Weekly News and Notes

Welcome back!

These three day weeks sometimes feel more difficult than the full five, but we trust that everyone came back rested and rejuvenated for the stretch run for second quarter.

Second semester schedules/duties

With a couple of changes that may still come to pass, the second semester duties and study halls are active on MMS. There are changes from first semester, so not everyone who had lunch, computer, or hall duties are the same. Also, if you notice, all study halls have been assigned to individual teacher classrooms. The directive to students will be to REPORT TO THE ROOM NUMBER THAT IS ON THE SCHEDULE. Hopefully, that clears up some of the lingering issues from the start of the year, as many of the students were cooperative with going to study, and the correct study at that.

Ms. Dolan and I will be working on again revising the library use procedures for students. Hopefully, that will also increase traffic there, as students come to follow our expectations.

Finally, we will make adjustments based on the senior privilege policy. We hope to meet with the seniors briefly the week of the 20th, understanding that compromising class time is not something we really want to do too much of heading into mid-years. That said, it is important for us to deliver the message to them after the next school committee meeting, when we hope the privilege policy will be approved.

With some periods, there is a noticeable drop in the numbers with the seniors not there, which should allow teachers to work out coverages amongst themselves. More specifics on those numbers will be forthcoming.

MIDYEAR EXAMS

This year, mid-year exams are set to begin on the 24th and 25th, continuing until the 29th. Second semester, and new schedules, will start with a DAY 3 on January 30.

There will be a schedule for covering the cafeteria. As with last year, students who do not have an exam, because they are taking a class for which there is no exam or they have study, will not need to be in the building. Thus, they will go to the cafeteria or get picked up. Attendance will be taken in individual classes; there is no homeroom. (This is the same procedure as last year).

To ensure a measure of equity, we have assigned everyone a 30-minute window to assist in the cafeteria, typically paired with at least one and maybe two people. If numbers are small, it could reasonably be a 15-minute duty if shared. That listing will be sent next week.

On the last day, there will be a period for G block and a makeup period. Please let me know if there are any procedural questions.

MCAS

Hard to believe - but soon we will begin the process of scheduling for the sophomore MCAS exam, which will be administered mid-March for ELA. Those of you who teach all or mostly sophomores can expect to be on our list of proctors! While I'm not entirely certain of how this has been done in the past, I will be sending out very specific instructions as March grows closer to ensure the proper, and least disruptive, administration of the test.

Student Teachers!

Medway High School will have two students teachers in the building this spring: Mr. John Mitchell will be working in social studies, and Ms. Reena Bammi will be teaching English. Both are very excited to be here, and I am sure they will learn a great deal from working with this faculty and staff!

Jan. 18 PD

You will be hearing more about our January 18 PD day in the coming weeks. The first part of the day will begin at the Middle School. Most of our staff will be working in small groups, watching lessons being presented by high school content teachers and middle school ELA teachers that intend to unpack and help with the comprehension of the Common Core literacy standards. Groups will be assigned after the large group meeting.

The arts, music, and PE teachers will be working on performance assessments, and there are specific activities/trainings being planned for special education and counseling staffs. More details are on the way!