Week of May 1st

UAI Staff News

Volume IV

Issue 31

Week of May 1st, 2017

This Week's Memories

UAI Takes on Columbia as Sci-Ed Innovators.  This weekend, Damon coached eight of our freshmen to present at the 7th annual Sci-Ed Innovators Expo. They showed off their efforts to implement recycling in our classrooms, and composting and recycling in the cafeteria. They also had attendees play a recycling and composting game, educating them about their choices as the played. Please give a shout out to our wonderful freshmen when you see them this week:  Tashima Richards John, Astra James, Jamora Huggins, Shakira Skinner, Savannah Kirby, Jasmine David, Aaliyah Chung, and Naimah Muhammad.  Also big thanks to Mr. Damon for coaching the team through this great opportunity!

Class of 2018 Explores College Options.  Ilyana, Kristin, and Danielle chaperoned the Class of 2018 on our annual overnight college trip.  Each spring this trip is aimed at providing tangible experiences to our students to help inform one of the biggest decisions in their lives, picking a college!   In this picture, the girls maneuver a manual elevator at Hamilton College.  Give a big shout out to Ms. Martine who finalized her first college trip plans while simultaneously meeting with the seniors to finalize their college selections.  Monday is college match day, so make it a point to congratulate our seniors on their selections!

Penultimate Assembly.  Our 2nd to last assembly was another rousing success.  Many congrats to our poets, dancers and students of the month.  Special thanks to Ms. Tracy, Ms. Sursattie, and Ms. Jen for their hard work and masterful coordination to give our young women a chance to shine! Our final College Walk assembly will be held on Friday, June 2nd.

To Do's for this Week

[Wednesday, 03MAY17] MP5 Grades are Due.  Monday is the first day of the final marking period.  MP5 grades will be due on Wednesday at 3pm.  If a student is failing your class, you need to call home to inform parents.  Please log the call into Skedula.  If you are unable to make contact by next Monday, please make the time to see Carol for assistance.  Additionally, please schedule individual conferences with failing students to establish concrete, measurable goals to reach a passing level by the end of the 6th MP in June.  Every student needs to have a path to success and achievement in your classes.  Please help your most struggling students find their way!

[Wednesday, 03MAY17] Final Per Session.  All teachers who are working recurring per session hours (e.g. coaches) will have their final hours this pay period.  After May 12th, there will be no more approved per session for recurring work as we close out the 2017 budget cycle.  There will be itinerant per session opportunities throughout the end of the year (see below).  

[Tuesday, 09MAY17] Fire Drill.  If it's not raining, we will be having our last fire drill of the year on Tuesday 09MAY at 10:15AM.  Please make sure that you review the fire drill procedures for your room, have an up-to-date evacuation folder with rosters and the green/red cards, and that if you are not teaching, you are assisting your colleagues with evacuation during the drill.

[Over the Next Month] Hiring & Demo Lessons.  Next week we will working three different hiring fairs to recruit potential candidates next year.  Next year, we are hiring in all the core subject areas (all high school).  You may be asked to host a demo lesson over the next few weeks.  We are aiming to have our demos in the mornings, so if you have a specific morning that you cannot host, please let us know ASAP!

SEL Updates

Stop Bullying.   6th graders have been working through their mini-unit on bullying and drama. Students can now distinguish bullying and drama, and can describe the power dynamics that are inherent in bullying. Students have shifted their focus from being able to identify bullying and drama to discussing "kid-approved" solutions that work. While most students will not have power group during this week of testing, please begin prompting students to articulate solutions they can try whenever they come to you with incidents of bullying and drama moving forward. 

Fighting Off Victimitis.  9th and 10th graders have been addressing academic self awareness and self management skills, from envisioning their future and articulating life goals to making sure they are adequately prepared to take tests. This week, they'll be discussing how to fight off "victimitis" (making themselves out to be the victim in a situation) and taking full responsibility over their choices and lives.

Add this calendar to your own!  See that little "+" sign in the bottom right hand corner?  Click on it to have it show up in your personal google calendar!

Per Session Posting

May Dance Chaperones.  The final dance of the year will be on Friday, May12th.  We need about 10 chaperones for the evening. Email Kiri ASAP.

Regents Prep.  I'm looking for about 10 teachers to provide daily after school regent prep from May 30th through June 12th (except not on Fridays, and not on June 7th or 8th).  Teachers will be required to have a minimum attendance of 15 students to continue for the entire time. Email Kiri ASAP.