10-01-2018 - CHEC BULLETIN

CHEC BULLETIN
A weekly update on our professional learning community

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CHEC bulletin for Week of October 1, 2018
CHEC BAND AT DCPS' BACK TO SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY
MARIA TUKEVA’S (MT) MESSAGE:
COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL PLAN FOCUS

This is the seventh week of the school year, and by this time, all students should be well into their second GRASPS. There are several upcoming assessments that will provide us with valuable information on our students’ progress towards reaching our CSP goals in PARCC and Advanced Placement. There 12 instructional days until mid-term exams/interim exams (including ANET), and 13 instructional days until portfolio presentations.  All of these assessments will give us valuable data on our progress in meeting two

CSP Goals:

  • The number of students scoring 4 and 5 on PARCC in ELA and Math will increase by 10%
  • The number of students scoring 3,4, and 5 on Advanced Placement Exams will increase by 10%

As we head into the assessment period, it is important to make sure that students are prepared and ready to do their best.  Our portfolios are all aligned to the Common Core and Content standards, and all involve an application or modelling opportunity.  This prepares students for written responses on PARCC, and free response questions on Advanced Placement.  For portfolio assessment, this means that all students should have two GRASPS, revised to standard, and be prepared to discuss how they have worked to meet these standards.

All interim assessments must be aligned to the PARCC or Advanced placement, so that when we receive the results, we will be able to determine incremental progress towards meeting the standards and our goal.  Departments who don’t have an already developed interim assessment, such as ANET or released AP, should be in the process of finalizing those assessments. Based on the results of the interims, we will adjust, reteach, and reassess.  During the last weeks of the advisory, let’s focus on ensuring that students are ready to perform well on their portfolios and exams.

SHOUT OUTS

  • Kudos to Mr. Connor for organizing Voter Registration here at CHEC for our students!!
  • Shout out to Mr. Lopez-Febres for providing a workshop on the Calderon vocabulary method to the World Language/Dual Language Department!
  • Kudos to Mr. Lopez and Mr. Gonzalez for giving a work shop on PopSheets to the WL/DL Department!!!
  • Shout out to Ms. Garcia-Carmona for taking her Spanish Language Arts 8 class to see “Like Water for Chocolate” at GALA theatre, to enhance her current unit!!
  • Shout out to the 8th Grade Team for organizing a Back to School Barbecue for the 8th Grade Parents last Friday!!!
  • Shout out to Ms. Alvarado for coordinating a Leadership Activity with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)!!!
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:

Monday, October 1, 2018
ANET ELA Window Opens for Grades 6 through 10
SLC Morning Mtg

Tuesday, October 2, 2018
Parent Meeting for Grades 6 through 12
SLC Morning Mtg

Wednesday, October 3, 2018
CHEC Jazz Band - CSOSA Performance
Departmental Planning Mtg

Thursday, October 4, 2018
Departmental Planning Mtg
Faculty Meeting

Friday, October 5, 2018
No Meetings
2nd Advisory Begins
OPPORTUNITIES:
UPDATES FROM: LEADERSHIP I GALA THEATRE I GSA SPIRIT ACTIVITIES I CANVAS I TOM SPOTH I WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING I SPAIN OFFICE OF CULTURE I DCPS OFFICE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING I DONORS CHOOSE I LIBRARIES I PERSONAL GROWTH TEAM I FLAMBOYAN I


ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP TEAM 2018-19

The third Academic Leadership Team Meeting took place on September 26, and was attended by 34 staff members! 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 meeting focused on developing the plan for presenting data at the ALT Team meetings. The notes are available through this link.. ALT Team Meeting Notes September 27 2018. The next meeting will be held on Friday, October 12, at 7:45 am and will begin the cycle of data report out from each subgroup. The agenda will be sent to the entire staff beforehand. Please get involved and join us at the Academic Leadership Team Meeting.

SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS AT THE GALA THEATRE

The 8th Grade Spanish Language Arts class experienced a great field trip to the gala Theatre to see a performance of Like Water for Chocolate. The students had a great time, and in a special post performance session, asked the actors amazing questions!

Un abrazo,
Ismenia Garcia


CHEC Spanish Language Arts Class at Gala Theatre – Questions for the Cast

GSA SPIRIT DAY ACTIVITIES

On Friday October 19th the CHEC Genders and Sexualities Alliance will once again host Spirit Day. Spirit Day in a national event that is a means of speaking out against LGBTQ bullying and standing with LGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities. Pledging to "go purple" by wearing purple attire on Spirit Day is a way for everyone — forward-thinking companies, global leaders, respected celebrities, neighbors, parents, classmates, and friends — to visibly show solidarity with LGBTQ youth and to take part in the largest, most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world.

The GSA will be hosting a dress down fundraiser, inviting students to participate in the "go purple" campaign by donating a dollar to wear purple. Additionally we will also have a Tie Dye party on Friday October 5th to provide all community members the opportunity to make a shirt to wear on that day. We hope to see everyone wearing purple and invite you to post your Spirit Day selfies to Twitter and Instagram and be sure to tag the @CHEC_GSA.

LOGGING IN TO CANVAS

For any students who need assistance to log into Canvas, follow the directions below.  If there are any students that cannot log into Canvas please have them email the Canvas support team at dcps.canvas@dc.gov.

Student Login Information:
Username: Student ID #
Password: Birthdate (MMDDYY) (Note: include a zero in front of single digits. For instance, 01/09/05 would be 010905)

CHEC STUDENTS REPRESENT AT THE BLACK WOMEN'S AGENDA SYMPOSIUM

On September 14th, nine CHEC students attended the 41st Black Women's Agenda Symposium. The students engaged in conversations with other DCPS students about under-representation of women in STEM.


CHEC STUDENTS AT THE BLACK WOMEN'S AGENDA SYMPOSIUM

CHEC AT THE DC CITY COUNCIL FORUM ON EDUCATION

On September 26th, CHEC SGA leaders attended a DC City Council Forum on Education. Jessica Amaya and Emily Flores represented CHEC, speaking on issues affecting our school community. They networked with other students from DCPS and discussed ways to better our school community as a whole!  


SGA Senior Class President Emily Flores and Senior Class Vice President Jessica Amaya at DC Council Education Forum

OPPORTUNITY FROM TOM SPOTH

Dear CHEC Team,

Some of my students have been diligently designing surveys as part of their Capstone research project, and now are getting ready to administer those surveys. I am hoping to send students out of class next Wednesday (the early release day) during 1st, 3rd and 4th period. I will instruct them to minimize disruption to your classes as much as possible.

Could you please let me know if for any reason you would NOT be willing to accept these eager young scholars into your classes? (e.g. you're giving a test, need to deliver a particularly important lesson w/o interruption, etc.). Otherwise please expect some students to be coming around!

Thanks,
Tom Spoth

OPPORTUNITY FROM DC SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

Good day CHEC — on behalf of the DC School and Community Partnerships team at the Kennedy Center, we would like to invite you to attend Opera in the Outfield event on Saturday, September 29th, 2018 at Nationals Park.   This event is FREE and open to the public. Feel free to invite your students, teachers, families and friends. Everyone is welcome!

The Kennedy Center will be providing transportation and reserved seating for groups from our DC Partnership Schools! If you would like to book a bus and/or reserve seats for your school group, please let me know by Friday, Sept. 21st, 2018.  Please note: resources are first come, first served.

If you are not planning to bring a group, you are still welcome to invite students, teachers, and their families to attend on their own. You do not have to RSVP if you do not need reserved seating or buses to transport you. The event is free and open to the public, so you are welcome to attend without a RSVP! Also, the event is easily accessible by public transportation (Navy Yard Station on Green Line).

Gates open at 5:00pm with many pre-show activities to participate in including face painting, costume try-ons, instrument petting zoo, free candy and prizes, and performances by Kennedy Center Partnership Schools Garfield Elementary and Duke Ellington School students.  The comedic, family-friendly opera Barber of Seville will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House onto the Nationals Park Jumbo Tron Screen beginning at 7:00pm.
For more information contact Sirena Dib, Program Coordinator, DC School and Community Initiatives  (202) 416-8803 sgdib@kennedy-center.org

WILDERNESS LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
Wilderness Leadership and Learning (WILL) is a holistic 12-month experiential learning, youth leadership and life skills development program for DC 9th to 11th graders. WILL is beginning to recruit for its 15th class. There have been Bell students in WILL every year. Please refer a student to be part of this amazing program to strengthen student's leadership, life skills, cultural awareness, empathy, compassion, and Environmental Awareness.
Contact Ms. Elmore, College and Career Center, A126.  Milagros.Lopez@dc.gov with student referrals.

MESSAGE FROM THE SPAIN OFFICE OF CULTURE
The Embassy of Spain's Office of Culture is holding a very informative exhibition about the role Spain played in the American Independence.  Please see attached for more information about this exhibition and available tours. As a perfect complement to this exhibition Vista Higher Learning/Santillana USA invites you plus one to an evening with Guillermo Fesser, the author of Get to know Bernardo de Galvez. Guillermo will present his book and then we will have an informal networking session enjoying some Spanish tapas. Please see attached for more details. (please see attached – RM Tours, and Guillermo Fesser pdf’s)

We hope you can join us!

Best regards,
Arturo Castillón
National Sales Director
Santillana USA Publishing, Inc.

MR. MAGEE RECEIVES RESOURCES FROM DONORS CHOOSE

Wow - another great Donors Choose initiative – consider starting one for your classroom!  Give Mr. Magee high five! He recently earned funding for "Laboratory Materials for Introductory and Advanced Science".   The resources for this project will arrive soon:

  • PIPETTE PUMP III PIPETTORS RED 25ML EA, quantity 10, $31.76 each
  • PIPETTE SEROLOGICAL PS 25ML PACK OF 25, quantity 1, $28.52 each

MS. PATTERSON RECEIVES RESOURCES FROM DONORS CHOOSE

Yet another great Donors Choose initiative – consider starting one for your classroom!  Give Ms. Patterson a high five! She recently earned funding for "Lab Coats for Labs".   The resources for this project will arrive soon:
  • LAB COAT UNISEX LARGE, quantity 8
  • LAB COAT UNISEX SMALL, quantity 5
  • LAB COAT UNISEX MEDIUM, quantity 8
  • LAB COAT UNISEX XXLARGE, quantity 2
  • LAB COAT UNISEX XLARGE, quantity 2
  • LAB COAT UNISEX XSMALL, quantity 5

MS. WARREN RECEIVES RESOURCES FROM DONORS CHOOSE

Give Ms. Warren a high five! Ms. Warren recently earned funding for "Echoes of the Past - Novels for Seniors".  The resources for this project are:
  • Kindred, quantity 65

CHEC LIBRARIES

LINCOLN LIBRARY UPDATES

Hispanic Heritage Month Event
Hispanic Heritage Month runs Sept. 15th - Oct. 15th. Some Lincoln students had the opportunity to join Ms. Falkenberg at the Library of Congress for The Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature. This award recognizes U.S. published children's and young adult literature that authentically showcase Latin America, the Caribbean or Latinos in the U.S. This year's winners are American Street by Ibi Zoboi and Danza!: Amalia Hernández and el Ballet Folklórico de México by Duncan Tonatiuh. Honorable mentions: All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle and illustrated by Mike Curato; Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar (on display in Lincoln library)
More information about the award, including resources to teach the books, can be found here: http://www.claspprograms.org/americasaward

Author Teri Kanefield to Visit CHEC
Lincoln Library and Mr. Jaramillo's 8th grade history class will welcome author Teri Kanefield next Thursday, Oct. 11th during 7th period. This will be our first collaboration with An Open Book Foundation, a local organization that brings authors and illustrators to Washington, DC schools. Students will receive a copy of her book, The Making of America: Alexander Hamilton, while other copies in the series will be donated to the school library.

Log Reading on Beanstack
DCPS 5 Million Minutes Challenge is in full swing! Students and staff can log minutes read, book titles, and reviews on Beanstack through Clever or download the mobile app. Teachers have new access to see students' progress and reviews. Contact Ms. Falkenberg with any assistance requests.

K-12 Writing Contest
Deadline: November 16th 11:59 PM EST
Students can choose a news story about an issue affecting another part of the world and write an essay summarizing the article, how it affects their community, and suggest an action their Congressperson can take. Prizes include a party, video message from a journalist, and publication of your letter.

Articles Worth Reading
Webinar
Strategies for Lesson Planning and Instruction for English Language Learners

Newseum Teacher Open House
Save the date - October 6th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

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
The Hate U Give is not only the first book club reading for the 2018-2019 school year on October 17th but, book club students will also have an opportunity to see the movie on Friday, October 19th (flyer attached).  

The BazanED and Twentieth Century Fox Films is hosting an Educators Only (grades 8-12) screening and discussion of The Hate U Give on September 24th, 2018 from 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM at Smithsonian American History Museum.

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

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!

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

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:


HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
(reprinted from www.HispanicHeritageMonth.org)

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.

The term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic and/or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin."

Today, 57.5 million people or 18% of the American population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population.

Share in this special annual tribute by learning and celebrating the generations of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.  Please see the website above for more information on how to integrate this celebration into your instruction.

At CHEC, we have a culminating event for every heritage month, and this year’s Assembly is being coordinated by a Committee headed by Dr. Amylia Barnett.  Please be on the look out for information about committee meetings and how you can become involved!
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 Alum Miamour Mesa kickin it at Southern
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The Middle School Volleyball team defeated Leckie.  The Middle School Girls Soccer team lost to Oyster Adams.  The MS BSOC team lost to MacFarland.  The High School Girls Cross Country Team took 3rd place in the Ron Jenkins Invitational.  The High School Volleyball team defeated Eastern and Ballou.  The High School Girls Soccer team tied School Without Walls.  The High School Boys Soccer team defeated Coolidge.  The High School football team defeated McKinley.  
LINCOLN
Archery: 0 - 0
Boys Soccer: 0 - 2 - 1
Girls Soccer: 0 - 3
Girls Volleyball: 1 - 5
BELL
Football: 4 - 0
Boys Soccer: 6 - 1
Girls Soccer: 2 - 2 - 1
Girls Volleyball: 4 - 3
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
Monday
Middle School Volleyball vs. Whittier at Jefferson @ 4:30 p.m.

​Tuesday
Middle School Boys Soccer vs. Stuart Hobson at Deal @ 4:00 p.m.
Middle School Girls Soccer vs. Stuart Hobson at Deal @ 5:00 p.m.
High School Volleyball vs. Anacostia at HD Woodson @ 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday
High School Boys Soccer vs. Wilson at Wilson @ 4:00 p.m.
High School Girls Soccer vs. McKinley at McKinley @ 4:00 p.m.

Thursday
Middle School Archery vs. Wheatley at Wheatley @ 4:30 p.m.
High School Volleyball vs. Coolidge at CHEC @ 6:00 p.m.

Friday
High School Football vs. Cardozo at Cardozo @ 6:00 p.m.

​Saturday
Cross Country at DCIAA Invitational at Colmar Manor @ 9:00 a.m.
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