Week of November 25th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 15

November 25th, 2019

Announcements

Happy Birthdays! No birthdays this week!

Schedule Student Led Conferences.  SLCs are now complete.  We ended up seeing 59% of our families which is slightly down from last year's overall rate.  To see the full analysis, you can see click on the SLC Analysis tab in the  SLC Appointment Sheet.  If you haven't already done so, sign up for a free account with Remind to help you contact your students' families more efficiently!  All you need is their cell phone or email, and one message can go to all!  Try it out.  We are looking into buying the school version to launch in the spring.  So testing it out now is the perfect low-risk prep for something that is coming soon!

Many, many thank you to all of you who worked hard to get your families in.  It is not easy working around their schedules, and in some cases, working around anxieties parents may feel about coming in to school.  You all did an amazing job making our families feel welcome and partners in their children's learning.  As we work towards uncovering our biases to improve classroom learning and school culture overall, our work with families plays a crucial role in this work.  The more we find ways to reach out and engage with families, the more we do to build strong relationships and erase the potential of negative biases from all sides.  The more we work together, the more we know each other.  The more we know each other, the stronger the UAI community is for our young people!  It is not easy work, but it is necessary.  Don't let the outreach wane.  Keep at it.  Each small piece of outreach matters!!!!

To-Do This Week

Congratulations to Natalie!!!!!  You get to review the blog in PD on Monday!!


Monday Professional Development.  On Monday, we will be having a well-being workshop centered on appreciation and thanksgiving.  As many have heard me say on several occasions, our attention to problems and issues is a natural phenomena, and probably an evolutionary advantage.  As humans, we are particularly astute at problem solving, which involves being pretty good at focusing on problems and issues - always having our gaze focused on what is wrong. 

Psychologically, that can be a heavy burden, and let's face it - it's a total bummer - particularly when you can't find an easy solution.  Teaching and pushing our girls to overcome seemingly endless hurdles is never going to be easy.  That doesn't mean that it doesn't have its rewards.

So, for Monday, we are going to take a beat (while getting some eats), and think about the things we appreciate, feel the appreciation from others, and take the time to appreciate the reasons we are all here at UAI - our students. 

Please bring your journals for reflection and your favorite pen for some writing.  Also, bring your snack of choice (from easy, simple and/or purchased to complex and homemade - bring whatever you can to add to the feast).  Its the UAI Snacktathalon!

Tuesday Family Outreach.  Please use this time to set up a free Remind account and add your families into it.  Play around with it and/or ask your colleagues to show you the ropes (I think Damon & Jamie use it pretty often? ... anyone else??)

Benchmark Grading.  Grading is largely complete.  I'll be tapping some folks to use their professional periods this week to finish it up.  We should have them done by the end of the day, Monday.

Social-Emotional Learning Updates

Per Session Opportunities

Holiday Craft Party.  If you are interested in working the Annual PTA Craft and Karaoke party on December 19th, please let Jen know ASAP.  We are looking for folks to run craft tables (whatever you'd like!) or any other artistic/holiday related activity.  Please see Jen for details.

 

Week of Nov 18th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 14

November 18th, 2019

Announcements

Happy Birthdays! No birthdays this week!

Schedule Student Led Conferences.  Please update your final SLC appointments in the SLC Appointment Sheet.  Our goal is to schedule 100% of our conferences for Thursday and Friday by the end of Family Outreach on Tuesday, 19NOV19.    If you are having problems with scheduling, please pull the student and make the appointment with her, or ask Annie, Jen, Kiri, or Val for support.

<<REMINDER>> End of the 2nd Marking Period.  Friday was the last day of the 2nd marking period.  Grades are due on Wednesday 20NOV19 at 3PM.   As a reminder, the lowest grade for any grade at UAI (as per the staff handbook) is a 50.  In looking through various teachers gradebooks, I have seen a number of averages that are lower than 50.  That means you are not following the grading system.  Please correct that by changing any zeros to 50s.  If you would like to discuss the policy to better understand it, I am available - just reach out!  You can also start by reading this article.  For marking period grades:

• 55 or F is the ONLY failing grade.  At UAI, the only failing grade is 55.  Please do not use any increment between 55 and 65.  If your course is graded, please use "55" to indicate failure.  As the classroom teacher your job is to make the individual judgment calls on what to do with students who have averages the fall between 55 and 65.  

• MS Electives, Girls Inc Classes, and Enrichment Classes are P/F.  All non-core and non-breadth (e.g. PE, Art, Spanish) courses are Pass/Fail.  Please do not use numeric grades.   If you have a strong desire to use numeric grades, come see me and we can work it out.
• 99 is the highest grade.  Technically, 100 is possible.  If you have a student who has a perfect score (i.e. she didn't get anything wrong on any assignment or anything all year), please come see me to get approval to enter 100 for her.  Otherwise, the highest grade you should be giving to any student is 99.

• Marking Period Grades are Cumulative.  These MP grades are progress reports towards their final, credit bearing grade in June.  As such, they are cumulative (not separate).  They are not distinct grades, but rather, they are progress snapshots as we move through the school year.

To-Do This Week

Congratulations to Tom!!!!!  You get to review the blog in PD on Monday!!


Monday Professional Development.  On Monday, we will have a open Skedula workshop to support teachers in getting their grades to reflect accurately and/or to give teacher extra time to prepare and schedule SLC meetings in for Thursday and Fridays' Student Led Conferences.  The following Monday 25NOV19 will be our monthly Grade Team Meetings/Snack-Tathalon. The PD committee is preparing to launch a series of PDs on planning and executing high quality Turn and Talks for the month of December.

Tuesday Family OutreachMonday 25NOV19.  Next Monday we will have a wellness break.  For this one, we will be celebrating one another.  At this PD, please bring your favorite snack to PD (enough to share with at least 5 people).  In celebration of the Thanksgiving Season, we'll be working together to celebrate our achievements and giving thanks.

Student Led Conferences and Benchmarks.  Joanna will be released the Benchmark Schedule.  As a reminder, SLC and Benchmark days are half days for students (with Girls Inc starting earlier).  All Regents-terminating courses will have a NYS regents benchmark (multiple choice only).  If teachers wish to have the short response, too, you are directed to give that section(s) of the exam in class either preceding or just after benchmarks.  Middle School students will be taking benchmarks in ELA, Math (NYS or Algebra for 8th graders), and this year, Living Environment (for 8th grade only).   All AP classes should test students using the appropriate interim assessment.  Please email questions to Joanna.  SLCs and Benchmark schedule is

• Thursday, 21NOV19
• Benchmark Day One (1st session 8:30-10; 2nd session 10-11:30; 3rd Lunch 11:30-12:10)
• 11:15-12:10 - Lunch Period for Teachers
• 12:10-1:05 - Professional Period for All Staff (Grading)
• 1:05-2:00 - Pedagogical Assignment All Staff (Grading)
• 2:00-2:50 - Prep Period for All Teachers
• 5:00-8:00PM - Student Led Conferences (Individual Teacher Schedules)

• Friday, 22NOV19
• Benchmark Day Two(1st session 8:30-10; 2nd session 10-11:30; 3rd Lunch 11:30-12:10)
• 12:10-2:50 - Student Led Conferences (Individual Teacher Schedules)

Social-Emotional Learning Updates

Per Session Opportunities

AP Boot Camp.  If you are interested in working Saturday and/or Break (e.g. Winter Break or Spring Break) sessions to help students prepare for AP Exams, please reach out to Rebecca C with your availability and area of interest.  Hours and days are flexible.  

 

Week of November 12th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 13

November 12th, 2019

Announcements

Happy Birthdays! Happy belated birthdays to Mr. Isaiah and Ms. Cherry (last week).  This week, Happy Birthday to Ms. Elena, HS Spanish Teacher (Wednesday), and Ms. Miriam,  Girls Inc. Program Specialist, (Thursday).  We're still ironing out the kinks in the Birthday Calendar, so please double check with Ms. Del (via email) to make sure you're on the list!

Rapid Dismissal the day before Thanksgiving.  We will be doing a rapid dismissal before the Thanksgiving Recess.  All after school activities are cancelled, and all staff must exit the building with the students. 

Lady Eagles Volleyball!  The Lady Eagles brought a fantastic season to a close last week, losing their first playoff game, but ending with a winning record of 6-4.  Freshman coach Ms. Nina led the girls strongly this season.  We congratulate them all for their hard work and well-earned victories.  We also celebrate the lessons learned through their losses.  What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!!  Congrats Lady Eagles Volleyballers!

End of the 2nd Marking Period.  This Friday is the last day of the 2nd marking period.  Grades are due on Wednesday 20NOV19 at 3PM.   There were some mistakes in grading during the 1st marking period.  Because these marking period grades are only progress reports, we don't have to worry about going back to change the mistakes.  However, please take a moment to read through the UAI grading policy so we don't make those mistakes again!

• 55 or F is the ONLY failing grade.  At UAI, the only failing grade is 55.  Please do not use any increment between 55 and 65.  If your course is graded, please use "55" to indicate failure.  As the classroom teacher your job is to make the individual judgment calls on what to do with students who have averages the fall between 55 and 65.  

• MS Electives, Girls Inc Classes, and Enrichment Classes are P/F.  All non-core and non-breadth (e.g. PE, Art, Spanish) courses are Pass/Fail.  Please do not use numeric grades. 
• 99 is the highest grade.  Technically, 100 is possible.  If you have a student who has a perfect score (i.e. she didn't get anything wrong on any assignment or anything all year), please come see me to get approval to enter 100 for her.  Otherwise, the highest grade you should be giving to any student is 99.
• Marking Period Grades are Cumulative.  These MP grades are progress reports towards their final, credit bearing grade in June.  As such, they are cumulative (not separate).  They are not distinct grades, but rather, they are progress snapshots as we move through the school year.

To-Do This Week

Monday Professional Development.  There is no PD on the 11th (because that's today and we're on vacation).  Next Monday, we will have a open Skedula workshop to support teachers in getting their grades to reflect accurately and/or to give teacher extra time to schedule SLC meetings in preparation for next Thursday and Fridays' Student Led Conferences.  The following Monday 25NOV19 will be our monthly Grade Team Meetings/Snack-Tathalon (see next week's blog).  The PD committee is preparing to launch a series of PDs on planning and executing high quality Turn and Talks for the month of December.

Tuesday Family Outreach.  Please schedule your Student Led Conferences.  I need to download the current enrollment listing when I get in tomorrow.  I'll email the document out tomorrow so you can begin to record your appointments.

Student Led Conferences and Benchmarks.  Joanna will be releasing the Benchmark Schedule, shortly.  As in years past, SLC and Benchmark days are half days for students (with Girls Inc starting earlier).  All Regents-terminating courses will have a NYS regents benchmark (multiple choice only).  If teachers wish to have the short response, too, you are directed to give that section(s) of the exam in class either preceding or just after benchmarks.  Middle School students will be taking benchmarks in ELA, Math (NYS or Algebra for 8th graders), and this year, Living Environment (for 8th grade only).   All AP classes should test students using the appropriate interim assessment.  Please email questions to Joanna.  SLCs and Benchmark schedule is

• Thursday, 21NOV19
• Benchmark Day One (1st session 8:30-10; 2nd session 10-11:30; 3rd Lunch 11:30-12:10)
• 11:30-12:20 - Lunch Period for Teachers
• 12:20-1:15 - Professional Period for All Staff (Grading)
• 1:15-2:00 - Pedagogical Assignment All Staff (Grading)
• 2:00-2:50 - Prep Period for All Teachers
• 5:00-8:00PM - Student Led Conferences (Individual Teacher Schedules)

• Friday, 22NOV19
• Benchmark Day Two(1st session 8:30-10; 2nd session 10-11:30; 3rd Lunch 11:30-12:10)
• 12:10-2:50 - Student Led Conferences (Individual Teacher Schedules)

Social-Emotional Learning Updates

Per Session Opportunities

No New Postings This Week 

 

Week of Nov 4th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 12

November 4th, 2019

Announcements

 

                                         

     

Field Trips, College Trips, and Halloween Fun.  Last week was a busy one.  UAI high school students were out and about on trips to the Rubin, the Met, and Hamilton.  Our seniors visited Cornell University and caught up with Class of 2016 Alumna, Shavonnie Victor.  And the 6th grade team brought it once again as the modern rendition of the all-female Ghost Busters for their themed Halloween.  All in all it was a wonderful week of learning and fun!

Early Voting Last Thing.  While Early Voting is over, we still do not have access to the cafeteria because they are changing over from the Early Voting Equipment to the Regular Election Day Equipment.  Apparently, they're different?  Because yeah - why streamline when you can make things 10 times more difficult in a bureaucracy?  In any event, I am working hard with all of the constituencies (the mayor's office, the Board of Elections, School Facilities, etc) to make sure that our school gets OFF the list of elections sites for future voting.  I'll keep you posted as we learn more.  For Monday, we'll be running the last day of our Early Voting Breakfast/Lunch/After School Snack plan. 

MP2, Student Led Conferences and Benchmarks Round 1.  It's hard to believe that we are already in November.  Before we know it, we'll be at the winter recess and the new year.  Time is flying, so I do hope that means we're having fun.  That said, we have some rapidly approaching deadlines

• Friday, 15NOV19.  Next Friday, Marking Period 2 Ends.  Student Report cards will have grades for both MP1 and MP2.  Please make sure you have made successful contact to any student who failed your course for MP1 (or will fail) for MP2 so families are looped in and can be part of a plan of intervention and support.  Grades for MP2 are due at 3PM on 20NOV19
• Thursday, 21NOV & 22NOV19.  The following week, we will have our first round of benchmarks (see more on this below) and student led conferences (more below, too).  
• 
  

To-Do This Week

Monday Professional Development.  This Monday is next Grade Team Meeting.  To afford more time for Grade Team Plop Writing and Attendance Meeting, we're going to forgo reviewing the blog this week.

• 3:00-3:40 Attendance Team Meeting
• Review of Caseload Progress & Skedula Attendance
• Goal Sharing
• Incentives & Next Steps

• 3:40-4:10 PLOP Writing
• Please CLICK HERE to see which PLOPs are up for review

Tuesday Election Day Professional Development.  This Tuesday we will be continuing our work in uncovering unconscious or implicit bias and working to support one another in developing skills and strategies for recognizing and correcting for unconscious bias in our classrooms.

• 8:00-8:30 - Panera Breakfast
• 8:30-9:00 - Announcements and State of The School Address
• 9:00-11:30 - Understanding Disproportionality at UAI
• 11:30-12:30 - Lunch on your own
• 12:30-1:45 - Teacher Consultancies
• 1:45-2:50 - Independent Work Time

Social-Emotional Learning Updates

Per Session Opportunities

No New Postings This Week