Monday Memo Week of April 17th, 2017
Morning Announcement and Pledge Schedule this week:
Week of 4-17: Dr. Roddy
A warm Hixson welcome to our new principal, Dr. Grace Lee!! Dr. Lee and I have already started transition work this week. Grace and I will be coming to your classrooms on Monday afternoon. Dr. Lee is fantastic, warm, and excited to be at Hixson! I am confident you will easily be able to make her part of the Hixson Family!!
INNOVATION HOUR UPDATE:
The
collaborative discussed that to best support the work of our kids and
facilitators we will use half of the day on the last day of school to share their
learning experiences within their umbrella group and the later half will be
spent with team.
The
rationale for the change: Several teams had requested time with their kids on
the last day of school as well as the
kids have not had enough time/structure this year to design a comprehensive
reflection of their learning. Much of the remainder of the time from this year
would have to be focused on creating a “product” instead of allowing them to
continue to learn within their interest. Keeping the kids within their Umbrella
topic would allow the kids to learn more about the different facets of their
overall interest and allow groups to design an experience unique to their
content area on a smaller more manageable scale.
The team time will entirely
autonomous, just share with the administration your plans before that day.
SUPERVISION:
Please be diligent about hallway supervision and student passing, especially during MAP so our halls stay quiet. Remember to reiterate to students that groups are always testing at some point this month and we need to respect their space.
Chromebooks will be collected in May, the first week. Please refer to Mr. Heisel's email for more information.
TEACHER INTERVIEW INFORMATION:
Saturday, April 15th: screenings conducted- Dr.
Smith and Dr. Vogt
Tuesday, April 18th: screenings conducted- Dr.
Smith and Dr. Vogt continue for science and begin for Social Studies
Thursday, April 20th: (starting at 12:30ish)
Panel interview at Hixson. Panel will include students, parent rep, Dr.
Smith, Dr. Vogt, Dr. Lee (new principal), department representation, and team
representation
Friday, April 21st: Candidates moving forward
from Thursday will teach a mini lesson to a group of students, which we will
videotape for analysis and review.
Monday, April 24th: Board Meeting for hiring of
our science positions
Beginning the week of the 24th we will shift
focus to our Social Studies and part time orchestra positions in time for the
next Board meeting. Dr. Lee will be participating in all panel
interviews, lesson reviews, and selection process
If you would like to submit a question for the panel
interview, please email it to me with the subject line INTERVIEW
QUESTION. Thank you, we look forward to collaborating with you throughout
this process.
HIXSON MAP TESTING SCHEDULE:
Monoceros-April 17-21 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Afternoon)
Sequoia & Willow-April 17 & 18 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Morning)
Oak & Hickory-April 19 & 20 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Morning)
***In addition those students in Algebra will be taking the EOC on April 25 or 26. Thanks.
Staff: If you did not receive an orange “Bullying sign” to post in your classroom, please pick one up from Mrs. Edwards’ desk! Thanks! These are to be posted in all classrooms.
Monday:
Hixson Admin Meeting
Dr. Smith in classrooms
Afternoon: Dr. Smith off campus
Tuesday:
9:15 Intruder drill
Dr. Smith and Dr. Vogt- screening interviews- part science and start of SS
6:30- 7th grade band concert
Wednesday: Dr. Smith out of building
*Teacher-principal advisory meeting cancelled in person. Advisory team: please email me the concerns and I will address in writing to staff after looking into them. Thank you!
6:30- 8th grade band concert
Thursday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. TAYLOR woot! woot! Happy Birthday to our pal Katherine Alexander too
library (PM) ** Panel interviews for science**
Friday: Innovation Hour
Teacher candidates (finalists from panel) teach a lesson (videotaped)
INNOVATION HOUR GRANT APPLICATION:
Thanks to the Hixson PTO and the WGSD Foundation, we have some funding to go to IH learning. If some money could assist your IH students in their exploration, please fill out the form (by using the link above) in order for us to evaluate needs and allocations. Please have this application completed by Monday, April 10th for consideration. Thank you!*As an alternative, your students may also request funding from this money using the application you already have had for innovation hour. Please see Mr. Heisel with questions. I need to know what are needs are for the remainder of the year. Thanks!
PTO Spring Grant Applications: Please submit by Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 :)
PLEASE MAKE TECH AWARE OF COPIER ISSUES:
Please contact the tech center for any problems or paper needs for the copier. Jason Heisel is available through Google Hangouts anytime as well.
LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL:
-
Wednesday, May 24th both 7th and 8th grade students will go to Six Flags for the end of year trip
-
Thursday, May 25th is a half-day. This day will be utilized for students to present on their innovation hour explorations and activities.
PTAC (Principal-teacher advisory council):
Our last meeting was Wednesday, March 29th. Here are concerns which were addressed at our last meeting and responses: The group will email issues to me this month, please have your concerns to them by April 19th.
March concerns and responses
Issue brought:
Response:
8th grade celebration ??? What is happening
Meeting and decisions made tonight
the planning committee for the 8th Grade Send-Off (formally known as 8th Grade Recognition) decided that instead of a ceremony, we will celebrate with a party for the 8th graders.
This party will be on May 12th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Please check your calendars and consider helping with chaperoning, if your schedule allows.
IH- not during MAP
Innovation Hour- parent concerns on Facebook
Some say waste of time, some its great. Community invitation to IH this Friday.
Will not affect MAP
Continue to have each student or group complete the Google slides reflection that was sent out to you all last week. Even if this is the only thing students have, it is enough to share with others on the day in May- they will have their talking points and examples to share.
UPDATE from collaborative will be shared
The IH collaborative is meeting to discuss and finalize the plans for the IH sharing day in May
The collaborative will discuss in the meeting. I want every student to be prepared to be able to share, at minimum, the information we are asking them for in the Google slides reflection
We recognize the critical nature of this day in May. Students will all have information about their journey and examples in place to share at the end. I believe as we communicate to our kids, they will understand this semester helped us to work out kinks and identify areas for reinforcement. In fact, I think being true to our IH vision, our students can contribute to making 17-18 IH as effective and meaningful as possible!!
Understood. We will ensure a structured plan is in place
Is IH meaning one thing to teachers and one thing to students??? Explaining to both sides.
Collaborative can address for the future of IH moving forward
Christy’s schedule will work with a gallery walk style
YAY! Many thanks to Christy for the time and effort you have put into this!
Presentation for IH optional this year? Value of IH for the students who don’t present?
The collaborative will discuss in the meeting. I want every student to be prepared to be able to share, at minimum, the information we are asking them for in the Google slides reflection. I do not like the message an “option to reflect and share” presents.
We didn't launch in August IH because we aren't ready- it is okay to not be ready for culminating projects… Here is one more HUGE thing for teacher’s plates. More should be about informal and optional
Jason and I worked on the Google reflection template and video to take planning and stress of teachers’ plates regarding the share-out activity. If each student (or group) has completed the info and examples in the slide, they will ALL have ample material to present their journey and share with others
ASA
Teachers, please remember to continue to walk your after school activity students out to the main entrance after ASA has ended. Thank you for keeping up with this, it is having a huge impact on student supervision.
Morning Announcement and Pledge Schedule this week:
Week of 4-17: Dr. Roddy
A warm Hixson welcome to our new principal, Dr. Grace Lee!! Dr. Lee and I have already started transition work this week. Grace and I will be coming to your classrooms on Monday afternoon. Dr. Lee is fantastic, warm, and excited to be at Hixson! I am confident you will easily be able to make her part of the Hixson Family!!
INNOVATION HOUR UPDATE:
SUPERVISION:
Please be diligent about hallway supervision and student passing, especially during MAP so our halls stay quiet. Remember to reiterate to students that groups are always testing at some point this month and we need to respect their space.
The
collaborative discussed that to best support the work of our kids and
facilitators we will use half of the day on the last day of school to share their
learning experiences within their umbrella group and the later half will be
spent with team.
The
rationale for the change: Several teams had requested time with their kids on
the last day of school as well as the
kids have not had enough time/structure this year to design a comprehensive
reflection of their learning. Much of the remainder of the time from this year
would have to be focused on creating a “product” instead of allowing them to
continue to learn within their interest. Keeping the kids within their Umbrella
topic would allow the kids to learn more about the different facets of their
overall interest and allow groups to design an experience unique to their
content area on a smaller more manageable scale.
The team time will entirely
autonomous, just share with the administration your plans before that day.
Chromebooks will be collected in May, the first week. Please refer to Mr. Heisel's email for more information.
TEACHER INTERVIEW INFORMATION:
Saturday, April 15th: screenings conducted- Dr.
Smith and Dr. Vogt
Tuesday, April 18th: screenings conducted- Dr.
Smith and Dr. Vogt continue for science and begin for Social Studies
Thursday, April 20th: (starting at 12:30ish)
Panel interview at Hixson. Panel will include students, parent rep, Dr.
Smith, Dr. Vogt, Dr. Lee (new principal), department representation, and team
representation
Friday, April 21st: Candidates moving forward
from Thursday will teach a mini lesson to a group of students, which we will
videotape for analysis and review.
Candidate name recommendations for our science position to
Dr. Wiley
Monday, April 24th: Board Meeting for hiring of
our science positions
Beginning the week of the 24th we will shift
focus to our Social Studies and part time orchestra positions in time for the
next Board meeting. Dr. Lee will be participating in all panel
interviews, lesson reviews, and selection process
If you would like to submit a question for the panel
interview, please email it to me with the subject line INTERVIEW
QUESTION. Thank you, we look forward to collaborating with you throughout
this process.
HIXSON MAP TESTING SCHEDULE:
Monoceros-April 17-21 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Afternoon)
Sequoia & Willow-April 17 & 18 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Morning)
Oak & Hickory-April 19 & 20 (Regular Schedule, Testing in the Morning)
***In addition those students in Algebra will be taking the EOC on April 25 or 26. Thanks.
Staff: If you did not receive an orange “Bullying sign” to post in your classroom, please pick one up from Mrs. Edwards’ desk! Thanks! These are to be posted in all classrooms.
Monday:
Hixson Admin Meeting
Dr. Smith in classrooms
Afternoon: Dr. Smith off campus
Tuesday:
9:15 Intruder drill
Dr. Smith and Dr. Vogt- screening interviews- part science and start of SS
6:30- 7th grade band concert
6:30- 7th grade band concert
Wednesday: Dr. Smith out of building
*Teacher-principal advisory meeting cancelled in person. Advisory team: please email me the concerns and I will address in writing to staff after looking into them. Thank you!
6:30- 8th grade band concert
*Teacher-principal advisory meeting cancelled in person. Advisory team: please email me the concerns and I will address in writing to staff after looking into them. Thank you!
6:30- 8th grade band concert
Thursday: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MR. TAYLOR woot! woot! Happy Birthday to our pal Katherine Alexander too
library (PM) ** Panel interviews for science**
Friday: Innovation Hour
Teacher candidates (finalists from panel) teach a lesson (videotaped)
Teacher candidates (finalists from panel) teach a lesson (videotaped)
INNOVATION HOUR GRANT APPLICATION:
Thanks to the Hixson PTO and the WGSD Foundation, we have some funding to go to IH learning. If some money could assist your IH students in their exploration, please fill out the form (by using the link above) in order for us to evaluate needs and allocations. Please have this application completed by Monday, April 10th for consideration. Thank you!*As an alternative, your students may also request funding from this money using the application you already have had for innovation hour. Please see Mr. Heisel with questions. I need to know what are needs are for the remainder of the year. Thanks!
PTO Spring Grant Applications: Please submit by Wednesday, April 19th, 2017 :)
PLEASE MAKE TECH AWARE OF COPIER ISSUES:
Please contact the tech center for any problems or paper needs for the copier. Jason Heisel is available through Google Hangouts anytime as well.
LAST DAYS OF SCHOOL:
- Wednesday, May 24th both 7th and 8th grade students will go to Six Flags for the end of year trip
- Thursday, May 25th is a half-day. This day will be utilized for students to present on their innovation hour explorations and activities.
Our last meeting was Wednesday, March 29th. Here are concerns which were addressed at our last meeting and responses: The group will email issues to me this month, please have your concerns to them by April 19th.
March concerns and responses
Issue brought:
|
Response:
|
8th grade celebration ??? What is happening
|
Meeting and decisions made tonight
the planning committee for the 8th Grade Send-Off (formally known as 8th Grade Recognition) decided that instead of a ceremony, we will celebrate with a party for the 8th graders.
This party will be on May 12th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Please check your calendars and consider helping with chaperoning, if your schedule allows.
|
IH- not during MAP
Innovation Hour- parent concerns on Facebook
Some say waste of time, some its great. Community invitation to IH this Friday.
| Will not affect MAP
Continue to have each student or group complete the Google slides reflection that was sent out to you all last week. Even if this is the only thing students have, it is enough to share with others on the day in May- they will have their talking points and examples to share.
UPDATE from collaborative will be shared
The IH collaborative is meeting to discuss and finalize the plans for the IH sharing day in May
The collaborative will discuss in the meeting. I want every student to be prepared to be able to share, at minimum, the information we are asking them for in the Google slides reflection
We recognize the critical nature of this day in May. Students will all have information about their journey and examples in place to share at the end. I believe as we communicate to our kids, they will understand this semester helped us to work out kinks and identify areas for reinforcement. In fact, I think being true to our IH vision, our students can contribute to making 17-18 IH as effective and meaningful as possible!!
Understood. We will ensure a structured plan is in place
|
Is IH meaning one thing to teachers and one thing to students??? Explaining to both sides.
|
Collaborative can address for the future of IH moving forward
|
Christy’s schedule will work with a gallery walk style
|
YAY! Many thanks to Christy for the time and effort you have put into this!
|
Presentation for IH optional this year? Value of IH for the students who don’t present?
|
The collaborative will discuss in the meeting. I want every student to be prepared to be able to share, at minimum, the information we are asking them for in the Google slides reflection. I do not like the message an “option to reflect and share” presents.
|
We didn't launch in August IH because we aren't ready- it is okay to not be ready for culminating projects… Here is one more HUGE thing for teacher’s plates. More should be about informal and optional
|
Jason and I worked on the Google reflection template and video to take planning and stress of teachers’ plates regarding the share-out activity. If each student (or group) has completed the info and examples in the slide, they will ALL have ample material to present their journey and share with others
|
ASA
Teachers, please remember to continue to walk your after school activity students out to the main entrance after ASA has ended. Thank you for keeping up with this, it is having a huge impact on student supervision.
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