From the Schools: A Note from Parkway Principal

The following information was provided by Paramus schools:

A Note from the Parkway Principal

Last year, the Paramus Math Curriculum Committee revised and updated the math curriculum. As a result, the Paramus Board of Education adopted the resource enVisionMATH, as the major resource for K-4 elementary classrooms. EnVisionMATH is a program which emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem solving, and automaticity of learned skills. Each lesson is broken into three sections. Each section is a part of the learning process. First, the students use concrete objects to learn new strategies or  skills. Next, they use pictorial representations to model their understanding. Finally, they practice the new strategy or skill with symbolic representation.

Technology plays an important role in the mathematics classroom. Grades 1-4 have SMARTBoards in their classrooms and teachers project many lessons. Often, teachers have students interact with the SMARTBoard to show their mathematically thinking. In addition, the enVisionMATH program provides student/parent access to the website. Please join me after the PTA meeting on March 23, 2011 and I will navigate the helpful resources the website provides.

—Suzanne Barbi

More from Parkway

• In order to show support for Paramus Police, the students of Parkway School signed their names to a special banner, honoring Officer Rachel Morgan as their hero. Additionally, classes worked on projects such as get well cards, books and pictures wishing her a speedy recovery. 
• The fourth grade students at Parkway School brought in the New Year by writing their Resolutions for 2011! Each student listed their resolution for becoming a better student, son or daughter, sister or brother, friend and how to help the country or world. The students had some great ideas like doing homework, reading longer, helping with chores, playing more with their siblings, lowering taxes, and going green to help the environment.

Bergen County Technical High School

After researching global exchange projects through iEarn(International Education and Research Network), students in the Visual/Graphic Design program at Bergen County Technical High School in Paramus chose to participate in the International Intercultural Mural Exchange project. They are partnered with students from Hagoromo High School in Osaka, Japan on the creation of a mural that depicts the effects of ecological disasters on the planet. iEarn (InternationalEducation and Research Network) is the world’s largest non-profit global network enabling teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world.

The International Intercultural Mural Exchange (IIME), based in Japan and organized byArt Miles coordinators, is designed to bring students from different countries together in a shared endeavor, promoting an understanding and respect for diverse cultures. It boasts 3,000 participants in 23 countries including Afghanistan, Egypt, Italy, Russia, Taiwan, Korea, Russia, and Zambia. This year, BCTHS/Paramus is one of only three U.S. schools to participate in this global exchange program.

The project is about the process. Bergen Tech and Hagoromo students discussed potential mural topics, as well as cultural touchstones, through e-mail, a shared website, videos, and a pair ofvideoconferences. Through these discussions, the students composed the design and drew a rough sketch. In December, the Hagoromo students painted the first half of the mural and now the Bergen Tech students are working on their half. The mural will be shipped back to Japan in March before being exhibited in museums throughout the world.

Quinnipiac University

The following Paramus students made the dean’s list for the Fall 2010 semester at Quinnipiac University: Justin Ciliento, Tara Hannon, Jessica Russo and Scott Twidle.

East Brook

The students in the Operation Goody Bag program from East Brook Middle School wanted to let the Paramus Police Department know that they are thankful for everyday sacrifices of the police in keeping Paramus safe. 150 "Goody Bags" were assembled and dropped off at the police department on Feb. 9.  Each "Goody Bag" contained candy, the Tale Of The Goody Bag and a thank you note written by the children of East Brook.

Berkeley College

Berkeley College President Dario A. Cortes, PhD, is proud to announce that students from Paramus have been named to the President’s and Dean’s Lists at Berkeley College for the Fall 2010 Quarter. 

“Berkeley College is proud to recognize these students for their outstanding academic achievement,” said Dr. Cortes. “Students who reflect this level of dedication to their studies become our future leaders.” 

President's List: Fanny Ortega

Dean's List: Mary Rose Batoon, Hourie Mouradian, Melissa Pigoncelli

Memorial School

On Friday the students of Memorial School celebrated the Lunar New Year with a parade. Children in costume marched inthe parade behind the “Dragon” dancers. It has become a much-enjoyed tradition for the students of Memorial.