Week of 03SEP

UAI Staff News

Volume XII

Issue 2

September 3rd,  2024

Why we do what we do.  Two weeks ago, I was chilling out with my college BFF when the news about the NYS Middle School exam scores came out.  I was definitely happy that UAI was out of the woods.  Our middle school team is truly talented and truly fantastic.  They are doing amazing work and doing exactly the work we are meant to do, and for that, I celebrate them all!

Truth be told, I had already danced my little celebratory jig when the data was sent to schools two week prior to the news stories.  So, I had the brain space to get really annoyed with the Post's take on the test scores. {I know, I know...it's the Post...but I can't help myself...}.   After I read this story...I leaned back with a sigh of frustration onto my BFF's couch and asked her....when will someone start asking whether or not the tests themselves are the problematic.

Here are some observations on these exams over the years...

• In 2010, 2013, and 2018 the state changed the test.  The first change resulted in a 28pt drop in proficiency rates.  The shift to the Common Core test had an even more precipitous drop.  Yet the zeitgeist of the time AND today still points to the failure of schools and teachers- and not the tools we use to measure success.
  
  
• Over the last15 years of testing, for 13 of the 15 years, a LARGE swath of students (> 40%) did not demonstrate mastery on the test.  As every good teacher knows, when that many kids fail the test...there is either a problem with the test or with the instruction.  So, here's my question - what is harder to do - create a test where everyone fails or create conditions that convince millions of teachers across the state to make sure their students do not reach proficiency... 

At the same time these middle school test scores and proficiency rates have fluctuated wildly, high school data shows steady improvement.  Graduation rates are improving, drop out rates are lowering and the 4-year graduation rate gap is narrowing.

 

I won't say I have the answers -    but as the kids say... something's sus...

Structural oppression is exists and this data pushes me to wonder if that is what's happening here.  If the same groups of folks (who happen to be black, brown, and poor) are the ones who disproportionately make up the kids who fail the exams... why don't we wonder if there's something wrong with the exam?

It's also important to reflect on what we are here to do.  We are here to graduate kids who are ready to thrive in their chosen college and careers.  Despite fluctuating MS scores, as a city graduation rates are improving and for UAI. in particular we stand way above our city and district peers for our kids in graduation rate and college persistence (post-secondary enrollment at 6 months and 18months).  And that is a function of the strength of our collective work in Middle and High School - both!

It is important to cleave to who we are and why we do what we do.  The noise of the media and the world will continually try to cast our work in the light of easily reported measures - the tests. BUT remember...

We are an Urban Assembly school - we intentionally embrace those students who others may screen out or forget.

We are a STEM school for young women & gender expansive your - we intentionally build a learning environment and challenge our assumptions around accepted teaching practices which have traditionally marginalized our students in STEM.

We are a committed community of educators who center the experience of our students & families first and share collective values of Rigor, Power, Equity, and Joy.  We are far from perfect, but we alway aim true - and that truth is always for the best outcomes for our kids.

Welcome back to the 2024-25 school year.  The metrics by which the world looks at us are not the only metrics we use to measure ourselves.  We always have been and will continually make strong strides to ensure that our young people graduate ready to take on the world and effect the change that must and will be!  

16 years ago - UAI gathered in the cafeteria to celebrate the election of a Black Man (and Hawaiian born - so you know - extra awesome) to the presidency

8 years ago - UAI was collectively inspired by the prospect of a woman running for president (soul-crushing loss, yes..but necessary step to create a pathway for..)

2 months from today - I hope that UAI finds shared celebration and inspiration once more with the election of the first Black/Southeast Asian women elected to president (and a VP who is and teacher from Nebraska is also extra nice)

Despite the narrative that social media and the press continue to paint for the hopes of clicks and follows...the world is actually changing, and we at UAI are pushing our students, one-by-one, to be part of the positive change.

That is the why we do what we do - not a test score.. not a grade ... but for the hope of a world that is right!

Welcome back UAI - I look forward to 2024-25 and creating another year of awesomeness with our amazing students and families!!

Important Upcoming Dates

• TUE 03SEP24 - First Day for All Staff - PD Day
• WED 04SEP24 - 2nd Day for All Staff - PD Day
• THU 05SEP24 - First Day of School for All Students
  
• THU 26SEP24 - IN PERSON Curriculum Night 5-8PM

Announcements & To Dos

Staff PD.  All staff must be in the Farm (205F) by 8:30AM, ready to start the day (so in your seats with all your stuff).  Please bring your computers and something to write with/on.   Breakfast will be served on the 3rd at 8AM in the library and lunch will be provided on Tuesday.  I'm still finalizing the slides for tomorrow, but you'll need them for tomorrow, too.  So keep the link handy!

Here's the Goals and Agendas for Tuesday & Wednesday (days are 8:30AM-3:20PM).  

  

Classroom Set Up & Course Planning.  You will have time during the day to plan and set up classrooms.  However, if you weren't able to come in last week to do classroom set up, you can still use a max of 12 hrs (training rate) to do so.  We do not have extended time permits, so your extra time must be before school (6:30AM-8:30AM) or after school (3:20-4:00PM)

Please make sure to grab your time card and to clock in and out in our main office!  If you are planning to come in, please complete this Per Session Interest Form.  

For Classroom Set-Up

• Creating a Warm & Welcoming Environment
• You are welcome to decorate your classroom the way you see fit!  
• Please mind these Dos and Don'ts
• DO NOT tape anything on the front of the doors
• DO NOT to fully cover the windows on the doors
• DO NOT place any excess furniture or trash in the hallways.  If you have extra furniture, please try to find a home for it in another classroom or label it to move to the locker room on the 5th floor.
• DO NOT dispose of any materials or textbooks.  Please find them a new home with another teacher OR continue to store in your closets.  We have limited storage space in our school, leaving us only with classroom storage closets as our only option.
• DO NOT use nails or tape anything else that damages the paint on the walls.  Folks have had success with command strips or Blu Tack.  You can use your $250 reimbursable money to purchase these!
• DO fill the room with subject matter decorations & supplies
• DO make the room warm and welcoming
• DO make a folder outside of your room for your attendance sheets
• DO visit the general supply closet (across from 145, our main office) for any materials you might need
• DO set up desks in groups.  We believe in collaboration and discourse.  Rows inhibit this, so please set the desks up so that students are encouraged to work together.
• Please check your furniture and technology.  All rooms should have
• A cart with 25 chromebooks
• A document camera and projector
• At least 28 student desks & 28 student seats.  Most classes are 25 students or fewer, but we do have limited storage for furniture in our school.  So, please try to find a use for the extra desks (e.g. resource station...independent work site...conference site..etc)
• Please check in with Annie in room 301 if you have any needs for your classrooms.

• Here are the Room Assignments:
• Classrooms
• B31 (JJR/Alaisha), B43 (Fatima), B45 (Dyneda/Freida),
  B49 (Sarah/Phillan), B53 (Mike)
• 147 (Tiffany), Gym (Patti)
• 205C (Thomas), 205F (Tom & Mary)
• 303 (Sarah M), 305 (Elena), 307 (Patricia & Crystal),
  309 (Marsha & Yasmeen), 311 (Jake), 315 (TomM)
• 403 (Jasmine), 404 (Laura), 405 (Brett & Judy),
  407 (Amanda), 409/411 (Noelle), 415 (Liza)
• 503 (Roger), 507 (Kelly & Martine), 509 (Shan), 511 (JRob), 515 (Camryn)
• 
  
• Offices
• 145D - Tiffany (Dai's old office)
• 145 - Janiya, Tracey, Paula
• 201 - SBST Team (Irina et. al)
• 301 - Annie.  
• 304 - Girls Inc. 
• 401 - Kiri
• 402 - Staff Lounge
• 508 - Jen
• B35 and B57 - Counseling/Pull Out Rooms

For planning

• Prepare your Pacing Guide & Course Syllabus.  Both of these documents will be due at the end of Wednesday, 04SEP.   Please make sure your links are set to "Anyone with the link" can "View".    Please use these templates.  Please plan at least 2 weeks of lessons to give yourself a strong start to the year.
• Pacing Guides (Example of 6th Grade IM Math Pacing Guide)
• Course Syllabus

[REPOST] Moving to the DOE Domain.  This year we will be officially moving out of the UAI Google Domain and under the NYC Public Schools domain.  We'll be rolling out the details next week in PD, but for now, here are the big To Dos

• UAI Staff Google Classroom. We'll be using a Google Classroom for staff to manage our communications and resources this year.  You will need to sign up for the UAI Staff Google Classroom. 
• Join using your DOE profile - 
• Login to your DOE profile on Google
• Go to the top right corner of your Chrome profile and "Add" (at bottom)
• Use your doe email (e.g ksoares@schools.nyc.gov) to log in 
• Select "Google Workspace Account"
• Login to your DOE account.  If you forgot your password or it needs to be reset, go HERE to do that first.
• Once you are logged in copy this invite into the profile (and hit enter) to join the classroom.
• https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzNzYxMTc4NjQx?cjc=6kx2p35
  
  
• ALL 2024-2025 Work MUST be under DOE profile.  This year, all of your work needs to be done in your NYC DOE profile.  If you are returning staff, you can share your old files to the DOE, but you need to make copies and transfer ownership to the DOE drive.  Any information containing student information (names, personal identifiable info (eg. grades, gradebooks, emails, DOB, address, etc.)) MUST be stored under the DOE profile and cannot be on the UAI Google Drive any longer.  Please make sure all of your work is on the DOE servers by doing all of your work under the NYCDOE domain (aka doing all your work in your DOE profile)

Final Schedule.  Here is the final Schedule.  You can also find it posted on the UAI Staff Google Classroom.

Staff Handbook Review.   Please review the Staff Handbook and make sure to Sign Off that you have reviewed it by the End of the Day on 03SEP24.  This is also your emergency contact information, so please make sure to complete this ASAP.

Per Session Postings

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

Classroom SetUp and Planning.  12 hours total.  All Classroom Staff (Teachers & Paras) are eligible.  Tue 27-29Aug .