MR. SIMON'S SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS
WEEK OF OCTOBER 10, 2022
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2022
Indigenous Peoples' Day (School Closed)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2022
SLC Morning Meeting
ALT Team Meeting 3:30 pm
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022
SLC Meeting – 8:00 – 8:30 am
SAT/PSAT Administration – Grades 9-12
Departmental Planning Period Meeting for Middle School only
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022
Faculty Meeting – Focus on MTSS – 3:30 pm
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022
No Meetings
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Principal: Maria Tukeva
OCTOBER 10, 2022:
This week’s focus is on the phrase from the Mission,
“We trust one another to continually improve our practices.”
XQ REDESIGN UPDATE
Shout out to the entire CHEC Team for pride, poise and perseverance! As announced last week, CHEC has been selected for the Cultivation Track of the XQ Redesign Initiative. We congratulate our fellow schools, Cardozo and Dunbar, who were selected for Cohort 1! Although we are not in Cohort 1, we will still be engaging in developing prototypes of our Big Ideas, and will receive support from DCPS and XQ in the process. On October 18, we will receive detailed feedback on our application, and will be able to use this feedback as we continue the process and move towards inclusion in Cohort 2.
The Redesign Team, together with our Redesign Director Ms. Penn, and many members of the faculty, parents, and students, have been working extremely hard on the Redesign process. We will be planning a celebration of this hard work as well as visioning for the future. Stay tuned!
One of the focuses of our Redesign, will be to reflect on the innovative practices that we currently use, and how we can build on and refine them. For example, project based learning (GRASPS) and portfolio assessment as originally designed, are intended to have students work on projects that are of high interest to them, and related to social justice. Many of our projects do just that, such as our Capstone 12 projects. As we lean into the feedback and focus of Redesign, it is important to reflect on how some of our practices need renewal, not to be eliminated. With portfolio presentations coming up in three weeks, what are some quick wins we can achieve in terms of building student choice and voice into the presentation process, and having authentic audiences where we invite partners of the school and parents to celebrate the learning with students. The first step here is to ask students how and to whom they would like to present.
We will launch our first Innovation Teams on October 18th. The Food Equity Innovation team met with representatives of the DCPS Food Service and Sodexo last week, to plan for some immediate improvements to the food experience for our students, as well as their ongoing engagement in our innovation process.
In order to attain our Big Idea of Students as Designers of their Learning and Destinies, both students and adults will need to become proficient in Design Thinking. We will be training all Innovation Team members in a design process called Designing for Growth, created by Jeanne Liedtka, of the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Following this training, we will work on incorporating Design thinking as a 21st Century Skill that can be applied to all disciplines throughout the curriculum.
If you are already implementing something in your practice or curriculum this year, that you think reflects the two big ideas, we would like to highlight them. Please send a description of your innovation or shift, and we will highlight it in the bulletin. 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. Please join the Redesign Team, and please reach out to interested students or parents!
TECHNOLOGY ROLL OUT - DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
It is our priority to get technology into the hands of all students as soon as possible. We commend Mr. Tobias and the Tech/Ops Team for their hard work in working on this goal. This week we will distribute devices to grades 6,7,and 8 every morning, and to grades 9-12 in the afternoons.
Please see your SLC Administrator for questions and concerns. Thank you for supporting this process!
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out to all for a great Parent Teacher Conference Day! 551 parents attended! Kudos to Mr.Molina and Ms. Lemus for coordination, and all who supported – the Hospitality Academy and Bilingual Academy!
- Shout out to Ms. Yamashita, Ms. Bruggeman, Mr. Galvan, and Mr. Jones for welcoming visitors from the Japanese Embassy and schools to visit our school last week!! We will be working on a partnership with them!
- Shout out to Lance Swinton and Antonia Lora for completing all of our Attendance meetings (SST’s)
- Shout out to all who attended the XQ Redesign Team Meeting and signed up for Innovation Teams!
- Kudos to all members of our Bilingual Language Arts Team who attended the professional development on Friday at CHEC!
INSTRUCTION
COACH'S CORNER VIDEO:
MS. FERGUSON
Focus: Positive Narration
Watch Ms. Ferguson elaborate on what Positive Narration is, its benefits and other CHEC teachers' practice of this effective classroom management strategy during instruction. Positive Narration is the act of focusing on what students are doing correctly and openly saying those things aloud to help motivate students and provide a more positive classroom culture (Dr. Richard Frank, CT3). Positive Narration can support your teaching practices as related to Essential Practice 1: Cultivate a Responsive Learning Community as seen below:
EP.1A: All students are valued members of a welcoming and responsive learning community. For example:
- Demonstrates interest in the thoughts, opinions, and well- being of all students
- Fosters student thinking about and planning for long-term goals
- Equitably provides students with meaningful and specific feedback/praise
- Demonstrates an equitable commitment to all students' ability to be successful
- Effectively uses positive reinforcement
- Defines, posts, (re)teaches and/or models positive classroom expectations and routines
- Develops and reinforces students’ self-advocacy skills (e.g., speaking up, finding support when needed, making decisions)
- Is responsive to students’ non-verbal expressions (e.g., smiling, clapping, snapping)
- Uses appropriate strategies and has systems in place to manage behaviors that are manifestations of a student’s disability
- Demonstrates responsiveness by providing private explanations for why students are being moved or having clothes changed, as needed
Question to consider?
- How might experimenting with Positive Narration influence the climate and culture in my classroom?
- What opportunities do I have in my classroom to attempt Positive Narration?
Week 7 of Advisory 1
In the seventh week of the school year, another short week, our students should be finalizing their first GRASPS, reflecting on it, and we should begin to remind students and parents about Portfolio presentations, which will be occurring in three weeks on October 31st and November 1st. As a preparation for portfolio presentations and for modelling, students can present their first GRASPS to one another, and provide each other with feedback. Please remember to invite parents to the presentations when you see them on Thursday. If the first GRASPS has already been finished and reflected upon, it is time to launch the second GRASPS.
The PSAT and SAT will be administered to grades 9 through 12 on Wednesday, and the schedule will be modified to accommodate this. If you are a proctor, please make sure you have attended the proctor training and have all the necessary information.
Please build the norms and have them come alive in our class. For example, if you are doing a Socratic Seminar, you can emphasize Owning your Learning, or showing Respect and Empathy. Having a student serve as Process Observer and reflecting at the end of class is a great way to end the class.
Please reach out to SLC Administrators and Coaches for support and assistance.
Weekly Testing Bulletin
With 5 class-days left until the school-wide administration of PSAT and SAT, a huge thanks to teachers collaborating in the completion of all BOY testing. Limited supplemental technology has made the completion of these tests a true team effort. One cannot not say enough about the communication, flexibility, and patience of team members in getting this work done. There will be a training for all SAT proctors on Wednesday October 5 in lieu of SLC.
Peter Magee
Test Coordinator
Columbia Height EC
Shoutout:
- Mr. Tobias for tech distribution.
- Ms. Chiu for organizing the schedule for spare laptops.
Professional Development
We have some great Professional Development coming up, and you also have an opportunity to have input into our professional development for the year. These are all upcoming in September, with dates to be confirmed:
Training in Co-teaching Models and Best Practices – PD Provider – Blue Engine - 20 co-teaching pairs (SPED-Gen Ed, ELA-SLA, SPED-DL, ESL-Gen Ed) will have the opportunity to participate in a Community of Practice and practice high leverage co-teaching strategies that result in effective differentiation. Part 1 of this training is complete, Part 2 will begin in November.
Principles of Effective Dual Language Programs, Literacy Strategies for Language Learners in Bilingual Programs – PD Provider -Center for Applied Linguistics 16 leaders and up to 50 teachers will have the opportunity to receive this professional development. Part 1 of the training for leaders is complete, Part 2 will take place in November. If you are interested, please see M. Tukeva
Transformational Coaching – PD Provider – Bright Morning (Elena Aguilar) – 14 LEAP Leaders, Admin, Department Chairs and Coaches will have the opportunity to receive professional development in coaching strategies in a community of practice. This PD will occur on October 14th.
Our Shared Leadership Subcommittee on the ALT Team will be surveying staff and helping to develop a PD plan for the year.
ALT TEAM
The ALT Team met on September 27, and discussed professional development needs and plans. Their findings are found in this link. If you have thoughts or ideas about professional development needs, please contact any member of the ALT Team.
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.
OPPORTUNITIES
RED RIBBON WEEK ANNOUNCEMENT
ATTENTION ALL CHEC STAFF:
During the week of October 24th- 28th CHEC will celebrate red ribbon week to honor our commitment to live drug free lives. During this time students and staff will participate in various drug free activities including a plt lesson, plt challenge and a spirit week. The theme this year is ‘Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free’. As a kickoff activity counselors and social workers have planned a plt door decorating challenge to promote the upcoming week of drug free activities. Our hope is that you decorate your door according to what the theme (Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free) means to your plt. The winner will receive a tasty treat. Please Decorate your doors by COB October 21st.
Please see below for a snapshot of our spirit week themes. More Information to come at SLC the week before. 😊
- Oct. 24st, Monday- “Put a Cap on Drugs Day”. Wear your favorite hat to symbolize being drug free.
- Oct. 25nd, Tuesday “Wear Red Day” Wear red to symbolize that they are drug free.
- Oct. 26rd, Wednesday “Shade out Drugs Day”. Wear your shades to show that you are drug free.
- Oct. 27th, Thursday “Dreaming of a Drug Free world.” Wear school appropriate pajamas and slippers to show that you are dreaming of a drug free world.
- Oct. 28th, Friday “Drugs are SCARY” wear school appropriate costumes to show you are drug free. *NO MASKS*
More Information to come at SLC the week before
Che’vaniece Marshall, NCC, LGPC
Professional School Counselor
8th Grade Caseload
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THE DEAN TEAM
Motivational Quote of the Week
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OCTOBER?
October is “National Anti-Bullying Month”.
October 19, 2022 is #UnityDay. Please wear ORANGE to recognize Bully Prevention Month and spread awareness.
Here are some resources and articles regarding bullying.
If you have a concern about students engaged in bullying, please notify a Dean or your grade level Administrator immediately.
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Let’s support and bring awareness to Breast Cancer ALL Month wearing something PINK as often as possible!
October 21st is PINK RIBBON DAY. The culture team will provide everyone with a pink ribbon to wear that day.
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October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and it’s a chance to raise awareness and unite individuals and organizations working to prevent and end domestic violence across the country.
Resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022
https://www.thehotline.org/ (Link to access the Hotline for Help and other resources.)
Here is a link for information about events in DC. https://dccadv.org/dvam/dvam-calendar/
October 20th is PURPLE THURSDAY! Make a fashion statement that really says something: wear something purple in honor of survivors!
HOMECOMING
Are you ready for some Football!? Our Homecoming Football game is Friday, October 21st. Please be sure to come and support our Griffins at the game in your CHEC swag!!!
During this week, there will be some fun and festive activities planned. More details regarding these events are forthcoming.... Stay tuned! 😉
October is the “unofficial-official” month for College Homecomings!!! Wear your College/University swag to represent your school on Mondays this month!
Upcoming Friday PBIS Incentives (Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change at the discretion of Culture Team Leaders.)
Upcoming Friday PBIS Incentives (Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change at the discretion of Culture Team Leaders.)
October
14th – Extra Recess
28th – Cell Phones
November
10th - Staff vs. Student (Sprit Week)
30th – Skating
December
2nd - Cell Phone and Games
16th – Field Trip
PBIS Reminders and Celebrations
Shout Out to the Top 5 Student KickBoard Leaders from 10/3-10/9:
- Jefferson Marquez Hernandez, 6th Grade
- Anthony Aquino-Gonzalez, 6th Grade
- Kimoni Mason, 6th Grade
- Jamar Brown, 7th Grade
- Brianna Dionicio, 9th Grade
Shout Out to the Top 5 Teacher KickBoard Leaders from 10/3-10/9:
- Omar Abusabha
- Sandra Garcia-Pinilla
- Suzannah Weiss
- Katelynn Reyes
- Megan Belser
Kickboard norms reminder
Currently, we have 60 % participation in staff rewarding students with Kickboard points. Let’s push to increase this next week. Remember, Kickboard helps to build positive classroom culture and should be integrated in your classroom incentives and norms.
- 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)
* We did not have any submissions for “Student of the Week” for this past week. Please make sure you collaborate with your grade level or content teams, to recognize students.*
STUDENT OF THE WEEK & MONTH
Use the following forms for future submissions:
Here is where you will find weekly on-site and off-site trainings/PDs in Restorative Justice and Classroom Culture related offerings.
RESTORATIVE DC PD: Teaching and Learning Using Academic Circles
This workshop is specifically for teachers to review, practice, and learn how to use the circle process for teaching any academic subject. Participants will discuss creating culturally competent and trauma-informed flows and processes to support learning and sharing. We will discuss several strategies for teaching a variety of subjects to prepare students for learning, encourage students to share and exchange ideas, practice new concepts, explore problems, and more.
October 12 at4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Please register at: https://bit.ly/PDOct12
DCPS Fall Listening Sessions: https://dcpsstrong.com/strategic-plan/
Student Support Forms:
Reminder: Please bookmark this link for future reference:https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7kagKk6zM0qSt5md8rwKMlnJSbOnQ0xKsY-f39IrJ4ZUNTBDOE9aUDVXRkNNSUJLUjVUVTVSN09DWS4u
Additional Updates and Opportunities:
SGA is meeting on Tuesday, October 11th at 3:30 pm for all ELECTED MEMBERS ONLY
Wednesday, October 12th is the last day to sign up for Homecoming Court. There will be a meeting at 3:30 pm that day for all those who turned in an application.
Please also support our Volleyball and Soccer Teams!!! Here is the link to the Coaching Staff to get more information about how you can support. https://checdc.org/coaching-staff.html
There is an ESSAY CONTEST with Cash Prizes up to $1,500!!! If you know a young lady between the ages of 13 and 18, and who is dealing with the challenge of growing up in a home without the presence of their biological father, then the DISCOVERING ME... WITHOUT YOU Personal Essay Contest for Teen Girls is an excellent opportunity for them to share their story. Please share this link with students who may be interested. https://www.estherproductionsinc.com/contest
STAFF HIGHLIGHT
This week the Culture Team would like to shine the spotlight on 6th Grade Math Teacher, Ms. Shuk-Kuen Chiu. She is also a math lead/chair for the 6th grade instructional team and a mentor to other teachers.
Ms. Chiu is a CHEC Alumni. From great student to superstar teacher, Ms. Chiu has created a classroom culture that is conducive to teaching and learning. She is engaging and has high expectations. Ms. Chiu’s thriving classroom culture is attributed to her building and growing relationships with her students and parents while she prepares them intellectually and emotionally. Thank you, Ms. Chiu, for being dependable, a positive contributor to our school culture, and a valued member of our school community!
Best,
Mrs. Henderson
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.
OCT. 08, 2022: BELL VS. PHELPS GAME.
TEAM STANDINGS
LINCOLN
BSOC: 1 - 2 - 1
GSOC: 0 - 3
VB: 4 - 1
BELL
BSOC: 6 - 3 - 1
FB: 6 - 1
GSOC: 5 - 3
VB: 7 - 3
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The HS FB team defeated Phelps. The HS boys soccer team defeated Banneker and Coolidge. The HS girls soccer team defeated Banneker. The HS volleyball team defeated Bard and lost to SWW. The middle school boys soccer team defeated Eliot-Hine. The middle school volleyball team defeated Brookland.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
MONDAY:
HS VB vs. Banneker at CHEC @ 6:00
TUESDAY
HS VB vs. Banneker at CHEC @ 6:00
WEDNESDAY
HS BSOC vs. Roosevelt at Roosevelt @ 4:00
HS GSOC vs. Cardozo at Cardozo @ 4:00
MS VB vs. Hardy at Deal @ 4:30
THURSDAY:
HS XC Meet at Kenilworth Park @ 1:00
HS VB vs. Coolidge at Jackson-Reed @ 5:00
FRIDAY:
HS FB vs. Cardozo at Cardozo @ 6:00
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.
Fall sports include:
Middle School
Boys Cross Country: Coach Lionel Edmonds (lionel.edmonds@k12.dc.gov)
Girls Cross Country: Helena Burnett (helena.burnett@k12.dc.gov)
Boys Soccer: Coach Jarmar Layne (jarmarlayen123@gmail.com)
Girls Soccer: TBD
Volleyball: Coach Constance Hanlon (constance.hanlon@k12.dc.gov)
High School
Cheerleading: Coach Dionne Wright (dionnewright02@gmail.com)
Cross Country: Miguel Pinto (miguel.pinto@k12.dc.gov)
Boys Soccer: Coach Victor Molina (victor.molina@k12.dc.gov)
Girls Soccer: Coach Rhina Merino (rnmerino123@gmail.com)
Football: Coach Daniel Tyson (dnltysn@gmail.com)
Volleyball: Coach Mafope Alao (mafope.alao@k12.dc.gov)
Desmond Alexander, CAA
Athletic Directo.
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Bell/Lincoln Multicultural Schools
(202)939-7700 Ext: 5207 (office)
(202)576-9147 (fax)