Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Week of JAN19

                                                          

Volume: XIII
Issue: 21
January 19, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

As we begin the third marking period, we officially launch the second half of the school year, a moment that invites both reflection and renewed commitment. This is the point in the year when our impact becomes especially powerful, as students rely on our consistency, clarity, and belief in their ability to grow.

Last week’s professional development reminded us that our work goes far beyond delivering content. By intentionally using thinking routines and explicitly teaching students how to think, we are equipping them with skills that extend well beyond our classrooms - skills like curiosity, reflection, problem-solving, and perspective-taking. These routines help students make meaning, find their voice, and see themselves as capable thinkers.

We also spent time last week grounding ourselves in the practice of wise feedback - feedback that is both honest and affirming, that communicates high expectations and our belief that students can meet them. Wise feedback is not about softening rigor; it is about making rigor accessible. When we name what a student is doing well, clearly articulate what needs to improve, and explicitly state our confidence in their ability to grow, we reinforce a powerful message: you belong here, and you are capable of excellence. This kind of feedback is especially critical for students who may doubt their academic identity or perseverance.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week, this connection feels especially meaningful. Dr. King believed deeply in education as a force for justice and liberation - not just the accumulation of knowledge, but the development of critical consciousness. Teaching students how to think, question, and engage thoughtfully with the world, while holding them to high expectations and supporting them with belief, is one of the most powerful ways we continue his legacy.

The months ahead will move quickly and bring both challenges and opportunities. By grounding our instruction in strong thinking routines, high expectations, and purposeful relationships, we help ensure that every student, especially those who may struggle, has access to the tools they need to succeed.

In the weeks ahead, push yourselves to intentionally plan and implement thinking routines as part of daily instruction. Ask yourselves, "Where can I prompt kids to make their thinking stronger and clearer?" Be explicit about the purpose of each routine, model the thinking you expect to see, and provide students with regular opportunities to explain, revise, and deepen their ideas, both in writing and through discussion.

Onward.


Check out some photos from last week's Theater class Fashion Show!



UPCOMING DATES
  • JAN19: MLK Jr. Day 
  • JAN20: 8th & 12th Grade Senior Portraits
  • JAN21: Grades DUE - 3pm
  • JAN26: Staff REMOTE PD Day (no students)
  • JAN27: First Day of Spring Term
  • JAN30: Senior Slumber Party

*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...

Upcoming Trips:

JAN21: MS Snow tubing!
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

 

TO DO THIS WEEK

Reminder - Grades are due by 3pm on Thursday, JAN22.

January Regents Schedule. The schedule is complete - please check here and reach out to Kiri & Liza with errors you see!

Hiring Season is Starting. We'd like to invite interested teachers to join us in shaping the future of our school. Committee members will collaborate with school leadership to review candidates, participate in interviews, and help ensure we hire educators who align with our mission, values, and commitment to students. Your voice and perspective are critical to building a strong, inclusive team. See below for the persession posting.
 
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!

Project Cafe. This week we are going to be sending home new opt-out letters to all students of teachers who use Project Cafe. These letters have been edited to be more clear about opting out of the program. See here for the updated letter.

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

MS MAP. 6th and 7th grade make-ups will be done on JAN 17th with Phillan proctoring 

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, January 9, 2026

Week of JAN12

                                                           

Volume: XIII
Issue: 20
January 12, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

As we move further into January, the pace has definitely picked up. With benchmarks now underway, the marking period quickly coming to a close, and Regents week approaching, these next several days are especially important for helping students stay focused and confident in their learning.

One key area of focus this week is ensuring that all students clearly know their Regents exam schedule including dates and times.. Please take time to review schedules with students, answer questions, and reinforce expectations so there are no surprises as Regents week begins. Clear communication now will help reduce anxiety and ensure students arrive prepared and on time.

In addition, the Student Support Team is actively meeting with seniors who still need Regents exams for graduation to ensure they understand their schedule, feel prepared, and are connected to the supports they need. Your continued communication and collaboration around these students is greatly appreciated as we work together to set them up for success.

This week is also a critical opportunity to check in on student progress, address lingering gaps, and encourage students to stay engaged through the final days of the marking period. Small moments of encouragement, clear expectations, and strategic support can have a big impact on student outcomes.

As a reminder, MP2 ends on January 16, with grades due January 21. Please continue to reach out if students need additional academic or intervention support - we are here to help.

Have a great week ahead.




UPCOMING DATES
  • JAN16: Pep Rally
  • JAN16: Last Day of MP2
  • JAN19: MLK Jr. Day 
  • JAN20: 8th & 12th Grade Senior Portraits
  • JAN21: Grades DUE - 3pm
  • JAN26: Staff REMOTE PD Day (no students)
  • JAN27: First Day of Spring Term
  • JAN30: Senior Slumber Party

*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...

Upcoming Trips:

JAN14: Theater Trip to Marjorie Prime on Broadway
JAN16: GSA trip to Lesbian Herstory Archives
JAN21: MS Snow tubing
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

 

TO DO THIS WEEK

Student Perception Survey. It's that time of year again. This week we need to administer the Panorama survey. This survey gathers students’ feedback about their school experience, focusing on school climate, relationships, and learning conditions. Please keep an eye out for an email from Kelly reviewing instructions on, and schedule of, the survey administration.

January Regents Schedule. The schedule is complete - please check here and reach out to Kiri with errors you see!

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. 

HS Benchmarks. Testing continues during periods 1-2 on the following dates (EXT Time students continue testing during third period). See here for the schedule.
  • Monday JAN12: ELA
  • Tuesday JAN13: Social Studies

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

MS Benchmarks & MAP.
  • MATH MAP: JAN 12th-13th - Done during class time along with any make-ups
  • Math Benchmark: JAN14th - Benchmark schedule 
  • ELA Benchmark: JAN 15th - Benchmark schedule
  • Make Ups for both tests will be done on JAN 17th with Phillan proctoring 

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Week of JAN05

                                                           

Volume: XIII
Issue: 19
January 05, 2026

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Welcome back, and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had the opportunity to rest, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends over the holiday break!

January is always a fast-paced month, but this year feels extra FAST. With benchmarks beginning THIS week, the marking period quickly coming to a close, and Regents week right around the corner, the weeks ahead will move quickly. While the calendar is full, this time is also incredibly important for setting the tone for student success during the remainder of the year.

These first few weeks back are critical for helping students reestablish routines, refocus on academic expectations, and get back into the groove of learning. Your intentional efforts to reinforce structure, consistency, and high expectations will help students remain engaged and motivated as they work toward finishing the marking period strong. This is also an ideal time to provide targeted feedback, review key concepts, and offer support to students who may need additional guidance before benchmarks and Regents exams. 

January will move quickly, but it also offers an opportunity to reset, refocus, and push toward strong outcomes. Let’s use this time intentionally to drive learning forward and ensure students are positioned to finish the marking period with purpose and success. And, heads up - MP2 ends JAN16 and grades will be due JAN21.

Looking forward to seeing you all and starting the new year off strong!



UPCOMING DATES
  • JAN16: Pep Rally
  • JAN16: Last Day of MP2
  • JAN19: MLK Jr. Day 
  • JAN20: 8th & 12th Grade Senior Portraits
  • JAN26: Staff PD Day (no students)
  • JAN27: First Day of Spring Term
  • JAN30: Senior Slumber Party

*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...

Upcoming Trips:

JAN07: WBL Trip
JAN21: MS Snow tubing
FEB 12: HS Snow tubing

  

FUTURE READY HIGHLIGHTS

Upcoming FRNYC Events

WBL Career Exposure Trips. Through NYC Service's speed mentoring program, all students in the Career Explorations course will select one trip to attend. After learning about each field and connecting with current employees, students will receive 1:1 mentoring to discuss their post-secondary goals and backwards plan the steps needed to get there. We'll share trip lists once they are finalized!

TO DO THIS WEEK

Monday PD - 3pm in Farm. Lynn Jeudy is back this week for our next PD in our SEL series. Please be in the farm ready to go by 3pm!


HS Benchmarks. Testing will happen during periods 1-2 on the following dates (EXT Time students continue testing during third period). See here for the schedule.
  • Thursday JAN08: Math
  • Friday JAN09: Science
  • Monday JAN12: ELA
  • Tuesday JAN13: Social Studies

MS Benchmarks & MAP Schedule.
  • ELA MAP: JAN 7th-9th - Done during class time along with any make-ups
  • MATH MAP: JAN 12th-13th - Done during class time along with any make-ups
  • Math Benchmark: JAN14th - Benchmark schedule 
  • ELA Benchmark: JAN 15th - Benchmark schedule
  • Make Ups for both tests will be done on JAN 17th with Phillan proctoring 

Visit This Week. We're hosting the Minister of Education from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday! They are interested in the work we're doing with UA around educational innovation, particularly our work with Project Cafe, Future Ready, and Counselor GPT (which is still in the early stages).  Mary Vaccaro, VP of Education at the UFT, is also joining to learn more about the work we do in these areas too!  

Purchasing Update. Over the break Kiri and I were able to complete the vast majority of purchasing requests. Some staff need to take further action in order for their request to be processed - if this is you, you would have (or will soon) receive an email outlining what we need from you in order to make your purchase. For all requests, we will also be sending you the completed PO for your purchases (some are still pending due to needing approval from Central). If you have questions about your request, please reach out.

Next SDC Meeting. Reminder! We will meet as a whole group on Jan 8th at 7:45am! 

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, December 19, 2025

Week of Dec 22

                                                             

Volume: XIII
Issue: 18
December 22, 2025

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
This is going to be a short post! I hope you all have a wonderfully restful and joyous holiday break - it is absolutely well-deserved. I am excited to celebrate with you and our students over the next two days! 
  • On Monday at 9am we have our first annual alumni pancake breakfast in the cafeteria - come check it out and be ready to be blown away by a blast from the past! Also, I make excellent pancakes and it would be my honor to cook you breakfast. Then, we have our staff cookie exchange during our 3pm PD!
  • On Tuesday we continue the celebration with a middle school hotdog lunch party, 3rd period in the cafeteria! Yes, there will be halal hot dogs. Stop by for some music and dancing! As a reminder, dismissal will be rapid at 2:15pm on Tuesday, except for Girls Inc students who WILL have regular programming.
In preparation for the break please prep your rooms for the custodians:
  • Remove all perishables from shared refrigerators and other squirreled away locations - do NOT leave food in your rooms.
  • Any food items that remain stored in closets need to be secured in containers resistant to critters (e.g. plastic bins)
  • Wipe down (or have the kids wipe down) all surfaces and desktops.  There are Clorox wipes in the main closet across from the office.  
  • We'll be having a rapid dismissal on the 23rd.  Before leaving for the break, all chairs need to be on top of the desks.  This really helps our custodians more effectively sweep and mop the floors more thoroughly.  
Lastly - this is your last chance to submit purchasing requests! Get them in asap using this form!



UPCOMING DATES
  • DEC22: Alumni Breakfast
  • DEC23: MS Hotdog Lunch Party
  • DEC23: 2:15pm Rapid Dismissal
  • Date TBD: Senior Slumber Party

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! Thanks to Shan, Jen, Sue and the RPET team for bring our community to life through their planning of these events.


UPCOMING TRIPS

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

JAN07: WBL Trip
JAN21: MS Snow tubing
FEB 12: HS Snow tubing

  

FUTURE READY HIGHLIGHTS

Upcoming FRNYC Events

WBL Career Exposure Trips. Through NYC Service's speed mentoring program, all students in the Career Explorations course will select one trip to attend. After learning about each field and connecting with current employees, students will receive 1:1 mentoring to discuss their post-secondary goals and backwards plan the steps needed to get there. We'll share trip lists once they are finalized!

TO DO THIS WEEK

RPET SURVEY. Please help out the RPET by completing (it will take less than 5 minutes) this Restorative Justice Survey for our community - all staff can respond. The data will help support our RPET goals (currently peer mediation). It's anonymous, and created by Peer Connect who supports our school (and district schools) with trainings for peer mediation, tier 1 community building, tier 2, etc. 

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

05JAN - Lynn facilitates SEL PD
12JAN - Academic Playbook
26JAN - Remote PD - Launch of Round 3 SL-IEP

Next SDC Meeting. We will meet as a whole group on Jan 8th at 7:45am! 

Read more »
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, December 12, 2025

Week of Dec 15

                                                               

Volume: XIII
Issue: 17
December 15, 2025

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
As we wrap up an amazing stretch of school spirit - with an unforgettable Homecoming Week and an equally joyful Winterfest - I want to take a moment to thank you all. The energy, pride, and togetherness our students experienced over this past week was a direct result of your planning, participation, and willingness to go above and beyond. Special shoutout to Shan for organizing Homecoming, and Jen for organizing Winterfest - you've brought so much pride to our school, thank you. 



Now, as a whole staff we need to channel that same momentum directly into the work that matters most for their academic success. Over the past two weeks I've spent time in all intervention & Regents prep classes in grades 8-12. These periods are arguably the most crucial instructional blocks for students needing to close content and skill gaps and prepare for high-stakes assessments.

The trends I observed represent a collective opportunity to align our practices and ensure we maximize the impact of every minute in these vital classes. So here it goes:

Strengths in Intervention
  • Across contents, there are teachers who are really doing an incredible job of providing differentiated intervention for our most struggling students.
  • In all ELA intervention rooms, students are fully and productively engaged in the structured programs (REWARDS and STARI). 
  • In rooms where students are given access to leveled materials based on their individual, diagnostic needs, students are engaged, motivated, and completing work that is rigorous for them.
Opportunities for Improvement. 
  • Across contents, when students have access to a laptop, some are using it for social media or other websites that do not promote learning.
  • In rooms where teachers sit at their teacher desks, some students spend the period asleep.
  • In rooms where materials are printed as (or after) students walk in, there is low-level engagement and a noticeable loss of instructional time due to the delay and lack of a structured start.
Non-Negotiable Next Steps: 
  • Teachers who are assigned to Intervention or Regents prep periods must engage/interact/work/be in proximity with students for the full period in support of their learning. This will prevent disengagement, allow for instant redirection, and creates opportunities for just-in-time instruction, and ensures all students are held accountable for working throughout the entire period.
  • All instructional materials must be printed, collated, and on students' desks or a designated distribution point before the start of the period. This will allow us to maximize the learning time for all students.
  • Laptops and devices are only to be used for a clearly defined, monitored, and time-bound academic task that is explicitly linked to closing a skill gap or preparing for the Regents exam. Staff must actively monitor student screens during use. If a student is using a laptop for non-academic purposes, it is a direct misuse of the time dedicated to their critical academic recovery and we cannot allow it.
Our intervention and Regents prep teachers are truly the last line of defense for students who are at risk of failing - and for some, that means the difference between graduating and not graduating in June. The work you do in these periods is not just support; it is prevention, acceleration, and, in many cases, the lifeline that keeps students on track for the futures they deserve. Thank you for leaning into this responsibility with purpose and urgency every single day. If we stay consistent and aligned, our students will feel the impact immediately.


UPCOMING DATES
  • DEC16: Lever Visit IR
  • DEC19: Staff Holiday Party
  • DEC22: Alumni Breakfast
  • DEC23: MS Hotdog Lunch Party
  • DEC23: 2:15pm Rapid Dismissal
  • Date TBD: Senior Slumber Party

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! Thanks to Shan, Jen, Sue and the RPET team for bring our community to life through their planning of these events.


UPCOMING TRIPS

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

DEC10: 7th grade to NMAI
DEC16: Marcy Lab Visit
DEC18: WBL Trip
JAN07: WBL Trip
JAN21: MS Snow tubing
FEB 12: HS Snow tubing

  

FUTURE READY HIGHLIGHTS

Upcoming FRNYC Events

WBL Career Exposure Trips. Through NYC Service's speed mentoring program, all students in the Career Explorations course will select one trip to attend. After learning about each field and connecting with current employees, students will receive 1:1 mentoring to discuss their post-secondary goals and backwards plan the steps needed to get there. We'll share trip lists once they are finalized!

TO DO THIS WEEK

Staff Holiday Party and Cookie Exchange! Please join us at 3pm on Friday at Henry St Ale House for our annual staff party! Can't make it? Don't worry, we will also be celebrating with a Cookie Exchange on Monday, Dec 22 at our 3pm PD. Please plan to bring 12 cookies or other sweet treat to share! 

RPET SURVEY. Please help out the RPET by completing (it will take less than 5 minutes) this Restorative Justice Survey for our community - all staff can respond. The data will help support our RPET goals (currently peer mediation). It's anonymous, and created by Peer Connect who supports our school (and district schools) with trainings for peer mediation, tier 1 community building, tier 2, etc. 

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

15DEC - Writing the IEPs  
22DEC - Cookies & Karaoke, Ugly Holiday Sweaters, and SL-IEP success measuring
05JAN - Lynn facilitates SEL PD
12JAN - Academic Playbook
26JAN - Remote PD - Launch of Round 3 SL-IEP

Next SDC Meeting. We will meet as a whole group on Jan 8th at 7:45am! 

Read more »
Posted by at 1 comment:

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Week of Dec 7

                                                              

Volume: XIII
Issue: 16
December 7, 2025

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

Now is a good time to check back in on our school-wide goals for the year. We’ve spoken at length about our special education students and the persistent challenge that they are not progressing at expected levels across core content areas. Our current data shows that the disproportionality between general education students and our special education students is continuing to widen, as general education students continue to make steady growth while our special education students remain static. 

As we move forward, it is essential that we are persistent and consistent in using the instructional routines outlined in our Academic Playbook. These strategies - Notice & Wonder, Stronger and Clearer, and So Basically - are designed to deepen comprehension, strengthen literacy skills, and ensure equitable participation across classrooms. When used with fidelity and consistency across contents, these routines provide structure, clarity, and access points that benefit all learners, but especially our special education students - so, this is an essential step in increasing academic achievement. 

At the same time, our work with Student-Led IEPs directly complements these instructional moves. By empowering students and families to take a more active role in setting and monitoring goals, Student-Led IEPs increase student ownership, motivation, and clarity around learning needs. This process also requires us to shift our own mindsets from focusing on student weaknesses to identifying and leveraging student strengths, which aligns seamlessly with the Academic Playbook’s emphasis on equitable, strengths-based participation.

When we implement classroom routines that guarantee daily access to rigorous learning and engage students in a student-led process that builds agency, purpose, and clarity around their strengths and goals, we lay the foundation for meaningful academic shifts. Our collective consistency, shared belief in this work, and commitment to following through will be the driving force behind accelerating growth for our special populations and ensuring every student has the support and opportunities they need to succeed. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to making this possible.



UPCOMING DATES
  • DEC11: Homecoming Game & WinterFest
  • DEC12: Homecoming
  • DEC16: Lever Visit IR
  • DEC19: Staff Holiday Party
  • DEC23: 2:20pm Rapid Dismissal
  • Date TBD: Senior Slumber Party

*All Student Engagement activities for the year will now be listed in this spreadsheet and on the UAI School Calendar! Thanks to Shan, Jen, Sue and the RPET team for bring our community to life through their planning of these events.


UPCOMING TRIPS

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

DEC10: 7th grade to NMAI
DEC16: Marcy Lab Visit
DEC18: WBL Trip
JAN07: WBL Trip
JAN21: MS Snow tubing
FEB 12: HS Snow tubing

  


FUTURE READY HIGHLIGHTS

Upcoming FRNYC Events

WBL Career Exposure Trips. Through NYC Service's speed mentoring program, all students in the Career Explorations course will select one trip to attend. After learning about each field and connecting with current employees, students will receive 1:1 mentoring to discuss their post-secondary goals and backwards plan the steps needed to get there. We'll share trip lists once they are finalized!


TO DO THIS WEEK

Homecoming Week. Lots going on for Homecoming Week this week! HUGE thank you to Shan for organizing this week - it's going to be an absolute blast!

Grade Level Lunch Activities!
  • 6th and 7th Grade: Gingerbread Houses (Wednesday in Cafe) - Hosted by Bryanna
  • 8th Grade: High School Application Celebration (Monday in 507) — Hosted by Jen
  • 9th Grade: Ugly Holiday Sweater Decorating (Tuesday in 509) — Hosted by Shanice
  • 10th Grade: Game Night Getaway (Tuesday in 309) — Hosted by Yasmeen & Jasmine
  • 11th Grade: Junior Gingerbread Houses (Wednesday in 509) — Hosted by Shanice
  • 12th Grade: Senior Holiday Workshop (Tuesday in 507) — Hosted by Jen
Spirit week! Dress up each day to show your school pride! 🎉
  • Monday: Adam Sandler Day — Dress as your favorite Adam Sandler movie character!
  • Tuesday: Country vs. Country Club — Are you country or bougie? Both?
  • Wednesday: Dress like your favorite musician!
  • Thursday: Color Wars — Wear your grade level's color!
  • Friday: UAI Spirit Wear Day — Wear as much UAI swag as possible! 
Homecoming Parade! Wednesday (7th period) – Join us as we celebrate by parading through the UAI hallways with music and lots of school spirit. The parade will start on the 6th floor and conclude outside in front of the school. 

🏀Homecoming Basketball Game! Thursday (4:30 p.m.). Come cheer on Daliah Givens, Zorah English, Ziva Emmanus, Chloe Ali, Nyah Slaughter, Makela Dessources, Rhenee Kirkland, Hailey Johnson, & Kate Reynolds.

Pep Rally! Friday (7th period) - Come cheer on our students as we re-introduce the 2025-2026 UAI Homecoming Court and get ready for the big dance later.

🪩Homecoming Dance 🪩! Friday (7:00-10:00 p.m.) – The Homecoming Dance will be held on Friday, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the school gym. Get ready for an unforgettable night with delicious catered soul food, a professional DJ spinning the latest hits, a photographer to capture all your best moments, and party favors.

Read more »
Posted by at 6 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)