Week of MAY 28th

UAI Staff News

Volume XI

Issue 34

May 28th, 2024

Closing Out the School Year. As we enter into the last week of May, we need to both work harder to make sure our kids make it strongly across the finish line AND make moves to close out the year to prepare for summer school and the launch of next fall.  

• Finishing Strong.  Once again, many thanks to all the hard work folks have done this past month, and especially last Thursday night to outreach to families and make sure they are looped in on their child's progress in your classes.  For the remainder of the year, please prioritize outreach to the students assigned to you on the "June Outreach Tab" of the MP4 Outreach log.  FYI - By the EOD on June 6th (Brooklyn Queens Day), you will need to complete a task completion sheet for each student which lists all the tasks (with descriptions) that the student needs to complete to meet minimal requirements and earn a 65 for the year.   Students will be required to attend during regents week to receive tutoring to finish these assignments, and failure to successfully complete the minimal requirements will result in being mandated to summer school and/or repeating the grade. We will be sending out these task sheets to families on June 7th, so please make sure you are keeping students and families in the loop this week and next so that they are not shocked or surprised when we send out that information.
  
  
• Closing Out the Year.  There are various tasks that are required each and every year for closing out!  So that we're all prepared for what is to come, here is a list of the things you'll be doing in the upcoming weeks as we prepare to close out the 2023-24 school year.
  
  
• Archive Gradebooks and share link with Admin for Course Record Keeping.  HS Staff will be given grading periods during Regents Week to complete this task.  MS Staff should use professional period time to complete this task.
  
  
• Catalog Lessons & Pacing of each course for the 23-24 school year with linked lessons, materials, and assessments for the school year in UAI pacing Guide.  CORE (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) Subject Teams will be given planning days.
  
  
• Technology. This summer we are going to collect all tech from staff.  If staff would like to hold onto their computers for the summer, that can happen, but we'll have to have folks complete a formal request.  We need to revamp our tech tracking tools this summer, and so, we need to pull back in all tech from kids and staff.  Please make sure that you're pulling off any personal items that may (but should really not be) stored on your computer.  We'll also be doing an overhaul of tech this summer to get things ready for next fall.  
  
  
• Classrooms.  Our classrooms are always used for the summer.  So any personal items cannot be stored in the classroom.  We have no way of securing or monitoring personal items in the summer.  In addition, all UAI classroom materials must be stored and secured in locked closets (or on bookshelves that turn to face walls/are covered.  
  
  
• Checkout List.  This was last year's checkout list which hasn't been updated for this June yet, but it will give you an idea of what to expect on the last day of school.  We will have a staff meeting at 10AM on June 26th where we will collect these sheets.  Staff will be assigned to their rooms to pass out final report cards between 8:30 and 10AM.  During that time, staff should also work to finalize the checkout list.

Important Upcoming Dates

• THU   30MAY -31MAY - Senior Trip (12th Grade)

• Upcoming June Dates
• TUE  04JUN - Algebra 1 Regent Exam - no classes 8-12
• THU 06JUN - Brooklyn Queens PD Day - NO CLASSES
• MON 10JUN - Math MAP Testing - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all math classes
• TUE 11JUN - ELA MAP Testing  - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all ELA classes
• WED 12JUN - Science & Spanish Finals (in regular class periods)
• THU 13JUN - Social Studies, Art, Comp Sci, Health, PE Finals (in regular class periods)
• FRI 14JUN - Regents Week Begins 
• MON 17JUN - Eid Al Adha - NO SCHOOL
• WED 19JUN - Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
• MON 24JUN - High School Graduation
• TUE 25JUN - 8th Grade Stepping Up
• WED 26JUN - Last Day of School

Announcements & To Dos

June Regents Schedule.  Please review the June Regents schedule for your own programming, and for student lists.  As an FYI, this program is still being built, and if you have any conflicts, please reach out.

Because we have so many more teachers and paras available during Regents testing days, our need for sub paras and sub teachers is significantly less.  So, some of our subs will not be called in for Regents Testing days.  You can also review the lists with students.  This schedule is still being finalized, so please do reach out to Kiri & Liza with questions or concerns! As an FYI

• Any student who scored >50 on an April mock exam is automatically registered for the June exam.
• Any HS student who is in a course that terminates in a regent exam (GLO, USH, 10th ELA, LIV, EARTH, ALG1) is automatically registered for that regent exam (even if they don't score>50) unless they have already met their graduation requirements in the exam area (e.g they already have a social studies regent exam).
• Anyone who is not automatically registered for the exam MUST get teacher recommendation. (So, e.g. all GEO and ALG2 test takers are teacher recommendations).  

Per Session Activities End This Week.  Except for ILT & Deans, all per session activities end this Friday, 31MAY.  We need to close out per session for the school year, and the final pay period for after school activities will be 31MAY.  This includes IEP, Advisory, Clubs, and any other per session activity that is not related to ILT or Dean support.   If you have any questions or a specific need, please see Annie or Kiri in person!  

<REPOST> Save the Dates. As we will every year, we will have training rate per session set aside for all folks who want to come in next year to set up classrooms and get a jump on planning.  Please save the Tue-Thu during the last week of August!

<<REPOST>> Grading Policy Reminder.  As a reminder, our grading policy has shifted a little bit this year.  Check out the "LOWEST FINAL GRADES" tab of the MP4 Outreach Log

CHANGE:  Each marking period is now independent of the others.  So MP4 is a separate grade from MP1, MP2, and MP3.

CHANGE:   We are still annualized, so grades need to be cumulative.  So, the final grade for the school year is an average of all four marking periods. 

SAME:  The lowest failing grade we use (anywhere) is a 55.  We do not use zeros or grades less than 55 to indicate failure.  

NOTE:  It is possible for a student to fail MP4 but pass for the year, depending on how strong their grades were for the other three MPs.  Conversely, if a students failed 3 marking periods, they would have to have very strong MP4 grades to even have a hope of passing.  On the "Lowest Final Grades" tab you can also see the MIN MP4 Grade that students need to pass (>65) for the year.

Per Session Postings

For ALL per session activities, please complete Per Session Application Form

NO New Activities at present

After School Clubs.   If you are interested in running an after school club, please complete THIS form by EOD TUESDAY 26SEP23  AND submit the Per Session Application Form.  Clubs are slated to start next week.  Clubs must have a steady roster of at least 8-10 students per week in order to NOT be cancelled.  Rosters & Attendance lists MUST be submitted with per session time cards.  If your club goes three consecutive weeks with less than 8 students, your club will need to be cancelled (so that we can optimize funds for other uses - so sorry...wish we could fund everything all the time, but unfortunately, we don't have endless sums of funds).  After school sessions can be 3-4PM or 3-4:30PM or 3-5:30PM (teacher's choice)up to three days per week.  So per session hours can range from 1-7.5hrs per week).  Posting Expires 10OCT23.

Please continue to help promote your after school clubs.  Please make sure you are getting a reliable group of at least 10 students.  Help our after school classes get off the ground! - I will be collecting final rosters on 30NOV - you have additional time to recruit!!

Black Student Union - Joanna & Pauline (Rm 411) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-4:30

Arts & Crafts Club - Tiffany & Jennifer (Rm 311) - Mon/Tue/Weds - 3-4:15PM

Theater Production Club - Noelle (Rm 315) - Tues/Thurs/Fri - 3-5:30PM

Student Government - Sue, Marsha, Phillan, and Girls' Inc's Kassi (Rm 309) - Tuesdays - 3-4PM

Youth Leadership Council - Kelly  (Rm 307) - Tuesdays 3-4PM

Photo Club - Tom(Rm 205F) - Wednesdays 3-4:30

Cheer - Mary & Lia - Various days depending on Game Days

Anime & Art Club - Adelle & Francis (Rm 409) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5PM

Running Club with Camryn (starts after the marathon is over)

Dance Club - Girls Inc - Room 503

Students Against Racism & Bias Club - Jelissa (Rm 305) Tuesdays & Thursday 3-4PM

Muslim Student Association - Laura (Rm 404) TBD

GSA Club - Amanda - Rm 407

PSAL Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. PSAL Games are starting up soon. Please submit the Per Session Application Form if you are interested in supervising student spectators.  Hours vary depending on games.  Each game (basketball or volleyball) is usually 4-6pm (is) so each supervision session is about 2hours.  Staff are welcome to sign up for as many games as they'd like.  Please see UAI calendar or PSAL website for game dates. Duties include making sure

students remain safe and orderly during games

only eligible students are admitted to games

all students fully dismiss from the building at the conclusion of the games

CSI Planning & Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. This posting if for supervision per session to plan, supervise, monitor and coordinate extra improvement efforts to address UAI achievement gaps and improve student performance in target metrics.  Activities include analyzing and reviewing data, planning and executing professional development experiences to improve staff performance, analyzing and editing video footage to improve teacher lesson execution and lesson implementation, and supervising out of school activities - including recruitment, staff planning, and after school activities.  Hours vary per week depending on task and work completed.  Hours range 1-7.5 hours per week.

Classroom SetUp.  All classroom staff are invited to come in to set up and plan for up to 10 hours all together any day this week Monday-Friday 9AM-2PM.  Staff must clock in AND out each day, and cannot be in the building after 2PM.  Please adhere to guidelines set out in the blog post above.  All Staff MUST also apply to this position by completing the "Per Session Application From" - see link above.  [Posted 27AUG23] - Posting CLOSED and JOB is over.

Week of May 20th

 UAI Staff News

Volume XI

Issue 33

May 20th, 2024

Teach In Day is Here!  Monday is our Anti-Bias School-wide Teach In.   Our RPET Team (Annie, Joanna, Sarah R, Danielle I, Jean, Jelissa, Elena, Sue, and Freida) have all worked hard to pull together a day of collective learning and growth.  We are a community united in our pursuit of maximizing inclusivity, controlling implicit bias, and eradicating hate.  

We began this work in the wake of the fallout of the student-led pro-Palestinian protest in the fall.  While our students had a long (and successful) history of leveraging their voices to stand up and speak out agains things like gun-violence, advocate for climate change, and push for women's reproductive rights and Black lives mattering, this last protest in the fall was different.  The fall protest revealed how underprepared we were as a community at large to recognize and address actions that spread hate.

On Monday, we will be leaning into key social emotional skills to build them collaboratively - perspective taking, empathy, self & social awareness - as tools to build our capacity to be more inclusive and more capable of halting the spread of hate in our community.  We are not alone in this work.  We have the Islamic Network Group (ING), who specializes in building peace & unity in communities and supporting communities to develop their capacity for fostering inclusivity, acceptance, and harmony.  With their support and participation in two panels (1 HS and 1 MS), the RPET has worked to provide a rich array of experiences aimed at pushing us all to realize our core values of Rigor, Power, Equity and Joy. 

Equity work is hard work.  It's exhausting. It's fraught with so many perils (which causes LOTS of anxiety and stress), making it so difficult to know what the right move is.

We could certainly step back and do nothing.  That would be easier for all, but in truth it would only really benefit those who already possess privilege.

That is why we push so hard to do this work.  We cannot idly stand by allowing certain members of our community to carry the weight alone.  We all must step forward and bear the load together, united, and pushing towards shared goals.

In order for us to achieve this unity, we need folks to do their part to cultivate and support student buy in.

• Find your why.  Bias is allowed to run amok when we allow ourselves to be passive and shy away from the hard work that it takes to learn to become aware of and confront the biases that spread hate or privilege specific groups.  Reflect on your own reasons why this work is important to you.  Have that in mind for the day as you lead the activities.  It will help our students follow your lead to fully engage in the work.
  
  
• Show Up for the cause!  Your energy and attitude leads to quality of the experience that our students feel.  If you feel that this equity work is important, they will follow your lead.  Your presence and energy is the best beacon to how kids should engage.
  
  
• Be Prepared.  Please make sure you and your co-facilitators are fully prepared.  
• Is it crystal clear when folks are taking their preps? (Everyone lunches at same time, professional period IS the teach-in work on Monday)
• Is it crystal clear who is leading which activity and what the responsibilities are of folks who are not leading (e.g. discipline, teaching assist, helping students stay engaged)
• Is it crystal clear how you are managing students who engage in disengagement actions (use phone, put head down, work on other work, etc)? 
  
  
• Do you have all the materials and have you tested your audio/video?
  
• Copies of Facilitator Guide
• The Teach In Slide Deck (or your own version if your team made one)
• Notecards (or post-its) for student commitments to HEAR throughout the TeachIn
• Video/Audio Test:  The Blind Man & The Elephant
• ~ 22 Copies of face and markers for Models of Self Activity
• Test link to Word Cloud Generator for Models of World/Others Activity
• Test link to Danger of a Single Story for Models of World/Others Activity
• ~ 4 Copies of QFT Focus
• ~ 22  Copies of hand for Commitment Wall Activity
• ~ 11  Copies of thank you's (see your folder) 
  
  
• If you have any questions or uncertainties, please make sure you make time to email/text or powwow at the start of the day to hammer out the details.
  
  
• Post Up Reminders.   In all of your google classrooms, please post up messages in your Google classrooms to remind students about the Teach in and why it is important.  You can use this slide:
  
  
  
  
  

Important Upcoming Dates

• MON  20MAY. 
• School Wide Teach In
• MON PD - Staff Circle - Teach In Debrief
  
  
• TUE    21MAY. 
• MS Trout Release Trip - Be Free little fishies!
  
  
• WED  22MAY.
• UAI Cultural Celebration 5:30-7:30PM
  
  
• THU   23MAY.
• AP Testing Continues - AP Bio (4 students) @12PM
• PM Parent Conferences - 5PM-8PM (Remote)
  NOTE - there are no afternoon conferences in May - just Thursday Night
  These conferences are focused exclusively for students who are not yet meeting CEP grade goals (>75 in your classes)
• Please Make Sure you have contacted families via email, text, or call at least 3 times PRIOR to these meeting and you've logged it into the outreach log
  
  
• FRI    24MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing Finishes - Last Day of MakeUps
• AP Testing Continues - APAAS (26 students) @12PM
  
  
• MON  27MAY - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
  
  
• THU   30MAY -31MAY - Senior Trip (12th Grade)

• Upcoming June Dates
• TUE  04JUN - Algebra 1 Regent Exam - no classes 8-12
• THU 06JUN - Brooklyn Queens PD Day - NO CLASSES
• MON 10JUN - Math MAP Testing - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all math classes
• TUE 11JUN - ELA MAP Testing  - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all ELA classes
• WED 12JUN - Science & Spanish Finals (in regular class periods)
• THU 13JUN - Social Studies, Art, Comp Sci, Health, PE Finals (in regular class periods)
• FRI 14JUN - Regents Week Begins 
• MON 17JUN - Eid Al Adha - NO SCHOOL
• WED 19JUN - Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
• MON 24JUN - High School Graduation
• TUE 25JUN - 8th Grade Stepping Up
• WED 26JUN - Last Day of School

Announcements & To Dos

Last few weeks of school.  Now is the time to be super clear with both kids and families about where students stand in the class.  PLEASE look at the OUTREACH log.  Make sure you are making outreach to students who are currently failing or will fail your course for the year.  On Thursday, during Family Conferences, you will be expected call ALL of the students's families who are currently failing your course and explain what the student has done to be in this status and what the student can change to pass the course before the end of June.

TO DO:  By 8pm on Thursday, please make sure you have completed and documented in the outreach log for MP4 all outreach to students who failed MP3 and/or are currently failing < MP4.

<Repost> Update GradeBooks.  Please use your prep time this week to make sure your gradebooks are up to date.  We are using SyncGrades gradebooks to track student progress and make plans for summer school and graduation.  At this late stage of the year, we need your help in being super on top of your grading so that we have the most up-to-date information to share with families.

If you have an 8th or 12th grade student in your classes that you believe will ultimately fail, please reach out to Kiri/Annie immediately.  Those families are being met with now to let them know that they will be mandated to summer school and cannot participate in June ceremonies.

If you forget to let Kiri/Annie know, we cannot effectively do our job to prepare families and students.  Your communication is essential.  Please make sure to be on top of your grades!


Save the Dates. As we will every year, we will have training rate per session set aside for all folks who want to come in next year to set up classrooms and get a jump on planning.  Please save the Tue-Thu during the last week of August!

<<REPOST>> Grading Policy Reminder.  As a reminder, our grading policy has shifted a little bit this year.  Check out the "LOWEST FINAL GRADES" tab of the MP4 Outreach Log

CHANGE:  Each marking period is now independent of the others.  So MP4 is a separate grade from MP1, MP2, and MP3.

CHANGE:   We are still annualized, so grades need to be cumulative.  So, the final grade for the school year is an average of all four marking periods. 

SAME:  The lowest failing grade we use (anywhere) is a 55.  We do not use zeros or grades less than 55 to indicate failure.  

NOTE:  It is possible for a student to fail MP4 but pass for the year, depending on how strong their grades were for the other three MPs.  Conversely, if a students failed 3 marking periods, they would have to have very strong MP4 grades to even have a hope of passing.  On the "Lowest Final Grades" tab you can also see the MIN MP4 Grade that students need to pass (>65) for the year.

Per Session Postings

For ALL per session activities, please complete Per Session Application Form

NO New Activities at present

After School Clubs.   If you are interested in running an after school club, please complete THIS form by EOD TUESDAY 26SEP23  AND submit the Per Session Application Form.  Clubs are slated to start next week.  Clubs must have a steady roster of at least 8-10 students per week in order to NOT be cancelled.  Rosters & Attendance lists MUST be submitted with per session time cards.  If your club goes three consecutive weeks with less than 8 students, your club will need to be cancelled (so that we can optimize funds for other uses - so sorry...wish we could fund everything all the time, but unfortunately, we don't have endless sums of funds).  After school sessions can be 3-4PM or 3-4:30PM or 3-5:30PM (teacher's choice)up to three days per week.  So per session hours can range from 1-7.5hrs per week).  Posting Expires 10OCT23.

Please continue to help promote your after school clubs.  Please make sure you are getting a reliable group of at least 10 students.  Help our after school classes get off the ground! - I will be collecting final rosters on 30NOV - you have additional time to recruit!!

Black Student Union - Joanna & Pauline (Rm 411) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-4:30

Arts & Crafts Club - Tiffany & Jennifer (Rm 311) - Mon/Tue/Weds - 3-4:15PM

Theater Production Club - Noelle (Rm 315) - Tues/Thurs/Fri - 3-5:30PM

Student Government - Sue, Marsha, Phillan, and Girls' Inc's Kassi (Rm 309) - Tuesdays - 3-4PM

Youth Leadership Council - Kelly  (Rm 307) - Tuesdays 3-4PM

Photo Club - Tom(Rm 205F) - Wednesdays 3-4:30

Cheer - Mary & Lia - Various days depending on Game Days

Anime & Art Club - Adelle & Francis (Rm 409) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5PM

Running Club with Camryn (starts after the marathon is over)

Dance Club - Girls Inc - Room 503

Students Against Racism & Bias Club - Jelissa (Rm 305) Tuesdays & Thursday 3-4PM

Muslim Student Association - Laura (Rm 404) TBD

GSA Club - Amanda - Rm 407

PSAL Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. PSAL Games are starting up soon. Please submit the Per Session Application Form if you are interested in supervising student spectators.  Hours vary depending on games.  Each game (basketball or volleyball) is usually 4-6pm (is) so each supervision session is about 2hours.  Staff are welcome to sign up for as many games as they'd like.  Please see UAI calendar or PSAL website for game dates. Duties include making sure

students remain safe and orderly during games

only eligible students are admitted to games

all students fully dismiss from the building at the conclusion of the games

CSI Planning & Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. This posting if for supervision per session to plan, supervise, monitor and coordinate extra improvement efforts to address UAI achievement gaps and improve student performance in target metrics.  Activities include analyzing and reviewing data, planning and executing professional development experiences to improve staff performance, analyzing and editing video footage to improve teacher lesson execution and lesson implementation, and supervising out of school activities - including recruitment, staff planning, and after school activities.  Hours vary per week depending on task and work completed.  Hours range 1-7.5 hours per week.

Classroom SetUp.  All classroom staff are invited to come in to set up and plan for up to 10 hours all together any day this week Monday-Friday 9AM-2PM.  Staff must clock in AND out each day, and cannot be in the building after 2PM.  Please adhere to guidelines set out in the blog post above.  All Staff MUST also apply to this position by completing the "Per Session Application From" - see link above.  [Posted 27AUG23] - Posting CLOSED and JOB is over.

Week of May 13th

UAI Staff News

Volume XI

Issue 32

May 13th, 2024

Happy Mother's Day!  Happy Mother's Day to all of your mothers (and mother figures) and all of you who are mothers (and mother figures)!  This is my first mother's day without my own mother, so it's a little bittersweet.  So, as a little pick me up, I included a pic of her in one of her happiest moments (early on meeting my dad - he's 19, she's 24 here - that's right mommy was a cougar).

Moms are our first teachers.  They take us immediately from birth to teach us how to live - to eat, to sleep, to snuggle, and to trust.   Moms are the ones who build us up when we're feeling low, and they're the first ones to take us down when our heads get too big.  Moms are the first to teach us about unconditional love - where there is no mess up so big that we would ever lose their love, nurturing, and respect.  Moms blaze the path through which we all find ways to believe in ourselves.

As a mom, it's nearly impossible to see yourself in the same way that you see your own mother.  As a mom, at first, you live in perpetual fear of doing something wrong every single moment.  And then, after a million mistakes, you realize, that with all things there is no one right path to parenting - we do our best to love, nurture, and guide.  We never give up, and then on days like today, your child reminds you why it is all worth it.

Teaching is not that far from mothering.  It's parenting adjacent.  Similarly, our greatest teachers live in our memories, revered, inspiring, always loving, and always understanding of our mistakes and celebrating our accomplishments.  As teachers, it's hard to remember that we fill that role for our students and to remember that what they need most is the same thing that we valued most - unconditional love and support through all of our ups and downs.

It's May - and even though they say April is the cruelest month - May is the hardest for teachers and students alike.  It is the last mile of a long run, the last hill on our way up the mountain, and the last flight of stairs on our way to the top of the castle.  We're all feeling the fatigue AND we need to make it a point to take a break - and a breath - and pause to remember who we are in the eyes of our students and what they need and what we want them to have as we pull this year to a close.

Much love to your mothers and mother figures today!  Much love to you who ARE the mothers (and mother figures)! And MUCH, MUCH appreciation to all of you who are parenting adjacent with each of our students.  Make time to take stock and take a breath today to appreciate all and celebrate the wins!

Important Upcoming Dates

• MON  13MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing Begins - Day 1 of 3
• AP Testing Continues - AP PreCalc (8 students)
• MS Make Up Testing Continues
• UAI Staff PD - Staff Circles
  
  
• TUE   14MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing Continues - Day 2 of 3
• AP Testing Continues - AP Lang (37 students)
  NOTE APAAS exam moved to 24MAY to avoid 8 hours of straight testing for kids
• MS Make Up Testing Continues - Last Day
  
  
• WED   15MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing Continues - Day 3 of 3
• 
  
• THU   16MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing MakeUps (through 24MAY)
• 12th Grade Prom
  NOTE AP Bio exam moved to 23MAY due to Prom Conflict
  
  
• FRI     17MAY.
• AP African Amer. Trip to the Met
  
  
• MON  20MAY. 
• School Wide Teach In
• MON PD - Staff Circle - Teach In Debrief
  
  
• TUE    21MAY. 
• MS Trout Release Trip - Be Free little fishies!
  
  
• WED  22MAY.
• UAI Cultural Celebration 5:30-7:30PM
  
  
• THU   23MAY.
• AP Testing Continues - AP Bio (4 students)
• PM Parent Conferences - 5PM-8PM (Remote)
  NOTE - there are no afternoon conferences in May - just Thursday Night
  These conferences are focused exclusively for students who are not yet meeting CEP grade goals (>75 in your classes)
• Please Make Sure you have contacted families via email, text, or call at least 3 times PRIOR to these meeting and you've logged it into the outreach log
  
  
• FRI    24MAY.
• NYSESLAT Testing Finishes - Last Day of MakeUps
• AP Testing Continues - APAAS (26 students)
  
  
• MON  27MAY - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
  
  
• THU   30MAY -31MAY - Senior Trip (12th Grade)

• Upcoming June Dates
• TUE  04JUN - Algebra 1 Regent Exam - no classes 8-12
• THU 06JUN - Brooklyn Queens PD Day - NO CLASSES
• MON 10JUN - Math MAP Testing - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all math classes
• TUE 11JUN - ELA MAP Testing  - 2nd & 3rd Period (8-12); 4th/5th Pd (MS)
• This counts as the final exam for all ELA classes
• WED 12JUN - Science & Spanish Finals (in regular class periods)
• THU 13JUN - Social Studies, Art, Comp Sci, Health, PE Finals (in regular class periods)
• FRI 14JUN - Regents Week Begins 
• MON 17JUN - Eid Al Adha - NO SCHOOL
• WED 19JUN - Juneteenth - NO SCHOOL
• MON 24JUN - High School Graduation
• TUE 25JUN - 8th Grade Stepping Up
• WED 26JUN - Last Day of School

Announcements & To Dos

Outreach & Discipline of Empathy & Presuming Positive Intent.  As human beings, we have evolved to have a very refined and developed capacity for identifying problems and issues.  This is an evolutionary trait that catapulted us to the top of our food chain and led us through surviving the dinosaurs.  The easiest thing for us to do is identify things that are wrong.  It takes attention and intention to be disciplined enough to look for strengths and take the time to understand the strengths in others and how to leverage those strengths for positive change.

During outreach this week, you are working explicitly with students who are not yet meeting your course goals (>75).  There is an endless litany of things that students have not yet done correctly.  The challenge this week is NOT to take easy path of listing all the wrongs and communicating that out. The challenge is to root out all the rights and find ways to encourage, inspire, and motivate students and families into changing maladaptive behaviors and choices so that students can reset and find pathways to improvement, and hopefully ultimate success.

So, the next time you find yourself listening to or engaging with a colleague about how bad, annoying, disappointing someone (or even something) is (or has been), be the person who disrupts that talk with the point of trying to find at least one genuinely true strength about that same person, or thing/situation.

Our world is not black and white - and we as people are not perfect either.  So, what's certainly true is that if there are mistakes and weaknesses in a person or situation - there also must be achievements and strength.  Give equal air time to both - and lean into strength to motivate achievement.

TO DO:  This week's log - please reach out to families to describe student strengths and log it into the outreach log for MP4.

Update GradeBooks.  Please use your prep time this week to make sure your gradebooks are up to date.  We are using SyncGrades gradebooks to track student progress and make plans for summer school and graduation.  At this late stage of the year, we need your help in being super on top of your grading so that we have the most up-to-date information to share with families.

If you have an 8th or 12th grade student in your classes that you believe will ultimately fail, please reach out to Kiri/Annie immediately.  Those families are being met with now to let them know that they will be mandated to summer school and cannot participate in June ceremonies.

If you forget to let Kiri/Annie know, we cannot effectively do our job to prepare families and students.  Your communication is essential.  Please make sure to be on top of your grades!


Save the Dates. As we will every year, we will have training rate per session set aside for all folks who want to come in next year to set up classrooms and get a jump on planning.

<<REPOST>> Grading Policy Reminder.  As a reminder, our grading policy has shifted a little bit this year.

CHANGE:  Each marking period is now independent of the others.  So MP4 is a separate grade from MP1, MP2, and MP3.

CHANGE:   We are still annualized, so grades need to be cumulative.  So, the final grade for the school year is an average of all four marking periods. 

SAME:  The lowest failing grade we use (anywhere) is a 55.  We do not use zeros or grades less than 55 to indicate failure.  

NOTE:  It is possible for a student to fail MP4 but pass for the year, depending on how strong their grades were for the other three MPs.  Conversely, if a students failed 3 marking periods, they would have to have very strong MP4 grades to even have a hope of passing.  For example

A student who failed MP1, MP2, and MP3, could technically earn a 95 and pass for the year (tho that is super unlikely, given that they failed for the whole year) - technically possible (because the average of 55, 55, 55, and 95 is 65), but very unlikely (because a student who missed the entire year likely lacks the skills and knowledge to meet course standards)

Conversely, a student who did well for MP1-MP3 cannot fail if they failed MP4.  If you think of it holistically, the student showed mastery of skills and content for 3/4 of the school year.  Something must have happened to have them end up failing MP4, but that doesn't erase their earlier achievement and course competencies.  (the Average of 95. 95, 95 and 55 is 85).  

Then of course there are all types of cases in between these examples.  If you have specific questions or want a thought partner to talk about how to best handle a specific case, please reach out to your ILT lead, co-teachers, or supervisors!

Per Session Postings

For ALL per session activities, please complete Per Session Application Form

NO New Activities at present

After School Clubs.   If you are interested in running an after school club, please complete THIS form by EOD TUESDAY 26SEP23  AND submit the Per Session Application Form.  Clubs are slated to start next week.  Clubs must have a steady roster of at least 8-10 students per week in order to NOT be cancelled.  Rosters & Attendance lists MUST be submitted with per session time cards.  If your club goes three consecutive weeks with less than 8 students, your club will need to be cancelled (so that we can optimize funds for other uses - so sorry...wish we could fund everything all the time, but unfortunately, we don't have endless sums of funds).  After school sessions can be 3-4PM or 3-4:30PM or 3-5:30PM (teacher's choice)up to three days per week.  So per session hours can range from 1-7.5hrs per week).  Posting Expires 10OCT23.

Please continue to help promote your after school clubs.  Please make sure you are getting a reliable group of at least 10 students.  Help our after school classes get off the ground! - I will be collecting final rosters on 30NOV - you have additional time to recruit!!

Black Student Union - Joanna & Pauline (Rm 411) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-4:30

Arts & Crafts Club - Tiffany & Jennifer (Rm 311) - Mon/Tue/Weds - 3-4:15PM

Theater Production Club - Noelle (Rm 315) - Tues/Thurs/Fri - 3-5:30PM

Student Government - Sue, Marsha, Phillan, and Girls' Inc's Kassi (Rm 309) - Tuesdays - 3-4PM

Youth Leadership Council - Kelly  (Rm 307) - Tuesdays 3-4PM

Photo Club - Tom(Rm 205F) - Wednesdays 3-4:30

Cheer - Mary & Lia - Various days depending on Game Days

Anime & Art Club - Adelle & Francis (Rm 409) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5PM

Running Club with Camryn (starts after the marathon is over)

Dance Club - Girls Inc - Room 503

Students Against Racism & Bias Club - Jelissa (Rm 305) Tuesdays & Thursday 3-4PM

Muslim Student Association - Laura (Rm 404) TBD

GSA Club - Amanda - Rm 407

PSAL Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. PSAL Games are starting up soon. Please submit the Per Session Application Form if you are interested in supervising student spectators.  Hours vary depending on games.  Each game (basketball or volleyball) is usually 4-6pm (is) so each supervision session is about 2hours.  Staff are welcome to sign up for as many games as they'd like.  Please see UAI calendar or PSAL website for game dates. Duties include making sure

students remain safe and orderly during games

only eligible students are admitted to games

all students fully dismiss from the building at the conclusion of the games

CSI Planning & Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. This posting if for supervision per session to plan, supervise, monitor and coordinate extra improvement efforts to address UAI achievement gaps and improve student performance in target metrics.  Activities include analyzing and reviewing data, planning and executing professional development experiences to improve staff performance, analyzing and editing video footage to improve teacher lesson execution and lesson implementation, and supervising out of school activities - including recruitment, staff planning, and after school activities.  Hours vary per week depending on task and work completed.  Hours range 1-7.5 hours per week.

Classroom SetUp.  All classroom staff are invited to come in to set up and plan for up to 10 hours all together any day this week Monday-Friday 9AM-2PM.  Staff must clock in AND out each day, and cannot be in the building after 2PM.  Please adhere to guidelines set out in the blog post above.  All Staff MUST also apply to this position by completing the "Per Session Application From" - see link above.  [Posted 27AUG23] - Posting CLOSED and JOB is over.

Week of May 6th

UAI Staff News

Volume XI

Issue 32

May 6th, 2024

Push to the end!  We are well within the last marking period of the schools year, and as Spring settles in and the weather turns to wonderful, summer beckons and we all get a little bit more antsy!

BUT this month will fly! And before you know it, we'll be in June's rush of assessments.  So, it's important to make each day count in May.

Outreach and communication with home is even more important with kids & their families.  Final grades will have impact on graduation, promotion, and summer plans.  So, please prioritize communication with home this month.  When parents and families are left out of the loop, our jobs to push our students to do their best becomes that much more difficult.  Vest them in a partnership with you by maximizing communications!  Email, text, and phone calls all work - stay on top of your grading and make sure you are giving frequent feedback both in class and to families.

There are really only four more instructional weeks until June, and that means only 4 more times you can communicate with home where students and families will have time to do something to shift and/or support student performance.  Make this time count!

We all stand united in wanting students to find their path to academically thrive.  For some students, that path is obvious and easy.  For others, we cannot have all the answers by ourselves.  So, please remember to reach out to peers, admin, and families for those tough cases!  We're all working towards the same goals, and sometimes the hive mind is necessary for solving tough cases!

Important Upcoming dates

• MON 06MAY - Staff Appreciation Week
• TUE 07MAY - WED 08MAY - NYS MS Math Exams
• TUE 07MAY - AP Exams Begin
• Tue 07MAY - AP Seminar Exam
• Wed 08MAY - AP Lit Exam
•  Mon 13MAY - AP PreCalc Exam
• Tue 14MAY - AP Lang Exam and AP African American Studies Exam
• Thu 16MAY - AP Biology Exam
• THU 16MAY - 12th Grade Senior Prom
• MON 20 May - Rescheduled - Schoolwide Teach in
• WED 22MAY - UAI Cultural Celebration 
• THU 23-24MAY - 12th Grade Senior trip
• MON 27MAY - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

Announcements & To Dos

Staff Appreciation Week.  This week is the week to celebrate our entire staff!  Teaching and supporting classroom instruction is a constant challenge, and each of you put in so much effort and commitment to make sure each of our students and families receive the best support and community that they deserve in a school.  THANK YOU!  To recognie this,  we are planning to celebrate you all each day this week with special Gifts & Treats!

• Monday - Lunch on UAI - Staff Lunch (catered by Bassett) will be provided for all!
• Tuesday - Sweet Treats -  To appreciate your sweetness - enjoy some sweet treats!
• Wednesday - Special Staff Gift #1 - Be on the look out for a special gift of appreciation!
• Thursday - Snack Time - Food is the way to a person's heart! - Enjoy some wonderful snacks!
• Friday - Special Staff Gift #2 - Be on the look out for a special gift to end the week of love and appreciation!
  
  
  
  

Monday PD.  This Monday, The RPET will continue working with us to prepare us for a schoolwide teach in.  This is the 2nd half of UAI Schoolwide Teach In.  Please meet in the farm promptly have OPW time at 3:30PM.  Please use OPW time to stay on top of your grades & communications with students and families!

• May
• 6th:  Schoolwide Teach In Prep
• 13th:  Staff Equity Circles
• 20th:  DATE CHANGED:  Schoolwide Teach In
• 27th:  Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
  
  
• June
• 3rd:  CEP1 - Revisiting our Goals & Outcomes for this year - Looking at our Data
• 6th:  Brooklyn Queens Day:  
• CEP2 - Refining Goals and Action Plans for 2024-2025
• CEP3 - Finalizing Goals & Presenting to Staff
• 10th:  Regents Orientation
• 17th:  Eid al Adha - NO SCHOOL

Outreach Reminder. Please make sure to complete your outreach by midnight tonight!   We need you to log your remote contact time to see that you are doing it!  Remember, if your forget to complete the log, you may lose your ability to complete this work remotely, and you'll have to complete the work onsite at school for the remainder of the year.

I'll be checking the log first thing in the morning on Monday, so please work to update the log with your outreach for this week!  Thank you! HERE's the LOG

Grading Policy Reminder.  As a reminder, our grading policy has shifted a little bit this year.

• CHANGE:  Each marking period is now independent of the others.  So MP4 is a separate grade from MP1, MP2, and MP3.
  
  
• CHANGE:   We are still annualized, so grades need to be cumulative.  So, the final grade for the school year is an average of all four marking periods. 
  
  
• SAME:  The lowest failing grade we use (anywhere) is a 55.  We do not use zeros or grades less than 55 to indicate failure.  
  
  
• NOTE:  It is possible for a student to fail MP4 but pass for the year, depending on how strong their grades were for the other three MPs.  Conversely, if a students failed 3 marking periods, they would have to have very strong MP4 grades to even have a hope of passing.  For example
  
  
• A student who failed MP1, MP2, and MP3, could technically earn a 95 and pass for the year (tho that is super unlikely, given that they failed for the whole year) - technically possible (because the average of 55, 55, 55, and 95 is 65), but very unlikely (because a student who missed the entire year likely lacks the skills and knowledge to meet course standards)
  
  
• Conversely, a student who did well for MP1-MP3 cannot fail if they failed MP4.  If you think of it holistically, the student showed mastery of skills and content for 3/4 of the school year.  Something must have happened to have them end up failing MP4, but that doesn't erase their earlier achievement and course competencies.  (the Average of 95. 95, 95 and 55 is 85).  
  
  
• Then of course there are all types of cases in between these examples.  If you have specific questions or want a thought partner to talk about how to best handle a specific case, please reach out to your ILT lead, co-teachers, or supervisors!

Per Session Postings

For ALL per session activities, please complete Per Session Application Form"

After School Clubs.   If you are interested in running an after school club, please complete THIS form by EOD TUESDAY 26SEP23  AND submit the Per Session Application Form.  Clubs are slated to start next week.  Clubs must have a steady roster of at least 8-10 students per week in order to NOT be cancelled.  Rosters & Attendance lists MUST be submitted with per session time cards.  If your club goes three consecutive weeks with less than 8 students, your club will need to be cancelled (so that we can optimize funds for other uses - so sorry...wish we could fund everything all the time, but unfortunately, we don't have endless sums of funds).  After school sessions can be 3-4PM or 3-4:30PM or 3-5:30PM (teacher's choice)up to three days per week.  So per session hours can range from 1-7.5hrs per week).  Posting Expires 10OCT23.

Please continue to help promote your after school clubs.  Please make sure you are getting a reliable group of at least 10 students.  Help our after school classes get off the ground! - I will be collecting final rosters on 30NOV - you have additional time to recruit!!

• Black Student Union - Joanna & Pauline (Rm 411) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-4:30
• Arts & Crafts Club - Tiffany & Jennifer (Rm 311) - Mon/Tue/Weds - 3-4:15PM
• Theater Production Club - Noelle (Rm 315) - Tues/Thurs/Fri - 3-5:30PM
• Student Government - Sue, Marsha, Phillan, and Girls' Inc's Kassi (Rm 309) - Tuesdays - 3-4PM
• Youth Leadership Council - Kelly  (Rm 307) - Tuesdays 3-4PM
• Photo Club - Tom(Rm 205F) - Wednesdays 3-4:30
• Cheer - Mary & Lia - Various days depending on Game Days
• Anime & Art Club - Adelle & Francis (Rm 409) - Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5PM
• Running Club with Camryn (starts after the marathon is over)
• Dance Club - Girls Inc - Room 503
• Students Against Racism & Bias Club - Jelissa (Rm 305) Tuesdays & Thursday 3-4PM
• Muslim Student Association - Laura (Rm 404) TBD
• GSA Club - Amanda - Rm 407

PSAL Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. PSAL Games are starting up soon. Please submit the Per Session Application Form if you are interested in supervising student spectators.  Hours vary depending on games.  Each game (basketball or volleyball) is usually 4-6pm (is) so each supervision session is about 2hours.  Staff are welcome to sign up for as many games as they'd like.  Please see UAI calendar or PSAL website for game dates. Duties include making sure

• students remain safe and orderly during games
• only eligible students are admitted to games
• all students fully dismiss from the building at the conclusion of the games

CSI Planning & Supervision.   Posting Expires 10OCT23. This posting if for supervision per session to plan, supervise, monitor and coordinate extra improvement efforts to address UAI achievement gaps and improve student performance in target metrics.  Activities include analyzing and reviewing data, planning and executing professional development experiences to improve staff performance, analyzing and editing video footage to improve teacher lesson execution and lesson implementation, and supervising out of school activities - including recruitment, staff planning, and after school activities.  Hours vary per week depending on task and work completed.  Hours range 1-7.5 hours per week.

Classroom SetUp.  All classroom staff are invited to come in to set up and plan for up to 10 hours all together any day this week Monday-Friday 9AM-2PM.  Staff must clock in AND out each day, and cannot be in the building after 2PM.  Please adhere to guidelines set out in the blog post above.  All Staff MUST also apply to this position by completing the "Per Session Application From" - see link above.  [Posted 27AUG23] - Posting CLOSED and JOB is over.