Items of note...
Nothing Due on Monday Weekends
As we discussed on the Faculty Meeting, nothing will be due on March 14 and May 2. Keeping in this spirit, in addition to homework and assignments, please do not plan any tests or quizzes on these days. This does not, however, impact longer-term projects. We'll include these dates in this week's Flash. Please plan accordingly!Ticket to Thrive & Admissions Season
While it's fresh in your mind, if you have any feedback about the general schedule or about particular elements of the event, please shoot me an email or make comments directly on the Ticket to Thrive 2016 Faculty Schedule & Details. If more observations about prospective students emerge, feel free to add to the Feedback on Prospective Students.
In our discussion that followed the event, an idea emerged to mix up visitors' schedules so more faculty can interact with prospective students. I'll connect with Joy to look at how we can do this. That discussion also brought to the table a number of topics concerning our general admissions process. Most generally, it seems important to develop better clarity around all aspects of the process, and both Clare and I need to get a sense of everyone's expectations. While I missed most of this conversation, I would invite you to send me and an email with ideas, questions, and concerns that we can address this spring.
Mid-Year Meeting
Between the February Breaks, please a meeting with Bill and Clare (just one meeting, with both of us). These meetings will provide an opportunity to reflect on progress toward professional goals, check in on unit planning and MYP integration, and to provide and receive feedback. After break, we'll articulate particular questions to frame and help prepare for the conversation.
Summer Planning
It's a long way off, but please start to think about planning for summer. In addition to the camps and programs offered through Summer @ Annie Wright, there will be a variety of maintenance projects throughout the building. It'll be important to clear or secure MS or personal supplies and objects; start to think about if you think you'll need bins or boxes for summer storage. If you have specific maintenance or furniture needs or ideas, please be sure to plug them into MS Space Ideas and Requests, and as we learn more concerning any construction, renovation, or updating projects, we'll keep you updated.Advisory this week...
- Plans and slides for Advisory can be found in the Advisory Resources 2015-2016 folder.
MS Space
I'll keep this doc linked in the blog for ongoing ideas about the MS space. As ideas come up, plug them in!
Celebrations
Thanks to all for a fantastic Ticket to Thrive!
Thanks to Emma and Ann for accompanying four of our Seventh Graders to the NWAIS Diversity Leadership Retreat!
MYP...
Important MYP Info
Between breaks (isn't that nice to say?), our Wednesday meeting times will focus exclusively on MYP. As we move toward Spring, we're creeping into "crunch time" regarding Faculty contributions to the authorization process, including the design, implementation, and reflection on units, sending materials to our consultant for review, and developing structures and policies. Please ensure that you are devoting requisite time to unit planning, collaboration, and meeting with John for support and feedback.
Between breaks (isn't that nice to say?), our Wednesday meeting times will focus exclusively on MYP. As we move toward Spring, we're creeping into "crunch time" regarding Faculty contributions to the authorization process, including the design, implementation, and reflection on units, sending materials to our consultant for review, and developing structures and policies. Please ensure that you are devoting requisite time to unit planning, collaboration, and meeting with John for support and feedback.
Communications...
Flash
This week's Flash will introduce the category of Global Contexts, specifically defining Identities and Relationships, and highlight the Design and Language & Literature programs.
Blogs
Don't miss the latest installments of The Dish from Mrs. Dicks or Joe Romano's AWSLibrary blog!
Religious & Cultural Observances coming up...
- February 1 marked the beginning of Black History Month.
- Monday, February 8 marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in Chinese, Korean, Mongolian, Tibetan, Japanese, Vietnamese, and other Asian cultures. According to the Chinese zodiac, February 8, 2016 marks the beginning of the Year of the Monkey.
- Tuesday, February 9 is the last day of Ordinary Time in the Christian calendar, observed by some as Shrove Tuesday, as Carnival (or Carnaval or Carnevale) or as Mardi Gras, which has particular cultural celebrations in the American South.
- Wednesday, February 10 is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent.
- Friday, February 12 is the Hindu holiday of Vasant Panchami.
- Sunday, February 14 is the Christian Feast of St. Valentine. Some historians trace our modern observance of the feast to 14th c. CE poet Geoffrey Chaucer and his poem "The Parliament of Fowls."
- Monday, February 15 is Susan B. Anthony's birthday. It's also the observance of Washington's Birthday, commonly known as Presidents' Day in the US, which consolidates observance of George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. For Buddhists and Jains, it's also observed as Nirvana Day.
Upcoming at AWS...
Monday, February 8
10:00am All School Chapel
2:30pm All School Pep Rally (All Students and Faculty)
3:45pm Topic Group Meeting
Tuesday, February 9
Friday, February 12
10:00am 8th Grade Share & Student Recognition
2:30pm All School Pep Rally (All Students and Faculty)
3:45pm Topic Group Meeting
Tuesday, February 9
2:00pm 5th Grade Visit to MS
3:15pm 7th Grade Team Meeting
Wednesday, February 10
8:00am 5th Grade Parents Coffee (Great Hall)
Thursday, February 11
Wednesday, February 10
8:00am 5th Grade Parents Coffee (Great Hall)
10:00am MS Chapel in the Great Hall (Chinese New Year celebration)
2:00pm 5th Grade Visit to MS
2:00pm 5th Grade Visit to MS
Thursday, February 11
10:00am Long Advisory in the Great Hall (Chinese New Year celebration)
2:00pm 5th Grade Visit to MS
2:00pm 5th Grade Visit to MS
Friday, February 12
10:00am 8th Grade Share & Student Recognition
Important Links:
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