We trust that everyone has gotten somewhat back into the swing of things with this shortened week. We were all certainly tested this week - with continuity in terms of our classes, two days to potentially sleep in followed by three wake-ups, and the struggle of getting back to routine amid all that occurred earlier in the week. We hope that the storm was weathered by all with relative ease and that the clean-ups at your home(s) has gone smoothly.
Please remember to take consistent attendance! We would also ask that all teachers in first period make sure that they report any discrepancies - as we mentioned at the first day meeting several weeks ago, checking attendance helps perform a simple cross-check to ensure that all students we expect in class are there. We appreciate the cooperation!
GRADES CLOSE NEXT FRIDAY
Just a reminder that grades close next Friday, November 9. Report cards are issued on November 19. Please, if you need assistance with posting grades or comments, let someone know!
News on the Teacher Evaluation Process
Okay, so maybe things aren't quite as dire as the cartoon above. But Dr. Dias has started to meet with teachers who are "beginning educators" or non-professional status to review goals and plans for the coming year. Within the next couple of weeks we expect to be able to start having these conversations with teachers who are professional status and on-cycle as well. We hope to work with everyone on ways to streamline the processes and use the tools we have at our disposal, including Atlas Rubicon and PD360, so that we can hit multiple tasks with similar evidence. Thank you for your patience as we work through the process together!
Other News:
The Student Leadership Senate, with a representative leader from each club/activity/grade, will be meeting Tuesday morning in the conference room. The agenda will involve discussions on how organizations can complement one another, work toward similar missions, and combine efforts, as well as target fundraising to avoid overkill.
The Student Council is in the process of developing some plans for senior privileges. More information to follow as that plan comes to fruition.
Field trips: with some class time having been compromised by the storms, we will be reluctant to approve any more field trips for the next few weeks. Our weeks are shortened enough, and there is the short Thanksgiving week coming as well, so please try to plan these events, when necessary, across grade levels, with department chair consultation, and around other schedules.
PD360 Video of the Week: http://www.pd360.com/index.cfm?ContentId=2819 . This video deals with Metacognition, a terrific skill to embed in writing assignments that helps students self-reflect. If you aren't doing it, it is a simple 5-10 point add-on to every assignment. See Mike for any resources on it if you're interested.
Other video: This quickie is a neat little video on brainstorming, a skill we all use from time to time:
Have a great week!
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