This and That:
- I don’t think I’m going out on too much a limb by assuming you have been asked at least once about: “How many more snow days before we have to start adding days at the end of the year in June.” Earlier this week Jay sent out an email responding to this question that I hope you were able to read. To paraphrase what Jay communicated, there is not “magic number” per se number of snow days that automatically results in adding days. But, if there were, we are getting close. These are discussions that are starting and each snow day will get us closer to the reality of adding back an instructional day.
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The math leadership meeting on January 13th (next Friday!) from 8:00-11:00 is of special interest to principals and assistants from each and every middle school. Our professional learning focuses on analyzing school-wide trends in math instruction collaboratively and supporting the pilot implementation of Eureka Math. Our essential question is: How does instruction using the materials align to our Core Beliefs and with the Standards for Mathematical Practices? We will rehearse the data-snap protocol and consider how and what data to analyze to evaluate the pilot materials. Later in the process, this learning will position us to determine the support that is needed for successful materials implementation at middle schools.
The location will be at CMS. Please sign-up in PDPlace so we can expect you.
- A common experience that I’ve had as a building leader when coming out of the holiday break and into a new calendar year is the reminder that the experiences of those I worked with vary greatly. Because we are in the “people business” I could not assume that we could simply “pick up where we left off” because we had not shared a common experience the past two weeks – which was plenty of time to throw even the best navigators off course. And I’m talking both students and staff here. I wasn’t always the most thoughtful or effective at providing the vision or roadmap of how to get everyone back on the same page after this break, but am more and more convinced of how important it is to do so. With that in mind, I wanted to share a short article with you that was recently shared with me. Five Leadership Lessons reminded me of the importance of people and how I (we) treat them as a leader. Although none of these are rocket science – likely you have thought about each as a leader before – and yet I found them to be a good reminder and reason to pause and personally reflect. How are you doing with each of these five… and what can I do to support you?
- The end of term dates for the 2017-18 calendar were recently agreed upon so I wanted to pass these along. You likely will need these dates soon when you go to set up your schedule for next year and begin the forecasting process. Here are the quarter/semester dates: 1st Q – 11/3/17; 2nd Q – 2/1/18; 3rd Q – 4/11/18; 4th Q – 6/14/18. Robi, here are your trimester dates: 1st Tri – 12/8/17; 2nd Tri – 3/23/18; 3rd Tri – 6/14/18. Let me know if you’d be interested in knowing the number of dates in each of these grading terms.
Reminders:
- Your nomination for a student to serve on the Student Advisory Team with Shay closes next Monday. If you haven’t already, see the Dec. 16 TRIBE post for additional information and nomination process. This would be a great opportunity for one of your students to share her/his voice and ideas directly with Shay.
- We have an Admin Leadership meeting on Monday at 3:15 in the Board Room.
- Wednesday is the third of our four District SIWs. All math teachers will meet at HDMS beginning at 1:45. Matea sent out an email yesterday with specifics to you and your building math rep (who was asked to share with others in their department). Your ELA teachers are invited to attend a training/discussion on this day as well, beginning at 1:15 with place to be determined. Please review the flyer Alex sent out and encourage any interested teachers to sign up in PD Place.
- Looking ahead a bit, there is no school on Monday, Jan. 16, for MLK Day.