2010 Archives

November/December 2010

SPECIAL SECTION: SCHOOL LAW

Recent School Law Cases You Should Know About
NJSBA's legal staff reviews decisions in seven critical areas
By Michael F. Kaelber, John Burns and Donna M. Kaye

Legal Constraints of the Individualized Education Program
Practical pointers for developing a well-written IEP
By Isabel Machado

Equal Opportunity and Access
The path to ADA compliance is one best taken with your school attorney
By Edwin C. Darden

FEATURES

Accountability and School Boards
Read an excerpt from an upcoming book by Edison Board of Education President and Teachers College Senior Fellow Gene I. Maeroff on the many challenges of school board membersip
By Gene I. Maeroff.

When the Bully Is a Teacher
Districts need to battle bullying by looking at all members of a school community _ including teachers
By Jean Harkness

Brain Under Construction
Neuroscience reveals that the still-developing frontal lobe of adolescents presents particular challenges – and solutions – to teaching tweens and teens
By Richard Zweier

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

president’smessage

executiveword

onthecalendar

readersforum
A day at "Education Nation"

laborlookout
The wisdom of using a professional negotiator

techtalk
An education blogger's top rated education websites

fieldperspective
Knowing when to keep quiet

policyupdate
An examination of advertising in schools and policies designed to set limits

headoftheclass
An elementary school program in Glassboro gets more boys reading

September/October 2010

SPECIAL SECTION: COMMUNITY RELATIONS

The Golden Years Meet the Wonder Years
How New Jersey's public schools stay connected with their community's senior citizens
By Marianne Kligman

Is Your Board Ready for Some Extra Help?
Special purpose committees can foster community involvement
By David Bosted

Disabling the 'Dis'
How school officials can address the disinformation about public schools
By Michael Yaple

FEATURES

A Sea Change in Special Ed Funding
In 2008, the most significant change in special education funding in decades took place, courtesy of the School Funding Reform Act
By Michael Kaelber, Esq.

Getting SMARTer
NJ SMART is the state education department's student data system. Here's an update on what's new
By Bari Anhalt Erlichson

Workshop 2010's "Must-See" Programs
A sampling of some of the program highlights from this year's premiere training event
By Mark Bonjavanni

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

president’smessage

executiveword

onthecalendar

readersforum
Professional learning Communities are like total quality Management

fieldperspective
Everything you need to know about mandatory training

legallyspeaking
Homeless, but not school-less

headoftheclass
Meeting deaf students' needs in the mainstream

July/August 2010

SPECIAL SECTION: WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS

How the School Ethics Act Works
Board members should be familiar with these procedures and practices
By Donna M. Kaye, Esq.

Partners in Progress
A successfull superintendent-board working relationship is key to the smooth running of a school district
By Douglas B. Groff

From Accidental Leaders to Purposeful Advocates
You got involved to help your local district. Get more involved for the same reason
By Ray Pinney

FEATURES

Meet NJSBA's New President
Ray Wiss of the Northern Valley Regional board takes the reins
By Janet Bamford

A Different Workshop for Different Times
NJSBA has retooled Workshop to meet members' needs this year
By Erik Endress

Students Paint a Better Tomorrow
12 outstanding programs were honored with 2010 Innovations in Special Education awards
By Ann Marie Smith

Student Activity Fees: Proceed with Caution
By David Bosted

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

executiveword

onthecalendar

readersforum
Report Cards and Special Education

laborlookout
When preparing contract language, it’s useful to choose your words carefully

policyupdate
Much of your board work is probably done by committee. Here’s how your policy manual can support these groups

headoftheclass
A Point Pleasant Borough high school program teaches life skills to students with multiple disabilities

May/June 2010

SPECIAL SECTION: SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY

Technology for Special Education Students
A tour through some of the best assistive technologies available
By Stephen Ference

Is Facebook Your Friend?
How the Burlington County Institute of Technology made friends with Facebook By Nancy Cunningham

Smart Uses of SMART Boards
Harness the full potential of the SMART board
By John Palbom

FEATURES

A Fitting Solution
Three districts in Sussex County are forging a powerful model for shared services
By Janet Bamford

The Bottom Line
What schools can learn from the business community
By Del Stover

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

executiveword

onthecalendar

capitolwatch
Education Committee Chair Patrick Diegnan shares his views on the budget and working with the new governor

policyupdate
The anatomy of an effective policy on school safety and security

fieldperspective
Tips on defusing potentially volatile public board meetings

NJSBAupdate
An exit interview with NJSBA’s Immediate Past President Harry J. Delgado

readersforum
A new approach to the age-old problem of bullying

headoftheclass
A real-life lesson on civics for Piscataway students

SPECIAL SECTION: SCHOOL FACILITIES & CONSTRUCTION

What You Should Know Before Starting a Building Program
In this economy, school board members might reasonably believe that the last thing they should be doing is getting involved in a facility improvement program.
By Lee Heckendorn

Neptune Township’s Special Summerfield School
New Jersey’s first LEED Gold school is a model for school design
By Joseph Donnelly

Going Green, Saving Green
A guide to the programs available from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program
By Joseph L. Fiordaliso

The Greening of 413 West State Street
How NJSBA’s renovated headquarters will earn Silver LEED certifications
By John Anthes and D. Warren Buonanno

FEATURES

Making Teens Safer Drivers
A teen’s most dangerous time on the road? The first 18 to 24 months behind the wheel. School districts can cut the risks.
By Pam Fischer

Marvelous Maestra
Northern Highland’s Maryann Woods-Murphy is New Jersey’s Teacher of the Year
By Janet Bamford

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

president’smessage

executiveword

onthecalendar

fieldperspective
What districts are doing to share services

legallyspeaking
Managing a contractor default

policyupdate
Response to Intervention can help struggling students get help quickly – and save districts money

headoftheclass
Camden High Schools' environmental education program keeps students close to home

January/February 2010

SPECIAL SECTION: LABOR RELATIONS

Redefining the Bargaining Environment
It's time to shift the focus to more relevant considerations.
By Curt Wary

Walking the Tightrope
Comunicating with reporters and the public during labor negotiations is a delicate matter. Here are some guidelines.
By Maren Smagala

Employees – With Benefits
How New Jersey school boards are trying to contain health benefit costs.
By Lou Della Penna, Jr. and Laura I. Fanuele

A Primer on Teacher Pay
Teacher compensation is becoming a focus of public attention. Here's how it works.
By Robert Greitz

Reading Trends — Not Tea Leaves
A look at New Jersey's demographic trends — and at how enrollment projections are figured.
By Richard S. Grip, Ed.D

Lobbying from the Ground Up
As Trenton prepares to be turned "upside down," board member voices are more important than ever.
By Barbara Horl

Also in our print edition (for subscribers only)

executiveword

onthecalendar

fieldperspective
Grading your superintendent

legallyspeaking
Family relationships restrict board member participation in negotiations

policyupdate
Capturing the insights of your board's committee members

headoftheclass
Franklin Lakes helps middle school special needs students through a self-sustaining jewelry-making business