TODAY, AND EVERYDAY, WE REMEMBER THE LIFE
AND HONOR THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2023
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Holiday
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2023
SLC Morning Meetings
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2023
SLC Morning Meetings
Departmental Planning Period Meetings
Music Department Winter Concert – 6:00 pm
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2023
Departmental Planning Period Meetings
Middle School Portfolio Presentations
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2023
No Meetings
High School and Middle School Portfolio Presentations
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Principal: Maria Tukeva
JANUARY 16, 2023:
This week’s focus is on the phrase from our Mission Statement,
"All Columbia Heights Education Campus graduates will be prepared to succeed in college, careers and civic life as leaders in the quest for social justice and anti-racism".
Today we are celebrating Martin Luther King Day. How do we use this occasion to develop ourselves and our students as leaders in the quest for social justice and anti-racism?
What essential question can you ask of your classes, to spark a discussion of the significance of the legacy of Martin Luther King, and other civil rights leaders? How can you find out what students feel so strongly about that they would be willing to make the sacrifices made by Martin Luther King and his contemporaries? What do you feel so strongly about that you would make those sacrifices?
What text or video can you view with your students to generate discussion and writing, and a sense of urgency for the struggle for social justice and anti-racism? Every moment we have with students in class, is a moment when we can join with them in building a commitment to social justice. Whether through exploring the history and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, or hearing from students about their own struggles and activism, these are Courageous Conversations that need to be had.
A passage from Dr. King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” states,
Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial "outside agitator" idea. Anyone who lives inside the United States can never be considered an outsider anywhere within its bounds.
What will our legacy, as educators and students, be, in the continuing quest for social justice and anti-racism? How can we build an “inescapable network of mutuality” that leads to justice for all. Even the creation of this national holiday required a struggle and a fight. Let us make sure to honor it through our thoughts and intentions, and through joining with our students in the struggle.
PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION REMINDERS
Portfolio Presentations take place this week, on the 19th and 20th for Middle School, and the 20th and 23rd for high school. Please use these presentations as a learning opportunity for you and for the students. The level of participation of students gives us feedback on how engaging they find the project. Parents can also give us feedback on the projects and their relevance to their lives and interests. To get more involvement of parents and students, we will have refreshments, and a raffle of gift cards. Please:
- Send out Kinvo or Remind messages to parents highlighting a project/GRASPS you are excited about.
- Have students in advisory send emails to their parents about their presentations and how much they want them to come and see their projects.
- Reach out with individual Kinvos to parents of students you really want to highlight and support – those who are showing great improvement or who have developed some compelling ideas.
- Plan to get feedback from parents on what they find interesting about the projects, and what projects they would like to see.
If we think as designers, everything we do becomes an opportunity to learn and improve. Thank you
#CHECInnovators2023!
Thank you for all you do!
XQ REDESIGN UPDATE
The two Innovation Teams, Interdisciplinary Projects, and Food Equity, will meet this Wednesday, to review the feedback from the Charette, and further refine their prototypes. With the Design Teams and Admin and ALT team, we are planning for school wide professional development in Design Thinking, so that we can all be Designers of our Learning and Destiny. The Design Teams and other staff members and students will present to SLC’s on a schedule, so that all can be aware of the work completed by these teams and its relevance to our overall redesign.
We will also be engaging in a schoolwide revision and redesign of our mission statement and norms, in order to make sure it reflects what stakeholders want and need.
We encourage all staff members to take a free, on line course, called “Design Thinking for the Greater Good.”
The course takes about 8 to 10 hours, at your own pace, and is free and on line. Please sign up in the form below if you want to engage in this professional development opportunity. You can do it on your own schedule!
Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector
We will offer Admin Premium to all who complete the course, and will be forming study groups of those who engage in the course.
If you would like to sign up of these study groups, please fill out the attached form.
Shout out to Mr. Bujan, Ms. Ishmael, Mr. Stewart, Dr. Emilius, Ms. Devargas, Ms. Ishmael and Ms. Peddyreddy who recently completed the course. They join Dr. Brown, Ms. Lainez, Ms. Planter, and Ms. Weiss, as Design Thinking Completers! The entire Admin team is taking the course as well. If you have identified a problem you would like help in addressing through the design thinking process, please send a description of the problem. If you are interested in one of the innovations, please contact Maria Tukeva, Principal, Ms. Krishunda Penn Pearson, Redesign Director, your SLC Administrator, or any member of the XQ Redesign Team.
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out to Mr. Stewart for engaging in Design Thinking and developing the Library Brand Ambassadors!
- Kudos to Dr. Barnett and Ms. Menendez for organizing a Field Trip to the Kennedy Center!
- Shout out to Dr. Lainez for engaging in Design Thinking and developing student designed GRASPS!
- Kudos to Mr. Salas and Ms. West for engaging the 10th Grade Team in Design Thinking around culture and climate!
- Shout out to Juliana Lopez Aguilar – she was accepted to Yale University with a full scholarship!!
- Shout out to Major Wright and MSgt Deschamps for preparing their cadets for college – two students will apply to the Naval Academy this year, and will participate in the West Point Leadership and Ethics Conference and George Mason in March!
- Kudos to Ms. Bryant for her leadershjp of our Student Internship Program!
INSTRUCTION
MR. SHOENTHAL'S PHYSICS CLASS
Week 9 of Advisory 2
It is the eighth week of the Second Advisory, and Portfolio Presentations are this week! . Please see above for suggestions on how to make this a celebration. Students should be completing and reflecting on their GRASPS, so they will be able to present with confidence and pride at the end of the advisory. Please engage students in practicing and organizing their materials so they are ready to present.
The Whole Child
It is Dr. Martin Luther Kings Birthday and this is the time we reflect over the civil rights movement and all of the anti racist initiatives that are out there to help develop the Whole Child. Hopefully you are reflecting on how we can continue to be civil with one another without being hurtful to one another. This weekend marks a day of service. Take some time to serve someone with gratitude. Happy Dr. Martin Luther King day.
Ms Planter
Whole Child Teacher Lead
To Live, To Learn, To Love!
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, maria.tukeva@k12.dc.gov or your SLC Administrator.
Please view the 22-23 CHEC Instructional Calendar here.
Assessment Corner
ACCESS testing is set to begin the second week of February. As such, PLEASE begin to look out for emails regarding ACCESS training! There are ACCESS trainings that must be done yearly, by everyone. There are also trainings specifically for first time test administrators. We will do our best to distinguish between the two, but please don’t hesitate to ask. Also note, time will be set aside for required trainings to be completed during SLC, department, and school PD.
Testing Coordinator,
Pete Magee
Professional Development
Our Shared Leadership Subcommittee and the Instructional coaches on the ALT Team are working on developing a PD plan for the year. Please see the Design Thinking PD opportunity in the XQ section of the bulletin!
Blue Engine has begun another community of practice cycle on co-teaching with our co-teaching partners.
For January 25th PD day, the entire Middle School will have a training in SIOP, provided by the Center for Applied Linguistics.
ALT TEAM
The ALT Team met and participated in an introduction to Design Thinking, and a gallery walk of the work of the Design Sprint Teams. The next ALT team meeting will be Tuesday, January 24 at 3:30 pm
OPPORTUNITIES
MS. YAMASHITA'S JAPANESE CLASS MAKES SUSHI!
PROJECTS FUNDED
MR. ARABIAN’S NEW CLASSROOM FUNDED PROJECT IS: ”MODIFIED WORKSHEETS”
My Project
The pandemic made it very obvious that a large portion of important learning needs to take place in the real (not virtual) world. Our ESL class is in need of a printer. A printer would allow us to have on-demand hard copy materials in order to engage our tactile and kinesthetic learners. School is no longer providing printers to teachers. Unfortunately, the daily jams have led to more virtual work, but ESL students need lots of modified printed worksheets. Having a printer allows our lessons to be flexible. Also, many of my former students are stopping by after school in need of printing important documents (letter of recommendations, etc).
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My Project
Interculturality is one of the goals of our school. That is why we receive students from different countries who belong to very different cultures every year. Many of them have been exposed to interrupted education in their home countries, and others had to work with different standards. For most of them, it is challenging to understand the basic concepts of science only through texts. That is why interactive activities and models reflecting reality are essential in my classroom. Help me give my students to understand the class with activities provided on the teachers pay teachers website and cellular models that let them understand the structure of organelles in different types of cells. A little help can make a significant change in my instruction. With these models and activities, students will have more opportunities to succeed in our society and access a better future.
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MS. HANLON’S NEW CLASSROOM FUNDED PROJECT IS: ”GETTING THE JOB DONE”
My Project
As a Social worker, I focus on the social-emotional learning, as a key part to my therapeutic programing for students and staff. Help me give my students an experience on this Dell 17' touch screen laptop! This up to date computer will allow me and my students to complete therapeutic assessments on time and the touch screen will allow the students to easily fill out the lengthy intake questionnaires. Restorative practices are the foundation of our school climate, as we enhance relationships and build community. We foster a growth mindset through which all stakeholders collaborate to achieve goals and overcome obstacles.
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THE DEAN TEAM
PLEASE ENJOY THE "SONG OF THE WEEK"...
THE INTERNET - IT GETS BETTER (WITH TIME)
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
At CHEC, we are all “Design Thinkers”!!! As we continue the journey to re-design our way of thinking, teaching, learning, and leading, it is inevitable that there will be difficult days ahead. There will be times when we must go back to the drawing board and start over. The most important and critical practice however is to NEVER QUIT, even when you have things that are extremely hard. Remember.....“It gets better with time”.
School Culture Updates, Events and Shoutouts
- We will resume Attention Meetings after the Dean Team complete Culture Reset Discussions in PLTs this week. To all NON-INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF Please use this form Attention Meeting Support Schedule.docx to sign up for supporting meetings.
- The Dean Team will be joining your PLTs in the next weeks to discuss the culture reset. Dean's will present to MS teachers on 1/17 and 9th and 10th grade teachers on 1/18
- The Culture Team will be conducting RANDOM hall sweeps. Teachers, please lock your doors after the bell and redirect students to see a Culture Team member or AP for a pass. Please be sure to document their attendance and contact parents.
Upcoming PBIS Incentives
(Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change at the discretion of Culture Team Leaders.)
JANUARY 27TH –PIZZA PARTY (FOR TOP 25 Students per GL KICKBOARD STUDENTS)
PBIS Reminders and Celebrations
Teacher All-Stars (500 + Highest Interactions from 01/02-01/08)
- Sandra Garcia Pinilla (1099)
- Latrice Quickley (724)
- Maria Borrego (607)
- Tevin Simard (601)
- Desepe De Vargas (569)
- Omar Abusabha (564)
- Erika Harris (518)
- Dwight Simon (501)
Kickboard norms reminder
Currently, we have less than 50% participation in staff rewarding students with Kickboard points. Remember, Kickboard helps to build positive classroom culture and should be integrated in your classroom incentives, norms and strategies to manage your classroom.
- 15 interactions per class and 45 interactions per day
- DO NOT deduct student dollars
- Do not attempt to inflate the day of the incentive
- Use the first 15 and last 15 of class to give dollars
- Create in-class incentives (Do not deduct dollars)
STAFF RESOURCES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
January Community of Practice: Transforming Relationships Through Restorative Practices
January 19th at 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Register Here: https://bit.ly/RDCCopJan
Here are some resources to help you facilitate circles in your classrooms and SEL:
Classroom Circles
Circles in the classroom can be used for community-building, instruction, collective problem solving, and even conflict resolution. The circle offers an opportunity for youth to take an active role in creating a safe and supportive space in their own classroom. The circle gives equal opportunity for all to listen, contribute, and practice social emotional skills.
Restorative Practices: Circles in the Classroom
Student Support Forms:
Reminder: Please bookmark this link for future behavioral referrals:
Use this form to recognize students for Student of the Week and Month:
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.
TEAM STANDINGS
LINCOLN
BB: 6 – 3
GB: 1 – 8
BELL
JVBB: 34 – 4
VGB: 2 – 8
VBB: 1 – 9
WRESTLING: 4 - 1
BOWLING:
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The middle school boys basketball team defeated MacFarland and Hardy. The middle school girls basketball team lost to MacFarland and Hardy. The HS wrestling team defeated HD Woodson but lost to Jackson-Reed. The JV boys basketball team defeated Cardozo. The varsity girls basketball team lost to Coolidge. The varsity boys basketball team lost to Cardozo and Coolidge.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
MONDAY:
No Games
TUESDAY
MSGB vs. Deal at CHEC @ 4:45
HS Swim Meet at HD Woodson @ 5:00
MSBB vs. Deal at CHEC @ 6:00
WEDNESDAY
HS Indoor Track Meet #2 at PG Sports & Learning Complex @ 3:00
JVB vs. Dunbar at CHEC @ 4:00
VGB vs. Dunbar at CHEC @ 5:30
VBB vs. Dunbar at CHEC @ 7:30
THURSDAY:
MS Wrestling Match #4 at CHEC @ 4:00
HS Bowling Match #2 at Bolling AFB @ 4:00
FRIDAY:
JVB vs. Eastern at CHEC @ 4:00
HS Swim Meet #3 at HD Woodson @ 5:00
VGB vs. Eastern at CHEC @ 5:30
VBB vs. Eastern at CHEC @ 7:30
SATURDAY:
No Games
To participate in sports, including tryouts, students must complete participation paperwork and upload their physical via https://www.thedciaa.com/participation-forms. Anyone with questions, should contact the CHEC athletic director, Coach A in room D236, or via email at desmond.alexander@k12.dc.gov. It is too late to join fall sports. Spring sports practice begins February 15th
Desmond Alexander, CAA
Athletic Directo.
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools
(202)939-7700 Ext: 5207 (office)
(202)576-9147 (fax)