Sunday, June 15, 2025

Week of June 16th

Happy Father's Day to all the incredible fathers & father figures on staff! Today, we celebrate you and the love, guidance, and support you provide every day. Whether you're a dad, a mentor, or a father figure, your impact is immeasurable. Wishing you a day full of joy, relaxation, and the love you deserve!

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday! We’re so close to the finish line, and the energy is building! Plans for 12th Grade Graduation and 8th Grade Stepping Up are coming together beautifully (special thanks to Patti, Patricia, and Jen for all your hard work). We’re truly excited to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students.

One of the unique strengths of being a 6-12 school is the opportunity to connect students across grade levels in meaningful ways. Inviting our youngest students to witness their older peers graduate is a powerful example of that. When 6th and 7th graders see 12th graders walk across the stage, it gives them a tangible sense of what lies ahead. Graduation becomes more than just a word, they see it as a real, reachable goal.

It shows them that their daily efforts, even in middle school, are part of a much larger journey toward something worth celebrating. For many, especially those who haven’t yet seen academic milestones recognized in their own circles, this moment can plant a crucial seed: “That could be me someday.”

This experience can motivate students early on and strengthen their sense of purpose in school. It’s not just about attending an event, it’s about nurturing a school culture grounded in aspiration, connection, and achievement.

Thank you all for helping to make these moments possible. Can't wait for next week!


UPCOMING DATES

  • Monday, 16JUN25 
    • MP4 Ends - for ALL grades
    • 9am - 8th Grade graduation rehearsal in Gym 
  • Tuesday, 17JUN25 thru 25JUN25 - 8-12 Regents Week
    • TUE 17JUN
      • 9AM - ELA Regents
      • 1PM - Living Environment
    • WED 18JUN
      • 9AM - GLO Regents
      • 1PM - Algebra 1 Regents
    • THU 19JUN - Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
    • FRI 20JUN
      • 9AM - USH Regents
    • MON 23JUN
      • 9AM - Spanish Regents 
    • TUE 24JUN
      • 9AM - Chemistry Regents
    • WED 25JUN
      • Algebra 2 Regents
  • Thursday, 19JUN - NO SCHOOL! Happy Juneteenth.
  • Monday, 23JUN - 8th Grade Graduation (UAI Gym)
  • Tuesday, 24JUNE
    • MS Trip to BRIC Art installation
    • 10am - 12th grade graduation rehearsal in Gym
  • Wednesday, 25JUN - 12th Grade Graduation (City Tech Theater)
  • Thursday, 26JUN - Last Day of School for Students, Teachers, and Paraprofessionals
  • Monday, 30JUN Last Day of School for Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, and Secretaries


IMPORTANT ANNOUCEMENTS

MP4 Ends 16JUN and Grades are DUE 20JUN at 3PM.   Please make sure your grades are uploaded into GAMA/NGSIS/OASIS and transferred into STARS by 3PM on Friday, 20JUN.   

As a reminder, you want to click the "YTD" button (year to date) to transfer the average of all four marking periods into STARS.

Also, before transfer, please review each grade to insure that they follow these grading practices
ONLY "55" or "F" are used for failing grades.
Any grade >55 but <65 - you must decide to give them a 55 or 65 (or F/P)
All final grades should be numeric grades for the final marking period.


Senior Graduation Assignments.  As we approach 12th grade Graduation on June 25th, here's some important logistical information:
  • 8:00 AM: 12th graders will report to the theater, along with Kiri, Annie, Jen, Patricia, and Patti.
  • 8:30 AM: All staff should be at the theater and ready for the event. And be in their assigned roles for dress rehearsal.
  • 9:30 AM: Doors will open for families. Staff will need to be at their assigned positions at this time. MS students & staff should leave school for the theater at this time.
  • 10:00 AM: The ceremony will begin promptly.
  • 11:30 PM (approximately): Once the ceremony concludes, all ushers will assist in moving families and any remaining staff outside the building.
Please click here view your staff assignments. If you encounter any issues viewing the link, please request access as needed. If you know in advance that you will be unavailable on graduation day, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make adjustments as necessary.


Shippy Grants!  The Urban Assembly is pleased to announce that the Shippy Foundation will once again be soliciting proposals for Teacher Passion Projects from UA Schools. Grants will be awarded for up to $5,000 per teacher project. Applications from multiple teachers from one school are allowed. 

The kinds of projects we are looking for include (but are not limited to) the following:
● Project-based learning;
● Experiential learning;
● Collaborative learning;
● Projects that foster a growth mindset and self-efficacy;
● Initiatives that foster socio-emotional learning;
● Creative partnerships – either cross-curricular or with external organizations;
● Dissemination of promising and evidence-based practices based on demonstrated impact.
● Projects that are Standards-based

This is a great grant for your classroom projects and clubs AND it is open to ALL disciplines!
ALL Staff are encouraged to apply!!!

Please submit your proposals by July 1st. You can find the link to the proposal template in the overview section of the Google: Form HERE

Feel free to contact David Demarco at ddemarco@urbanassembly.org if you have any questions. 



EOY Checklist.  Please use your non-teaching time during these next final days to begin prepping for the close of the school year.  Review this EOY Checklist.  Please do not seek out Kiri before the last day of school. Annie & Kir will come around to rooms on the last day of school from 8-10AM to sign off on these sheets.  We'll come find you in your rooms.  Please make sure you are have completed the checklist by 8:30AM on Jun 26th!  



REPOSTED IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Room Pack Up.  To be ready for the summer, all staff are responsible for stowing and securing classroom technology and materials.  Additionally, any personal items are NOT secure over the summer.  So, if you value it, bring it home.  Otherwise you are welcome to roll the dice and put it in your closets.  As a reminder, we are a public school, and our rooms are used by other schools and programs during the summer.  They cannot be used to store private items.  So, please make sure anything that is yours and that you value is taken home.  You can slowly begin doing this over the next few weeks so that you don't find yourself stuck lugging out loads of stuff on the last day of school.  Stay tuned for the specific checklist in next week's blog post.

The Last Day of School.  The last day of school for students, teachers, and paraprofessionals is Thursday, June 26th.  However, the last day of school for all other staff (secretaries, social worker, and guidance counselors) is Monday, June 30th.  Please let Kiri & Annie know by the end of this week if you are planning to take the 27th or 30th off.  

   

PER SESSION POSTINGS

None

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Week of June 9

 We've got lots happening over the next two and a half weeks - I am going to be brief but will ask you pay special attention to the two to-dos (nothing new) below. 

1. Testing This Week.  This is the first draft of the Regents SchedulePlease reach out to Liza if you have any scheduling conflicts.  Any student that is currently failing your class must come in each and every day that you have MP4 Potential Failures scheduled on your program.  Our SST will also be providing backup support to get kids into the building.  The kids will be called every day until they finish all required work to your satisfaction.


2. Communicate Regents Info.  Please refer to the Regents Schedule tabs (you'll see lists of kids by tests - look at the tabs).  These lists will also be hung in the hallways this week, but please make sure you are sending messages home and having face-to-face conversations with your students in classes so that they know which test they are supposed to go to for your classes.


UPCOMING DATES

  • Tuesday, 03JUN25 thru  Thursday, 12JUN25 8-12 Finals Week
    • NOTE:  These are in-class finals - no special schedule.  So that kids do not have too many exams on the same day, here's the schedule:
      • Monday, 09JUN - ELA Classes
      • Thursday, 12JUN - Breadth Classes (PE, Spanish, Theater)
  • Tuesday, 10JUN25 - Regents Day - No 8-12th grade students (6/7 normal classes)
    • 9AM - Biology (All enrolled students - 8/9 and up) sit for the Biology Regent
    • 1PM - Earth & Space Science (All enrolled students - 8/9 and up) sit for Earth & Space
  • Wednesday, 11JUN25 - Regents Day - No 8-12th grade students (6/7 normal classes)
    • 9AM - Geometry (Teacher-selected and student self-selected Geometry students)
  • Thursday, 12JUN25 - Senior Awards Brunch
    • AM PE Classes relocated or outside
  • Friday, 13JUN25
    • Harbor Middle School School Visit
    • 8th Grade Prom
    • UA Walkathon
  • Monday, 16JUN25 - MP4 Ends - for ALL grades
  • Tuesday, 17JUN25 thru 25JUN25 - 8-12 Regents Week
    • TUE 17JUN
      • 9AM - ELA Regents
      • 1PM - Living Environment
    • WED 18JUN
      • 9AM - GLO Regents
      • 1PM - Algebra 1 Regents
    • THU 19JUN - Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
    • FRI 20JUN
      • 9AM - USH Regents
    • MON 23JUN
      • 9AM - Spanish Regents 
    • TUE 24JUN
      • 9AM - Chemistry Regents
    • WED 25JUN
      • Algebra 2 Regents
  • Monday, 23JUN - 8th Grade Graduation (UAI Gym)
  • Wednesday, 25JUN - 12th Grade Graduation (City Tech Theater)
  • Thursday, 26JUN - Last Day of School for Students, Teachers, and Paraprofessionals
  • Monday, 30JUN Last Day of School for Counselors, School Psychologists, Social Workers, and Secretaries


UPCOMING TRIPS
  • Wednesday, 24JUNE25
    • MS Trip to BRIC Art installation
  • NOTE - NO MORE TRIPS ALLOWED for 8-12


REPOSTED IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

UA Walk-a-thon. Friday June 13th is the walk-a-thon!

To sign up - please Use this link
  • Flyer (Internal, for RSVP's) - For you Guys
  • Flyer (External, for Sponsorships) - To Share with Folks/Business who would like to sponsor you!
  • Sponsorship Levels - FYI for Sponsors
  • External Flyer + Sponsorship Levels Combined - FYI For Sponsors
  • Social Media Kit - Resources for your Social Media to Promote the Walkathon!
  • GiveLively Link - Where folks can donate

Project Cultivate SignUp.   Are you interested in adding a SPED cert to your license AND earning an AI MicroCert?  Then Sign up today for this FREE (sponsored by UA) program.   The program starts this summer and continues into the fall.  

Learn More HereSign Up Here

8-12 Final Exams.  This week continues final exams for grades 8-12.  These will be in class final exams and will be the last performance grade of the year.  If you would like to offer something in place of a traditional final, please just shoot me and email or stop by 401 to share your plans.  

Room Pack Up.  To be ready for the summer, all staff are responsible for stowing and securing classroom technology and materials.  Additionally, any personal items are NOT secure over the summer.  So, if you value it, bring it home.  Otherwise you are welcome to roll the dice and put it in your closets.  As a reminder, we are a public school, and our rooms are used by other schools and programs during the summer.  They cannot be used to store private items.  So, please make sure anything that is yours and that you value is taken home.  You can slowly begin doing this over the next few weeks so that you don't find yourself stuck lugging out loads of stuff on the last day of school.  Stay tuned for the specific checklist in next week's blog post.

The Last Day of School.  The last day of school for students, teachers, and paraprofessionals is Thursday, June 26th.  However, the last day of school for all other staff (secretaries, social worker, and guidance counselors) is Monday, June 30th.  Please let Kiri & Annie know by the end of this week if you are planning to take the 27th or 30th off.  

Stepping Up and Graduation Assignments.  Our graduations and stepping up ceremonies are celebratory rites that the entire school enjoys. Our MS students and staff are expected to join both ceremonies, and all of our 8-12 staff will have specific assignments for that day.  Please remember to dress for our families and students' special day.  Stepping up is Monday, 23JUN and Graduation is Wednesday 25JUN.  


PER SESSION POSTINGS

None