Resurrection Weekly Update #2
The Way to Stay in Touch with All Things Res: 8/28 - 9/1
The Principal's Corner
And with that, week one is in the books ladies and gentlemen! It was a GREAT week! It is exciting to see all of the new activities engaging our young women. Although I always forget how exhausting these first weeks are, I am reminded of the great work that we are doing which makes the long hours worth it!
Our first PD Workshop, on UbD, was a success. It was really exciting hearing your thoughts and reflections on the UbD process. Mr. Longo said "I like the idea that a student can tell you what she is learning and why..." AMEN.
That statement highlights the importance of intentionality, a theme that has guided our work this summer and what we will do going forward. Intentionality is a hallmark of excellence in education because it assures all members that there is a purpose, a direction, and an accountability process in place.
UbD is a great approach in beginning the conversation around intentionality in the classroom: what are you teaching, how are you teaching it, why, how do you know it is working? As opposed to being a method or technique, UbD is more of an understanding, philosophy about teaching and learning. The Padlet comments from Wednesday we really inspiring to read. On one hand, we can see all of the positive excitement that we have regarding this approach. Teachers comments on "student engagement, wanting to see this in action, communicating importance of skills to students, rethinking our teaching" are awesome statements of support! On the other, it stresses the need for us, as school leaders, to assure that you have appropriate resources, including time, to make this come to life! Please see Padlet for our feedback on the comments posted.
THINK big....START small...GO FOR the early win!
Amen,
Mr. P
What's Happening at Res
Liturgy Information
- 8:15 – All students report to their 1st period class/study.
- 8:20 – Attendance is taken.
- 8:25 – Classes will be called to the Gym. Students should leave their books and purses in their classroom. Res Scholars will sit with their seminars. Their guests will sit a special section.
- All staff who are not seminar teachers will report to the Gym and sit intermingled with the seminars.
- The seating chart will be published on Monday.
Post Liturgy Bell Schedule
- Period 1 10:30 to 11:20
- Lunch/Sem A 11:24 to 11:54
- Lunch/Sem B 11:58 to 12:28
- Period 3 12:32 to 1:22
- Period 5 1:26 to 2:16
- Period 7 2:20 to 3:00
Daily Breakdown
- Sophomore Class Meeting on Student Handbook (Little Theater) - Seminar A
- Fall Play Auditions: 3-8 PM in the Little Theater
- Orchesis Tryouts: 3:15 - 5:15 PM
Tuesday Aug. 29th - Red Day
- 1st School Liturgy: 8:30 - 10:30 (See directions above)
- Fall Play Auditions Cont: 3-8 PM in the Little Theater
Wednesday Aug. 30th - White Day
- Fundraiser Packet Delivery: Seminar A & B
- Faculty PD: 2-3:15 in Library (UbD)
- Fall Play Callbacks: 3 - 3:30 PM
- Online Club Registration Opens: 9 PM
Thursday Aug. 31st - Red Day
- Club Registration Continues
Friday Sept. 1st - White Day
- Northwest Side Hunger Walk Leadership Breakfast in Library: 7:15 - 8:15 AM
Shoutouts!
Outstanding happenings around the building:
1. Moira Ryan did an AWESOME ice breaker activity with her Sophomore students. Ask her about it....
2. Nicole Oberschmied was selected to serve on the Archdiocesan Social Science Leadership Committee.
3. Megan Leider shared meaningful comments during the PD Workshop on the power of skill transference and data incorporation.
4. Amy Martin created an awesome course for English 1/2 with support.
5. Bridget Kancler went over to ND to discuss our Choir program and was well received.
6. Lori Stevens and Jen Salerno started their Masters programs! ! !
7. Meredith Rogers did an OUTSTANDING presentation on college for our Seniors. Ask her to share it with you!
8. Tam Bernardin has been working intensely on revisions to the student handbook.
9. ALL curriculum coordinators made important contributions to the proposed changes to the Mother Celine Scholar program, Annual Progress to Graduation and Late Work
policies.
10. Briana O'Donnell did a thorough job and managed many pieces of a complex process with the Concussion Protocols!
11. Mary McAndrew has been working diligently to get all the Emergency Forms in from students and their parents.
12. Rebecca Milos has an AWESOME women of Res board...You should go see it in her room!
New Res Community Members Spotlight:
Mr. Josh Wiechert, Science Faculty
- I've been teaching for 16 years (K-12, science and technology)
- I enjoy wood working and remodeling houses
- I like to travel with my wife and two daughters (this summer we went to six national parks and five national monuments/memorials)
- I'm looking forward to coaching Freshmen Basketball this winter
Ms. Karen Groszek, Math and Technology Curriculum Coordinator
- I am starting my 12th year of teaching
- I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and currently live downtown
- I enjoy traveling - went to London and Paris this past spring
- I enjoy playing beach volleyball, reading and hanging out with friends
Technology Updates
If you utilize Hapara Teacher Dashboard, please make sure all of your students have been entered into your courses. If students are missing, please refer to the following directions on how to go about add/removing students. If you receive an error message when attempting to add students, please contact me at JLascon@reshs.org.
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.
Curriculum Updates
Take away's from Wednesday, 8/23/2017:
- Faculty heard from the developers of the UbD framework, from teachers who use the framework, and from students in classes designed using the framework to gain an understanding of why many schools and school districts have adopted the UbD framework
- Faculty shared aspects of UbD that intrigue them and that concern them. They also shared areas of the presentation that needed more clarifying. All sharing was done via a Padlet board.
For next Wednesday, 8/30/2017:
Objectives
- develop a conceptual definition of understanding and its indicators
- distinguish between understanding and knowing
Remember to bring your UbD folder or binder.
Looking ahead
Here is a link to the PD schedule for the upcoming weeks.
Motivational Video of the Week
Spiritual Reflections
We live in a complex 21st century world where the teachings and traditions of the Catholic faith provide deep insight into the questions and challenges of our time. Young people are searching for answers to their emerging questions and realities of life. Catholic schools are communities where students can grapple with questions related to the world, identity and meaning while remaining firmly grounded in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith is at the heart of a Catholic education.
The mission of Catholic education is to nurture discipleship that leads to transformation and growth on both the personal and collective level. At every step of the way, students in Catholic schools are guided and cared for by leaders and teachers committed to the holistic development of the young through religious instruction, virtue development and service to the community.
Catholic schools are faith-based communities where belief in God is part of the everyday environment. Students participate in the sacraments, including regularly scheduled Masses, as well as prayer that marks the significant moments of the day. Religious images are present throughout our schools reminding us of the Gospel call to live a holy life.
Reminders and Specific Updates for the Week
- Academic council met on 8/18 and 8/22. The minutes for 8/18 can be found here.
- We have approved a new late work policy which can be found here.
- Mary Kaye Ulczek is moving to the Student Services Center (the space that was historically named Guidance). The current space will become a welcoming center for prospective students as well as student activities!
- Looking ahead - Back to School Night is coming on Thursday, September 7. More details will follow next week.
New Happenings in Student Services
Sheri Damery and Mary Bridich will be starting our individual freshmen intake meetings as a means to check on the student's transition to Res as well as getting to know each of the students.
Meredith Rogers met with the entire senior class Thursday to address the college application process.
Seniors are invited to join the #collegebound2018 on Schoology for college application information, tips, and paperwork.
For any faculty in need of assistance with Naviance training, Meredith, as well as Sheri and Mary, are available to assist on an individual basis, in lieu of an all-faculty training.
A note from the Dean....
What a RES education means to me: Ms. Halina Carlson, Receptionist
Holistic Formation
As a parent of two Res Alums '06 ,'07, I am forever grateful for the intellectual, spiritual, athletic and artistic development my daughters received from the caring and dedicated educators and staff. I love working in a Catholic Christian School, which happens to be part of the community I live in . One of the things I like is that we start our school day with a prayer. I try and pause even though it's a very busy time of the day, and I find that most people also appreciate this beautiful practice.
Service
Our students participate in all kinds of service projects in the community, in our country and the world . We have such passionate educators that instill and educate us all about the issues and need for service. Working in the front office, I try to be helpful to our students and their families. I have come to realize that sometimes it's the smallest of things that make a difference.
School Unity
Our students definitely make our school . The energy , enthusiasm, and joy they bring makes this a fun place to work . I love going to a play and discovering how great of an actress ,singer or dancer some is. Love watching a sport event and cheering our athletes on. I am very thankful to be a part of this school and serving this community .
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.
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