Week Ahead: April 19-23

With the 9th year of Faculty Follies behind us, we can definitely say it is a fan favorite. I really want to highlight the middle school crew who participated on stage (Natalie Beals, Alis Gorcea, Roxanne Amor-Ross, Erin Johnson, Andrew Ward), behind the scenes (Rob Howe, Rebecca Jardin, Erin Johnson), and in the audience (and I’m super sorry if for some reason I missed your name in this list – especially if you donated to the auction – I don’t think I caught all of those). From what I can tell more than half the middle school participated! And huge thanks goes to Katie Rigney-Zimmerman, David Ross and Marjon Barton for their dedication, leadership and drive to make the Follies spectacular. If you see them this week, be sure to share the appreciations.

They say that April showers bring May flowers. And we have definitely had some doozies this month. Flowers should be popping up soon. This week, you may see some SSIS flowers hidden around the middle school. Find a flower and stop by the office for a surprise treat! Doesn’t matter if the flower features your face … you get to bring the prize to the deserving colleague as another part of the surprise.

Here is what’s up this week:

Monday, Apr. 19
Day 5, CDAB
1:30-3 Sr Admin Mtg (Molly attends)

Tuesday, Apr. 20
Day 6, GHEF (CTP Schedule)
3:15-4:30 MS Leadership Team Mtg (agenda)
3:30ish U13 VBall A Team games v. AISVN

Wednesday, Apr. 21
No School – Vietnamese Kings’ Day

Thursday, Apr. 22
Day 7, DABC (CTP Schedule)
9:30-11 Sr Admin Mtg (Molly attends)
3:30ish U15 Badminton @ ABC

Friday, Apr. 23
Day 8, HEFG
*Application due for leadership opportunities
7:30 Breakfast Club sponsored by Team 7

Upcoming (on the radar): new items will appear in blue from here on out
Season 3 Sports Schedule/Games

• April 27 – Advisory Team Lead mtg
• April 29 – MS Dance, 5-8pm
• April 30 – No School, Reunification Day
• May 3 – No School, International Labor Day
• May 4 – MS Band Concert, evening parent performance (possible disruption for G8 music students to have a combined G8 rehearsal)
• May 5 – STAR Reading Screener during Dragon Time
• May 7 – MS Band Concert during Dragon Time
• May 11 – Advisory Team Lead mtg
• May 12 – STAR Math Screener during Dragon Time
• May 13 and 14 – MS Art Exhibition (day show; class visitation sign ups)
• May 21 – G5 Step Up Day, StuCo Executive Council Election; special schedule
• May 25 – HS Theory of Knowledge collaboration / fair
• May 25 – Advisory Team Lead mtg
• May 26 – Talent Show during Dragon Time
• May 27 – Sr. Graduation Walk, 1:15ish
• June 1 – G8 Promotion rehearsal (G8 off time table for last block)
• June 3 and 4 – MS Drama Productions (time to be determined)
• June 7 – G8 Promotion rehearsal (G8 off time table for last block)
• June 7 – Grades and Comments for Q4 / S2 due
• June 8 – Library Book Bingo Reward Field Trip
• June 8 – G8 Step Up Day, 10:35-11:45
• June 9 – G8 Promotion in AM (all grades attend – hopefully); Splash Day 1-3:00

CTP Testing Continues: Just to keep it fresh and accessible:  CTP testing plan. In this document you will see the special testing schedule, the order of tests, and the location of tests. Please be very familiar with this document.

Middle Level Leadership Opportunities:  As emailed last week, we have restructured middle level leadership opportunities at SSIS. Middle level leadership continues to be foundational to our growth as a school and a division. This reflects the prioritized value of working together as a division recognizing the strengths and talents of all our members. Faculty members can serve in one or more positions.

Applications will be made via this Google Form: Middle Level Leadership Application. You may complete 1 application for multiple positions (you will be prompted to apply for more than one position at the end of the form). Applications are due by this Friday, April 23.

Based on evaluation of our current needs, the following positions are open for the 21-22 school year:

• Grade 7 Team Lead / Leadership Team
• All Intellectual Development / HOD positions
• All Personal Development Team positions

More detailed information about each team and the positions can be found in the MS Middle Level Leaders document.

Letter of reference/recommendation for students: It’s the time of year when some teachers are asked by students and parents to write letters of recommendation/reference as a part of applications to other schools. If you get a request, please check in with Hillary Banks. She assists students and families in this process … and will also assist you. It’s important for us to all be on the same page and know what each other is doing in this process. Thank you for communicating with Hillary.

Coming Soon – MS Art Exhibition on May 13 and 14! With a COVID-change proof format, it’s time to get the Art Exhibition on your calendars. Rebecca has envisioned a new way to do the art exhibition that will be resistant to any late breaking COVID-changes. She needs your support though! She and her students are creating an interactive art show for students to visit. We are hoping that there will be at least 2 classes from the MS who visit the art exhibition for 20-30 minutes during the blocks when art students are there to run the show. The blocks are A, B, C, H and E. Rebecca will be sending out more information and a sign up sheet to help us track. Once MS has had a chance to sign up, then she will be working with the ES art teachers to fill out the rest of the open spots.

From the Library:  

• Advisors, please encourage your students to submit Book BINGOs. I have vouchers expiring soon that I want to get to kids. 
• If it is ok with staff, I’ll add the books in the staff lounge to the Used Book Sale. Proceeds from the sale will benefit The Library Project. Also, remember to bring in books you no longer want! 

TO DO From ICT: To keep track of the room configurations and the technology equipment needs we have created the following spreadsheet: ICT Equipment List by Location 2021-2022. Please check and let me (David Perkin) know if there are any errors. Thank you.

From Roxanne RE: Advisory: Just to highlight some of Roxanne’s message regarding the service learning unit in advisory …

 You are expected to follow what is provided in the overview and written curriculum. MS Service Learning Program Overview & Curriculum. Here are some key highlights:

• Goal: Have a shared experience with the 5 stages of service learning
• Goal: Develop shared understanding of the process, concepts and vocabulary
• Pacing and projects will vary among advisories. The process, concepts and vocabulary remain the same. 
• Advisories are paired, going through the first 3 lessons together in a co-teaching model. After day 3, you can decide whether it makes more sense for the group to stay together or to split.
• You are not being asked to make this service learning experience any bigger than the 9 advisory blocks we have dedicated to it.
• Support is available … just ask Roxanne