Weekly Update: October 31 – November 4

This week I had the opportunity to observe a classroom where I saw collaboration in action.  Jay had collaborated with both Lara (for research) and Thomas G. (tech integration) for a unit on Japanese imperialism.  Not only had the three teachers sat down to brainstorm and plan this project they co-taught the lesson together.  It was really impressive watching the attention to detail and expertise that each individual staff member brought to the planning, project directions/rubric and delivery of instruction.  There were clear winners from this collaborative approach…our students and teachers.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Friday, October 28
Day 5 – CDAB
High School Breakfast (hosted by the Maths Department) & Birthday Celebration (Sunshine), 7:30am Faculty Lounge
Jacob at IB Training at CIS

Monday, October 31
Day 6- GHEF
Advisory Schedule

Tuesday, November 1
Day 7- DABC

Wednesday, November 2
Day 8- HEFG
Advisory Schedule
PSAT Testing (All 10 and 11th grade students test in gym from 8:00-11:30ish)
MRISA Spirit Assembly (During Advisory)
HS Faculty Meeting, 3:15-4:30 (MPR)

Thursday, November 3
Day 9- ABCD

Friday, November 4
Day 10- EFGH
Divisional HS Social at HoS House, 4-6pm (Mark Sylte’s House)
Talent Show, 7:00-8:30 (Auditorium)

On the Horizon
StuCo Lock-in, November 11
Author Assembly (Marc Tyler Nobleman), November 15: Special Schedule
HS Block Party, November 25

Staff Action Needed

• If you know of any strong candidates for the three posted positions in the HS please let Jacob know.
  • A new 9/10 grade counselor position coming next year
  • A new science position (biology/chemistry focus, AP/IB experience preferred)
  • English position (AP/IB experience preferred).

Jacob Gone on Friday– Jacob and Mark Sylte will be at the Canadian International School on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for IB training along with a number of other HS staff members.  If there are any issues, please see Thao and Robert K who will be in charge for the day.

Department Breakfast and Birthday Celebration– The math department will be hosting our monthly department breakfast starting at 7:30 in the HS faculty room.  We will also be celebrating October birthday’s sponsored by the Sunshine Committee.

Faculty Meeting– Our next HS faculty meeting is on Wednesday, November 4th.  Thomas Galvez and Lara Keller will give a workshop on digital literacy first.  The majority of the time will be spent on grade level teams discussing upcoming advisory lessons through the end of the first semester.

Hendrickson Halloween Party– Liz and I are hosting a Halloween party this weekend on Saturday night for all three divisions at school.  It is an adult only party and should be a lot of fun.  Live band, drinks and a great assortment of SSIS staff are provided.  See the text of my wife Liz’s email below.

Wednesday Schedule– Please pay careful attention to Wednesday’s schedule.  There are A LOT of unique things happening during the day.  First, it is an Advisory schedule.  We have moved the advisory schedule from Thursday to Wednesday, for a spirit assembly right before lunch.  We also have PSAT testing happening during the first 3 blocks of the morning for all 10th and 11th graders.  See below for more details.

PSAT Test– All 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT Test on Wednesday, November 2 in the Gym at the start of H block.   We hope to start the exam by 8:15 am and will shoot for a 11:30 PM end time.

Students assigned seats will be posted on the windows of the Gym, the  doors of the Gym and the testing bulletin board outside of the counseling office.

Teachers who teach 10th and 11th-grade classes will need to be in the Gym to help proctor the exam, Erin will send an email out to those teachers.

H– Jason Bixby, Haeyoung Chung, Andrew Crawford, Bill Fossgreen, Robert Kostreski
E– Alex Bunting, Polly Butz, Chris Sylvester, Sophie Tsai
F- Hang Dinh, Chris Byck, Martin Lauer, Evan Wineberg, Robert Kostreski

HS Divisional Social– Mark Sylte is hosting the last of the divisional socials at his family’s home.  Elementary and Middle have already had there’s and he’s saved the best for last.  After work on Friday, plan on stopping by his house starting at 4:00 and ending around 6:00pm.  Drinks and light snacks will be provided.  Look for an email from Mark with more specific information in the coming days.