Page 71 - EdViewptsSpring2020

of social/emotional learning. Students able and educational activities happen- the design process, which fosters the
and teachers successfully conveyed ing every day in their Makerspace lab. Future Ready skills of collaboration,
district-wide initiatives but also created The students explained how using the creativity, critical thinking and commu-
goodwill as they shared the excite- green screen, the 3D printer and Lego nication. Students will present out on
ment of learning with the community. Wall all linked to the district’s Tripod of their charge of discovering an issue in
In October, Lillian Drive School (Grades Initiatives. The highlight of the evening the community and creating a solu-
1-4) began the evening with a brief was the dedication of the gymnasium tion. A second group of students, who
PowerPoint presentation outlining to a long-time Hazlet physical educa- focused their designs on building social
how the District’s Tripod of Initiatives tion teacher (34 years) who recently emotional awareness, will speak to the
translate into effective practices in the passed. Several staff members shared schoolwide #choosekind mission.
elementary setting. The Future Ready testimonials before a capacity crowd of Come April, in keeping with the
team leaders shared the important family and acquaintances to honor their school district’s Future Ready and
roles that such practices played in friend and colleague. Personalized Learning initiatives,
achieving Silver certification for em- Cove Road School (5th & 6th grades) Raritan High School will feature
powering schools, and their districts, to will host the January Board of Edu- two academic programs at the BOE
take curriculum/instruction by way of cation Meeting and will present the Meeting — Culinary Arts, which will
technological support to the next level. Tripod of Initiatives through the lens present a video highlighting the First
Following that, the audience was trans- of a student. Discussion will center Annual Cupcake Wars, including
ported 15 years into the future to hear around how personalized learning has recipe books, pictures of the student-
from “graduates” (current students) who become a focus in the building while il- chefs, and actual cupcakes for all
were now using multiple technologies lustrating how Future Ready practices members of the Board.
in their careers: Artificial intelligence are still prioritized. Students will then Additionally, the newly created
was discussed by future airline pilots, articulate various SEL lessons and Television Production IV Honors
police and homeland security person- activities that have changed the school Course will showcase students
nel described how drones are used for climate for the better. explaining how this independent
traffic control and security surveillance, Come February, Sycamore Drive Early study allows them to expand their TV
and future doctors impressed the audi- Childhood Learning Center (pre-K/K) Broadcasting knowledge. The class
ence with news of organ replacement will demonstrate that "The Future collaborates with local businesses and
practices and personal digital data that Begins Here." As a silver-certified organizations to film commercials and
will promote efficient healthcare for all. Future Ready School, families will be advertisements. This course allows
At the November Board of Education encouraged to support their children's Raritan High School to reach further
meeting, Middle Road School students education beyond the school day. into the Hazlet Community.
(Grades 1-4) showcased the social- Children and their parents will be We are not naïve. Serious issues,
emotional learning initiatives occurring invited to the Family Literacy Series independent of the presentations,
in their classrooms. Each grade level where moms and dads will learn how certainly do arise though invariably the
was represented. Students presented to support their children's acquisition of “angry” parent or community member
on a range of topics that included using reading skills by participating in "make who shares a perspective readily
I-messages to discuss their feelings, and take" workshops to develop a admits that the hostility they arrived
positive conflict resolution, calm-down toolbox of reading strategies. Through with was most certainly mitigated by
techniques, using positive language effective partnerships with families, a the opening student involvement. This
in their messaging, and their sensory high standard of expectations for this reinforces the mantra that “we’re all
walk. As the students presented, a important community of learners will in it together” for the good of our kids
digital display scrolled behind them be celebrated. and goes a long way toward getting
highlighting their accomplishments thus In March, at the budget-adoption/ everyone on the same page as the
far this school year. regular meeting, Hazlet Middle School District pursues its primary objective
In December, fourth grade enrich- (Grades 7 & 8) will showcase their of “educating students to reach their
ment students at Raritan Valley School Design Thinking class launched earlier fullest potential,” yet another relevant
(Grades 1-4) shared many of the enjoy- this school year. The course follows mantra here in Hazlet.

About the Author

Scott Ridley, Ed.D. began his career as an English teacher at Manalapan High School where he also
coached championship teams in boys’ and girls’ soccer and wrestling. He moved to Brookdale Community
College where he served as Chair of the Department, the Dean of Humanities, and the Director of
Education. In 2016 he became the Superintendent of Schools in Union Beach before assuming the
same role in Hazlet in 2018. He is currently a member of the Executive Board of Monmouth County
Superintendents and the Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Dr. Ridley holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Albright College; a Master’s of English Education from Rutgers
University; and a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Rowan University.

Educational Viewpoints -69- Spring 2020