Hopatcong’s In-Service Day

Cynthia Randina, Hopatcong Superintendent of Schools, Announces the most recent report on the district’s professional development. On, Monday, October 14, 2013, class was not in session so that day could be designated for professional development in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Mrs. Randina requested the Board of Education increase the district’s in-service days from 5 to 11 as to prepare for the CCSS. The board unanimously supported the superintendent, but more importantly supported their teachers. The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.

Mrs. Randina facilitated the in-service day with training and development in the new K-5 reading series called Reading Street, the new benchmark assessment program called Renaissance Learning, K-12 curriculum realignment, and student growth objectives (SGOs). As part of TeachNJ, the tenure reform act, all teachers set learning goals for their students and are evaluated, in part, on how well their students attain these goals. Mrs. Randina insisted upon setting aside time for teachers to gain a deeper level of the concept of SGOs and then have time to begin creating them. Hopatcong School District will stop at nothing to ensure all staff are prepared for the year with the materials, training, and knowledge they need for increasing student achievement.

If you would like more information on this topic, or to schedule an interview with Cynthia Randina, Superintendent of Schools, please call JoAnne Murray at 973-398-8801 or email at jmmurray@hopatcongschools.org.

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