Week of February 26th

UAI Staff News

Volume V

Issue 24

February 26th, 2018

[School Days 106-110]

Announcements

Welcome Back.   Welcome back from the midwinter recess!  I do hope that you all found time to recharge and are ready to take on the rest of the spring term!  With Spring just around the corner, now is the time where we need to double down and increase our focus and commitment.  We have 22 instructional days between now and Spring Break, and our number one goal is to make sure each of these 22 lessons is crafted to maximize students learning. 

To support you in this, Monday PDs in March will be targeted at lesson planning and preparation.  In particular, each Monday, you will be working with your planning partners to (1) Lesson Plan and Link to Pacing Calendars and/or (2) Lesson Rehearse and practice delivery.  Quality preparation and planning is the key to strong classrooms and even stronger management. 

• 26FEB18 - Using Narrative Lesson Plans to improve Co-planning and Co-teaching
• 05MAR18 - Using High-Quality Look-Fors to Improve Lesson and Assessment Quality
• 12MAR18 - Leveraging Student Reading, Writing, and Speaking to Scaffold Learning
• 19MAR18 - NYC School Survey for Teachers
• 26MAR18 - Looking at Student Work to Evaluate Lesson Efficacy

Lady Eagles Soar!.  After an amazing victory just before the break, ur Lady Eagles are advancing to the next round in the playoffs and have their next game vs. Jamaica (14) on Tuesday 27FEB18 at 5PM in the UAI Gym.  Our young women get a lot of support and play better when we support them. Please announce the game in your classes and please try to join and cheer them on to another victory!

Girls Inc Winterfest Black History Month.  Our annual Winterfest has been rescheduled for Wednesday, 28FEB18 at 6PM.  While you schedule SLCs during family outreach time this week (see below) please also invite families to attend our Black History Month Winterfest sponsored by Girls Inc.

Benchmarks and SLCs.  Next Thursday and Friday are Benchmarks and Student Led Conferences.  Please use your outreach time tomorrow to schedule Student Led Conferences and record the date and time of the conference IN THIS SHEET.  These are the lists from the fall, so it's likely that your lists may be inaccurate.  Please correct them if you find an error.  If you are unable to successfully schedule parents, pull your advisees during your professional periods this week to have them call home to schedule the conference with you.  All SLCs must be scheduled by the end of the day on Thursday, 01MAR18. 



Parent Outreach This Month.  As we lead up to Student-Led Conferences and the end of the 4th marking period, parent outreach is particularly critical for this month.  This is the key point of the year where kids with family and teacher support can really push themselves to grow more and/or make the turn to overcome any failures that they may have encountered in the past.  Our new Tuesday Call Log tracker will help us track our success this month.  The goal for March is to reach 100% of our advisees.  In addition to scheduling SLCs, please reach out to invite parents to the following upcoming events

• Family Fridays - We are relaunching our Family Fridays program.  The 2nd Friday of each month, families are invited to join their child in class for first period!  This is chance for parents to connect with the school and learn more about our classroom instruction.  There will also be coffee and donuts!  Parents who are interested in attending should contact Mr. Brodie.  The first Family Friday is Friday, March 9th.  The next one will be on Friday, April 13th.  If parents can't make the Family Fridays, they are welcome to come visit classes anytime.  Just have them reach out to Mr. Brodie to schedule.
  
• UAI Spring Family Dinner - It's time for the NYC School Survey.  Last year, we had 47% of our parents respond to the survey.  This year, we are aiming to double that and reach 84%! We need your help to get us there.  As you schedule parents for SLCs and do family outreach this month, please invite parents to a dinner we are hosting for parents to join us, learn more about how our school is doing (school performance and data), get more exposure to how their children are performing (sample lessons and activities), and honor our young scholars (students of the month, honor roll, attendance).   Dinner will be provided for our students and families (RSVPs are required).  Please record your advisee's RSVPs in this document (click on the tab "UAI Spring Family Dinner").  The UAI Spring Family Dinner will be on our next PTA meeting date, Tuesday 13MAR18 at 5:30PM.  Please tell families that in order to reserve a meal, we need to have an RSVP.

Week of February 12th

UAI Staff News

Volume V

Issue 23

February 12th, 2018

[School Days 102-105]

Highlights and Spotlights

Suzannah Tartin masterfully integrates SEL instruction in Global History. Annie and I had the pleasure of watching Ms. Suzannah prep students for a class discussion.  On each table, students had a laminated resource with sentence starters to help them model positive strategies for Disagreeing without Being Disagreeable and students volunteered connections to Accountable Talk.  Students also reviewed active listening prior to beginning their discourse.  Suzannah attended to preparing students for discourse.  With this kind of preparation, students have a much more clear sense of how to engage classroom tasks and activities (like discussion) and thus do so at a higher level of quality and intellectual rigor.  Check in with Suzannah in room 509 to learn more!

Diana Vlavianos creatively elevates learning vocabulary to a new level.  Seniors in Diana's 12th grade English class approached vocabulary from a new and deeper persepective.   Seniors are reading Elie Wiesel's Night and exploring his use of language.  In place of traditional definitions of words, Diana's class took a deep dive into more common words, used in uncommon ways. Students defined words like "Never", "Hearded", and "Fire" with the standard definition.  In addition, students created their own connections through their own prior knowledge, and took those connections to analyze Wiesel's use of the same words and how the use impacts various aspects of his writing.  Writing down definitions is simply the start.  It is the first step and level 1 thinking.  Having students apply and interpret those facts in a context (in this case, Wiesel's Night) elevates both rigor and student intellectual engagement.

PPO Feedback.  Many thanks to everyone for working hard to prepare for Fred's visit last Thursday.  Special shout outs go to Natalie, Cherry, Tom, Rebecca, Jamie, and Kelly for hosting wonderful classroom visits.  Many thanks also to Jake, Natalie, and Kelly for modelling our co-planning structures and sharing their thoughts with Fred during their meeting.  Six of nine rated indicators were rated Effective or Highly Effective.  We are still developing in our instructional core, but Fred noted the tremendous growth we've had over the last three years.  He said, "Climate and Culture come from heavy investment in curriculum [and Teacher] development and it is paying off!"  He said the improvement in our classrooms is palpable, and that our work and focus in "Spot On!"

Lady Eagles Victory!  Many, many thanks to all of you who came out to the game last week for the love Lady Eagles. They really were pumped that we were able to make it and the game was a fabulous one!  We are now into the Playoffs!  The next home game will be on Tuesday, 13FEB18 at 5PM.  Please come out and help cheer our girls on to victory once more and in advancing in the Playoffs!

To Do this Week

Observations and Evaluations.  Annie and I are deep into our observations for this last two weeks.  Some teachers have mentioned being surprised at seeing us because of who was listed on the calendar.  Those notes on my calendar are just that - notes.  They are not commitments.  Frequently, we will switch up who we are going to see based on a variety of different factors.  After the break, we will be combining formal evaluative classroom visits (observations) with informal non-evaluative feedback and coaching visits.  These coaching visits will have a very different feel than evaluation.  During these visits, Annie or I may pull you aside to give you feedback, and/or model various teacher moves during your class.  These actions are aimed at developing more rigorous and disciplined teacher habits during instruction that are aimed at constantly pushing student thinking and engagement.  We will not be able to get to everyone at once.  However, you are more than welcome to reach out to request a coaching visit from us at any time.

Monday PD.  The next window for the DESSA is here.  We will be completing the next round of DESSA surveys for our students this week during PD and parent outreach time. This will provide us with crucial information about the success of our SEL classes and pullout groups, as well as which students we need to provide with extra support. You will not need to complete a rating for your advisory in this round; we'll only be rating that same half of one of the groups that you teach.


To complete your ratings:

1. Log on to the DESSA system here: https://sel.datalinkevo.com/#/login
2. Upon logging in, you'll see a green bar with your group assignment (e.g., "Group A1- Tracy.") Click the green bar.
3. "Winter rating period (optional)" will appear below the green bar. Look to the right and select "Start rating."
4. Complete the ratings for your first student and continue clicking "complete and rate next student" after you have finished rating each of your girls. If you need to stop after one of your ratings, click "complete and return to ratings list." 
5. To see your progress on roster of students you need to rate, click the arrow that appears at the top of the gray column on the left.

On another note, Lauren will be on maternity leave for the remainder of the year after the February break. Please continue to reach out to the counseling team as needed:

• Jen- JenC@uainstitute.org; ext. 30111
• Jennifer- JenniferJR@uainstitute.org; ext. 30421
• Marni- MarniB@uainstitute.org; ext. 30431
• Julia, SW intern- JuliaA@uainstitute.org (or reach out to Jen)
• Eliana, SW intern- ElianaA@uainstitute.org (or reach out to Marni)

Black History Month Assembly.  With the Playoff game scheduled for Tuesday, we need to reschedule our evening Winterfest Black History Month. Jen & Vanessa will give you updates on that soon!  However, we will continue to have our Winterfest Black History Month Assembly on Thursday during 8th period.  All students should report to 8th period and wait until they are called to the gym.  At the close of the assembly, we will do a rapid dismissal, so all students should have all their belongings with them prior to going up to the assembly.

Per Session Postings 

After School Teachers.  Girls Inc After School will be starting up again soon. This is the call out to teachers to work in our after school program.  Teachers should teach a passion project for after school.  Priority given to course ideas linked to STEM.  Please see Ms. Vanessa if interested in the Girls Inc Offices in Room 205 (offices inside the library).  There are limited spots so go quickly.

After School Test Prep.  We will be offering after school Test Prep for the MS ELA test beginning the week after the break.  Students who scored a level 1 or 2 on last year's exams will be slated for after school.  To maximize attendance and retention throughout the exam prep process, priority will go to teachers who already have strong positive relationships with these students.

Middle School Interviews.  Middle School interviews are this Saturday. Jen emailed about this event a few weeks ago.  If you are still interested, please see Jen.

Week of February 5th

UAI Staff News

Volume V

Issue 22

February 5th, 2018

[School Days 97-101]

Highlights and Spotlights

Elana Green coaches a room of badminton.  Annie and I had the pleasure of observing Ms. Elana with her class of 10th graders this week.  The 10th grade presents some of the most challenging behaviors for this week's social norms reset, but in Ms. Elana's class they (~40 of them) worked together productively, respectfully, and actively trying to figure out the best moves to improve their game.  Ms. Elana artfully provided clear directions and was very explicit about her expectations for performance and behavior.  Elana's direction, clarity of performance expectations, and follow through with feedback created a wonderful learning environment.  Visit her in the gym this week to get some ideas for your own classroom!

Judy Cappuccio preps juniors for the SAT.  Ms. Judy and the juniors launched their SAT prep unit this week.  Ms. Judy took the idea of the Zone of Proximal Development and adapted it in kid-friendly language to help students understand their own capacity and master the source of their anxiety when it comes to testing.  Visit Judy in room B45 this week to learn more & grow ideas for your own practice! 

Lady Eagles Home Game. The final game of the Lady Eagles regular basketball season in on Wednesday 07FEB18 at 4:30PM.  This is a very important game for our Lady Eagles as they face off against the John Jay Campus. John Jay is the only team that our Lady Eagles have lost to this season and this their chance to turn that loss into victory!  Adams Campus policy is such that we do not allow external spectators, so often our home games lack strong fan support.  This is the game to see and this is the game for which our team needs the most support.  Please encourage our students to come by announcing it in your classes this week.  Make a point to show your school spirit by coming to the game yourself!

To Do This Week

Superintendent Visit.  This Thursday is our next PPO visit.  This time around our superintendent, Fred Walsh will be visiting.  For the visit, I want to highlight our work in planning, particularly around student discourse.  For Thursday, please complete a narrative lesson plan that clearly articulates your "Look Fors" in red.  The "Look Fors" should represent your best thinking in response to the questions/tasks you put to the students and represent a clear picture of your assessment criteria.  For Thursday, please make sure to plan multiple opportunities for student-student discourse (e.g. Turn and Talk) and use the Rigorometer to review your lesson for rigor.  Use planning time this week to rehearse Thursdays' lessons to further improve quality and performance.


PPO Visit Schedule.  Below is the proposed schedule I am submitting to Fred.  However, depending on what Fred decides, we may end up in other classrooms. So even if your name is not on the list, please be prepared.

• 8:00-8:50AM:  Initial Meeting with Kiri, Annie, and Fred

• 8:30-9:25AM:  1st Period Classroom Visits
• 8:50-9:05AM: 8th Grade Math (H), Ms. Cherry 
• 9:05-9:20AM: 7th Grade History (E), Ms. Natalie
• 9:20-9:30AM:  Debrief 1st Period Visits

• 9:35-10:00AM:  2nd Period Classroom Visits
• 9:30-9:45AM:  12th Grade AP English Language, Ms. Rebecca
• 9:45-10:00AM:  11th Grade Environmental Science (U), Mr. Tom

• 10:00-10:30:  Debrief Classroom Visits and Discuss Progress Towards CEP Goals
• 10:30-11:15AM: 3rd Period Classroom Visits
• 10:30-10:45AM:  9th Grade CC Algebra I, Ms. Jamie
• 10:45-11:00AM:  9th Grade US History, Ms. Kelly

• 11:00-11:30AM:  US History Lesson Rehearsal
• 11:00-11:15AM:  Meet with Annie & Kiri 
• 11:15-11:30AM:  Observe first part of the meeting

Monday PD - Final PLOP Monday.  This Monday's PD we will finish our final PLOPs for the year.  Please come to room 409 with your computer to finish these.  CLICK HERE and select the tab called "05FEB18 Final PLOPs" to see who is on your docket for Monday.

Parent Outreach Tuesday.  By now, you should have called all your advisees who failed two or more classes and/or who have less than 90% attendance for the year.  Those calls should be logged into Skedula, and you should have made contact with a family member (in person conversation).  We'll be going into Skedula this week to check that you were able to make contact.  If you were unable to do so, please see Brodie and he will help you!  This Tuesday, please make time to call home to celebrate advisees!  Call the ones who passed all their classes or have >90% attendance.  OR call the ones who had the biggest improvement - either socially or academically!  Whichever it is, it will make them feel great, make their families feel awesome, and it will warm your heart!  Don't forget to log these calls in Skedula too! Click Here to read a short article on the power of positive phone calls

Per Session Postings

After School Teachers.  Girls Inc After School will be starting up again soon. This is the call out to teachers to work in our after school program.  Teachers should teach a passion project for after school.  Priority given to course ideas linked to STEM.  Please see Ms. Vanessa if interested in the Girls Inc Offices in Room 205 (offices inside the library).  There are limited spots so go quickly.

After School Test Prep.  We will be offering after school Test Prep for the MS ELA test beginning the week after the break.  Students who scored a level 1 or 2 on last year's exams will be slated for after school.  To maximize attendance and retention throughout the exam prep process, priority will go to teachers who already have strong positive relationships with these students.

Middle School Interviews.  Middle School interviews are this Saturday. Jen emailed about this event a few weeks ago.  If you are still interested, please see Jen.