Volume: XIIIIssue: 37May 18, 2026
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.
- 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!
- 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
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.
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
- Catered lunch with food options from different cultures
- SGA run activities for AAPI month
- Music & dancing!
- 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.
- 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!!
- June 5: ELA
- June 8: Science
- June 11: Social Studies
- June 12: Math & Breadth
