Week of November 17th

UAI High School Staff News

Volume II

Issue 14

Week of November 17th,  2014

Announcements

SLC Wrap Up.  We have done a really amazing job getting families in for SLCs.  As a reminder, if you have not already done so, please make sure that Carol has your sign in sheets. They were due on Friday at the end of the day.  So, if you forgot, no biggie, just make sure Carol gets them first thing on Monday so we can finalize the count together.

SQR Preparation.  As part of the Quality Review process, I've asked the Cabinet to help me write our Self Reflection.  The self-reflection is the school's self-evaluation on each of the indicators.  The cabinet has divided up each of the indicators and is working on deepening their understanding of their selected indicator.  In addition, I've asked them to get a sense across grades and classrooms of where we are on their chosen indicator.  This means they'll be popping in to collect low inference observations and other data points to sustain their evaluations.  This is not an evaluation of you as individual teachers.  Rather this is a collection of data points to evaluate us as a school.  Please do feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts with anyone on cabinet.  All input is important to get a good picture of where we are.  In addition to cabinet visits, the LC principals will be doing an instructional rounds visit in the morning tomorrow.

Benchmark Testing.  Our next round of benchmarks is coming up next week.  Please make sure that you have reviewed the schedule with your team.  If you see anything that was problematic last time but still has not been changed on the schedule, please let me or Colleen know ASAP.  Also, please make sure that the teachers who are testing students with test modifications have adequate copies of the benchmark prior to the close of school on Friday.  As a reminder, we are using the exact same benchmark that we used in September.  The only variation being the questions selected (e.g. choosing the odds instead of the evens).   It's important that we use the same benchmark because I will be tracking growth based on this data.  The turn around window for grading these benchmarks will be tighter this time.  I want to have the data entered into the document and ready for your use prior to the Quality Review.  So, benchmarks will have to be completely graded by Tuesday, December 2nd.

Work Out Plans.  The deadline for introducing work out plans into your classrooms is 24NOV14 and they should be a staple in your unit arcs that start after the Thanksgiving break.  Workout plans are not intended to be extra in any way.  Rather, they are necessary components of getting the girls to be able to achieve (or excel) in your course.  In addition, there doesn't have to be a huge number of different activities.  Start small and build over time.  As you grade the benchmarks, that will give you plenty of ideas of where your youngsters are falling down and what background abilities needs shoring up for your particular discipline.  Work Out plans are just a new approach to differentiation.  Rather than modifying tasks, you're adding in necessary activities to enable students to achieve on the tasks you assign.  There are coaches on each grade team that can help you!  Please reach out to them!

Important Dates

• Monday, 17NOV14. PER SESSION SHEETS DUE
• Thursday 20NOV14. Cabinet Meeting in 403 - Agenda TBD
• Monday 24NOV14. In place of Grade Team and Pods, we'll be having a UAI HS Potluck!  Here are the Assignments:  9th Grade - Sides; 10th Grade - Desserts; 11th/12th Grade- Appetizers.  Admin and Main Office support will be on Main Dishes and Drinks.  We'll be joining the middle school in the library to celebrate the event!
• Tuesday and Wednesday 25NOV14 and 26NOV14.  Benchmark II Assessments
• Thursday & Friday 27NOV14 and 28NOV14. Thanksgiving Recess NO SCHOOL

Per Session Posting

No new postings this week.