SENIOR CONVOCATION
AND PINNING CEREMONY
Additional photos by Katerin Ayala
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7, 2022
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2022
PD and Record Keeping Day (No School)
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2022
Election Day (No School)
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2022
SLC Meeting – 8:00 – 8:30 am
Departmental Planning Period Meeting
XQ Redesign Celebration Dinner- 5:30 pm
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2022
Departmental Planning Period Meeting
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2022
Veterans Day Holiday (No School)
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Principal: Maria Tukeva
NOVEMBER 7, 2022:
This week’s focus is on the phrase from the Mission,
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. Our scholars are self-motivated, intellectually curious critical thinkers who value multilingualism and diversity..
This month, CHEC celebrates Native American Heritage Month. As a school committed to building cultural ambassadors and leaders in the quest for social justice and anti-racism, it is critical that we research and lift up the histories that are left out of traditional textbooks and curriculum. It is important that as we explore and research, that we seek out sources and materials that are authentically written and produced by Native Americans, from their perspective and voice.
It is important also to recognize that the land we stand on today, is Native American land, and we owe a debt of gratitude and thanks for being able to be here today.
This process of authentically learning about the many cultures of our students and community, is what must drive our curriculum, projects and instruction. Our focus on co-designing curriculum as part of our XQ Redesign, emphasizes finding interdisciplinary connections, and making projects relevant for students. It is incumbent upon us as educators to co-create projects with students and families, which seek out the histories that are not portrayed sufficiently.
Last week, our librarians, Mr. Stewart and Ms. Falkenberg, shared many resources and ideas for this month, please seek them out to assist you in developing a project for your classes.
Thank you CHEC Team, for all you do!
XQ REDESIGN UPDATE
Shout out to all Redesign Team and Innovation Team members! Last week, we continued the work of our two Innovation Teams – Food Equity and Interdisciplinary Projects/International Travel. Each team has about 12 members, including teachers, students and parents. We meet every Tuesday in our newly redesigned XQ Redesign Room – E125. In the process of prototyping, we are actually prototyping an interdisciplinary project. There is a Big Idea Template, GRASPS, and rubric for the prototypes, and we will display them in a Community Wide Gallery Walk on December 20th. We will be making videos of our team sessions, to be shared with the school community.
Last week, we celebrated the entire team with a delicious dinner, recognitions, and a presentation by our Food Equity Team.
This week, on Wednesday, November 9thnd, there will be a Redesign Team Meeting to work on our Action Plan. Please join if you are interested!
For attendance at Focus Groups or with Innovation Team meetings held after school we will offer Admin Premium, and up to 20 students who participate in the Innovation Teams will receive a $200 stipend and Community Service hours. Please speak with your students, and find students who would like to become involved in the design of one or more of the innovations.
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. Please advise your SLC Administrator if you have any students who need technology.. Please advise your SLC Administrator if you have any students who need technology. Please see your SLC Administrator for questions and concerns. Thank you for supporting this process!
SHOUT OUTS
- Shout out to the Senior Advisors, Ms. Thweatt, Mr. Jones, the NJROTC and the CHEC Wind Ensemble for a great Senior Convocation/Junior Pinning Ceremony!
- Kudos to Ms. Falkenberg and Mr. Stewart for a great presentation at the Faculty Meeting!
- Shout out to Ms. Pettiford and Mr. Whitney for taking students on a College Trip to Cornell!
- Kudos to Dr. Brown, Ms. Alvarado, and all of the Capstone panelists for a great Capstone Night!
- Shout out to our BLA teachers for their collaboration and creativity!
- Kudos to Major Wright and MSgt Deschamps for sponsoring our successful Street Law Class in their competition last week!
- Kudos to Ms. Bryant and Ms. Scott for their Career Awareness Announcements!
- Shout out to Mr. Duvall for the morning and afternoon announcements!
- Kudos to all members of the XQ Team for working on our two Innovation Teams!
- Shout out to AP Boone for leading the Culture Team!
INSTRUCTION
MR. CONNOR'S AP US HISTORY CLASS
COACHES CORNER: DYNAMIC ASSESSMENT
The grading window for Term 1 is now open! Now is our time to be audacious in how we approach teaching, learning, and grading. We must move forward with empathetic and trusting partnerships. How will our students remember their learning experiences? Will students want to continue to be lifelong learners and leaders in the quest for social justice? Or, will students seek to bail on a system that clearly isn’t moving forward with them in mind?
The purpose of norming our grading practices is to positively promote learning by addressing the inconsistencies and inequities found in our gradebooks. Three essential questions should be asked and reflected upon when creating, implementing, and promoting grading practices:
- What are the possible impacts of a failing grade on a student?
- What equity challenges exist in a grading system?
- How can we establish grading policies and practices that promote learning for all students?
Here is a Grading Guidance with great resources.
Week 1 of Advisory 2
It is the first week of the Second Advisory, and a short week. During the first week, it is important to reset norms, and to launch the first GRASPS. Launching the GRASPS should involve activities designed to gain student interest and motivation, and to provide students with choice in how they approach the project.
In Monday’s Department time, it will be important to reflect on last advisories projects, and make improvement and adjustments to the upcoming GRASPS.
Middle School will be administering ANET 1 this week.
Please reach out to SLC Administrators and Coaches for support and assistance.
The Whole Child
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Whole child section for Columbia Heights Education Campus. This week we should focus on the different cultures of our school. This time of year, having a culturally affirming and a sustainable practice school is key to developing those trust building relationships in our classroom. Knowing and understanding that not every culture celebrates the holidays the same is key to understanding the whole child. You may click here to read more about the tools needed for having culturally affirming and sustainable practices in your classroom.
Sincerely,
Angenette Planter
Environmental Science Teacher
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
This abbreviated week will see our first ANET administration. Wednesday, 11/9, will be the MS ELA ANET 1. A huge thanks to the counseling team! Please find logistics enclosed. Additionally, keep in mind the we'll see MS Math ANET 1 on 11/17, followed quickly by the HS ANETs (and possibly a practice AP English exam) the week that we return from Thanksgiving.
In addition to working through logistics, I will begin including 'interesting' findings in our data (as time permits). As you know, the beginning of the year sees several diagnostic assessments. Upon analysis RI data, I noticed that we see a plateau in Lexile scores in the 11th & 12th grade (please see attached plot). Statistical testing confirms that there is no significant increase in Lexile score once a student gets to 11th grade. It is a trend that we, as a community, should be aware of as we continue to develop our practices.
As always, please find the instructional calendar enclosed here.
Testing Coordinator,
Pete Magee
Professional Development
Our Shared Leadership Subcommittee and the Instructional coaches on the ALT Team will be surveying staff and helping to develop a PD plan for the year.
The Insight Survey opens Monday November 7 and runs through November 18. Please fill out this survey as it helps us to improve our practices!
ALT TEAM
The ALT Team will meet next week to follow up on our Professional Development Survey and to focus on MTSS.
OPPORTUNITIES
COOKE UNDERGRAD TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Spread the word. Apply Now!!! The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Application is open for community college students looking to transfer to a 4-year university next fall.
This life-changing scholarship program awards community college students who are transferring to a four-year college in fall 2023 up to $55,000 per year to complete their bachelor’s degree, as well as personalized advising, career counseling, and more. The application deadline is January 12, 2023.
STUDENT PLAYWRITING CONTEST
HAVE YOUR PLAY READ AND WIN A CASH PRIZE
Mosaic's third annual High School Playwriting Contest is underway! Students in grades 9-12 at public and charter schools in the Washington, DC metro area including, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, and Northern Virginia, are eligible to submit their play for the chance to receive a cash prize and have their plays read and directed by professional theater artists!
Winning plays will be read during a live presentation at the Petworth Branch of the DC Public Library on Saturday, January 21 at 2PM.
Submit your play by November 28 for consideration.
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NEW PROJECT(S) CREATED
MR. AGUILAR’S NEW CLASSROOM PROJECT IS: “COLOR-PRINTED MATERIALS”
My Project
Our printer is out of ink. We use our printer daily. We have a colored printer in our classroom but no ink. I use the printer to publish print visuals and final projects. I also use colored ink to create curricular worksheets for concepts I am currently teaching in my class. My project will provide ink for in-class printing. My students can take a break from their devices and write on paper again. The printer will allow for on-the-spot differentiation and lesson extensions. This ink will allow lesson flexibility! Printer ink is also needed to create differentiated, engaging, and fun tasks for students to complete.
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THE DEAN TEAM
MOTIVATION FOR THE WEEK...
When you have a tough moment, play this song to
remind you of reasons to smile and be happy...
Pharrell Williams - Happy (from Despicable Me 2) [Ballroom Version]
Please check out the National Awareness for November:
- Native American Heritage Month
- National Family Caregivers Month
- American Diabetes Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- Movember (Men's Health Awareness)
- Epilepsy Awareness Month
- National Adoption Month
- National Alzheimer's Disease Month
- Military Family Month
- Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Month
SCHOOL CULTURE UPDATES AND EVENTS
- Our norm focus this month is We are digital citizens., please be sure to discuss with students our norm focus and reward them with Kickboard points for responsible use of technology:
- Using technology responsibly during class by accessing only academic platforms
- Proper care of devices with a protective case
- Utilizing technology to enhance their learning and mastery of the content
- Helping peers and staff members with technology-related issues
- Effective Tuesday, November 1st, students who arrive late to school will be required to complete “Attention Meetings” with a Dean before transitioning to class. Students will be given a late pass to confirm the completion of the meeting and to go to class. If a student arrives to first period late without a pass after 9 am, please direct them to the Model UN for “Attention”.
- Tuesday, November 8th is ELECTION DAY!!!! School is closed, but PLEASE GO OUT AND VOTE!!!
Upcoming PBIS Incentives (Please note that this schedule is tentative and is subject to change at the discretion of Culture Team Leaders.)
- Our next incentive will be November 18th (Cell Phone Pass)
- Please look out for a special announcement for an attendance incentive.
PBIS Reminders and Celebrations
Teacher All-Stars (500 Interactions or Higher from 10/31 - 11/6)
- Kenny Alvarado
- Sandra Garcia Pinilla
- Dwight Simon
- Omar Abusabha
- Katelynn Reyes
- Tevin Simard
- Shuk-kuen Chiu
- Allison Bruemmer
- Erika Harris
Kickboard norms reminder
Currently, we have about 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
If you are interested in learning more about restorative practices and strategies, here is the November calendar for PD opportunities with Restorative DC. https://restorativedc.org/events/
Student Support Forms:
Reminder: Please bookmark this link for future behavioral referrals:
SHOUTOUTS
- Mr. Tamayo for helping with MS Transitions.
- Ms. Martinez, new MS Counselor for supporting mediations and ensuring a follow-up is completed.
- Mr. Duvall for his consistencyand diligence in holding students accountable to the cell phone policy by observing lockers during lunches.
- The security team for always following safety protocols and ensuring our building is safe by “sweating the small stuff”
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
This week the Culture Team would like to shine the spotlight on Mr. Christopher Best, CHEC’s super amazing Custodian Foreman. Mr. Best leads and manages the custodial team with empathy and fidelity. Mr. Best and the custodial team ensure that our campus is clean and beautiful from sun up to sun down, in addition to responding to the many maintenance requests from staff. If it wasn’t for the custodial team and Mr. Best, we would not have such a clean and welcoming building. Please take a moment this week and show Mr. Best and the entire custodial team a little love and appreciation with a simple “Thank You”.
MR. CHRISTOPHER BEST
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.
COURTESY OF DCIAA- 2022 CROSS COUNTRY
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.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
The HS volleyball team defeated Dunbar in the quarterfinals but lost to Jackson Reed in the semifinals of the DCIAA playoffs. The DCSAA state volleyball playoffs take place this week. The middle school volleyball team defeated Leckie and lost to Deal. MS VB playoffs take place this week, but the seeds have not been confirmed yet. HS FB playoffs take place this week as well.
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE
MONDAY:
HS VB vs. DCI at HCEC @ 4:30 (DCSAA playoffs)
TUESDAY
No Games
WEDNESDAY
MS VB vs. Oyster Adams at Hardy @ 4:00
THURSDAY:
MS VB playoffs vs. TBD at TBD @ 4:30
HS VB DCSAA Playoffs con’t at Jackson Reed @ 5:00
HS FB vs. Anacostia at Cardozo @ 6:00 (DCIAA semifinals)
FRIDAY:
No Games
SATURDAY
No Games
TEAM STANDINGS
LINCOLN
BSOC: 2 – 3 – 2
GSOC: 1 – 5
VB: 7 – 2
BELL
BSOC: 6 – 6 – 2
FB: 9 – 1
GSOC: 6 – 4
VB: 13 – 5
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
Girls Basketball: Coach Constance Hanlon (constance.hanlon@k12.dc.gov)
Indoor Track: Coach Burnett (helena.burnett@k12.dc.gov)
Wrestling: Coach Alvarado (kenrry.alvarado@k12.dc.gov)
High School
Cheerleading: Coach Dionne Wright (dionnewright02@gmail.com)
Boys Indoor Track: Coach Robinson (markblaytonrobinson@gmail.com)
Girls Indoor Track: Coach Pinto (miguel.pinto@k12.dc.gov)
JV Boys Basketball: Coach Joyner (jason.joyner@k12.dc.gov)
Varsity Boys Basketball: Coach Edmonds (lionel.edmonds@k12.dc.gov)
Varsity Girls Basketball: Coach Ficklin (rodricus.ficklin2@k12.dc.gov)
Swimming: Coach Allen: (reiss.allen@k12.dc.gov)
Wrestling: Coach Alvarado (kenrry.alvarado@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)