Saturday, November 4, 2023

Week Beginning November 6, 2023

I got the pleasure of accompanying a group of Grade 8 students on their service this week to Brown's Point to create gift bags for seniors. I cannot tell you how full my heart was seeing these kids work so hard and be engaged in the process. A big thank you to all those who make these trips possible. These experiences are making a difference to our students and the community!


 ACTION ITEMS

  •  Duties: I know I ask a lot of you and I am aware that the extra break and lunch duties can sometimes feel like another pressure point, but your help supervising these areas is essential. Please double-check your assignments and let Shelli, Ruth, and I know if you have an issue and cannot do them for whatever reason in advance. Thanks for your help.
  • Sunshine: I only had one sunshine shoutout come through this week after Thursday's reflection. If you have any more to share, please let me know so I can acknowledge folks in Gathering on Monday. 
  • New MS Classroom Spaces survey: Yes, I know, another survey - sorry! However, we really need your input on furniture etc. as we consider our relocation back into the MS and combining two wings into one. Please fill this out as best you can. Thank you.

FYI
  • Angie back! Boy, we've missed having a counselor on campus! The good news is that Angie is back this week and is spreading her usual time on campus across all four days this week - thank you, Angie. Please see the week ahead below for when she is here. We hope to have a confirmation about Heidi's replacement ASAP. 
  • Laminating: If you need laminating completed, the LS is no longer doing this for us. Instead, our wonderful MS Administrative Assistant, Ruth, will be trained on this tool and if you need any such work done, please contact her with your laminating needs. Thank you, Ruth!
  • Case Studies: Each semester, the MS and US students will be asked to complete 5 survey questions as part of our Student Thrivability data collection. When the school asked similar questions as part of the Pulse Check survey last year, we found that some of the questions felt out of place without more context given or the ability to discuss the question prior. This was especially true for our youngest MS kiddos. Because of this, Jake and a team of faculty from MS and US have created a series of case studies relating to each of the 5 thrivability questions, with a series of questions associated that could lead to a productive discussion. Our GLTMs this week are to review this and then review the case study in advisory, with the survey question sent via email the same day. Grade 7 and 8 advisors will meet together on Wednesday during the GLTM. Here is the one we will be reviewing this week on Self Efficacy.
  • Fun Days 11.15.23 and 11.16.23: A reminder that in two weeks time, we are suspending the A/B schedule for all grades on Wednesday and Thursday for the Spanish play (Wed) and the Model UN (7&8) and field trip (6th) on Thursday. We are just finalizing the schedule for the day early next week, so more to come. The schedule will be found on the MS Special Schedule doc. 


 USEFUL LINKS

WEEK AHEAD

Monday, November 6 - Angie on campus in the AM

  • B Day 
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Heidi Grace out - Sub Mara
  • MS Gathering - in the Great Hall
    • Intro to the MS Case Studies and Thrivability Survey 

  • MSG Soccer has an early dismissal at 2:15 (right after P5) for their home game
  • MSB Grade 6 AND Varsity Basketball play games at home at 3:30 - they have an early dismissal at 2:15; JV team does NOT need an early dismissal. Their game starts at 4:45
  • All School Chapel  
    •  Yellow (Grade 7) out (Familes 1-15 in the Dining Hall; 16-30 in the ATRIUM of the NAB); Grade 6 and 8 in the Chapel
    • After All-School Gathering:
      • Ward Advisory will join Wilde Advisory
      • Phan Advisory will join Golding Advisory
      • Bloodworth Advisory will join Price Advisory

  • All School benefits meeting - Chapel at 3:30 pm

Tuesday, November 7 - Angie on campus all-day
  • A Day
  • Visitors: None 
  • Faculty out: Heidi Grace out - Sub Mara
  • Grade 6 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • Advisor choice
  • Advisory:
    • Grade 6 Case Study and Question
    • Grade 7 & 8 Advisors Choice
    • PRICE ADVISORY joining BLOODWORTH/DOUGLAS ADVISORY
  • DEI Meeting 3:30-4:00 pm - Holiday Tea planning (in Will's science lab) - all welcome to attend


Wednesday, November 8 - Angie on campus in the PM

  • B Day
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Heidi Grace out - Sub Mara
  • Extra Duties Help in the AM due to combined 7th/8th meeting:
    • Carline – Ruth - 8:00-8:30
    • Library – Mara - 7:45-8:25
    • Gym – Will - 8:00-8:25
    • 6th Corridor – Gretchen - 8:00-8:25
  • Grade 7 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • Discuss Case Studies 
  • Advisory:
    • Advisor Choice 
  • MS Leadership Team Meeting 2:30-3:30 pm
  • MSG Soccer has an early dismissal at 2:15
  • MSB Grade 6 AND Varsity Basketball play games at home at 3:30 - they have an early dismissal at 2:45; JV team does NOT need an early dismissal. Their game starts at 4:45
  • MS Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 pm (Carie & Bri's room) 
    •  HATCH planning. Please all meet in Carie's/Bri's room.

    • Followed by a tour of the MS construction at 4:30 pm for anyone interested.


Thursday, November 9 - Angie on campus in the AM & Katie's last day.

  • A Day
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Heidi Grace out - Sub Mara
  • Grade 8 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room)  - ONLY ADVISORS - To discuss issue raised by Angie
  • Advisory: 
    • Joining DUNBRY ADVISORY - All of SAM ADVISORY still on campus (Cooper B, Trinity, and Shreenidhi)
    • Reflection 
  • Veteran's Day Chapel 2:30 pm - no longer occurring

Friday, November 10 
  • No School - Veterans Day

Friday, October 27, 2023

Week Beginning October 30, 2023

 

The creative juices were flowing this week! If you asked for an item saved, Ruth has a bin of these bits and pieces, so please see her next week. Thanks for all the time, effort, and added stress that went into this fantastic pumpkin event. Winners will be announced on Monday in Gathering. 


ACTION ITEMS

  • Committee Review of New Student Applicants: If you observe a visiting student, your feedback is very important to our application process. Please follow the directions on this Committee Review - New Student Applicants sheet, to provide this feedback.
  • Conference Updates: Please fill in the GLTM doc with any information about your advisees that you think following the conference others should be aware of. Thank you!
  • Donut Voting: Here's the link to guess!

FYI
  • MS Learning Support Teaching Assistant Interviews: We have two candidates this week - one on Wednesday and one on Friday. Malik and Katelyn will be at lunch on their respective days, so it would be lovely if you could stop by and connect with them if you have time.
  • It's a week of goodbyes and welcomes! We will say thank you and goodbye (for now), to Hannah on Tuesday, and a "hello" to David Parker on Monday. We also get to celebrate Katie and baby Miller on Wednesday, at the faculty meeting :-)



 USEFUL LINKS

WEEK AHEAD

Monday, October 30 - David Parker back!

  • A Day 
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Angie - Mara in for general support
  • Grade 8 Advisor discussion 7:45 am in Dan's room
  • MS Gathering - in the Great Hall
    •   Common Ground and parent presentation

  • US to lunch early at 12:15 pm
  • All School Chapel  
    • Grade 6 out with their house color 
  • All School DEI training in the Chapel 3:30 pm

Tuesday, October 31 - Hannah's last day :( & Civvies Day :)
  • B Day
  • Visitors: None 
  • Faculty out: Angie - Mara in for general support
  • Grade 6 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • Check-in on conferences
  • Advisory:
    • Common Ground survey 
  • Office Hours: 
    • Grade 7 to the tents for Dia de los Muertos cookie activity
    • Grade 8  - possible group chat - TBD.
  • DEI Meeting 3:30-4:00 pm 


Wednesday, November 1

  • A Day
  • Visitors: Malik Ford interviewing for MS Learning Support Teaching Assistant
  • Faculty out: Angi - Mara in for general support
  • Grade 7 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • Check-in on conferences
  • Advisory: 
    • Advisor choice 
  • MS Leadership Team Meeting 2:30-3:30 pm
  • MS Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 pm (Carie & Bri's room) 
    •  Miller Baby Shower! Please all join!


Thursday, November 2

  • B Day
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Mara in for general support
  • Grade 8 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room)   
    • Check-in on conferences
  • MS Preview at 11:30 am (Will, Clare, Shelli & SC)
  • Advisory: 
    • Advisor choice 

Friday, November 3

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Week Beginning October 23, 2023

 

It's been a long week, with the MS dance last Friday, the MS Curriculum Night this past Tuesday, and the production this weekend. Thank you for representing what we do so well and being there for our kiddos. 


ACTION ITEMS

  • A reminder from Sandra: POCC -Monday at 4pm The 2023 NAIS People of Color Conference will be held in St. Louis, November 29–December 2. Faculty and Staff of Color who are in their 2nd year or greater and are interested in participating should submit this PD request form after conferring with your Division / Department Director. This year we will be able to send 6 individuals. Priority will be given to those who didn’t go last year. If more than 6 folks are eligible, we will draw names via lottery, Please submit the form before Monday, October 23 at 4:00 pm. (Extension)
  • ED Services during PD & Conference Days: Please complete this form if you need this care for your children on the days we don't have classes: ED care for Faculty/Staff kids


  • Conferences: If anyone does not make an appointment or if they do not show up this Friday, please email me so we can track this. Thank you!

  • AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS: Sorry for the stop/start on this due to technical issues with administrating this. When this is administered, please read the script that is linked in this FAQ document. We do not have a Gathering on Monday to allow folks to work on their conference presentations, so I would like us to attempt to do this first during this freed-up time and then move to working on the conference slides. I will email the link to all our students for the start of the Advisory period. 

  • MS Committees: There are lots of events that are traditions in the MS that have occurred in a similar way for many years. Some become adapted because of our size, others due to changes in staffing or the units taught. Some have not changed for years! During the MS Admin meeting this week, it was suggested that some folks in our MS may be interested in being more involved in these events in the planning and implementation of them. With this all in mind, we would love your feedback on what these might be and how we might involve those of you interested. I know this again is another survey, but it is short and sweet! MS Committees Survey - thank you!


  • HOMEWORK TUESDAY NIGHT: The Grade 8 have their US admission event on Tuesday, so please be aware of their lack of ability to do HW that evening. There are no summatives on the calendar for the following day, so we should be good because of our A/B schedule, as they naturally have two days to do work anyway!


FYI 
  • New Student - Amelia Sheridan 6A: Amelia will be in Will's advisory, so please be observant and supportive of this transition and let the team know of any issues. 

  • MS Counselor Finalist: We have an MS Counseling candidate in on Wednesday for a full-day interview, Vicki Pastore. It would be great if she could meet as many of you as possible during lunch if you are available to sit and eat in the lunchroom. 
  • Counseling Support: The plan is that next week, Shelli or I will try to relocate to the MS Counseling office when Angi is not present to track students who request support or provide it as needed. If you have a student in distress, please suggest their advisor as the first point of contact or another trusted adult. While not ideal, we hope to have a new counselor onboard in the next couple of weeks. 
  • Progress Concerns for scores at a 3: There has been concern about how to phrase this update to families. Please always reach out for help from anyone on the Admin team if you would like to get a second opinion on what you have written. Here is the template created a while ago, with a suggestion now for how to approach a 3 at this early stage in the game. Again, this is merely a suggestion and YOU know each student and what they need to hear. 

 USEFUL LINKS

WEEK AHEAD

Monday, October 23

  • A Day 
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: Kyle - SUB Mara
  • MS Gathering - in Great Hall - CANCELED - Advisory instead:
    1. Authentic Connections survey - FIRST!
    2. Send someone to 10th St. Office to pick your pumpkin
    3. Conference Prep
  • All School Chapel  
    • All of MS in the Chapel 
  • 8th Grade students playing a Winter I Sport (Girls' Soccer or Boys' Basketball) have a practice after school today. 6th and 7th Graders should not attend. This practice will allow them to skip practice on Tuesday so they can attend Cross the Commons.

Tuesday, October 24
  • B Day
  • Visitors: None
  • Faculty out: None
  • Grade 6 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room)
    • General - information to support conference day
  • Advisory:
    • Conference Prep. One-on-one meetings with your advisor.
  • Office Hours: Pumpkin Decorating Contest in Advisories (2:15-3:20)
  • DEI Meeting 3:30-4:00 pm 
  • Grade 5-6 Meeting in the Grade 5 homeroom (Grade 6 teachers only!) 3:30 pm
  • Cross the Commons 3:30 pm onwards: students are to change (if they wish) at 3:20 pm in the locker rooms (Kemper) and then head to the Great Hall.


Wednesday, October 25

  • A Day
  • Visitors: Vicki Pastore (interviewing for the MS Counselor position. Schedule is here and please join her at lunch for a chat in the lunchroom. She would love to meet you all!)
  • Faculty out: None
  • Picture Retake Day: MS should go do retakes during their morning break (9:45 AM) or during their FLEX 3 Period after checking in with their teacher. 
  • Grade 7 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • General - information to support conference day
  • Advisory: 
    • Conference Prep. One-on-one meetings with your advisor.
  • MS Leadership Team Meeting 2:30-3:30 pm
  • MS Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 pm (Carie & Bri's room) - CANCELED for Conference Prep


Thursday, October 26

  • B Day
  • Visitors: Sarina Baig (student) visiting. Gator guide Robin Reed. The schedule is here.
  • Faculty out: Sophie -SUB Mara
  • Grade 8 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
    • General - information to support conference day
  • Chaperoning 8th Grade Service today: Bri, Dan, and Will
  • Advisory: 
    • Create your MOVING FORWARD slide.
    • Joining DUNBRY ADVISORY - All of WOOD ADVISORY still on campus
    • Joining GRACE ADVISORY - Cooper B
    • Dave taking over Wilde Advisory for the day

Friday, October 27 
  • Conference Day
  • Fall Family Night 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Friday, October 13, 2023

Week Beginning October 16, 2023

I saw this the other day on a teacher feed and loved it! Here's hoping you all rest up this weekend and come back refreshed to do your most meaningful work. You are appreciated.
 

ACTION ITEMS

  • Reflection on In-Service MS/US Collaboration: Please share your thoughts and views on last week's collaboration chat with US. It's short and sweet, but it will be important to hear everyone's viewpoint before we make any future decisions. Please complete this Google Form by the end of next week. 
  • Testing Accommodation Support: To make the process of informing the Learning Support team of your separate testing and other testing support needs, please fill out this Testing Accommodation Support Request Google Form whenever you have a summative that is a test and needs any of the testing accommodations stated on the IAP Snapshot. 
FYI
  • MS Play this weekend: We have a special schedule to see a mini preview of the production and everyone is welcome to attend the shows on Friday 7-9 pm, Saturday 7-9 pm, and Sunday 2-4 pm. 
  • Gabe McBee: Gabe just graduated from AWS last year and is at TCC studying education. Starting next week, he will be observing classes from P2 until approximately 2:00 pm each day. His objective is to observe and take notes. He is not a teaching assistant. If you would rather he not be in your class, please let me know ASAP.
  • Directions for GLTM: Please see this doc with the new directions for the running of our meetings. If you have other suggestions, please let me or the GLTL know. This will start next week, as this week, we are going over Foundational Habit scores. 

     USEFUL LINKS

    WEEK AHEAD

    Monday, October 16

    • B Day 
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: None
    • MS Gathering - in the Great Hall
      • Review of habits and conference expectations

      • Advisory Pumpkin Carving Competition announcement

    • VARSITY and JV VOLLEYBALL have an early release at 2:05 for their games @ Seattle Christian
    • All School Chapel 
      • ALL IN THE BESSLER GYM for an ALL-SCHOOL HOUSE COMPETITION

    Tuesday, October 17
    • A Day
    • Visitors: None 
    • Faculty out: Bri out (Sub Mara); Dave out (Sub Katherine)
    • Grade 6 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      • Habit Scores Discussion 
    • Advisory:
      • Complete Pages 1&2 of STUDENT HABITS SELF REFLECTION doc - We are making copies of this and will deliver them to you
    • VARSITY and JV VOLLEYBALL have an early release at 2:05 for their games @ Cascade Christian
    • Grade 6 Volleyball has an early release at 2:15 for their game @ Life Christian
    • CROSS COUNTRY has an early release at 2:15 for their meet @ Titlow
    • DEI Meeting 3:30-4:00 PM
    • MS Curriculum Night #2 - Great Hall 6:00 - 7:30 pm 
      • Please bring artifacts to show off your subject!


    Wednesday, October 18

    • B Day
    • Visitors: None
    • K. Lundgren
      Faculty
       out: Carie out (Sub: K. Lundgren); Heidi Grace out 12:30-1:30 (Lindsey covering Art/Design class from 1:05 until Heidi's return) 

      K. Lundgren

    • Grade 7 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      • Habit Scores Discussion 
    • Flex Period 3 - Grade 8 - ALL start in the Bessler Gym - US Directors will address Grade 8 students about Cross the Commons - all teachers who normally cover Grade 8 during Flex Period 3 should attend. Students return to their normal Flex 3 activities after the Cross the Commons overview is done
    • Advisory: 
      • Create your SUNSHINE and CELEBRATIONS slides (Slides 3 and 4)
      • GRACE ADVISORY joins CANTOR ADVISORY
    • MS Leadership Team Meeting 2:30-3:30 pm
    • MS Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 pm (Carie & Bri's room) 
      • Canceled for Conference Prep   


    Thursday, October 19 - Heidi's last day :-(

    • A Day
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: Carie out (Sub: K. Lundgren); Shelli (no sub)
    • Grade 8 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      • Habit Scores Discussion 
    • Advisory: 
      • Complete your HABITS SELF-ASSESSMENT on Slides 5 and 6
      • Joining CANTOR ADVISORY - Ilirian
      • Joining GRACE ADVISORY - Cooper B
    • Earthquake drill at 9:30 am 

    Friday, October 20 - Special Schedule 
    • B Day
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: Clare out (Board meeting in Bend); Carie out (Sub: K. Lundgren)
    • Link to MS Preview Theater Seating Chart
    • MS Preview Heads-Up: Wood, Samuelson and Bloodworth will be supporting Grade 8 Service during the show. Fire will supervise Samuelson Advisory in the theater. Strate will supervise the students in Wood Advisory still on campus and Bloodworth's Advisory.
    • Advisory: 
    • VARSITY and JV VOLLEYBALL have an early release at 2:45 for their last home games of the season
    • Clubs: (attendance here!)


    Friday, October 6, 2023

    Week Beginning October 9, 2023


    The Royals were in the building this week! And on Tuesday during Gathering, you will all get to experience the Monarch Madness for yourself. God Save the King!


    ACTION ITEMS

    • Habits Achievement Levels: Please add these for all the students you teach on your named tab. Here is the sheet with the descriptors of each habit and the achievement levels. Please see tab 23-24 Habit Best. These are due by the end of the day on Friday, October 13.
    • Directions for GLTM: Please see this doc with the new directions for the running of our meetings. If you have other suggestions, please let me or the GLTL know. Thank you!
    • Field Trips: Please take a look at the ones we have planned for this year on this Field Trip document. We have Q2 pretty much sorted, but if you have plans for activities in Q3, please let Ruth and me know so we can add them. If you are new and want to see what occurred last year, please look at the tabs for 22-23. 
    • Review the Q2 Schedule: This is found as the 3rd tab on the MS Schedule Sheet. Any issues, please let me know.
    • Dance Chaperons: Just a reminder that while everyone is welcome to attend, the assigned chaperons for this dance are, Wagstaff, Strate, Price, Ward, Cantor, Grace, Dodge, Golding, Fire, and Mazzetti. 

    FYI 
    • Job Postings: We have two postings - one for the MS Counselor and one shortly to go up for a MS Teaching Assistant. This position will be year-round and support ED. Their main role will be in assisting with Waiver, Office Hours, and other duties. Please forward the details once posted to those you know who might be interested. 
    • Theater Production: The students in the MS play are extremely busy for the next two weeks. Please be aware of those in the play and the stress this may cause.  
    • Formatives versus Summatives: Thanks for the discussion that occurred on Wednesday during the faculty meeting about this. This journey we are on is not simple or easy - the important stuff never is! If in doubt if you need support, please reach out to Andrea and her team. They can walk through the situation with you. 

     USEFUL LINKS

    WEEK AHEAD

    Monday, October 9 - NO SCHOOL



    Tuesday, October 10
    • B Day
    • Visitors: None 
    • Faculty out: None
    • Grade 6 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      •  Canceled so folks can work on Habits.
    • Advisory:
      • MS Gathering in the Great Hall
    • MS Cross Country - Early release at 2:15
    • Office Hours: 
      • Sage (6th) and Vivien (7th) to Math Center to take/finish Growth Measure Math assessment
      • Fiona (7th) to Math Center to RETAKE Growth Measure Reading assessment
      • SC Working Group meetings in the library
        • Community - Shelli 
        • MOSAIC - Will - Josh absent due to CX meet
        • Health & Wellness - Angie  - Ben absent due to CX meet
    • DEI Meeting 3:30-4:00 pm in Will's room


    Wednesday, October 11

    • A Day
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: No Jaymie - with the US testing all-day 
    • Grade 7 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      •   Canceled so folks can work on Habits.
    • US to lunch early
    • No Bessler Gym all morning 
    • Advisory: Advisor Choice
    • Varsity Volleyball - Early release at 2:15
    • Office Hours:
      • Paisley (7th) to Math Center to retake Math Growth Measure
    • MS Admin Team Meeting 2:30-3:30 pm
    • MS Faculty Meeting 3:30 - 4:30 pm (Carie & Bri's room) 
      • SHORT intro to changes to the MS conferences


    Thursday, October 12

    • B Day
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: None
    • Grade 8 GLTM 7:45-8:15 am (Carie & Bri's room) 
      •  Canceled so folks can work on Habits.
    • Advisory: Reflection
      • PHAN ADVISORY to WILDE ADVISORY
      • Joining CANTOR ADVISORY: Cooper B 
      • Joining DUNBRY ADVISORY: Bryce, Guinevere, Tucker, Carson, Syd F., Joanna + Wesson
    • 8th Grade Service: Bri, Linh and Dan chaperoning


    Friday, October 13
    • A Day
    • Habit Scores due by 4:00 PM
    • Visitors: None
    • Faculty out: Hannah (Sub Mara); Andrea, Kerrin, Jaymie, Gretchen (Sub - >???)
    • Advisory: Advisor choice
    • 8th Grade Service: Carie, Taya and Sophie chaperoning
      • WARD ADVISORY to GOLDING ADVISORY
      • CANTOR ADVISORY still on campus heading to WOOD ADVISORY (Lucia, Tationa and Thomas)
    • Clubs: (attendance here!)
    • MS Dance 7:00 - 9:30 PM - chaperones be there by 6:45 PM