Week of June 27th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 36

June 27th, 2022

Sending them off into the future.  In the last week and a half we bid good luck and goodbye to our 8th and 12th graders moving on to new schools and new chapters in their lives.  Theses with the 10th annual (for high school) and 14th annual (for 8th grade) stepping up and graduation ceremonies.   Over the years, these have been ceremonies filled to the brim with celebration and hope.

I want to thank Kelly & Kristina for stepping up to provide our 8th graders and seniors with so many wonderful memories and celebrations over the years.  In particular, these last couple of years have been incredibly challenging backdrops in which to build joy and pride.  Nevertheless, they did it, and they did it incredibly well!!

Despite their incredible work, in these last few years, these celebrations have been somewhat shrouded in the uncertainty and terribleness in the world into which our students proceeded.  The pandemic and then the reality of persistent racism, sexism, and gender bias all in the backdrop of a climate crisis created an intimidating world for our young folks.  Still they persisted - they found their voices, organized their peers, and still continued to fight for what was right while still finding their joy and love in life.

This past week, our country's democracy and protection for the rights for all crumbled as once again, many women, particularly those who are poor and who are black & brown, were thrown back 50 years, as Roe v. Wade fell and decades of advocacy and work to preserve equal protections for women and their health choices was eradicated in a written decision.  If we can live in a world where a government elected by the minority can replace justice with politically aligned justices, then our country's democracy is, in fact, broken.   Roe was the first.  There will inevitably be many more rights lost in the days to come - including Marriage Equality and Maranda protections.

There is no doubt that things are terrible and may be so for some time.

For me, that only underscores the importance of our work.  The better we get at preparing our young people to look critically at the world around them and to lean into being the voice that demands change and being the leader that brings that change about - the more we are able to cultivate hope and light once more.

Our students our students are the best hope we have for a better world.  In them I see future Attorney Generals who demand justice from corrupt politicians.  I see future activists organizing support efforts for women across state borders.  I see future politicians who are brave enough and smart enough to write into our constitution a real set of laws that are not subject to the influence of politics and will, for once and for all, guarantee and protect the rights, health, and safety for all individuals.

Today, I turn the page on the end of a very hard chapter (well, let's face - series of chapters), and while I know the next few will not be any easier (and may in fact be more challenging than what we've already experienced), I am excited nonetheless.  There is no end to the potential and excitement of working with our future, and I am lucky to do so with their families, and the best set of staff that our kids could ever have!  

For those of you who are moving on to new schools/roles - I am excited that you will be our future partners in this work.  It will definitely take much more than our little school to make change real.  Good luck to you on your paths, and solidarity in the work with you!

For now, I honor the work we have all done together, and encourage all of us to take the time we need to rest, recharge, and fuel up on our own joy.  We all have a great weight to bare as we move forward in our work in the fall.  But it is work that brings joy and fulfillment and makes every bit of hard work worthwhile!

 

Important dates. 

• Monday, 27JUN.  Last Day of School
• Teachers report to advisory classrooms to distribute report cards
• See Below for Schedule & Tasks

• Tuesday, 28JUN.  Last Day of School for Staff
• Staff Remote Work Day
• Zoom Link and Agenda Below

• Tuesday, 05JUL.  Girls Inc Summer Camp Begins
• Open to all UAI Rising 5th-current 8th graders. 
• 8:30AM-3:30 PM, Mondays thru Thursdays
• Dates:  July 5th through July 28th
• Direct questions to Wilma:  wharris@girlsincnyc.org

• Monday, 11JUL.  UAI Summer Splash Begins
• Open to all UAI Rising 8th-current 12th graders
• Summer Arts with Rebecca (ceramics), Freida (art), Judy (STEAM)
• Summer School Credit Recovery with Jenetta
• 10AM-1PM, Mondays thru Thursdays
• Dates:  July 11th through 28th
• Direct questions to Kelly:  kellyp@uainstitute.org
• Note:  We are not offering regents exams this summer.  Student who want to retake regents exams will have a chance to do so in January.  The Special Appeals rule is in place through August 2023 for students scoring at least a 50 on any exam.

• Tuesday, 30AUG-Thursday, 01SEP.  Classroom Set Up & Co-Planning Time
• As in years past, all staff are invited to return to UAI to begin preparations for classroom setup, co-planning with co-teachers and team members, and getting ready for the 2022-23 school yea

• Tuesday, 06SEP.  First Day of School for Staff

• Thursday, 08SEP.  First Day of School for Students

Announcements & To Dos

Last Day of the Year.  In typical fashion (at least before COVID), our last day of school for students will be simply for pick up of final report cards, cleaning out of lockers, and saying goodbye for the summer.  

• Students must report by 10AM to pick up report cards from advisors.  We have a number of folks out tomorrow (having taken personal/vacation days), so we'll need to double/triple up advisories:

• Middle School (6th/7th)
• B49 - all 6th grade Advisories: Phillan, Sarah R (out), Jennifer (out)
• B45 - 7th Grade Advisories:  Alison, Nica, Jake (out)
• B43 - 7th Grade Advisories:  Sarah M 
• B57 - 7th Grade Advisory:  Matthew
• 8th-12th Grade Advisories
• 303 - 8th Grade Advisories:  Kristina, Aisha, Laura (out)
• 307 - 8th Grade Advisories:  Marni, Martine, Jelissa
• 405 - 9th Grade Advisories:  Christina, Jamie, Shana (out)
• 311 - 9th Grade Advisories:  Brodie, Nakita (out), Juelle (out)
• 309 - 9th Grade Advisories:  Cassandra, Tiffany
• 515 - 10th Grade Advisories:  Claire, Rebecca (out)
• 403 - 10th Grade Advisories:  Nina, Danielle R, Marsha (out)
• 407 - 10th/12th Grade Advisories:  Leonela, Jenetta, Elena (out)
• 415 - 10th/11th Grade Advisories:  Liza, Judy (out), Jean (out), Tom (out)
• 511 - 11th Grade Advisories:  Cherry, Olympia, Damon (out)
• 305 - 12th Grade Advisories:  Joey, Kelly, Danielle I

• Students should remain with advisors through 10:20, and then are released for lunch and then the day.  Students who have open lunch do not have to return and should have a wonderful summer!
  
  
• Teachers should return report cards to Ms. Aisha.  We will email report cards over the summer for those that were not picked up by students.
  
  
• FYI for students:  All lockers will be clipped and cleaned out this summer.  Items will not be kept, and any items found in lockers will be considered abandoned and put into the trash/recycling/donation pool.

• All staff must complete the EOY checklist.  Please make sure there is NOTHING stored on the floors in your classrooms, including the closets.  Please make sure everything is removed from the walls- including the hallways.   

• All final gradebooks must be uploaded unto this FOLDER before you leave for the school year.  Please download your Skedula Gradebooks and upload them into the folder.

• All final per session sheets and time cards must be turned in before you leave for the summer.  NO LATE per session sheets will be processed as this year's budget closes and finalizes on 30JUN.

Last Meeting of the Year.  The official last day of school for staff is Tuesday, 28JUN.  We will have a remote day that day.  

• Agenda 8:30-9:30
• 8:30:  Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 8:45:  Summer Announcements
• 9:00:  Final Report by the Hiring Committee
• 9:15:  Closing Remarks

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81765931467

    Meeting ID: 817 6593 1467

    Passcode: UAIZOOM

 

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

No posts this week

Week of June 13th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

Issue 35

June 13th, 2022

Many Thanks.  As we bring this year to a close, several of our community are also bringing their time at UAI to a close.  After these last few roller coaster years of pandemic schooling, change is inevitable for folks.  Each of us has grown and changed over these last few years, and our community has grown, too.  

Many of the folks who are leaving are moving on to spread their wings in new roles and to take what they've learned at UAI to continue their own growth in new places, and to grow and flourish in their new communities.  Those schools & programs are lucky to have each of you, and you will each shine in a myriad of ways that will honor the growth you have achieved while with UAI, and the talents that you have honed in your work with our community.

Some folks have not yet landed their next steps, but are looking to find roles that best match their skills, pedagogy, and next steps in their career growth.  While they have not yet landed a positions, I am sure schools will snap them up soon.   This year is certainly a teacher's market, and I am sure these folks will have their pick of positions!   They are not required to share their professional plans, and so I greatly appreciate their openness in sharing their process.  Their position is theirs until they choose to leave, but sharing their process allows us to be ready with the highest quality candidates for our students, if or when they find their best matched school!  Thank you and best of luck!  

Finally, one special person is leaving the DOE to pursue different challenges in retirement and alternate careers outside of the city.  Doris' many years with NYCDOE and at UAI have been full of so much wonder and amazingness.  You have given so much and will be sorely missed!

To all of you who are moving on....

Thank you to all that have done, given, and contributed to our students, families and school.   

Best of luck to you on your next chapter!!

You will be missed and you will always be appreciated!

 

Important dates this month & next. 

• Monday, 13JUN. Final Full Staff Meeting
• Cell Phone Policy Meeting with Joey

• Tuesday, 14JUN:  Last day of classes grades 8-11
  
  
• Week of 15JUN-24JUN:  
• Grades 6 & 7 (only) teachers
• Grades 7-12 Teachers:  Regents Schedule

• Thursday, 16JUN:  High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech
  
• Meet up at Randolph Bar afterwords for a school celebration

• Friday, 17JUN:  Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!
• Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day
  
  
• Monday, 20JUN:  Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
  
  
• Monday, 27JUN:  Last Day for Students 
  
  
• Tuesday, 28JUN:  Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. You can see the agenda and notes here.  

The Hiring Committee.  Our next fair is On June 21st at 12PM  Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!   

• You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC. 
  
  

Equity Team. No New updates this week.  Agenda

Circles Committee.  No Updates this week

Consultation Committee.   See consultation committee notes.   

Instructional Leadership Team.   Committee Notes and Agenda

Announcements

Last Monday Full Staff Meeting.  The Circle Committee reported out on Thursday during PD day, and our Hiring Committee will report out on June 28th during our final zoom.  For Monday's PD, an ad-hoc team of folks who took initiative to revamp the UAI Cellphone policy will use our PD time to discuss their work with the staff.  Joey took the lead in this work to spearhead a process to develop a fix for an issue that folks have been struggling with all year (Thank you Joey- way to step up!).  He has been working with Annie and the deans to find ways to gather input from various constituencies and to revise our existing policy so that all voices are reflected and most importantly, instruction for kids and teachers is maximized, limiting the distraction and disruption of phones.  The group asked for Monday PD time to work with staff, and we moved Hiring and Circles to make this happen.  Grades 8-12 staff should meet in room 515.  Grades 6 & 7 staff should meet in B49.

Middle School Schedule.  Here's the schedule for the remainder of the year

• Wed, 15JUN - AM - normal classes; PM - ELA Portfolio Work
• Thu, 16JUN - AM - normal classes:  10:45 - Attend HS Graduation: 1PM - Return for Movies
  
• Fri, 17JUN - No Classes for 7th Graders - Released for Earth Science Regent
                 6th Graders - Trip (Field Day)
• Mon, 20JUN - Juneteenth Observed- No School
• Tue, 21JUN - AM - normal classes; PM - Math Portfolio Work
• Wed, 22JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
• Thu, 23JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
• Fri, 24JUN - AM/PM Normal Classes
  (I know there's a trip somewhere in these last three days, but I forgot what we said!  Which day was it?)

Regents Week Intervention Work & Proctoring Assignments.  Please review Regents Week Intervention Assignments and the June Proctoring Schedule.   

• For Interventions
• Support students in completed linked assessments, providing intervention and support instruction where needed.
• Once students have completed al tasks they no longer need to attend, please remove them from the intervention list and update Skedula to a passing grade.
• Teachers should call home during these outreach periods if students do not arrive to intervention class on time.
• Please review the proctor schedule daily.  We will be making shifts and changes and student needs shift.

 

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Review Intervention Assignments.  Please Review the intervention assignments with your students (BOTH your advisees AND those students who need to come to your intervention group).  

Advisory To Do  

• Final Course Selection.  Brodie will be emailing student course selections to advisors for advisors to review with their students on Tuesday.  If students want to change their courses please have them COMPLETE THIS FORM by Tuesday, 14JUN22.
  
  
• Regents Exam Registration.  Advisors should review exam schedule with Advisees this week.  FYI - Earth Science Practicum is happening during the day THIS FRIDAY 10JUN21 (Special Schedule to follow).  Please see the "Exam Roster" tab on the Regents Week scheduleAdvisors can review students's performance on the Mock Regents, but that is not required.  If a student is on the list and no longer wants to take the test, email Kelly to deregister them.  If a student is not on the list and wants to take an exam, email Kelly to register them.

Promote Summer School.  If you know students who are looking for something fun to do this summer, look below for all the teachers who are running summer programs.  Send the kids their way to get a jump on summer enrollment!

Turn in Per Session on Time.  We are closing out the 2022-2023 school year budget.  That means the final per session period for all teachers will be June 1-15th (with some exceptions - but email Kiri if you have an exception).  Please do NOT be late with your per session.  Please plan to turn your final per session sheet in next Tuesday.  

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

No posts this week

Week of June 6th

UAI Staff News

Volume IX

June 6th, 2022

Staffing Stories.  It has taken some time, and I totally forgot to announce last week, but I want to make it a big point to congratulate our very own Ms. J!!  As many of you know, Ms. Doris is retiring (this time for reals!) and will be moving out of NYC after June.  We will speak more and do more for Ms. Doris in the weeks to come, but this post is aimed at welcoming J!

Over the course of this year, Ms. J has really stood out in her role as assistant dean.  In her duties, Ms. J has always found ways to support our kids who find themselves at the wrong end of some bad decisions, and to support our staff in helping those very same kids learn from those very same bad choices.... As with all things - we never are perfect, but Ms. J definitely had great impact and helped so many!

Going above and beyond her role, Ms. J took it upon herself to form a group that met regularly with a group of our students who were stuck in a cycle of bad choices.  Through her love and guidance, several of them were able to break free of those patterns, and are now much less often in the halls, in conflict, or causing disruptions in class.  Way to go J.

Because of her amazing work, her continuous contributions to our school community (often above and beyond her role as dean) and her commitment to our staff, kids and their families, I was over the moon when J said she would be interested in more. When Doris confirmed her retirement to me earlier this spring, J moving into the role of college counselor really did seem like it was meant to be!

J- I am thrilled to welcome you as the newest counselor at UAI.  I know you've already been working seamlessly with the team all year, and I cannot wait to see that same energy, strength, love, and zeal brought to our college counseling team!  Congrats J!!!!

And Doris.... no matter how often you say to me no... We're going to do something for you soon - xoxoxoxxoxooxxoo-k 

 

Important dates this month & next. 

• Wednesday, 01JUN:  Regular Classes - Trips Encouraged!
  
  
• Monday, 06JUN: 
• Full Staff Meeting
• Review of End of June & Regents Schedule
• Time to Complete End of Year DESSA

• Tuesday, 07JUN:  Final Day of Regular Classes for Seniors
• Senior Course Tracking Document
• Teachers MUST confirm with Kiri any student failing their class by EOD 06JUN22
  Teachers MUST have made contact with home to inform family of course failure and inability to graduate (if applicable).
  
  
• Thursday, 09JUN:  Brooklyn Queens Day - Remote PD Day
• 8:30-10AM Full Staff Meeting (Via Zoom) Agenda to Follow
• 10AM-2:50PM - Independent Work Time to Submit The Following by End of Day
• Skedula updated with grades
• MP4 Failures Listed on Summer Doc
• Final List of Assignments (with Links) Failing Students Need To Complete

• Monday, 13JUN. Final Full Staff Meeting
• Final Circles Committee Report
• Final Hiring Committee Report

• Tuesday, 14JUN:  Last day of classes grades 8-11
  
  
• Thursday, 16JUN:  High School Graduation at 11AM @ City Tech
  
• 6th & 7th grade student & teachers will attend!!
• Exact schedule TBD
• Exact Assignments for all staff TBD
  
  
• Week of 15JUN-24JUN:  Regents Schedule
• 
  
• Friday, 17JUN:  Last Day for Teachers Going on Vacation!
• Must Complete End of Year Exit Sheet Prior to End of Day
  
  
• Monday, 20JUN:  Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
  
  
• Tuesday 21JUN:  Middle School Portfolio (ELA/MATH) week begins (Schedule TBD)
  
  
• Monday, 27JUN:  Last Day for Students 
  
  
• Tuesday, 28JUN:  Last Day for Staff (Remote Day!!)

Committee Updates

Scheduling Committee. See TO DO below.  You can see the agenda and notes here.  

The Hiring Committee.  Our next fair is On June 9th at 1PM  Please SHARE OUT THIS FLIER to anyone you know who may be looking for a job in teaching next year!   

• You can always view our notes and decisions on THIS DOC. 
  
  

Equity Team. No New updates this week.  Agenda

Circles Committee.  No Updates this week

Consultation Committee.   See consultation committee notes.   

Instructional Leadership Team. Mock Regents dates have been set (see below for details).  Also, all teachers with formal observations should be meeting with their ILT leader to prepare for their final observations with Kiri & Annie.  Committee Notes and Agenda

Announcements

Monday Full Staff Meetings.  On Monday, we will once again meet in the library to continue our work to build up our general community connections.  This will continue each Monday for the remainder of the year.  For the upcoming Mondays, here are the topics of the meetings.

• 06JUN - Regents Schedule Review for HS Staff - No meeting for MS Staff
  (swapped 06 and 13JUN due to trip schedules and teachers being out)
• DESSA Rating Time
  
  
• 13JUN - Final Staff Circle Report & Hiring Committee Report

Small Group Progress Updates.  Students who are going to fail your course will be assigned to work with you during programmed intervention periods during Regents week.  Please see below for Small Group Updates.

Summer Programming.  As I've mentioned many times in earlier blogs, Summer Rising (the DOE's new name for summer school) is redefining what summer school is.  The DOE is really pushing an innovation around summer that emphasizes multiple forms of learning - not only academic remediation.   What that means for UAI - 

• UAI Summer Splash will be enrichment courses in Social Justice, Summer Steam, our own brand of UAI SYEP, and the Arts.  
• Girls Inc Summer School will offer an onsite camp to all of our middle school students from 9-3:30PM each day.  

Students who require Academic Intervention have a spot reserved for them in our in-day program, but they are only mandated to participate in the virtual programming.

All students participating in the in-person Summer Splash can receive up to 3 elective credits, plus have loads of fun and pad those college resumes with summer experiences!  Please encourage all of your students to have summer plans, and promote our UAI Summer Splash as an opportunity for that!

Summer School Teachers Needed for Summer Rising Program.  Joining our campus this summer are two new middle schools (Dock Street and Bridges).  They are hosting a more traditional mandated summer program from 8:30-12:00, Mon-Thu from 05JUL thru 12AUG.  If you are interested in working some or part of that time, please let Kiri know.  They really need teachers!

 

To Do This Week

PAY ATTENTION TO THE YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS
This is the stuff that requires your attention AND it's stuff you need to do!

Do Small Group Final UPDATES.  Please update your small group students' progress by entering a P or F in the yellow column o you expect the student to pass your course by the last day of classes (06JUN for Seniors, 14JUN for 8th-11th graders, and 24JUN for 6th & 7th Grade), please enter P.  If no passing, please enter F.

For students who will fail, please identify BOTH the tasks (assignments and/or assessments) along with the relevant answer keys or rubrics that failing students must complete in the final weeks of June and in our July Summer Session in order to earn credit.  You will have time to complete this task on Thursday, 09JUN, but final lists of failing students and their required task lists are due at the end of the day on Thursday.  If the tasks are on your Google Classroom, please make sure that Kelly, Brodie, Annie, and Kiri are shared on your Google Classroom as instructors.  We will be managing summer programs.

Failing students will begin working on these assignments with their course teachers during assigned intervention periods during Regents Week.  Please see teacher schedule to see those periods.  

Advisory To Do  

• Final Course Selection.  Brodie will be emailing student course selections to advisors for advisors to review with their students on Tuesday.  If students want to change their courses please have them COMPLETE THIS FORM by Tuesday, 14JUN22.
  
  
• Regents Exam Registration.  Advisors should review exam schedule with Advisees this week.  FYI - Earth Science Practicum is happening during the day THIS FRIDAY 10JUN21 (Special Schedule to follow).  Please see the "Exam Roster" tab on the Regents Week scheduleAdvisors can review students's performance on the Mock Regents, but that is not required.  If a student is on the list and no longer wants to take the test, email Kelly to deregister them.  If a student is not on the list and wants to take an exam, email Kelly to register them.

Promote Summer School.  If you know students who are looking for something fun to do this summer, look below for all the teachers who are running summer programs.  Send the kids their way to get a jump on summer enrollment!

Turn in Per Session on Time.  We are closing out the 2022-2023 school year budget.  That means the final per session period for all teachers will be June 1-15th (with some exceptions - but email Kiri if you have an exception).  Please do NOT be late with your per session.  Please plan to turn your final per session sheet in next Tuesday.  

Per Session Postings

Please complete THIS PER SESSION INTEREST FORM and email Kiri to let her know that you are applying for a per session position.

School Organization.   We are now ready to begin organizing stuff! Dai will be supervising all efforts, but I've appointed chiefs of certain areas to work with her.  

Science Supplies Chief - Liza with Team:  Judy, Tom, Sarah R, Nina, Phillan

Student Schwag Supplies Chief - Kelly with Team:  Jen, Elena, Aisha

2022 UAI SUMMER Camp.  

Staffed: 

1. Jenetta (Summer School Coordinator, Social Justice Course) - Staffed - Social Justice Course
2. Kelly (Summer School Coordinator, Regents Prep Coordinator) - Staffed (Summer/Regents Coordinator)
3. Jelissa (SYEP, Student Recruitment) - Staffed - SYEP coordinator, Student Recruitment
4. Adelle (Student Recruitment) - Student Recruitment
5. Freida (Summer Arts Elective) = Staffed Summer Arts Elective
6. Nina (Regents Prep) - Staffed - Regents Prep
7. Nicole (SYEP, Student Recruitment)- Staffed - SYEP Support,Student Recruitment
8. Juelle (Student Recruitment) - Staff Student Recruitment
9. Brodie (Summer School Administrator) - Staffed - Summer School Admin
10. Shana (STEAM Summer Elective) - Staffed - STEAM Summer Elective
11. Rebecca (Pottery with a Wheel)- Staffed - Pottery
12. Olympia (Creative Writing) - Staffed - Creative Writing