Week at a Glance
Marian Central Catholic High School Faculty Newsletter
October 7, 2018
Another busy, but productive week in the books!
Tuesday's late start provided our staff with a glimpse of what our upcoming EdCamp session will be like on Tuesday, Oct. 9. The remainder of the time allowed for PLCs to work on the alignment of their curriculum. Please remember that if your team needs assistance or questions about the process, Mrs. Loy and I will be happy to assist.
This week was especially exciting as we welcomed Deacon Art Miller to our school. The Deanery middle school students were absolutely enthralled with his presentation on Tuesday afternoon. As they were loading the bus to go back to their schools there were high-fives, handshakes and hugs! As we all know, the energy didn't stop there. Wednesday's assembly got students and faculty involved as Deacon talked about standing up against things we know are wrong, that we all have value, and that God wants us to participate in His miracles. Several parents also attended our Conversations that Matter series that evening, which ultimately provides our students with a support system that includes parents, teachers, and peers. In his book Tools & Fuels, author Jonathon E. Doyle shares, "What we think a person is will determine what we do and how we treat them." We have to break down those barriers to realize that each and every person is valued and that we, as Staffulty need to model this behavior in every relationship we have, both in and out of school. Our behaviors speak volumes to our students.
We were also fortunate to listen to newly ordained Deacon Mike Pipitone share his homily on St. Francis of Assisi during our all school mass on Thursday. We, as a school, are very fortunate to now have a "resident" Deacon at our school! Blessings to Deacon Pipitone as he lives out his vocation.
I want to continue to thank teachers for their graciousness as I step in to engage with the students and their learning. I was lucky enough to take a government quiz (didn't do that well being that I didn't study!), see students working on solving multi-step inequalities, and making connections between a novel and what effects economic disparity has on a person's quality of life and decision-making. Both Mrs. Loy and I will be starting to schedule formal evaluations soon, so thank you ahead of time for working with us to make sure that the process is successful and benefits you as a teacher as well as, and ultimately, the successes of our students.
Looking ahead...
Welcome to one of the shortest weeks of the school year! (at least for our students!)
EdCamp
We hope you enjoy your day off for Columbus Day this Monday... and Tuesday you're geared up for a great EdCamp Technology inservice! Our very own Educational Specialist, Ms. Gallagher has been working hard to develop an engaging selection of sessions that will provide you with more insight into the wide variety of technological tools available to educators that will make your class more engaging and productive.
Please review the agenda for the day. We will begin in the cafeteria with a light breakfast beginning at 7:30 am followed by a brief discussion of where our school is headed with regards to tech. Afterwards you will be released to your first workshop of the day. There will be two sessions in the morning, followed by lunch provided by the wonderful Marian cafeteria staff, and then a third session after lunch. Once we've filled your heads with a bunch of great ideas, we will be sending you to your rooms where you can work individually, with your teams or cross-curricular peers as you see how all these new ideas might fit into what your plans may be moving forward. Ms. Gallagher and the other presenters will certainly be available during this "playtime" to answer questions and support you however they can.Get ready for great presentations and great ideas emerging!
Student Testing Day
Wednesday is testing day for Marian. (Lucky for seniors, they get another day off to check out some colleges!) All full time staff are expected to assist in the proctoring and supervision of students (9th - 11th graders) as they take the Pre-ACT (9th & 10th) or PSAT (11th). You should have already received the schedule, but if you did not, please click here. All teachers must report to Guidance and pick up their materials no later than 7:30 am that day. You should have also already received the test overview so that you had a chance to peruse it prior to the day of the test so you are well aware of the directions. Please remember that the freshmen & sophomores (downstairs) will be done with their test earlier than the juniors (upstairs) so make sure they know that they are NOT allowed to go upstairs for anything while the juniors are still testing. Bussing will be available just like a normal noon dismissal.
Upcoming Q1 Exams
Although the rest of the week is relatively peaceful, we are very close to quarter 1 exams, so some form of a study guide should be provided to all students a week prior to their exam. In addition, in order for students and their parents to be completely clear of where the student's grade stands, please make sure...
1) the grades are completely up to date in Rediker and all papers/feedback have been given back to students to utilize in preparation for exams, and
2) if you have any students who are standing on a D or F going into exams, you need to communicate with the parents through either a call or email.
Please review the 2018-19 Exam Procedures to ensure that you are aware of the procedures and expectations. Copies of all Quarter exams & study guides are to be submitted to your department head, Ms. Novy, and Chris Taylor (for Academic Resource students) no later than Thursday, October 11. You can submit them electronically, provide a link, or provide a hard copy. Additionally, you may begin signing up for grade submission meetings here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Novy.
Have a wonderful week!
THANK YOU, DEACON MILLER!
AdvancED - Timely participation is requested!
• Clear Direction • Healthy Culture • High Expectations • Impact of Instruction • Resource Management • Efficacy of Engagement • Implementation Capacity
Data collected through these quality factors will allow our school to focus in on what areas we need to continue to improve on in order to achieve and maintain excellence.
Administration is requesting that each member of our Staffulty participate in assessing these factors. Our Marian SIP team decided that asking you to participate in these assessments, one at a time, would allow you to provide thoughtful responses without taking too much time. Each week I will be giving you a new survey, including a description of what it is assessing.
SQF#1: Clear Direction - the capacity to define and clearly communicate to stakeholders the direction, mission, and goals that the institution is committed to achieving.
Please click here to complete this week's survey.
**We are asking that you please complete this brief assessment, answering honestly, no later than Friday, Oct. 12. Thank you.
Catechist Certification Opportunities
**Reminder: This past Wednesday's all school assembly with Deacon Art Miller will qualify for one elective hour towards your catechist renewal. A reflection form was placed in your mailboxes for your convenience. Once completed, please place it in Father Twenty's mailbox to receive credit.
St, Joseph, Elgin,
- Level II Saturday, December 1, 2018; 9am - 1:30pm
St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Algonquin Saturday, November 10, 2018: Level I Classes
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Please refer to the 18-19 Technology Guide for most of the information needed for log-ins, Wi-Fi, printers, saving files, and more!
2018-2019 MCCHS SMART Goal: Technology: Curriculum Integration
2018-2020 MCCHS Technology: Professional Development SMART Goal
October 9th All Day Inservice
Check out the great workshop options for this coming Tuesday's EdCamp! Thanks to several teachers on our staff for volunteering their time to present to our Staffulty!
Please make sure that you fill out the session selection form that Ms. Gallagher emailed you Friday in order to "sign up" for the sessions you are considering attending.
Professional Development Opportunities
Reading & Writing Seminars & Podcasts
NCEA Webinars... NEW, including...
- Moving Assessment Online
- The Value of Classical Literature Throughout the Curriculum
- Improve Learning by Improving Teaching
- Keeping Struggling Readers in Catholic Schools
... and more!
Barnes and Noble Program
If you didn't already know, educators receive a discount at stores. You can register online (now without an ID card) and they also receive 20% off items for their classroom. Use the link to find out more and sign up. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-educators
This Week's Schedule
As you work through your plans this week, please note these events. For a more detailed list, check out our school calendar, 8to18 Athletics Calendar or Clubs/Organizations Page
>>> If you sponsor a club or organization and would like to have your events listed here, please provide Ms. Novy with your calendar.
Monday, Oct. 8, 2018
NO SCHOOL: COLUMBUS DAY
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018
TEACHER INSERVICE; NO STUDENTS
7:30 am ~ Light Breakfast, Cafeteria
7:45 am ~ Brief Discussion & Overview of EdCamp
8:30 am ~ Session 1
10:00 am ~ Session 2
11:30 am ~ Lunch, Cafeteria
12:15 pm ~ Session 3
1:45 pm ~ "Playtime"
3:00 pm ~ Dismiss
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2018
TESTING DAY (9th, 10th, 11th graders)
7:00 - 7:30 am ~ Pick up testing material in Guidance
8:05 am ~ PSAT (1th) or Pre-ACT (9th & 10th)
12:00 pm ~ Dismissal
12:30 pm ~ Fall Production Lighting, Auditorium
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018
7:00 am ~ Mustard Seed Committee, rm 210
7:45 am ~ Daily Mass, Chapel
Lunches ~ Adoration, Chapel
2:30 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Friends of Rachel Club, Cafeteria
3:00 pm ~ Fall Production Rehearsal
Friday, Oct. 12, 2018
Spirit Dress Down Day
Publications Field Trip
7:30 am ~ NHS Meeting, Auditorium
7:45 am ~ Daily Mass, Chapel
Lunches ~ US Marines visiting
2:30 pm ~ Confessions, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Fall Production Rehearsal
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018
9:30 am ~ Fall Production Lighting, Auditorium
7:00 pm ~ NHS Inductions, AUditorium