Eagle Express
LHS Staff Newsletter--Year 17, Vol. 39, 06/04/2018
Maintaining Quality Instruction
Please remember that there is an expectation that the VBCPS Teaching and Learning Framework should drive instructional practices in every classroom, every day. As the Framework calls for, daily experiences should include: clearly designed standards-based learning targets, well planned standards aligned instruction, and opportunities that maximize student engagement. As the school year draws to a close and many instructional units have been completed, teachers are encouraged to utilize instructional time to engage students in inquiry based learning experiences that integrate content and foster the 5 Cs. Teachers may wish to utilize the many curricular embedded suggestions and resources for performance tasks and Problem Based Learning. Please contact the departments of Teaching and Learning or School Leadership with any questions or for assistance.
In the past, parent calls have expressed concern that students “watch videos” or “just play” the days after testing is completed. These final school days should be productive learning days for students.
I Make a Difference
This week's I Make a Difference recipient is Millie Hernandez. Last week's winner, Janet Tull, writes, "I have met and worked with numerous people at Landstown High School, but the individual that stands out most is Ms. Millie Hernandez. When most people are still sleeping, Millie is already at school making sure that the environment is comfortable for students and staff alike. As our day supervisor, Millie is professional, detail oriented and cares about her staff. She does not hesitate to respond to any problems that may arise and makes sure that our school is always pristine. Millie is respectful, listens well and is responsive to the needs of others. Landstown High is a better place because of you. Millie, it gives me the greatest pleasure to recommend you for the I Make a Difference Award…. because you really do."
Announcements & Reminders
National Board Certification: The Overview to National Board Certification session will be held on June 12. The original information from T&I incorrectly gave the date of July 12. The session will be held in Plaza Annex Room 22 from 4:00-5:30.Teachers can register in Frontline. Our own Frances Fok serves as an NCBT ambassador, and she is happy to speak to anyone considering certification.
Activity Buses: The last day for after-school activity buses is this Thursday, June 7.
Heritage Week 2018: The Heritage Week committee has selected "Leaving a Legacy" as the theme for the upcoming year. Heritage Week is set for the week of November 12. If you have any suggestions for Heritage Week speakers, please give Kay Gramling or Dave Siock their name(s).
Kudos
Kudos to our SCA students who volunteered for the Corporate Landing Middle School pep rally. Even Eddie the Eagle made an appearance!
Congratulations to the newest members of the National Honor Society who were inducted last week: Savannah Alabi, Juan Arellano, Dannelle Arenas, Jaedon Barron, Christian Basnight, Savannah Bennison, Wesley Bond, Ayinde Bradford, Sean Brown, Lily Bustria, Michael Champion, Matthew Chewning, Sharon Compaseco, Brooke Cuthberson, Justis Davis, Zach Deal, Jacqueline deGuia, Gauge DiCenso, Jimmy Dickantone, D'Andre Evans, Trevor Franklin, Noah Fryling, Jessica Gilley, Emma Jenkins, Mason Kennedy, Louis Gabriel Langlais, Jonathan Leiding, Makenzie Lepley, Mayla Ligo, Nadim Lissa, Jowell Mallari, Ashley Middleton, Amber Morse, Kevin Munoz, Jaileen Myers, Kaileen Myers, Kyle Petersen, Tyler Pringle, Jasmine Runshaw, Sam Sawyer, Lily Scholossberg, Michael Slade, Lucas Starks, Timothy VanBrunt, Efstratios Zouros.
Kudos and thanks to all of the staff who came out to support our students at their prom on Saturday night. It was a lovely event and the students looked wonderful!
Senior Awards Assembly & Celebration
On Friday (June 8), we will hold our annual senior awards assembly in the gym. Teachers who signed up to bring their classes to the assembly will receive a seating chart indicating where their class will be stationed during this exciting assembly. An announcement will be made at approximately 8:10 asking those Block 2B teachers to proceed to the gym. At the conclusion of the assembly, these students will be dismissed back to their Block 2B classroom so they should not bring their book bags, etc. to the gym. Programs will also be provided to these Block 2B teachers so you can follow along with the awards.
At approximately 10:30, we will have the seniors process through the hallways to Pomp & Circumstance as our underclassmen have the opportunity to applaud them. What a great send off for our seniors!
Direction for Entering Grades in Synergy
Detailed directions for entering grades for the close of the semester can be found below. Please follow them exactly. Thank you for continuing to use the comment options on the Report Cards as a means for communicating and sharing additional information with the parent/guardian. In addition to using the comment options, please make contact with parents of students who are failing.
Entering Semester Assessment Grades: Directions Below
Reminders:
- Synergy has already established the weight.
- If a student does not show up for semester assessment, please contact your administrator for directions on how to proceed.
Closing the Semester: Teacher Grading Process Directions Below
Reminders:
- Starting Monday, June 4th, you may start posting grades for seniors closing the semester. Make sure you wait for the YELLOW POST button.
- Grades should be posted for seniors by 8:00 am on June 11th. Grades for underclassmen are due by 2:30 on June 15th. Email Margaret Burgess when you have completed the process.
- If students submit work after the grade deadline and you wish to adjust the grade, please contact your administrator.
Entering an “N” for Absences: Simplified Directions Below
Reminder:
If students have exceeded the 6 day attendance policy and are passing the class, you need to give them an “N” until the waiver is processed. Follow the directions attached carefully. Margaret will then change the “N” to the appropriate grade if the waiver is approved.
Upcoming Events
Monday, 6/4 (B)
Senior Final Assessments, Block 1B & 2B
Academy Senior Celebration, Aud., 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 6/5 (A)
Senior Final Assessments, Blocks 1A & 2A
Spring Sports Banquet, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, 6/6 (B)
Senior Final Assessments, Blocks 3B & 4B
Academic Letter Assembly, Aud., 8 a.m.
Student Advisory Board, ECC, noon
Academy Architectural Design Expo, 6 p.m.
Thursday, 6/7 (A)
Senior Final Assessments, Blocks 3A & 4A
SCA/Class Officer Inductions, Schola
Orchestra Awards Banquet, Cafeteria, 6 p.m.
Final day for after-school activity buses
Friday, 6/8 (B)
Senior Awards Assembly, Block 2B
Counselor Corner
- Face-to-face summer school registration opened May 29th, 2018. Students may visit http://www.vbschools.com/summerschool/ to register.
- Senior teachers--thank you for communicating with the school counselors and graduation coach regarding your seniors who are in jeopardy of failing a class. As we get closer to graduation, please continue to update us, or let us know how we can support you and the students!
New Specialization Badges for Teachers
The Department of Teaching and Learning will be sponsoring the following badges/specializations which will be available to teachers starting in September. Teachers may participate in divisionsponsored specialization courses and earn professional learning badges in the following areas:
- Performance-based Assessment (PBA) Development
- PBA Rubric Development
- PBA Calibration and Scoring (successful completion of all three PBA badges will result in teachers earning a master specialization badge in PBA)
- Close Reading: A 30 Day Series Facilitated by Doug Fisher
By participating in any of the above badge/specialization courses, teachers will be able to develop and highlight expertise in specific priority areas that are in tight alignment with the division's Teaching and Learning Framework and are designed to further progress toward the division’s attainment of goals stated in the strategic plan, Compass to 2020. A demonstration of mastery in these areas, as identified by earning a badge, will be a preferred prerequisite for job vacancies within the Department of Teaching and Learning for coaching, specialist, and/or curriculum coordinator positions. Furthermore, preference will be given to teachers who have earned any of the above badges when applying for curriculum and/or textbook review committees or other DTAL-sponsored committees. Teacher demonstration of mastery leading toward badge/specialization attainment in any of the above areas will also further teacher capacity and can be considered by administrators when determining attainment of the exemplary level of proficiency in the Professional Knowledge component of the VBCPS Teacher Evaluation Rubric. While these professional learning opportunities will be self-paced and flexible, there will be key submission dates for final products and/or reflections. All of the courses listed above will be housed in Schoology, and registration for each will be completed in Frontline. Specific details regarding course descriptions and submission deadlines can be found on the PGI site.
Senior Grades
Teachers will submit senior failure notices to the school counseling office each day of senior exams. Senior grades are due in Synergy by 8:00 am on Monday, June 11th. Once all senior grades are submitted on Monday, June 11th, we will begin the process of calculating the rankings for Valedictorian, Salutatorian and Honor Graduates. NO grade changes can be made to senior grades in Synergy after this point. If you identify an error in your grade calculations, you must notify Margaret Burgess and Beth Bryant immediately.
Final Assessment Exemption Forms
SOL-EOC First Time
FORM: https://goo.gl/forms/pfbAZxFA3KNEWjkq2
Responses: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wys55zX1xRUMuNme1QNqYYX14mh86YaxW4AVMyovKyM/edit?usp=sharing
SOL-EOC Repeat
FORM: https://goo.gl/forms/pkr5DIzWoY9OHvHQ2
Responses: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19GhYB_axF2v-M-fVsWGCNrlqA9lIbMPyej76pZwvHT0/edit?usp=sharing
Senior, AP, Industry, and HPE students
FORM: https://goo.gl/forms/bNhJjsdvGf1in9i13
Responses:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11SDer119hRvQLDweYeV12FtQ57eEZAvrRA___4jGDss/edit?usp=sharing
Details of the forms:
Students will need to be logged in to their VBCPS accounts to complete the form. Teachers will not have editing capabilities on the original responses spreadsheet. The response spreadsheet is a whole school document that you will only be able to view. You will be able to easily check to see which students have submitted the form. You won’t need to make a copy of the spreadsheet because all the info will auto populate and Jason can set it to sort by the teacher column.
Advisory for 2018-2019
We are beginning to work on plans for the 18-19 Advisory Program. We wanted feedback from you before we begin any changes to advisor assignments. Please use the link below to answer a few questions. Please submit by Friday, June 1st.
SCA End-of-Year Help
Faculty and staff can use the form below to request student help with classroom cleaning and packing department offices, and any other end-of-year tasks as needed.
From the TST . . .
End of Year Technology Issues:
- Please be sure you back up all your files. Any files you have on the computer could be gone. Files on Google Drive, Office 365, and the H drive are safe.
- Teacher desktops will be gone when you return. Any files you have on the computer will be gone. Files on Google Drive, Office 365 One Drive, and the H drive are safe.
- Teacher laptops must be signed out via the “DOT Technology Equipment Check-out Agreement.” Please fill out the form and turn it in to the TST. Otherwise, your laptop must be turned in prior to leaving for the summer. These laptops can be reimaged which means files could be gone when you return unless they are backed up.
- Teacher Chromebooks are already considered checked-out for the summer.
- Change your password prior to leaving for the summer so it doesn’t expire prior to you returning. I can only give passwords to you in person, not via the phone, e-mail, or another person.
June 18 Staff/Flex Work Day
All teachers and teacher assistants may work a flex schedule for the staff day June 18. You may begin working the extra time May 15 and keep a log of the time worked on your WISE timesheet. Please be sure to record this time in the "additional hours worked" column and total your time at the end of the pay period in order to help Terri as she must account for everybody's time.
Teacher assistants, ISS coordinators and library assistants may not work more than 40 hours in any one week. The time sheets will provide documentation to support the hours reported in WISE. The flex day applies only to the following group of employees:
- All teachers whose schedule ends June 18.
- Teacher assistants, ISS coordinators, and library media assistants.
- Security assistants are not eligible because of security needs of the building.
Eligible employees who do not choose to make use of the flex day and do not wish to report June 18 may choose to take personal reasons leave with approval of the building principal. All staff members who participate in graduation will be granted 3 hours of time towards this work day.
VBGradwall
Families and friends of graduates in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Class of 2018 may share their congratulations now by posting a message on the VBGradWall. Available online at www.vbschools.com/gradwall, each of the school division's comprehensive high schools has its own wall for visitors to share posts for graduates. VBGradWall will be available through June 30.
Applying the VBCPS Definition of Student Engagement
Put it to the test . . .
- Is it rooted in standards?
- Are students making connections between content and self?
- Do students have opportunities to take ownership?
- Is it collaborative work?
- Is it relevant?
- Is it authentic?
- Is it purposeful?
- Is there an appropriate level of cognitive stimulation?
Landstown High School
Email: cheryl.askew@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.landstownhs.vbschools.com/
Location: 2001 Concert Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Phone: 757-648-5500
Twitter: @LandstownEagles