CHEC bulletin for Week of April 5, 2021
ENGINEERING IPL COHORT! SENIORS JAIRO SANCHEZ AND ZEPHANIAH WEBB
MARIA TUKEVA’S (MT) MESSAGE:
COLLEGE KICK START CHAT AND CHEW UPDATE
Thank you to all who have signed up to support our Class of 2021 in their journey to College and Careers! We have already made progress, and 9 more students have filled out applications since last week, bringing our total down to 69 students who need support in planning and applying.
Here is our updated list
If you know any of these students, or if you want to get to know one in order to assist in their college and career journey, please sign up next to their name, and come on Wednesday. We will have stations to assist with all phases of the application process, and their will be a cook out with delicious food!
Thank you! Together we can help the Class of 2021 achieve its dreams!
BUDGET AND LSAT UPDATE
I previously shared that our budget for School Year 21-22 had been reduced, due to a drop in enrollment, but also due to an inequitable funding formula which affects large schools. A group called C4DC has done a complete analysis of how the funding formula for DCPS results in CHEC having the lowest per pupil allocation based on general education in the entire school system. - Budget 21-22\CRDC Budget Analysis Per Pupil Allocation 21-22 Our LSAT met on Wednesday, March 31st with Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, and our concerns were communicated to her. If you would like to participate in the advocacy effort being led by parents and students, please contact our LSAT Chairperson, Ahmad Nurridin, his email is anurriddin@gmail.com.
RECOVERY/ACCELERATION PLAN APPROVED
Our Plan for Summer Acceleration has been approved! We are now developing a specific budget and spending plan. We will start recruiting staff and students by the second week in April. If you are interested in working in our creative and innovative Summer Acceleration plan, please reach out and apply. The outline of our goals and programming can be seen by clicking here.
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out and Thank you to Ms. Thweatt and Ms. Spinks for helping to coordinator our College Kick-Start Chat and Chew!
- Shout out to all IPL teachers and staff for supporting our In person scholars! It is truly making a difference and we are seeing motivation grow!
- Shout out to all who attended the LSAT Meeting on last Wednesday and advocating for our school!
- Kudos to Mr. Magee as lead, and the ALT Academics team for their work on planning for our next Faculty Meeting!
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, April 5, 2021
Portfolio Presentations – First and Second Periods
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Portfolio Presentations – Third and Fourth Periods
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
10:00 a.m. - CHEC Parent Workshop - en Espanol and in English – Combined
Final Exams
ANET 3 Math CR Scoring Due
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Final Exams
EOY ANET Window Closes
MS Open House 5:00 p.m.
Faculty Meeting 4:00 p.m.
Friday, April 9, 2021
Term 3 Aspen RC Gradebook Open
UPCOMING EVENTS
INSTRUCTION:
CESAR NADER FROM X-CORPS DISCUSSES SECURITY WITH THE CHEC NJROTC
WEEK 10 OF ADVISORY 3
We are beginning the last week of the third advisory. It will be wonderful to see our students presenting their work in their e-portfolios. Our goal over the past advisory has been to improve the portfolio process by making sure students know how to organize their work in an e-portfolio format, either on CANVAS, or in Summit.
We have also invited parents, so please welcome them into the virtual space so they can help celebrate their child’s progress and learning.
Final/Mid Term Exams should be administered in all classes on Thursday and Friday.
In this week’s faculty meeting the ALT Team will present an Open Space Technology focusing on differentiated strategies for meeting the needs of our diverse student body.
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 April 8. 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:
FRANCIS ON THE HILL DELIVERED 66 FAMILY FOOD BOXES ON APRIL 1
UPDATES FROM: I TEACHER DEVICE SURVEY I COVID TESTING I HARVARD BLACK POLICY CONFERENCE I INTERNSHIP ICHEC GARDEN I LIBRARY UPDATE I
TEACHERS: TAKE THE TEACHER DEVICE SURVEY BY APRIL 12TH!: DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DCPS is investing in ensuring that all teachers have in-lifecycle devices to support teaching and learning. We would like to hear about what device you have been using and whether you like it! Please let us know your feedback by completing this 5-minute survey by Monday, April 12th. Thank you!
COVID TESTING
On behalf of Sharon Gaskins, I am sharing with you all the on-site staff COVID-19 testing schedule for the week of April 5th, which can be found here. As a reminder, below are the testing protocols and expectations. Should there be any questions or conflicts with the schedule, please contact Sharon.Gaskins@k12.dc.gov and copy me as well (chandler.mumolie@k12.dc.gov).
The Staff Asymptomatic Testing Protocol
1. Asymptomatic testing administered by DC Health is completely separate from the symptomatic COVID-19 testing that is administered by the CSS school nurse.
2. DC Health will manage on-site testing of staff.
3. In-person staff may receive a PCR nasal-swab test, administered by DC Health medical staff, every 7 days.
4. Staff will provide consent on-site.
5. A team of two to three DC Health contract nurses will support testing at the school site.
6. School leaders will need to provide a sanitized space (e.g. large classroom, gym, cafeteria) with at least two tables and four chairs. As with the student testing program, rules for physical distancing, participant masking, and hygiene apply to staff.
7. Schools will need to develop a classroom coverage plan during the testing window.
8. DC Health staff will handle the disposal of all materials that result from testing, including their PPE.
9. Schools will be responsible for sanitizing the classroom before and after testing.
10. With this regular asymptomatic testing protocol, staff will continue to participate in their in-person programming while test results are pending.
11. Individuals will be notified of their results via email, and results will also be sent directly to DC Health to inform public health data.
12. Should a person attending or working at a school develop COVID-19 symptoms at any time, they should immediately self-quarantine and contact their medical provider per DCPS health and safety protocols.
DC Health ASYMPTOMATIC STAFF COVID-19 TESTING PROCESS
The information below describes process, captures roles and responsibilities, and expectations for all involved in making this project successful.
Team Arrival
- A team leader will call the provided point of contact (POC) for their assigned school when they are on the way to advise of their estimated time of arrival. The school POC should indicate which entrance they would like the teams to use.
- Teams will enter the building together. They will be wearing masks on entry and will follow all DCPS policies for safe entry into the buildings. Teams will bring all necessary supplies except tables and chairs.
Team Set-up
- A DCPS POC will escort the team to the testing site within the building. The site should be sufficient to maintain physical distancing and allow individuals to move easily and safely through the area.
- Teams will don testing PPE, sanitize their work surfaces and set up equipment.
- The team leader will advise the DCPS POC once the team is ready to receive staff for testing.
Team Exit
- Teams will sanitize their work surfaces and areas before leaving. They will remove all of their trash as well.
- The team leader will provide a quick exit update to the assigned DCPS staff member.
- Testing results will be provided directly to staff.
Best,
Chandler Mumolie
Coordinator - Innovation and Systems Improvement
District of Columbia Public Schools
HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL BLACK POLICY CONFERENCE
Columbia Heights Education Campus Team
I hope this finds you well! I am a student at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Chair of High School Outreach for the Black Policy Conference. The Black Policy Conference is the leading policy driven forum to address the issues affecting Black communities around the world, especially in the United States. The conference provides an opportunity for the convergence of the world’s greatest minds and practitioners with the hope and intent of finding sustainable solutions for issues facing Black communities. Every year, the Black Policy Conference welcomes a cohort of accomplished emerging leaders in high school to learn about public policy, interact with accomplished policy makers and public servants, and receive leadership training specific to high school students. The conference is free for students.
The theme of this year’s conference is “The Radical Reimagining: Centering Black Activism, Innovation, and Resilience” and will take place virtually on April 9th and 10th. We are looking for students who have an interest or would like to learn more about policy and policymaking. Here are some of the topics for our panels:
- Social Media & Activism
- Mental Health in the Black Community
- Education in the Black Community
- Electoral Policy and Democracy
- Building generational wealth in the Black Community
If there is someone specific at your school that I can reach out to, please let me know! We really want students to be able to have the opportunity to participate if they choose. If it’s easier, please share this link (www.bit.ly/BPCinterest) with any students who might be interested or with any teachers who might want to pass the conference along. More information can be found at www.blackpolicyconference.com. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
ARIETTE AGNEW (she/her/hers)
Master in Public Policy Candidate ‘22
Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government
INTERNSHIPS: CHEC STUDENT ROBERT WESTON AND GOLF. MY FUTURE. MY GAME.
Craig Kirby of Golf. My Future. My Game was completely blown away by CHEC student Robert Weston during an internship interview last week. After interviewing Weston, he was completely speechless and just kept saying, “I want him.” He also added that he had never experienced a student that responded to questions in the way that Weston did. After the success of all of the CHEC student Career Ready Internship Interviews, employers were open to hire more students.
Craig Kirby is one of the nation’s premiere political operatives. With over two decades of hands on political experience, he has created successful issue advocacy and electoral strategies for candidates at all levels of government. He presently serves as Managing Director of Savannah LLC. and is the founder of the non-profit organization, Golf. My Future. My Game.
THE CHEC GARDEN
Spring has arrived and the CHEC Garden transformation continued as Dr. Vernon Baker and David Alarcon and Company staked out the locations for the new raised beds. There was a soaking rain on Wednesday the 24th that served to leech the soil additives into the ground, making way for the plants to come. The soil temperatures are rising – but had three days of 30 – 40 degrees temperatures late last week. Once the new garden beds are installed we should be at the point of consistently warm days – and time to plant! Ms. Hartwill’s class has already placed a request for Tomatoes, Basil, mint, cucumbers, watermelon, peppers, squash, string beans, carrots, peas, and sunflowers. They may even plant and apple tree and some blackberry vine. Ask your students – “Are there vegetables that you would like to grow in the garden?” Send all requests to robin.winer@k12.dc.gov
The Excavation Crew has staked out the locations for the new raised beds
This year there will be five additional raised garden beds for student crops
The soil has been reconditioned and enriched with rain last week
APRIL IS NATIONAL SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH
Each April, American Association of School Librarians and organizations recognize and celebrate school librarians and school libraries. Please support your school library by sharing why you and your students love your CHEC Libraries!
• Staff --> bit.ly/CHECslm
• Students --> bit.ly/CHECslm21
You're also encouraged to share your experiences on social media, specifically Twitter, tagging @dcpublicschools, @DCPSChancellor, @dcpslibrary, @DCLA_SLS, and @CHECDC. Advocacy for school libraries is essential across DCPS.
Schedule Brainstorming Session with Your School Librarian
Join Ms. Falkenberg weekly (Tuesdays, 4:00 PM) starting March 30th to collaborate on research projects, request information resources, plan virtual author visits and events, explore the digital reading platforms, build your digital design skills (Canva, Adobe Spark), or find out more about advocating for school libraries. Find the link in EdTech Teams page to join. Can't make it? No problem - email angela.falkenberg@k12.dc.gov to schedule another meeting time.
Angela Falkenberg
THE DEAN TEAM:
Hello CHEC Family!
We hope you all are well. The Dean Team would like to share a few shout-outs and reminders.
Teacher Spotlight:
Today the spotlight shines on Thomas Spoth and Cristina Gallego!
Mr. Spoth is our Capstone teacher. He has impacted the lives of many students within his nine years of service at CHEC. When asked how students earn badges in class, Mr. Spoth responded saying, ”Students earn badges by logging in to the Teams meeting, responding to our daily Warm Up question, sending me texts, having one-on-one conferences, doing their work for the day, turning on their cameras ... honestly, if you do pretty much anything in my class, you get a badge for it!” Mr. Spoth shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class helped you during virtual learning, “I've found it really nice to spend the first 10 minutes or so of class just listening to music together, posting comments to each other in the chat and just taking a little brain break. I know that spending all day in Teams meetings can be really draining and stressful, so I make sure that everybody (including me!) gets a little time to just relax before we start on the day's lesson” Thank you, Mr. Spoth, for your commitment to your students and team.
Ms. Gallego is our substitute Spanish teacher. She is also impacting the lives of many students at CHEC. When asked how students earn badged in class, Ms. Gallego responded saying, ”Students earn badges for working on tasks, completing assignments and turning on their camera.” Ms. Gallego shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class helped you during virtual learning, “The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you” – B. B. King.” Thank you, Ms. Gallego, for your commitment to your students and team.
Everyone, please shine your light on Mr. Spoth and Ms. Gallego this week!
PBIS STUDENT WINNERS: | ||
Student Name | Grade | Points |
Solveig Brennan | 6 | 23 |
Christopher Sanchez | 7 | 19 |
Chinyere Reid | 8 | 22 |
Nemuel Ndanga | 9 | 20 |
Timothy Williams | 10 | 17 |
Noel Mendoza-Umana | 11 | 33 |
Fatima Ventura Ramirez | 12 | 19 |
Please celebrate these students for their high earnings of PRIDE points!
Student Support Forms:
Also, we have created a platform that has the student support form and the behavior referral form.. Please bookmark this link 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.
Rodolfo Calzadillas
Chinyere Reid
Yosselin Sohn
Congratulations also goes out to all our student athletes with perfect attendance last week:
Perla Guzman Martinez
Jamar Hale
Natavis Harley
Te-Aurjay Harrison
Tania Hernandez Martinez
Tiffany Hernandez Martinez
Leliani Hernandez
Destiny Holley
Jasmine Holley
Shaneika Holley
Takiya Holley
Cinthia Izaguirre-Lopez
Samatha Jimenez
David Johnson Jr.
Kayla Jones
Pierre Wilna Joue
Fernando Jurado
Leeming Kedkanya
Ejaaz Kerem
Clariza Lazo
Alcides Lopez
Damyen Lowe
Sinthia Madrid Romero
Quan'darius Manniken
Anai Marcelo Lopez
Cristian Martinez
Darwin Mejia-Castellanos
Andrea Mendoza
Gabriel Merino
Jeremiah Mikell
Ethan Mise
Chairely Morel-Feliz
Tenielle Parker
Layla Patterson
Aniyah Payne
Jeremiah Peterson
Jamia Reed
Chinyere Reid
Savion Reid
Damaris Rios Velasquez
Weston Robert
Stuart Scott-Eanes
Jameira Scottland
Ta'Nyia Shannon
Dillon Skehan
Oscar Smith
James Stephans
Taniya Summers
Ericka
Valencia
Luis
Velarde Vargas
Jaylin Wade
Kayla Watson
Johnae White
Anthony Whitten Jr.
Mickell WIlson
Mekedes Wondimagegn
Mihret Wondimagegn
Latrice
Yates
Leandro
Zavala
Amaya
Zulu
Anaya Zulu
Ashley Alexander
Andrea Alvarado
Calvin Armstrong
Ingrid Argueta-Cabrera
Tsaga Asmeron
Kyri Beamon
Owiter Bivieca
Kidist Bizuneh
Dymond Brown
Treasure Brown
Rodolfo Calzadillas
Dallis Carr
Almera Carter
Amber Carter
Jayme Carter
Bennett Chinn IV
Don'Zeal Davis
Evelin Delgado Ayala
Edlawit Deneke
Jaylyn Derricott
Josslyn Derricott
Mamadou Diabate
Angela Duong
Syrus Edwards
Angela Flores
James Ford
Miracle Fortune
Sarahi Garcia
Fatou Gaye
Nardos Getachew
Layla Green
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 on team interest meetings. Or email your spring sports coach for more information!
Spring Sports
Lincoln
Baseball - Calros Mesa (carlos.mesa@k12.dc.gov)
Golf: Marie Erickson (marie.erickson@k12.dc.gov)
Softball: Constance Hanlon (constance.hanlon@k12.dc.gov)
Outdoor Track: TBD
Bell
Baseball - Reiss Allen (reiss.allen@k12.dc.gov)
Flag Football (Girls) - Ryan Duvall (ryan.duvall@k12.dc.gov)
Golf - Ryan Duvall (ryan.duvall@k12.dc.gov)
Outdoor Track - Donzella Hartwill and Mark Robinson (donzella.hartwill@k12.dc.gov & markblaytonrobinson@gmail.com)
Rugby (Not Currently Approved)
Softball - Thomas Spoth (thomas.spoth@k12.dc.gov)
Tennis- Lindsey Benjamin (lindsey.benjamin@k12.dc.gov)
Desmond Alexander, CAA
Athletic Director
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools