Urban Assembly Institute of Math & Science for Young Women9 November 2026
School Leadership Message.
Now that MP1 is nearly over, it's time to check in and see how we're doing. Over the next few weekly blog posts I am going to share some data. Today, I am sharing data from our recent mock student survey. The below pie chart reflects student responses from the question, "Do you feel like you belong at this school?".
While nearly 60% of our students responded with "YES" to this question, we still need to figure out how to build deeper connections with the remaining 40%. This week, carve out some time to look through student responses on the survey (linked here). See which students that you teach responded, "NOT SURE", or "NO", and find time to connect. Even a simple conversation can make a huge difference.
While individual connections are important we know we also need to strengthen school-wide initiatives to build belonging. The Restorative Practices Equity Team (RPET) is working on launching a big/little sister program - designed to build vertical relationships across grades 6-12. This initiative will pair older students with middle schoolers and underclassmen. Grounded in restorative principles, the program will provide our younger students with a reliable peer anchor, while empowering older students as leaders and mentors. RPET is also restarting lunchtime circles this week for kids in grades 6-9 (see School Culture Update section for more info).
Our instructional push to increase rigor is also designed to increase student belonging. When we elevate academic expectations while streamlining intentional support, we send a clear message to our students: We see your potential, we believe in your capability, and we are committed to helping you succeed here.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our students and our shared goals. As we move into the next marking period, let’s continue to hold high expectations, extend deep support, and look out for kids who may not yet feel like they belong.
Onward.
Some photos from our 3rd Annual NHS Induction Ceremony!
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Upcoming Events. See Master Calendar Here. Trips, assessment days, evening family events, student engagement activities and more.
- November 7: Theater & Volleyball Clinics, 10am
- November 9: HS ELA Benchmark
- November 10: HS Math Benchmark
- November 10: End of MP1
- November 11: Veterans Day, no school
- November 14: Volleyball Clinic, 10am
- November 16: Grades Due by 3pm
- November 19: Evening PTCs (remote)
- November 20: Afternoon PTCs, half day for students - dismissal at 11:15a
- Please be sure to communicate with the families of any student who is failing your course - you MUST schedule time for a conference with these families during PTCs on NOV19-20 - this should all be logged in the family outreach tracker.
- Grades are due on NOV16 by 3pm, please be sure to meet this deadline.
- If you need support with entering grades you can reach out to your IST lead or Rosie and Kelly.
- Report cards will be distributed to students during 7th period on Wednesday, NOV18.
- Again, you MUST schedule time for a conference with families of students who failed your course during PTCs on NOV19-20 - this should all be logged in the family outreach tracker.
- November 19 PTCs are from 5-8pm
- November 20 PTCs are from 1-3pm
- Students will be dismissed at 11:15a
- Tasks are rigorous, on grade-level, and require students to engage in higher order thinking for the majority of the period.
- Students are engaging in discussion and teacher-to-student ping-pong interactions are limited.
- Schedule:
- Monday, 11/9: ELA
- Tuesday, 11/10: Math
- Logistics: 1 period during the regular class period
- Breadth teachers can select any of these days to give a benchmark, but it is NOT mandatory for elective classes
- Students should receive all accommodations (large text, extended time, read-aloud). Your team can decide if that means extended time students will get another ½ period to complete their exam OR if you will shorten the exam to 2/3 the length of the original. If you need read aloud space, please review the master schedule & coordinate with teachers on your team who are giving the benchmark for their class at the same time.
Operational Updates.
- Please see here for our 2026-27 Staff Directory.
- All purchase requests must be made through this form for this year!
School Culture Updates.
MP2 Circle Scripts- Please find an optional MP2 circle script here. Building off the strengths of circles from last year's Culture Day and the start of the year, marking periods are natural points to reflect on our classes and pivot where change is needed. The script centers the students' voices and creates a space for everyone to reflect on individual and classroom growth, and how MP2 in its own way, is a fresh start. You are welcome to use it or make a copy and revise it as you like!
- Reach out to any member of the RPET (Jean, Kat, Kelly, Meg, Mayisha, Rosie and Sue) if you'd like support in how to fit the circle into your period or current classroom culture.
Lunchtime Circles- Last year's RPET students did such great work leading weekly circles staff and kids wanted to bring them back this year. We’re reintroducing them as an option during lunch for any 6th-9th grader. Please encourage students in these grades to join! Circles will include icebreakers and community building. Students will be picked up in the cafeteria at 11:25. Up to 15 kids can join and at the moment and we’re taking on a first come basis. The next three circle dates are Tuesday November 10th, 24th and December 8th.
REMINDERSLunch clubs and students upstairs. In order to reduce wandering during lunch, we need to tighten up our structures for non-cafeteria spaces. Moving forward, staff who hold clubs or test/study sessions must retrieve students from the cafeteria. Students will not be allowed upstairs without an adult.
Lunch clubs and students upstairs. In order to reduce wandering during lunch, we need to tighten up our structures for non-cafeteria spaces. Moving forward, staff who hold clubs or test/study sessions must retrieve students from the cafeteria. Students will not be allowed upstairs without an adult.
Family and Community Updates.
- We need more blue cards turned in! Please remind your students to submit their forms to the dean team.
- PTA/SLT calendar for the year is here.
Per session Postings: Please Use this FORM to apply.
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