July August 2008

Meet the President
Veteran South Brunswick board member Harry J. Delgado takes the helm at NJSBA
By Janet Bamford

A Safety Net of Support
Make the most of community resources in times of crisis.
By Mallory McQuail

Putting the “Special” into Special Education
These thirteen programs are 2008’s winners of the Innovations in Special Education awards
By Janet Bamford

School Board Members are…Guiding Tomorrow’s Leaders
New dates, new format… same top-notch programs
By Mark Bonjavanni

May/June 2008

What’s Great About K-8?
Kindergarten through 8th grade schools have special strengths, says one board member
By Wendi Patella

Keeping Our Schools Safe and Secure
An update on school security from the New Jersey State Police
By Michael Scala

A Bridge Between Continents
A unique Rumson-Fair Haven high school community service organization adjusts its programs in the wake of post-election violence in Kenya
By Roberta H. Van Anda

SPECIAL NEW BOARD MEMBER SECTION

10 Tips for New Board Members By Lee Lusardi Connor
A Year in the Life of a Board Member By Joanne Borin
What’s Your Agenda? By Mark Bonjavanni

March/April 2008

Surviving the Departure of Your Superintendent
Some upfront planning can make it easier to transition to a new CSA
By Dr. Timothy Brennan

In a Class of His Own
Norwood’s John Kline is N.J.’s Teacher of the Year
By Janet Bamford

When Medical Problems Are Financial Problems
A unique —and often overlooked—state relief fund assists New Jersey families with their children’s medical bills
By Ralph Condo

SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY SECTION

Plug In. Boot Up. Log On.
Data (Self) Analysis By Anthony N. Dragona
Howell Makes the Grade By Janet Bamford
Getting Help in Making Your District Technology-Rich By Betsy Price
The Wonders of Wikis and Podcasts By James Puglia and Carl Hazen

January/February 2008

Sharing Equals Saving
Now more than ever, school districts need money-saving ideas. Here is a sampling of smart strategies from the NJSBA/Rutgers-Newark Catalogue of Best Practices in Shared Services.
By Janet Bamford

Other People’s Children, Part 2
In an excerpt from the new book, Other People’s Children: The Battle for Justice and Equality in New Jersey’s Schools, the author recounts how the court defined and mandated additional programs for children in the state’s Abbott districts.
By Deborah Yaffe

Stuck in the Middle
A board member from a middle-income district lays out his district’s financial situation, after years of enrollment grow and flat funding.
By Roger Butler

When Hiring…Think Globally, Act Locally
Any district’s most precious resource is its faculty and staff. Hiring practices should cast a wide net.
By Pete Barone and Todd Lawrence

Completing the Circle
A conversation with NJSBA Board Member of the Year Cathy Moncrief.
By Janet Bamford

November/December 2007

Other People’s Children
In an excerpt from the new book, Other People’s Children: The Battle for Justice and Equality in New Jersey’s Schools, the author tells the story of the lives behind the lawsuits.
By Deborah Yaffe

The State of the Arts in Our Schools
A new study, that was two years in the making, charts arts education in New Jersey and recommends what should be done to improve access to it.
By Kristin Wenger

Blogging for Columbine
As concerns about the safety of students’ online activities increase, legal and policy issues prove vexing for school leaders.
By Thomas Hutton

Meet Marie S. Bilik
An interview with NJSBA’s new executive director
By Janet Bamford

Rhyme Time
An innovative kindergarten literacy program in Livingston gets children and parents working together to improve reading and writing readiness
By Janet Bamford

September/October 2007

Financing Special Education in New Jersey
A year-long study commissioned by the New Jersey School Boards Association explores special education costs and practices and identifies exemplary programs.
By Frank Belluscio

Successful Special Ed Lessons Honored
Eleven innovative programs—with focuses as varied as gardening, rock climbing and government visits—help our most challenged students reach their potential.
By Michael Yaple and Rosa Cirianni

A Fresh Look at a Complex Issue
The recommendations of the Legislative Committee on Special Education address the delivery, quality and cost of special education services in New Jersey.
By Donna M. Kaye, Esq.

NJSBA Executive Director Steps Down
NJSBA bids a fond farewell to Edwina M. Lee.
By Christina Gordon

July/August 2007

Closing the Achievement Gap
Data-based decisions and staff dedication create a formula to improve student achievement.
By Kaye Crown and Robert J. Rosado

A Strong Voice for New Jersey Public Schools
NJSBA’s Legislative Committee forms relationships with lawmakers that are needed to advance public education.
By Rosa Cirianni

An Advocate Draws Inspiration from Within
Overcoming serious health issues has changed the perspective of a Burlington County school board member, who has dedicated his life to children.
By Rosa Cirianni

Dream, Inspire and Achieve
Take a peak at Workshop 2007—one of the nation’s largest education conferences.

Violence in Our Schools: Combating Fear
In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, a former state education official reviews strategies to promote student safety.
By John Flynn

Science in the Spotlight
Science is a process of discovery. For the 21st Century, hands-on, ‘minds-on,’ inquiry-based instruction is the only way to go.
By Karen Tomczyk

May/June 2007

Grasping the QSAC Basics
New Jersey is starting a totally new method of monitoring school districts. The focus is on student achievement and governance.
By Rosa Cirianni

Shared Values, Shared Success
Disagreement doesn’t have to equal discord. By taking proactive steps, school boards can lay the groundwork for productive public discourse, continuous improvement and academic quality.
By Suzanne Bond

Opening the World of Science
A gem of New Jersey—the Liberty Science Center—reopens this summer, with an innovative center for learning and teaching and new exhibits, ranging from “Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact” to “Infection Connection.”
By Jeffrey Osowski

March/April 2007

Abbott and Beyond
The author of an upcoming book on Abbott v. Burke presents a clear, concise history of the litigation, which is still unfolding today.
By Deborah Yaffe

Cause and Effect
New Jersey’s property tax “crisis” is a result of the state’s failure to live up to its own school funding laws for the past five years, according to a recent Rutgers-Newark study.
By Mike Yaple

Sounding Off on Education Challenges
A suburban school superintendent and a school board member from an urban district share perspectives and ideas for making New Jersey’s education investment pay off for students.
By William Folley and Dale G. Caldwell

N.J. Bucks Tide on Reading for English Learners
Many New Jersey schools adhere to the bilingual approach to teaching English-language learners, and research shows its benefits.
By Mary Ann Zehr

Is Your District Prepared for a Pandemic?
The potential for an Avian flu pandemic has not abated, and experts in crisis communications advise school districts to take proactive steps now.
By Rosa Cirianni

January/February 2007

Practice What They Teach
Sharing services with neighboring districts—to the benefit of both students and taxpayers—is a way of life in New Jersey.
By Rosa Cirianni

Shared Services
Lyndhurst’s newest public building benefits both the town and the school district.
By Richard J. DiLascio and Lloyd A. Rosenberg

The Trouble with Testing
The current emphasis on high-stakes testing prevents teachers from creating thought-provoking lessons that engage students.
By Louis R. Centolanza

Building a Better Brand
Find out how your schools can develop a “name” that stands for quality education in the minds of consumers.
By Nora Carr

Hakim at the Helm
School Board Member of the Year Marie Hakim weighs in on testing, special education, state funding and more.
By Rosa Cirianni

November/December 2006

There’s a Bully Online
The Somerville schools use discipline, values education and parent and community involvement to prevent cruel Internet postings at school and at home.
By Jean Harkness

Technology Saves Money and Saves Face
Learn how an e-mail distribution list can save reams of paper and provide quick communication in a crisis.
By Rosa Cirianni

Sparking Curiosity and Achievement
By encouraging hard work and boosting self-esteem, school science fairs continue to prove their worth.
By Laura Bishop and Mallory McQuail

Community Intranet Connections
Long Branch’s new private communications network provides secure, advanced services while saving tax dollars.
By Ann Coyle Degnan

Technology Planning
A technology expert will show you how to plan for the future and gain access to funding.
By Dan Riordan

September/October 2006

From Boys State to State Leader
NJSBA President Kevin E. Ciak and his leadership team focus on responsiveness and advocacy.
By Frank Belluscio

Prepared for the Real World
High school reform is not just an option—it is an essential part of preparing our graduates for a competitive world.
By Mary O'Malley

Ratcheting Up the High School Curriculum
Innovative programs allow advanced high school students to pursue their interests—and earn college credit.
By David Bosted

Pressure Alone Won’t Improve Failing Schools
For many districts, failing test scores lead to despair not reform.
By Pedro Noguera

Special Children, Special Programs
NJSBA and the Association of Schools and Agencies for the Handicapped team up to recognize outstanding special education programs.
By Mike Yaple

July/August 2006

Corners We Can’t Cut
In the years to come, schools will play an even larger role in student health by effecting policy in areas as diverse as snack food, diesel emissions and the Avian Flu.
By Jean Harkness

Food Moods
A mother and daughter learn that the right diet makes all the difference.
By Donna Martini

On The Beat
School Resource Officers play a critical role in our post-Columbine world.
By Rosa Cirianni

Gangs
An FBI instructor and former gang social worker writes frankly about the ongoing challenge of gang management in our schools.
By Linda M. Schmidt

Crisis Management that Really Works
South Brunswick’s Community Resource Team goes beyond crisis management to create a safer, more secure community.
By Rebecca Leonard

Heart Restart
Find out how to bring life-saving heart defibrillators to your schools.
By Michelle Sobota