Photo Credit: Eileen Russell
June 2024 Message from Dr. Postma
June 19
8th Grade Promotion
June 20
Last Day for Students
June 24
School Board Meeting
Dear Wyckoff School District Families,
Happy June! Our students have seen great success this academic year under the expertise of their teachers and staff. They have demonstrated remarkable progress on assessments such as the new iReady, alongside other metrics. We also had a high level of student engagement in extracurricular activities this year. Many thanks to our faculty for their commitment and dedication, and to you, our WSD families, for your ongoing support. Please see below for some key updates as we head into summer.
Summer Academies Registration Closes Sunday
There are three more days to sign up for Wyckoff Summer Academies. Sign-ups close June 16th. Classes will run in July for Grades K-7 and include sports, games, challenges, STEAM, painting, jewelry making, coding, 3D printing, photography, cooking, and more. To register, please visit the Summer Academies page of our website.
Retirees to be Honored by School Board on June 24, 2024
Our teachers and staff who retired/ are retiring during the 2023-2024 school year will be honored by the school board at the June 24th meeting. We thank each of these dedicated professionals for their service to the students, families, and staff of Wyckoff.
Introduction of 2024-2029 Strategic Plan on June 24, 2024
Our district’s new five-year strategic plan will be introduced at the June 24th school board meeting, and presented again officially in the fall. Thank you to all who participated in our stakeholder meetings in November. The plan will outline four strategic priorities for the Wyckoff School District over the next five years: Academic Excellence, Student and Staff Well-being, State-of-the-Art Facilities and Parent Engagement. Keep an eye out for the plan which will be posted on the school website after the June 24th school board meeting.
Elementary Updates for the 2024-25 School Year
Streamlining Technology Programs. To increase synergy between our elementary technology and media classes, we will be consolidating our technology teaching staff in the 2024-25 school year. Instead of having one technology teacher per school in each of our four elementary schools, we will now have two technology teachers serving all four schools. This change will allow for more integrated instruction and better utilization of resources. Here's what you can expect:
Enhanced Collaboration and Learning Standards Coverage: By streamlining the program, we can enhance collaboration between our media specialists and technology teachers, who will now work more closely to deliver a cohesive curriculum. We are committed to ensuring that all learning standards are met. Media classes will continue once a week, and technology classes will be held every other week, with additional technology sessions integrated into the school week as schedules allow.
Expanded Instructional Time for Core Subjects: This adjustment also expands instructional time in mathematics and language arts, strengthening foundational skills in these critical areas.
Enhanced Fiscal Responsibility: This measure not only improves our instructional synergy but also aligns with our goals of fiscal responsibility and optimal use of teaching schedules.
Enhancing Elementary Spanish Instruction. Currently, we have one Spanish teacher serving all four elementary schools and have been unable to fill a second position. To address this, we will implement the following changes:
Introduction of Rosetta Stone for Grades 3-5: We will be using the Rosetta Stone online platform for Spanish instruction in Grades 3-5. With its immersive approach and robust auditory and visual components, Rosetta Stone provides a superior learning experience compared to other programs we evaluated.
Flexible Learning: Using Rosetta Stone, our upper elementary students can learn at their own pace and access the platform from home, enhancing their learning experience.
More Frequent In-Person Instruction for Younger Students: Señora Merino will continue to teach K-2 Spanish in each of our elementary schools. This change will allow her to see students more frequently and offer the interactive and engaging instruction that our youngest learners need to master new content.
The initiatives above will foster a more integrated and supportive educational environment for our elementary students. Your feedback and support are invaluable as we implement these changes. Together, we can ensure that our district continues to provide high-quality education to every student. If you have any questions about the initiatives above, you can reach out to your principal or call me at 201-848-5700. You can also email us at info@wyckoffschools.org.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our schools and community. I wish you and your families a wonderful summer.
Sincerely,
Kerry L. Postma
Kerry L. Postma, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Wyckoff School District