Weekly Update: April 15 – 19

On October 31, 2014 I received a call from Mark Sylte informing me that I got the HS Principal position at SSIS.  I was just heading out the door to go trick or treating with my children on our compound in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  I found my wife in the melee of kids in costumes and then my assistant principal at the time to let them know the news   I hugged them both and shed tears of joy.   I never wanted so much professionally than at that moment in time.  SSIS was and remains my dream school.  It had so much to offer and so much possibility for change at the same time.  Rarely when expectations are so high are they actually met, but instead usually it is a let down.  The work here has been rewarding and at the same time challenging.  It has lived up to and exceeded my expectations.  So much amazing positive change has taken place on our campus in the interests of our students.  Thank you for supporting, contributing and joining me on this leadership journey.   A new chapter is soon to unfold for my family and our school, but until then we have important work to continue.  I will cherish all of the remaining months, weeks and days we have together.

Indebtedly yours,

Jacob

Thursday, April 11
Day 9- ABCD
Special StuCo Election Schedule (HS Gym)
Grades 9-11 in Gym (12:10-1:05)
Grade 12 in MPR (12:10-1:05)

One Hour Afternoon Assembly Schedule
8:00-9:15       Block 1
9:20-10:35     Block 2
10:35-10:45   Break
10:45-12:00   Block 3
12:10-1:05      HS StuCo Election Assembly (Gym)
1:05-1:40        Lunch
1:45-3:00       Block 4

Friday, April 12
Day 10- FGHE
Wear Pink for Pink My School Day
AP Econ Mock Exam (Block E & After School)
Love is Love Movie Night, 7-9pm (4th Floor HS)

Monday, April 15
No School- Vietnamese King’s Day

Tuesday, April 16
Day 2- EFGH
AP Lang & Comp Mock Exam (Block H & After School)
AP Lit & Comp Mock Exam (Block H & After School)

Wednesday, April 17
Day 3- BCDA
AP Psychology Mock Exam (Block A & After School)
AP Chemistry Mock Exam (Block A & After School)
Full Faculty Meeting, 3:15-4:30 (MS Library)
AP/IB Art Show, 6pm (Auditorium)

Thursday, April 18
Day 4- FGHE
Advisory Schedule
AP Exam Pre-registration, 2:30 (MS Cafeteria)

Friday, April 19
Day 5- CDAB
Sunshine Breakfast hosted by Admin/Counselors, 7:30 (HS Faculty Room)
AP US History Mock Exam (Block B & After School)
AP Calculus AB Mock Exam (Block B & After School)
AP Calculus BC Mock Exam (Block B & After School)

Saturday, April 20
SSIS Professional Development Day

On the Horizon

• HS Music Concert, 1:45-2:45 April 24 (Auditorium)
• Vietnamese Reunification Holiday Weekend, April 27-May 1
• Last Day for Grade 12 Full IBDP Students, May 3
• Last Day for AP/IB Courses Students, May 17
• Prom, May 25
• Graduation, June 1 at 4pm

Staff Action Needed

• Review the end of year information sheet for Seniors
• Read the IB/AP and Matrix sections of the Dragon’s Lair
• Nominate a colleague for great work via Kudos

Parent Teacher Conference Feedback Data– Our PTC’s this year were a big hit amongst both parents and teachers.  You can access the data here for teachers and parents.   There is great qualitative and quantitative data here to review.  We had over 250 parents attend conferences this spring.  This is the largest number of parents we have ever attend conferences in our division.  A vast majority of parents and teachers preferred the in-classroom appointment based model to arena style in the HS gym.  The HSLT will be looking more closely at this data to consider even further improvements.

Doors to Communication Are Always Open– Just a reminder that Tim and my doors are always open to chat about anything you have questions or concerns about.  This is especially important as we finish the year with a larger cohort of new faculty.  Your heads of department are also an avenue for asking questions or sharing concerns with the high school leadership team or with Tim and I individually.  We are in the home stretch of the year and so much happens in such a short amount of time.

Music Concert G Block on Wednesday, April 24– Daniel Fleming will be showcasing the music of his students for students to hear during the last block of the day from 1:45-2:45.  If you have a class you would like to bring down to support the students it would be great.  He and his students understand that IB and AP courses would unlikely be able to attend, but there are many other classes that might take advantage of this great opportunity.  Additionally, if you have a prep during G block come on down to the auditorium and support Daniel and his students.