Week of March 12th

UAI Staff News

Volume V

Issue 26

March 12th, 2018

[School Days 116-120]
[29 Days Remaining in MP5]      [58 Days Remaining in HS School Year]      [68 Days Remaining in MS School Year]

Announcements

Lady Eagles Face End Their Season with Passion and Heart.  A huge cheer goes to our Lady Eagles who played their hearts out last Monday night.  With two key players down for this big game, our team was facing an uphill battle.  For three out of the four quarters, the Lady Eagles kept their foes within a point or two.  Finally, they succumbed to the litany of fouls that kept coming from the other team, really challenging our girls' free throw capacity.  It was a heart-breaking loss, but it was also a heartwarming game to see the passion, commitment, and teamwork that our girls demonstrated throughout!  Many shout outs go to Ms. Elana for coaching our girls through another fantastic season!

Girls Inc This Week.  This week even a North Eastern Blizzard couldn’t keep a smile off these strong, smart, and bold girls! On Tuesday, they attended Paul Taylor’s Dance Company performance in Lincoln Center.  On Wednesday, they braved the weather, enjoying a snow fight on the way to see Come From Away and participate in a talkback with the writer, producer, stage manager, cast member, and lighting crew! It’s always a great week to be a part of Girls Inc!

Staff Spotlights

Marsha Derice.  This week in their 8th grade ELA classes, Marsha & Christina's planned a Book Tasting Event for students.  To hook students into their next book, Marsha and Christina planned an ingenious activity to help students make informed selections for the upcoming lit circles.  Literature Circles provide students with voice and choice in their reading.  The Book Tasting event allowed students to peruse a wide variety of genres for their next extended read.  Check in with Marsha to learn more about how to get kids hooked on reading!

Matthew Turner.  Matthew has really developed his ability to use student discourse to support thinking and reasoning.  Just this past week, Matthew's 6th graders were working together to figure out a word problem.  At one point, Matthew posed a question to the group and received back a variety of puzzled looks.  Rather than continue with a whole class discussion, Matthew seamlessly rephrased his question and asked his students to talk about their ideas with their partner.  Matthew then circulated to listen to a variety of pairs, and then used what he heard to facilitate the whole class towards a deeper and more cohesive understanding.  If you're interested in improving the quality of your own turn and talks, drop by to visit Matthew!

To Dos This Week

Student Walk Out.  As you heard from our Seniors on Monday, the students are organizing a walkout on Wednesday, 14MAR18.  This will occur at the end of 2nd period.  The announcement will come at 9:50AM.  Seniors will be visiting each classroom at 9:40 to help coordinate.  We will be reviewing the specific logistics on Monday during PD.  In the meantime, here's the rough outline

• 9:40-9:50AM Walk Out Prep.  Seniors will visit each classroom to give the overview of the walkout, where they're going, why they're walking out, and how to behave when we are out there.  Please help the seniors by managing the classroom behavior and focusing student attention.

• 9:50AM Walk Out. At 9:50, there will be a schoolwide announcement (Elana, we'll radio and text you in the gym).  Teachers will escort student out the front of the building, turn right, cross Adams street, and walk straight up Johnson street to the statue of Henry Ward Beecher. Note:  Those teachers and/or student who do not wish to participate will exit classrooms with their class.  Instead of leaving the building, students and staff who are opting out will report to the cafeteria.  

• 10:00AM Student Speeches.  Seniors will be giving speeches regarding the walkout and/or leading the school in chants [these details are still being developed and we'll have more for you at Monday's PD]

• 10:20AM Return to School.  All* students return to UAI and to regular classes. *Some students may wish to stay.  I will speak more about this on Monday.

Per Session Opportunities

Summer School.  Many of you are submitting inquiries about summer school.  We are still finalizing the details (in terms of course offerings and hours).  Preference will go to those who can work the entire period of summer school.

• Middle School Summer School.  MS Summer school will consist of English, Math, and/or Girls Inc.  Students who do not pass state exams and/or courses will be enrolled in summer school.  MS Summer School runs from Monday, 09JUL18 through Thursday, 09AUG18 - Mondays through Thursdays only.  
• 1st Period:  8:30-10:00
• 2nd Period:  10:00-11:30
• 3rd Period:  11:30-12:00 [Lunch]
• 4th period:  12:00-2:30 [PM Girls Inc.]

• High School Summer School.  HS Summer school will consist of a short credit recovery course session followed by Regents Prep. Students who fail courses or exams will be registered for summer school.  Course offerings will be Core Classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) and PE only.  Course Credit Recovery runs Monday, 09JUL18 through 26JUL18 - Mondays through Thursdays only.  Regents Prep runs Monday, 30JUL18 through 15AUG18 (Mon-Thurs).
• 1st Period:  8:30-9:30
• 2nd Period:  9:30-10:30
• 3rd Period:  10:30-11:30
• 4th Period:  11:30-12:00
• 5th Period:  12:00-2:30 [PM Girls Inc.]

• High School Regents Exams.  High School Regents Exams are on Thursday, 16AUG18 and Friday, 17AUG18.  Summer Exam Grading Day is Monday, 20AUG18.  We'll need proctors and graders.  If you are available for all or part of this session please let me know!