Week Ahead: Jan. 6-10

Welcome back to a new year … and another new year coming after just 11 days with students.  The beauty of each new year is the opportunity to think about what is to come and to reflect on what has been.  It’s been a great first semester … and 2nd semester will prove to be equally excellent!  Let’s enjoy the ride!

Here is what’s up this week:

Monday, Jan. 6
8-8:30 Snacks and Catch Up (auditorium)
8:30-9:00 Full Faculty Meeting (auditorium)
9-4  Work Time for most / Profile of a Graduate for some
(Note: no MS Leadership Team meeting today)

Tuesday, Jan. 7
Day 1, Advisory, ABCD (DEAR)
*Start day in advisory (10 min) to hand out schedules then resume regular class times

Wednesday, Jan. 8
Day 2, EFGH (DEAR)
3:15-4:30  Divisional mtg (Library); then full faculty mtg (Auditorium)

Thursday, Jan. 9
Day 3, BCDA (Adv)

Friday, Jan. 10
Day 4, FGHE (DEAR)

Upcoming (on the radar)

• Jan. 13-17 Visiting Author Mike Leach; MS assembly on Jan. 13
• Jan. 12 and 13 – Mekong River Honor Band (concert on Jan. 13)
• Jan. 15-17 Architects Visit

Tripod Survey Results:  Results from the Tripod Surveys were shared last week.  There are a few things that will be useful to you for when you review your feedback.  Tripod Reflection Protocol: This is created by Tripod and will be especially helpful for those who have never done a Tripod survey before.  The information is valuable, and there is a reflection worksheet you could use.  Here is a shorter reflection form that we used last year (you’ll need to make a copy).  If you want to use this one, I recommend using it in conjunction with the information in the Tripod Reflection Protocol.  There is also a Teacher Tool Kit created by Tripod.  This kit goes into depth into the different areas of the survey.  You could use this to assist with reflection and/or setting goals.  Here is the Longitudinal Tripod Divisional Overview which has divisional averages from all years.   Regardless of how you want to review your feedback, please schedule a 15-20 minute meeting (using Find a Time) with me to talk about your analysis and reflection on the data I am hoping to conduct all of those meetings in January and February.

Prepping for 20-21 (already):  We will begin preparations for the 20-21 school year in the coming month – starting with Gr 8.  We will follow with G6 and 7 (these dates to be determined soon).  You can review the Gr 8 transition schedule here.

Upcoming Tet Assembly:  We will be having our annual Tet Lion and Dragon dance on January 21.  Here is the schedule for that day:

• 8:00 – 9:05am         Block 1 (65 min)
• 9:05 – 9:20am          Break (15 min)
• 9:25 – 10:30am       Block 2 (65 min)
• 10:40 – 11:45am     Block 3 (65 min)
• 11:45 – 12:30pm     Lunch (45 min)
• 12:35 – 1:40pm       Block 4 (65 min) 
• 1:45 – 3:00pm         Dragon Dance

Hiring: We have completed the hiring for MS!  Thank you to all who assisted in finding, reviewing, and evaluating candidates.  This work has resulted in us being able to hire incredibly talented, amazing people.  We will be sharing candidate bios soon.

Pre Tet Absences– Be aware of short amount of time between our winter and Tet breaks this year. We will likely have a number of families that will leave to their hometowns before the SSIS Tet break officially begins. Additionally, it would not be wise to assign any major assessments or projects that might be due on January 20 and 21.