Week Ahead: Feb. 21-25

So MS had another first – the first on campus student COVID testing.  Thank you again to the faculty who made that run as smooth as possible.  This week will likely bring new firsts, but none that we can’t tackle together.  As we enter this week, I do want us to be extra supportive of our ES colleagues.  As of the time I write this, 15 ES classes were returned to virtual school over the weekend bringing the total of ES classes in virtual school to 18.

Here is what’s up this week:

Monday, Feb. 21
A-D
SPIRIT WEEK: SPORTS DAY
1:30-3 Admin mtg (Molly attends)

Tuesday, Feb. 22 (2-2-2022 day)
E-H
*Arthur Ting, chair of PMH, visiting campus (1st time in LONG time)
SPIRIT WEEK: TWIN/SQUAD DAY
3:15-4:30 MS Leadership Team (agenda)

Wednesday, Feb. 23
A-D
*Will likely need to test G6 students who were F1 this past week (more info coming later)
SPIRIT WEEK: CELEBRITY/CARTOON DAY
2:00-2:45 SST
3:15-4:30 Divisional (work on curriculum documentation in department groups and/or in library with Daniel)

Thursday, Feb. 24
E-H
SPIRIT WEEK: CULTURE APPRECIATION DAY
9:30-11:00 Admin mtg (Molly attends)

Friday, Feb. 25
A-D
*VTC Starts
SPIRIT WEEK: HL SHIRT DAY

Upcoming (on the radar)

• March 24-25: Student Led Conferences

Updated Tuesday, Feb. 22: Curriculum Documentation Information

SSIS App for daily health declaration: A reminder that starting Monday, all students, parents, and faculty will be expected to use the SSIS app for their daily health declaration.  If you need help setting up or using the SSIS Health App, please consult SSIS Link or contact support@ssis.edu.vn for assistance.

Arthur Ting Visits:  We are excited to host Arthur Ting, chair of PMH, on campus Tuesday from 8-10:00!  It’s been a very long time since he has been on the campus.  He should be in the MS around 9:30.  Just as a reminder, Arthur Ting is the son of Lawrence S. Ting, co-founder of SSIS.  Want to learn more?  A Father’s Example

Sports Season 3:  We are now able to start sports after school!!!!!  We have started a small group swimming and now we will be able to add in more sports.  We will be offering Season 3 sports – that means badminton and volleyball for middle school students.  Elizabeth will be reaching out for coaches and then begin signing up students.  The goal is for the season to start March 7.

VTC:  VTC starts on Friday.  SSIS will be well represented by the following presenters: Natalie Beals, Thomas Galvez, Rebecca Jardin, Tom Lupton, Jonathon Sheppard, Dat Vo, and Evan Weinberg.

Zoom for Virtual Students:  In order to support virtual students, please open your Zoom 5 minutes early when possible.  This allows students to be in the waiting room, and they know that they are in the right place ready to go at the start of class.  It will also reduce the number of students that Duong is having to respond to when teachers do not have their Zoom open right at the start of class.

Missing Assignment Reports:  The office is still tracking missing assignments and identifying students who are struggling.  These reports will be run on Monday’s to support teachers in using the information for Dragon Time on Tuesdays.  We will also be running the reports on Thursdays in order to consistently track students.  How can you help?  Missing work must still be flagged in PS.  This should still be done as soon as possible after the assignment is due (depending on your preps, still strive by 10am the day following the assignment being due).  Please clear missing work assignment flags when you enter grades and are notified by students that they have submitted the assignment.

Student Surveys:  We will be shifting to having 1 student survey per month.  This will be done on Fridays during Dragon Time.

Small Lunch Issue:  We have noticed that some students are entering open classrooms during lunch (usually their advisory or the class they have for D or H block).  Please lock your classroom when it is unoccupied during lunch.  Thanks!   Something new: check out the new seating area outside the library.  This is a new area for student to use during lunch and passing times.