NEWS/FEATURES Page 2
EASTSIDE
February/March 2010
Teacher to Feature: Ms. Rocchino ■ By Avra Bossov (‘11) Eastside News/Features Editor
A staple figure in the East community, Ms. Rosanne Rocchino has been at East for "too many years to remember," she said. In fact, Rocchino said, "Sometimes I feel as if I was born here." Rocchino has taught all levels of English except for English 4AP. In addition to teaching English, she teaches the SAT Review elective. During her time here, a lot has changed within the halls of East. "Students have added a whole lot more to their interests. [They're] not so focused on academics. It's probably because of the computer and the cell phone and the iPod. [The students] are into music and texting – they socialize constantly," said Rocchino. In her opinion, "[education] has become much more diverse in English especially. We've incorporated a wide spectrum of literature just by trying to relate to the multiple ethnicities in our school. We've allowed female voices to come into our classrooms, which is a big change from what things were like when I was growing up.” Rocchino can usually be
found in her classroom, ple think it is – too strict. self [in order to] develop a B235, after school most [I try to create] an order good rapport." days helping students or that promotes an academic "On the first day of administering make-up atmosphere where a stuschool, I thought she was tests. Always willing to dent can focus on learnvery strict and a little stay after to help her stuing." scary. Now, after a semesdents, Rocchino is ter, I think she is always "trying to really nice and do anything that funny," said Chriscan motivate [her] sy Paolini ('12), a students." student of Roc"Her teaching chino this year. methods were very "She tries to incorclear and thorporate everything ough. She we are learning, explained everylike vocabulary, thing in great sentence strucdetail. When she tures and the book was teaching my [we're currently class how to take reading] at the proper notes, she same time. It's would go through pretty impressive." every page of a In recent years, book and point out teaching English significant quotes," II, she tries "a said Natasha dynamic approach, A n d r i y a n y ch e v a where I don't stick ('10), who had Rocto a lesson plan. chino sophomore [Class discussions] year and works are student diwith Rocchino as rected under my Kevin Yoo (‘12)/ Eastside Staff president of the guidance. Students Ballroom Dance Rocchino can typically be found in the take themselves English wing: second-floor B-wing. Club. to a place in the "Knowing my topic that they can subject well, and trying to Mina Zakhary (‘11) said, get to. [My class] is more inspire my students to "After having Ms. spontaneous than prohave a passion for it as I Rocchino, my testing scores grammed, because the do," are both part of her soared.” class [itself] dictates it," teaching strategy, she said. Since her classes are she said. Rocchino also believes usually of a smaller size Eitan Scheinthal ('12) "having a sense of humor is due to a seminar style, agreed: "I won't look at vital and having discipline Rocchino enjoys "building another book the same way that is fair and consistent, a sense of camaraderie again," he said. but isn't –- well, some peoamong students and myIn her earlier years at
East, Rocchino was adviser of FACE, which was a club “to recognize the need for gender equality. It was both boys and girls, and we addressed the issue on an international level where there are problems of inhumane treatment based on gender," she said. At one time, she was Chinese Dance Club adviser, was a cheerleading coach "because [she's] very into sports" and "directed plays, although absolutely not at the caliber of East [plays] now." In tune with her love of sports, outside of school Rocchino is a Phillies fanatic and fan of the Eagles "when they don't get on [her] nerves." For a time, Rocchino and a group of other teachers were what they call “skating groupies” where they would follow ice-skating competitions, as spectators of course. She likes to play golf, and enjoys "all the things a usual English teacher would like: literature and the theater.” “I love live theater,” she said. "Being in a classroom interacting with students is my favorite part of teaching," said Rocchino. Indeed she does, for Rocchino remains a legendary part of the East faculty.
End-of-course testing for math to begin 2010-2011 ■ By Darby Festa (‘13) Eastside Staff
Think back to the days of middle school, when there was an entire week reserved for standardized testing. There were no classes, no grades and best of all, no homework. In high school, students believed that they had graduated from the NJASK days. However, now students throughout New Jersey will be required to take a new standardized test every year, including high school students. The test is known as an
end-of-course test. At the end of May, students will be assessed on the math skills they developed over the school year. Mr. Anthony Trongone, the math supervisor for the district, said, "The HSPA does not prepare students for entry level, college mathematics courses.” According to Trongone, unlike the HSPA, the tests will apply to students from seventh through twelfth grade, not just juniors. The purpose of this test is to evaluate students and make sure that the correct material for the course is being taught, according to
Mr. Joseph Dilks, East math teacher. The state plans to administer the tests in the spring of 2011. However, Dr. John Burns, the director of Mathematics and Physical Science, said, "This is the plan for now, but with a new governor and a new commissioner of education, it is subject to change." According to Trongone, the end course assessments will begin next year, starting with Algebra 1 only. This means that any student who is enrolled in either Enriched Algebra, Algebra 1R or Introduction
Mathlete numbers soar ■ By Devon Braunstein (‘10) Eastside Managing Editor
East students have been participating in the New Jersey Mathlete math contests for the past thirty years, competing against students from at least one hundred other schools in New Jersey. The math contests are held every month or so in select classrooms in the math wing. Mr. Jeff Killion, who runs the contest at East, asks other math teachers to volunteer their time and classrooms from 2:30 to 3:00 to distribute and proctor the tests. Each round Killion, along with
about ten volunteer proctors, hands out 300 tests to eager students looking to challenge themselves with the six complex math questions. According to Killion, up until just a few years ago, only around 120 to 150 students participated in the contests. During the past two years, however, the math contests have drawn up to 300 students, which is apparent through the crowds of students flocking to the math wing on math contest days. After each round of the contest, Killion collects and grades each test, taking the top six scorers and
submitting those scores to NJ Mathlete to represent the school. Then, NJ Mathlete ranks the participating schools. At the end of the school year, the top student and top school are honored with plaques. Two years ago, East ranked eleventh in the state and last year ranked third. East has also been ranked number one out of the South Jersey schools for the past decade. As of the third contest this year, East is ranked number one. Looking at the students' progression thus far, Killion predicts that East will place even higher this year.
to Functions will be required to pass the test. Two years later, students will have to take and pass Algebra 1 and Geometry assessments. Four years later, they will take assessments on Algebra 1 and 2 ,as well as Geometry. Dilks said, "I think [the test] is a good idea. If you have a diploma, you want it to mean something. I think that students will rise to the occasion and pass this test." The end-of-course test is now part of graduation requirements: if students do not pass the test, they cannot graduate. However,
the test scores will not count for a class grade, according to Burns. There are two parts to this test. The first part must be completed without a calculator, and the second part allows a calculator. "There is a mix of multiple-choice questions and open-ended,” Dilks said. So welcome back to the days of standardized testing. Remember, get a good night's sleep, eat a filling breakfast, and bring a number 2 pencil. Art by Avra Bossov (‘11)/ Eastside News/Feature Editor