Weekly Update: August 28 – September 1

Visibility is a critical component of quality leadership.  Between the craziness of the start of the year, WWW preparations, Curriculum Night and our Head of School search we have not been able to get into as many classes as we would have liked.  Tim and I are hoping to make the transition this coming week with both Learning Walks and formal observations.  We are eager to see the magic you create with students.

Have a great weekend,

Jacob

Friday, August 25
Day 5- CDAB

Monday, August 28
Day 6- GHEF
Advisory Schedule
Jacob & Tim Gone HCMC Admin Job-a-like

Tuesday, August 29
Day 7- DABC
HSLT Meeting, 3:15-4:45 (Counseling Conference Room) Agenda Here

Wednesday, August 30
Day 8- HEFG
HS Faculty Meeting, 3:15-4:30 (MPR)

Thursday, August 31
Day 9- ABCD
Advisory Schedule
WWW Parent Meeting, 5:00-5:45 (Grade 9/10)
HS Curriculum Night, 6-8:15pm

Friday, September 1
Day 10- EFGH

Saturday-Monday, September 2-4
Vietnamese National Day Holiday (No School)

Staff Action Needed

• RSVP for the HS Social on September 8
• What’s in your grade book?  We are almost 3 weeks into the school year.  At this point you should have at least one data point in your grade book for each class.

HS Curriculum Night– Our HS Curriculum Night is just around the corner on Thursday, August 31.  Our grade 9 and 10 parents arrive starting at 5pm in the auditorium (9) and HS gym (10) for information on the WWW program.  Only grade level deans (9/10) and trip leaders need attend this session.  Curriculum Night officially starts at 6pm in the auditorium.  After a 10 minute opening, parents will start coming to your classes according to the bell schedule at 6:20pm for A block.  You can see our schedule on this link.  Some of you will not be able to return home after school, but stay here for the evening.  We have ordered a few pizzas to be in the HS faculty room at 4:15pm.  Be in your classrooms by 6pm.

You only have 10 minutes with each class, so highlight at least:

• Introduction of yourself and background
• Share an overview of the course curriculum
• Share grading/marking guidelines
• Share the sylabus
• Let them know the best ways to contact you about their child’s progress

If you have any questions about your 10 minutes of fame, please talk to your department head, Jacob or Tim.

HCMC Admin Job Alike–  HCMC is hosting its first ever administrator job-a-like.  This project is over a year in the making and it is exciting to see it finally come to fruition.  Most of the divisional and some all school leaders will be at the Canadian International School on Monday, August 28.  We are exciting to share best practices and common problems in our work.  That being said, Tim and I will be away from the building on Monday.  We are a phone call away if needed.  Please see Huyen if you have any issues that need immediate attention.  Robert K will be be the administrator in charge while we are gone.

HS Social Party RSVP– As mentioned in last week’s edition of the Lair, the Sunshine committee is hosting our annual HS Social on Friday, September 8 from 4-8pm.  We will have food, drinks, and live music from Scott, the ES Band (Attacked by Gadgets) and some other cameo performances.  This is a family affair, so please bring your significant other and children.  We need to get accurate numbers so please RSVP here before Friday, September 1st.

August 30, Faculty Meeting– UPDATE:  You will meet with your grade level teams to plan for WWW and Week Without Bell (11/12).  Snacks will be in the MPR, but you will move directly to your grade level areas.

Observations are Coming: What You Need to Know–  Tim and I are starting our staff evaluations this coming week.  During the week of observation we will have a pre conference, a full block observation, and a post conference.  Huyen has scheduled these and will invite you the week before.  There are two observation tracks: returning teachers and new staff.  We use the Charlotte Danielson Professional Practice Framework for all teachers.

Returning Teachers (Focused Evaluation)

• Will choose 2-3 total components from domains 1-3 (Planning & Preparation, Classroom Environment, Instruction) i.e. 1b, 2d, and 3a for a focused evaluation.
• Meet for a pre-conference to determine the 2-3 components together with administrator
• Full block observation
• Post-conference meeting

New Teachers to SSIS (Full Danielson Framework)

• Meet for a pre-conference and determine main growth goals for the year
• Full block observation
• Post-conference meeting

Grades 11/12 During WWW– We are finalizing the activities for our grade 11 and 12 students during our grade 9/10 WWW.  More info to follow soon.