Weekly Update: May 23-27

I love the energy, excitement and uncertainty of high school graduation.  This event will likely be the first true milestone in their lives.  University graduation, first “career related” job, marriage, children, and other stereotypical events will come later, but this will likely be their “collective” first.  As I get older, I realize I have only a few of these milestones left in my own life.  While teenagers consistently seem focused on the future, this will be one of the first moments of their lives that they will consistently look back upon.  Commencement ceremonies keep me young at heart.  I ask you to join me in the moment this coming week.  Pay close attention to not only the graduates but also, parents, siblings and friends in attendance.  This is truly a special moment that we get to share with our SSIS families every year.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Friday, May 20
Day 7- DABC
All senior grades finalized in PowerSchool by 8am
Robert Kostrzeski Welcome Breakfast, 7:30-8am (Staff Lounge)
AP Exam AM: Psychology
IB Exam PM: ESS

Monday, May 23
Day 8- FGHE (special rotation for yearbook distribution)
Alternative Schedule (Yearbook Distribution)
Support Staff Lunch Hosted by the Seniors
HSLT Meeting, 3:15-4:45 (HS Office Conference Room) Agenda Here

Tuesday, May 24
Day 1- ABCD
8th Grade Orientation, 1:30-3:00pm
StuCo Election Assembly (PM Assembly End of Day Schedule)

Wednesday, May 25
Day 2- EFGH
Graduation Rehearsal, 11:30-1:45 (Auditorium)
Senior Class Walkthrough, 1:45-2:15 (HS, MS and ES Buildings)
No Divisional Meeting: Prep for final exams, comments, grading
HS Athletic Banquet, 6:00-7:30 (Auditorium)

Thursday, May 26
Day 3- BCDA
Senior Dinner, 6-8pm (Seniors and Grade 12 Advisors)

Friday, May 27
Day 4- FGHE
Tim Chute Reception, 3:15-4:00 (MPR)

Saturday, May 28
Transportation from SSIS to Graduation at Gem Center, 2:45pm (SSIS Entrance)
Graduation, 4:00-5:15pm (GEM Center)
Transportation back to SSIS, 6:00pm

On the Horizon
Tim Chute Visit, May 26-30
Share student comments for reports cards with colleague by June 1
HS End of Year Farewells, June 3 at 2-3pm (MPR)
Student Comments Reviewed by a Colleague, June 6 by 8am
Final Exams, June 2-6 Schedule Here
Exam, semester 2 grades and comments due: June 8 by 4pm
Grade Verification Reports Reviewed by 2pm on June 9

Staff Action Needed

• Complete your comments for all students (9-11th grade) to be shared with a colleague by June 1.
• Summer Maintenance Request.  Complete this form if you have projects that need to be completed in your classroom/workspace by June 3rd.

Important Grading Deadlines– Below is a brief summary of the grading timetable for the end of the year.

• Student Comments Completed in Google or Word Doc and shared with a Colleague: June 1 by 4pm
• Student Comments Reviewed by a Colleague: June 6 by 8am
• Final exams June 2-7
• Exam, semester 2 grades and comments due: June 8 by 4pm

Robert Kostrzeski Visit and Welcome Breakfast– Robert, our University Guidance Office Director in the 2016-17 school year, will be visiting SSIS on May 20-22.  We will be hosting a informal breakfast on Friday, May 20th from 7:30-8am to get a chance to meet him.  We will be providing breakfast snacks for the event.

End of Year Send Off– On Friday, June 3rd from 2-3pm we will be honoring the contributions of our staff that are leaving this year.  We will have some food, drinks and share stories about our amazing staff that are setting out on new adventures.

StuCo Election Assembly and 8th Grade Orientation: May 24th in the PLAZA– We have a StuCo election assembly on Tuesday, May 24 from 2:30-3pm in the Plaza.  Please remind your D block class that they report to the Plaza for the assembly after class.  From 1:30-2:30, current 8th graders will be on campus for some transition activities in the HS lead by the counseling department and NHS.

Advisory Structure for 2016-17– After the last faculty meeting led by the HSLT and Tina, there was consensus for the HSLT to make an informed decision after the voices of the staff were heard.  As a group we weighed all options and decided to create a house-based advisory program by grade level.  There will be 32 total advisories and 8 per grade level (2 for each house).  For example, two grade 9 Wyvern, Naga, Shenlong and Hydra.  Advisories will be smaller next year in the 10-12 student range.  As a group, we decided there was no need to decide at this point if we want to go to a cohort model (advisor moving with the students at each grade level).  Instead, we will capitalize on this new model and evaluate next year if we want to go to a cohort model in 2017-18.

Department Heads 2016-17–  Thank you Andrew, Nick, Mike, Kris, Bill, Colin, Charmaine, Nomer, and Alison for your support and guidance this year.

HSLT members for the 2016-17 school year are Jodi (English), Clare (SS), Anh (Maths), Alex (Science), Chris (PE), Nomer (Arts), Robert (Student Services) and Sophie (World Language).  I would like to say thank you in advance from the high school for taking on these important roles next year.

Graduation Information– Graduation is just around the corner and I wanted to include a couple of reminders.  Graduation is a formal event, so make sure you are dressed accordingly.  The school bus will pick up staff at SSIS at 2:45 sharp.  When we arrive at the GEM center, we will be hanging out in the same area as our graduates.  Once graduation begins, you will be cued to move out of the waiting room (with graduates) to the main entrance of the reception hall.  You will walk in pairs down the main walkway and make a right turn at the front (by the stage).  Staff seats will be reserved there for you.  At the end of the ceremony, there will be a reception and at 6pm a bus will take staff back to SSIS.

Yearbook Assembly– We will be on an Alternative Schedule on Monday, May 23.  Make sure you know that we are on a special rotation of FGHE.  At the end of H block, walk with your students to the auditorium where we will have an assembly hosted by our yearbook staff.

Exams to Copy Center– Make sure to send your copies for final exams to the copy center the week of May 23 (Next week).  Copies for exams need to be delivered to Thao personally or by the copy center on Monday morning, May 30.  Please plan accordingly and realize that many requests will be made this week for printing, so turn around time may take longer than usual.

Grade 11 IOC’s– May 23-27th, the 11th grade Lang/Lit Year 1 students will be recording their Individual Oral Commentaries in Tad and Jodi’s classrooms on the 4th floor. There will still be testing signs asking for silence. Please remind students not to enter testing rooms when signs are up and to move quietly through the halls. Also, say an encouraging word to the 66 juniors who are undertaking such an intimidating IA. Thanks.

Tim Cute Reception– Our new HS assistant principal will be on campus with his family on Friday, May 27 and Monday, May 30.  There will be some opportunities to connect during that time informally, but we are hosting a reception in the MPR on Friday, May 27 from 3:15 to 4:00.  Please stop by and meet Tim.

Summer Classroom Maintenance– Please complete this summer maintenance form if there are any projects in your instructional areas that you would like fixed or improved.  Ultimately anything requested will need to be approved by Wai Mun and Jacob.