Weekly News & Notes

And so it goes.

One of the busiest weeks of the year kicks off on Monday and Tuesday with the science MCAS for freshmen. Our students are prepared and ready to go. There are a number of staff involved in proctoring, which always lends to some craziness at the onset of the day. If you aren't proctoring, or you don't have immediate business with someone in the office, please steer clear - it's going to be a busy morning on Monday around the office area.

Scheduling

Most of the staff should have received a tentative schedule for next year. Guidance is still moving some students around, which will have some impact on class sizes, but some considerations that were taken into account while creating the schedule in terms of staff:

1. Common planning time: Working with Aubrie and Shanley, we identified several teams across either grade or curricular areas and tried to block out times for those people to be free to collaborate. It is difficult to do that and then still be able to satisfy the core course selections, since it becomes like a puzzle, but this is what the course selection numbers look like in the cores as of 5/30 (Keep in mind that this does not take into account the number of sections, or how many students per section, but just how many requests have been scheduled as of today):

crs_name	request	schedule	Percent
ENGLISH I HON	49	48	97.96%
ENGLISH I ACC	98	98	100.00%
ENGLISH I STD	63	63	100.00%
ENGLISH II HON	67	67	100.00%
ENGLISH II ACC	84	84	100.00%
ENGLISH II STD	40	40	100.00%
AP ENGL LANG	93	92	98.92%
AMERICAN LIT HON	28	28	100.00%
AMERICAN LIT ACC	74	74	100.00%
AMERICAN LIT STD	58	58	100.00%
AP ENGL LIT	33	33	100.00%
DRAMA WRKSHOP ACC	12	12	100.00%
SPEECH-DEBATE ACC	65	61	93.85%
CREAT WRIT ACC	34	26	76.47%
INTRO JOURNALISM	21	21	100.00%
INTR FILM STUD ACC	13	13	100.00%
IND STUD CREAT WRT	1	1	100.00%
SCI FI/FANTASY ACC	24	23	95.83%
NONFICTION ACC	70	70	100.00%
MOD/CONT FICT ACC	82	82	100.00%
LIT/ETHIC SPORT AC	23	23	100.00%
MODERN DRAMA ACC	12	12	100.00%
US HISTORY I HON	48	48	100.00%
US HIST PT I ACC	104	103	99.04%
US HIST PT I STD	58	58	100.00%
AP US HIST	56	56	100.00%
US HISTORY II ACC	120	120	100.00%
US HISTORY II STD	31	31	100.00%
AP EUR HIST	67	66	98.51%
WRLD HIST II ACC	99	98	98.99%
WRLD HIST II STD	43	42	97.67%
CRMNL JUST SYS STD	84	70	83.33%
AP GOVT POLITICS	26	25	96.15%
GENOCIDE STUD ACC	57	53	92.98%
AP PSYCHOLOGY	60	60	100.00%
SOCIOLOGY ACC	60	60	100.00%
PSYCHOLOGY ACC	51	51	100.00%
ECONOMICS ACC	15	15	100.00%
AP MACRO/MICRO-ECO	46	46	100.00%
COM CORE MTH I ACC	87	87	100.00%
COM CORE MTH I STD	61	61	100.00%
COM CORE MTH I HON	61	61	100.00%
COM COR MTH II HON	56	56	100.00%
COM COR MTH II ACC	97	97	100.00%
COM COR MTH II STD	41	41	100.00%
PRE-CALCULUS HON	51	51	100.00%
PRE-CALCULUS ACC	100	100	100.00%
AP CALC AB	41	41	100.00%
AP CALC BC	22	22	100.00%
CALCULUS ACC	20	20	100.00%
STATISTICS ACC	46	46	100.00%
INTRO TO PROG ACC	49	49	100.00%
ADV PROGRAM HON	10	10	100.00%
ADV ALGEBRA STD	58	58	100.00%
PERS. FINANCE ACC	36	33	91.67%
STATISTICS STD	38	37	97.37%
AP STATISTICS	51	50	98.04%
INTRO PHYSICS HON	49	48	97.96%
INTRO PHYSICS ACC	104	104	100.00%
INTRO PHYSICS STD	58	57	98.28%
BIOLOGY HON	59	59	100.00%
BIOLOGY ACC	99	99	100.00%
BIOLOGY STD	34	34	100.00%
CHEMISTRY HON	49	49	100.00%
CHEMISTRY ACC	106	106	100.00%
CHEMISTRY STD	52	51	98.08%
AP PHYS B	27	26	96.30%
PROJECT PHYS STD	21	20	95.24%
AP BIO	50	47	94.00%
HUM PHYSLGY ACC	42	40	95.24%
SCI OF BEH ACC	1	0	0.00%
AP CHEM	16	16	100.00%
FORENSIC SCI ACC	42	40	95.24%
PRIN BIOMED SCI	55	53	96.36%
INTRO ENG DES ACC	35	33	94.29%
PRIN OF ENG ACC	18	18	100.00%
CIVIL ENG/ARCH ACC	25	23	92.00%
FRENCH II ACC	41	41	100.00%
FRENCH II STD	18	18	100.00%
FRENCH III ACC	23	23	100.00%
FRENCH III STD	31	31	100.00%
FRENCH IV HON	17	17	100.00%
FRENCH IV ACC	34	33	97.06%
FRENCH IV HS ACC	3	2	66.67%
FRENCH IV HS STD	1	1	100.00%
AP FRENCH	8	8	100.00%
FRENCH V HON	4	4	100.00%
SPANISH I STD	36	36	100.00%
SPANISH II ACC	61	61	100.00%
SPANISH II STD	69	69	100.00%
SPANISH III ACC	71	71	100.00%
SPANISH III STD	70	69	98.57%
SPANISH IV HON	46	46	100.00%
SPANISH IV ACC	34	34	100.00%
SPANISH IV HS ACC	1	1	100.00%
SPANISH IV HS STD	6	4	66.67%
AP SPAN LANG	17	17	100.00%
SPANISH V HON	6	6	100.00%
LATIN I ACC	27	26	96.30%
LATIN II ACC	18	18	100.00%
BAND HON	9	9	100.00%
BAND ACC	16	16	100.00%
BAND ACC MINOR	4	4	100.00%
CHORUS HON	13	13	100.00%
CHORUS ACC	24	24	100.00%
CHORUS ACC MINOR	6	6	100.00%
MUSIC THEORY STD	7	7	100.00%
BEG ACOUSTIC GUITR	20	18	90.00%
BEG PIANO STD	12	11	91.67%
MUSIC TECH ACC	14	10	71.43%
IND STUDY MUSIC	4	4	100.00%
BASIC ART STD	73	72	98.63%
FINE ARTS ACC	14	14	100.00%
ADV FINE ARTS ACC	13	13	100.00%
PAINTING I ACC	21	16	76.19%
CERAMICS I STD	92	88	95.65%
CERAMICS II STD	19	12	63.16%
GRAPHIC DES ACC	35	32	91.43%
PORTFOLIO ACC	4	3	75.00%
PHOTOGRAPHY STD	85	59	69.41%
WOOD TECH I STD	73	72	98.63%
WOOD TECH II STD	38	36	94.74%
ADV WOOD TECH	11	11	100.00%
VIDEO TECH I STD	35	35	100.00%
VIDEO TECH II ACC	8	8	100.00%
COMP DRAF/DESIGN	12	12	100.00%
INTRO WELLNESS-H	211	203	96.21%
INTRO WELLNESS-PE	217	213	98.16%
IPEC 10	191	164	85.86%
PERS HEALTH WELL	250	244	97.60%
TEAM/INDIVID SPORT	80	79	98.75%
AEROBICS/CARDIO	20	20	100.00%
FITNESS FOR LIFE	38	38	100.00%

2. # of preps: With only a couple of exceptions - which typically occur because of specific singletons - we really didn't want anyone to have four (or more) preps.

3. Class sizes: Class size will fluctuate as some moves happen with electives (and core courses), but we are cognizant of balance in terms of class size.

I'm happy to show some of the more inner workings of the schedule should anyone be interested - there have been a couple of suggestions that were explored this week to see if they made anything better. Some times those suggestions work, sometimes they don't - but they are all considered, typically.

Senior Week

Next week, we have a number of events that will take place both during the day and in the evening. The boat cruise sets off for Boston on Tuesday at 4, arriving home around 11, and then Wednesday brings with it graduation rehearsal and the Awards Night. On Thursday, the students and a few staff members will venture to the Vineyard, and then Friday is Class Day.

For those of you attending graduation, please plan to be here by 1:30; the procession will set off on time at 2:00. As for seating arrangements at graduation, I have been plugging folks in as they have RSVP'd without any real attention to who is sitting next to whom, or in what row. If you have a preference, are arriving with someone, etc. - let me know.

This week, thanks to all who got grades finalized early and got obligations sent in to allow us to notify families. If parents or students reach out to you, or return something to you directly, please make sure you let Officer Grimes know!

Summer Reading

We have just about finalized summer reading. A link to the summer reading site can be found here, and you can direct students both to that list and to Barnes & Noble in Bellingham, which has been apprized of our list and is updating its shelves to have these in stock. 

Some news:

Congratulations to Mr. Petrarca's students, who competed at the International Economic Summit and Stock Market Game against more than 700 schools nationwide! Coverage can be seen here.

Finally, Hawaiian Shirt Friday - Schoolwide for Mr. Nelson. Thanks to all who participated - by actually donning the colorful garb or just by stopping up to say hello! As a wise man says, it takes the same amount of effort to be nice.

Weekly News & Notes

It has been a few weeks since the Weekly News came out. First we had the week of vacation, and then I unfortunately wasn't here for a couple days. But I'd like to get back in the swing of keeping people in the proverbial loop though some weekly notices, which hopefully have some purpose in terms of letting you know what's happening!

Senior Exams and Class Elections

During the week of May 27, we will have a different period schedule due to senior exams and class elections. The schedule was posted to the conference some weeks ago and will be re-posted; also, the schedule for class elections will be that week.

• Current Freshman class (upcoming Sophomores) will be held on May 28th- A period
• Current Sophomore class (upcoming Juniors) will be held on May 28th- G period
• Current Junior class (upcoming Seniors) will be held on May 29th- E period
• The speeches for Student Government positions will run concurrent with each class’s speeches, however, voting will occur from 7:30-12:35 on May 30th.

The goal will be to have the speeches done within a half hour to allow class time. Keep in mind that the rising seniors will also have a presentation regarding Lifetouch.

For senior exams, we hope that grades will be posted quickly to allow us to intervene in places where students need additional support, summer classes, etc. For those of you teaching AP classes, if you could have the grades posted before exams start, it would make our identifying of graduation and Class Day speakers much easier!

Senior Week

Senior Week will be busy, to say the least.The science MCAS is Monday and Tuesday, a schedule to which also appears here. There will be graduation rehearsal on June 4, Class Day on June 6, and nightly events for the seniors. Your presence at any and all events, and the support and visibility of the staff at graduation on June 8, are all appreciated.

Thanks to those who participated in the graduation poll. No changes - though the request of many people to present the faculty in ceremonial cap and gown, which the school would have to fund/coordinate, is a great thought and something we will think about into next year.

We hope to have as many senior obligations collected as possible before Class Day; again, if you know of them, please start taking a log down so we can help. To that end, we will allow seniors some time on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to clean out lockers before/during the first few minutes of the day.


Two MCAS Down!

Thanks to all the proctors, teachers who moved, teachers who adjusted, and teachers who prepped students (you know, all of you) on the days of MCAS. They are hectic and scattered, but they went off mostly seamlessly.

Similarly, the coordination of all the AP tests, and the preparation of the students, was palpable in speaking with them. Regardless of the results, it was obvious that you all worked tireless to prepare them and put students in a good position to perform on test day.


Scheduling

Schedules have been turned to guidance for review, so counselors are looking at fixing student schedules, making adjustments to levels for rising eighth graders, and looking at places where some tweaks need to be made. That said, our hope is to give staff their teaching assignments (what classes, not necessarily what schedule) sometime in the next two weeks.

Where things have been in terms of the schedule so far:

1. Number of sections for each course have been identified.
2. What courses will or will not run based on staffing have been identified.
3. Where co-taught and support sections fall in the schedule.
4. Common planning periods, with some hope that those can be frozen.

What still needs to happen:

1. Some hiring. It could impact some sections here and there based on the staff.
2. Grade 8 level confirmations.
3. Students adding Elective course based on total credits.
4. Adjustments based on pass/fail for this year.
5. Finalizing co-taught section rosters.

Again, once we have the green light, which should be soon, teacher sections will be distributed, after which people can start the process of planning for next year in June of this year. I know, not the best way to spend June, but at least it's a start!


"The Binders"

Finally, for those of you who were taking the time this year to construct binders, finalize their SMART goal work, share their practices, and provide the massive quantity of information in support of the great things you have all done - wow. Sifting through the lessons, samples of student work, feedback to students, collaboration, PLC logs, outreach to parents, connections to peers, evidence of lessons - there have been so many great things that so many have done this year. We hope that the binders serve as some sense of validation for many of you, because it is clear how hard we are working... both to compile and to read them. Hopefully, with each year, the process will become less nebulous and easier to navigate.

Weekly News & Notes

Finally, spring has sprung.

I had a great video clip from Robin Williams about spring ("it's nature's way of saying, 'let's party'"), but the language was a little salty, so I left it off. You can find it on YouTube from his "Robin Williams: Live at the Met" routine. Trust me - it's funny.

As we prepare for the next few weeks - including the build-up to April vacation, there will be a great deal of activity, with the end of third quarter upon us and the final push in our many AP classes.

Here's a look at the calendar of what's happening for the next few weeks:

April 5:  Ring Dance
April 8:  Faculty meeting
mid-April: Evaluation evidence due
April 18: No School
April 21-25: Spring Vacation

AP Exam Dates:

Week 1

Test Date	Morning (8 AM)	Afternoon (12 PM)
Monday May 5	AP Chemistry	AP Psychology
Tuesday May 6	AP Spanish Language and Culture	AP Art History
Wednesday May 7	AP Calculus AB                 AP Calculus BC
Thursday May 8	AP English Literature and                                  Composition
Friday May 9	AP English Language and                            Composition	AP Statistics

Monday May 12	AP Biology	AP Physics B
Tuesday May 13	AP United States Government and Politics	AP French Language and Culture
Wednesday May 14	AP United States History	AP European History
Thursday May 15	AP Macroeconomics	AP Microeconomics

MCAS Dates:

May 13-14                MCAS Math Tests

We have been explicit with seniors that they are still required to attend class after the AP exams. Their last full day of classes is scheduled to be May 23, with exams following the week after.

You may have also heard a lot about PARCC testing. The good news for the high school is that we are done with the pilot - and have been since early last week.

Senior Week Calendar

Seniors will inevitably start asking about their requirements in classes. After third quarter grades close, we will be able to publish the exam exemption list. Students with a grade higher than 87 are exempt from taking the final exam.

Senior exams are scheduled to be administered May 27-30. Senior week will begin on June 2.

Instructions as to Senior obligations and collection of those materials will be forthcoming

The senior week calendar, and other information, can be seen here.

Scheduling Update

We are hoping to know what the budget situation looks like for next year, as well as the grade 8 selections, which will enable us to plan more thoughtfully around staffing and courses. We are closer to identifying the classes that are and are not running, and trying to plan thoughtfully around preps, period sequences, and common planning.

Special Olympics at Medway!

Many, many kudos to our many student volunteers who made the Special Olympics event at Medway Middle School this week. Speaking to many of them after the event, they indicated how exciting, rewarding, and exhausting the event was. It was truly spectacular to see so many participants, their proud families and teachers, and our students supporting the effort.

More than one person came to me to say, "The high school kids were awesome." We already know that about them, but if you see a student who was on the list forwarded by Ms. Brown, please let them know how much their energy meant to the successful and smooth running of the event.


Some resources:

This is for students, but with AP testing coming, a piece about test anxiety seemed fitting. This was sent by the College Board this week. 

And because we all need to laugh, and as a special thanks for those of you who this far in the notes, enjoy this one: http://happyplace.someecards.com/30182/teachers-lounge-full-of-memes-that-express-teacher-feelings