WEBVTT 00:00:02.250 --> 00:00:04.099 Welcome to the Castle Connection. 00:00:04.166 --> 00:00:06.750 I am your building principal, Jared Claiborne. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:08.233 It is September 1st. 00:00:08.300 --> 00:00:11.666 We're live here in the TV studio, the Emmy 00:00:11.666 --> 00:00:14.849 Award-winning Channel 19 with Mr. K in 00:00:14.849 --> 00:00:18.066 the back behind the scenes, and I am with the one, 00:00:18.083 --> 00:00:20.783 Dr. Frank Dorico. 00:00:20.899 --> 00:00:24.266 He has earned his doctorate after a couple years of hard, hard work. 00:00:24.316 --> 00:00:26.116 Congratulations, sir. 00:00:26.183 --> 00:00:27.750 Thank you for joining me on this episode. 00:00:27.800 --> 00:00:31.283 Well, I appreciate the, um, the congratulations, 00:00:31.283 --> 00:00:34.399 and I appreciate more of the support you and the team has given me over this journey 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:37.583 over the last, uh, three and a half years, so... 00:00:37.633 --> 00:00:38.299 It's been a ride. 00:00:38.366 --> 00:00:39.383 It has been... 00:00:39.433 --> 00:00:40.216 So what is your doctorate in? 00:00:40.283 --> 00:00:42.200 It is an educational leadership. 00:00:42.316 --> 00:00:42.983 Okay. 00:00:43.033 --> 00:00:44.350 From Liberty University. 00:00:44.416 --> 00:00:45.799 It's about a 3.5 year process. 00:00:45.866 --> 00:00:47.133 Awesome, awesome. 00:00:47.183 --> 00:00:50.416 And, uh, yeah, it's been awesome to support you, and, uh, 00:00:50.416 --> 00:00:53.416 I know that, uh, your experiences help pave the way for 00:00:53.416 --> 00:00:55.450 that, and, uh, we're very proud of you. 00:00:55.516 --> 00:00:58.883 And so I'm happy that everybody will be able to refer 00:00:58.883 --> 00:01:00.500 to you as Dr. Darika. 00:01:00.616 --> 00:01:00.983 Yes. 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:01.700 Awesome. 00:01:01.766 --> 00:01:04.816 Okay, a couple announcements for you on 00:01:04.816 --> 00:01:07.150 this episode of The Castle Connection. 00:01:07.216 --> 00:01:10.283 It is September 1st, which means school starts tomorrow 00:01:10.283 --> 00:01:11.366 the 2nd. 00:01:11.416 --> 00:01:12.683 We are excited. 00:01:12.733 --> 00:01:15.799 I want to guarantee to you that we are in 00:01:15.799 --> 00:01:18.983 a safe and a fully capable building ready for 00:01:18.983 --> 00:01:21.200 your students this school year. 00:01:21.266 --> 00:01:24.266 Maintenance has done a fabulous job, making sure that this 00:01:24.266 --> 00:01:27.333 space is clean and prepared to meet 00:01:27.333 --> 00:01:30.383 the needs of your students and our staff so that they can 00:01:30.383 --> 00:01:33.616 educationally reach you and meet your students, 00:01:33.616 --> 00:01:35.416 and it's gonna be a great, great year. 00:01:35.483 --> 00:01:38.833 One of our big announcements, we're very proud to say, is 00:01:38.833 --> 00:01:41.950 that we will have a full time school resource 00:01:41.966 --> 00:01:44.366 officer, and that is Mr. Patrick Simms. 00:01:44.416 --> 00:01:47.599 Mr. Sims is a graduate of Sterling High School, member 00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:49.400 of the Summerdale Police Department. 00:01:49.466 --> 00:01:52.700 Again, this is in partnership with the Summerdale Borough, 00:01:52.700 --> 00:01:57.316 and the police department that we place a full time SRO in our building. 00:01:57.383 --> 00:02:00.383 We had a wonderful opportunity where we saw multiple 00:02:00.383 --> 00:02:02.416 of the officers over the course of last year. 00:02:02.533 --> 00:02:05.533 Thankful that Officer Sims is interested in 00:02:05.533 --> 00:02:09.550 this position, and he will be in for the remainder of this year. 00:02:09.616 --> 00:02:12.683 Mr. Dariker, can you tell me some of the things you also work with 00:02:12.683 --> 00:02:15.983 the SRO on specifically new 00:02:15.983 --> 00:02:17.483 Officer Sims? 00:02:17.533 --> 00:02:20.650 Yeah, so what we work on is keeping our school safe as 00:02:20.666 --> 00:02:23.783 a school safety specialist, we work on organizing our safety 00:02:23.783 --> 00:02:25.466 drills, corresponding that information. 00:02:25.583 --> 00:02:29.250 He is our liaison with outside districts when they run their drills. 00:02:29.366 --> 00:02:32.483 We just work on developing positive relationships with 00:02:32.483 --> 00:02:35.849 students, and making sure that everyone is in a safe and secure place. 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:37.099 Excellent. 00:02:37.216 --> 00:02:39.016 So he did his mandated training. 00:02:39.083 --> 00:02:41.849 He's gonna do a couple tasks that we assign him here. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:45.616 He maintains a couple tasks that he does for the borough, 00:02:45.616 --> 00:02:49.516 at the police station, as well, but you'll see him here daily. 00:02:49.583 --> 00:02:51.866 So please feel free to reach out and say hello. 00:02:51.983 --> 00:02:55.166 He does have a sterling email, as well, and can respond, 00:02:55.166 --> 00:02:57.383 if should you need, have a need. 00:02:57.650 --> 00:02:59.233 Okay, we're going to welcome our students. 00:02:59.300 --> 00:03:00.016 We're excited about that. 00:03:00.083 --> 00:03:03.199 With that means students are gonna come, starting 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:06.433 tomorrow, ready to go, which means we maintain, 00:03:06.433 --> 00:03:10.099 as the state of New Jersey requires, a cell phone free campus. 00:03:10.166 --> 00:03:12.750 Each district has a way of doing it on their own. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:15.866 We are going to be in our second full year of 00:03:15.866 --> 00:03:18.983 how we've implemented our phone free and distraction free 00:03:18.983 --> 00:03:21.750 campus, and that is using the yonder pouches. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:25.333 So, Mr. D, what good students expect right away tomorrow? 00:03:25.400 --> 00:03:28.400 So when you come in, you're gonna have your yonder pouch ready to 00:03:28.400 --> 00:03:29.483 present, locking your phone up. 00:03:29.533 --> 00:03:32.050 You should have it button facing us, so we can check it. 00:03:32.116 --> 00:03:35.233 If you do have a broken pouch, you want to notify 00:03:35.233 --> 00:03:36.733 us so we can get that taken care of. 00:03:36.866 --> 00:03:39.916 If you choose not to bring a phone, then you are still 00:03:39.916 --> 00:03:42.133 to show your pouch as you enter the door. 00:03:42.199 --> 00:03:45.383 The magnets will be there to unlock at the end of the day, and 00:03:45.383 --> 00:03:48.500 just understand that there are random checks throughout the day, just to maintain 00:03:48.500 --> 00:03:52.699 the integrity of the program and ensuring that you are placing your proper phone in there. 00:03:52.816 --> 00:03:55.099 But if you have any issues with you're paying out. 00:03:55.166 --> 00:03:58.283 It's broken, damaged, things like that, please see an administrator at the door, 00:03:58.283 --> 00:04:00.750 so we can get you routed and get a replacement. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:04.766 Okay, and remember, this is everybody's warning, okay? 00:04:04.816 --> 00:04:06.433 This is not new for us. 00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:09.916 It might be new for freshmen or for your new to Sterling High School, but 00:04:09.916 --> 00:04:13.283 you guys all know the procedures and your expectations we're going to maintain. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.033 So make sure that you're partnering with us to put those away. 00:04:16.100 --> 00:04:19.216 Again, in case of emergency, we can contact 00:04:19.216 --> 00:04:22.216 you, and you can contact us at an office, we'll make sure 00:04:22.216 --> 00:04:24.983 that we are supporting you and your student. 00:04:25.033 --> 00:04:27.616 With that, we'll also check dress code right away. 00:04:27.683 --> 00:04:28.699 First day, dress code. 00:04:28.816 --> 00:04:29.600 Right? 00:04:29.666 --> 00:04:30.149 Yep. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:33.500 So what we want to make sure we ensure is that you do not have flip flops 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:37.033 or slides on or any type of slippers. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:40.166 Your outfit should be neck to belt line, shoulder to shoulder. 00:04:40.283 --> 00:04:41.899 And so we will be looking at that. 00:04:41.966 --> 00:04:44.966 Keep in mind, you can bring a book back to school, but that book bag will 00:04:44.966 --> 00:04:48.566 need to be placed within your locker, and you will need to use 00:04:48.566 --> 00:04:49.949 the school issue the laptop bag. 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:52.166 So the things we'll be checking for is footwear. 00:04:52.283 --> 00:04:55.466 Make sure you have a shirt or jacket, neck to belt line, 00:04:55.466 --> 00:04:56.850 and shoulder to shoulder. 00:04:56.899 --> 00:04:59.116 If not, you'll be redirected to the VPO. 00:04:59.183 --> 00:05:02.116 And, Mr. Zerico, send out the student handbook. 00:05:02.183 --> 00:05:05.300 You guys have to sign off that you've read through, or 00:05:05.300 --> 00:05:08.416 at least perused the handbook before 00:05:08.416 --> 00:05:11.716 registering, 'cause you have to complete annual en course registration. 00:05:11.783 --> 00:05:14.250 So we're not the first line of defense at the door. 00:05:14.300 --> 00:05:17.366 Actually, you are, as parents, hopefully, you're having those 00:05:17.366 --> 00:05:20.600 conversations with your student before they're leaving the house or the night before. 00:05:20.666 --> 00:05:23.483 And then as they come here, they know what the expectations are. 00:05:23.533 --> 00:05:25.933 Now, with that being said, we are going to allow. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:29.066 On Thursday, occasionally, we try to bend 00:05:29.066 --> 00:05:32.066 a little bit, students will be able to wear flip flops and 00:05:32.066 --> 00:05:35.783 slide on Thursday only, that is, September 3rd, 00:05:35.783 --> 00:05:37.283 because that's gonna be our activity day. 00:05:37.333 --> 00:05:39.916 We're gonna be focusing on our one book, one school. 00:05:39.983 --> 00:05:43.033 We're gonna go outside for some activities, so we want to make sure they have a little 00:05:43.033 --> 00:05:44.116 fun on that day. 00:05:44.183 --> 00:05:45.149 All right? 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.366 So we give and take a little bit as well. 00:05:47.416 --> 00:05:50.533 Okay, speaking of which, tomorrow, Wednesday, 00:05:50.533 --> 00:05:54.366 and then Thursday, or half days, or 12 p.m., dismissals. 00:05:54.433 --> 00:05:54.966 Okay? 00:05:55.100 --> 00:05:58.216 Tomorrow, students are going to go through all their classes, all 00:05:58.216 --> 00:06:01.516 eight bells, and then on Thursday, they'll do the same, 00:06:01.516 --> 00:06:05.350 but we're really going to focus on our one book one school initiative, 00:06:05.366 --> 00:06:07.350 and our theme of choices matter. 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:10.100 So your teachers have all been talking about this. 00:06:10.166 --> 00:06:11.133 They've read the book. 00:06:11.183 --> 00:06:14.300 They're looking at ways to infuse this theme 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:17.366 into everything that we do at Strolling High 00:06:17.366 --> 00:06:18.983 School throughout the course of the year. 00:06:19.033 --> 00:06:22.149 They will be looking for you to 00:06:22.166 --> 00:06:24.633 maybe have red portions of the book at certain times. 00:06:24.683 --> 00:06:27.199 So it's something parents make sure your student still has it. 00:06:27.316 --> 00:06:28.399 They find it. 00:06:28.516 --> 00:06:29.833 Yes, they should bring it to school. 00:06:29.899 --> 00:06:32.966 Yes, bring your laptop back to school, the first day, and your 00:06:32.966 --> 00:06:36.133 laptop, bring your book, one book, one school, 00:06:36.133 --> 00:06:38.466 the other West Moore, so that you're ready to participate. 00:06:38.533 --> 00:06:41.649 And if you didn't read it, mom and dad, if they didn't read it, 00:06:41.666 --> 00:06:45.133 it's okay, we're gonna start with a baseline on Thursday, we're 00:06:45.133 --> 00:06:46.399 all gonna read the same selection. 00:06:46.516 --> 00:06:49.699 So every person's gonna have the opportunity to participate. 00:06:49.766 --> 00:06:51.566 And again, remember, it's the theme. 00:06:51.616 --> 00:06:54.616 So we're going to talk a lot about the theme and infuse the book, the 00:06:54.616 --> 00:06:56.350 book is a tool for our theme. 00:06:56.416 --> 00:06:57.683 So be prepared for that. 00:06:57.733 --> 00:06:58.449 Please make sure you have it. 00:06:59.350 --> 00:07:00.316 Did I miss anything with that? 00:07:00.383 --> 00:07:01.166 No, I've covered it. 00:07:01.216 --> 00:07:01.699 Okay, great. 00:07:01.766 --> 00:07:03.683 A couple other points of interest. 00:07:03.733 --> 00:07:05.716 Remember the nurse I sent out an email. 00:07:05.783 --> 00:07:09.016 If your student has annual nursing 00:07:09.016 --> 00:07:12.083 prescriptions, all that stuff has to be updated annually. 00:07:12.199 --> 00:07:15.683 You can't just assume that the nurse knows, doctor's 00:07:15.683 --> 00:07:18.316 notes that prescribe something, they need to be updated. 00:07:18.383 --> 00:07:22.216 There is no assuming in those scenarios, make sure that information is 00:07:22.216 --> 00:07:24.133 getting, has been given to the nurse. 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:26.000 Free and reduced lunch. 00:07:26.066 --> 00:07:29.550 Also sent out a separate email, or the same email, had that information as well. 00:07:29.666 --> 00:07:32.899 Make sure, if you don't know, and you might be on the edge. 00:07:33.649 --> 00:07:34.633 Fill out the application. 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.316 We'll help and partner with you. 00:07:36.383 --> 00:07:39.433 It is an online application, but we want you to be able 00:07:39.433 --> 00:07:41.716 to get every opportunity for your student. 00:07:41.783 --> 00:07:44.833 And, of course, if you didn't know, you know, state funding that 00:07:44.833 --> 00:07:46.266 comes to us is based on that. 00:07:46.333 --> 00:07:49.516 So it's important that you are honest and put information down 00:07:49.516 --> 00:07:52.883 on the free reduced lunch application. 00:07:53.750 --> 00:07:57.083 One other announcement is, we've been implementing 00:07:57.083 --> 00:08:00.083 over the course of last year and this year, the Latin honor system. 00:08:00.133 --> 00:08:03.250 So one of the things you're gonna see go away at Sterling High School is 00:08:03.266 --> 00:08:06.566 the designation of a salutatorian 00:08:06.566 --> 00:08:08.433 and valedictorian, okay? 00:08:08.483 --> 00:08:10.883 And instead, we're not going to have a top 10, top 20. 00:08:11.116 --> 00:08:12.983 We did not have these last year of graduation. 00:08:13.033 --> 00:08:16.933 This is something that we've progressed to, because two reasons. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:20.300 Number one, is we want to make sure we celebrate as many students as 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:22.633 we possibly can, as they've earned achievement. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:24.266 This is similar to a college level. 00:08:24.316 --> 00:08:25.033 Okay? 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.166 And in a second, we're trying to eliminate some of the pitting against each 00:08:28.166 --> 00:08:30.750 other that we find in a small school is very common. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:31.816 students doing. 00:08:31.883 --> 00:08:35.299 So, Mrs. Considine and I can answer more questions about that. 00:08:35.366 --> 00:08:38.483 But I did want to make sure you had that information that we are 00:08:38.483 --> 00:08:41.833 moving to a Latin honor system when it talks about your graduation 00:08:41.833 --> 00:08:43.933 status at the end of your four years here. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:48.200 Those are my big things, Mr. D. 00:08:48.266 --> 00:08:49.700 We are excited about the year. 00:08:49.766 --> 00:08:52.816 I'm proud of the teachers, as they participate in our first 00:08:52.816 --> 00:08:55.033 two professional development days. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:56.416 They're ready to go. 00:08:56.483 --> 00:08:58.049 Again, the one book one school. 00:08:58.166 --> 00:09:00.333 We've been looking at gray books, gray book practices. 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:02.716 Really, really proud of that. 00:09:02.783 --> 00:09:05.899 You know, improving the data and how they use it. 00:09:05.966 --> 00:09:09.333 So I really feel confident that it's gonna be another fantastic year. 00:09:10.250 --> 00:09:12.683 Dr. Dreka, I appreciate you joining me, Mr. K. 00:09:12.733 --> 00:09:14.000 Thank you for your time, as always. 00:09:14.066 --> 00:09:15.149 Any questions? 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:16.633 Do not hesitate to reach out. 00:09:16.700 --> 00:09:19.700 We look forward to seeing your students, and that they have a 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:23.233 fantastic 2627 school year. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:26.416 And remember that every day, your choice will matter. 00:09:26.483 --> 00:09:27.450 Go nights.