Sunday Night Memo, 11/25/18

November 25, 2018

Holiday House Tour-VOLUNTEERS Needed

The PTO’s biggest and only fundraiser of the year is this Sunday, December 2^nd from 11-4pm.  Volunteers are needed to cover all the houses on the tour and this event is made possible because of volunteers.  The PTO is asking us if we can volunteer for a 2 hour time slot for a specific house.  The Hixson house will be 34 Hammel, home of the Sieberts.  Mackenzie Siebert is an 8^th grader in our building.  Please take a look at the sign up below and talk as a team/department to see who can represent each group for this year.  Volunteers also receive a free ticket to tour all the homes.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4FACAE2AA1FB6-20181

The money raised during this event covers all of the generous gifts, conference meals, Fall/Spring grants, and other school wide improvements.  From the money raised last year, the PTO purchased our new electronic marquee for us.

Spirit Week

Just a reminder that the Random Acts of Kindness club is hosting a spirit week this week.  Tomorrow kicks off with a Pajama Day.  Have fun and encourage your kids to participate!

SLT Meeting

SLT (School Leadership Team) will finally meet tomorrow afterschool from 3:30-4:30pm in the library.  Team leaders, department leaders, CLT leaders and anyone else who would like to be a part of this is welcome to attend.

Hallway Supervision

Just a reminder to please remember to step out in the hall in between classes and particularly at the start and end of each day. 

Counselors this Week

This week, our counseling team will start mindfulness classes on Tuesday (for the next 3 Tuesdays) in Health class.  If you have a student in crisis, please contact the student’s grade level principal or me.  If it is something that can’t wait, please contact Sarah Cetro in the office and she will let the administrator know.

Outs This Week

Wednesday-Grace, Sarah and MaryBeth out for LACE training

Friday-Grace, Aimee, Mike out from 9-10:30am at CO for New Admin Meeting

I hope you had a truly restful break and great Thanksgiving.  I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

With gratitude,

Grace

Sunday Night Memo, 11/18/18

November 18, 2018

Faculty Meeting Rescheduled

For the faculty meeting on Monday, November 19, the Fine Arts and Practical Arts departments will be providing professional development. Instead of a traditional sit-and-get PD, we have divided the staff into groups of 9-10 and assigned you to a specific subject area/classroom in order to provide a glimpse of some of the activities that we do. At the end of the meeting we have allowed time to regroup and share your experiences with others in your department. Because we have tried to make sure every group has all departments represented, please be sure to go to the subject area/classroom you’ve been assigned. Below you will find the schedule/timeline – please report promptly to your assigned area at 3:30.

• 3:30 – report to your assigned subject area/classroom
• 3:30-4:10 – activity in your assigned area/classroom
• 4:15 – report to the cafeteria and find your seat by looking at the name tags on the tables
• 4:15-4:30 – share your experiences with others at your table (department)

Please click here to see your assigned subject area/classroom.

Friendsgiving

Please come down and enjoy Friendsgiving during your lunch.  Thanks to social courtesy for setting up our meal and dining area along with providing our drinks.  There will be turkey, ham, lasagna, veggie lasagna and a variety of sides and desserts.  Wear your stretchy pants!

Hixson Hour TUESDAY

The plan for Tuesday’s Hixson Hour can be found here.

4^th hour teachers –

• You will need a projector/computer/speakers
• Copies of the “letterhead” for students to use can be found in your mailboxes

If you do not have a 4^th hour class, I have assigned you to a classroom (assignments can be found in the document linked above).

Please let Aimee know if you have any questions or if something seems missing.

OUTS This Week

Grace-Out on Tuesday

Have a wonderful short week and a happy Thanksgiving to you!

With gratitude,

Grace

Sunday NIght Memo, 11/11/18

November 11, 2018

I’m the daughter of an Army veteran who served in the mid-70’s and was able to immigrate into the United States through his service.  As the daughter of first generation immigrants, our story of immigration was based on many layers but ultimately circled back to one main factor-freedom.  It is because of the service of others that my family and many others have had the opportunity to create another layer to each family narrative.  I remember many conversations with my father about why my parents made the decision to leave behind family, careers and familiarity to start over in a country where their education was invalid and everything around them foreign.  Though the process of assimilation is not easy, what draws most immigrants to our country is opportunity and freedom.  Regardless of politics, I’m indebted to our service men and women who serve and have served our country.  There is a tremendous sacrifice, seen and unseen, to their service and it is not forgotten.  Thank you.

Faculty Meeting Monday (11/12)

For the faculty meeting on Monday, November 12^th, the Fine Arts and Practical Arts departments will be providing professional development. Instead of a traditional sit-and-get PD, we have divided the staff into groups of 9-10 and assigned you to a specific subject area/classroom in order to provide a glimpse of some of the activities that we do. At the end of the meeting we have allowed time to regroup and share your experiences with others in your department. Because we have tried to make sure every group has all departments represented, please be sure to go to the subject area/classroom you’ve been assigned. Below you will find the schedule/timeline – please report promptly to your assigned area at 3:30.

• 3:30 – report to your assigned subject area/classroom
• 3:30-4:10 – activity in your assigned area/classroom
• 4:15 – report to the cafeteria and find your seat by looking at the name tags on the tables
• 4:15-4:30 – share your experiences with others at your table (department)

Please click here to see your assigned subject area/classroom.

IObservation Feedback NEEDED

The Performance Based Teacher Evaluation (PBTE) Committee is working diligently to determine best next steps related to iObservation.  We have heard from many of you a number of wonderings and issues related to iObservation.  Here are some points we are considering:

1.       There are some major changes that have been made with iObservation and Marzano’s work related to teacher evaluation.  Overall, they have condensed and modified the targeted elements.  Your PBTE rep has the information to share with you. 

2.       In addition, as you may know, the district is working to identify the Profile of a Graduate.  This profile will spring board the work related to the district’s strategic planning.  The PBTE Committee has discussed having our evaluation tool be in line with the strategic plan for the district.

In considering the two points above, we would like direction on our work as a committee.  Please consider taking the 4 question survey.

Your PBTE Committee.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/iObservation_Feedback_PBTE

Dr. Simpson Email

Dr. Simpson sent out an all-district email with information about the Martin Luther King Contest.  Please share this with your students and parents (in communication blogs/emails).  I’ve attached the flyer as well.

OUTS This Week

Tuesday-Grace, Aimee and Mike out for District CLT training

Thursday-Grace, Mike and Aimee out for DLT, 8-12

Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Grace

Sunday Night Memo, 11/4/18

November 4, 2018

We did it.  We made it through October.  October is usually a tough month, it’s a long stretch without a break and everyone is pretty exhausted.  When November rolls in, time begins to fly as we prepare for Thanksgiving and Winter Break.  With November also brings reminders of gratitude.  I’m grateful for each of you.  Teaching is not just a profession but work that requires an intuitiveness to not just teach the academics but also guide the emotional rollercoaster of teens.  It can be exhausting and some days can be tough.  Thank you for your patience, allowing our kids the grace and space to figure out how they will walk in the world.  You are appreciated.

PD Day

Tuesday, November 6^th is our next PD Day.  For our safety and security session, please wear comfortable shoes.  The schedule is as follows:

8:30-9am:  District Attorney session

9-12:30pm:  Safety and Security

12:30-1:30pm:  Lunch on your own

1:30-3:30pm: Department/CLT time

We will see you at 8:30am in the auditorium.

Blues Day

Wednesday, November 7^th will the St. Louis Blues Day at Hixson.  To support our visitors, we will ask everyone to wear blue.  Throughout the day, the St. Louis Blues Street Hockey Team will work with teachers in PE class.  Two Blues players will teach a math class at 1:30pm in Ashley Porter’s room.  The team’s mascot will also be on our campus.  It should be a pretty exciting day (for all the hockey fans).  Since our guests will be working within our classes, the schedule will not be impacted.  Hopefully, for our hockey fans you will get a chance to take a picture with our visitors.

Crock Pot Days

Thank you to Social Courtesy for hosting our crock pot series.  Our first crock pot day is Wednesday.  It’s not too late to sign up.  If you’re interested in participating, click on the link:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16ulwkxPiSoTEiIijs2XdZreErJjlqx0LbGJDufzvbjw/edit?usp=sharing

Raising Equity

The parent equity group is hosting a guest speaker, Dr. Kira Banks.  Dr. Banks will be talking about raising children in our current landscape.  The event will be at Steger in the auditorium at 7pm this Thursday, November 8^th.

Orchestra Concert

Come and enjoy some beautiful music, support our students and the Fine Arts Department.  The Fall concert is Thursday, November 8^th and begins at 6:30pm.

Veteran’s Day

For Veteran’s Day this year, we will hold a special ceremony on Friday morning honoring a local veteran and host a flag disposal ceremony.  More information will come from Mike this week.  We hope you can join us.

Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Grace