BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--The award-winning Parents’ Academy program, which provides Brockton Public Schools parents with free evening lectures, will begin its second semester tonight, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 featuring a presentation by Charlie Appelstein, “Behavior Support for Families: Maximizing Student Potential Using a Strength-Based Approach.”
The presentation takes place at the Arnone School, 135 Belmont St. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
FREE DAY CARE IS AVAILABLE
Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. is a nationally prominent youth care specialist and
author whose primary focus is on working with children and youth presenting with emotional and behavioral problems.
Strength-based practice is an emerging approach to helping students presenting
with emotional, learning, and/or behavioral issues that school officials describe is exceptionally positive and inspiring.
Its focus is on strength-building rather than flaw-fixing.
It begins with the belief that every student has or can develop strengths and use past successes to stop problem behavior, enhance decision making, and function better at school.
Begun in the fall of 2006, Parents’ Academy has welcomed 10,000 participants through its doors.
Courses range from MCAS tutorials and internet safety to bullying prevention, discipline and family fun nights. Each spring, Parent Engagement Specialist Jane Feroli surveys parents to determine what topics they would like to learn more about and schedules workshops throughout the school year to meet the needs of the community.
Held weeknights at 6:30 p.m. at the Arnone School, Parents’ Academy offers free childcare, camaraderie and tips for parents and community members.
For more information, call 508-894-4328.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 25
B.P.S. School Committee, 7 p.m. Little Theatre, Brockton High
Parents’ Academy, Behavioral Support for Families featuring Guest Speaker Charlie Appelstein, Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - 2 Way 1 p.m.
South: School Improvement Council, Principal’s Office 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. meeting, Café 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
Baker: Title One ~ Family Literacy Night 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Room 205 1:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Angelo: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium, Boston.
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K – Mrs. Wedge 1:30 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2 - 2 Way 9 a.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29
Baker: Chorus Presentation West Middle School 3 p.m.
B.P.S. School Committee, 7 p.m. Little Theatre, Brockton High
Parents’ Academy, Behavioral Support for Families featuring Guest Speaker Charlie Appelstein, Arnone School 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 1 - 2 Way 1 p.m.
South: School Improvement Council, Principal’s Office 5:30 p.m.
South: P.A.C. meeting, Café 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26
Baker: Title One ~ Family Literacy Night 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 27
Baker: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Room 205 1:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28
Angelo: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium, Boston.
Arnone: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – K – Mrs. Wedge 1:30 p.m.
George: Title One ~ Family Book Bag – Gr. 2 - 2 Way 9 a.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29
Baker: Chorus Presentation West Middle School 3 p.m.
Math Program Earns Students MCAS Success
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Twenty North Middle School math students in Brockton set the pace for holiday giving in December, earning the top spot in a national giving contest that not only rewards work, but teaches and improves math skills.
Students in Pam Senier's math class donated 52,000 virtual points they earned solving differentiated math problems through Apangea Learning's online math instruction program.
The students bested more than 3,000 other classes and 100,000 students nationwide.
"I'm very proud of them, they worked very hard. For our small class to be number one in the nation is impressive, and when you do the math on this, you figure they did the equivalent of 100 hours of math work," North Middle School Principal Sean Ahern in a prepared statement. "That's a lot of practice and problem solving, much of which was done on their own time and at home," Ahern said.
During the month-long "Time for Giving Contest," students worked on math programs both in class and at-home, racking up the points while perfecting their math skills. Through the program, students earn points for every math problem they solve correctly.
Points can then be traded in for gift cards or other prizes.
For every 1,000 points a student earned, Apangea donated one dollar to a cause the student designated, groups like Boys and Girls Club of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics.
Mrs. Senier's class donated 52,000 points, the most points of any class in the nation.
For its first prize ranking, the class was able to choose one charity--the Wounded Warrior Project-- to which Apangea donated another $50.
Apangea representatives then threw students a pizza party to celebrate their win.
Anthony Rosa earned 11,000 points – the most of any student. The 12-year-old said Mrs.Senier and the Apangea program have awakened a new love of math in him.
"It's my new favorite subject," Rosa said, shrugging. Giving away his points was not a big deal, Rosa added. "I wanted to give them away to help people."
Tiana Brooks said the contest propelled her to do more math problems, too.
"I had confidence we would win because everybody was working hard and donating. When I heard about the contest, I said 'let me donate as much as I have,' because I wanted to help people who really need the help," Brooks said.
The contest is a great motivator for students, but it's the problem solving that is driving student success rates higher, Ahern and Senier said.
Since it was introduced at North Middle School last year, the Apangea program has helped increase student achievement growth by as much as 50 percent on the MCAS test. The 52,000 points the students earned is equivalent to roughly 100 hours students were logged into Apangea – a sure sign, officials said, that kids are excited about the program and willing to learn.
"The students love it. They run to class. I think the competitions and the opportunity to win prizes is a big factor in what gets kids logging on to Apangea – especially outside of school," Ahern said. "Whatever the reason, the data is telling us its working ...some eighth graders have doubled their math scores on the multiple choice part of the MCAS test," he said.
The results wouldn't be so tremendous without Senier, Ahern noted. A huge part of the success of the program at North is how her message resonates with students.
"She's awesome. She's here before anybody else in the morning, and there are always kids lined up to talk to her. They love her," Ahern said. "She's matter-of-fact and non-judgmental. The message she sends is that they can do it if they try hard, and she's not going to give up on them even if they give up on themselves," he said.
A former computer programmer who left her field to become a math teacher five years ago, Mrs. Senier credits the students and the program before taking kudos for herself.
"I think Apangea is a very good program for them because it helps them to take apart problems step-by-step, and then rewards them for good work. These kids are trying, they're learning and they're not giving up when they struggle. That's important," she said.
"A lot of the students do (Apangea problems) at home, and that's what we want – we want them to want to do math on their own," she said.
The Apangea program is also in use at Brockton High School and West Middle School, and will expand to East Middle School in the coming months.
Last year, Brockton High School was awarded the Apangea Math "March Math Madness" Tournament trophy.
Apangea Learning (www.apangealearning.com) is a pioneer in developing differentiated distance learning supported by live, certified U.S. teachers for students in kindergarten to 12th grade.
School districts purchase licenses for Apangea's services and provide their students access during school and after hours from home. Based on one of the world's largest bodies of longitudinal research on cognition originally conducted by the U.S. military, Apangea has proven effective in over 3,000 schools. The privately owned company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
BROCKTON--Twenty North Middle School math students in Brockton set the pace for holiday giving in December, earning the top spot in a national giving contest that not only rewards work, but teaches and improves math skills.
Students in Pam Senier's math class donated 52,000 virtual points they earned solving differentiated math problems through Apangea Learning's online math instruction program.
The students bested more than 3,000 other classes and 100,000 students nationwide.
"I'm very proud of them, they worked very hard. For our small class to be number one in the nation is impressive, and when you do the math on this, you figure they did the equivalent of 100 hours of math work," North Middle School Principal Sean Ahern in a prepared statement. "That's a lot of practice and problem solving, much of which was done on their own time and at home," Ahern said.
During the month-long "Time for Giving Contest," students worked on math programs both in class and at-home, racking up the points while perfecting their math skills. Through the program, students earn points for every math problem they solve correctly.
Points can then be traded in for gift cards or other prizes.
For every 1,000 points a student earned, Apangea donated one dollar to a cause the student designated, groups like Boys and Girls Club of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Wounded Warrior, Habitat for Humanity, Big Brother Big Sister and Special Olympics.
Mrs. Senier's class donated 52,000 points, the most points of any class in the nation.
For its first prize ranking, the class was able to choose one charity--the Wounded Warrior Project-- to which Apangea donated another $50.
Apangea representatives then threw students a pizza party to celebrate their win.
Anthony Rosa earned 11,000 points – the most of any student. The 12-year-old said Mrs.Senier and the Apangea program have awakened a new love of math in him.
"It's my new favorite subject," Rosa said, shrugging. Giving away his points was not a big deal, Rosa added. "I wanted to give them away to help people."
Tiana Brooks said the contest propelled her to do more math problems, too.
"I had confidence we would win because everybody was working hard and donating. When I heard about the contest, I said 'let me donate as much as I have,' because I wanted to help people who really need the help," Brooks said.
The contest is a great motivator for students, but it's the problem solving that is driving student success rates higher, Ahern and Senier said.
Since it was introduced at North Middle School last year, the Apangea program has helped increase student achievement growth by as much as 50 percent on the MCAS test. The 52,000 points the students earned is equivalent to roughly 100 hours students were logged into Apangea – a sure sign, officials said, that kids are excited about the program and willing to learn.
"The students love it. They run to class. I think the competitions and the opportunity to win prizes is a big factor in what gets kids logging on to Apangea – especially outside of school," Ahern said. "Whatever the reason, the data is telling us its working ...some eighth graders have doubled their math scores on the multiple choice part of the MCAS test," he said.
The results wouldn't be so tremendous without Senier, Ahern noted. A huge part of the success of the program at North is how her message resonates with students.
"She's awesome. She's here before anybody else in the morning, and there are always kids lined up to talk to her. They love her," Ahern said. "She's matter-of-fact and non-judgmental. The message she sends is that they can do it if they try hard, and she's not going to give up on them even if they give up on themselves," he said.
A former computer programmer who left her field to become a math teacher five years ago, Mrs. Senier credits the students and the program before taking kudos for herself.
"I think Apangea is a very good program for them because it helps them to take apart problems step-by-step, and then rewards them for good work. These kids are trying, they're learning and they're not giving up when they struggle. That's important," she said.
"A lot of the students do (Apangea problems) at home, and that's what we want – we want them to want to do math on their own," she said.
The Apangea program is also in use at Brockton High School and West Middle School, and will expand to East Middle School in the coming months.
Last year, Brockton High School was awarded the Apangea Math "March Math Madness" Tournament trophy.
Apangea Learning (www.apangealearning.com) is a pioneer in developing differentiated distance learning supported by live, certified U.S. teachers for students in kindergarten to 12th grade.
School districts purchase licenses for Apangea's services and provide their students access during school and after hours from home. Based on one of the world's largest bodies of longitudinal research on cognition originally conducted by the U.S. military, Apangea has proven effective in over 3,000 schools. The privately owned company is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Monday, January 10, 2011
THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments runs through 1/28
Downey: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium Boston. During school.
Gilmore: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Hancock: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: P.T.O. meeting - Babysitting provided. Café 6:30 p.m.
North: K.T.A. Club Mitten, Hat and Sox collection runs through 1/21
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
George: P.A.C. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
Pre- K – Grade 8 In Service Day ~ Early Release
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board meeting. BHS Red IRC 7 p.m.
East: NotMYkid Presentation. Plouffe Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: notMYkid Presentation. Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. meeting Café 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
Info Session about Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments
10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. South Middle School. Café.
Baker: School Improvement Council meeting. Office Conference Room 6 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. meeting. Community Room 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Huntington: Family Swim Night. B.H.S. Pool T.B.A.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Communication/Language Gilmore 9 a.m.
Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments runs through 1/28
Downey: Grade 1 Field Trip – New England Aquarium Boston. During school.
Gilmore: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Gilmore: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Hancock: School Improvement Council meeting. Library 5:30 p.m.
Hancock: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Huntington: P.T.O. meeting - Babysitting provided. Café 6:30 p.m.
North: K.T.A. Club Mitten, Hat and Sox collection runs through 1/21
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
George: P.A.C. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
Pre- K – Grade 8 In Service Day ~ Early Release
B.P.S. Community School Advisory Board meeting. BHS Red IRC 7 p.m.
East: NotMYkid Presentation. Plouffe Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: notMYkid Presentation. Café 6 p.m.
Plouffe: P.A.C. meeting Café 7 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
Info Session about Registration for Grade 6 September 2011 Assignments
10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. South Middle School. Café.
Baker: School Improvement Council meeting. Office Conference Room 6 p.m.
Baker: P.T.A. meeting. Community Room 7 p.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Huntington: Family Swim Night. B.H.S. Pool T.B.A.
SPED: Family Support Workshop – Communication/Language Gilmore 9 a.m.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Reward Offered For Suspected Arson Fire
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Police and Fire officials are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who is suspected of setting a fire to Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel early Monday Jan. 3.
“Anyone who saw or heard something the night of the fire, or since, is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline," said state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, whose office is investigating the matter with Brockton Police and Fire.
Brockton Police are also asking administrators at the junior high school and high school to inform students during morning announcements about the reward in the hopes some of the students may have heard something about who might have set the fire since many youngsters had layaways at Travis Cycle--a popular bike shop that has serviced the community for about 20 years.
Police said owners of Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel are not suspected in the fire.
The Arson Watch Reward Program provides rewards of UP TO $5,000 that helps to solve the crime of arson and is funded by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies of Massachusetts.
The hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-682-9229 and is completely confidential.
The Arson Watch Reward Program recently provided a reward to a woman who helped to convict Chiteara M. Thomas of first-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Olinda Calderon who died in a horrific fire at 779 Montello Street on July 6, 2006.
It is believed this is the first time in Massachusetts a first-degree murder conviction was obtained in an arson fire.
BROCKTON--Police and Fire officials are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who is suspected of setting a fire to Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel early Monday Jan. 3.
“Anyone who saw or heard something the night of the fire, or since, is encouraged to call the Arson Hotline," said state Fire Marshal Stephen Coan, whose office is investigating the matter with Brockton Police and Fire.
Brockton Police are also asking administrators at the junior high school and high school to inform students during morning announcements about the reward in the hopes some of the students may have heard something about who might have set the fire since many youngsters had layaways at Travis Cycle--a popular bike shop that has serviced the community for about 20 years.
Police said owners of Travis Cycle and Game's On Apparel are not suspected in the fire.
The Arson Watch Reward Program provides rewards of UP TO $5,000 that helps to solve the crime of arson and is funded by the property and casualty insurance underwriting companies of Massachusetts.
The hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-682-9229 and is completely confidential.
The Arson Watch Reward Program recently provided a reward to a woman who helped to convict Chiteara M. Thomas of first-degree murder in the death of 28-year-old Olinda Calderon who died in a horrific fire at 779 Montello Street on July 6, 2006.
It is believed this is the first time in Massachusetts a first-degree murder conviction was obtained in an arson fire.
Monday, January 3, 2011
THIS WEEK IN BROCKTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4
School Committee meeting, 7 p.m. Brockton High Little Theatre.
Davis: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
Angelo: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:15 p.m.
Downey: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
Ashfield: School Improvement Council. Café. 6:30 p.m.
Ashfield: P.T.A. Café. 7:00 p.m.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council. 3rd Floor 2:40 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Ms. Amber 11:30 a.m.
Downey: School Improvement Council. Principal’s office. 1:30 p.m.
East: School Improvement Council Meeting Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. meeting. Room 130 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council. Conference room. 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. meeting. Room 201 7:00 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council. Library 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council. Large conference room. 10 a.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop,"Communication with Language Development" workshop
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
School Committee meeting, 7 p.m. Brockton High Little Theatre.
Davis: P.T.A. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
Angelo: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:15 p.m.
Downey: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6:30 p.m.
Raymond: P.T.A. meeting. Café 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
Ashfield: School Improvement Council. Café. 6:30 p.m.
Ashfield: P.T.A. Café. 7:00 p.m.
B.B. Russell: School Improvement Council. 3rd Floor 2:40 p.m.
Davis: Title One ~ Book Talk Pizza – Ms. Amber 11:30 a.m.
Downey: School Improvement Council. Principal’s office. 1:30 p.m.
East: School Improvement Council Meeting Room 130 5 p.m.
East: P.A.C. meeting. Room 130 6 p.m.
Kennedy: School Improvement Council. Conference room. 6 p.m.
Kennedy: P.A.C. meeting. Room 201 7:00 p.m.
North: School Improvement Council. Library 5 p.m.
North: P.A.C. meeting. Library 6 p.m.
Raymond: School Improvement Council. Large conference room. 10 a.m.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
Parents’ Academy Morning Workshop,"Communication with Language Development" workshop
Gilmore Early Childhood Center 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
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