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January 13, 2019

Good evening-

Here we go into the last week of Semester 1.  It has been a great semester.  Every day I feel so appreciative that I work with such a great staff.  Thank you.  I know the next couple of weeks are busy.  Hang in there, take some deep breaths, and ask for help if you need it!

As I listened to some conversations at faculty meeting on Thursday I could tell that our faculty feels strongly about the importance of mid-term exams.  As you get ready to administer exams next week please think critically about the content of the exam and what you do with the information you gain from each test.  How is your exam preparing each student and how is it evaluating them?  I agree that exams have value, as long as we are thoughtful and purposeful.

A reminder about January 18 Professional Development- Please review the email sent by Paul Vieira so you know where to go for your sessions on Friday. The day starts at 8am.  AHS classrooms will be used for the morning so be sure to put away any belongings the evening before.  Note the request to park on the gym side of the building in order to save space for the presenters.  Morning workshops are done at 11am.  All departments will meet vertically with 8th grade teams at 11:45am at AHS.

Mid-term exam schedule reminder: Please review with students!
Mid-term exams-schedule for students

8th grade transition activities are the week of mid-terms.  The 8th graders will be touring the building on Wednesday, January 23rd from 1-2:30pm.  Thanks for always welcoming them into your classrooms with tour leaders.

Course registration for the 2019-2020 school year is coming soon! 
Here is the schedule: Course registration timeline:2019-2020
Start having conversations with students now.  It is our expectation that you discuss next year's recommendation with all students, especially if there will be a level change or if you recommend electives/choices.  Be proactive and start talking now! 

The next Lead Learner/Department Liaison meeting is scheduled for January 22.
Topic: re-imagining the spring parent night
CHANGE OF PLANS:  We are not holding a Parent/teacher conference night this year! 
We will discuss the current structure of the evening and possible changes during this meeting time and look at a new plan for next year.  This meeting will be at 1pm in the library and all are welcome to attend!
I will be letting parents know that they should reach out to set up individual meetings with teachers, particularly if they are planning to override a course.

Challenge Day- February 4, 2019- Join us for a day that breaks down the walls and builds up student connections.  We need up to 25 staff members willing to participate and all are welcome.  I would like to have staff from every department represented.  Students notice and commented last year!



Food for thought:
Delaying the Grade: How to Get Students to Read Feedback

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