PARCC PEP RALLY FOR 9TH AND 10TH GRADERS
MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023
Professional Development and Record Keeping Day
Schedule sent in previous Email
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023
SLC Morning Meetings
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023
SLC Morning Meeting/MTSS Meetings
Departmental Planning Period Meeting
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023
Departmental Planning Period Meeting
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023
Principal: Maria Tukeva
APRIL 10, 2023:
This week’s focus is on the following phrase from the CHEC Mission:
“We trust one another to continually improve our practices.”
WE HAVE A RECOGNITION!
Last week was National Assistant Principals’ Week, and we recognized our amazing Assistant Principals and Director of Strategy and Logistics, in our Monthly Faculty Meeting. Our Assistant Principals and DSL support our mission every day through their leadership, hard work, and unwavering commitment to our students, staff and community. In addition to leading a small learning community and/or multiple departments, each of them have special duties in one of the six domains of their jobs - Instruction, Talent, Operations, Climate and Culture, Family Involvement, and Personal Leadership Please take some time this week to show your appreciation to our AP’s and DSL:
Kathrine Avila – Assistant Principal for 7th and 8th Grades – Middle School
Dewayne Boone – Assistant Principal for Intervention -
Edilberto Galvan -Assistant Principal for Ninth Grade
Oliver Jones – Assistant Principal for Multilingual Communication and the Arts
Pankaj Rayamajhi – Director of Strategy and Logistics
Roman Smith – Assistant Principal for 6th and 7th Grades – Middle School
Adrian Thweatt - Assistant Principal for Math, Science and Business
Taylor West – Assistant Principal for 10th Grade.
IT’S THE FOURTH QUARTER!
The fourth quarter of the year is a time for perseverance, to ensure we continue to focus on our goals, for reflection, as we assess where we have been, for planning, as we think about next year, and for celebration, as we share joy for all we have accomplished.
As you enter the fourth quarter, it is important to continue to build on the norms and culture we have been working on all year. This is the time when it all starts to come together, when students truly internalize and apply all that they have learned. It is important to maintain structure, planning and rigor in classes, and to reduce scaffolds so that students can demonstrate and apply what they have learned.
Projects for the fourth quarter should all be based on student choice and interest. Build in field trips and other experiential activities so that students experience rigor in application to real life activities. Take some time on our professional development day this week, to brainstorm with colleagues on how to engage students as Designers of their Learning in the fourth advisory.
In terms of climate, the norms are more important than ever. In particular, please make sure students can own their learning through full and active participation in class, by emphasizing on time arrival to class, a strong opening and close to class, and minimizing time out of class. Please make your focus on engaging students with ideas and activities that are interesting, aligned to standards, and relevant to their lives and cultures. Our project based approach to instruction is a great vehicle, especially when we design the projects with students in mind.
XQ REDESIGN UPDATE
“How might we reinvent how we do school using Design Thinking?”
One of our Design Pillars is, Students will be Designers of Rigorous, Multicultural Learning Experiences. This week, we will launch two travel experiences designed by students – four students will attend the American Educational Research Association Summit in Chicago, to present their work on our Food Equity Design Sprint, and our overall focus on design thinking. Belstar Nimon Toki, Ydidya Nadew, Elimane Samb, Gustavo Rojas and Jennifer Aguilar will travel with Ms. Weiss and Dara Shaw from the Urban Institute. We are so proud of them and look forward to the feedback they will receive! Four students will travel to Cat Island Bahamas during Spring Break, to present their design of an eco-tourism business in collaboration with students from Cat Island, for Earth Day. Imelda Abide Grekonzi Woss, Nia Betha, Ne’kareo Rawlings and Daniela Vasquez Carrillo will travel with Kennry Alvarado and Maria Tukeva. The students are using design thinking to create their project and present it to judges on Earth Day.
We have received information on the next steps in applying to be a part of the next XQ Cohort. We are to prepare a proposal with artifacts responding to the XQ design criteria, providing documentation of our progress toward meeting the XQ design principles in our new design. The proposal and artifacts are due on May 5th, and a presentation will be made to XQ and Central Office staff on May 19th. Based on that presentation, we will be notified if we are accepted to the next cohort.
There are multiple opportunities to design your learning in relation to Design Thinking. In addition to the learning we are doing in SLC’s and different departments, there is a new on line course which builds on the previous one, which was “Design Thinking for the Greater Good.” The second course is also offered by Jeanne Liedtka of the University of Virginia, and is entitled, “Experiencing Design.”
Please see the link here:https://www.coursera.org/learn/uva-darden-experiencing-design?recoOrder=0&utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=23110&sfmc_id=116195640&sfmc_key=0038W00001qn2ihQAA.
The opportunity below aligns to our Design Thinking approach – please check it out -
NEW! CityBridge Design Fellowship Application (4/14/23)
CityBridge invites all DC-based educators to apply to the Design Fellowship. The Design Fellowship provides customized tools, coaching, and financial support to design, test, adapt, and scale a right-sized pilot solution. During this four-month immersive fellowship, participants will build the knowledge needed to clearly define their problem and design, implement, and evaluate two tests of their proposed solution. Teams are eligible to receive up to $5,000 to test their pilots. Click here to learn more about this opportunity. The applications deadline is April 14. For questions, please contact Millissa Hare at mhare@citybridge.org.
NEW FIELD TRIP PROTOCOLS
Field Trip Office Hours for Trip Sponsor Role (Week of 1/23 and ongoing)
All field trips taking place after January 3, 2023, must be entered via the new Field Trip QuickBase app. The Field Trip QB User Guide and additional resources are available in the DCPS Way Field Trip Folder. Trip Sponsors to attend upcoming office hours for support with the new app:
Before loading the trip onto the App, please still fill out the CHEC Internal Field Trip Form and get it signed before proceeding.
Thank you!
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out to Mr. Molina, Mr. Whitney, the SGA, NJROTC, Mr. Galvan, and all who helped with the PARCC Pep Rally!
- Kudos to the 9th and 10th grade teams, Mr. Magee, Mr. Galvan, Ms. West, Ops, and all who helped for a successful PARCC testing last week!
- Shout out to Ms. Nunez, Mr. Whitney, and the Middle School SGA for a great Easter Egg Hunt!
- Shout out to Major Wright and MSgt Deschamps for a great NJROTC Inspection!
- Kudos to all who supported Faculty Fun Day by leading an activity – Ms. Menendez, Mr. Onley, Dr. Barnett, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jacobs, Ms. McCulloch, Ms. Buckmon, Ms. Wells, Ms. Raff, Ms. Ferguson,
- Shout out to Dr. Brown, Ms. A. Alvarado, Mr. Hearn, for organizing Capstone Night! Shout out to all of the panelists:
- 11th Grade Judges - Ms. Quickley, Mrs. Ward, Mr. Linero, Ms. Belser, Mr. Simon, Mr. Zinzarella, Mrs. Malcolm, Ms. Ortez - Aparicio, Ms. Pettiford, Ms. Massoni,
- 12th Grade Judges - Mr. Caceres, Mr. Talarico, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Simard, Ms. Ismael, Mr. Agudelo, Mrs. Vialpando, Ms. Hobbes, Mr. Whitney, Ms. Gallego-Cordoba
- Shout out to Mr. Oliany Mendez for organizing a CPR training! Shout out to all who got trained -High schoolers, Dilenia Lopez, Darlen Fuentes, Antony Paz, Staff members, Ms. Massoni, Mr. Arce, Ms. Carino, Mr. Valdivia and Ms. Vialpando Strickland!
- Kudos to Mr. Whitney, Ms. Burnett, Ms. Wells, Ms. Massoni and Mr. K. Williams for taking middle schoolers on a skating trip!
INSTRUCTION
MS. ARCHIBOLD'S 7TH GRADE
DUAL LANGUAGE SCIENCE CLASS
Week 1 of Semester 3 and Advisory 4
It is the first week of the Fourth Advisory! We are officially in assessment season! As your class begins the process of taking PARCC, build their investment in the process by reminding them that they are prepared, by virtue of the standards aligned classes they have been receiving, and their work on Standards Aligned Projects. It is important to build confidence and a growth mind set as students approach this assessment, so that they can give full engagement. In kicking off the fourth advisory, be creative with your new GRASPS. Get student input and ideas on how to improve the GRASPS! If you need assistance or support, please see your Department Chair or SLC administrator.
The Whole Child
SEL is a great way to relax, relate and to release. As the weather is getting warmer, taking the time to enjoy nature is key having some great SEL moments. Ms. B and Ms. Planter's students helped out at the mini farm beside the schools tennis courts . We planted Kale, cabbage, mustard greens and a host of other items. This is a great way to get your whole child antiracist initiative flowing for your students. If you would like to get involved in more social emotional learning please see any whole child teacher lead.
Sincerely,
Ms. Planter
Angenette Planter
Whole Child Teacher Lead
Environmental Science Teacher
To Live, To Learn, To Love!
Instructional Calendar
Please view the 22-23 CHEC Instructional Calendar here.
Assessment Corner
This past week saw our first round of PARCC administration! By all counts it was a resounding success. Whether it was teachers who were proctors or test administrators, counselors who handed out materials and technology, or the OCTO helping troubleshoot. Each and every one of you showed up in a big way – thank you. While our next administration will not be until May 1st (HS Math), please look out for correspondence regarding make-ups.
This week will also see an administration of the NAEP exam. Often referred to as ‘Nation’s Report Card’, the NAEP exam will test fifty 12th graders on Thursday morning. This exam will be administered by representatives from NAEP. While disruptions to our schedule will be small, you all will be pivotal in helping message this test to students. Please look for email from myself regarding the who, when and where.
Test Integrity training!! This Tuesday we’ll have a Test Integrity training in A407 at 3:45p. This training is for all staff regardless of grade level.
Thanks all!
Pete Magee
Testing Coordinator
Love & Empathy Page
If you know of students and families in need of assistance, please send the information to our Bulletin, where we will publish opportunities to show love and empathy. Please share these with your networks.
Professional Develoment / Record Keeping Day
The Blue Engine Co-teaching professional development is still going on.
We will be offering professional development in the Wilson Reading method April 11-13. 10 teachers have already signed up.
In SLC’s, the focus continues on an introduction to Design Thinking, and its application to some real opportunities or challenges. In Department, it is suggested that for at least part of the planning time, you use the lens of our Redesign focus on interdisciplinary, relevant projects that provide student choice and voice, as you review and revise GRASPS .
Our Shared Leadership Subcommittee and the Instructional coaches will are further refining the professional development plan. If you would like to join the Coaches Design Team, please see one of our Instructional Coaches.
ALT TEAM
The ALT Team met on Tuesday, March 14 to review data, and conducted our MOY Step Back Meeting, with members of the Cluster Support Team. Each domain group of the team presented a summary of what the data shows in relation to our CSP goals, provide data, and discussed next steps. Please see the front page of the bulletin for details. The next ALT team meeting will be March 28 at 3:30 pm. All are invited to the ALT Team meetings!
OPPORTUNITIES
MR. HADDAD ADVOCATES AND FINDS MENTOR,
MS. ANGELA KENNEDY, FOR K'NAZIA MCKENZIE
PARCC SPIRIT 9TH GRADE ELA TEAM
LULAC 11041 2023 SCHOLARSHIP - DEADLINE IS 4-15-2023
LULAC 11041 annual scholarships are now opened for those seeking to apply until April 15. For the last 20 years LULAC Council 11041 has provided scholarships to students from DC. LULAC 11041 2023 educational grants range from $500 to $2,000 and are for DC graduating high school seniors, current college students or “returning to school” students. The program is open to those who come from a DC home, reside in DC or will be attending a higher education institution in DC.The scholarship committee will review academic performance as well as the student’s volunteer work and community service accomplishments.
Dates to remember:
- Applications will be due on April 15, 2023.
- Finalists will be interviewed in June 2023.
- Winners will be notified later that month.
- Checks will be presented in July 2023.
To apply, click here: https://www.lnesc.org/ssi/2023_LNSF_Student_Application.pdf
Submit your application: Email your application and materials to LULAC 11041 President Alex Rodriguez at rodanda6132@verizon.net. Please include in the email subject line your full name and the word scholarship.
Application and materials are due April 15, 2023.
Good luck to all applicants!
Alex Rodriguez and Marilyn Nevy Cruz
President and Scholarship Chair, LULAC 11041
NOW OPEN: BELL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Applications are now being accepted for the Bell College Scholarship. Apply here:
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must attend Bell Multicultural High School at CHEC
- Senior year and college bound
- Grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher
- Attendance: No more than ten days of unexcused absences or tardies between the school year dates of August 29, 2022 and June 23, 2023
- Discipline: Must have no disciplinary referrals whatsoever during their senior year. The Scholarship Committee will contact the Dean of Students and Attendance Counselor to confirm this.
Required Documents:
- Personal Essay (2 pages max): How has your background and identity shaped your journey to college? How will you use your education to become a leader in the quest for social justice?
- Academic Transcript
- 1-2 letters of recommendation
- The recommendation(s) can come from a teacher, counselor, internship supervisor, school administrator, employer, or member of the community
- College Acceptance Letter(s)
- Financial Aid Award Letter(s) (if applicable)
The Gala Scholarship Committee will recommend names and tiers to the School Principal, and the Principal will make all final decisions. The Scholarship Committee will notify all applicants in writing with the outcome of their applications.
Complete applications must be turned in to your counselor no later than Friday, April 28th, 2023 by 4:00 p.m
NEW! CITYBRIDGE DESIGN FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION (4/14/23)
CityBridge invites all DC-based educators to apply to the Design Fellowship. The Design Fellowship provides customized tools, coaching, and financial support to design, test, adapt, and scale a right-sized pilot solution. During this four-month immersive fellowship, participants will build the knowledge needed to clearly define their problem and design, implement, and evaluate two tests of their proposed solution. Teams are eligible to receive up to $5,000 to test their pilots. Click here to learn more about this opportunity. The applications deadline is April 14. For questions, please contact Millissa Hare at mhare@citybridge.org.
NOW OPEN THROUGH JUNE 30TH:
EVERYDAY DC PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
“Everyday DC,” a photography exhibition that visualizes daily life in Washington, D.C., through the eyes of D.C. middle school students citywide, opened on March 30, 2023. The exhibition is open to the public every Monday to Friday, through June 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Please come by to see the exhibition and support our middle school artists:
- Angel Garcia-Giron
- Zuri Smith
- Jesus Hernandez
- Jakelin Salmeron-Sorto
- Summer Anderson
- Jason Lopez-Valladares
- Tyevontay Blackman
PROJECTS FUNDED
MR. PINTO'S NEW CLASSROOM FUNDED PROJECT IS: “READING LIKE A HISTORIAN”
My Project
This 3-day institutes focuses on reading and analyzing primary sources in the History class. We will overview the Reading Like a Historian design principles & historical thinking, we will learn how to model historical thinking, facilitate historical discussions with Structured Academic Controversies, and scaffolding historical documents for students. These are just a few of the topics that we will dive into, while also diving into connecting reading and writing and using technology to enhance writing. I am looking forward to the small group work that will be done other History teachers, online. With this knowledge, I will be able to return with strategies I learned in order to enhance the reading, writing and discussion skills in the History class.
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MR. AGUILAR'S NEW CLASSROOM FUNDED PROJECT IS: “BASIC CLASSROOM MATERIALS”
My Project
I would like your help with these basic materials to provide better academic instruction to all my students. Students will use colored paper and paper cutters to decorate their projects in my class and other cohorts. These materials will develop their creativity and craft skills. These cleaning supplies will keep kids bacteria-free. They will be able to clean their stations after working on their craft projects. Cleaning supplies go fast in high school, especially when crafting.
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THE DEAN TEAM
Message from Deans:
It’s countdown to SPRING BREAK!!! Thank you to all who have adjusted and supported the attendance initiatives. We ask that everyone continue to hold students accountable for not respecting their learning time. The next initiative will focus on “On Time Transitions” to class. Students in hallways without a pass to class after the transition is over will now require an impromptu parent phone call leading up to afterschool detention.
As a reminder, WE ARE DESIGN THINKERS and must be creative with how we keep students engaged. START CLASSES STRONG AND END STRONG.
Here is a clip of a teacher’s entry process. What do you notice? How might we adjust our entry routine to set the tone for students at the start of each class?
High School Morning Entry Routine
Think of one thing you can change or improve in your classroom management to keep students engaged and excited to come to your classes and remain there until the end. The goal is to help remind students the importance of being on time and that every moment counts!
Here are few ideas:
- Try playing music during the opening activity or transition from activity to another. This could set the tone and pace of the class while also building relationships and rapport with students.
- Consider letting a student lead part of your lesson or groups within the class.
- Create a game for your Exit Ticket to assess level of skill mastery or making things more engaging (Include some kind of tangible or real time incentive).
- Re-engage families with positive phone calls weekly.
- Celebrate student success daily!
School Culture Updates, Reminders and Shoutouts
- Shoutout to Mr. Magee and all teachers and students who completed the first round of PARCC Testing
- During PARCC testing, tardy attendance was less than 15%!!!
- On Tuesday, April 11th, the Whitman Walker Community Health will visit CHEC for its annual van tour for National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness. From 12 pm – 2 pm, a van will be parked in front of the main entrance to provide students and staff with access to testing. Anyone over the age of 13 is eligible for free testing and do not require parental consent. The representatives will also be giving away gifts and swag to students who test. Please contact Dean Henderson for more details.
- April 25th - MS Pep Rally
- April 26th & 27th - Asian American Assembly
- April 28th - 11th & 12th Grade Pep Rally:
- Shoutout to Mr. Whitney for coordinating the Skate Incentive last week and all the chaperones, Mr. Williams, Mrs. Massoni, Ms. Burnett, and Ms. Wells
UPCOMING PBIS INCENTIVES
(Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change at the discretion of Culture Team Leaders.)
The next incentive is a cell phone for all students who arrive before 8:30 am on Friday, April 14th .
PBIS Reminders and Celebrations
Teacher All-Stars (500+ Highest Interactions from 04/03--04/09)
- Sandra Garcia Pinilla (1,049)
- Desepe De Vargas (887)
- Maria Borrego (814)
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 (minimum)
- 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
Restorative DC Professional Development Opportunities:
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
SOFTBALL:
BELL
BOYS BASKETBALL: 3 - 3
FLAG FOOTBALL: 3 - 3
SOFTBALL: 3 - 2
TENNIS: 1 - 5
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The HS baseball team defeated Eastern and lost to SWW. The HS flag football team lost to Coolidge and SWW. The tennis team lost to Dunbar and Cardozo.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
MONDAY:
No Games
TUESDAY
HS BB vs/ Archbishop Carroll at Turkey Thicket @ 3:30
HS SB vs. Roosevelt at CHEC @ 4:00
WEDNESDAY
HS BB vs. Roosevelt at Taft @ 4:00
HS Tennis vs. McKinley Tech at Langdon Communicty Ctr. @ 4:00
THURSDAY:
HS SB vs. SWW at CHEC @ 4:00
FRIDAY:
HS BB vs. Phelps at Taft @ 4:00
SATURDAY:
HS Outdoor Track at Bullis Bulldog Invitational @ 9:00am
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 have begun.
Desmond Alexander, CAA
Athletic Directo.
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools
(202) 939-7700 Ext: 5207 (office)
(202) 576-9147 (fax)