The Wessex Wire (October 2013)

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The Wessex Wire The Student Newspaper of West Essex Regional High School

Vol. XLVI No. 1

West Essex High School, 65 West Greenbrook Road, North Caldwell, N.J.

October 2013

New teaching methods introduced by Sydelle Barreto ’14

at home by having her students While students returned in Septem- complete readings and take notes on ber with new haircuts and wardrobes, videos and other media out of school. the school district began the school According to Mrs. Pace, the flipped year with new mandates and classroom classroom provides more one-on-one initiatives. Teachers are now required aid for the student with less lecture to put a daily objective and “Do Now” and more discussion. on the board each day. Reportedly, Mrs. Celentano’s experience with the these initiatives have come about in teaching style seemed to mirror Mrs. an effort to make classroom procedure Pace’s as both have experienced similar more efficient and productive. difficulties and successes. An enterprise introduced by the “It’s perfect for math because the teachers themselves is the “flipped lessons seem so easy, but when you do classroom” teaching methodology. The the problems, students sometimes run precept is that students will learn the into difficulty,” said Mrs. Celentano. lesson at home through video or some Mrs. Celentano provides online Photo courtesy of Mrs. Blanchard other media that is usually presented as lessons showing her Smart Board classwork, and synthesize and demon- accompanied by a voiceover. The strate their knowledge in class, what is videos are readily available on her traditionally considered homework. teacher website. This year she has Spanish teacher Mrs. Pace and math experienced technical difficulties as teacher Mrs. Celentano have both re- students who have Macs have been cently introduced the flipped classroom unable to access the videos. Howmethod, and have started to experience ever, she is in the process of working its pros and cons. out the kinks in the system. “On one hand it’s an adjustment for Students seem to prefer it, “It’s both the student and teacher but classes more interactive, you can fast-forward are more exciting,” said Mrs. Pace. and pause whenever you need it,” Mrs. Pace incorporates classwork sophomore Miranda Lichtenstein said.

Photo courtesy of Mrs. Freeman

Photo by Ellie Zarr The senior class participates in the “class yell” event of the pep rally, leading them to victory over the juniors, sophomores and freshmen. See pages 6-7 for more Spirit Week coverage.

Rotating schedule set for 2014 by Nicolette DeVincenzo ’14

Photo courtesy of Mr. Aschoff Math teacher Mr. Aschoff has also adopted the flipped classroom method this year by filming his lessons for students to watch at home. “I think that there is a great value to giving students the ability to review a lesson at home at their own pace. So far, I am very pleased with this new teaching method and I hope to use it more in my classes this year,” Mr. Aschoff said.

Inside This Issue:

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Opinion

Rolling Stone covers “the Boston Bomber”

The Board of Education came to a unanimous decision to implement a “flexible rotating schedule” beginning in the 2014-2015 school year. In opposition to the traditional nine period school day, the new program will include three morning classes, three afternoon classes and a whole-school lunch in the middle of the day. The common lunch will make it easier for class meetings to be held and for extra help to be available without worrying about coinciding free periods. Each student will be required to take eight classes and have one of them drop each morning and another drop each afternoon leaving six available subject classes throughout the day. Classes will rotate in a four day cycle so that students will not see every teacher each day, enabling students to exercise time management. Each class will be approximately 55 minutes as opposed to 42, leaving ample time for full

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Features

Rainbow looms take the bracelet world by storm

developmental lessons. The decision to adopt the new rotating schedule came up during the discussion of the efficiency of neighboring schools who function under a similar type of scheduling. Schools such as Chatham High School and Livingston High School have found that their schedules render more benefits than the typical nine period school day. Principal Mr. Suda was previously a vice principal at Livingston High School where a rotating schedule has proven to be successful. Prior to the Board’s decision, students involved on the Student or Class Councils had the opportunity to visit multiple high schools with similar scheduling to get a visual perception of how the scheduling is handled. Among the visited locations was Chatham High School, which also has alternative scheduling. The visit SEE ROTATING SCHEDULE PAGE 2

11-12 Sports

Fall sports preview & Caldwell rivalry


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