Sunday, June 26, 2022

Week of June 27th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 36

June 27th, 2022

Sending them off into the future. In the last week and a half we bid good luck and goodbye to our 8th and 12th graders moving on to new schools and new chapters in their lives. Theses with the 10th annual (for high school) and 14th annual (for 8th grade) stepping up and graduation ceremonies. Over the years, these have been ceremonies filled to the brim with celebration and hope.

I want to thank Kelly & Kristina for stepping up to provide our 8th graders and seniors with so many wonderful memories and celebrations over the years. In particular, these last couple of years have been incredibly challenging backdrops in which to build joy and pride. Nevertheless, they did it, and they did it incredibly well!!

Despite their incredible work, in these last few years, these celebrations have been somewhat shrouded in the uncertainty and terribleness in the world into which our students proceeded. The pandemic and then the reality of persistent racism, sexism, and gender bias all in the backdrop of a climate crisis created an intimidating world for our young folks. Still they persisted - they found their voices, organized their peers, and still continued to fight for what was right while still finding their joy and love in life.

This past week, our country's democracy and protection for the rights for all crumbled as once again, many women, particularly those who are poor and who are black & brown, were thrown back 50 years, as Roe v. Wade fell and decades of advocacy and work to preserve equal protections for women and their health choices was eradicated in a written decision. If we can live in a world where a government elected by the minority can replace justice with politically aligned justices, then our country's democracy is, in fact, broken. Roe was the first. There will inevitably be many more rights lost in the days to come - including Marriage Equality and Maranda protections.

There is no doubt that things are terrible and may be so for some time.

For me, that only underscores the importance of our work. The better we get at preparing our young people to look critically at the world around them and to lean into being the voice that demands change and being the leader that brings that change about - the more we are able to cultivate hope and light once more.

Our students our students are the best hope we have for a better world. In them I see future Attorney Generals who demand justice from corrupt politicians. I see future activists organizing support efforts for women across state borders. I see future politicians who are brave enough and smart enough to write into our constitution a real set of laws that are not subject to the influence of politics and will, for once and for all, guarantee and protect the rights, health, and safety for all individuals.

Today, I turn the page on the end of a very hard chapter (well, let's face - series of chapters), and while I know the next few will not be any easier (and may in fact be more challenging than what we've already experienced), I am excited nonetheless. There is no end to the potential and excitement of working with our future, and I am lucky to do so with their families, and the best set of staff that our kids could ever have!

For those of you who are moving on to new schools/roles - I am excited that you will be our future partners in this work. It will definitely take much more than our little school to make change real. Good luck to you on your paths, and solidarity in the work with you!

For now, I honor the work we have all done together, and encourage all of us to take the time we need to rest, recharge, and fuel up on our own joy. We all have a great weight to bare as we move forward in our work in the fall. But it is work that brings joy and fulfillment and makes every bit of hard work worthwhile!

Important dates.

Monday, 27JUN. Last Day of School

Teachers report to advisory classrooms to distribute report cards
See Below for Schedule & Tasks

Tuesday, 28JUN. Last Day of School for Staff

Staff Remote Work Day
Zoom Link and Agenda Below

Tuesday, 05JUL. Girls Inc Summer Camp Begins

Open to all UAI Rising 5th-current 8th graders.
8:30AM-3:30 PM, Mondays thru Thursdays
Dates: July 5th through July 28th
Direct questions to Wilma: wharris@girlsincnyc.org

Monday, 11JUL. UAI Summer Splash Begins

Open to all UAI Rising 8th-current 12th graders
Summer Arts with Rebecca (ceramics), Freida (art), Judy (STEAM)
Summer School Credit Recovery with Jenetta
10AM-1PM, Mondays thru Thursdays
Dates: July 11th through 28th
Direct questions to Kelly: kellyp@uainstitute.org

Note: We are not offering regents exams this summer. Student who want to retake regents exams will have a chance to do so in January. The Special Appeals rule is in place through August 2023 for students scoring at least a 50 on any exam.

Tuesday, 30AUG-Thursday, 01SEP. Classroom Set Up & Co-Planning Time

As in years past, all staff are invited to return to UAI to begin preparations for classroom setup, co-planning with co-teachers and team members, and getting ready for the 2022-23 school yea

Tuesday, 06SEP. First Day of School for Staff

Thursday, 08SEP. First Day of School for Students

Announcements & To Dos

Last Day of the Year. In typical fashion (at least before COVID), our last day of school for students will be simply for pick up of final report cards, cleaning out of lockers, and saying goodbye for the summer.

Students must report by 10AM to pick up report cards from advisors. We have a number of folks out tomorrow (having taken personal/vacation days), so we'll need to double/triple up advisories:

Middle School (6th/7th)

B49 - all 6th grade Advisories: Phillan, Sarah R (out), Jennifer (out)
B45 - 7th Grade Advisories: Alison, Nica, Jake (out)
B43 - 7th Grade Advisories: Sarah M
B57 - 7th Grade Advisory: Matthew

8th-12th Grade Advisories

303 - 8th Grade Advisories: Kristina, Aisha, Laura (out)
307 - 8th Grade Advisories: Marni, Martine, Jelissa
405 - 9th Grade Advisories: Christina, Jamie, Shana (out)
311 - 9th Grade Advisories: Brodie, Nakita (out), Juelle (out)
309 - 9th Grade Advisories: Cassandra, Tiffany
515 - 10th Grade Advisories: Claire, Rebecca (out)
403 - 10th Grade Advisories: Nina, Danielle R, Marsha (out)
407 - 10th/12th Grade Advisories: Leonela, Jenetta, Elena (out)
415 - 10th/11th Grade Advisories: Liza, Judy (out), Jean (out), Tom (out)
511 - 11th Grade Advisories: Cherry, Olympia, Damon (out)
305 - 12th Grade Advisories: Joey, Kelly, Danielle I

Students should remain with advisors through 10:20, and then are released for lunch and then the day. Students who have open lunch do not have to return and should have a wonderful summer!

Teachers should return report cards to Ms. Aisha. We will email report cards over the summer for those that were not picked up by students.
FYI for students: All lockers will be clipped and cleaned out this summer. Items will not be kept, and any items found in lockers will be considered abandoned and put into the trash/recycling/donation pool.

All staff must complete the EOY checklist. Please make sure there is NOTHING stored on the floors in your classrooms, including the closets. Please make sure everything is removed from the walls- including the hallways.

All final gradebooks must be uploaded unto this FOLDER before you leave for the school year. Please download your Skedula Gradebooks and upload them into the folder.

All final per session sheets and time cards must be turned in before you leave for the summer. NO LATE per session sheets will be processed as this year's budget closes and finalizes on 30JUN.

Last Meeting of the Year. The official last day of school for staff is Tuesday, 28JUN. We will have a remote day that day.

Agenda 8:30-9:30

8:30: Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45: Summer Announcements
9:00: Final Report by the Hiring Committee
9:15: Closing Remarks

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81765931467
Meeting ID: 817 6593 1467
Passcode: UAIZOOM

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

No posts this week

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Week of June 13th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 35

June 13th, 2022

Many Thanks. As we bring this year to a close, several of our community are also bringing their time at UAI to a close. After these last few roller coaster years of pandemic schooling, change is inevitable for folks. Each of us has grown and changed over these last few years, and our community has grown, too.

Many of the folks who are leaving are moving on to spread their wings in new roles and to take what they've learned at UAI to continue their own growth in new places, and to grow and flourish in their new communities. Those schools & programs are lucky to have each of you, and you will each shine in a myriad of ways that will honor the growth you have achieved while with UAI, and the talents that you have honed in your work with our community.

Some folks have not yet landed their next steps, but are looking to find roles that best match their skills, pedagogy, and next steps in their career growth. While they have not yet landed a positions, I am sure schools will snap them up soon. This year is certainly a teacher's market, and I am sure these folks will have their pick of positions! They are not required to share their professional plans, and so I greatly appreciate their openness in sharing their process. Their position is theirs until they choose to leave, but sharing their process allows us to be ready with the highest quality candidates for our students, if or when they find their best matched school! Thank you and best of luck!

Finally, one special person is leaving the DOE to pursue different challenges in retirement and alternate careers outside of the city. Doris' many years with NYCDOE and at UAI have been full of so much wonder and amazingness. You have given so much and will be sorely missed!

To all of you who are moving on....

Thank you to all that have done, given, and contributed to our students, families and school.

Best of luck to you on your next chapter!!

You will be missed and you will always be appreciated!

Important dates this month & next.

Monday, 13JUN. Final Full Staff Meeting

Cell Phone Policy Meeting with Joey

Tuesday, 14JUN: Last day of classes grades 8-11
Week of 15JUN-24JUN:

Grades 6 & 7 (only) teachers
Grades 7-12 Teachers: Regents Schedule

Thursday, 16JUN: High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech

Meet up at Randolph Bar afterwords for a school celebration

Friday, 17JUN: Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!

Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day

Monday, 20JUN: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
Monday, 27JUN: Last Day for Students
Tuesday, 28JUN: Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. You can see the agenda and notes here.

The Hiring Committee. Our next fair is On June 21st at 12PM Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!

You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC.

Equity Team. No New updates this week. Agenda

Circles Committee. No Updates this week

Consultation Committee. See consultation committee notes.

Instructional Leadership Team. Committee Notes and Agenda

Announcements

Last Monday Full Staff Meeting. The Circle Committee reported out on Thursday during PD day, and our Hiring Committee will report out on June 28th during our final zoom. For Monday's PD, an ad-hoc team of folks who took initiative to revamp the UAI Cellphone policy will use our PD time to discuss their work with the staff. Joey took the lead in this work to spearhead a process to develop a fix for an issue that folks have been struggling with all year (Thank you Joey- way to step up!). He has been working with Annie and the deans to find ways to gather input from various constituencies and to revise our existing policy so that all voices are reflected and most importantly, instruction for kids and teachers is maximized, limiting the distraction and disruption of phones. The group asked for Monday PD time to work with staff, and we moved Hiring and Circles to make this happen. Grades 8-12 staff should meet in room 515. Grades 6 & 7 staff should meet in B49.

Middle School Schedule. Here's the schedule for the remainder of the year

Wed, 15JUN - AM - normal classes; PM - ELA Portfolio Work
Thu, 16JUN - AM - normal classes: 10:45 - Attend HS Graduation: 1PM - Return for Movies
Fri, 17JUN - No Classes for 7th Graders - Released for Earth Science Regent
6th Graders - Trip (Field Day)
Mon, 20JUN - Juneteenth Observed- No School
Tue, 21JUN - AM - normal classes; PM - Math Portfolio Work
Wed, 22JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
Thu, 23JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
Fri, 24JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
(I know there's a trip somewhere in these last three days, but I forgot what we said! Which day was it?)

Regents Week Intervention Work & Proctoring Assignments. Please review Regents Week Intervention Assignments and the June Proctoring Schedule.

For Interventions

Support students in completed linked assessments, providing intervention and support instruction where needed.
Once students have completed al tasks they no longer need to attend, please remove them from the intervention list and update Skedula to a passing grade.
Teachers should call home during these outreach periods if students do not arrive to intervention class on time.

Please review the proctor schedule daily. We will be making shifts and changes and student needs shift.

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Review Intervention Assignments. Please Review the intervention assignments with your students (BOTH your advisees AND those students who need to come to your intervention group).

Advisory To Do

Final Course Selection. Brodie will be emailing student course selections to advisors for advisors to review with their students on Tuesday. If students want to change their courses please have them COMPLETE THIS FORM by Tuesday, 14JUN22.
Regents Exam Registration. Advisors should review exam schedule with Advisees this week. FYI - Earth Science Practicum is happening during the day THIS FRIDAY 10JUN21 (Special Schedule to follow). Please see the "Exam Roster" tab on the Regents Week scheduleAdvisors can review students's performance on the Mock Regents, but that is not required. If a student is on the list and no longer wants to take the test, email Kelly to deregister them. If a student is not on the list and wants to take an exam, email Kelly to register them.

Promote Summer School. If you know students who are looking for something fun to do this summer, look below for all the teachers who are running summer programs. Send the kids their way to get a jump on summer enrollment!

Turn in Per Session on Time. We are closing out the 2022-2023 school year budget. That means the final per session period for all teachers will be June 1-15th (with some exceptions - but email Kiri if you have an exception). Please do NOT be late with your per session. Please plan to turn your final per session sheet in next Tuesday.

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

No posts this week

Sunday, June 5, 2022

Week of June 6th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

June 6th, 2022

Staffing Stories. It has taken some time, and I totally forgot to announce last week, but I want to make it a big point to congratulate our very own Ms. J!! As many of you know, Ms. Doris is retiring (this time for reals!) and will be moving out of NYC after June. We will speak more and do more for Ms. Doris in the weeks to come, but this post is aimed at welcoming J!

Over the course of this year, Ms. J has really stood out in her role as assistant dean. In her duties, Ms. J has always found ways to support our kids who find themselves at the wrong end of some bad decisions, and to support our staff in helping those very same kids learn from those very same bad choices.... As with all things - we never are perfect, but Ms. J definitely had great impact and helped so many!

Going above and beyond her role, Ms. J took it upon herself to form a group that met regularly with a group of our students who were stuck in a cycle of bad choices. Through her love and guidance, several of them were able to break free of those patterns, and are now much less often in the halls, in conflict, or causing disruptions in class. Way to go J.

Because of her amazing work, her continuous contributions to our school community (often above and beyond her role as dean) and her commitment to our staff, kids and their families, I was over the moon when J said she would be interested in more. When Doris confirmed her retirement to me earlier this spring, J moving into the role of college counselor really did seem like it was meant to be!

J- I am thrilled to welcome you as the newest counselor at UAI. I know you've already been working seamlessly with the team all year, and I cannot wait to see that same energy, strength, love, and zeal brought to our college counseling team! Congrats J!!!!

And Doris.... no matter how often you say to me no... We're going to do something for you soon - xoxoxoxxoxooxxoo-k

Important dates this month & next.

Wednesday, 01JUN: Regular Classes - Trips Encouraged!
Monday, 06JUN:

Full Staff Meeting

Review of End of June & Regents Schedule
Time to Complete End of Year DESSA

Tuesday, 07JUN: Final Day of Regular Classes for Seniors

Senior Course Tracking Document
Teachers MUST confirm with Kiri any student failing their class by EOD 06JUN22
Teachers MUST have made contact with home to inform family of course failure and inability to graduate (if applicable).

Thursday, 09JUN: Brooklyn Queens Day - Remote PD Day

8:30-10AM Full Staff Meeting (Via Zoom) Agenda to Follow
10AM-2:50PM - Independent Work Time to Submit The Following by End of Day

Skedula updated with grades
MP4 Failures Listed on Summer Doc
Final List of Assignments (with Links) Failing Students Need To Complete

Monday, 13JUN. Final Full Staff Meeting

Final Circles Committee Report
Final Hiring Committee Report

Tuesday, 14JUN: Last day of classes grades 8-11
Thursday, 16JUN: High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech

6th & 7th grade student & teachers will attend!!

Exact schedule TBD

Exact Assignments for all staff TBD

Week of 15JUN-24JUN: Regents Schedule

Friday, 17JUN: Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!

Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day

Monday, 20JUN: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 21JUN: Middle School Portfolio (ELA/MATH) week begins (Schedule TBD)
Monday, 27JUN: Last Day for Students
Tuesday, 28JUN: Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. See TO DO below. You can see the agenda and notes here.

The Hiring Committee. Our next fair is On June 9th at 1PM Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!

You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC.

Equity Team. No New updates this week. Agenda

Circles Committee. No Updates this week

Consultation Committee. See consultation committee notes.

Instructional Leadership Team. Mock Regents dates have been set (see below for details). Also, all teachers with formal observations should be meeting with their ILT leader to prepare for their final observations with Kiri & Annie. Committee Notes and Agenda

Announcements

Monday Full Staff Meetings. On Monday, we will once again meet in the library to continue our work to build up our general community connections. This will continue each Monday for the remainder of the year. For the upcoming Mondays, here are the topics of the meetings.

06JUN - Regents Schedule Review for HS Staff - No meeting for MS Staff
(swapped 06 and 13JUN due to trip schedules and teachers being out)

DESSA Rating Time

13JUN - Final Staff Circle Report & Hiring Committee Report

Small Group Progress Updates. Students who are going to fail your course will be assigned to work with you during programmed intervention periods during Regents week. Please see below for Small Group Updates.

Summer Programming. As I've mentioned many times in earlier blogs, Summer Rising (the DOE's new name for summer school) is redefining what summer school is. The DOE is really pushing an innovation around summer that emphasizes multiple forms of learning - not only academic remediation. What that means for UAI -

UAI Summer Splash will be enrichment courses in Social Justice, Summer Steam, our own brand of UAI SYEP, and the Arts.
Girls Inc Summer School will offer an onsite camp to all of our middle school students from 9-3:30PM each day.

Students who require Academic Intervention have a spot reserved for them in our in-day program, but they are only mandated to participate in the virtual programming.

All students participating in the in-person Summer Splash can receive up to 3 elective credits, plus have loads of fun and pad those college resumes with summer experiences! Please encourage all of your students to have summer plans, and promote our UAI Summer Splash as an opportunity for that!

Summer School Teachers Needed for Summer Rising Program. Joining our campus this summer are two new middle schools (Dock Street and Bridges). They are hosting a more traditional mandated summer program from 8:30-12:00, Mon-Thu from 05JUL thru 12AUG. If you are interested in working some or part of that time, please let Kiri know. They really need teachers!

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Do Small Group Final UPDATES. Please update your small group students' progress by entering a P or F in the yellow column o you expect the student to pass your course by the last day of classes (06JUN for Seniors, 14JUN for 8th-11th graders, and 24JUN for 6th & 7th Grade), please enter P. If no passing, please enter F.

For students who will fail, please identify BOTH the tasks (assignments and/or assessments) along with the relevant answer keys or rubrics that failing students must complete in the final weeks of June and in our July Summer Session in order to earn credit. You will have time to complete this task on Thursday, 09JUN, but final lists of failing students and their required task lists are due at the end of the day on Thursday. If the tasks are on your Google Classroom, please make sure that Kelly, Brodie, Annie, and Kiri are shared on your Google Classroom as instructors. We will be managing summer programs.

Failing students will begin working on these assignments with their course teachers during assigned intervention periods during Regents Week. Please see teacher schedule to see those periods.

Advisory To Do

Final Course Selection. Brodie will be emailing student course selections to advisors for advisors to review with their students on Tuesday. If students want to change their courses please have them COMPLETE THIS FORM by Tuesday, 14JUN22.
Regents Exam Registration. Advisors should review exam schedule with Advisees this week. FYI - Earth Science Practicum is happening during the day THIS FRIDAY 10JUN21 (Special Schedule to follow). Please see the "Exam Roster" tab on the Regents Week scheduleAdvisors can review students's performance on the Mock Regents, but that is not required. If a student is on the list and no longer wants to take the test, email Kelly to deregister them. If a student is not on the list and wants to take an exam, email Kelly to register them.

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

School Organization. We are now ready to begin organizing stuff! Dai will be supervising all efforts, but I've appointed chiefs of certain areas to work with her.

Science Supplies Chief - Liza with Team: Judy, Tom, Sarah R, Nina, Phillan

Student Schwag Supplies Chief - Kelly with Team: Jen, Elena, Aisha

2022 UAI SUMMER Camp.

Staffed:

Jenetta (Summer School Coordinator, Social Justice Course) - Staffed - Social Justice Course
Kelly (Summer School Coordinator, Regents Prep Coordinator) - Staffed (Summer/Regents Coordinator)
Jelissa (SYEP, Student Recruitment) - Staffed - SYEP coordinator, Student Recruitment
Adelle (Student Recruitment) - Student Recruitment
Freida (Summer Arts Elective) = Staffed Summer Arts Elective
Nina (Regents Prep) - Staffed - Regents Prep
Nicole (SYEP, Student Recruitment)- Staffed - SYEP Support,Student Recruitment
Juelle (Student Recruitment) - Staff Student Recruitment
Brodie (Summer School Administrator) - Staffed - Summer School Admin
Shana (STEAM Summer Elective) - Staffed - STEAM Summer Elective
Rebecca (Pottery with a Wheel)- Staffed - Pottery
Olympia (Creative Writing) - Staffed - Creative Writing

Monday, May 30, 2022

Week of May 31

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 33

May 31st, 2022

Last Power Up Period of the Year. This week we enter into the final PowerUp period for grades 8-12 and soon after that, the middle school will be entering into their own final PowerUp Period.

On the one hand, we can be exciting that the year is winding down and we are getting that much closer to a much deserved summer break...

On the other hand - every end of the Spring Term brings an overwhelming sense of stress, angst, and frustration as we try to wrap up the year. In normal times, the May/June period of the year is a little crazy. In COVID (post-ish COVID?) times, the crazy times are truly next level.

To that end, we are all feeling the burn. Each of us are running on fumes and pushing our hardest (through COVID!) to get to the end of this year. One things that will certainly help ALL of us get there in one piece is if we can find ways to pull together and act as one.

So some key things

If you see something, say something.... Our kids who struggle the most in school are in peak avoidance behavior which often translates into verbal disputes and lots of drama. If you hear anything bubbling up, please say something to the deans. Please also say something to the kids themselves - remind them that choosing to invest their time into this drama will not help them do what they need to do for your class, and if they choose the drama, they will inevitably be putting themself into summer school or repeating the grade.

Hold down the fort... Please make sure that you are aware of who is in your class at all times. Several times last week, teachers reported to me that they did not know that a student had left. That's not ok! Keep those teacher eyes open and aware at all times. Also - please do not send students out of your class during the LAST or FIRST 10 minutes of class for any reason. If there is a medical emergency that cannot wait for 10 minutes please let the deans know. Bathrooms are closed and deans are clearing halls during this time. So please help us keep the halls clear and moving by refraining from sending students out.

Give Them Something To Shine About...All students have something going well - no matter how big or small! A little praise goes SOOOOO much further than punishment in terms of helping kids reorient themselves to the correct decisions. Find ways to reengage your most struggling students this week by finding ways to help them shine.

To be clear, students engaging in violent or bullying behavior will receive the consequences outlined in the NYCDOE discipline code. HOWEVER, if we all find ways to encourage and commend the smallest victories or achievements in our students who are the most disengaged, those words far outweigh whatever the DOE has in store for poor choices. So, leverage the good - it'll make you feel good AND it will definitely give our kids who are struggling a real reason to make better choices.

We got this UAI!

Important dates this month & next.

Wednesday, 01JUN: Regular Classes - Trips Encouraged!
Monday, 06JUN: Final Full Staff PD

Final Circle Committee Report
Final Hiring Committee Report

Tuesday, 07JUN: Correction to Calendar - we DO have school!
Tuesday, 07JUN: Final Day of Regular Classes for Seniors

Senior Course Tracking Document
All teachers who have a student that is currently failing but NEEDS to pass the course in order to graduate have received direct communications from Kiri. All Advisors have been copied. Any senior who is passing as of today will be assumed to be passing for the year unless teachers talk to Kiri to let her know otherwise.

Thursday, 09JUN: Brooklyn Queens Day - Remote PD Day
Tuesday, 14JUN: Last day of classes grades 9-11
Thursday, 16JUN: High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech

6th & 7th grade student & teachers will attend!!

Exact schedule TBD

Exact Assignments for all staff TBD

Week of 15JUN-24JUN: Regents Week - Regular Classes for Grades 6 & 7
Here are the exams we are giving:

Wed 15JUN:

9AM: ELA Regent Exam
1PM: Living Environment Regent Exam

Thu 16JUN:

9AM: ALG 1 Regent Exam

Fri 17JUN:

1PM: EARTH SCI Regent Exam

Tue 21JUN:

9AM: GEOMETRY Regent Exam
1PM: LOTE Regent Exam

Wed 22JUN:

9AM: ALG 2 Regent Exam

Friday, 17JUN: Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!

Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day

Monday, 20JUN: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 21JUN: Middle School Portfolio (ELA/MATH) week begins (Schedule TBD)
Monday, 27JUN: Last Day for Students
Tuesday, 28JUN: Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. The scheduling committee is currently working on making sure students meet pre-requisites for required courses. They will be presenting their work to staff next Monday 23MAY to provide folks with a progress report. You can see the agenda and notes here.

The Hiring Committee. Our next fair is On May 24, 2022. Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!

You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC.

Equity Team. Please complete the survey that Joey sent out. The com. Agenda

Circles Committee. No Updates this week

Consultation Committee. Next meeting is TBD - at 3PM in room 403. See consultation committee notes.

Announcements

06JUN - Final Staff Circle Report & Hiring Committee Report

DESSA Rating

13JUN - Regents Schedule Review for HS Staff - No meeting for MS Staff

Small Group Instruction. Please email me a list of students who are still failing your course by this Friday at 3PM. These students will be required to attend school during regents week. You will have assigned time to work with them to complete work in lieu of proctoring assignments.

Awards Night. We celebrated a BEAUTIFUL awards night for our highest achievers and greatest growers last Thursday. Many, many thanks to Jen and her team (so sorry I can't name you all - I'm not sure who all pitched in, but I do appreciate you all) for putting together a spectacular event. It was so amazing to see so many of our families together and in person once again.

Culture Day. Another big shout out to Jen and the student team responsible for organizing and executing a FABULOUS culture day. Special shout out to DJ Jazzy J (yes that's what I'm calling Ms. J now) and all the staff who joined in on the fun and enjoyed the day with our students! It was a wonderful way to celebrate our community and our kids together!

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Do Small Group Outreach. All teachers with small groups must call families on Tuesday to let them know that small groups will launch on Tuesday. Please update the form HERE once outreach is complete. If you have any issues or problems with outreach, please contact Kiri directly!

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

School Organization. We are now ready to begin organizing stuff! Dai will be supervising all efforts, but I've appointed chiefs of certain areas to work with her.

Science Supplies Chief - Liza with Team: Judy, Tom, Sarah R, Nina, Phillan

Student Schwag Supplies Chief - Kelly with Team: Jen, Elena, Aisha

2022 UAI SUMMER Camp.

Staffed:

Jenetta (Summer School Coordinator, Social Justice Course) - Staffed - Social Justice Course
Kelly (Summer School Coordinator, Regents Prep Coordinator) - Staffed (Summer/Regents Coordinator)
Jelissa (SYEP, Student Recruitment) - Staffed - SYEP coordinator, Student Recruitment
Adelle (Student Recruitment) - Student Recruitment
Freida (Summer Arts Elective) = Staffed Summer Arts Elective
Nina (Regents Prep) - Staffed - Regents Prep
Nicole (SYEP, Student Recruitment)- Staffed - SYEP Support,Student Recruitment
Juelle (Student Recruitment) - Staff Student Recruitment
Brodie (Summer School Administrator) - Staffed - Summer School Admin
Shana (STEAM Summer Elective) - Staffed - STEAM Summer Elective
Rebecca (Pottery with a Wheel)- Staffed - Pottery
Olympia (Creative Writing) - Staffed - Creative Writing

Sunday, May 22, 2022

Week of May 23rd

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 32

May 23rd, 2022

Final Week of May! This is the final week of May and it is the LAST 5day teaching week of the year.

Next week is a 4-day week (Memorial Day)
The week after is another 4-day week (Brooklyn Queens Day)
The week after that is Regents Week (some 7th graders will be taking the Earth Science Regent, so NO 7th graders will be in attendance on 15JUN an 17JUN for the Practicum and Exam testing.
The week after that is another 4-day week (Juneteenth)
There is not week after that- it's just one last day with students and the last staff day is remote!

We're almost there! I know we're all exhausted and the kids are feeling it too. But we are all ... almost...to the end!

We are working hard to keep smooth operations. However, last week, we averaged a LOT of staff attendance issues. Whenever we have that many subs and coverages, student behavior becomes challenging across everyone's classes. To help, Jen, Annie, and I are stationing ourselves in the hallways to complete our work, which includes meeting with teachers, families, kids, and zooming!!

However, we all need to take part in this final push to the end of the year. For the remainder of the year, please make it a point to

End your classes on time so you can stand at your doors to welcome in the next classes
If you are assigned Hall Duty, please report to Annie for your assignment at the start of your period
Please do NOT send out more than one student at a time from your room - for any reason.
Please do NOT send students out of your room (for any reason other than absolute emergency) during the first or last 10 minutes of class.

The end of every year brings student anxiety and stress to new levels for so many different and varied reasons. These last few years have been extraordinarily uncertain for all of us, but in particular have had enormous impact on our students. Increasing structure and creating predictable patterns (in classrooms and halls) will help our students self-manage and help all of us to create a stable, smoother end to the school year - which is a thing for our entire community.

Commit to the small acts - being at your doors and starting and stopping classes on time will do A LOT to support the school climate this week. Additionally, we will have out-of-classroom staff on hand this week and posted in halls and stairwells to continue supporting our students as they transition.

This is our last 5-day week of normal instruction. Let's make it the strongest one yet!

Important dates this month & next.

Monday, 16MAY: Full Staff Meeting in the Library at 3PM

Scheduling Committee Report Out

Mock Regents: Please Review the Mock Regents Schedule

Monday, 23MAY: Algebra I Mock Regents 12:10-2:50PM
Tuesday, 24MAY: Science (Earth/Living) Mock Regents 9:00-11:10AM
Thursday, 26MAY: ELA Mock Regents 9AM-11:10AM

Monday, 23MAY: Full Staff Meeting in the Library at 3PM

Scheduling Committee Report Out

SOC & MATH Teams report to rooms to complete Regents Exam Grading

SOC - Report to Room 507
MAT - Report to Room 511

Monday 30MAY: Memorial Day

No School

Wednesday, 01JUN: USH Regents Exam Day - NO CLASSES
Monday, 06JUN: Final Full Staff PD

Final Circle Committee Report
Final Hiring Committee Report

Tuesday, 07JUN: Correction to Calendar - we DO have school!
Tuesday, 07JUN: Final Day of Regular Classes for Seniors

Senior Course Tracking Document
All teachers who have a student that is currently failing but NEEDS to pass the course in order to graduate have received direct communications from Kiri. All Advisors have been copied. Any senior who is passing as of today will be assumed to be passing for the year unless teachers talk to Kiri to let her know otherwise.

Thursday, 09JUN: Brooklyn Queens Day - Remote PD Day
Tuesday, 14JUN: Last day of classes grades 9-11
Thursday, 16JUN: High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech

6th & 7th grade student & teachers will attend!!

Exact schedule TBD

Exact Assignments for all staff TBD

Week of 15JUN-24JUN: Regents Week - Regular Classes for Grades 6 & 7
Here are the exams we are giving:

Wed 15JUN:

9AM: ELA Regent Exam
1PM: Living Environment Regent Exam

Thu 16JUN:

9AM: ALG 1 Regent Exam

Fri 17JUN:

1PM: EARTH SCI Regent Exam

Tue 21JUN:

9AM: GEOMETRY Regent Exam
1PM: LOTE Regent Exam

Wed 22JUN:

9AM: ALG 2 Regent Exam

Friday, 17JUN: Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!

Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day

Monday, 20JUN: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 21JUN: Middle School Portfolio (ELA/MATH) week begins (Schedule TBD)
Monday, 27JUN: Last Day for Students
Tuesday, 28JUN: Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

The Hiring Committee. Our next fair is On May 24, 2022. Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!

You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC.

Equity Team. Please complete the survey that Joey sent out. The com. Agenda

Circles Committee. No Updates this week

Consultation Committee. Next meeting is TBD - at 3PM in room 403. See consultation committee notes.

Announcements

Regents Exams. The NYSED has ruled to expand the appeals process to all students. Now, ALL students who sit for a Regent exam this year or next year and score between 50 and 64 will be eligible for an appeal. In a low-score appeal, students are able to satisfy exam graduation requirements with a score between 50-64.

In short, it has been absolutely verified that it will be very easy to pass the exams this year. ALL students should sit for their associated regent exam because ALL students have the ability to satisfy graduation requirement with a minimum score of 50.

Students are always able to retake exams for higher scores, but this expansion is for a limited time only, and will ONLY apply to students who sit for exams this year or next year. So, please share this news with students and encourage all students to sit for regents that they have not yet passed (or been waived out of).

23MAY - Scheduling Committee Update & Regents Grading

Math Team Reports to Room 511 to Grade Short Response ALG 1 Mock
Social Studies Team Reports to Room 507 to Grade Short Answer USH Mock

06JUN - Final Staff Circle Report & Hiring Committee Report

DESSA Rating

13JUN - Regents Schedule Review for HS Staff - No meeting for MS Staff

Small Group Instruction. All small groups are launched MP4 Small Groups. No one escalated any problems in outreach to me! I am currently going through grade books to see how students are performing. For grades 8-12, this is the final week of new instruction before we begin our final PowerUp period. Please make sure all grades are up-to-date by this Friday at 3PM.

Staff Picnic. Our first ever Staff Family Picnic was this Saturday, May 21st at 11:30 in Prospect Park. It was loads of fun on a beautiful hot summer-like day. Many folks were not able to make it, but for those who did, we had an absolute blast!!! Many thanks to Juelle, Jen, and Elena for organizing.

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Please Celebrate Our Students. Our Student Awards Ceremony is in two weeks and we still need nominations...Please take a minute to nominate a student!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HF3Ys2wgJOz0pl3yzUIMFvkcMqizRaDK-m30qv1vp6o/edit#gid=0

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

School Organization. We are now ready to begin organizing stuff! Dai will be supervising all efforts, but I've appointed chiefs of certain areas to work with her.

Science Supplies Chief - Liza with Team: Judy, Tom, Sarah R, Nina, Phillan

Student Schwag Supplies Chief - Kelly with Team: Jen, Elena, Aisha

2022 UAI SUMMER Camp.

Staffed:

Jenetta (Summer School Coordinator, Social Justice Course) - Staffed - Social Justice Course
Kelly (Summer School Coordinator, Regents Prep Coordinator) - Staffed (Summer/Regents Coordinator)
Jelissa (SYEP, Student Recruitment) - Staffed - SYEP coordinator, Student Recruitment
Adelle (Student Recruitment) - Student Recruitment
Freida (Summer Arts Elective) = Staffed Summer Arts Elective
Nina (Regents Prep) - Staffed - Regents Prep
Nicole (SYEP, Student Recruitment)- Staffed - SYEP Support,Student Recruitment
Juelle (Student Recruitment) - Staff Student Recruitment
Brodie (Summer School Administrator) - Staffed - Summer School Admin
Shana (STEAM Summer Elective) - Staffed - STEAM Summer Elective
Rebecca (Pottery with a Wheel)- Staffed - Pottery
Olympia (Creative Writing) - Staffed - Creative Writing

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Week of May 16th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 31

May 9th, 2022

Final Two Full Weeks! These are the final two full weeks of new instruction. This has been another super challenging year, and we are in the final stage of the year.

We're all feeling the stress right now. The kids's skills are behind where they would normally be in a school year with COVID, and they know that as much as we know that. We, as adults, have had our own bucket of struggles as each of us navigated a sea of personal stress & challenge with the backdrop of COVID still looming large.

Dude... this has been a hard year...after year... after year...

BUT - The finish line is finally in site. We have only 11 instructional days left in May, and when we get to June there's only 8 teaching days left for the high school (and 11 for the middle school). June 1-14 will be our final Power Up "week" for the high school (with June 21st for the MS).

These next two weeks are our opportunity to grasp for and root some level of normalcy for ourselves and our students.

Kids will continue to test us and push the boundaries - which is normal - because they're teenagers
Teachers & Paras will continue to find new ways to cajole, encourage, challenge and motivate their students - which is normal - because you're awesome at what you do
Counselors will continue to listen, guide, and push our students to reflect on their choices, learn from their mistakes, and make better paths for themselves as they grow and develop - both normal and essential!
School Support Teams will continue to manage all of the endless pieces of operation that allow the school to run - so normal and soooo endless!
School Leadership will continue to find ways encourage and push everyone to be their best in their roles at UAI - which is admittedly annoying at times - but also super normal and what is to be expected.

After a sea of uncertainty, I reach for these elements of normalcy like life rafts bringing stability and centeredness. In these next few weeks, we will all be in our feels at some point or another, but I encourage you to step out and look at those reactions in the context our larger experience this year. We have a lot to fix, but we also have to honor what we have achieved in light of what we have all experienced together.

UAI, we got these next few weeks because we've had this all year long!!

In the words of my 14 year old boy ---- Let's gooooooo!

Important dates this month & next.

Monday, 16MAY: Full Staff Meeting in the Library at 3PM

Scheduling Committee Report Out

Mock Regents: Please Review the Mock Regents Schedule

Friday, 20MAY: US History Mock Regents 12:10-2:50PM
Monday, 23MAY: Algebra I Mock Regents 12:10-2:50PM
Tuesday, 24MAY: Science (Earth/Living) Mock Regents 9:00-11:10AM

Monday, 23MAY: Full Staff Meeting in the Library at 3PM

Hiring Committee Report Out
Regents Exam Grading

Monday 30MAY: Memorial Day

No School

Wednesday, 01JUN: USH Regents Exam Day - NO CLASSES
Monday, 06JUN: Final Circle PD
Tuesday, 07JUN: Correction to Calendar - we DO have school!
Tuesday, 07JUN: Final Day of Regular Classes for Seniors

NOTE: List of Seniors Failing Your Class Due on 03JUN so we can communicate programming for students mandated to small groups

Thursday, 09JUN: Brooklyn Queens Day - Remote PD Day
Tuesday, 14JUN: Last day of classes grades 9-11
Thursday, 16JUN: High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech
Week of 15JUN-24JUN: Regents Week - Regular Classes for Grades 6 & 7
Here are the exams we are giving:

Wed 15JUN:

9AM: ELA Regent Exam
1PM: Living Environment Regent Exam

Thu 16JUN:

9AM: ALG 1 Regent Exam

Fri 17JUN:

1PM: EARTH SCI Regent Exam

Tue 21JUN:

9AM: GEOMETRY Regent Exam
1PM: LOTE Regent Exam

Wed 22JUN:

9AM: ALG 2 Regent Exam

Friday, 17JUN: Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!

Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day

Monday, 20JUN: Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 21JUN: Middle School Portfolio (ELA/MATH) week begins (Schedule TBD)
Monday, 27JUN: Last Day for Students
Tuesday, 28JUN: Last Day for Staff

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. The scheduling committee is currently working on making sure students meet pre-requisites for required courses. They will be presenting their work to staff next Monday 16MAY to provide folks with a progress report. You can see the agenda and notes here.

The Hiring Committee. Our next fair is On May 24, 2022. Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!

You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC.

Equity Team. Please complete the survey that Joey sent out. The com. Agenda

Circles Committee. No Updates this week

Consultation Committee. Next meeting is on Thursday 19MAY - at 3PM in room 403. See consultation committee notes.

Announcements

Mock Regents. The instructional leadership team finalized dates for Mock Regents for students who will be taking exams in June. Teams should have already heard from their ILT leads. (ELA - I am still waiting to hear back from your team on a date...). We don't have the capacity to hold Mocks for all the regent exams, so we're holding them for the exams required for graduation: ELA, USH, ALG 1, Earth/Living.

The main goal of a mock regent is to provide students an experience with extended time testing. Students have not tested for longer than a single class period for years, at this point. By creating a schedule to imitate Regents testing conditions, teachers will have the opportunity to coach students to build stamina and persistence throughout the exam. These are not actual exams, the point of these exams is to help students develop the testing resilience they need to accurately demonstrate what they know.

Framing the exams is important for students. Teachers should definitely use the following information to help frame the exams in a positive frame for students so that we limit anxiety and maximize student ability to show us what they can do and what they really know.

Generous Grading Curves. It is highly likely that given NYS wanted to suspend regents again this year (the Federal Government said no) that the state will create more generous curves on the Regents Rubrics. So, it's very possible that students could end up scoring very well on the exams this June - despite having had huge disruptions in learning this year.
Unknown Content & Strategic Thinking. Disruptions in learning this year (remember our late start and almost non-existent instruction during Omicron in December & January) were unavoidable. So, it's also unavoidable that kids will run into concepts that they may not have fully mastered (or even covered). However, students have acquired the reasoning and thinking skills necessary to make educated guesses. The mock regent is a time to engage students with building their test-taking strategies to eliminate answers and make educated guesses!
Format & Stamina. Students have not yet had a full experience of a multi-hour exam this year. This mock regent is designed to provide teachers the opportunity to teach into the format of the entire exam and to coach students during testing to build their stamina and resilience - e.g. finding the students who are putting their heads down and giving up and giving them feedback and ideas on how to regroup and keep trying. Certainly things can't happen during the actual exam, but as this is their first extended testing experience - a lesson on learning how to manage the experience is required.

Another goal of mock regents, of course, is to provide teachers with the content data needed to tailor the final days of instruction for their classes. Staff will have time to grade regents exams during PD time, and if necessary, per session hours.

Special Notes:

SCIENCE TEACHERS: Many of the kids on your lists already have a science regent exam (except 8th graders - all 8th graders must sit for their science regent). However, traditionally, students have had the greatest success with a 2nd science for their Plus One. Students who need a science regent or a Plus One will automatically be registered to take their science exam. Science Teachers will have the option to make final recommendations for lists, factoring in student needs and performance on the Mock Exams.

Calendar Changes. In reviewing the calendar, and then double checking with the powers that be, June 7th is a REGULAR school day for us. The clerical day is for schools with only grade 6-8 or K-12, not 6-12. So, we have a regular school day that day!

STARS Updates. Please check your class lists - Gen Ed and Special Ed. There were some mistakes in students who were assigned to teachers. To be honest with the staffing changes that happened (Teachers resigning, being hired) and the new programming model we used this year, it was super hard to track everything that was in motion. However, I did finally get to this item that was constantly pushed off my plate - which was to check and double check STARS assignments. There are a million tiny moving pieces in the program - just ask anyone on the scheduling committee! So, please raise up any mistakes you see to me as soon as you seen them. Jennifer & I tried to catch as many as we could, but we are mere humans. We need multiple eyes to catch everything. So please help!

16MAY - Scheduling Committee Update
23MAY - Hiring Committee Update & Regents Grading
06JUN - Final Staff Circle
13JUN - Regents Schedule Review for HS Staff - No meeting for MS Staff

<<REPOST>>Small Group Instruction. All small groups are launched MP4 Small Groups. For students who are not responding to outreach or who are not attending small groups, please escalate those names to Kiri by Friday, 13MAY22. If you missed that deadline, please email me before EOD today. Before escalating, please make sure that you have attempted to call home with the student first (e.g. pulled the student and called home with them from their cell phone). As a reminder, students who are still failing by May31st will be assigned to attend school for extra help in small groups during Regents Exam testing days in June.

Staff Picnic. Our first ever Staff Family Picnic is this Saturday, May 21st at 11:30 in Prospect Park. Look out for a details in an upcoming email from the planning team! Please bring your own food and drink & something to sit on!

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Please Celebrate Our Students. Our Student Awards Ceremony is in two weeks and we still need nominations...Please take a minute to nominate a student!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HF3Ys2wgJOz0pl3yzUIMFvkcMqizRaDK-m30qv1vp6o/edit#gid=0

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

School Organization. We are now ready to begin organizing stuff! Dai will be supervising all efforts, but I've appointed chiefs of certain areas to work with her.

Science Supplies Chief - Liza with Team: Judy, Tom, Sarah R, Nina, Phillan

Student Schwag Supplies Chief - Kelly with Team: Jen, Elena, Aisha

2022 UAI SUMMER Camp.

Staffed:

Jenetta (Summer School Coordinator, Social Justice Course) - Staffed - Social Justice Course
Kelly (Summer School Coordinator, Regents Prep Coordinator) - Staffed (Summer/Regents Coordinator)
Jelissa (SYEP, Student Recruitment) - Staffed - SYEP coordinator, Student Recruitment
Adelle (Student Recruitment) - Student Recruitment
Freida (Summer Arts Elective) = Staffed Summer Arts Elective
Nina (Regents Prep) - Staffed - Regents Prep
Nicole (SYEP, Student Recruitment)- Staffed - SYEP Support,Student Recruitment
Juelle (Student Recruitment) - Staff Student Recruitment
Brodie (Summer School Administrator) - Staffed - Summer School Admin
Shana (STEAM Summer Elective) - Staffed - STEAM Summer Elective
Rebecca (Pottery with a Wheel)- Staffed - Pottery
Olympia (Creative Writing) - Staffed - Creative Writing