Week at a Glance
Marian Central Catholic High School Faculty Newsletter
April 7, 2018
A Glimpse of this Past Week...
Well, it seems that April isn't starting out as spring-like as we are used to! The colder weather and flirting of snow has kept us praying for more mild weather soon! The good thing about the cooler weather is that our students are less apt to be tempted by the outdoors and we can still keep them relatively focused on the task at hand, finishing up this school year strong. Thank you for continuing to provide engaging lessons and activities that help our students reach their academic goals!
Late Start Tuesday started out with a brief discussion of the big picture... why we have been working on what we have been all year; UBDs, Performance Assessments, Year Long Planning, and Curriculum Alignment. Although there were no questions posed during our brief meeting Tuesday, feel free to review the example that was shared here. In addition, we are providing you with an article about the value of UBDs and Year Long Planning published by St. Mary's Press that gives a good overview of Understanding By Design. Please take a little time to peruse the article, as it helps to give you a simple but clear perspective about the framework.
Finally, we have provided a variety of links that that may provide you with additional resources on strong verbs to use when developing the Essential Questions on your UBDs. The first provides a connection between Blooms Taxonomy, Costa's Questioning, and Depths of Knowledge levels. As you will see, all three are very similar, recognizing that there are varying levels of knowledge that, as we move our students through them, will allow students to understand the material more deeply. The second link is to information explaining Depths of Knowledge (DOK) more clearly, including what kinds of products and activities could be utilized at each level. Finally, we have provided a resource for potential question stems using some of the verbs at the various levels that could be used, separated by subject area. This is certainly not an exhausted list, but it provides a starting point for those who are still looking for a jump start.
We all feel a bit overwhelmed and stressed when we are trying something new, but remember that this is a process. As was shared during Late Start, once we have the basics of this out into place, we should see increased clarity in the "what" and we will see a comfort in a level of consistency that is provided through this, ultimately allowing teachers to focus on the "how" within their classroom.
There are many faculty members that are already well on their way, as well as several departments that have done a great job progressing in their curriculum alignment work this year. Please also remember that Mrs. Loy and Ms. Novy are happy to assist you as need be, so do not hesitate to reach out to us either as a department or individually.
Fortunately, Mother Nature cooperated with us while we practiced evacuating the school this past Thursday. The drill went off without a hitch and all students were back in classes within 15 minutes. Thank you for following the proper procedures and making this drill a success. Hopefully this coming week's "Shelter in Place" (tornado) drill will be just as successful!
Looking ahead...
This week will certainly seem a bit more serious, especially with our junior students as ACT testing is coming up next Saturday, April 14. Please recognize that since the juniors will be doing a myriad of ACT prep activities and practice tests in preparation, that limiting the amount of out of class work might alleviate a little of their stress this week. Best of luck to our juniors!
This Tuesday we will be celebrating our students' third quarter academic accomplishments during our third quarter Academic Breakfast. Not only will we be recognizing those who achieved Academic Excellence and Improvement, but also those students who have successfully completed the Read for a Lifetime program through our school library. Remember, our students and their parents would love to see the teachers who recognized them attend the breakfast, so if you can, please join us in the cafeteria this Tuesday, April 10 at 7:15 am. These little connections go a long way in building and maintaining important relationships. In addition, try to find a way to connect with the individuals that you nominated to let them know why you chose them... chatting with the student in person or using our Cane-o-Grams are great ways to do this!
Tuesday will also be our last extended homeroom of the year. Thank you for continuing to support the work our Student Mentors have done throughout the year... and don't forget, if you haven't already gotten your 2018-19 Mentor Nominations in to Mrs. Littner, please do so asap. Thanks!
Have a blessed weekend and week ahead!
Senior Exemption Expectations
A quick note: Exemption forms are not due until early May, but we have already seen some forms getting signed by teachers. Please do not sign these forms too soon, as we know that there is still a lot of this quarter to go and grades can still fluctuate drastically. Thank you.
Professional Development Opportunities
If you are interested in attending one of these PD opportunities, please contact Ms. Novy. For more information, please click on the links provided.
Loyola Department Chair Conference, June 4-6, 2018
2018 Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI)
Questioning for Classroom Discussion: Grades 6-12 Online PD
STEM for All Online PD
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Be looking for an important email this week on the 1:1 Device Initiative for 2018-19!
If you are wondering how to integrate technology into your specific subject area, check out the BestPrep - Technology Integration" Resource Library. Click on your subject area and find a multitude of ideas on how to bring your content to life with technology. The lessons are also already in UBD format!
If you are interested in one of these, or other technology conferences or workshops, contact Ms. Novy!
Upcoming events:
ILfabCon (Illinois Flipped and Blended Learning Conference June 21 & 22, 2018 at Huntley High School If interested, please contact Ms. Novy
ISTE Conference June 24-27, 2018 in Chicago If interested, please contact Ms. Novy
Technology in Schools: A Balanced Perspective, 2nd Edition Online PD
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
Monday, April 9, 2018
7:30 am ~ CIA, rm 229
Lunch ~ Pre-orders for Tyler Gardner Memorial Wristbands FINAL DAY
Lunch ~ Confessions, Chapel
2:30 pm ~ Math Club, rm 207
2:40 pm ~ Club Med, rm 123
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
Tuesday, April 9, 2018
Extended Homeroom Schedule #5
7:15 am ~ Academic Breakfast
7:40 am - Rosary, Chapel
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
Lunch ~ Prom Tickets on sale
2:30 pm ~ Ping Pong, Auditorium Commons
2:30 pm ~ Business Club, rm 219
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Gavel, rm 218
2:40 pm ~ Chess Club, rm 129
2:40 pm ~ Scholastic Bowl, rm 219
2:45 pm ~ Smart-Fit Club, rm 147
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
AP Literature Field Trip
7:15 am - Campus Ministry, Cafeteria
7:30 am ~ Student Council, rm 127
7:230 am ~ NHS voting (juniors only)
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
Lunch ~ Prom Tickets on sale
2:30 pm - Key Club, Cafeteria
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Art Club, rm 110
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Tornado Drill Today!
7:30 am ~ Spanish Honor Society, rm 208
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
Lunch ~ Prom Tickets on sale
2:30 pm ~ Writers Society, rm 130
2:35 pm ~ Journalism Club, rm 128
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ FOR Club, rm 134
2:40 pm ~ Scholastic Bowl, rm 219
2:45 pm ~ Black Box Rehearsal, Auditorium
3:30 pm - Campus Ministry, rm 231
Friday, April 13, 2018
Spirit Dress Down Day
7:30 am NHS Meeting, Auditorium
7:30 am ~ All Council Student Council Meeting
Lunch ~ Confessions, Chapel
Lunch ~ Prom Tickets on sale
2:30 pm ~ Ping Pong, Auditorium Commons
2:35 pm ~ Journalism Club, rm 128
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:45 pm ~ Black Box Rehearsal, Auditorium
Saturday, April 14, 2018
ACT Testing at MCCHS
9:00 am ~ Black Box Rehearsal, Auditorium