Week of JAN 26

                                                           

Volume: XIII

Issue: 22

January 26, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

This week I ask that we all take a pause and reckon with the deeply troubling events unfolding in Minnesota and across the country. It's important that we name and acknowledge the broader national context in which many of our students and families are living and learning. In recent days, multiple news reports have highlighted recent ICE actions in Minnesota - where a five-year-old preschool child was reportedly used as bait to detain family members. And where just yesterday Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was murdered by the hands of federal enforcement agents in the streets of Minneapolis. These actions are not abstract political developments. They represent a direct assault on children’s safety, dignity, and humanity. Events like this reverberate far beyond state lines. They shape how students experience school, authority, and the world around them, particularly our immigrant and multilingual students.

As educators, we know that when children perceive the world as unsafe or unjust, it affects their ability to learn, to feel belonging, and to bring their best thinking to the classroom. Our school’s mission is rooted in human dignity, equity, and empowering all learners. We must stand firm in that mission - not only through words but through the environments we cultivate each day. Our work of teaching students to think deeply about the world and their place in it cannot be separated from the moral context in which they are learning.

In this broader national context - where fear, exclusion, and uncertainty are shaping the daily realities of many of our students and families, schools matter more than ever. Classrooms can either mirror the instability of the world outside, or they can serve as places of safety, intellectual seriousness, belonging, and even moments of joy. Our responsibility is to ensure it is the latter. By holding high expectations, teaching students how to think critically and humanely, and affirming their full humanity, we are doing more than preparing them for exams. We are preparing them to navigate and shape a complex world. 

As we close out January Regents week, I want to acknowledge the strong outcomes we saw reflected in our ENL students’ scores. In light of recent events across the country, the fact that our multilingual learners continued to show focus, perseverance, and academic growth on their exams speaks to their strength and determination. These results are not accidental. They are the product of intentional planning, clear expectations, and instruction that prioritizes student thinking and language development. They are a reflection of the love and safety that our students feel within our community. Thank you for the care, precision, and persistence that went into supporting students through this moment.

UPCOMING DATES

• JAN26: Staff REMOTE PD Day (no students)
• JAN27: First Day of Spring Term
• JAN30: Senior Slumber Party
• FEB16-20: Midwinter Recess

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! 

UPCOMING TRIPS

Trip Requests.  Here's the trip request protocol...

• Step 1:   Read the DOE FAQ on Field Trips
  https://infohub.nyced.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/faqs-regarding-school-trips.pdf
• Step 2:   Get Pre-Approval from Kiri 
  
• Step 3:  Complete the Trip Form (ALL TABS)
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U3i3fgENVCpX6MA51r_1jsmxVavRm12-oaB9ieiNA8Q/edit?usp=sharing
• Step 4:  Share form (anyone with link can view) with Kiri

Upcoming Trips:

JAN28: Art trip to the Whitney

FEB10: Trip to NY Historical Society

FEB 12: HS Snow tubing

FEB25-27: 7th grade overnight trip to Taconic Outdoor Education Center 

Check out some photos from last week's MS Snow Tubing Trip

    

TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday Remote PD. Below is the agenda for Monday's full staff PD. Please arrive on ZOOM promptly at 8:30am, for PD days the work day ends at 3:20pm - the agenda will include time for team meetings/independent work time. 

Here is our link: 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3436474151?pwd=SGx0dDdrdlpDd1BCd0o0dkl5U1l2Zz09 Meeting ID: 343 647 4151 Passcode: 943126

Prepping for Summer School.  It's that time again!  We are starting to launch our plans for Summer School.  If you are interested in working summer school, please email Annie and be specific about what you're interested in doing and how long you are interested in working (and yes, you can work in multiple roles and in both Summer Splash and Summer Regents prep)!  

Each summer, we have two separate programs:  Summer Splash and Summer Regents Prep.  In Summer Splash, we recruit teachers to teach their passion!  We look for folks who are excited about something - anything really - that will engage students and get them to learn in non-traditional ways.  Alongside completing required work for credit recovery, we offer explorations in art, music, history, and activism have peppered the program over the last few years. 

At the end of the summer, we pivot back to traditional studying for the August Regents exams.  

We are looking for

• Summer School Coordinator (2 Positions):  These two people would work collaboratively to recruit teachers and create, plan, and monitor summer programming for Summer Splash and Regents Prep (and Regents).  These two roles would be responsible for the day-to-day operations of summer school and would liaise with other summer programs to make sure all programs being hosted at UAI receive what they need and all programs run smoothly. Summer School Coordinators report to Annie (or building Admin if she is on vacation).

RJ Tier II Training. Kids in grades 8-12 can register by seeing Sue, and if kids in grade 6-7 want to sign up they should check in with Ms. Phillan. Adults can still register!

HS MAP Dates. Grades 8-12 will take MAP during the weeks of 27JAN (Math) and 02FEB (ELA). 

REPOSTED ITEMS

Students and Snacks. Across all grades the snacking is beginning to interfere with instructional time. This week on several occasions students were late to class (or using needing a snack as an excuse for lateness) and it's becoming problematic. We are asking that no snacks be given out or sold to students until 2:50pm. If a student is in dire need of food at any point, please reach out to the deans and they will support the student. Thank you for understanding. 

Food Pantry. We are still going strong! In order to keep the momentum going, we are still looking to stock our shelves with the following items.

• All non-perishable food items: Shelf-stable milk, flour, sugar and spices, coffee and tea, baby food, bouillon cubes, instant oats, instant mashed potatoes, etc. 

Upcoming PD Dates. Looking ahead, below are the topics for all of our PD for January

• 26JAN - Remote PD - Launch of Round 3 SL-IEP
• 02FEB - Part 2 of Round 3 SL-IEPs

Student Profiles are visible in OASIS. Click here to view students' academic, attendance, schedule... you name it, it's here - this is your one stop shop for all student info!

Purchasing Requests. In an effort to better track and streamline purchasing, we ask that you fill in this form for all purchasing requests. You can find the form on our staff Google Classroom as well.

PER SESSION POSTINGS

FOR ALL PER SESSION JOBS:  You must apply by completing THIS FORM 

Summer School.  We will not be hosting Girls Inc and DYCD summer camp this summer, and our students who need an all-day placement can register for DYCD programs at the PS46 this summer.   

We are currently looking for folks who are interested in doing some enrichment work (6-12) this summer.  AND we will also have regents prep this summer.  If you are interested in working this summer, please complete THIS FORM 

Hiring Committee. Interested in having a voice in who joins our school community? Join the School Hiring Committee and partner with leadership to interview candidates and help select educators who will best serve our students and school mission. Please fill out the persession form if interested.