The Englewood Schools Tour: 4th stop Janis E. Dismus Middle School

Carmen MacchiaAbraham Alarcon

These two men represent the guiding team at Janis E. Dismus Middle School. Mr. Alarcon is acting principal.  Mr. Macchia is a retired Blue Ribbon principal brought in by Dr. Carlisle to help reorganize the school. It is curious that even though he is only acting principal his picture is the only one pictured on the homepage of his school's website alongside his goal for students in the school. Janis E. Dismus is already showing signs of change. They too have a reception desk as you enter. This area needs work and they should probably build a permanent reception desk in the same area. We visited the Middle School 2 times. I will not separate the visits now. We were not expected on our  first visit. It took place during the lunch periods so we did not see much more than the facility.

In the above photograph Dr. Carlisle demonstrates that he is on a first name basis with the people that he has delegated to guide the Middle School climate in a more productive direction. Even though he always wears a suit he demonstrates that he is willing to get down in the trenches with the worker bees and help solve some of the real problems faced by the Englewood School District. He has shown that he has willingness to learn. The ladies below had just finished serving lunch to the entire school and were a little perplexed as to why I wanted to take their picture. Employees such as these ladies very often undervalue the importance of their services.

On the wall outside the office is a collage of names. Beside this collage is a slogan that reads "Caught Being Kind". Students who demonstrate kindness towards others are singled out and given the honor of having their names included on this collage. This means that even if you are not an A student, you may be recognized for your strength of character and kindess towards others. I like that. Janis E. Dismus is headed in the right direction. It is going to be a long road one step at a time. 

Above is an area dedicated to the National Junior Honor Society high achievers. The Student of The Month area is above a case that I would like to see some athletic trophies in one day. The areas for both are much more formal than in the past. It is a more attractive display. Throughout the building there are signs of change. I must also note that this building is much cleaner than it used to be. Much cleaner.

Students created the "Helping Hands For Japan" mural to show solidarity with Japan because of the troubles wrought by the earthquake and Tsunami. Projects like these help students to develop social skills crucial to becoming caring nurturing human beings.

The most impressive change was the transformation of the Middle School Library. It is so refreshing to have an Educational leader who believes in the fact that every school in the District needs a library/media center. The very thought that a school system would allow the libraries to become such desolate places has been bothering a lot of residents for years. Many of us remember when this new approach to libraries was introduced to our system. We were powerless to do anything as we watched the heart of our school buildings fall into benign neglect. In a very short time new life has been pumped into this area.

Finally, the flag at the end of the hall is a magnificent addition to the hallway. Janis E. Dismus Middle School is well on its way in appearance to becoming a fantastic facility. There is a lot of work that must be done that cannot be seen with the eyes. We hope that the same rigor that was shown in changing the look of the school will be utilized to affect change to the curriculum and student achievement .

The Englewood Schools Tour: 3rd Stop Dr. Leroy McCLoud Elementary School

Michael Brown is the clean cut principal of Dr. Leroy McCloud Elementary School. Grades 4, 5, and 6 attend this school. We were met at the reception desk by Limona Wright who is part of building security. The welcome desk in each school is a very positive step in the right direction towards improving school climate. One of the parents inquired about visiting a regular classroom. The answer was that there was no regular class. Mr. Brown agreed to show us what was close to what he thought she wished to see. It included students with various labels including the "Ivys". I did not know that these labels were also being used to identify and separate our children at this level. I was surprised when we walked into the room. The teacher was one of my former students. It was not a set up. I had never met Mr. Brown before in my life. I had heard my neighbor speak of him, because he was principal in her son's school.

We were taken to the left as we entered the building so we did not get to see very much of the new wing. I wanted to see the Library. It is really nice from the outside.

Dual Language is still emphasized. Dr. Carlisle seemed proud of a teaching team that consisted of a Social Studies and Language teacher. The shortness of the visit did not allow us to see any of the lesson. .

Dr. Leroy McCloud Elementary School's website homepage does not include a vision statement. It lists the district mission statement only. I expected a statement at this level that would naturally grow out of the ones already indicated in the lower grades. This was disappointing because vision statements should not disappear as the students grow older. They should become less general. Perhaps this is something that should get a bit of attention. The Mission of the Englewood School District is to provide educational excellence by creating a learning environment that empowers all students to achieve the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and to master the academic and social skills necessary for success as individuals and as members of a global community.

The Englewood Schools Tour: 2nd Stop Grieco Elementary School

                             Jeff White

Grieco Elementary School is located on Durie Avenue directly across the street from the football field and stadium. It includes instruction for grades 1 through 3. We were greeted in the atrium by Jeff White, the principal. He was in his shirt sleeves, covered in ID badges and immersed in the daily activities. The pristine school was buzzing with activity. Several classes passed as  we waited in the lobby area. The receptionist area provides a pleasant place to greet visitors and to secure the building entrance. 2 members of the security personnel were on duty in the sunny area. It is probably a chilly duty for the receptionist in winter months. We visited several classrooms. The strong emphasis on the Dual Language Program was still obvious. We were only there a short time. The students seemed engaged and responsive in the classes we visited. They were well behaved in the cafeteria and halls. It is a beautiful facility with a grand entranceway and the children seem very happy.  I have one issue with the atrium area. It is an Elementary School. As a precautionary safety precaution the second floor balcony area needs rethinking and should be secured more effectively. 

I was especially impressed with the room to the right. That is a magnificent view of 

Winton White Stadium.  I do not know how the room is used, but it would make a great place to relax andb lunch. I am glad my neighbor signed me up for this tour even though the visit was short and covered only a tiny preview of a day in the life of Grieco Elementary School.
The following vision statement appears on the school's homepage.

The Vision of Grieco School is:

To develop and maintain an atmosphere that is positive, caring and respectful;

            To foster a love of learning that encourages creative problem solving, risk taking, and critical thinking in our learning community;

To create an environment in which students are able to integrate knowledge and learning into daily life in preparation for the 21^st century and to embrace and respect cultural diversity;

To allow each person to achieve his/her potential through a community of collaboration in which he/she will become a contributing member of society.

April 7th Board Meeting Highlight: The PIE Award

The recipient of this week’s Patron Influencing Education (PIE) Award was Ronda Drakeford. It is really not quite clear what Ronda Drakeford has accomplished to earn this honor. She is listed as  the person to call when contacting the Junior Raiders of  Englewood. I assume that she is a volunteer, because she is not employed by the district. As of March 10, 2011 Ms. Drakeford’s name was listed as having filed to run as a candidate for a seat on the Englewood Board of Education. Ronda Marshall Drakeford is listed as an employee at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, New Jersey. Her title is College and Career Assistant. The League of Women Voter's only hosted 4 candidates at Monday's Meet the Candidates program. Ronda was not in attendance.

The Englewood Schools Tour: 1st Stop Donald A. Quarles Early Childhood Center

We rode on what the kids call the “yellow cheese” bus. I was encouraged by the fact that the seats have belts. Our first visit was Quarles School. It houses pre K and Kindergarten.

Magalye Matos, PTO leader at Quarles believes in Putting Kids & Family & Community First. She was the first to welcome my neighbor and I when the board meeting was hosted at Quarles in March. She is shown at left listening intently as a parent explains her concerns. The Englewood Teacher's Association (ETA) gave parents and teachers a rare opportunity to break bread and communicate with Dr. Carlisle and other members of the community.  2 of the Current candidates for the board of education were also in attendance. Thank you Galilee Methodist Church for sharing your facilities on Tuesday, April 5. It is significant to note that when you click on Quarles PTO under the category of staff it comes up empty indicating only staff. Do we need a PIE award over here guys?

I have never understood the concept behind the planning of an Elementary School with outside access from each classroom. The PTO has optimistic plans for creating a garden with the children. Perhaps the desire to grow something may be turned into an infectious  positive that will contaminate other schools within the district.  The very act of gardening provides students the opportunity to work and learn about nature together. Participation in outside exercise  while creating a product in nature is priceless. Have fun bonding and gardening with the children at Quarles.

We visited a few classrooms at Quarles. One lesson followed a visit from the Englewood Volunteer Fire Department. It was impressive. The students were genuinely involved. It was apparent that the children had experienced a memorable visit with our Firemen. Marsha Howard is the Site Manager or Principal. She seems to be  knowledgeable and capable of accomplishing the mission and objectives of her school. She always wears a smile and responds with a greeting that I think is genuine.  The Quarles visit was a pleasant experience. I am disappointed when I visit the website for Quarles, because I expect to see her smiling face after the page loads. Her name should be required  somewhere on the schools homepage. Put the Superintendent's face in a small widget to the right with the others that update events on the page. Allow the website to reflect the people who work there. We should learn something about them when we visit. The goals, objectives and events on this page should be specific to Quarles school.

We expect to see repetition of the District Mission Statement on all sites, but we go to this individiual site, becase we  want to know about Quarles. We want to see faces that work with the  children at Quarles. A phone call alleviated some safety concerns and confirmed that there are indeed 2 security guards patrolling the campus of Quarles Early Childhood Center.
The following mission and vision statements appear on the schools's homepage.
Mission Statement
Every child will reach his/her full academic, social and emotional potential in an atmosphere of collaboration, mutual respect and trust.Vision StatementTo accomplish our mission we will:Provide a challenging curriculum

Deliver effective instruction based on high expectations

Use assessments to plan instruction and evaluate student performance and growth

Actively engage families and community

Establish and maintain a safe and orderly environment

Reflect on our practices and work collaboratively to improve student learning and achievement