Friday, March 12, 2021

Friday Memo - 3/12/21

MURAL #2

Our second mural is complete! Take a trip down to the 8th grade hallway to take a look. The designs you see on this mural are directly inspired by Hixson students who participated in the Hixson logo redesign contest.Thank you to Cbabi Bayoc for his amazing work, and helping make our school a very special place to be!

Important dates

March 16 - Asynchronous learning day due to staff vaccinations
March 16 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by PTO)
March 17 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by Hixson)
March 19 - NO SCHOOL due to Parent Teacher Conferences (teacher comp day)
March 22 - 26 - Spring Break
March 29 - Transition Task Force, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm
April 1 - (REQUIRED) Meeting with HR regarding new Sick Leave Policy, 3:35 to 4:45 pm (via Zoom)
April 5 - Department meetings
April 6 - 9 - MAP Testing for virtual students
April 12 - 16 MAP Testing for in person students
April 12 - Faculty meeting
April 16 - Hixson Summer Academy registration closes
April 19 - SLT meeting

SMART Technologies
We had a great demo with SMART Technologies today! The SMART board will be here until March 17. If you have time on Monday or Tuesday, please come try out the board and give Jason and I your honest feedback!

Parent Teacher Conferences
All staff are permitted to work from home during the hours scheduled for Parent Teacher Conferences. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Survey Results
Mike, Aimee, and I had the opportunity to review the results of the survey most recently administered by the district. Many of you brought up the need for self-care. We all know how challenging it can be to find time to do this, especially in these current circumstances, but nevertheless it is still important. I would like to try to help you with this, so I have an offer I'd like to put on the table. If you need to take a moment for yourself during the school day, I am happy to come cover part or all of one of your classes on a Tuesday or Thursday starting the week of March 29, 2021 (I need to get through staffing conversations first) and every week thereafter. I can block off up to two class periods per day on Tuesdays and Thursdays for teachers. Should you decide to take me up on this offer, I encourage you to do the following during your time:

  • Go outside and get some sun and fresh air
  • Go for a walk
  • Make an important phone call
  • Call a friend or loved one 
  • Yoga/mindfulness
  • Watch a funny video
  • Listen to music
If you're interested, please email me directly to set it up!

Brief Staffing Update
Staffing conversations have started with current and future Hixson staff members! We are asking that you do not share information with other staff members until Aimee sends the draft master schedule out to all staff, including those coming to Hixson from Steger.

MAP Testing
If a parent contacts you to express frustration or to refuse MAP testing, please have them reach out to me directly. Please do not tell them to contact Tim Brown or anyone in Central Office. I have the "Documentation of Non-Participation in State-Wide Testing for Virtual Students" form that they need to sign and return to Hixson if they refuse. My message to parents will be, "I understand your concern with your student taking the MAP test in person. We are simply following the law set by the State of Missouri regarding standardized testing. If you refuse the test, our only request is that you fill out a form so that we can provide documentation of your refusal to the state." 

DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccines - March 16, 2021
In partnership with the Visiting Nurses Association, the Webster Groves School District will provide vaccinations for COVID-19 to our staff. Below are important details about the vaccination administration.
  • Type of vaccination:  Pfizer
  • Date of first administration:  March 16, 2021 
  • Time: 8:00 AM through 4:00 PM
  • Location:  Roberts Gym at Webster Groves High School
  • Date of second administration:  April 9, 2021

    Please be mindful of the following to make the process run smoothly:

    • Arrive on time
    • Temperature will be taken after arrival
    • Have all necessary documents completed and readily available
      • ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
      • Insurance Card
      • Completed medical questionnaire and consent form
    • Follow signage and/or instructions from volunteers
    • Maintain social distancing and wear a face covering
    • Be patient and flexible
    • Contact your building principal or immediate supervisor if you need transportation to WGHS for your appointment
    • Please also review the attached V-Safe and Pfizer Fact Sheet that have been provided by the Visiting Nurses Association

    Revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined
    Click HERE to view our revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined. If you need to change your plan, please let me know as soon as possible so I can update the document. Be sure to let your students know about the change.

    Protocol for teaching remotely 
    Click HERE to access the protocol for teaching remotely.

    Protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes
    Click HERE to access the protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes.

    DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

    Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference
    The Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference (virtual) will take place July 21 and July 22. Their theme this year is Enacting Equity. They also have an awesome podcast! I have provided information for the conference below. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. 


    Friday, March 5, 2021

    Friday Memo - 3/5/21

    PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING KELSEY TOBEY BACK FROM MATERNITY LEAVE!

    CONGRATULATIONS TO LESLIE BENNETT & SCOTT GILLILAN ON THEIR 
    RETIREMENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE HIXSON COMMUNITY!

    Important dates

    March 8 - Faculty Meeting with Dr. Bettina Love
    March 8 - Hixson Summer Academy information sent to parents
    March 10 - Hixson Summer Academy registration opens
    March 16 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by PTO)
    March 17 - Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (dinner provided by Hixson)
    March 19 - NO SCHOOL due to Parent Teacher Conferences
    March 22 - 26 - Spring Break
    March 29 - Transition Task Force, 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm
    April 1 - Meeting with HR regarding new Sick Leave Policy, 3:35 to 4:45 pm (via Zoom)
    April 5 - Department meetings
    April 12 - Faculty meeting
    April 16 - Hixson Summer Academy registration closes
    April 19 - SLT meeting

    Parent Teacher Conferences
    I did contact Human Resources regarding teachers working from home for parent teacher conferences. I was told that Responsive teachers need to conduct parent teacher conferences from their assigned building, and virtual teachers may conduct conferences from home. Please let me know if you have any questions.

    Survey Results
    Mike, Aimee, and I had the opportunity to review the results of the survey most recently administered by the district. Many of you brought up the need for self-care. We all know how challenging it can be to find time to do this, especially in these current circumstances, but nevertheless it is still important. I would like to try to help you with this, so I have an offer I'd like to put on the table. If you need to take a moment for yourself during the school day, I am happy to come cover part or all of one of your classes on a Tuesday or Thursday starting the week of March 29, 2021 (I need to get through staffing conversations first) and every week thereafter. I can block off up to two class periods per day on Tuesdays and Thursdays for teachers. Should you decide to take me up on this offer, I encourage you to do the following during your time:

    • Go outside and get some sun and fresh air
    • Go for a walk
    • Make an important phone call
    • Call a friend or loved one 
    • Yoga/mindfulness
    • Watch a funny video
    • Listen to music
    If you're interested, please email me directly to set it up!

    Brief Staffing Update
    Mike, Aimee, Jeff and I finalized certified staffing this afternoon with Dr. Wiley Skinner. Our next step is to have conversations with individuals and departments, and post positions. We will start contacting teachers early next week to share information about staffing.

    MAP Testing
    If a parent contacts you to express frustration or to refuse MAP testing, please have them reach out to me directly. Please do not tell them to contact Tim Brown or anyone in Central Office. I have the "Documentation of Non-Participation in State-Wide Testing for Virtual Students" form that they need to sign and return to Hixson if they refuse. My message to parents will be, "I understand your concern with your student taking the MAP test in person. We are simply following the law set by the State of Missouri regarding standardized testing. If you refuse the test, our only request is that you fill out a form so that we can provide documentation of your refusal to the state." 

    DOMAIN 1: HIXSON & COVID-19

    COVID-19 Vaccines
    I received the information below from Central Office.

    Hundreds of new vaccine appointments will become available over the next two days from CVS Pharmacy. Click the link below to access the information and sign up for a vaccine. 

    cvs.co/COVD 

    An increasing number of educators will be getting vaccinated in the very near future. If you need help with coverage so you can get vaccinated, please let me know as far in advance as possible. This is extremely important and we will do our best to work with you, if needed.

    Revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined
    Click HERE to view our revised plan for supporting students who are quarantined. If you need to change your plan, please let me know as soon as possible so I can update the document. Be sure to let your students know about the change.

    Protocol for teaching remotely 
    Click HERE to access the protocol for teaching remotely.

    Protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes
    Click HERE to access the protocol for substitute teachers who will cover virtual classes.

    DOMAIN 2: HIXSON & EQUITY

    Dr. Bettina Love's visit with Hixson!
    As you know, Dr. Bettina Love will present to our staff on Monday, March 8 during our faculty meeting! Dr. Love is a nationally renowned speaker and professor on race and education. On Monday, she will present to our staff for 30 minutes and reserve 30 minutes for Q & A to generate authentic conversation with you on topics related to race in schools. I've included the Zoom link below as well as a link to her websites and one of my favorite videos featuring Dr. Love. 



    Shenita Mayes is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

    Topic: Staff meeting with Dr. Bettina Love, March 8, 2021
    Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/j/92514646116?pwd=UlNkZVdnelRZVkpLbElSYW4raDloZz09

    Meeting ID: 925 1464 6116
    Passcode: 882006
    One tap mobile
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    Meeting ID: 925 1464 6116
    Passcode: 882006
    Find your local number: https://wgsdstl.zoom.us/u/absoe7bqZ

    Black History Month Door Decorating Contest
    Thank you so much for participating in the door decorating contest last month! If you would like to see a video of all the doors, please click on the link below. Thank you Mr. Hill for creating the video!


    The Trauma Informed Educators Network Conference (virtual) will take place July 21 and July 22. Their theme this year is Enacting Equity. They also have an awesome podcast! I have provided information for the conference below. Please let me know if you are interested in attending. 

    DOMAIN 3: HIXSON & STEGER

    Logo Re-design Contest Update
    I am pleased to announce that Luciano Montes, 8th grader at Hixson, is the winner of our Logo Re-design Contest! We visited Luciano in his 6th hour class today to share the news in front of his teacher and peers. He smiled from ear to ear when we made the announcement, and his peers gave him a round of applause. The design that Luciano submitted served as inspiration for our final design that is right on the cusp of being finished. As soon as it's finished, I will share it with the Hixson community.

    Luciano will receive a bundle of Hixson spirit wear as his prize. If you see Luciano around, please tell him congratulations!

    Luciano Montes - 8th grader
    *The logo design on the right is a DRAFT*

    DOMAIN 4: HIXSON & CONSTRUCTION

    Click HERE to watch the district's most recent video update on Proposition E. It is a feature on the construction project here at Hixson!

    Friday Memo Archive - 9.1.2023