July 14, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 Regional district sees gains in student achievement by Frank J. McMahon Ramapo Indian Hills Director of Curriculum Beverly MacKay recently presented the regional school board with a review of test scores, and the trustees were pleased with the improvements since 2002. MacKay compared the district’s test scores to other District Factor Group “I” schools in Bergen County. Ramapo Indian Hills is ranked as an “I” school district by the New Jersey Department of Education which introduced the District Factor Grouping system in 1975. The system provides a means of ranking school districts in New Jersey by their socioeconomic status and the DFG ranking is based on data from the census. The ranking system was motivated by research conducted in the late 1960s and early 1970s that showed a strong relationship between socioeconomic status and educational outcomes. The research showed that what students bring to school, including socialization that takes place before they step inside the school building, is the most important determinant of educational outcomes. The New Jersey Department of Education believes the effectiveness of school systems cannot be sensibly judged without reference to the socioeconomic background of the students. Other schools in the DFG “I” ranking are Cresskill, Demarest, Mahwah, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Pascack Hills, Pascack Valley, Ramsey, River Dell, and Tenafly. The first part of MacKay’s presentation reflected the previous year’s test results and the final four slides showed the Ramapo Indian Hills March 2010 test results as compared to the district’s March 2009 results. Those final slides showed what MacKay called “tremendous improvement in our 2010 results as compared to the last several years.” MacKay pointed out that the number of students who were partially proficient in the language arts and mathematics High School Proficiency Assessment tests went down by 47.3 percent and 31.9 percent, respectively, while the number of students who showed advanced proficiency in language arts and mathematics in those tests went up by 29 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. Although the district will not be able to compare the Ramapo Indian Hills 2010 results to other Bergen County “I” schools until next winter or spring when the state releases the state report cards for all districts, MacKay said she was very impressed with the recent improvement in the district’s test scores. “This was a total district effort this year and the building principals, supervisors, and teachers worked very hard on improving classroom assessments with a focus on the application of skills and transfer of learning,” MacKay said. But she added that the district will not really know the total scope of its test score improvement until it is measured against the gains of other Bergen County districts. “At this point, however, we are thrilled to see the focused efforts of teachers paying off in the substantial gains noted in the last four slides of the presentation,” MacKay said. Going forward, MacKay said the district would continue its focus on assessment and teaching practices which support enduring understanding, and it will continue to raise the level of awareness of district test scores with students, parents, teachers, and the community. Renewing interest in life’s joys Police chief (continued from page 3) as full compensation for two “star” days, which are just salary adjustments, and $1,050 as full compensation for two holidays. In addition, the borough will pay Conklin $1,360 as compensation for having attained an associate’s degree, and, subsequent to his retirement, Conklin will receive 100 percent of the prevailing medical, dental, and prescription drug insurance (including family coverage) at the borough’s expense, which is the same that currently exists for all full-time police officers. That insurance coverage, however, will be secondary to any insurance coverage or benefits available, or which may become available, from Medicare or any other sources of insurance. The insurance coverage provided by the borough will be discontinued for any period of time when insurance coverage is obtained as a result of other employment, although it will be reinstated upon the termination of that employment. Conklin will also have the right to retain his badges. Conklin began his employment in the borough as a police officer on June 1, 1974 and has continued to serve since that time. The severance agreement describes that extended and extraordinary service to the borough service as “distinguished and exemplary.” According to the employment agreement that was also approved by the council last week, Conklin will be appointed to the director of public safety position at the first borough council meeting in February 2011, or as soon thereafter as he is eligible to hold the position without loss or reduction in his retirement benefits. In that position, he will have all of the responsibilities described in the borough code relating to the director of public safety position. Conklin will be obligated to work a minimum of 20 hours per week but, in addition to his salary as director of public safety, he will receive 10 vacation days, seven sick days, and two personal days per year. The term of this agreement is for one year. After one year, the agreement will continue unless modified by agreement of both Conklin and the borough, or unless it is terminated by the borough. The employment agreement may be declared null and void if, for any reason, Conklin is not able to accept the position and begin his duties on or before Feb. 15, 2011. To ease the pain of spinal stenosis, sciatica, and lumbar issues, Richard Kuiken received an epidural at a local hospital. He then selected The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit (PACU) at Christian Health Care Center for his physical and occupational therapy. “I was in the PACU for about five weeks. The therapy was good, and the nursing staff was wonderful. My wife volunteers at Christian Health Care Center, and we know a lot of people who work there. Overall, I was impressed and pleased with the whole facility. It was good and clean and that is important to me. The dietitian was excellent. At the time I wasn’t eating very well. She evaluated me like I was her son. With the PACU’s therapy, I’m back to spending time as an amateur radio operator… I love speaking to people in foreign countries!” – Richard Kuiken ����������������������������������� Regain your lifestyle at the PACU. For more information, call (201) 848-5855 or visit www.chccnj.org. T H E D A V I D F. B O L G E R Post-acute Care Unit