Good evening-
I hope you all enjoyed the extra quality time at home and have stayed safe and warm. As much as I was hoping for the delay on Friday it was fun to have the extra family time. It is going to be a whole different world by the end of this week in terms of weather.
Monday morning (perhaps as you read this) there will be students out and about in the building, or at least in the main hallways, helping to film a promotional video about AHS. WACA will be doing the filming, before school for about 20 minutes. The goal is to create hallways that look like they might during a typical class change. I apologize for any disruption but it's a one time thing.
On that note, I have heard from several teachers concern about students who are still wandering around the building before the first bell. The Deans have been diligent about standing at the doors to the lobby but also place trust in the students who say they have an appointment with a teacher. I would ask that we all do that when we see a student in the halls. If they say they are going to see a teacher, send them on their way. Do not ask them for a pass as it is very unlikely your colleague wrote them one. If they are just wandering, direct them back to the cafeteria. If a student arrives in your classroom without a prior arrangement and you are unable to meet their needs at that time, please feel free to send them back to the cafeteria and make an arrangement for another time. We know many of you arrive early to get work done and meet with students. Thank you for that. Please let us know what we can do to help support you.
As you know, Friday is a professional day. The Curriculum Office has sent a schedule and more specifics on location are coming. Please note the adjusted times and plan to arrive in time to start your first session at 8am.
Our building based PD from 10-11:30am will be NEASC evidence collection work unless you are working on your Curriculum Review discussions (Science & Math). I have attached a list of the assigned NEASC Standards here. Please remember to reach out to other departments to collect a variety of evidence related to the standard you are working on. The timeline for our Self-Reflection is here. The goal for both the January 11 Faculty meeting time and this PD day time is to collect the evidence needed to make a judgment on the Standard. Spend some time looking at the questions posed in the Self-Reflection Guide and talking to colleagues about what they do to meet the standards. My hope is that you use this exercise to get to know about what the other departments do and to share some great ideas!
You may have noticed the Brag Board in the Main Hallway (across from the library) is down and has been replaced with a Kindness Challenge. It will change again at the beginning of the new semester as we try to mix things up. The brag tickets have slowed down but we'd like to start giving out some Core Value t-shirts again. If you have a student you feel has gone above and beyond in demonstrating the core values please let us know and nominate them for a t-shirt. Everyone loves a Clocker blue t-shirt! In all seriousness, I have handed many out, and it makes a kids day to receive one.
I know we have done a lot of reconnecting with family and friends this week but a reminder that next weekend is our actual Family Reconnect Weekend! Please review the memo for expectations and enjoy more time connecting with your families. I, myself, am looking forward to at least several more games of Monopoly. :)
Term 2 is quickly coming to a close. I can't believe we are almost halfway through the year. As we go through mid-term's this year I ask you to give serious thought and consideration to how you use these assessments. How do you prepare students? How do you share feedback with them? Do you use the exam as a tool to reteach skills students haven't mastered? These are conversations I would like to have as we start Term 3 and I look forward to your thoughts!
I was remiss in sharing last week but want to congratulate Steve McKeon on the welcoming the newest member of Clocker Nation (his words!). Steve and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl on Christmas day. What a gift! Can't wait to see you at some family events and games Maya McKeon!
Have a great week!
I hope you all enjoyed the extra quality time at home and have stayed safe and warm. As much as I was hoping for the delay on Friday it was fun to have the extra family time. It is going to be a whole different world by the end of this week in terms of weather.
Monday morning (perhaps as you read this) there will be students out and about in the building, or at least in the main hallways, helping to film a promotional video about AHS. WACA will be doing the filming, before school for about 20 minutes. The goal is to create hallways that look like they might during a typical class change. I apologize for any disruption but it's a one time thing.
On that note, I have heard from several teachers concern about students who are still wandering around the building before the first bell. The Deans have been diligent about standing at the doors to the lobby but also place trust in the students who say they have an appointment with a teacher. I would ask that we all do that when we see a student in the halls. If they say they are going to see a teacher, send them on their way. Do not ask them for a pass as it is very unlikely your colleague wrote them one. If they are just wandering, direct them back to the cafeteria. If a student arrives in your classroom without a prior arrangement and you are unable to meet their needs at that time, please feel free to send them back to the cafeteria and make an arrangement for another time. We know many of you arrive early to get work done and meet with students. Thank you for that. Please let us know what we can do to help support you.
As you know, Friday is a professional day. The Curriculum Office has sent a schedule and more specifics on location are coming. Please note the adjusted times and plan to arrive in time to start your first session at 8am.
Our building based PD from 10-11:30am will be NEASC evidence collection work unless you are working on your Curriculum Review discussions (Science & Math). I have attached a list of the assigned NEASC Standards here. Please remember to reach out to other departments to collect a variety of evidence related to the standard you are working on. The timeline for our Self-Reflection is here. The goal for both the January 11 Faculty meeting time and this PD day time is to collect the evidence needed to make a judgment on the Standard. Spend some time looking at the questions posed in the Self-Reflection Guide and talking to colleagues about what they do to meet the standards. My hope is that you use this exercise to get to know about what the other departments do and to share some great ideas!
You may have noticed the Brag Board in the Main Hallway (across from the library) is down and has been replaced with a Kindness Challenge. It will change again at the beginning of the new semester as we try to mix things up. The brag tickets have slowed down but we'd like to start giving out some Core Value t-shirts again. If you have a student you feel has gone above and beyond in demonstrating the core values please let us know and nominate them for a t-shirt. Everyone loves a Clocker blue t-shirt! In all seriousness, I have handed many out, and it makes a kids day to receive one.
I know we have done a lot of reconnecting with family and friends this week but a reminder that next weekend is our actual Family Reconnect Weekend! Please review the memo for expectations and enjoy more time connecting with your families. I, myself, am looking forward to at least several more games of Monopoly. :)
Term 2 is quickly coming to a close. I can't believe we are almost halfway through the year. As we go through mid-term's this year I ask you to give serious thought and consideration to how you use these assessments. How do you prepare students? How do you share feedback with them? Do you use the exam as a tool to reteach skills students haven't mastered? These are conversations I would like to have as we start Term 3 and I look forward to your thoughts!
I was remiss in sharing last week but want to congratulate Steve McKeon on the welcoming the newest member of Clocker Nation (his words!). Steve and his wife welcomed a beautiful baby girl on Christmas day. What a gift! Can't wait to see you at some family events and games Maya McKeon!
Have a great week!
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