Week of May 25

                                                           

Volume: XIII

Issue: 38

May 25, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

It was a busy week! Between Parent-Teacher Conferences, Senior Prom, and the 8th grade trip to Six Flags and the HEAT, there has been a lot happening across the building - and the pace is not slowing down anytime soon. The next several weeks will continue to be filled with events, celebrations, trips, and end-of-year responsibilities that can make this time of year feel especially hectic for both students and staff.

While all of these experiences are important and meaningful parts of the school year, it is critical that we continue to keep our focus on instruction and student preparation. Regents exams are now just a few weeks away, and our students need structure, consistency, and purposeful academic support more than ever.

Please continue to prioritize strong classroom routines, clear expectations, and opportunities for students to engage in meaningful Regents prep. Whether through review activities, practice questions, writing tasks, small-group support, or targeted feedback, every opportunity for focused practice matters. Students benefit greatly from predictable classroom environments during busy periods like this, and your consistency helps keep them grounded and academically focused.

I also recognize that this stretch of the year can be demanding for staff as well!!! Thank you for your continued flexibility, professionalism, and commitment to supporting students through all of the moving pieces that come with May and June. The work you are doing each day is helping our students stay on track and build confidence as they approach their exams and the finish line of the school year.

Let’s keep the momentum going and finish the year strong.

IMPORTANT DATES

• MAY25: Memorial Day, no school
• MAY 26: Culture Day, rapid dismissal 2:15pm
• MAY27: Eid, no school
• MAY28: Senior Awards Breakfast
• MAY29: Spring Play
• JUN12: 8th Grade Prom!
• JUN12: Last day of Girls Inc programming
• JUN18: Kiri's Retirement Party!
• JUN19: Juneteenth, no school
• JUN23: 8th Grade Graduation!
• JUN25: 12th Grade Graduation!

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! 

UPCOMING TRIPS

• MAY28: MS Brooklyn Cyclones Trip
• MAY29: MS CUNY Explorers Visit 
• JUN01: 6th Grade trip to MET
• JUN02-03: Senior Overnight trip to Villa Roma
• JUN09: 7th Grade trip to Jewish Heritage Museum

Trip Form.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3i3fgENVCpX6MA51r_1jsmxVavRm12-oaB9ieiNA8Q/edit?usp=sharing

TO DO THIS WEEK

Remaining PD Dates.  Only three more Mondays (plus June 4th).

• June 1: Lynn Jeudy facilitates last SEL PD
• June 4: AM Outreach & Worktime, Roadmaps training (for some), PM Review Proctor Expectations and Regents Schedule, ENL Groups feedback review
• June 8: CEP Goals
• June15: CEP Goals

Outreach & Tracking for MP4.  Thanks to all who have linked in their tasks lists, we are still missing a few so if that's you, get it linked ASAP.

By now you should have sent a copy of the task list home to FAMILIES in your outreach. Again, see below for instructions on that:

Create and Link a document here that lists the exact tasks that the students must successfully complete in order to pass by June.  This task list will be what students work on during summer school should they not complete by the end of June.  As a reminder, students who are not yet passing will be required to attend school every day during Regents week to work one-on-one with you for the help they need to successfully finish.  

Culture Day Plan. As a reminder, UAI's RPET, Student Activities, and Student Government teams are hosting Culture Day on Tuesday, May 26^th during periods 4-7. The adjusted schedule for the day is below with additional links & info for each period. We'll review this on Monday's PD but please reach out with any additional questions!

Periods 1–2: Regular class schedule for all students.

Period 3: Grades 8–12 will have regular class & Grades 6–7 will have learning lab to ensure the whole school can eat together next period.

Period 4: Lunch for all grades

• Catered lunch with food options from different cultures
• SGA run activities for AAPI month
• Music & dancing!

Period 5: RPET Activities in Classes

• All students attend their regularly scheduled classes.
• Teachers run an opening circle and then select (or have kids select) the activity for the rest of the class. RPET students have created THIS DOCUMENT with explicit directions for the circle and lesson plans for each activity. As a heads up - any tab without an emoji is still in development but will be completed by May 19.
• Any student performing in the assembly should report to the gym at 12:45 and no earlier. We want to ensure they get to participate in the circle too. A list will be shared by May 22.

Period 6: Culture Day Assembly

• All students (except performers already in the gym) report to their regular 6th-period class. Students will be called upstairs for the Culture Day Assembly shortly after.
• So far, the assembly will include two Bengali dances, a Mexican dance, an Afro-Carribbean inspired dance and the step team. The assembly will end with a multicultural fashion/show parade. We already have 14 countries/cultures represented but want to add more! Please encourage your students to sign up by emailing Kelly or going to 507 after school any day. Staff are more than welcome to participate too!!

Period 7: Early dismissal at 2:15 PM. Girls Inc. will begin immediately following dismissal.

Regents Lists are Posted. Students are being directed to ask their classroom teachers about their questions/concerns. If you notice there is an error, please submit the change request form on the staff google classroom (and attached Here).

If you have any questions about regents lists, you can also reach out to your PAG (formerly ILT) member for clarification! 

June Final Exams. We’ve updated the UAI Pacing Calendar to reflect changes caused by Regents Days on June 9 and 10. Below is the revised final exam schedule by content area. Teachers may choose whether or not to give a final exam. If you do, please administer it on the assigned date so students aren’t overloaded. All finals should fit within one class period, and there will be no modified schedule.

• June 5: ELA
• June 8: Science
• June 11: Social Studies
• June 12: Math & Breadth

UPCOMING TEST DATES.

• NYESLAT - See here for the tracking spreadsheet
• Regents: 
• June 9: ELA
• June 10: Algebra II
• Week of June 17

Week of May 18

                                                           

Volume: XIII

Issue: 37

May 18, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

Team, 

It’s the end of the year, and the burnout is real. I see it on your faces, we’re all feeling it. You’ve spent the last nine months playing teacher, coach, and detective, and it is beyond exhausting to feel like you’re caring more about a student's grade than they are. When you’ve made the phone calls, sent the emails, and tracked them down in the hallway only to see those failing grades still staring back at you, it’s tempting to just throw in the towel. BUT we have to remember that for a lot of these kids, "failing" isn't about laziness, it’s about being overwhelmed. Since COVID some of them are still just trying to find their footing, and that "55" on the screen feels like a mountain they’ll never be able to climb.

Right now, we are the only ones holding the door open for them. If we stop pushing now, we’re basically telling them they were right to give up on themselves. We aren't "handing out" grades by giving them one more chance, we’re showing them what it looks like to not quit when things get tough. Ten years from now, they won’t remember the specific worksheet they turned in late, but they will absolutely remember that you were the one person who didn't stop believing they could make it. You are the bridge that gets them from where they are to where they need to be.

We know you're running on fumes, and we aren't asking you to perform miracles. Just stay in the fight with them for a few more days. This school is a place where we don't let kids fall through the cracks, and that mission matters most right now, in the eleventh hour. Lean on your teammates, vent when you need to, and let’s help each other find that last bit of momentum. We’ve come this far together, let’s make sure we drag, carry, or cheer every single one of these kids across that finish line.

We are ALMOST there. 

Onward.

IMPORTANT DATES

• MAY20: Remote Parent Conferences
• MAY21: 12th Grade Prom!
• MAY25: Memorial Day, no school
• MAY 26: Culture Day, rapid dismissal 2:15pm
• MAY27: Eid, no school
• MAY28: Senior Awards Breakfast
• MAY29: Spring Play
• JUN12: 8th Grade Prom!
• JUN12: Last day of Girls Inc programming
• JUN18: Kiri's Retirement Party!
• JUN19: Juneteenth, no school
• JUN23: 8th Grade Graduation!
• JUN25: 12th Grade Graduation!

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! 

UPCOMING TRIPS

• MAY22: 8th Grade Trip to Six Flags
• MAY28: MS Brooklyn Cyclones Trip
• MAY29: MS CUNY Explorers Visit 
• JUN01: 6th Grade trip to MET
• JUN02-03: Senior Overnight trip to Villa Roma
• JUN09: 7th Grade trip to Jewish Heritage Museum

Trip Form.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3i3fgENVCpX6MA51r_1jsmxVavRm12-oaB9ieiNA8Q/edit?usp=sharing

TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday PD in Farm.  During Monday PD your team will debrief the student meeting and then call home to inform the parent and get their insight on student progress and goals. 

Remote Parent Conferences. On May 20th we have our final parent-teacher conference opportunity of the school year. See here for the conference scheduling document. Debbie will support in scheduling conferences that have not been arranged - please keep an eye on this document and update as appointments are made.

Regents Lists are Posted. Students are being directed to ask their classroom teachers about their questions/concerns. If you notice there is an error, please submit the change request form on the staff google classroom (and attached Here).

If you have any questions about regents lists, you can also reach out to your PAG (formerly ILT) member for clarification! 

Shippy Grant. 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 Shippy Foundation is interested in making smaller grants directly to teachers and staff who are committed to improving student learning, increasing student engagement, and codifying and disseminating their work so that others may benefit.

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;
• Rigorous and documented Collaborative Inquiry – (such as a formal Japanese Lesson Study);
• 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

Please submit your proposals here by June 5th. You can find the link to the proposal template in the overview section of the Google Form. 

Outreach & Tracking for MP4.  Thanks to all who have linked in their tasks lists, we are still missing a few so if that's you, get it linked ASAP.

By now you should have sent a copy of the task list home to FAMILIES in your outreach. Again, see below for instructions on that:

Create and Link a document here that lists the exact tasks that the students must successfully complete in order to pass by June.  This task list will be what students work on during summer school should they not complete by the end of June.  As a reminder, students who are not yet passing will be required to attend school every day during Regents week to work one-on-one with you for the help they need to successfully finish.  

Dream Squads. The Office of Multilingual Learners is accepting applications for new “Dream Squads,” which are school-based teams focused on creating more welcoming and inclusive environments for multilingual and immigrant students and families. Dream Squads are made up of 3 or more staff members in different roles (teachers, counselors, parent coordinators, administrators, etc.) who work together throughout the year to develop and implement strategies that better support immigrant and first-generation students. The initiative includes professional learning sessions, coaching support, and the creation of a school-wide plan focused on inclusion and engagement.

For more info please reach out to Emily Payamps. Applications are due May 22, 2026. If anyone is interested in learning more or potentially participating, here is the application link:

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8732621/Dream-Squads-Application-SY-26-27

Culture Day Plan. As a reminder, UAI's RPET, Student Activities, and Student Government teams are hosting Culture Day on Tuesday, May 26^th during periods 4-7. The adjusted schedule for the day is below with additional links & info for each period. We'll review this on Monday's PD but please reach out with any additional questions!

Periods 1–2: Regular class schedule for all students.

Period 3: Grades 8–12 will have regular class & Grades 6–7 will have learning lab to ensure the whole school can eat together next period.

Period 4: Lunch for all grades

• Catered lunch with food options from different cultures
• SGA run activities for AAPI month
• Music & dancing!

Period 5: RPET Activities in Classes

• All students attend their regularly scheduled classes.
• Teachers run an opening circle and then select (or have kids select) the activity for the rest of the class. RPET students have created THIS DOCUMENT with explicit directions for the circle and lesson plans for each activity. As a heads up - any tab without an emoji is still in development but will be completed by May 19.
• Any student performing in the assembly should report to the gym at 12:45 and no earlier. We want to ensure they get to participate in the circle too. A list will be shared by May 22.

Period 6: Culture Day Assembly

• All students (except performers already in the gym) report to their regular 6th-period class. Students will be called upstairs for the Culture Day Assembly shortly after.
• So far, the assembly will include two Bengali dances, a Mexican dance, an Afro-Carribbean inspired dance and the step team. The assembly will end with a multicultural fashion/show parade. We already have 14 countries/cultures represented but want to add more! Please encourage your students to sign up by emailing Kelly or going to 507 after school any day. Staff are more than welcome to participate too!!

Period 7: Early dismissal at 2:15 PM. Girls Inc. will begin immediately following dismissal.

June Final Exams. We’ve updated the UAI Pacing Calendar to reflect changes caused by Regents Days on June 9 and 10. Below is the revised final exam schedule by content area. Teachers may choose whether or not to give a final exam. If you do, please administer it on the assigned date so students aren’t overloaded. All finals should fit within one class period, and there will be no modified schedule.

• June 5: ELA
• June 8: Science
• June 11: Social Studies
• June 12: Math & Breadth

UPCOMING TEST DATES.

• NYESLAT - See here for the tracking spreadsheet
• Regents: 
• June 9: ELA
• June 10: Algebra II
• Week of June 17

Week of May 11

                                                           

Volume: XIII

Issue: 36

May 11, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

This week I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate all of the moms, grandmas, stepmoms, guardians, and mother figures in our school community.

So many of you spend your days taking care of everyone else - your own children and families at home, and then hundreds of kids here at school who rely on you for support, encouragement, structure, patience, and love. The work you do is exhausting at times, often unseen, and incredibly important. There are countless moments every day where you step in for students in ways that matter more than you probably realize - checking in when a kid is having a rough day, offering reassurance, celebrating small wins, listening when someone needs it, or simply showing up consistently for them.

That kind of care makes a difference. Kids remember the adults who made them feel safe, supported, and valued, and our building is better because of the people in it.

I also know that Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions depending on everyone’s personal experiences and relationships, so wherever this weekend finds you emotionally, I hope you are able to spend some time doing something that brings you peace, joy, rest, or connection.

Thank you for everything you do for your families, for our students, and for each other. I hope you all have a great weekend and feel celebrated and appreciated, because you truly are.

Happy Mother’s Day!

IMPORTANT DATES

• MAY 12-13: MS MATH State Exam
• MAY 16: Hiring Fair and New Student Ice Cream Social
• MAY20: Remote Parent Conferences
• MAY25: Memorial Day, no school
• MAY 26: Culture Day
• MAY27: Eid, no school

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! 

UPCOMING TRIPS

MAY 28: MS Brooklyn Cyclones Trip

MAY 29: MS CUNY Explorers Visit 

Trip Form.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3i3fgENVCpX6MA51r_1jsmxVavRm12-oaB9ieiNA8Q/edit?usp=sharing

TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday PD in Farm.  ENL meetings with students (no parents) are happening in the farm at 3pm! If your meeting was moved to lunch on another day, you can leave at the end of the school day in return.

Thank you for all of the careful consideration and reflection you've engaged in during our previous PD days to prepare for these meetings. The goal of this meeting is to develop student self-advocacy in articulating and securing impactful supports & structures that advance learning of English AND course content. Here are a few reminders to help the meeting run smoothly!

1. Remind the student during the day about the meeting & text the parent as a reminder that your student will be in school until 4pm.
1. If you can, have someone meet the student 7^th period and bring them to your assigned room (on slide 38)
2. Use the ELL-Led Meeting Framework & Agenda to guide the meeting.
1. Offer interpretation (and offer again throughout the meeting, if needed)
2. Ensure someone is taking notes
3. Give extended wait time before asking a question again or rephrasing
4. Let the student lead - you will guide them in refining their goal but they should be the driver.
3. Have fun and connect! Strong relationships are key to student growth and this is an excellent opportunity to build & strengthen your understanding of and connection to your student.

On Monday, May 18^th your team will debrief the student meeting and then call home to inform the parent and get their insight on student progress and goals. 

Remote Parent Conferences. Heads up - on May 20th we have our final parent-teacher conference opportunity of the school year. The expectation is that all families of students who are currently failing your course are contacted and scheduled for a conference. This is an important opportunity to reconnect with families before the end of the year, provide a clear picture of where students stand academically, and explain the path for students to pass the course. Debbie will support in scheduling these conferences if needed.

Outreach & Tracking for MP4.  Thanks to all who have linked in their tasks lists, we are still missing a few so if that's you, get it linked ASAP.

By now you should have sent a copy of the task list home to FAMILIES in your outreach. Again, see below for instructions on that:

Create and Link a document here that lists the exact tasks that the students must successfully complete in order to pass by June.  This task list will be what students work on during summer school should they not complete by the end of June.  As a reminder, students who are not yet passing will be required to attend school every day during Regents week to work one-on-one with you for the help they need to successfully finish.  Weekly outreach with families and daily communication with them will help them stay on track and not work pile up on them.  

June Final Exams. We’ve updated the UAI Pacing Calendar to reflect changes caused by Regents Days on June 9 and 10. Below is the revised final exam schedule by content area. Teachers may choose whether or not to give a final exam. If you do, please administer it on the assigned date so students aren’t overloaded. All finals should fit within one class period, and there will be no modified schedule.

• June 5: ELA
• June 8: Science
• June 11: Social Studies
• June 12: Math & Breadth

UPCOMING TEST DATES.

• NYESLAT - Speaking portion is on going starting April 27th, other sections will start week of May 4th or 11th
• See here for the tracking spreadsheet
• MS Math - May 12-13 (for grades 6-7) - see here for the testing schedule and email Liza with any issues
• AP Exams will be proctored by Sophia:

• Wednesday, May 13 - English Language and Composition (AM Exam)
• Friday, May 15 - Environmental Science (AM Exam)