Motivate, MENTOR, and Inspire... Sounds Great but what does it mean?

Chief Pascoe says the the inherent role of upperclassmen cadets is to motivate, mentor, and inspire. Let us take a look at the concept of mentoring...being a mentor to other cadets.

What does the word mentor mean?  What is mentorship? 

Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. The mentor may be older or younger than the person being mentored, but she or he must have a certain area of expertise. It is a learning and development partnership between someone with vast experience and someone who wants to learn.^[1] Mentorship experience and relationship structure affect the "amount of psychosocial support, career guidance, role modeling, and communication that occurs in the mentoring relationships in which the protégés and mentors engaged."

Lets take a look at the concept of peer mentoring in high school:

Here is another look:

Do not confuse peer mentoring with peer mediation. Mediation is a skill a mentor will use with a mentee and others, but it is usually focused on a disagreement or conflict resolution. 

Let us take a look at how mentoring can have an impact on a particular area of concern: Teen Suicide .  (Click on the hyper link link in the word to watch a video.)

The focus of this class is not on teen suicide but merely using an example of how peer mentoring can have a positive impact on a serious topic like this. 

Class Activity:

Step One: Form into small groups and as a group discuss and develop some areas that Cadets can form into peer mentoring relationships. Have one person in each group be the leaders and take notes and turn them into the teacher

Step Two: Come back together as a class and discuss and share responses as a larger group on examples of how a cadet can establish a mentoring relationship and what are the benefits of doing so?

Here is a picture of a former cadet overseas in Spain studying abroad...mentoring is a lifelong skill once you learn it. 

President Elect Trump and the Peaceful Transition of Power - Hallmark of Democracy

We have been studying the Presidential Election for 2016, and it is finally over. The votes are in and the American people through the electoral process elected Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. 

Class Room Task: 
1. View each video and then discuss the content of the video.
2.  After you watch all of the videos break up into small groups. Pretend each group is part of the Trump Transition team, and develop some key transition focus points (areas of focus: Diplomatic, Domestic, Information, Legal and Justice, Military, and Economic) for President Trump to successfully take over power.   

Now, Lets look at how this this transition will take place. 

Lets take a look at Hillary Clinton's Concession speech.

Here is President Elect Trump's acceptance speech.

The present President needs to recognize the President Elect as his replacement regardless of the political differences. Here is what President Obama said about candidate Donald Trump during the campaign. 

For background, remember when Trump attended the White  House Correspondent's Dinner in 2015. It was believed that President Obama humiliated Donald Trump so much he chose to run for President. Imagine the irony when President Elect Trump and takes over the country from President Obama....?

Important for President Obama to publicly and positively to accept the newly elected President.

Trump Impact on World Order?

Impact on Supreme Court

Analyze each and synthesize your transition focus points for Trump Team.

Good Luck,

Period 2 on November 2: Uniform Day and Debate Prep

Cadets,

I will not be in class for Block Two today but here is plan of the Day for your class period:

1. Accountability for Uniform Wear by each Cadet. Teacher will take By Name review of who has their uniform and who does not, regardless of excuses.

2. Watching Presidential Debate Highlights. Watch these debate highlights. our debate is more structured and is not as "Question and Answer" as the Presidential Debates. Here are the highlights from the First, Second, and Third Presidential Debates. Each is 34 minutes long. Take notes of what debating techniques each candidate uses AND do thy personally attack each other or talk about the issues.

3.  Drill Knock Out. In the back of the classroom. Can you lead yourselves or do you need an adult to monitor you to accomplish this...?

4. Your Own Debate Prep. Make sure you load all of your individual debate data on your teams Google Doc. Next class period you will rehearse your Debate portion as a team, checking on the time,quality of speaking parts, and evidence or facts included in YOUR portion of the debate.

15 Year Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

Overview:  

http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks

https://youtu.be/FLXiH45wi4Y

https://youtu.be/qPKjg0I4SnQ

HBO

WTC Photos

Pentagon

WHITE HOUSE

2016 First Day of Physical Fitness and Health Management

Our BMHS Navy JROTC Physical Fitness and Health Management modules are typically held on Fridays on the rotating Block Schedule. Our focus is on you learning about getting yourself in the best shape you can, developing healthy lifestyle choices, and learning how to manage stress in your life. 

Above are videos from one of our past Presidents (President John F. Kennedy) who thought youth physical fitness was (and is) a national priority. This movement generated the President's Council on Physical Fitness which is the basis of our NJROTC Physical Training program. The last video is from Harvard which speaks to four considerations for a healthy lifestyle. 

School Year 2016

Success in life is about setting goals, making smart decisions, forming good habits that become positive behaviors, associating with people who bring out the best in you, and working effectively with groups (form teams). Life is about teams: family, friends, class periods, work shifts, sports teams, and your neighborhood community. Those groups need followers and strong leaders in order to be effective.

The BMHS Navy JROTC program can help you with all of the above if you have the right attitude, think of others, and put forth effort and work at it.

2016 Senior JROTC Final Exam

2016 Senior JROTC Final EXAM: Setting Yourself Up for Next Year College / Work Force

2016 SENIORS NJROTC FINAL EXAM

Failing to Plan is Planning To Fail.

Purpose: The purpose of this final examination is for Senior Cadets is to create a financial planning product that will help them plan their post high school plan for this upcoming fall. They should be able to use what you learn from this examination during the summer as you plan for the fall.

Pre-Exam Preparation: Spend time prior to the exam analyzing your future financial situation in the fall, consider the below expense factors (feel free to add any more you feel are relevant) and develop (synthesize) your financial plan.

Financial Expenses Factors for Fall 2016

• Living Arrangements
• Living at Home
• Rent
• Food
• Make meals / cook
• Eat Out / Fast Food
• School
• Tuition
• Books
• Room and Board
• Transportation
• Car
• Insurance
• Gas
• Bus / Subway
• Pass
• Phone
• Data Plan
• Other Expenses
• Medical
• Dental
• Prescription
• Income Plan:
• How will you earn money?
• How will you pay for these expenses?

Your Final Exam: Based upon your pre-exam analysis and preparation above, you are required to conduct two graded tasks (one written task prior to the exam and one verbal task during the exam):

• Pre-Exam Task: Complete a detailed two to three page Fall 2016 Personal Financial Expense Plan which include each category of expenses (Living Arrangements, Food, School, Transportation, Phone, Other: Medical & Dental) and how you plan on paying for these expenses. Turn this plan into the SNSI on your last JROTC class period before your Final Exam.
• You need to develop a spreadsheet which lists the expenses and your plan to pay those expenses as well.
• Exam Task: Using your Fall 2016 Personal Financial Expense Plan, and associated spreadsheet to brief the SNSI on your personal financial plan for the fall. Ensure you address not only the specific expenses by category but how you plan on paying for each expense based on your required income as you will be assessed based on your ability to articulate your plan. This briefing will be conducted during your Final Exam period.

THE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR FINALS ARE PUBLISHED BY THE SCHOOL.

If you have any questions make sure you contact me AT BOTH rfkillackey@gmail.com and killackeyr@norwalkps.org .

2016 Upperclassmen JROTC (Non-Seniors) Final Exam Brief

2016 Upperclassmen Final Exam: Using Your Summer To Set Yourself Up for Success Next Year

2016 Upperclassmen JROTC Final Exam

Purpose: The purpose of this final examination for Upperclassmen (9,10,11 graders) Cadets is to create a product that will have relevance to your plans this summer to prepare yourself for next year both professionally and personally. You should be able to use what you learn from this examination during your summer and to help you attain goals in the future.

Cadet Sposato and Chief Pascoe

Pre-Exam Preparation: Spend time prior to the exam analyzing your summer, consider the below factors (feel free to add any more you feel are relevant) and develop (synthesize) your summer plan.

Summer Tasks:

• Work
• How can you earn money this summer?
• Where, Doing What, Hours, Salary
• Volunteer / Community Service
• Where can you perform community service or volunteer?
• Where, When, For Whom
• Exercise and Health
• President’s Physical Fitness Program
• Other Physical Activity of Your Choice
• Relax / Vacation
• Traveling (with family if possible)
• Stay-cation: Day Trips from home
• Professional Development
• College Prep: Generic College Essay
• Check Out Colleges Online (Which Ones)
• College Tour (Local or while on Vacation)
• SAT / ACT Prep (How, Where?)
• Personal Development
• Family Relationships
• Parents and Guardians
• Siblings (Brothers & Sisters)
• Other Relatives
• Friend Relationships
• Reading (What Books?)
• Select two Books You Want To Read This Summer that will assist in your personal or professional development.

Your Final Exam: Using your pre-exam analysis and preparation, you are required to conduct two graded tasks (one written task prior to the exam and one verbal task during the exam):

• Pre-Exam Task: Complete a detailed two to three page 2016 Personal Summer Plan and turn it in at the beginning of the last JROTC class period before your scheduled exam to the SNSI.
• List and explain all of the specific tasks (Work, Volunteer / Community Service, Exercise and Health, Relax/Vacation, Professional, Personal, Reading) you plan to perform.
• Place all of these specific tasks on a calendar (June, July, August). You will use this calendar during the Exam Task.  
• YOU WILL TURN THIS WRITTEN PRODUCT IN DURING THE LAST JROTC CLASS PERIOD PRIOR TO YOUR FINAL.  
• Exam Task: Using your 2016 Personal Summer Plan, and associated calendar, brief the SNSI on your personal plan for the summer. Ensure you address not only the summer tasks but specifically how you plan to accomplish them and when by using the calendar.  
• YOU WILL PRESENT THIS VERBALLY TO THE SNSI DURING YOUR SCHEDULED FINAL EXAM PERIOD.

THE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR FINALS ARE PUBLISHED BY THE SCHOOL.

If you have any questions make sure you contact me AT BOTH rfkillackey@gmail.com and killackeyr@norwalkps.org .

SUB PLAN Upperclassmen Week of May 23 (Mon) to May 27 (Friday)

My Substitute Teacher Plan for this week is as follows: 

The following Cadets are designated Class Leaders in support of executing the schedule, assisting the substitute teacher, and administrative responsibilities.

Class Leaders 
Period 2: Cadet Canahui, Cadet Elvir (Asst.)
Period 4:  Cadet Simeon, Cadet Bastidas (Asst.)
Period 6:  Cadet Steven Ramos, Cadet Kilcoyne (Asst.)
Period 7:  Cadet Carmona, Cadet Kovach (Asst.) 

Admin & Logistics for Chief Pascoe:

1. (Tuesday) send out an Invitation Email to BMHS Staff (via Housemaster Mary Michailidis) to participate in Memorial Day In School class Trip during Periods 2 (8:21 am) through the end of Period 7 (1:24 pm). All Classes are welcome, visiting teachers must accompany their students. If visiting students stop going to Memorial Day stations and are just "hanging out", we ask the teachers to take them back to class. 
2. (Tuesday) send out an Invitation Email to Norwalk Veterans Committee and Navy League to attend the Memorial Day Presentations at BMHS Auditorium from approximately 8:30 am to approximately 1:30 pm on Friday. They will need to check in with security once they arrive. 
3. (Tuesday) Black Construction Paper. Can you task a responsible cadet with getting black construction paper (130 sheets total) so the upperclassmen can staple their pictures and one page write-ups onto the black backing on Wednesday when they turn them in. 
4. (Wednesday) Building Exempt Roster for Friday to Ms. Lund. With the exception of cadets not wearing their uniforms or designated not to being allowed to participate due to poor conduct or project performance, Chief will provide School Attendance with a class period unit roster to place students you in Building Exempt status. 

CLASS SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK

MONDAY

• SNSI briefed the remainder of the week and students broke up into 2 person teams to discuss their plans for this summer or next year at college as brainstorming for final project / exam.  

TUESDAY

• Watch the Memorial Day Movie, Taking Chance. View the experiences in the context of the service-member you have chosen to "bear witness" for this week. 
• Class Leader get CD from Chief Pascoe and record stop time for restart next day. 

WEDNESDAY

• Student Turn In of two final documents (Picture of Service Member and Bulletized Overview of Service Member's Life). Two examples are pinned up on the White Board in the front of the JROTC classroom. 
• Collected by Class Leader and Turned Into Chief Pascoe / Teacher for safe storage. 
• Finish watching the Memorial Day movie, Taking Chance. Class Leader facilitate finishing the movie.

THURSDAY

• Individual Rehearsals of Bearing Witness Presentation in class. Each student presents his person to the class using their presentation documents.  
• Class Leaders Remind everyone that Friday (the next day) is Uniform Day. In order to give your presentation tomorrow you need to be in uniform.

FRIDAY
Participate in In School Class Trip Memorial Day Presentation.

• Set Up is Period 1 and the In School Class Trip will be conducted from Period 2 until the end of Period 7. Period 8 is clean up. All cadets will attend their normal scheduled lunch. 
• Chief Pascoe will set up a class accountability systems where cadets coming and going will check in with the cadet chain of command and class leaders.  
• The presentation will take place in the BMHS Forcellina Auditorium. 
• If approved, Chief Pascoe may designate the upperclassmen to conduct their Bearing Witness presentations in the passageway across from the library. Cadets would have their backs to the garden with their presentations on the ground in front of the presenters.  

Good Luck and remember the responsibility you have to bear witness to the final sacrifices to these brave Sailors, soldiers, Airmen, and Marines. Make sure your effort, performance, and demeanor is a worthy representation. 

ARE YOU READY TO BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR SERVICE MEMBER...???

Are your ready to "bear witness" to the fallen service members you have selected and researched...?  

I am modifying the Memorial Day Module schedule by "sliding it" one day forward and inserting today's class activity. Having given you a number of days of research today's activity is to assess some of the research work you have done to date.

Scenario: You are in the military and are a casualty notification person. You have briefed a mother on the loss of her son (or daughter) and she has asked you to brief a distant relative (the fallen service member's godmother) about the loss of your service member. The godmother did not know him or her very well and his mother asked for you to tell her about him... make the deceased "come alive" by you bearing witness. 

Task: Take a few minutes to re-orient to your electronic information. Remember what we said about information management. Then you will present (bear witness) to the person you selected to honor to the class. 

Using the BMHS Communications Rubric, your class mates will assess your performance. Take out a piece of paper and sign your name and also write the name of the service member you will honor next to your name.

You will grade classmates according to the rubric and turn it in at the end of class. 

Lets see what you know.  

Upperclassmen Memorial Day Project 2016

On Veteran's Day we show respect for people's service to the United States military and on Memorial Day we show respect for their sacrificing their lives defending democracy. 

In Remembrance website


Home and Away Afghanistan and Iraq Deaths

US Service Member Deaths in Afghanistan

US Service Member Deaths in Iraq


You will be tasked with selecting a service men or woman who was killed in combat and made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. this ultimate sacrifice was typically protecting their comrades in combat or innocent people in another country.  

Criteria for Selecting The Service Member You Will Honor With Your Research and Presentation:

1. If you prefer you can select someone you know or are related to who died in service to our country in any conflict or war.
2. Or Go to the above websites and select a male or female who's last name has the first letter of your last name. 
3. You can select any military service or any war or conflict. 

Presentation Requirements: What You will be graded on:

1. Tell me the person you selected and what conflict / war there were killed in. Tell me why you selected them. THIS IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY by the middle of the class. 

• During class on Monday (May 16) be prepared to brief me on the status of your requirements listed below. I will need you to turn in your rough draft on Tuesday (May 17) to me in class: Picture, Two Page Report with contents listed below, One page Presentation Overview Paper.  Final Products will be turned in 23 May and for Intern Seniors on 17 May.

1. Picture of the Service Member (81/2" by 11")
2. Two page Report (write up) to be turned in to JROTC instructor
1. Content of Report: 
1. Picture of Service-member (1/2 page)
2. Written Overview of "Bearing Witness" (1 and a 1/2 pages) which will include:
1. Personal Information: Name, Age, where and when they were born
2. Military Information: 
3. Description of Service-member as a Person: Personality, interests / hobbies, unique facts, comments from others about this person. 
4. Include your references on a Citation Page (a third page) which does not count for your Two page report write up but is required for your grade. 
3. One Page Presentation Paper with service members name and bulletized comments.
1. Your two page report will provide you with the information to selct for your stand alone presentation paper.
4. Your in class presentation prior to May 27 (date to be determined. 

Class Task:

May 9 (Monday): Watch the Special Features from the movie Taking Chance with actual family members and Marine comrades that focused on bearing witness to the person that lost their life in service to their nation

May 10 (Tuesday): Library / Research

May 11 (Wednesday): Library / Research

May 12 (Thursday): Library / Research

May 13 (Friday):  (PT Day)

May 16: Due Date for Seniors Who Are Going On Internship which will also be Part I of your Final.

2016 Memorial Day Module

Memorial Day is the day that should have the deepest meaning to Americans and most certainly military veterans and their families. It is a day which recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of American servicemen and servicewoman who offered up their lives in the defense of their country or to help free those oppressed around the world. 

There was a tradition started during World War Two. Most young men volunteered for wartime service overseas and their families of would place a Blue Star Pennant in the window of their house. The Blue Star Families or Parents would demonstrate their family's service through the Blue Star Pennants. Should the family member be killed in combat they transition to becoming a Gold Star Family or Parents. The number one concern for a family who lost a service member in combat is that their country (all of you) not forget who their son or daughter was as a person. 

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY Brien McMahon HS NAVY JROTC CONTINUES TO PRESENT THIS MEMORIAL DAY MODULE IS TO ENSURE OUR FALLEN ARE NOT FORGOTTEN BY THEIR FELLOW AMERICANS INCLUDING OUR CLASSMATES. 

  
Class Task One: Watch a recent 60 Minutes show (13 minutes) about Gold Star Parents . (Click on the Link)

Class Task Two: On May 3 & 4th (Tuesday and Wednesday), you will watch the movie Taking Chance which is based on a true story of the sacrifice make by a young Marine (Chance Phillips) and his journey back to his family and comrades until his military burial. 

"And I am proud to be an American, where at least I know I am free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."  

Songwriter Lee Greenwood