Urban Assembly Institute of Math and Science for Young Women
31 August 2026
Volume: XIIIIssue: 42June 22, 2026
Volume: XIIIIssue: 41June 15, 2026
We are so close! As we enter the final 8 days of the school year, I want to extend a massive thank you to each of you. This time of year requires an extra dose of patience and structure, and I deeply appreciate how hard you are working to keep our students engaged and focused right up until the final day - and to our MS staff - I see you! Every year you have the extra challenge of finishing out June with full days with your kids - thank you for meeting the challenge with JOY and resiliency.
As we navigate the remaining days of grading, packing, and events, please remember to support one another and lean on the admin team if you need extra support.
Onward.
Volume: XIIIIssue: 40June 08, 2026
As we move closer to the close of another school year, the reality of our leadership transition is becoming more tangible with each passing week. While change can bring a mix of emotions, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible foundation that has been built at UAI under Kiri's leadership.
Kiri's impact on this school is hard to put into words. As the founding principal, she has spent the last 20 years building a school community that has changed the lives of thousands of students and families. What has always stood out to me most about Kiri is her unwavering commitment to doing what is best for kids -regardless of who is watching, how difficult the decision may be, or whether she receives recognition for it. She has consistently led with courage and a deep belief in the potential of every child.
As we honor that legacy, I am also beginning the important work of looking ahead. While we are still focused on finishing this school year strong, I have already started visioning for next year and thinking deeply about how we can continue to build on the school's many strengths without changing the fabric of our mission or who we are. Over the last many weeks, the PAG (formerly known as ILT) has been partnering closely with me to help define what we hope to achieve together and to shape priorities that reflect both our values and our aspirations.
This week marks another step in the transition as I begin taking over morning announcements and coverages. It may seem like a small shift, but it is one of many intentional moves designed to support a thoughtful and successful transition over time.
Transitions are rarely seamless, and ours has certainly had moments that have required adjustment and flexibility. Thank you for your partnership, your patience, and your commitment during this time. I look forward to continuing this work together as we write the next chapter of our school's story - grounded in our mission, our values, and the love that has defined this amazing little community from the very beginning.
Volume: XIIIIssue: 39June 01, 2026
Wow, it's June! It's been a whirlwind of a Spring semester and we are down to 17 days until the end of the school year. The next few weeks are packed - please pay very close attention to the To Dos listed below for this week!!
Volume: XIIIIssue: 38May 25, 2026
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.
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.
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:
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