Friday Memo
January 12, 2023
Important Dates
January 16 - MLK Day, No School
January 17 & 18 - 6th & 7th grade course requests entered
January 19 - Mayes OOTB all day for DLT + Principal planning; rising 9th graders' course requests due; High School Counselors to visit Hixson; PTO meeting at 6pm
January 20 - Grades & Team/Department newsletter updates due
January 23 - Late Start Day
January 26 - Vogt OOTB for to work on 23-24 master schedule
January 26 & 27 - NWEA Test
February 1 - 7 Integrity to Junior Achievement
February 2 - 7 Bravery to Junior Achievement
February 3 - 7 Unity to Junior Achievement; GFA Field Trip; Grades & Newsletter updates due
February 13 - Late Start Day
February 16 - Vogt OOTB for to work on 23-24 master schedule
February 24 - Vogt OOTB; GFA Field Trip
Instructional Focus - Formative Assessment
Follow up to Monday's Faculty Meeting
- Hixson has a history of significant disparities in academic achievement for African American students, students with IEPs, and students who receive free or reduced lunch.
- Each of the aforementioned disparities range from approximately 70% - 80% of students in these groups scoring basic or below basic on the math and ELA MAP test. Similar disparities exist in NWEA and attendance data.
- Significant disparities in academic achievement signals the need to improve tier 1 instruction (instruction that every student in the building receives).
Where do we go from here?
- We will engage in professional development to help us improve tier 1 instruction in every content area now and in the future. Our daily focus must be on student learning outcomes. Required professional development in this area is coming for the 23-24 school year, and there may also be some optional opportunities as well during this semester
- We will engage in social justice and equity professional development to help us better serve the diverse needs of our students. Required professional development in this area is coming for the 23-24 school year, and there may also be some optional opportunities as well during this semester.
- Every year, we will create and monitor building wide goals for academic achievement, particularly for students who have RIT scores below the national average AND are not meeting their projected growth. Teachers will be expected to contribute measurable action steps for these goals. I will be reaching out to different departments directly regarding these action steps. I have already contacted ELA, Math, and Counseling. Science, Social Studies, STEM, and Library are up next.
- We will take steps to familiarize our students with the MAP test. More on this to come.
- Administrators will work on providing better feedback to teachers on classroom instruction and increasing classroom visits, when feasible.
- We will consider changes to our daily schedule to ensure that our school day is structured in a way that maximizes student learning outcomes. Any changes to our daily schedule will be decided by the end of 1st semester of the 23-24 school year to be implemented in the 24-25 school year.
Side notes:
- The admin/counselor team met this morning. Our counselors shared data about the most frequent reasons why students request to see a counselor. That data has been added to the presentation from Monday's faculty meeting (slide 30). When you view the slide, you will see that the #1 reason why students request to see their counselor is for stress/anxiety. The #2 reason is for academics, and the #3 reason is for friendship issues.
- I have also added attendance data into the presentation. The same disparities that are represented in our academic data are represented in our attendance data.
We have the instructional power and talent within our staff to address these disparities and improve academic achievement for all students! Should you have any questions about any of this information, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Feedback from a Parent
As we work to continuously improve the culture and climate at Hixson, I wanted to share an email that was received by a Hixson staff member that might serve as a good reminder for us all to make sure that we "see" all of our students. The email has been shortened and redacted in order to eliminate language that may identify the student or parent.
My child is extremely quiet and shy and doesn't like to call attention to herself. I'm thinking that because she's a quiet, cooperative rule-follower with good grades, she is often part of the "invisible middle." And there have been other stories this year where she has indicated that she was "passed over" or a teacher didn't even "see her." I know she clearly does not want to be the front and center of attention, but an occasional nod or aside indicating some recognition would likely be welcome.
I have two other children with special needs, so I am fully aware that there are many kids that are in need of all kinds of support. Kids like her could occasionally use some added opportunities, recognition, encouragement, etc., it could go a VERY LONG WAY in helping to improve their learning and attitude toward school.
6th grade Math and Science Positions
NWEA - January 26 & 27, 2023
Since our second NWEA testing window is quickly approaching (January 26 & 27), I wanted to share some wording with you again about how to talk about the importance of the test with students. It is extremely important that we are talking about the test with students in a positive way that helps them understand its purpose.
"The NWEA test is important because it helps us determine what you are doing really well, and what additional academic support you need to be successful. As a staff, we look at the results from the test and decide how we are going to support you. This is why we ask you to do your very best on the test. If you rush through it or don't do your best, then we could end up trying to help you with something that you already know how to do. We realize that the test takes a lot of time and that some parts of it may be hard for you, but we definitely appreciate you doing your best and showing what you know! The NWEA test helps us better serve you."
Morning, Hallway, and Lunch Supervision
Staff Input for 23-24 SY
Reminder about Field Trip Procedures
Chromebook Collection
We will begin the collection of the Chromebooks on May 11th and will finish up collections by May 19th. Below is the schedule for collection. This year's collection will take place during ELA classes. More detailed information will be rolled out closer to the time of collection. We wanted to share this information with you now so you can make plans for the second semester.
If you have a need for Chromebooks in your class after collection has begun please submit a technology request well before the month of May so Jason Heisel can plan accordingly. The request should have a minimum and max need.
Example: Need at least 3 Chromebooks and would love to have 15 Chromebooks available for the following dates: May 12-May 15th to allow learners to finish up submitting late work
Please keep in mind that a team of people worked to create this schedule based on feedback from last year and this year as well as working around major events that are on the calendar and testing schedules.
If you have any questions please let Jason P. Heisel, our building technology specialist, know via email.
Preparing Your Classroom for Summer Break & Summer School Classroom Use
- Please clear your teacher desk of everything, including drawers and surfaces.
- Remove all personal belongings from the classroom.
- Mark all things that are trash with a noticeable, legible sign.
- If your classroom has a tile floor, then the bookshelves have to be emptied. We will have boxes available. Please be mindful of how heavy you make the boxes. The saran wrap idea at the end of last year didn't work as well as I thought it would.
- We will be using the 6th grade wing for summer school.
Please don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.
Hixson Middle School
Email: mayes.shenita@wgmail.org
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Hixson
Location: 630 South Elm Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6450