Our Prep year is off to a fantastic start as our students have begun to embrace our routine and schedule. This year we welcomed two full classes of 16 in our Ramsey and Oakland facilities. At Prep, our focus is to foster growth in our students in three key areas; By offering a comprehensive academic curriculum, taught by experienced instructors, and reinforcing study skills throughout, we help our students achieve success and comfort with the challenges in the classroom. With a robust personal development program our students pair class lessons and ongoing activities to promote their growth as confident young adults becoming productive members of their communities. These lessons/activities highlight leadership, gratitude, mindfulness, ownership, civic duty, service, and so much more. We are excited to share some of the great things happening in the program through the opening weeks. |
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Career, Culture & Current Events |
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In CCC (Career, Culture, and Current Events), we have jumped right in to all aspects of the course. Our first current events discussions centered around the topic of finance and investing. Students summarized articles, presented them to the class, and led group discussions related to them. They highlighted and defined any new vocabulary terms. As part of our culture curriculum students wrote a reflection paper on discussions they had at home with family members and their memories of September 11 and the time after. Students also explored what their own towns have done in memory of that time. Many students visited and shared pictures of monuments or other commemorative displays they learned about. |
We have also met with two people as part of our career development program. First we hiked in Harriman State Park with Mike Malandra then went back to his martial arts center in Suffern. There Mike gave us a lesson in self defense and avoiding confrontation. Following that, we had a long form discussion where he shared his background and how he has turned two of his passions in life into successful small businesses. Before we left, we toured his photo gallery to see some of the amazing landscape shots he has captured in his travels over the last 20 years. In our reports following the visit it was interesting to read the students thoughts about being an entrepreneur and potentially owning their own small business. |
Next we met with TJ Spizzo, a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial. We had many takeaways from our meeting with TJ, who realized in high school he wanted to work in finance when he took a money and banking class. TJ also gave some great insight into what it takes to balance athletics and academics as a football player in a Power Five conference. He was also nice enough to provide us with some tips for investing as we have all opened up stock portfolio as part of our year long investment challenge in personal development. Over the next few weeks we will be exploring a number of different career fields including law enforcement, NFL agent, restaurateur, professional athlete, orthopedic surgeon, and more. |
The students have shown an impressive interest in health and nutrition! They've already covered two important chapters on making wellness a lifestyle and what factors affect food choices (ie, heritage, genetics, gender, social influence and mental health) Students were challenged with creating nutrition goals they will work towards this year, with some common themes such as: eating breakfast, getting more sleep and increasing fruits & vegetables. They will continue to learn about the mind / body relationship and how it affects everything from longevity to sports performance - which always hits home with the athletes! This week students will be introduced to the importance of food safety and how our food supply is regulated for safe human consumption. Don't be surprised if your son is obsessively checking the temperature in your refrigerator after that lesson! They never forget the danger zone! |
Sports Psychology & Leadership |
On the first day of class, the students defined the terms Psychology, Sports Psychology, Team and Leadership in their own words and will revisit these definitions to see how they change as they learn more about the topics. So far we have covered an introduction to the topic of Sports Psychology and a brief history of the field and how it grew to where it is today. The students have been very engaged and excited to learn and have shared their experiences in sports thus far. In the next few weeks they will begin to talk about the concept of motivation as it relates to sports performance, and the students will take their first test. |
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In our first week of language arts classes we have begun to explore the book Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell and how the concepts in the book can mirror the current program that the boys are in. The concept of active reading as opposed to passive reading is a skill that we have been practicing and an approach that will help these learners in their comprehension abilities, as well as their essay writing skills. A focus on vocabulary and sentence structure is always included in our class discussions and homework assignments. One of our goals is to develop higher thinkers that can pull ideas, concepts and comparisons from the text that they are reading, and, to grow ideas and determine themes from the material presented to them. |
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In our first few weeks of math classes we have reviewed some number theory and important vocabulary. Identifying number sets, order of operations, union and intersection, and some graphing have all been part of our first unit. We have also begun to prepare for the HSPT by allocating time for standardized test practice and review. |
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We kicked off our year in science with an opening day crime scene. The purpose for this activity was to see how well the students could observe and recall details from a crime scene. They enjoyed sharing this experience with their classmates. The goal for this year is to help students develop critical thinking skills through the study of Forensics. Being perceptive and open-minded are key, not only, in becoming a good Forensic Investigator but also in handling everyday life situations. Forensics incorporates many science disciplines, including Biology. To date, students have learned the importance of lab safety. Both the Forensic and Biological topics to be covered this year, will be enhanced with many hands-on labs beginning in a few weeks. In addition to learning about lab safety protocol and performing observational activities, students are currently studying about the History of Forensics. This unit covers the use of deductive reasoning skills, the meaning of Forensics, its importance to the Criminal Justice System and the many individuals who contributed to this field.
In the upcoming weeks the focus will shift from Forensics to Biology. A foundation in Biology is needed for students to better comprehend the Forensic course material. Students will review the Scientific Method that incorporates both deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning skills. They will receive training on the proper use of one of the most important tools in science, the microscope and will learn about the basic unit of life, the cell. My expectation for this dual Forensic/Biology Course is that it will be a gratifying experience for all my students.
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Students have embraced all aspects of our personal development course and have already completed many independent activities; win the morning, household chores, tutor a sibling, present work to the class, open a student checking account to name just a few. Our first class lesson was centered around Coach Urban Meyer's Above The Line philosophy. Students created a template where they placed the character traits and qualities they would like associated with them above the line and ones they should try to avoid below the line. The idea is, when faced with a challenge or decision in life, you should work to stay Above the Line! Next week we will all be exploring and learning about the forms of local government in our own home towns in advance of meeting with NJ State Assemblywoman Lisa Swain. Over the next few weeks all the area private high schools will be visting to introduce their programs to our students in advance of applications going out in the coming months. |
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Prior to the start of classes this summer we brought all of our students in for an initial training evaluation to collect some data related to body composition, speed, and strength. We use the InBody scale to provide biometrics and a variety of movements to collect speed and strength data. Students tested with a mile run, 40 yd sprint, push-up, pull-up, sit-up, and prowler push. Each quarter, students not only receive a report with grades for the academic subjects, but we will do the training assessment as well to give us some data to compare to our summer baseline. It will be very exciting to see the progress our students are making as their hard work pays off both in and out of the classroom. |
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Training is going well. The initial block required some getting used to. Students have been learning the foundational movements to the program in preparation of more intensive work. We have covered basics in running, jumping, landing & deceleration mechanics as well as have started to build the foundation of general & aerobic strength. Our upcoming blocks will include a greater exposure to speed work as well as continue to improve general fitness. |
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The students are adjusting to the training routine and hammering down the fundamentals of exercise. For the first few weeks we've been introducing them to basic exercises, focusing on form and movement mechanics. We've been incorporating some partner exercises to help teach the students how to work together and support each other. The students are eager to motivate each other and are developing a good team rapport. We look forward to building upon these fundamentals throughout the rest of the school year. |
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Follow The Prep Class of ‘22 as they explore the #pathlesstraveled |
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