CHEC bulletin for Week of March 8, 2021
MS. PENN AND ENGINEEERING STUDENTS PICKING UP MATERIALS FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING FROM HOME
MARIA TUKEVA’S (MT) MESSAGE:
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCE DAY
Thank you to all for a great Parent Teacher Conference Day! It was wonderful to see parents signing up for individual meetings, as well as group meetings, and finding out about all the different ways their children are being served at CHEC! Parents continue to be our most valuable partners, and it is important to engage them throughout the year. If there were any parents you were unable to see on Friday, please reach out to them, or set up open Office Hours on Calendly once a week on Wednesdays.
BUDGET UPDATE AND ACCELERATION FUNDING
The DCPS Budget for 21-22 submitted last week, and the LSAT held a meeting on Wednesday to provide recommendations and feedback. The recording of the meeting are on the CHEC Team Site. We received budget assistance of two positions, and were approved for repurposing some of our security funding. This alleviated some of the budget pressure, however we still had to reduce by four positions. In preparation for the summer and next year, DCPS has allocated each school funds for summer and academic year acceleration and recovery plans. These funds are to be used to provide academic, social emotional and other supports to students as we work to overcome the learning loss that has occurred in some cases. As a school we will be working again with our LSAT and other interested staff members, students, and community to create an innovative and student- centered plan for the summer and next year. Our first meeting is this Wednesday, March 10 at 3:00 pm. If you have ideas about how we can make the transition to the summer and next year one that engages all students and families, please come and share! This plan is due on March 25th.
SHOUT OUTS
- Kudos to the Special education Department Team for a wonderful Staff Meeting PD on Thursday! Special shout out to Ms. Ameyaw, Ms. Cummings and Mr. Freshley for overall coordination, and to the facilitators of the small groups – Mr. Williams, Ms. Donofrio, Ms. Jones, Ms. Hogan, Ms. Hallerman, Ms. Fado, Mr. Athmer and Ms. Ameyaw!
- Shout out to the Whole CHEC Team for a great Parent Teacher Conference Day!
- Shout out to Ms. Thweatt and Ms. Lopez for organizing senior portfolios, and shout out to all who sat on the portfolio panels!
- Shout out to the LSAT Team for their contributions to our Budget Process!
WE HAVE A RECOGNITION! HONORED TEACHERS PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES THIS YEAR!
Columbia Heights Education Campus’s great teachers deserve to be recognized! We’re proud to partner with Honored Schools again this year to do just that! Go to HonoredSchools.org to tell Columbia Heights Education Campus teachers how they’ve made a difference. Please share this with parents and students! Once recognized, teachers get an email with your recognition story and we’ll celebrate them! Last year our very own Ms. Ramirez won the Life-Changing Teacher Award and a $5000 cash award!
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
All Departments and SLC’s send individual notifications of their meetings
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Monday, March 8, 2021
9:30am - CHEC Parent Workshop – in English
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Term 3 ASPEN PR Grades Due in Aspen by 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
9:30am - CHEC Parent Workshop - en Espanol
3:00 pm – Recovery Community Corp Meeting
Thursday, March 11, 2021
Friday, March 12, 2021
Term 3 Progress Reports Mailed
UPCOMING EVENTS
INSTRUCTION:
MS. BARNETT AND STUDENTS - PORTFOLIO PRESENTATIONS
WEEK 5 OF ADVISORY 3
We are beginning the sixth week of the third advisory. By this week, all students should be almost finished with their first GRASPS. Progress Reports are due this week, so it is important to build in time to conference with students individually to let them know what work they need to complete, or how they need to improve their work. Portfolio presentations will be occurring in four and a half weeks. All classes will be presenting an e-portfolio, either through CANVAS or Summit. If you need assistance in preparing your students, please reach out to Ms. Ferguson or your Department Chairperson.
INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR
The Instructional Calendar is a living document that houses all the major curricular requirements, assessments, and schoolwide events. The Instructional Calendar is complete for the moment, however changes may be made and will be noted. If you have any requests for additions to the Instructional Calendar, please contact Mr. Magee,, peter.magee@k12.dc.gov, or your SLC Administrator.
Please view the Instructional Calendar for 2020-21 here.
IMPACT UPDATES
Informal observations are complete and Cycle 1 Observations are now taking place. The closing window for cycle 1 has been extended until March 25th. As a follow up to our IMPACT orientation, we are creating a library of practices and videos to support development on particular EP’s. As we discussed, we are all in a learning curve with virtual instruction and will be learning from each other throughout the year. If you would like to share a best practice and be videotaped for the video library, please let your SLC Administrator know.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
EdTech/PGT Office Hours
Are you trying to find a way to have a source book like you did during in-person learning? Join Mr. Magee during his office hours to learn how to use OneNote Class Notebook as a source book. Office hours and links are below.
Mr. Magee- Mondays 9:30-11:30 am Click this link to join. How to use OneNote Class Notebook as a source book.
Are you preparing for the combined teaching model? Do you want to talk through what this will look like and what to expect? Join Ms. Ferguson on Wednesday to begin discuss the Combined Teaching Model.
Ms. Ferguson
Wednesdays 4-5pm Click this link to join - Combined Teching Model
Are you looking for resources for Black History Month, SEL, or other premade lessons in Nearpod? Are you looking to adapt and incorporate a premade lesson from Nearpod? Join Ms. Ferguson on Thursday 12:30-1:15 pm Click this link to join Nearpod Premade lessons
Ms. Ramirez - Office Hours
Will provide support on the following items on the listed days.
Monday (4-5)- Support students in completing missing work from the previous advisory/term and tech support
Tuesday- (10-11:30 and 4-5) Workshop Creation and tech support.
Wednesday (4-5)- How to help students feel that they should care and tech support
Thursday (4-5)- Resetting expectations for students who are failing and tech support.
Friday (4-5)- Tech support.
Ms. Zuccarello
Ms. Z is excited to help with aligning Summit project checkpoints and final products for third advisory and rebooting notetaking and workshop creation for PLT.
Ms. Vialpando’s Office Hours
Ms. Vialpando is having weekly office hours to support our language learners and instructional strategies for reading. Her office hours will take place on Thursdays from 3:30-5 pm
PGT OFFICE HOURS
Ms. Nimer and Ms. Carino
Tuesdays 12-1 pm Click this link to join.
This office hour/block will cover how to support students/families who are experiencing transition or who do not have stable housing. We will cover mandates, homeless liaison role, community referrals, and how CHEC/staff community can support our students who are in transition, MTSS supports, and behavior interventions.
PGT Support w/Various members of the Personal Growth Team
Fridays 9:30-11 Click this link to join.
You can receive support with social/emotional supports, behavioral supports, mandated reporter supports, at-risk students, MTSS supports, and other concerns.
Best,
Ms. Ferguson
OPPORTUNITIES:
UPDATES FROM: I LIBRARY UPDATE I
LINCOLN LIBRARY UPDATE
Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 Professional Development
Please pass the word on to parents and guardians to meet with the Bell Library for our Educator conference on today!
DCPS and Adobe Creative Educator have made a self-paced workshop available for those interested in certification #AdobeEduCreative Level 1. Learn about the power of creativity in all types of learners and gain expertise in graphic design tools. Interested in learning more about how to use Adobe Spark? Email angela.falkenberg@k12.dc.gov to set up a walk through or stay tuned for video walkthroughs to watch on your own time.
Women's History Month Resources
In March we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions by women around the world. Here you can find resources broken down into humanities and STEM content including virtual field trips, museum exhibits, biographies, and reading suggestions. Check Instagram (@checdc) throughout the month for more resources and highlights. March 8th is International Women's Day.
Read Across America Day
March 2nd is Read Across America Day (previously recognized as Dr. Seuss Day) - promote diversity and inclusion in literature with our daily themes to celebrate the whole week. Check Instagram (@checdc) for the daily recommendations or contact angela.falkenberg@k12.dc.gov to collaborate. Materials will also be shared on the CHEC Resource Hub.
AASL Framework for Learners: Bridge Connections Across Contents through the Library
Libraries serve as a partner to connect learners to contents, communities, a variety of skills, and development of self. Goals: thinking, creating, sharing, and growing through inquiry, collaboration, exploration, and engagement.
Use the American Association of School Librarians Framework for Learners as a guide to your curriculum development and implementation. Contact angela.falkenberg@k12.dc.gov for help building these foundations.
Angela Falkenberg
Columbia Heights EC - Lincoln MS
BELL LIBRARY UPDATE
Happy Women's History Month!
As we continue to celebrate, each day, each month, women who have, are, and will pave the way for young men and women to change the world, please check out the Women's History tab and Faculty/ Staff tab of the Bell High School Library website with new and exciting resources, events, and content. Don't forget to pull resources from the Exceptional Student tab!
Please pass the word on to parents and guardians to meet with the Bell Library for our Educator conference on today!
Some great articles, videos, and events:
THE DEAN TEAM:
Hello CHEC Family!
We hope you all are well. The Dean Team would like to share a few shout-outs and friendly reminders.
Teacher Spotlight:
Today the spotlight shines on Mr. Robert Athmer and Ms. Allison Bruemmer!
Mr. Athmer is our Special Education and Mathematics Teacher. He has impacted the lives of many students within his ten years of service at CHEC. When asked how do students earn badges in your classes? Mr. Athmer responded saying, "Showing up and showing out: typing in the chat, praising others with words or emojis, unmuting mics and contributing to discourse, submitting thoughts and opinions via texts, phone calls, or Teams. Any student who engages will earn a badge in some way, shape, or form. We're in this together.” Mr. Athmer shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class has helped you during virtual learning, “There are no "gotchas" that prove detrimental to students' longer-term outlooks. Restorative practices promote equity, community, and love and result in less time managing perceived negative behaviors and more time cultivating positive relationships. Punitive actions destroy life outcomes. Positive relationships promote healthy life outcomes..” Thank you, Mr. Athmer, for your commitment to your students and team.
Ms. Bruemmer is our MS ESL teacher. She has also impacted the lives of many students within her two years of service at CHEC. When asked how do students earn badges in your classes? Ms. Bruemmer responded saying, "Students earn badges through engagement, but I think it's important to be flexible with what engagement means. For many of our language learners, asking them to speak on a whim can be terrifying. I give ample wait time, visual support, and allow students to show understanding in their first language, with pictures, or with text support. Students can also earn badges by completing asynchronous work, but it's important to make sure that work is set up for them to succeed. Of course, clear instructions and videos to model activities are helpful. However, I've also found it important to explicitly teach our students how to send messages on Canvas and Clever - they can get badges for reaching out, checking in, or just asking a question for clarification.” Ms. Bruemmer shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class has helped you during virtual learning, “Without being in a classroom, it's been hard to develop relationships with new students. The restorative practices we have been applying in class have made it possible to build trust and empathy within our virtual setting. Our circles provide insight into how our students are coping and processing their experiences, so it broadens my own perspective and ways of thinking. I think it's important to let our students know how much they can teach us. And, while I look forward to our Monday Circles, even our brief check-ins at the beginning of class let me know if students are emotionally ready to start learning.” Thank you, Ms. Bruemmer, for your commitment to your students and team.
Everyone, please shine your light on Mr. Athmer and Ms. Bruemmer this week!
CHEC Happening:
What's happening at CHEC? This Month we are celebrating Women's History. Student will participate in a circle on Monday highlighting some historical women and their impact. This week's events include women confront barriers they face in various industries. exploration of African American performance, music, and visual arts; and Bilingual Classroom Workshops. Check out the Activities and Trips Tab to the Canvas hub to register for these activities. https://dcps.instructure.com/courses/206982
PBIS STUDENT WINNERS: | ||
Student Name | Grade | Points |
Dixon Guillen Juarez | 6 | 26 |
Ethan Crawford | 7 | 22 |
Gabriela Valdez Hernandez | 8 | 23 |
Suhnya Hester | 9 | 25 |
Edlawit Deneke | 10 | 24 |
Moises Santos-Gonzalez | 11 | 33 |
Olbin Cabrera | 12 | 26 |
Please celebrate these students for their high earnings of PRIDE points!
Student Support Forms:
Also, we have created a padlet which has the student support form and the behavior referral form. Please bookmark this padlet for future reference: CHEC Student Support Guide. Feel free to connect with the Dean Team if you have any questions.
Peace & Love,
The Dean Team
WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE
Congratulations to our student-athletes of the week. These athletes are being recognized for their outstanding commitment in the classroom and to their teams.
Melkin Alvarenga-Guardado
Kyri Beamon
Amy Calderon
Maximilienne Ekedi Ewoudou
Julissa Hernandez-Sanchez
Samantha Jimenez
James Johnson
Cristian Joya Molina
Jeremiah Mikell
Weston Robert
Lachae' Taylor
Luis Velarde
Congratulations also goes out to all our student athletes with perfect attendance last week:
Layla Patterson
Aniyah Payne
Jeremiah Peterson
Michell Ramos-Canas
Jamia Reed
Chinyere Reid
Weston Robert
Ta'Nyia Shannon
Dillon Skehan
Demiko Suggs Jr.Zion Suggs
Taniya Summers
Lachae' Taylor
Dailyn Torrez
Luis Velarde Vargas
Kayla Watson
Mihret Wondimagegn
Leandro Zavala
Amaya Zulu
Anaya Zulu
Ashley Alexander
Ingrid Argueta-Cabrera
Tsaga Asmeron
Kyri Beamon
Kidist Bizuneh
Dontaivion Blount
Dymond Brown
Treasure Brown
Kenia Cabrera
Rodolfo Calzadillas
Dallis Carr
Almera Carter
Zion Caudle
Bennett Chinn IV
Courtney Cole
Evelin Delgado Ayala
Jaylyn Derricott
Josslyn Derricott
Mamdou Diabete
Emmanuel Dodson
Angela Duong
Syrus Edwards
Angela Flores
Sarahi Garcia
Fatou Gaye
Miracle Gilyard
Ariyah Green
Layla Green
Te-Aurjay Harrison
Tania Hernandez Martinez
Tiffany Hernandez Martinez
Shaneika Holley
Gavon Hudgens
Samantha Jimenez
David Johnson Jr.
Kayla Jones
Leeming Kedkanya
Alcides Lopez
Damyen Lowe
Ethan Mise
Please see below the plan for return to athletics by DCIAA.
DCPS Plan for Athletics for Remainder of the School Year
Spring Sports
As a result of the recent declaration from the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) that is in alignment with the Mayor’s Emergency Health Order, athletics can tentatively resume in phases as early as March 15, pending health conditions. Updated guidance will be published by DCSAA and DC Health.
We are excited for a return to play and have planned for Spring sport practices and competition. This includes Spring sport offerings that will be conducted outdoors as no indoor sport related activity (practices, workouts, skill development) can occur. The DCIAA will conduct the following spring sport opportunities: Baseball, Flag Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track and Field, Softball, Soccer and Tennis. This applies to the specific grade level sport offerings – high school, middle school, and elementary school. The start of spring sports will be a phased in approach beginning with conditioning, skill development workouts and progressing to practices. The timeline for the phased in approach will be announced by the DCSAA in the coming days.
This schedule allows our Spring student-athletes a chance to compete after the 2020 season was cancelled in the early stages of the pandemic. The schedule also allows student-athletes time to condition and practice, as we know that many student-athletes have faced inequitable access to training facilities and equipment over the past year. The Spring season will occur under new safety protocols and details will be forthcoming as we approach the first day of practice.
Fall/Winter Sports
Fall and Winter sports will not resume competition this school year as the originally proposed plan in creating three condensed sport seasons cannot occur within the remaining school dates. We understand that this is a significant disappointment to our student-athletes, our coaches, and our fans. We did not come to this decision lightly. Unfortunately, we do not have sufficient facility space or weeks on the calendar to support the full gamut of DCIAA sport offerings. Additionally, the DCSAA has sanctioned Spring State Championships, and this allows our spring sport student-athletes to compete accordingly. We believe that focusing on a Spring season is the most equitable way to support our Spring student-athletes who already had one season cancelled nearly a year ago. We are developing plans for off-season workouts of Fall and Winter sports. Our goal for Fall and Winter off-season workouts will occur in alignment with safety protocols developed for Spring sports.
Thank you all for your continued support and patience during this time. We want to especially thank our coaches and educators who have been engaging our student-athletes virtually to help support their social and emotional well-being throughout this trying time.
Clarification on Stipends for Fall/Winter DCPS Coaches
The DCIAA announced the plan for Spring sports competition and that Fall and Winter sports will not compete this school year. As a result, the originally proposed plan in creating three condensed sport seasons cannot occur. In accordance with this decision, we will not be providing stipends to any individuals designated as coaches for these sports. We know many coaches have been continuing to engage student-athletes virtually over the past many months. We applaud these individuals and thank them for their continued support of our student-athletes. It has been long-standing DCPS Athletics policy to only pay coaches who have met the requirements associated with in-season sports competition. As there will be no Fall or Winter season, individuals designated as coaches for Fall or Winter sports are ineligible for payment.
At this time, we are still planning to provide stipends to Spring coaches, ES/MS Athletic Directors, and HS Strength and Conditioning coaches once the proposed spring season occurs and allows for competition. As a result, these individuals would receive compensation per the rules and procedures of the Athletics Extra Duty Pay Guide.
Dwayne Foster
Executive Director of Athletics
If you are interested in participating in spring sports and/or working out with your fall/winter sports team, you must have completed your online participation forms, which includes uploading your up to date physical. Forms are available at https://www.thedciaa.com/participation-forms. If you have any questions, please contact Coach A at desmond.alexander@k12.dc.gov. Follow us on Instagram @checsports for the latest updates.
Desmond Alexander, CAA
Athletic Director
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools
Athletic Director
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools