Bulletin-09-05-2016 - Columbia Heights Educational Campus

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WELCOME BACK TO PARENTS – AN IMPORTANT MOMENT TO ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS AND GAIN INVOLVEMENT FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR

Just as we seek to begin the year strong with our students, by developing relationships, finding out about their interests, and sharing the course expectations, we need to do the same with our students’ parents.

Back to School Night occurs in two sessions to provide maximum opportunities for parents to attend. The sequence of events for the sessions will be provided in a separate email.  Both sessions have the following goals:

  • Each educator will establish a personal connection and relationship with as many parents as possible.
  • Each educator will listen to parents hopes and dreams for their child, and find out how that parent can be involved, and what gifts they bring to the educational process.
  • Each educator will share their course or program design, and get parent feedback and ideas on how it can reach all students, including their child
  • Each teacher will set up home visit appointments with parents.
  • Each parent will receive an Aspen log-in, and learn how to use to stay abreast of his or her child’s progress.

The term educator here, applies to every person in the building – teacher, administrator, counselor, dean, support staff.    Each of us plays an important role in the education of each child, and as such it is critical that we engage with parents.



FOCUS ON INSTRUCTION

The Instructional Calendar has been distributed to all through the CHEC Portal on Canvas.  This week we will focus on routines and rituals, diagnostics, and GRASPS I.   We are still focusing on our schoolwide levers for Instruction identified by researcher Mike Shmoker:

  • A clear and viable curriculum (UbD)
  • 120 minutes of reading and writing every day for every student (Use of CHEC 7 Strategies, and Complex Text)
  • Cold calling (equity sticks), with higher order and essential questions, in all classes to increase student accountability and engagement.
  • Use of CHAMPS for classroom management and focus

Please remember our Standards Based Approach to teaching.   We are teaching to the portfolio product, which is the GRASPS, and every class is focused on some component of that GRASPS. The steps that should be in place this week are:

  1. Provide Students with Syllabus, and Portfolio Checklist (what will be in Portfolio, and dates of portfolio presentations)
  2. Provide Students with Portfolio Folders, dividers for sections, and have Portfolio Checklist stapled to the folder.
  3. Teach students how to place and remove work from portfolio, where, when (during the class period) and how to access
  4. Teach students the Sourcebook model and procedures you use, with focus on writing prompts and journal prompts, begin list of sourcebook entries on board or flip chart
  5. Provide students with Annotated Bibliography for 25 Books
  6. Provide students with GRASPS, Essential Questions, Rubric Exemplar and due date for First Portfolio Project.
  7. Teacher unwraps the standards for the project with the students.
  8. Teach students how to assess the exemplar with the rubric, marking each section of the exemplar where the standard is met. Students become familiar with benchmark/exemplar portfolio products that meet the standards and discuss why they think they meet the standards.
  9. The GRASP has been broken down into component parts to teach.  Teacher identifies standard for first component part and teaches the standard, models first part of the GRASPS.
September 5 - September 9, 2016

IN THIS ISSUE
Focus on Instruction
Leadership Team and Other Updates
Shout Outs
Opportunities and Updates
Ambiente, creating a climate for learning
Sports - Griffins Update!
Thought for the Week
Weekly Calendar
Upcoming Events and Activities
SPORTS UPDATE - LAST WEEK'S RESULT

In the fall, we have High School and Middle School Football, High School and Middle School Boys and Girls Soccer, and HS and Middle School Girls Volleyball, as well as Cross Country. Please come out and support the teams.
 
The high school boy’s soccer team tied Washington International.  The high school girl’s soccer team lost to Washington International.  The high school football team lost to Ballou.  For detailed statistics on each game go to allmetsports.com or maxpreps.com and search Bell.

THIS WEEK'S SPORTS SCHEDULE  

Monday
No Games


Tuesday
No Games


Wednesday
No Games


Thursday
No Games


Friday
HS GSOC vs. El Haynes at 4:00 @ CHEC

HS BSOC vs. EL Haynes at 5:30 @ CHEC

HS FB vs. Paul at 6:00 @ Cardozo


Saturday
No Games
 
WEEKLY CALENDAR         
 
Monday
Labor Day Holiday

Tuesday
SLC Morning Meeting

Wednesday
SLC Morning Meeting

9:00 a.m. Morning Session  - Back to School (Cafeteria)

LEAP Departmental Planning Period Meeting

6:00 p.m. Evening Session  -
Back to School (Site by SLC)

Thursday
LEAP Departmental Planning Period Meeting


Friday  
No Meetings

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Back to School Night September 7, 2016
Two sessions: 9-11 am and 6-8 pm


SHOUT OUTS

  • Shout out to Ms. Crivelli and the Green Team for their CHAT and CHEW!
  • Shout out to Ms. Emilius and the Counselors for designing a new approach to Advisory!





CHEC STUDENTS TO BE FEATURED ON HARRIS’ HEROES
Submitted by Rosalyn Overstreet Gonzalez
MCIP Board Member

Tune in tomorrow, September 7, 2016, to ABC 7 news during the 5 pm newscast, to see CHEC students featured on the Harris’ Heroes segment.   The students attended the Universoul Circus last July and were interviewed.  The students were awesome and represented CHEC very well.

CHEC ARTS UPDATE
Submitted by Dr. Amylia Barnett
 
Other important dates for CHEC Arts:
6 pm, Thursday, September 15 - CHEC Arts Launch
 
We will be hosting a party to celebrate the launch of the newly branded CHEC Arts and provide information on all the opportunities CHEC provides within the arts to staff, teachers, students, and the community.




Complimentary Nationals Tickets for Teachers and Staff - Nationals v Phillies -- Game Day (9/8)

On September 8th the Nationals will offer 2 complimentary tickets to all DCPS teachers and staff members as a form of appreciation for your contributions as educators.  This opportunity is open to teachers, faculty and staff members, and Central Office employees.  Tickets will be distributed on game day starting at 10AM on a first come first served basis.  To receive tickets, you must present both DCPS issued or school ID and the voucher attached.  For questions please contact Melissa Murray at 202.640.7706.
OPPORTUNITIES AND UPDATES

The Leadership Team will continue to meet every other Friday this year, and the Academic Leadership Team (ALT) will meet every other Wednesday.   Our first meeting was last Friday, September 2, and the next meeting will be Friday, September 16. At this meeting we will finalize the comprehensive school plan and finalize interim assessments.  The notes and minutes from all meetings are available on the CHEC Portal. The Leadership Team is a group of teachers, counselors, and administrators who meet every other week to discuss school needs, and plan for improvements.  The Leadership Team designs the school’s comprehensive school plan, and helps in its implementation.  Please consider joining the Leadership Team this year.   It is open to all faculty and staff.  We need the involvement and voices of all.    Remember, Leadership team meetings are open to all who are interested in schoolwide decision-making and leadership.  You can come once, or as many times as you like, but please make your voice heard!  

CLIMATE

The beginning of the year is the most powerful moment in establishing climate, norms, and routines. Remember our goal of consistency so that students experience consistent expectations and support. Please also remember our shift to Restorative Justice. Use CHAMPS and PBIS to support your classroom climate!

The Deans will be chairing the School Climate and Culture Team. Please join to make your voice heard on the School Climate and Culture.

Student Government Campaigns are underway! Students have picked up their petitions, and will begin campaigning this week. All potential nominees will attend a Leadership Retreat at Camp Horizons on September 9. Please see Mr. Molina if you would like to get involved.


NOMINATE A STUDENT OF THE WEEK!!!

This IS A REMINDER ABOUT THE Student of the Week Program. Any staff member can nominate a student, for academic or mission related accomplishments.

Please send your nominations by email to M. Tukeva.

PLEASE NOMINATE STUDENTS OF THE WEEK!

THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION





OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY

1. National Archives Educator Open House - Thursday, September 22; 5:30PM
"Enjoy a special after-hours viewing of the exhibits at the National Archives. Learn about resources and workshops for National History Day, options for video conferencing programs into your classroom, DocsTeach online resources and lesson plans, the Constitution-in-Action Learning Lab, and much more! "

2. National Book Festival - Saturday, September 24, 2016; 9AM-10PM
"Mark your calendars for the 16th Anniversary National Book Festival, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at the Washington Convention Center. Follow the excitement via our hashtag, #NatBookFest. "

3. Newseum Educator Open House - Saturday, October 1, 2016; 9AM-4PM
"Join the Education team for our 7th annual fall Newseum Teacher Open House. Learn about our offerings in history, media literacy and civics during a day filled with sample classes, gallery talks, a studio tour and more! Discover resources you can use in your classroom or during a school visit to the Newseum."

4. Spy Museum Educator Night Out - Thursday, September 29, 2016; 5-8PM
"Enjoy an evening at the Spy Museum where the red carpet will be rolled out just for teachers!  Gain exclusive access to the Museum; bring your A-game to compete in a Museum-wide scavenger hunt, collect useful curriculum materials and resources to spice up…or shake up your students; relax with a signature martini – the Teachertini, and some quick bites to eat and who knows…you might just meet a real spy!"


FULBRIGHT DISTINGUISHED AWARDS IN TEACHING PROGRAM

Announcing the launch of the 2017-2018 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching (DA) Program Online Application for K-12 teachers!  Are you a U.S.:  

  • Primary and/or secondary classroom teacher?
  • Guidance counselor?
  • Curriculum specialist?
  • Curriculum head?
  • Talented and Gifted coordinator?
  • Special Education coordinator?
  • Media specialist/librarian?

You may be eligible to participate in a unique international professional development opportunity for 3-6 months through the Fulbright Program!

By conducting educational research abroad, U.S. teachers gain new skills, learn new instructional methods and assessment methodologies and share best practices with international colleagues and students. Teachers also have the opportunity to expand their understanding of other cultures and international education systems that will enrich their U.S. schools and local communities with global perspectives.

Teachers may travel to:
Botswana, Finland, India, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Palestinian Territories, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam
*Countries are still pending and may change. Please visit the program website for updates.


Application deadline: December 1, 2016
Eligibility Requirements: www.fulbrightteacherexchange.org
This program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is administered by the Institute of International Education.
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