Page 16 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 13, 2010 The Midland Park Board of Education has hired a consultant to evaluate the district’s mathematics department in grades four through 12th . Dr. Melkamu Zeleke, professor of mathematics and department chairman at William Paterson University in Wayne, will be paid $3,000 for the study. The final report Consultant to evaluate district’s math program is by June 15. Mathematics is among the first subject areas to be evaluated as part of a fiveyear curriculum review plan that the district has adopted. Funds are included in the current school budget, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Heebink. Dr. Heebink explained that while the district scores in mathematics standardized tests are fine, they are still below what the board and the administration feel they should be, particularly in comparison with other subject matter outcomes in the district. “Retaining Professor Zeleke is a positive for several reasons,” said Dr. Heebink. “He has an expertise in the area and has already done a comparable study for another Bergen district, and he brings an outside pair of eyes to the situation.” Dr. Zeleke’s study will not be done in a vacuum, Dr. Heebink stressed. The consultant will examine the curriculum in comparison with the New Jersey core content standards, looking at the district’s objective data and securing valuable input from the mathematics instructors, Dr. Heebink said. The evaluation process will include visiting a random sample of classes and collecting sample lesson plans from mathematics teachers; conducting student focus group meetings to find out about their mathematics learning experiences; meeting with the teachers to listen to their views regarding the existing curriculum, resources, awareness of the state core curriculum standards, training, etc.; and comparing and con- Midland Park Matters A Publication of the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce O’Hagan voted council president Councilman Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan was elected by his peers to lead the council in 2010 during last week’s reorganization meeting of the Midland Park Mayor and Council. Councilmen Bernard Holst and Scott Pruiksma, who won re-election in November, were sworn in to new threeyear terms. “I am honored by the support of my fellow council members for the year 2010. On behalf of the mayor and council, we look forward to governing Midland Park in the most efficient manner without impacting on the services currently provided. State aid will be reduced this year which will strain our resources. We will continue to search for grant money opportunities and of course we will continue to take advantage of shared services wherever practical,” O’Hagan said. . A 17-year veteran of the governing body, O’Hagan is the borough’s representative to the Bergen Joint Insurance Fund and serves as a commissioner of that group, which is comprised of 38 communities besides Midland Park. He is also the council’s representative to the Municipal Alliance Committee and this year is heading PBA negotiations. O’Hagan has resided in Midland Park since 1970. He is treasurer of Midland Park Lions Club and co-chairs the town Christmas display at the Water Works property on Godwin Avenue. A Realtor with Terrie O’Connor Realtors in Allendale, he is a licensed insurance agent. He is also owner of Pacesetter Business Forms. trasting the mathematics curriculum to that of similar school districts in the state. The final report will address not only compliance to the state core curriculum standards, but also student success and learning consistent with national standards set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and similar professional organization that have a stake in the education of children. “Any curriculum standard that provides a clear and specific sequence of content for all grades helps teachers to see what is taught in the grades above and below theirs, and additional resources provided with these standards guide them in lesson planning and teaching. This curriculum evaluation is going to be conducted with these outcomes in mind,” Dr. Zeleke’s proposal states. “An attempt will also be made to provide concrete and pedagogically sound suggestions in the final report to ensure that students in the Midland Park Public Schools will be getting appropriate and competitive mathematics education.” “The final product will be a resource to use for short-term and long-term improvements,” Dr. Heebink said “It is not intended to be an end-all nor a document to simply be filed away.” Patricia’s Coiffures PERMS • COLORING SHAMPOO & SET CUTTING & BLOW DRYING Like the idea and philosophy behind acupuncture but are scared of needles? Why not try Tuina Massage. Let us Gift Certificates help you relax, replenish, and rejuvenate. Available Come on in and get your 20% off with this coupon! ACKERMAN’S Music ��������������������������� Tues, Wed & Thurs 8 Godwin Plaza • 644 Godwin Ave.• Midland Park Tuesday-Saturday 9:00-4:30: Open Thursday Evenings WELLNESS CENTER ������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������ A Neighborhood Massage Therapy Center ����������������� ������������ 201-652-9608 ���������������������� ������������ ������������������������������ � ���������������������������������� � ������������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������������ ��������������������� � ������������ �������������������������� ��������������� ��������������� ������������������������������� ���������������������� ������������������� ��������������������� ���������������� ����������� ������������������� ������� ��������������� ������� �������� ������������� ��������� ������� ������������ ������ � ������������� ����� Hair Care ��� � ����� ���������������������� ��������������� � ����������������� �� ����������������������������������� �������������� ������������������� �������������������������� �������������������� ����������������������