Founders Weekly
January 14th to 18th
Shout out!
So many great things happened this week! I want to recognize a few:
- Mr. Glenn for always offering support to me whether solicited or not!
- Mrs. Zawatsky for offering some well thought out feedback in the interest of improving our community for all!
- Mr. Mazza for taking steps to improve his professional practice!
Half-day Expectations
Scheduled Events:
- Wednesday 11:30am Grade level meetings-(Grade 8 is a priority)
- Wednesday at 2pm to 3pm-Special Ed Department Meeting
- Thursday at 1pm-Whole staff lockdown debrief
- Wednesday through Friday-One-on-One check-ins with me
- Rotating supervision duty of any students left behind
Flex Time:
- All staff is welcome and encouraged to catch one of the showings of Declaration at Beacon- Wed, Thurs or Fri @ 12 Sign up at https://beacon.booktix.com/
- Use flex time to collaborate with colleagues, grade, plan and organize, and reset for students return the following Wednesday
Exams
Exams are here! Please keep in mind that students are in a state in heightened anxiety during this time for the following reasons (and more):
- They want to do well!
- Changes in routine are challenging for students
- Having multiple high stakes projects and exams is difficult
The modified schedule can be found on the Hub and will be available in the office and elsewhere
***** IMPORTANT!! The grading breakdown in PowerSchool for each quarter is 20% and exams are 10% each (midterm/final). If anyone needs help on how to set up their exam grades in PowerSchool, Allison has graciously offered to support!
Facilities Update
- Heat on 4th floor is repaired-still cold in Ms. Esty's room, investigating that
- Bathroom by elevator is temporarily repaired with the hole patched and a slide bolt inside
- Girls bathroom and bathroom by elevator have been repaired by the plumber
- Lights outside the girl's bathroom repaired
Always send an email to me, Mike and Brian with any workorders. We want everyone to have a comfortable working environment. Especially me, since I share the building with you!
Morning Duty
Students are managed on both floors and I am freed up to manage other issues that occur.
8th Grade Locker Room and Chromebook Room Update
This has shown some improvement but we still need to tighten this up:
- Both rooms are to remain locked during the day.
- I open chromebook room in the morning, Brinker opens it in the afternoon.
- If a student needs to get into these spaces outside of these hours please call the office.
Thank you for your help!
Town Meeting
Recess Expectations Updated
A major reason that we are implementing recess is for students to develop relationships, engage with one another, and learn to problem solve with peers.
I understand that unstructured time can be challenging for adults and students.While active supervision is required to ensure the safety of all, students should have the time and space to talk and play with one another to develop those essential social skills and develop community organically. Once the weather gets nicer, my expectation is that everyone will go outdoors. In the meantime, I have bought board games and cards for children, the foyer on the 4th floor is available for active games such as Museum and where the cold wind blows for those of you really tight on space. Whether inside or out, student interaction with minimal direction from adults is expected during this time. However adults are welcome to join in the fun!
Here are the expectations.
Upcoming dates:
Midterm Exams Wednesday 1/16 to Friday 1/18 (Students 1/2 day)
Declaration Wednesday 1/16 to Friday 1/18 12pm showings
Monthly Special Ed Department Meeting Wednesday 1/16 2 to 3pm
Quarter 2 Ends Friday 1/18
No school MLK Day Monday 1/21
Professional Development Day (No Students) Tuesday 1/22
Founders Open House Tuesday 1/29 @ 5:30