The Alternative Press

MADISON, NJ – A crowd of parents and students gathered in the Madison High School Media Center before the Board of Education on Feb. 14 in honor of the football team’s State Championship.

 

The board also received a plaque from New Jersey Special Olympics Area 3, presented by  Alec Waksman and Conor Dark.

 

But then it was back to business for the board’s workshop meeting.

 

Superintendent of Schools Michael Rossi reported that an energy evaluation has been done and that the district is looking at return on investment by reducing consumption. “Some of the low hanging fruit is as simple as turning off lights,” he said. Rossi also encouraged parents to spread the word about the Kindergarten Wrap-around Program. “There will be a small teacher/student ratio,” he said.

 

One parent asked about the Algebra III class. Director of Curriculum Lee Nittel explained that it’s an option for students not quite ready for pre-calculus.

 

When the board voted on course sequences, board member Linda Gilbert voted no on Algebra 1. “All children are being slotted into that. Some struggle with math at this grade level, dealing with a new school and a new environment in their freshman year. We should give parents an option rather than a ‘cookie cutter’ plan.” Rossi responded, “This is where schools are going now.”

 

Board member Shade Grahling pointed out that algebra and physics reinforce each other. “It’s not the physics most of us think of. It’s much more interactive and it’s a foundational course.”

 

Pediatrician Paul Sera brought up the issue of the long class day, urging a later start time. He said he sees patients who are sleep deprived and that physiologically, ages 11 to 14 need nine hours of sleep a night. “If they’re up at 6:30, that doesn’t happen,” he said. He also expressed concerns about concussions and the push in athletics for students to receive scholarships.

 

But Board member Kevin Blair said, “Kids will stay up late, it’s a pattern of behavior, especially with social media.” The board agreed that the school hours have not been discussed in detail, but should be. Grahling said she had read that test scores go up and discipline problems go down when children have enough sleep.

 

One parent asked about the value of block scheduling. Rossi said there are a number of advantages, including reducing the amount of homework in a given day. Block scheduling means that classes are spread throughout the day, so that a Spanish class, for instance, might meet at 9 a.m. one day and 2 p.m. another, allowing for more student/teacher interaction and extending contact time. Less transition time is lost going from class to class.

 

Board President Lisa Ellis said, “Our students are academically prepared, but not in time management skills.This should help. They have to plan and think.”

 

Rossi said of the change in scheduling, “It’s reducing traffic in the halls and has reduced discipline issues. I’m firmly convinced it will work wonders for us.”