluation ELA Supervisor , K-12 Research & Evaluation Coordinator Food Services Manager Technology Director Security Director Facilities/Maintenance Director Special Projects Director Human Resources Managers VOV Editor/Director of Marketing & Development Development Manager Email [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 10 September Happenings! Laura Porcaro Primary School Principal (PreK-Kindergarten) [email protected] Damon White Elementary School Principal (1st – 3rd Grades) [email protected] John Gamble Academy & Middle School Principal (4th – 8th Grades) [email protected] Genique Flournoy-Hamilton V.P. Academy & Middle School (4th – 8th Grade) [email protected] Kimberly Wright-White High School Principal (9th – 12th Grade) Ana Munoz Family Worker Pre-Kindergarten [email protected] Tonya Tunstall Family Liaison Primary & Elementary Schools [email protected] Gia Lusk Family Liaison Academy & Middle School [email protected] Elise Sanchez Family Liaison High School [email protected] Central Office Dr. Karen Thomas Superintendent, CEO [email protected] Dr. Doreen Land Chief Academic Officer [email protected] Femi Amorin Business Administrator [email protected] Milton Tannis Director of Facilities/Maintenance [email protected] Mary Dickens Food Services Director [email protected] Craig Jackson Director of Special Projects [email protected] Michele Griffin Director of Marketing & Development VOV Editor [email protected] MPTCS CEO, Dr Thomas, informs scholars about the sacrifice her brother, the late Firefighter - Capt. Johnathan Young made during the 9/11 crisis. High School history teacher, Mr. Jacobs talks about his decision to join the armed forces (prior to becoming a teacher ) to help protect our country from future threats. Members of The New Hope Baptist Church and St. James AME Church, both founding organizations for MPTCS and MPTC High School, came together at the cornerstone laying ceremony conducted by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. State of NJ. Special thanks to Tyre #29 for their longtime support over the years. NOTE: This and future issues of VOV will be featured on the website at www.mptcs.org Back to School edition ● October ● Volume 7 ● Issue 1 ● www.mptcs.org Page 11