Week of March 30th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 30

March 30th,  2020

Announcements

Week TWO UAI Online Instruction.  There are 8 days of Online Instruction before the Spring Break.  With no clear path or message about where we will be after the break, it is imperative that we focus our energies on tasks and skills that will be useful and applicable for when we do return to a normal schedule at school.

Questions about the logistics of grading are valid, but challenging to answer.  We don't want to expend significant time and energy into creating an equitable and fair grading policy that effectively applies in an online learning environment.  However, the question then immediately follows is how do we communicate with students the significance and purpose of actually doing the assignments?

Well, the answer to that is Assessment and Feedback!  In the classroom setting, much of your energies and time is spent thinking about the lesson and activities.  Less time and energy is spent planning for assessment and feedback.  In the virtual setting, because many kids are participating asynchronously and not in the live zoom (or even in tutoring/office hours), student performance and your feedback becomes significantly more important.  In a virtual setting, you are more heavily reliant on student output to see whether or not your instruction is landing where it should.

For the next 8 days of instruction, prioritize your efforts on providing students with the coaching and feedback that improves their practice.  You should have about 1-2 summative assessments (see below) for actual grading, but the remainder of your tasks and assignments should be used so that you can give constructive feedback - not numeric grades.  Message to students that through the feedback and practice, students prepare for the summative assessment coming later this week (and/or before spring break).

To-Do This Week

Identify the Lowest 3rd to Provide Extra Supports.  This week we need to make the best of our tutoring sessions (slash Office Hours).  Identify the students who are struggling the most in your class (your lowest 3rd), and mandate them to attend your one-on-one or small group tutoring sessions in the afternoon.  They do not need to come everyday.  They do need to come and meet with you as often as you deem necessary!  In addition, provide these students with online resources that they can independently work on to build their foundational skills and understanding.  Please reach out to your colleagues for ideas that kids can use at home to improve foundational skills in your subject area.

Check out the PD Offerings this week.  They will be live and recorded to post up on the UAI GC.  We'll get exact dates from the PD presenters during Monday's AM Check In.  The links to the technical explanations of how to use the following tech tools are linked below.  However, joining the PD will give a chance to work with peers to understand how you can optimally use the tools in your own instruction.

• Broad Spectrum Pulse Taking - Getting a Sense of the Forrest 
  Using The Question Tool in Google Classrooms to Take Attendance AND Assess
  Jamie will be hosting a live zoom for teachers who are looking for ways to streamline taking attendance.  In addition, the Question Tool in Google Classroom gives the opportunity for students to quickly take a quick pulse check of the class as a whole, thus giving the teacher a general picture of how well the class grasped the day's concepts.  Multiple Choice questions for comprehension checks are ideal for this purpose.  

• More In-Depth Understanding - Getting a Sense of the Trees
  Using Breakout Rooms in Zoom to Structure Discussion and Assess
  Nina will be hosting a live zoom (and posting a recording later) for teachers who are interested in using breakout rooms to structure discussions and student collaboration.  In addition, she'll share how she uses assignments to generate student questions which become the foundation for planning her classroom Zooms and Office Hour/Tutoring sessions.  Open ended discussion questions that require students to reason and apply concepts and skills (e.g. prompts that require students to analyze, justify, prove, explain, or synthesize).

Student Attendance.  If you haven't already done so, please adopt a digital method for taking attendance (e.g. a quick google form or the question tool).  CLICK HERE for a complete list of students.  You may want to use this list to help you organize your attendance and grades for entering into Skedula.  If you are interested, stay with me after Monday's check in for a quick overview (which I'll later post up on the GC - Google Classroom).


Grades vs. Feedback.   Traditionally, the exchange between teachers and students is disproportionately on grades.  When athletes compete or when musicians have a performance, prior to the meet or appearing on stage, there are hours and weeks of trying, failing, and learning from frequent and directional feedback from an experienced mentor, coach, or teacher.  This week I have been hearing a lot of expressed need to figure out how grades work in our new online environment.  But I want us to pause on that.

We are in an unusual circumstance, and we are presented with an environment that is giving us a unique opportunity where feedback can and is more important than the grade.    This week, rather than spending your time "grading" to give students back a number, focus giving them tasks that asks them to show their thinking so that you can give them advice how how to improve their performance.  After several experiences (e.g. at least three at-bats), only then give them a task that tests how well they have integrated your coaching.  That assessment is their track meet, competition, or performance.

Between now and Spring Break, you should have multiple opportunities to provide constructive advice that pushes student growth and improves their performance.  HOWEVER, you shouldn't have more than 1 or 2 performance assessments (the unaided test of what they can do).

If you are struggling to see how this could work, visit Jamie or Nina's sessions to discuss with them and your colleagues how it may work with the digital tools we have.  No one of us has all the answers, but together, we can definitely come up with ideas to make the ones we need!

In short, if you absolutely need to put in a "grade" for formative assessments - they should be pass/fail only, with the focus on giving feedback and coaching to help students improve and get ready for a summative assessment.  The summative assessment (only 1 or tops 2) in the next 8 days should be independently (no notes, no coaching, nada) completed so that each student has an accurate picture of what she can do on her own.  If you provide enough feedback and coaching BEFORE the final assessment, they will have the confidence needed to excel on the summative test (or essay or project or performance).

Social-Emotional Learning Update

No Updates this week

Per Session Opportunities

All Per Session Activities are Cancelled Until Further Notice.

 

Week of 23MAR20

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 29

March 23rd,  2020

Announcements

A Note from Kiri.  What a difference one week makes within our new pandemic reality.  Last week we didn't know whether schools would be closed.  This week, we do not really know when they will re-open.  In this intense public health crisis, the uncertainty is unmeasurable, and the fear and anxiety is skyrocketing.

That said, I am so proud of our team.  We are ready to launch into an Online Learning School and we made that happen in one very short week.  Because of your commitment to our students and families, and your passion for providing our students and families with an experience that closes the gaps of inequity, almost all of our families are poised and ready to begin their digital learning journey with UAI tomorrow.  I cannot find the words to thank you enough, and words cannot begin to capture the amount and depth of pride that I have in each and every one of you.

All year, I have been questioning the strength and investment of our community.  In this crisis, I question no more.  I have seen you each step forward to support one another, advocate for students, and connect families to much needed resources.  The levels of collaboration that extend between each of you and our community is exactly the type of interdependence that will ensure the best of all outcomes for our students and their families.

This week, in your inevitable bouts of stress and anxiety, I want you to remember that yes it is incredibly hard and unyielding work.  BUT, because of you and your work, you are securing the right to learn and grown for hundreds of UAI children and you are part of a global movement of teachers and support staff that are do the same for millions of children around the globe.  Your work and effort matters more than anyone can say, right now.  When we come through this period (and we will) the work and effort that you will have done will transform the way teachers and support staff are viewed and respected throughout the world.

This is social justice in action, and I am both lucky and proud to lead us through it together!

Thank you UAI for all you've done this week.  Remember, Annie, Jen, and I are here daily to support, and we'll be dropping in to visit and troubleshoot alongside all through this week.  It will definitely not be perfect, but it will be done with care, foresight, and heart.  And through that heart, we will continue to improve and tailor our approach to best suit the needs of us all!

To-Do This Week

Go Through The UAI Online Learning Checklists.  Before you launch your zoom tomorrow, please make sure you have taken the time to test it out and that you've read through the UAI Checklist (CLICK HERE).

Online Schedule of Live Streaming.  Please clarify with students that there are NO individual schedules.  Instead, there is a schedule of when teachers will be live streaming their instruction.  Direct them to THIS document (the list tab is still in development).  Jen is going to post that up on our website too.  It is the schedule, with your Google Classroom Codes and Zoom links.  Rather than have multiple documents for kids and families to reference, I combined all of our info into one.  Please link your zoom links on the Link tab when you make them.  If you change your zoom, you'll have to update the links here, too, don't forget.

Technology Update.  95% of our students have smartphones, tablets, or laptops, now.  There are a handful who still need a laptop or some other device.  I am going into the building on Tuesday to pack up the remaining tech and deliver it to the kids who need it/keep it at my house as back up for those who need it.  If you would like to volunteer to assist me, please text me to let me know.  Please message to the kids, that our goal this week is to make sure everyone has a WiFi enabled device.  Smartphones and Tablets will work.  The Urban Assembly has gathered information around WiFi offers and tech support (CLICK HERE) that students and staff can use to facilitate our transition into online learning.  For those with persistent issues with access to WiFi, we are coordinating with other UA schools to purchase WiFi enabled Chromebooks with Sprint.  That will take some time, however.  So, students will have to make it work with free NYC hotspots and their existing devices (from school or personal) until then.  Please do share the GoFundMe campaign far and wide throughout your networks to help us make this happen.

Read the Letter to Students and Parents.  Please re-read (or read) the letter I sent to you, students and families. This letter contains important links and information. Inevitably, students and families will be reaching out to you for various reasons.  Use the letter (and embedded links) to help you deal or forward that information.

Check the UAI Google Classroom & Calendar Daily.  Throughout our Online Learning at UAI, the UAI Staff Google Classroom will be the main place to check for updates, resources, and zoom invites.  In addition, check your calendar to see any meetings or other events that are being planned.

 

Week of 16MAR20

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 28

March 16th,  2020

Announcements

Preparing for for School Closure.  There has been no official word on school closing.  However, pressure is mounting both internally and externally for the DOE to follow the examples of cities like LA and Seattle and to listen to the recommendations of the CDC.  Pressure from the unions and parents is also mounting, too.  But for now at 1PM on Sunday (16MAR20) afternoon, NYC DOE Public Schools remain open.

Student and Staff Attendance.  I respect the personal decisions of parents, families, and staff to take the steps they find necessary to protect the health and safety of themselves and their families.  As per guidance from the Chancellor's office, no punitive actions will be taken towards students, families, or staff on absences that are related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Annie and Jen are already collecting information from families, students, and staff regarding their plans.  I am asking that people share their plans so that we can create contingencies to ensure the health and safety of those that do continue at UAI this week.  Please message to your students and families that if they are planning to keep students home, attendance will not negatively impact them.  However, we do need to know if they are planning to come so that we can prepare at UAI.  Please have students/families reach out directly to Jen. For staff, please reach directly out to Annie with your plans.

Adams Street Campus.  In the event of school closing, the Adams Street Campus will likely remain open as a food services site.    I am currently working with building leaders and staff (along with central DOE leadership) to figure out the logistics on this, but I am also reaching out to see if there are any folks who are willing to voluntarily work at school.  If you are, please email me directly.  Please do not feel pressured to do so.   This is strictly a personal decision, and even if you are willing, it is still not yet certain that the campus will open.

Moving to Online Learning.  Student and staff attendance is expected to decrease significantly as time goes on.  If we look at cities like Seattle, LA, Cleveland, Detroit, and even closer to us in NJ and Long Island, ultimately NYC DOE schools will close.  We have no idea how long that will be, so we must prepare for the worst case scenario and move instruction to be online.  We are still finalizing specific logistics on this, and we will be sharing the plan and providing training & support during Monday's PD & Tuesday extended after school time (if we are still in session).   To streamline communication with families and students, we need to all be on a common platform.  Overwhelmingly, from the survey I sent out last week, the vast majority of teachers are on Google Classrooms.  The majority of students are most familiar with that platform.  Over the course of this week, we will be moving all classes onto Google Classrooms and pairing staff who are new to the platform to colleagues who are more experienced so that everyone has individualized support and training.  To best prepare for tomorrow's PD, please fill out this SURVEY so I can make sure to address any questions and concerns that you have.

To-Do This Week

MP4 Grades are still due at 3PM on Wednesday.  Because there is a risk that MP4 may be the last marking period this year that was minimally impacted by Coronavirus, we need to make sure we have an actual snapshot of student progress.  We are still too far out to give specific guidance around grades based on online learning, but I can say it will be different than grades given for in-person instruction.  I do not yet know what the long-term effects of this pandemic will have on students' future (e.g. how will colleges look at student transcripts), but to secure the future success of our students, I want to make sure we encapsulate their current performance as clearly as possible.  All grades are due in by 3PM on Wednesday.  However, because of this current period of uncertainty, if you are able to submit them early, I am asking that you do so.

Staff Attendance.  Please share with Annie your circumstances and plans for attendance through the end of this week.  We will continue to solicit updates as long as we remain open.  To reiterate, the Chancellor has explicitly stated that no disciplinary action be take around COVID-19 related absence.  If you have individual questions, please connect with me (in person, via email, or phone) and we can discuss your personal situations.

Student Attendance.  Please continue to communicate with Annie if students inform you that they are absent because of Coronavirus related issues.   We will continue to update that in ATS so that student absenteeism is accurately recorded. 

Benchmarks and Student Led Conferences.  We will not be giving benchmarks on Thursday and Friday.  When will we give benchmarks?  That is still TBD.  We will be keeping to the benchmark schedule, if we are still in school.  During the extended time, teachers are to work with students to individually assist and train them on how to access your Google Classroom and to review your expectations for participation and work if school is cancelled and we are learning online for an extended period of time (this is also what we will be reviewing during Monday's PD). 

We need to make sure that all parents have registered in Skedula.  Through Skedula and School Messenger, we are able to send messages (in their home languages) to families in order to keep them up to date on everything that is happening at UAI.   In addition, with parent emails, we can provide families access to our Google Classrooms.  Please make sure you are updating the SLC Appointment Sheet with family emails and phone numbers.  Without your help in getting accurate information, our ability to keep families informed is severely impacted.  Please update the document as soon as you have the information so that we can update ATS.

If we are still in school on Thursday and Friday, we will have virtual conferences by phone or video.  We will keep the scheduled appointments, and we will focus conferences on helping families access UAI online resources like Google Classrooms, Skedula, and the UAI website.

Today, This Week, and Longer Term Planning.  Until we have definitive information from our leadership (president, governor, mayor, chancellor), it is impossible to construct solid plans that will be in place for anything more than a day out.  This creates an inordinate amount of stress and anxiety that only exacerbates people's concerns around Corona.  It's not ok.  To the extent possible, my aim is to mitigate the anxiety and stress that you must be feeling.  To that end, please send me your concerns and questions as they come up.  If I can, I will most definitely address them.  For UAI, our digital presence was pretty significant for most classes and teachers.  So, the move into online learning is a big push for some, but certainly not for all.  I will ensure those in need of more support have it.  In the end, our work to move online is a positive thing for our students and families.  Online learning cannot replace teaching and learning in classrooms.  However, online resources can significantly help our students and families improve and achieve in our classrooms.  These resources are coming online because of a crisis, but in the end, they will be practices and resources that will only enhance the quality of teaching and learning at UAI.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions.  What about prom? graduation? grades?  If we close, will re reopen? If I'm working at home, does that mean I have to use my CAR?  How will we be evaluated for work at home? 

There is definitely so many, many more.  I want to collect those questions, too, so that I can answer them as soon as I get that information from the DOE.  Please make sure you are sharing your ideas in the survey above!

Social-Emotional Learning Update

No Updates this week

Per Session Opportunities

All Per Session Activities are Cancelled Until Further Notice.

 

Week of March 9th

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 28

March 9th,  2020

Special Announcements

Celebrate International Women's Day.  Today is international women's day.  At UAI, we celebrate women every day all year long.  I count myself lucky to work alongside of you in this wonderful work!  It is a blow that despite a historically diverse panel of democratic presidential candidates, we are yet again presented with a choice among white men.  However, change, especially change the disrupts the power narrative, takes time, persistence, and a LOT of energy.  I encourage you to focus on the joy of our work today and enjoy the onset of Spring to celebrate the very special women in your lives and build up the women who inspire you!  Happy International Women's Day!!

Updates on Coronavirus.  On Friday, the Chancellor held an informational webinar with the city's principals.  Much of the webinar focused on belaying fears with facts and emphasizing the pro-active habits we should all take to prevent the spread of the virus (washing hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and coughing into elbows).  There was no explicit instructions about the possible closing of schools, but he did say the this situation is evolving daily.  As soon as I know anything I will share with you. 

For UAI, here's what's happening:  

• Custodians are cleaning surfaces daily with disinfectant soap.  This includes handles, railings, and surfaces.  
• There is hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and disinfectant spray available for staff use in addition to custodial cleanings.  We do have limited supply, but ask for some in the main office.
• Bathrooms are continually stocked with soap. PLEASE let us know if you hear of any supply need in the bathroom.
• In the event that school is cancelled, we want to gather information to begin to build a contingency plan.  Please take a minute to COMPLETE THIS BRIEF SURVEY

Moving forward, please remind students (AND ourselves & fellow staff) to:

• wash or sanitize hands frequently (after bathrooms trips, before and after lunch).  
• limit contact with your faces 
• cough or sneeze into your sleeves.

Again, the panic of this viral spread is spreading.  While taking precautions It's equally important to focus on the facts and to stay informed CLICK HERE.  Remember Coronavirus has a 3.5% death rate, which means is has also has 96.5% survival rate!!

Announcements

Happy Birthdays to: 

Sherri-Ann (Girls Inc) 10MAR20 and Vanessa (Girls Inc) 14MAR20!

Last Weeks' Events.  Last week was a busy one with class visitations to SLJ, PSAT/SAT testing, the Summer Opportunities & College Fair, field trips, and two, very important Saturday events - the Hiring Fair and the Recruitment Brunch.

I'd like to extend a thank you to all of the staff who stepped up throughout the week to make these events happen! The events were incredibly successful. It was a truly UAI collaborative event with so many staff giving their time and energy to make these events wonderful experiences for staff, students and families!

A special thanks to 

• Jen, Lauren, and the entire recruitment team for organizing a fun and engaging morning with prospective students on Saturday!  It was amazing!!  We had a super packed house with several families coming up to us to say  such amazing things, like "This is the first school she has ever felt happy about.  Please let her come here!" 
• Annie and the entire recruitment team for interviewing over 20 candidates and working hard to find the best candidates for our upcoming school year.
• Jen, Danielle & Doris and all of the staff who volunteered to share their personal college experiences during our summer opportunities & college fair.  
• Annie and everyone who stepped up to be on the Culture Committee!  We look forward to the work you do to bring UAI from good to great!

Soft Lockdown Drill. On Tuesday 10MAR20, there will be a Soft Lockdown Drill at 10am. As a reminder, when the drill is initiated - all students and staff must move to the corner of the room, out of sight, with lights off and must remain silent until the drill is lifted. The drill typically lasts less than 5 minutes so it shouldn't interrupt instruction too terribly. Please let Annie know if you have any questions.

Field Trips.  Quick note: Per Chancellor's Regulation A - 670, the high school ratio for field trips is 15:1, and middle school is 10:1. Due to a rapidly disappearing bucket of money for substitute teachers, we need to hold to these ratios for field trips moving forward... Please plan your trips accordingly.

• Upcoming Field Trips: If you are planning a trip, in addition to communicating with Annie, please remember to inform all relevant teachers via email when you schedule a field trip so plans can be made for missing students! So far these trips are approved:
• March 11th - Rebecca F and Laura are taking these students to the Met.
• March 26-27th - 11th graders (list tbd) on College overnight trip.
• April 7-8th - 10th grade (list) in Washington DC!
• May 14th - 6th and 7th grades (list tbd) go to Six Flags!

Culture Committee Visits. The Culture Committee (Damon, Suzannah, Judy, Rachel, Jamie, Natalie, Kristina, Courtney, Annie) will be conducting classroom walkthroughs this week! Please expect us to be in and out of your rooms!

Attendance Update. While we are in our series of March Not Madness PDs our next grade team time won't be until April. We still want to update folks on how we're doing attendance-wise. So here are some key stats:

• Overall School Attendance is holding steady at 90.9% which is above our target goal!
• Chronic Absenteeism school-wide is currently at 27% which is our target goal!
• See here for an update on completed home visits by our attendance teacher, Alan!

Benchmarks. Our spring benchmarks will be held on March 19 & 20th. Please review the benchmark schedule (here) carefully and let Joanna know if you catch any mistakes.  Many thanks to Joanna and Rachel & Rebecca who helped us make a mock AP exams happen for our students!


Important Dates.  

• Week of March 9th.  It's Spirit Week! Please remind your kids and wear your best outfits!  
• Monday - Pajama Day!
• Tuesday - Female Icon Day - dress as your female hero!
• Wednesday - 90's Day! 
• Thursday - Twin Day!
• Friday - UAI Spirit Day!
• Wednesday 11MAR20. UAI Awards Night & Girls Inc MarchFest.  
• Friday 13MAR20.  MP4 Ends.  MP4 grades will be due at 3PM on Wednesday 18MAR20.
• Wednesday, 18MAR20.  Kelly hosts Affinity Schools Visit (will be using room 147).  
• Thursday 19MAR & Friday 20MAR.  Students Led Conferences and Spring Benchmarks.  
• Wed 24MAR through Fri 26MAR.  NYS Middle School ELA Testing.
• Tuesday 07APR & 08APR.  The 10th graders go to Washington DC!
• Wednesday 08APR.  The day before spring break, we will be having a rapid dismissal at 2:30pm. 
• Friday 01May20. The GSA is hosting UAI's first drag show - 6-10pm! 

To-Do This Week

Monday March Not Madness Assignments!  CLICK HERE to review your assignments for our March Not Madness series of Monday PDs.  Also, all teachers should review the Survey Questions prior to their Survey Focus group.

Tuesday Outreach - Continue to Schedule SLCs.  Student Led Conferences are on March 19th and 20th.  Please begin scheduling SLC appointments for all of your advisees.  SLCs will be from 5-8PM on Thursday (19MAR20) evening and 12-2:50PM on Friday (20MAR20) afternoon.  As usual, Spring Benchmark exams will be happening on those days as well.  All appointments need to be scheduled by the end of Parent Outreach this Tuesday 10MAR20.  CLICK HERE to enter your appointments.  

Social-Emotional Learning Update

No updates this week!

Per Session Opportunities

• March 11 - one representative from each grade team for UAI Awards Night! 5-7pm, first come, first served.
• May 1 Drag Show - 10 staff
• May 15 - 8th Grade Prom Chaperones - up to 10 staff
• May 21 - Senior Prom Chaperones - up to 6 staff

Important Dates.  As a reminder (see blog post of 24FEB for details), here are the important dates:

• Week of March 9th.  We were spread thin with everyone out doing recruitment work last week.  So Spirit Week has been moved to next week!
• Wednesday 04MAR20.  SAT Day
• Saturday, 07MAR20.  Applicant Brunch and First Hiring Fair.  
• Wednesday 11MAR20. UAI Awards Night & Girls Inc Marchfest.  
• Sunday 08MAR through Thu 11MAR.  Kiri @ SXSW presenting with a  panel of principals 
• Friday 13MAR20.  MP4 Ends.  MP4 grades will be due at 3PM on Wednesday 18MAR20.
• Wednesday, 18MAR20.  Kelly hosts Affinity Schools Visit.  
• Thursday 19MAR & Friday 20MAR.  Students Led Conferences and Spring Benchmarks.  
• Wed 24MAR through Fri 26MAR.  NYS Middle School ELA Testing
• Tuesday 07APR & 08APR.  The 10th graders go to Washington DC!
• Wednesday 08APR.  The day before spring break, we will be havin.g a rapid dismissal. 

To-Do This Week

March Not Madness PD.  This Monday we will be kicking off our March Not-Madness Annual PD Series.  Here are the final assignments for the month!  See the blogpost from 24FEB for descriptions!

Tuesday Outreach - Continue to Schedule SLCs.  Student Led Conferences are on March 19th and 20th.  Please begin scheduling SLC appointments for all of your advisees.  SLCs will be from 5-8PM on Thursday (19MAR20) evening and 12-2:50PM on Friday (20MAR20) afternoon.  As usual, Spring Benchmark exams will be happening on those days as well.  All appointments need to be scheduled by the end of Parent Outreach on Tuesday 10MAR20.  CLICK HERE to enter your appointments.  Try to have at least 1/2 of your advisory scheduled by the end of this Tuesday.

Social-Emotional Learning Update

• 
  

Per Session Opportunities

None this week.

 

Week of March 3rd

UAI Staff News

Volume VII

Issue 27

March 3rd,  2020

Announcements

Happy Birthdays to: 
Phillan 03MAR20 and Suzannah 05MAR20

Check our your March Not Madness Assignments!  This was too buried in last week's blog, so I decided to lead with it this week.  CLICK HERE to review your assignments for our March Not Madness series of Monday PDs.  Also, all teachers should review the Survey Questions prior to their Survey Focus group.

Field Trips.  During the first Survey Focus group, clearer communication came up as one of the things we could change to improve our community and culture at UAI.  Particularly, communication around Field Trips came up as a need.  We'll be adding a section on upcoming Field Trips to the blog and posting these trips in the UAI School Calendar to better improve communication in this area!

• March Field Trips: We have several field trips coming up! If you are planning a trip, in addition to communicating with Annie, please remember to inform all relevant teachers via email when you schedule a field trip so plans can be made for missing students! So far these trips are approved for March:
• March 5th - all 11th graders are out on two trips - Painting and College visit
• March 5th - Nina is taking these students to Girl Day at City Tech
• March 11th - Rebecca F and Laura are taking these students to the Met
• March 26-27th - 11th graders (list tbd) on College overnight trip

Summer Opportunities & College Fair during MS and HS Lunch.  We are still looking for volunteers to come talk with students during their lunch period about your own college experiences and your personal journey to college, including your experiences outside of school (extra curricular clubs, sports, activities, jobs, etc.).  In addition, we're looking for staff to help us help our girls get involved in extra curricular activities both inside of UAI and outside of the school this spring and summer.  If you are interested and are willing to spend your lunch period on March 6th chatting with our wonderful young women, please reach out to Jen, Kiri, or Danielle I.

Important Dates.  As a reminder (see blog post of 24FEB for details), here are the important dates:

• Week of March 9th.  We were spread thin with everyone out doing recruitment work last week.  So Spirit Week has been moved to next week!
• Wednesday 04MAR20.  SAT Day
• Saturday, 07MAR20.  Applicant Brunch and First Hiring Fair.  
• Wednesday 11MAR20. UAI Awards Night & Girls Inc Marchfest.  
• Sunday 08MAR through Thu 11MAR.  Kiri @ SXSW presenting with a  panel of principals 
• Friday 13MAR20.  MP4 Ends.  MP4 grades will be due at 3PM on Wednesday 18MAR20.
• Wednesday, 18MAR20.  Kelly hosts Affinity Schools Visit.  
• Thursday 19MAR & Friday 20MAR.  Students Led Conferences and Spring Benchmarks.  
• Wed 24MAR through Fri 26MAR.  NYS Middle School ELA Testing
• Tuesday 07APR & 08APR.  The 10th graders go to Washington DC!
• Wednesday 08APR.  The day before spring break, we will be havin.g a rapid dismissal. 

To-Do This Week

March Not Madness PD.  This Monday we will be kicking off our March Not-Madness Annual PD Series.  Here are the final assignments for the month!  See the blogpost from 24FEB for descriptions!

Tuesday Outreach - Continue to Schedule SLCs.  Student Led Conferences are on March 19th and 20th.  Please begin scheduling SLC appointments for all of your advisees.  SLCs will be from 5-8PM on Thursday (19MAR20) evening and 12-2:50PM on Friday (20MAR20) afternoon.  As usual, Spring Benchmark exams will be happening on those days as well.  All appointments need to be scheduled by the end of Parent Outreach on Tuesday 10MAR20.  CLICK HERE to enter your appointments.  Try to have at least 1/2 of your advisory scheduled by the end of this Tuesday.

SAT Day. This Wednesday the 10th graders will be taking the PSAT and the 11th graders will be taking the SAT.  9th and 12th graders will not be in school that day, and the middle school will have regularly programmed classes.  There are some room changes so all MS and HS teachers should review Joanna's SAT schedule to understand the program for the day.  Please CLICK HERE to see the schedule.

Summer School.  Yes, you read that right!  We are beginning to gear up for summer school.  If you are interested in teaching some of all of summer school, please email Kiri by the end of next week (Friday 13MAR20).  These are the options

• HS Credit Recovery.  Students complete work from failed classes to earn credit.
• Mondays-Thursdays 1 hr per section + 1 hr of prep time each day (3 sections max or 4 hrs per day max)
• Humanities Credit Recovery - must have SPED, ELA, or SS license
• Math Sci Credit Recovery - must have SPED, Math or Sci license
• PE Credit Recovery - must have PE or Dance license
• MS Enrichment.  Students who are in the lowest 10% (citywide) of performance on the ELA or Math exams, will be mandated to attend enrichment for the middle school.  
• Mondays-Thursdays 1.5 hrs per section +1 hr of prep time each day (2 sections max or 4 hrs per day max)
• 6-8 ELA - must have ELA, SS or SPED license
• 6-8 Math - must have Math, Sci, or SPED license
• Regents Prep.   Students do test prep in preparation for August Regents.  Teachers signing up for Regents prep are signing up for test prep instruction, proctoring and grading.
• Regents Prep is open to ONLY the following for the summer
• CC Alg I, Earth Science, Living Environment, Global, USH, and English
• There is no summer Regents Prep provided for GEO or ALG 2.  We will offer them if kids want to sign up, but we won't be able to fund prep for those this summer.

Social-Emotional Learning Update

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Per Session Opportunities

None this week.