CHEC bulletin for Week of September 10, 2018
CHEC Back to School Day
MARIA TUKEVA’S (MT) MESSAGE:
Thank you to all faculty and staff for a smooth opening to school, and for starting strong in the first three weeks of school. We are now entering our fourth week, and are close to the mid point for the first advisory. At this point, we have completed all diagnostics, data has been shared with students and parents, and every class should be close to the completion of their first GRASPS.
In each week’s bulletin, we will reflect on our progress toward meeting the goals of our Comprehensive School Plan. This week, the focus is on our Literacy and Math goals – “Increase the number of students scoring a 4 or 5 on PARCC by 10%.” In order to achieve these goals, our curriculum and instruction must be aligned to the rigor of the PARCC assessments.
Our curriculum is based on rigorous project based learning, and each project (GRASPS) is designed around the key common core standards students need to master in the content area. Project based learning means that each day’s learning brings students closer to mastering the standards of the project, as they complete the project. Work on GRASPS takes place primarily in class, with time for a mini-lesson on a specific standard or skill, modeling, work period and revision. It is important to help students visualize and understand how each day’s objective will be applied to their work on the GRASPS. GRASPS aligned student work can include annotated aligned texts, notes, outlines, drafts, diagrams, graphs, and quick-writes. In week 4, it is time to make sure students are revising and completing GRASPS 1, placing their work on the bulletin board or in their portfolios, and peer editing with the rubric with their classmates. We will be calibrating student work in SLC’s, and looking for ways to build knowledge and skills across disciplines.
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
Monday, September 10, 2018
Morning SLC Meeting
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Morning SLC Meeting
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Department Meetings
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Department Meetings
Friday, September 14, 2018
Academic Leadership Team Meeting
The completion and revision of GRASPS builds student ownership of learning and progress, and this is further supported by student ownership of their data on standardized assessments. Path of Progress (POP) sheets, allow students to take charge of their learning by understanding their strengths and areas of growth, and setting their own action plans to reach higher levels on this year’s PARCC and AP exams.
Preparation for the state exam begins on day 1 of the school year, and now during Week 4, is time to reflect on progress through student work on the GRASPS, and student goal setting and reflection on their POP action plans. We are looking forward to a purposeful and reflective week 4! Thank you again for all you do for our students and their families!
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out to all faculty and staff for a successful Back to School Night!
- Kudos to the PGT Team for their presentation at our Faculty Meeting on Thursday! They did an excellent job of explaining how our wrap around social services work!
- Shout out to Ms. Hall, Mr. Jaramillo, Ms. Nunez, Ms. Garcia-Carmona, and Mr. Soto for organizing our first Saturday en Espanol for our Spanish Language Learners and their parents! Students and parents had fun, learned new words and expressions, and developed cultural awareness!
- Kudos to CHEC students Marquite Hall, Cayla Lewis, and Asia Decosta!! They have been chosen to perform an original piece they created as a requirement for the Hamilton Education Program performance this Thursday at the Kennedy Center prior to the performance of Hamilton. Their piece is a short rap that features the life and accomplishments of Marquis de Lafayette before, during, and after the American Revolution. CHEC is only 1 of 13 total groups from the region that was chosen to perform and only 1 of 3 DC Public Schools chosen. The students very excited, and we would like the staff to know so they can offer their encouragement and support to them as they see them through the week.
- Shout out to Mr. Hardmon Fort, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Rayamajhi, and Mr. Tobias for taking a group of young men to Camp Horizons last week as a part of the Empowering Men of Color program!!!! Another great weekend experience to work on team building and community!
OPPORTUNITIES:
UPDATES FROM: LEADERSHIP I CULTURAL ARTS COMMMITTEE I D.C. ARTS AND HUMANITIES EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE I DCPS OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING I LIBRARIES I PERSONAL GROWTH TEAM I FLAMBOYAN I
CHEC Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) Town Hall
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM 2018-19
The year’s first Academic Leadership Team Meeting took place on August 22, and was attended by a record of 34 staff members! It was exciting to see new faces and ideas become involved in our Leadership Team. This year, the Team will meet every other week, rotating meetings one week on Wednesday at 3:30 pm, and the following week on Friday at 7:45 am, in order to provide opportunity for those who teach extended day to become involved.
The first meeting focused on developing norms as a team, and planning which data should be collected on a weekly, monthly and advisory basis, in order to measure our progress towards the goals of our Comprehensive School Plan. The next meeting will be on Friday, September 17 at 7:45 am in the high school library. The agenda will be sent to the entire staff beforehand, and will focus on completing our data. Please get involved and join us at the Academic Leadership Team Meeting.
BE A PART OF THE CHEC CULTURAL ARTS COMMMITTEE
At CHEC, we take time to honor multiculturalism and diversity through our assemblies. This year, we will be forming committees for each assembly.
The Hispanic Heritage Assembly is already scheduled for Thursday, October 4. Our first meeting for the Hispanic Heritage Assembly will take place on Tuesday, September 11, in E111. Students are also encouraged to attend.
There will be two meetings for teachers who teach extended day. One will take place at 3:30 pm, and the other will take place at 4:15 pm. If you cannot make it, but would like to participate, please Dr. Amylia Barnett know, and she will send you all the information - Amylia.Barnett@dc.gov
If you are interested in being part of the Cultural Arts Committee and helping with any or all of the assemblies, please complete the form below. Thank you.
Cultural Arts Committee Link
MESSAGE FROM LISSA ROSENTHAL-YOFFE AT THE D.C. ARTS AND HUMANITIES EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE
It's such a busy and exciting time of year and it is hard to believe that September just around the corner... I'm writing to remind you to register for a special DC Collaborative Social Emotional Learning focused Professional Development Institute on Saturday, September 15, 2018. Co-hosted with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, we have created this day of professional development learning based on feedback from you and teachers across the District who expressed interest in more arts-related social emotional learning opportunities from our cultural institution members.
We're really excited to offer this special opportunity for you! The PD Institute ticket price of $10 is inclusive of all activities, sessions and group talk, plus a light breakfast and lunch. Additionally, a $20 Blick gift card will be provided an opportunity to enter raffle for prizes from our members! Plus, you'll receive a certificate for 5.5 contact hours towards PLU credits at the conclusion of the day.
Sessions will cover all grade levels and disciplines. Here are a few examples:
- Stimulating Creativity for Early Learners with Imagination Stage
- Exploring Emotions and Social Interactions Through Music Based Intervention with Levine Music
- Visual Art as a Tool for Social-Emotional Learning: Using Color to Communicate with Project Create
- History and Theater to Develop Empathy and Perspective-taking Skills in Students with Ford's Theatre
- Engaging Students through Building Social-Emotional Awareness with Center for Inspired Teaching
- Voices of Now: Creating Original, Autobiographical Theater for Social Change with Arena Stage
- Reading the World through Images: Cultivating Empathy, Global Competency and Critical Literacy through Visual Journalism with the Pulitzer Center and many more!
We will also have a special guest, Gary Glazner of Poetry for Life, who will provide an interactive talk for our entire group. You will experience performing group poems and learn how you may participate in Poetry for Life.
Descriptions of all sessions and all of the information you need to register is in the link below.
Register now to ensure your spot! Quite a few teachers have already registered. Please make sure your spot is reserved as soon as possible as we have a very limited number of seats. And, be sure to forward to colleagues that you think would not want to miss this special event.
It will be a great Saturday to spend together! Hope to see you on September 15th!
MESSAGE FROM THE DCPS OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
We are delighted to share that after careful review, the DCPS Global Education team has selected Jessica Gonzalez to serve as a Travel Ambassador for the DCPS Study Abroad program in school year 2018-2019, with travel in summer 2019. DCPS Study Abroad is a fully funded, award-winning global travel program for DCPS middle and high school students. Travel Ambassadors are the school-based staff responsible for recruiting, selecting, preparing, and leading the students who will participate in global travel, as well as engaging student alumni –as a Travel Ambassadors, Ms. Gonzalez is vital to the success of the DCPS Study Abroad program
MS. CUMMINGS RECEIVES RESOURCES FROM DONORS CHOOSE
Give Ms. Cummings a high five! She recently earned funding for Technology for Exceptional Learners, including an HP Laptop!
CHEC LIBRARIES
LINCOLN LIBRARY UPDATES
Welcome back to another year in Lincoln! Your librarian, Angela Falkenberg, is your resource for materials, tech integration lessons, project collaborations, literacy advocacy, and more. Goals this year include gentrifying the library (easier access to books), continue the 25 Books Campaign momentum (CHEC was #1 in the district during the 3 Million Minutes Challenge), build library programs for the students, and continue to collaborate with you for student success.
Contact her to schedule library visits, co-teaching opportunities, book tastings, online tools suggestions, author visits, etc.
Email: angela.falkenberg@dc.gov
Extension: 4018
25 Books Campaign
The 25 Books Campaign integration with Beanstack was a success thanks to you! Students, staff, and parents will be able to log minutes, book titles, magazine / newspaper articles, and pages. Some data is syncing up between the site and Central Office so the goal is to advertise and start the program in September. Be on the lookout for more information about this year's program soon.
New this year: Participants can access Beanstack through Clever! Staff can log in to Clever using first.last (username) and e-mail password. Students will log in using their Student ID (username) and birth date MMDDYY (password).
Newseum Teacher Open House
Save the date - October 6th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Register here: http://www.newseum.org/event/2018-teacher-open-house/
Go behind-the-scenes and connect with the EDCollection materials. This is an excellent opportunity to plan field trips, pick up free materials, see special galleries, and join in discussions around education and the First Amendment. Educators may bring guests for a discounted price ($11).
BELL LIBRARY UPDATES
Whether it's PARCC, the SAT, ACT or simply because you want to be the best you--according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, Kids connect with Robot Reading partners and reading friends which in turn enhances their desire and enthusiasm to read and learn. Educators please identify students who you believe would benefit from a reading partner or buddy! These students will be paired and the reading fun will begin!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach Mr. Stewart via email: christopher.stewart2@dc.gov or call: (202) 939-7700 Ext. 5118
Bell Library Reservations
The CHEC Bell High School Library would love to invite teachers and staff to reserve library space via our new platform, Skedda (https://reservechecbelllibrary.skedda.com/booking). Once booking your first reservation you will be prompted to create a quick login. Users will be able to see when space is available and when space is unavailable. This will allow for transparency and comfort in knowing that the time that you have requested, is available. There is also a space for *notes. If you would like to request AV material (i.e. projector) I can have that available and set-up for you.
Bell Library Writing Center
Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Time: 8 AM- 8:50 AM & lunch periods
Location: Bell High School Library
We all need help! Great authors and writers have editors...the library will assist with:
Interpreting a writing assignment
Creating ideas
Locating and sharpening a thesis statement
Organizing ideas and research
Developing a logical argument
Identifying recurrent errors and strategies for revising.
*Please email papers you would like to be reviewed, at least 48 hours before the due date. Email address: christopher.stewart2@dc.gov.
Bell Library Exhibit
The PALY Foundation
Journey to Africa: Elephants Exhibit
Come see this traveling exhibit that will test your elephant knowledge, discuss the war on elephants, while challenging you to save them!
Exhibition: August 20th- October 26th
Location: Bell High School Library
Time: 8 AM- 3:30 PM
Bell Library Makerspace & TECH Talk Tuesday
LEARN. TEACH. MAKE. Allow your creativity to take charge with arts and crafts and technology exploration.
Date: September 11, 2018
Time: Lunch Periods
Location: Bell High School Library
PERSONAL GROWTH TEAM
Meet the Personal Growth Team (PGT) @ CHEC!
Who We Are
The Personal Growth Team (aka PGT) is a group of mental health and social service providers that are here to support the social emotional, behavioral and academic challenges that our students experience. We are comprised of a School Psychologist, School Social Workers, DBH & Mary’s Center Mental Health Clinicians, and a Healthy Relationships Team.
When do I Refer?
► Social Emotional Referrals (Tier II/III):
- HARM TO SELF/OTHER: a student may state threats of harming self or others (suicidal or homicidal ideations)
- ABUSE: Sexual, verbal, physical abuse, domestic violence, running away, feeling unsafe
- SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS: self-cutting, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, intoxication
- FAMILY STRESSORS: evictions, death, dying, fires, deportations, homeless, hospitalizations
- SEXUAL HEALTH CONCERNS: risky behaviors/ relationships, testing, pregnancy
- RESOURCE NEEDS: health insurance, need for employment assistance, rental assistance, public benefits, emergency food /transportation/ clothing/ eye glasses/ emergency dental
►Academic/ Behavior Referral:
- AFTER TIER I INTERVENTIONS HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTED, ATTACH RTI TIER I DOCUMENTATION TO PGT REFERRAL - for ongoing concerns such as:
- ACADEMIC: low/failing grades
- BEHAVIOR: not completing work, not engaging in the classroom, sudden changes in behavior, easily provoked, skipping class, ongoing absences from school
How do I refer?
Please complete the PERSONAL GROWTH TEAM (PGT) Referral Form – contact Ms. Crivelli Diamond (ext. 5052 or at Paula.Crivelli-Diamond@dc.gov ) - Also, as a reminder, an email was sent to all staff (by Mr Billy Oliva) on 8/20, "PGT Team & PGT Referral Form SY 18-19", with the 2 attachments above, for you to reference throughout the year, as needed!
Always feel free to contact any one of us with any questions or concerns you may have! The Personal Growth Team thanks you for all the work you do to support our student’s social emotional wellbeing!
The Personal Growth Team is facilitating CHEC's social emotional awareness campaign for National Suicide Awareness Week, Sept 10-14. Here is a list of activities for the week:
Monday, September 10th
Create your very own during breakfast Reasons for Living poster
Crear tu propio cartel de Razones para vivir durante el almuerzo
Tuesday, September 11th
Create your feel good music playlist and share with friends /teachers
Crear su playlist de música que le haga sentir bien y compartirlo con un amigo / maestros
Wednesday, September 12th
During Lunch meet your PGT members and discuss facts/info on suicide awareness
Durante el almuerzo, conozca miembros de PGT y reciba datos / información sobre la conciencia del suicidio
Thursday, September 13th
Affirmation cards for all with suicide awareness info
Tarjetas de afirmación para todos con información sobre el conocimiento del suicidio
Friday, September 14th
Spend time with friends and loved ones. Meet new people. Be kind
Pase tiempo con amigos y seres queridos. Conozca gente nueva. Se amable
CHEC PGT Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Corner
All CHEC teachers will begin receiving the following SEL-focused trainings over the next few weeks to ensure an equitable and responsive learning community:
Seminar #1- The SEAD Focused Classroom Experience
Seminar #2- The role of the teacher in establishing a SEAD Focused Classroom Experience
Seminar #3- The role of the student in creating a SEAD Focused Classroom Experience
Training will be provided by LEAP Leads/Department Chair Leads through Department Meetings!
Want to join the SEL Team?
If creating a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) classroom experience is something you are excited about, please join our SEL Team! Anyone can join! Please email Ms Crivelli, SEL Lead, at paula.crivelli-diamond@dc.gov to join us as we rollout SEL @ CHEC this school year!
FLAMBOYAN UPDATE
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is pleased to announce that the fifth Annual DC Parent and Family Engagement Summit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
Information provided at the Summit will engage, inform, and empower parents and families to effectively support the highest level of quality education for all the children in the District of Columbia. The Summit will also allow parents to provide feedback to OSSE on the state education plan. Please tell your students and families about this free event! Free registration is available via eventbrite! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Whitaker ex 5062
Setting the Stage: Why Family Engagement?
A strong body of research shows that family engagement matters for student success.
Students do better in school and in life when their parents are engaged in their education. Family engagement contributes to a range of positive student outcomes, including improved student achievement, decreased disciplinary issues, and improved parent-child and teacher-child relationships. Emerging evidence also suggests that family engagement can have important benefits for the inner-functioning of schools, including school staff having higher expectations for students, more shared ownership and trust across their faculty, and, ultimately, stronger school performance.
All families can be capable guides, partners, and advocates in their child’s education.
Regardless of a parent’s circumstances, family engagement is not a static enterprise - with the right interventions parents can change their behaviors in relationship to their child’s education. In focus groups conducted in 2009, District parents in all wards were clear that they cared about and wanted to support their child’s learning but needed additional skills and knowledge to do so. Furthermore, they pointed out that they wanted schools to be more welcoming and responsive to their involvement.
Families play specific roles that support student achievement.
Although there is widespread consensus about the importance of family engagement, there is a diversity of opinions about what, exactly, family engagement means. Research about the impact of different types of family engagement help address this challenge. Meta-analyses find that, when it comes to how strongly parent involvement predicts student achievement, a parent’s participation in school itself is a blip on the radar screen compared to a parent holding high expectations and setting goals for their individual child, monitoring progress and holding them accountable, and supporting learning at home, among other things. Although many of these forms of family engagement are difficult for school staff to see, schools still play an important role in affecting them.
Please join us in giving every student the gift of Family Engagement! Please reach out to your family engagement team, Jessica Gonzalez and Kristen Whitaker if you have any questions or concerns! We look forward to supporting you in this work!
Kudos to Jessica Alvarado and Omar Lopez for conducting the first home visit of the 2018-19 school year!! Thanks for getting us started!
CLIMATE:
Happy School Year 2018/2019, CHEC Family! It was so good to see everyone during pre-service with your renewed energy. Thank you for coming in strong and ready to work and help improve our systems for supporting our students.
De-escalation Tool Kit
We will be doing further training for all staff to further improve our school culture and climate. The following are suggestions as we go forward that will help us to keep student safe and accountable and promote consistency in and out the classroom.
- Build Positive Relationships
- Follow the CHEC 5 Step Process
- Proximity
- Utilize Restorative Justice
- Stay in constant communication with student and parent (Give positive praises and updates)
- Restitution Speeches (Involve Culture Team)
- Tap into student’s interest (Sports, Performing Arts, etc.)
- Tap into school resources (Social Workers, Mary’s Center, etc.)
- PBIS and/or in class incentives
- Utilize a plan for success
Referral
Please make sure to use the new updated referral sheet that is attached to log behavioral infractions.
Please don’t lose sight of the following:
Please do not lose sight of each of the following below, as they are crucial to maintaining and improving the culture that we desire:
Uniforms
Please share these important reminders with students and parents.
- Sweaters/jackets – if they are out of uniform, they should be in lockers all day or confiscated. Lincoln and Bell sweaters can be bought from the Deans or the Main Office. Lincoln and Bell sweaters $21 and sweaters with the zipper $27.
- Please call parents when you see students out of uniform and refusing to get in uniform to ensure it is very clear that they should be in full uniform at all times. Refer any further questions to Dean Aking, Dean Boone and Dean Galvan.
Detention
- Detention is a first intervention we have for students to check and correct their behavior in your classrooms. Students being informed of this consequence is vital to the effectiveness of the consequence. Remember to use our 5 step process with fidelity so that our students will not earn a greater consequence of ISS and thus lose valuable class time.
Dismissal
- We always need more support at dismissal from 3:15pm until 3:35pm (High School), 4:15pm until 4:35pm (Middle School). Please follow students all the way out to the front of the building. Students should be encouraged to move on toward their bus stops/metro quickly. Teachers and staff that can make themselves available to stay out front will be greatly appreciated.
Cafeteria Support
- All lunches have their ups and their downs. We always appreciate additional supports in the cafeteria on days that teachers are available. Check-ins with students build relationships and adult presence supports our daily procedures in lunch.
WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE
Athletics are an integral part of the educational program and a means to accomplish the goals of education. Our athletic program exists for the welfare of students and the contributions it makes to their educational experience. Athletic participation builds self-esteem and confidence and provides the necessary tools for success. The interaction between individuals on the fields of sport teaches students the value of teamwork, while developing the proper competitive spirit, combined with a sense of fairness.
CHEC Football Team Visits NFL Hall of Fame
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The Middle School Volleyball team lost to Oyster Adams. The High School Volleyball team lost to Banneker. The High School girls soccer team lost to Wilson. The High School boys Soccer team defeated Roosevelt High.
LINCOLN
Archery: 0 - 0
Boys Soccer: 0 - 0
Girls Soccer: 0 - 0
Girls Volleyball: 0 - 1
BELL
Football: 1 - 0
Boys Soccer: 1 - 1
Girls Soccer: 0 - 1 - 1
Girls Volleyball: 0 - 1
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
Monday
Middle School Volleyball vs. Browne at TBD @ 5:30
Tuesday
Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Deal at Deal @ 4:00
High School Boys Soccer vs. Paul at TBD @ 4:00
High School Volleyball vs. HD Woodson at TBD @ 6:00
Wednesday
High School Girls Soccer vs. Dunbar at Dunbar @ 4:00
Middle School Volleyball vs. Deal at Oyster Adams @ 4:30
Thursday
Middle School Girls Soccer vs. MacFarland at TBD @ 4:00
High School Volleyball vs. Dunbar at Coolidge @ 5:00
Friday
High School Boys Soccer vs. Capital City at Riggs LaSalle @ 4:00
High School Football vs. Falls Church at Falls Church @ 7:00
Saturday
No Games