Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Short Attention Span and Much Work Still To Do... How Can We Improve


It is pretty apparent that many students feel that school is over and the teacher's didn't get the memo...students openly trying to sleep in class...providing the answer "I don't know" when asked a routine question where they could provide input. These are all indicators that many students have lost the motivation to focus. There is only problem: SCHOOL IS NOT OVER YET and FINALS are right around the corner. 



Today, you will be organized into three groups to perform two tasks on a rotational basis for 15 minutes each:


CADET PARTICIPATION DISCUSSION TASK:  You will discuss how to improve cadet participation in drill, community service, and military ball. Feel free to reference the rubric you filled out. Designate one person to take group notes to capture your ideas on how to increase cadet participation. 



RUBRIC TASK:  You will be given a hard copy of the BMHS Personal Responsibility Rubric. I will conduct a quick overview. You will then review it and Self Assess Yourself. Based upon the time left available you can discuss as a group. 

Final Comment: Based upon time remaining we may conduct a class-wide review of the tasks. I will conduct your individual student rubric self assessments and your small group discussion notes. 

STAY ON TASK AND FOCUS.



Monday, June 9, 2014

2014 Senior JROTC Final EXAM: Setting Yourself for Next Year College / Work Force


2013 SENIORS NJROTC FINAL EXAM

Failing to Plan is Planning To Fail.
Purpose: The purpose of this final examination for Senior Cadets is to create a financial planning product that will have relevance to your post high school plan for this upcoming fall. You 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 2014
  • 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 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 2014 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 in during the exam to the SNSI.
    • You need to develop a spreadsheet which lists the expenses and your plan to pay those expenses as well.
  • Exam Task: Using your Fall 2014 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.


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 .

2014 Upperclassmen Final Exam: Using Your Summer To Set Yourself Up for Success Next Year


2014 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 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 2014 Personal Summer Plan and turn it in at the beginning of the class period during the 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. You will use this calendar during the Exam Task.   
  • Exam Task: Using your 2014 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.  

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 .




Sunday, June 1, 2014

Trading One US Soldier for Five Taliban Terrorists...What Do You Think???

Bowe Bergdahl taliban
US POW: Bowe Bergdahl

The last American soldier held captive by the Afghan Taliban has been released, after the US government agreed to free five Afghan detainees from the Guantánamo Bay prison in Cuba to the custody of the Qatari government, US officials said.
Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, 28, was held captive for almost five years. Sources told the Associated Press he was in good condition and was able to walk. Bergdahl was on his way to an American military hospital in Germany, a US defence official told Reuters, and was then expected to be transferred to a military medical facility in San Antonio, Texas. 
Later, during an appearance in the Rose Garden at the White House with the soldier's parents, Barack Obama welcomed news of the release, saying that while Bergdahl was gone, "he was never forgotten." The president said that the US "does not ever leave our men and women in uniform behind" and that in relation to the five Taliban detainees released, the Qatari government had given assurances it would "put in place measures to protect our national security".  The five former Guantánamo detainees have been transferred to the custody of the Qatari government. Their movements will be restricted, according to US government statements.

RECIDIVISM RATES OF RELEASED GITMO DETAINEES: GOING BACK TO TERRORISM
An unclassified version of a September report from the Director of National Intelligence reveals that another five former Guantanamo Bay detainees have either been confirmed as reengaging in terrorism or are suspected of doing so.  The report comes just as a judge in Algeria has approved parole of two detainees recently transferred to Algerian custody from the Cuba-based detention facility.
Of the 603 former detainees tracked by US intelligence services, a total of 100 have now been confirmed as reengaging in "terrorism" or "insurgent" activities, while another 74 are suspected of reengaging.  This brings the total rate of recidivism to nearly 29 percent, up from 28 percent as of the last report six months ago. Two of the detainees suspected of reengaging in the last six months are among those transferred since President Obama took office in 2009.  Of the seventy-four detainees transferred since January 22, 2009, seven are either confirmed or suspected of reengaging, up from five in the prior report, raising the recidivism rate of those transferred during the president's time in office from 7 percent to 10 percent.

The Code of Conduct: All Service men and woman are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct while serving their country to the best of their abilities. 

 
I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
II
I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
III
If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and to aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
IV
If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
V
When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
VI
I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:
  • While there is much we do not know, based on your initial (and unqualified) impressions do you think Sgt. Bergdahl adhered to the Code of Conduct. 
  • WHAT WERE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS SOLDIER BECOMING A POW? Was he captured in combat or did he abandon his post and walk into his capture?
  • THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN US HISTORY AN AMERICAN SERVICE-MEMBER HAS BEEN TRADED FOR TERRORISTS. 
  • THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS FROM GITMO REQUIRES CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL, NO APPROVAL WAS SOUGHT BY THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

PUBLIC SPEAKING ACTIVITY: Tuesday

Without conferring with others, develop a short one minute to one minute and a half impromptu speech voicing your opinion on this situation in class on Tuesday.