NEW MMS MATH TEACHER NAMED, BUT STILL A WEEK AWAY

Two weeks after the surprise announcement that a popular Maplewood Middle School math teacher was being transferred to Columbia High School mid-year, the school has revealed her replacement.

But it will still be more than a week until she joins the school, with her start date set for Monday, Feb. 22.

Principal Jerrill Adams sent a letter to parents Thursday announcing that CHS graduate and Maplewood resident Pascale Bernard would take over the job. She replaces Julie Skrivanic, who had taught three sixth grade classes and an accelerated math program.

You may recall that another teacher had been hired and spent one day in class before pulling out of the job. Since then, and apparently for the next week, the affected students are being taught by a substitute teacher with the aid of other math instructors.

See Adams' letter explaining it all below:

Dear MMS Families,
 
I am excited to announce that we have hired a replacement teacher for Ms. Skrivanic’s math classes. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Pascale Bernard to the Maplewood Middle School community.

Ms. Bernard has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education from Bloomfield College. She has over seven years’ experience teacher’s mathematics to students in grades 7-12 at public and charter schools in New Jersey. Ms. Pascale is passionate about teaching and believes in building relationships with her students to help them reach their educational goals. She is a graduate of Columbia High School and a Maplewood resident, so teaching in the South Orange & Maplewood School District has always been one of her goal.

Ms. Bernard’s first day at MMS will be on Monday, February 22nd. In the meantime, she will be communicating with our 6th grade math teachers and math department supervisor, Ms. Kim Beane, to ensure she has all the curriculum, assessment, and instructional resources needed to provide your students with a great experience in math this year.

The following supports have been implemented to assist with instruction for the next (5) instructional days:
• K-8 Math Supervisor, Ms. Kim Beane, will meet with the current substitute to provide resources for all classes.
• 6th grade math teachers, Mr. Wackerman and Ms. Hunt, will share lesson plans and instructional materials to keep students on pace with their peers in College Prep and Honors.
• 7th grade math teacher, Ms. Schroeter, will share lesson plans and instructional materials to keep students on pace in the advanced honors section.
• 8th grade math teacher, Ms. Duffey, is daily providing instructional support to the advanced honors class.
• 6th grade Team leaders are providing Ms. Skrivanic’s students with access to Ms. Hunt and Mr. Wackerman during the WIN intervention period, as needed.
 
Our next step is to plan a meet and greet for parents with the new teacher, Ms. Bernard, upon her arrival and to develop an after school tutorial for all students during her first two weeks of employment to further bridge any gaps in instruction. Details will be provided the week of February 22nd.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.
Together We Can,
Jerrill M. Adams
Principal