Res Weekly Update #10
The Way to Stay in Touch with All Things Res: 1/22 - 2/1
Principal's Corner
“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." -St. Pope Paul VI
We opened our faculty in-service with the quote above. In this newsletter's spiritual reflection, you will find a short video from St. John Paul II in which he begs us to not be afraid, to open our lives to the joy of Christ. He goes on, in later statements, to encourage us to not be satisfied with mediocrity.
As Catholic school educators, we are called to be witnesses. We are called to be a witness of Christ to our young women, to push them to go further than they think is possible, to strive for excellence, to not be satisfied with mediocrity. As we approach this semester, I ask us to consider our own witness. When someone observes your teaching, what will they really witness? When a young student approaches you with a concern or a question, what will she really witness? When you reflect on what you are doing, where you are going, how you are leading, what do you really witness? Do not be afraid to communicate hopes and expectations to each other and our students. Do not be afraid to hold them, and yourself, accountable to our shared expectations. Do not be afraid to empower these young women in meaningful and authentic ways!
As our most recent ASPIRE data suggests, we are making strides, in general terms, surrounding student learning. However, consider our sub-groups of students who may not be making advances. What are they witnessing everyday? Know of my continued support and best efforts as we strive to help these young women develop their God-given talents!
Until next time,
Dr. P
Weekly Grades & Room Reservations
SDS Semester Setup
As you get your gradebooks setup, please reference the SDS Hyperdoc Bootcamp Presentation for detailed directions on setting up and using SDS. If you have any questions, please contact me. Make sure that under "General Settings", you have either "All Terms" or "Term 2" selected to be able to see your second semester gradebooks.
Concerning entering grades in SDS. Please use the following codes only:
- 0-L = Will deduct the points the assignment was worth from the student's points earned.
- 0-NC= Will assign zero points to the assignment for non-submission.
- A= Given when a student was absent and can still submit work.
- X = Excused: The student was excused from doing the assignment. The student's average will not be affected. Please be aware since the assignment will not be computed as part of the student's grade, her total in the "Points Possible" column will be less than students who did the assignment.
Room Reservations (Especially if your class is going to have food)
For room reservations, a request should be sent via e-mail to Christina Marte at cmarte@reshs.org. Please include the name of the meeting/event and the start and end time. Rooms that may be reserved are:
- Board Room
- Mini Conference Room
- Library (after school)
- Cafeteria
- Little Theater
- Think Tank (food events or collaborative work space room)
If you are having an event in class that requires or allows food/drink, you can now reserve the Think Tank to host your event. When you email Christina Marte to reserve the Think Tank, please indicate if you will be having food in the space. Effective January, 2019, food will no longer be permitted in classrooms; the above mentioned locations, with approval, are the only spaces permitted to have food.
What's Happening at Res This Week?
Week 20 1/22 - 1/25
After enjoying a much deserved three day weekend, we will be back at it with an Activity 2 schedule on Tuesday. The rest of the week follows a pretty basic schedule with Friday's Sophomore Service meeting (Seminar A) being the only scheduled events for the remainder of the week.
Week 21 1/28 - 2/1
Happy Catholic Schools Week! We begin our celebration on Monday with our first Liturgy (please follow the Liturgy schedule) of the new semester. On Tuesday we will follow our Activity 3 schedule and Wednesday will be a Noon dismissal. The week will conclude with our Winter Pep Rally on Friday afternoon. Please see the Pep Rally schedule below:
Pep Rally Schedule & Directions:
Period 1: 8:20 - 9:26 am
Period 3: 9:30 - 10:31 am
Period 5: 10:35 - 11:36
Seminar A/Lunch: 11:40 - 12:10 pm
Seminar B/Lunch: 12:14 - 12:44 pm
Period 7: 12:48 - 1:49 pm
- Period 7 classes will be called down by grade level to the Gym
Fall Pep Rally: 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Daily Breakdown
Monday January 21 - NO SCHOOL, MLK Day
Tuesday January 22 - Red Day
- Activity 2 Schedule
- Class of 2023 Welcome Dinner: 6 pm in the Cafe
Wednesday January 23 - White Day
- ResU/Data Wise: 2 pm in the Library
Thursday January 24 - Red Day
- AP Department Check-In Bi-Monthly Meeting W/ Math: 7:30 am
Friday January 25 - White Day
- Sophomore Service Meeting #3: Seminar A in various locations
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday January 28 - Red Day
- Start of Catholic Schools Week
- Liturgy Schedule
Tuesday January 29 -White Day
Wednesday January 30 - Red Day
- Noon Dismissal
- ResU/Data Wise Meeting: 12:45 - 3:15 pm
- SNHS Field Trip: 12 - 4 pm
Thursday January 31 - White Day
- AP Department Check-In Bi-Monthly Meeting W/ Science: 7:30 am
- Academic Council Meeting: 3:15 - 4:15 pm in the Board Room
Friday February 1 - Red Day
- Winter Pep Rally: 2 - 3 pm in the Gym (Click for schedule)
- Jr. High Fine Arts Workshops (5th -8th grades): 4 - 6:30 pm
RES U/DataWise
ResU (1/23/19)
Dr. P will lead staff on utilizing reflective practice as a means of continual professional growth.
ResU/Data Wise (1/30/19)
Departments will continue the data review process that we started during the PD offered on 1/16/18.
Instruction & Technology Updates
Data Diving & Differentiation
Following up on our PD from last Wednesday, I believe it is important that we spend some time considering the connection between our assessments, data and the ability to differentiate. When we got to the point in last week's PD presentation where we had identified the strengths and weaknesses of an individual student, we then considered what to do next. What is that next step. The answer is, we need to consider how we differentiate to meet that student's needs! How we differentiate, is our ability to shift our defense, putting our students in the best position to succeed. In the video below, a first year teacher asks the following question, "How do you challenge your top students without leaving anyone behind?" "
"Teachers mist adapt their lessons, so that they can be understood by students with different aptitudes and abilities. A teacher who differentiates, responds to the diverse learning needs of her students. This increases the likelihood that all students will learn key concepts".
Please watch the video below and consider the following questions as you watch it.
- Why is assessment a key part of differentiation?
- How does the Aspire Interim data inform my differentiation?
- What aspects of your lesson can be tiered to meet students at their level?
- What are simple ways you can start differentiating tomorrow?
Once we start to receive more specific information (data) about a students strengths/weaknesses in learning, it wouldn't make sense to leave our defense in the traditional alignment. We must be flexible and willing to shift to best meet our students' needs!
Lesson Plan Template
Looking for an effective UbD based lesson plan template? Here is a terrific option that was shared to us by Suzanne Zajack! UbD Lesson Plan Template
Video of the Week
Curriculum and Academics!
Academics
The Academic Council discussed what RES U will look like this semester as well as ways in which teachers will have more opportunity for professional growth during the year. It will be an exciting semester of learning for all of us--including our students. Along those lines, if there is something you think you might like to share with faculty, let us know.
Thank you for everyone who got your Verification of Failure forms in to Dr. Vallone as well as those of you who had to work with her regarding final exam makeups. For those students who did not finish well, please remember to look carefully at the final exams in terms of what they are missing and what they need to improve this semester. As some students will be on academic contracts, everything you do in the classroom has great significance!
Also, as we begin this semester, remember that accommodations and modifications, and progress monitoring, are mandatory as they are communicated to you by Briana O'Donnell and Samantha Toomey. It is a fresh start, so let us all commit to collaborating in the best interest of the students.
Finally, thanks to Sheri Damery and Mary Kay Ulzcak for handling the transfer orientation!
Curriculum
Curriculum Guide
The curriculum guide has gone live! It is on the website, in email blasts, and has been put on Schoology. Again, thanks to the Curriculum Coordinators: Sister Mary Ann, Nicole Oberschmied, Megan Leider, Mary Katherine Bohlander, Noreen Maluchnik, and Karen Groszek for their assistance. I also want to thank Dr. Piwowarski, Mr. Lascon, Kathleen Henneghan, and Christina Marte for their contributions.
This guide has several major changes including semester long classes in Art and Theater, addition of a STREAM I Foundations course, a new AP Social Science class on U.S. Politics, a new Speech/Financial Literacy class coming from the Artistic Wellness Department, and a new class in the English Department: Introduction to Communication- to be taught by Mr. Thomas Purh. These are just some of the new things you will notice in the guide.
Academic Placements for Current Students
You should also be receiving a placement spreadsheet from your Curriculum Coordinators. Final placements are due on January 25th. Please remember the prerequisites for lane movement can be seen if you click on the class at the top of each column. In addition, for a lane change up, students must reach benchmark scores (in your discipline) on the latest ASPIRE test taken in January. If your discipline is not on the ASPIRE, talk with your Curriculum Coordinator and Dr. Vallone. Final approval from administration must also be given. Administration does rely heavily on the teacher's feedback, so you are very important in the process.
Conversely, for students to make a lane change down (from College Prep to College Prep Support) requires the involvement of Ms. O'donnell, Ms. Toomey, Dr. Piwowarski, and Dr. Vallone. Thanks in advance for your work, at least you can snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the snow as you work!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be sure to have your phones available between the hours of 7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. as Dr. Vallone may need to ask you to cover a class period in the event of someone's absence. At those times, it is very important for her to get a a quick response. Thanks!
If you are in need of a same-day substitute, please follow the procedure below:
1) Text Dr. Vallone @ 708-674-4397 as early as possible. Also send an e-mail to tvallone@reshs.org.
2) E-mail your department's curriculum coordinator.
3) Call the school and leave a message at extension 500. This line will be set up this week.
If you have further questions, contact Dr. Vallone
Do not be afraid
-St. Pope John Paul II
Happy Birthday!
Julia Dombrowski - January 21st
Jeanette Saponaro - January 22nd
Briana O'Donnell - January 23rd
About Us
Mission
Resurrection College Prep High School is a Catholic Christian community dedicated to the education of young women, and to the development of their God–given talents. Convinced of God’s unconditional love and nourished by the Risen Lord Jesus Christ, we are committed to the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, physical and social growth of our students.
Sponsorship
Resurrection College Prep High School is sponsored by the Sisters of the Resurrection, an order founded in Rome by Blessed Celine Borzecka and her daughter Mother Hedwig. Resurrection College Prep High School was established by the Sisters in 1922 and is built on the Sisters’ mission of transforming society by uplifting women through education and preparing them for leadership. Resurrection is focused on young women and their needs. The faculty and staff are fully committed to developing young women of faith who are educated, confident, articulate, dynamic, inspiring and service oriented leaders who will help build stronger families, communities, parishes and places of work.
Email: Resurrection@reshs.org
Website: www.reshs.org
Location: 7500 W Talcott Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Phone: 773-775-6616
Facebook: www.facebook.com/reshs.chicago/
Twitter: @ResurrectionHS