Northern Valley Regional High School District
Message from the Superintendent
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Northern Valley Regional School District has an excellent reputation for its use of technology in the teaching and learning process. Over the years the district’s excellence in this area has been recognized by external validation through the Blue Ribbon Schools process and the New Jersey Technology Education Association.
During the 2009-10 school year a group comprised of instructional leaders, administrators, and members of the district’s technology team have been exploring ways to use this technology to maintain the breadth and depth of the curriculum, which has contributed to the outstanding education the school district provides to its students. The current fiscal situation in the nation and the state require educators to consider new ways to educate our students. As a result of identifying classes that have had historically low student enrollments (less than fifteen students) a plan is being developed to continue offering some of these classes during the current times that demand fiscal restraint.
The Northern Valley Regional High School District is planning to implement a “Virtual Classroom” for the 2010-11 school year. One proposed world language class will be held at the same time in both of the district’s high schools: Northern Valley at Demarest and Northern Valley at Old Tappan. The teacher will be in each “physical classroom” for a specified period of instruction so each group of students has the experience of working directly with the teacher as well as within the “virtual classroom.” The “virtual classroom” will provide each student the opportunity to work with a laptop computer and various software, which will allow students to interact with their peers in both classrooms as well as with the teacher.
This synchronous approach departs from an asynchronous one utilized by many online courses in which an instructor posts assignments and the students post their responses. One goal for the system to be employed in Northern Valley is to maintain as many normal classroom interactions as possible. The students will still be able to raise their hands, ask questions, and work within small groups. Yet, there will undoubtedly be many differences. The system will offer different types of collaboration tools: screen sharing, multi-user whiteboards, file sharing and chat will be used more frequently for this class than in a traditional one. The teacher using this system will also be able to poll students instantaneously and simultaneously.
The class will be designed to emphasize collaborative work among the students, increase student to student interaction and continue relationships among the district’s students beyond the class period.
Social activities extending beyond the physical classroom will be planned for both classes to help the students get to know their virtual classmates.
Sincerely,
Jan A. Furman
Superintendent of Schools
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
As you can see from the banner above, the Northern Valley Regional High School District is continuing its efforts to “go green”. Reports on student progress are now available 24/7 by accessing Power School. Beginning with the third marking period of the 2009-2010 school year, marking period grades will also be available through Power School, and report cards will no longer be mailed home.
Power School will shut down on the last day of the marking period and reopen to parents/students to review marking period grades after teachers have completed grade entries. The close of marking period 3 is April 5, 2010 with Power School becoming available for marking period grade review on April 13, 2010. The close of marking period 4 is June 16, 2010 with Power School becoming available for marking period grade review on June 25, 2010.
The high school district is excited about this initiative. Not only will it save environmental resources, but this initiative will also save the district $25,000 annually in the cost of postage and pre-printed forms. For a preview of the new format, click here reportcard.pdf
Should you have any technical questions about accessing your student’s marking period grades, please call Mrs. Patricia DeRiso at 201-768-2200 ext. 12322. If you have any other questions or concerns about the marking period grades, please speak with your child’s guidance counselor.
We look forward to continuing to provide high quality educational services to your children.
Sincerely,
Jan A. Furman
Superintendent of Schools
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Dear Parents/Guardians:
During the current school year, as in previous years, Northern Valley Regional High School continues to upgrade the different forms of electronic communication available to our students. Our students increasingly have access to more sophisticated means of electronic communication via laptops, Blackberries, cell phones, etc. and are very skilled in using these technologies. They often send pictures, videos and voice as well as text messages.
The district has been advised by local law enforcement officials of the need to caution our students about this use. Specifically, certain photos or videos which may be taken by cell phone and transmitted that way, or over the Internet, can be considered trafficking in pornography, which is a very serious criminal offense. I am conveying this information to you at the request of our local law enforcement officials, suggesting you discuss this issue with your children so that a “teenage prank” does not turn into something much more difficult for both our students and their families to handle. The majority of cell phones used by students are owned by the parents. Any inappropriate action, may also implicate the owner of the phone.
Sincerely,
Jan A. Furman
Superintendent of Schools
School Emergency Closing Information
If inclement weather or another emergency causes a delayed opening or an all-day closing, radio station WOR and WCBS will announce school closings. Cablevision Channel 12 will also announce school closing information. An automated message service, Swift Reach, will be implemented in which a recorded phone call message will be placed to your home.
It is important that that guidance office have your accurate phone number on file. Please follow the prompts as directed by the Swift Reach message so that the message may be delivered to you. The school district is currently considering the option to have parents provide the high school with a secondary phone number for another contact. In addition, parents may call 201-768-3200 or 201-784-1600 and press 9 for NVOT or 4 for NVD to hear emergency school announcements and information. You may also refer to the school district website, www.nvnet.org.
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for STUDENTS
Demarest HS
