North High School
Staff Bulletin - September 16, 2019
Literacy Goal: North High School will raise the percent of students proficient on the Open Response from fall to spring by 10% in 2019-2020.
Math Goal: North High School will raise the percent of students proficient on the High School Math Assessment from fall to spring by 10% in 2019-2020.
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Parent Teacher Conference Information
We have made some changes to the fall parent teacher conference setup. This morning, I messaged parents informing them that we will be utilizing an “Open House” style of conferences this fall. That message is attached. Staff will provide grade reports to parents at the front doors. Teachers will be in their classrooms and meet with parents as they visit. Here is what teachers need to do over the following week to prepare:
1. Grades – Thursday, September 19 at 4:00 PM grades will need to be in Canvas. We are going to print grade reports this fall. Our goal is to print the reports with information on the back on how to use Infinite Campus to monitor grades and attendance. We will then communicate that heavily until the Spring Conferences. Our goal is to not print grade reports (that are outdated before they are finished printing) and force parents into using online services.
2. Homeroom – Call up each student, one-by-one to call or text a parent to invite them to conferences.
3. Freshman and Sophomore Teams – Target high needs parents for personal invites. Possibly even schedule a few “team” problem solving meetings with appropriate people.
Conference Day Information:
· Teachers need to be in their rooms, ready to go at 8:00 AM.
- Meals and Personal Needs – We have scheduled times, and informed parents, that you will be unavailable between 11:00-11:45 AM for Lunch (on your own) and 4:30-5:00 PM for Supper (provided).
· Conferences end at 8:00 PM (and 5:45 PM on Tuesday). We will stop handing out grade reports at 7:45 PM. The doors will also close at that time. Administration will announce to inform parents that conference will be ending soon and when they end.
We will process how this style of conference works for our parents and then re-assess our Spring Conferences.
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We will be conducting a "mock" Count Day count on Tuesday, September 17 during homeroom. Look for more information coming from Kathy Erickson!
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Weekly Strategy Challenge - Deliberately Practice This Strategy In Class!
Here is a sample of how we can adjust our approach to increase expectations for students while we check for understanding:
What does self report look like:
Mr. Dumkrieger: The accounting equation has three components. It is Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity. Does everybody understand that?
Poor Unfortunate Student: Yes.
Mr. Dumkrieger: Good. Let's move on to your packet.
How can we adjust to reject self report?
Mr. Dumkrieger: Let's talk about the accounting equation. Remind me, what do we know about the equation? Fortunate Student 1?
Fortunate Student 1: There are three parts.
Mr. Dumkrieger: That's right. Tell me more about the three parts, Fortunate Student 2.
Fortunate Student 2: One of the components is "assets".
Mr. Dumkrieger: That's right. Tell me more about assets. Fortunate Student 3.
We need to be able to ensure that our students completely understand what they are learning and the directions that we are giving. When we allow students to self report learning, we have no idea if student are actually learning. We are teaching - they aren't learning. Here are a few challenges for you this week regarding the rejection of self-report:
- After giving directions: Catch yourself asking if anyone has any questions or if they "got it." If you hear yourself doing that, stop. Practice it whenever possible. Change your question to something like this: "I just gave directions on the assignment. Share with a neighbor what those directions are and I will call on some of you to repeat them for me." You can then use the cold call strategy to pick those students to share. If a student doesn't know, use last week's strategy of No Opt Outs to keep everyone accountable.
- During complex tasks: The more you invest in a task and the more a student must do to complete the task, the more important it is to check for understanding. Have multiple students report out to paraphrase what they heard from others or expand on what they heard.
I was the teacher who sometimes became frustrated when I had to repeat directions. In reflection, it was most likely my fault. If I took the extra 14-20 seconds to check for understanding, I would have saved a lot of time and frustration - for me and my students.
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New Teacher Spotlight: Melanie Albenesius
Q: What is your hometown? Which school did you attend?
A: Sioux City. I attended East High School, Class of 2000. My favorite class was sophomore year, American Lit with Mrs. Waller.
Q: What is the best concert you have ever attended?
A: Luke Bryan! 6th row seats!
Q: What is the last book you read?
A: Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs
Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Notebook
Q: What's the best meal you've ever had?
A: My grandpa's homemade spaghetti.
Q: What is your secret talent that no one knows about (until now)?
A: I can talk like Elmo from Sesame Street!
Q: Are you an early bird or night owl?
A: Probably more of an early bird even though I do not enjoy waking up early.
Q: Who would play you in a movie adaptation of your life?
A: Christina Applegate
Q: What was the last series or shows you binge watched on Netflix?
A: Dead to Me
Q: Have you ever met anyone famous?
A: Jessica Simpson, Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Barrack Obama, John McCain, Hilary Clinton, and John Edwards.
Q: What could you give a 30-minute presentation about with no advance preparation?
A: How to prepare for life outside of school.
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School Life - A Picture Is Worth 1,000 Words
Culinary and Social Media
Principals Have Standards
Student Work
Reject Self Report In House!
A Tale of Two Classrooms - Part A
A Tale of Two Classrooms - Part B
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COMING SOON - Homeroom Calendar
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Upcoming Dates
Below are currently scheduled events that will take place during the school day. These will interrupt academic work.
Tuesday, September 24 - Extended Homeroom for NCRC Testing (1st Block - 7:55-9:00 AM; HR 9:05-10:05 AM; 2nd Block 10:10-11:21 AM)
Wednesday, September 25 - Extended Homeroom for NCRC Testing (1st Block - 7:55-9:00 AM; HR 9:05-10:05 AM; 2nd Block 10:10-11:21 AM)
Thursday, September 26 - Extended Homeroom for NCRC Testing (1st Block - 7:55-9:00 AM; HR 9:05-10:05 AM; 2nd Block 10:10-11:21 AM)
Wednesday, October 16 - Text and Drive Assembly (All School) 2:10-2:55 PM
Thursday, October 17 - Homecoming Parade 1:30 PM
Tuesday, October 22 - Brooks Harper https://www.brooksharper.com/main/youth (Juniors Only) 10:15-11:00 AM
Wednesday, October 30 - Fall ASVAB Testing
Thursday, November 7 - SportsWorld Presentation 9:00-9:51 AM
Tuesday, November 19 - Audrie and Daisy Film for Freshman (8:35-10:35)
Wedenesday, December 11 - Senior College and Career Readiness Survey (homeroom only, should not be an interruption).
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Reminders and Checklists
All Staff:
- Sign off as received and reviewed the handbook. https://www.siouxcityschools.org/employee-handbook/
- Safe School Training is released. Here is the link: https://siouxcityschools-ia.safeschools.com/ There are five training's on this year's module. Total time indicated is 129 minutes. Due dates are varied.
Certified Staff:
- Sign up for duties with Chris. If you sign up now, you will have a choice. If you wait, you will be assigned to an open duty.