12-21 -2020 - CHEC BULLETIN

CHEC BULLETIN
A weekly update on our professional learning community

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CHEC bulletin for Week of December 21, 2020
FRANCIS ON THE HILL DONATION FOR CHEC FAMILY
MARIA TUKEVA’S (MT) MESSAGE:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the CHEC Community a wonderful holiday season.  While there are many obstacles and difficulties still facing us, the spirit of reflection, and care for those in need, make the holiday season one that is special and joyous.  We have all be reaching out to support our families in need, and thank you for your compassion and generosity.  I know that this will continue throughout the holiday season.

Thank you to all for the resilience and collaboration you have demonstrated, and for continually serving our students and community.  I hope that this holiday season provides you with time for rejuvenation, time with family, either virtual or in person, and above all, peace and love.

This will be the first holiday season in many years that we have not been able to have the CHEC Holiday Party – and it is something I will truly miss this year! But hopefully, next year, we will be back together again to see one another and celebrate in person.  In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday!

#Joy to TheCHECTEAM!

REOPEN UPDATES
Last week the LSAT/Reopen Community Corp met again, and discussed the cohort structure and scheduling.
We are now working to determine the staffing for the cohorts we have identified, as well as the master schedule.  Operational details will be the next major area of focus.  Our next Reopen Community Corp Meeting will be Wednesday, January 6th.

Next steps for this week include:
  • Our Staffing Plan is due January 4th.
  • Our Operational Plan is due January 8th.




SHOUT OUTS

  • Shout out to all who supported our Reopen Community Corp Meeting last week!
  • Kudos to all of our SLC Administrators and Middle School Counselors, for outstanding Student Awards Assemblies!
  • Shout out to Mr. Molina and Ms. Carino for getting resources to our families for the holidays!
  • Kudos to the Arts Program for our International Celebration of Light and Hope!
  • Shout out to all SLC Administrators for identifying our student cohorts for our Reopening!



CHANCELLOR FEREBEE HIGHLIGHTS CHEC AND MR. ROSS COHEN!
Ross Cohen, AP English Language & Composition

“Even though we're scattered throughout the District, creating a space in which students feel heard, valued, and loved remains my top priority – it just looks different this year. I encourage my students to show up however they feel comfortable: on camera, through an icon, a gif, emojis, and answers in the chat. If there's a silver lining to this, it's that I'm discovering all the ways students choose to engage with learning. One way to promote equity is to allow for authenticity.” Read Mr. Cohen’s full post at this link.



WE HAVE A RECOGNITION! HONORED TEACHERS PARTNERSHIP CONTINUES THIS YEAR!

Columbia Heights Education Campus’s great teachers deserve to be recognized! We’re proud to partner with Honored Schools again this year to do just that! Go to HonoredSchools.org to tell Columbia Heights Education Campus teachers how they’ve made a difference. Please share this with parents and students! Once recognized, teachers get an email with your recognition story and we’ll celebrate them! Last year our very own Ms. Ramirez won the Life-Changing Teacher Award and a $5000 cash award!
MEETINGS THIS WEEK:
All Departments and SLC’s send individual notifications of their meetings
-----

Monday, December 21, 2020
International Celebration

Tuesday, December 22, 2020
No Advisory for Students
SLC Meetings – 8:30-9:30 am

Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Winter Break begins

Thursday, December 24, 2020
Winter Break

Friday, December 25, 2020
Winter Break


UPCOMING EVENTS
INSTRUCTION:
CHEC LOVE FOR TEACHERS
WEEK 7 OF ADVISORY 2

We are beginning the sixth week of the second advisory.   By this week the first GRASPS of the advisory should be almost complete and students, and in the independent work period of the class, students should be completing different components of the project, and giving and getting feedback.  In reflecting upon the First Advisory portfolio presentations, we saw that in order for students to speak authentically on the essential questions of the unit, it is important to weave those questions throughout the instructional process. Other reflections and suggestions to consider as we progress through the second advisory:

Take advantage of Break Out rooms as a way to engage students in more academic discourse with each other and reduce the amount of teacher talk.

Provide incentives and fun ways for students to come on camera daily, so that when it comes time to present their portfolios, they are ready to come on camera and speak in front of others.  For example, let students know a week in advance, when their turn will be to come on camera and show their work or present something.  Then, provide badges or other incentives. The Dean Team will be visiting classes to assist in promoting a higher level of engagement.



INSTRUCTIONAL CALENDAR

The Instructional Calendar is a living document that houses all the major curricular requirements, assessments, and schoolwide events. The Instructional Calendar is complete for the moment, however changes may be made and will be noted.  If you have any requests for additions to the Instructional Calendar, please contact Mr. Magee, peter.magee@k12.dc.gov, or your SLC Administrator.




IMPACT UPDATES

Informal observations for teachers have begun, and will continue until every teacher has had at least one informal observation. Once you have had an informal observation and feedback, the formal observation will take place.  As a follow up to our IMPACT orientation  we last month, we are creating a library of practices and videos to support development on particular EP’s. As we discussed, we are all in a learning curve with virtual instruction, and will be learning from each other throughout the year.  If you would like to share a best practice and be videotaped for the video library, please let your SLC Administrator know.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development and learning is a priority for all of us, and we are all on a new learning curve.

Here is the link for topics being covered in office hours this week:


Join the Summit Master Course Training each Tuesday during the first 30 minutes of your planning period to learn new Summit Projects and PLT Best Practices!

Ms. Ramirez- Building engaging content assessments and checks for understanding

Ms. Zuccarello- Focus Area Workshops and Mentoring during PLT

Contact Veronica Zuccarello or Gabriela Ramirez with any questions.

You can find the link for all office hours on the CHEC EdTech Course Homepage Link to office hours

If you have any suggestions or questions, please let me know, mya.ferguson@k12.dc.gov.




EQUITY BEGINS WITH OUR CURRICULUM
 
 
As part of our mission to develop as leaders in the quest for social justice, it is important that we continually review and revise our curriculum to align it to social justice and anti-racism.  Please take advantage of this great opportunity.  T

Black Lives Matter at School 2021 Curriculum Fair


Please join Teaching for Change and the D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice network for a virtual Black Lives Matter at School Curriculum Fair, co-hosted by Howard University's School of Education, on Saturday, January 30 from 10:00 am - 12: 30 PM ET. Teachers will have the opportunity to: - Join workshops featuring lessons related to the BLM at School Week of Action - Hear from guest speakers and panelists - Receive a FREE e-book for remote instruction Learn about previous BLM at School curriculum fairs here: https://www.dcareaeducators4socialjustice.org/news/black-lives-matter-curriculum-fair and RSVP below.



OPPORTUNITIES:
CHEC FRANCIS ON THE HILL COAT DRIVE
UPDATES FROM: I THOMAS SCHUTT I LINCOLN LIBRARY I





CHEC MATH DEPARTMENT CHAIR THOMAS SCHUTT SELECTED FOR PRAXIS

Mr. Schutt, CHEC’s Math Department Chair, has been selected by OSSE to participate in the multistate standard-setting study for the Praxis® Mathematics (5165) test being conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The purpose of this multistate study is to recommend a passing score for the test.  Mr. Schutt shared that it is a good development experience and an opportunity to provide input on the content standards that upcoming teachers will be tested on.

Praxis is a national qualification exam that teachers in all content areas have to pass in order to be certified.  If you are interested in learning more about the standard-setting process, please go to Standard Setting on Praxis Series Tests: A Multistate Approach.  The dates are Wednesday through Friday, January 27–29, 2021.



LINCOLN LIBRARY UPDATES

DCPS Library Programs Public Canvas Course
 
DCPS Library Programs is excited to announce we now have a public Canvas course that is available at this link: https://bit.ly/dcpslibraries. It contains links to frequently used applications, 2021 Three Stars Book Award nominees, and information about our Winter Reading Program. This program has suggested activities per grade level and highlights the Lincoln Library Winter Activities Challenge.

 
 
The Winter Activities Challenge will go live Monday, December 21st and run through January 31st. I encourage you to join in with students and / or share your progress on IG tagging @checdc #CHECWinterChallenge #CHECReads #DCPSReads #DCPSatHome. Templates will be available in English and Spanish. Activities include reading goals, exercises, SEL activities, and more. Applicable to ALL contents and grades! Raffles in the works for those who achieve and submit their bingos.
 
 

Upcoming DC Public Library Events
 
Mark your calendars and share with students about the following events from DC Public Library:
 
Ongoing: Homework Help for Teens || Access Here
 
Ongoing: Holidays at Home activities || Join Activities
 
December 23rd and 26th, 7:00 PM: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey - Conversation with the Creators || Join Event
 
January 4th, 4:00 PM: Tenley Library Manga and Anime Club || Topic: Anime 101 || Join Event
 
February 1st, 4:00 PM: Tenley Library Manga and Anime Club || Topic: Mon Mania || Join Event
THE DEAN TEAM:
Hello CHEC Family!

Today the spotlight shines on Mr. Christopher Zinzarella and Mr. Eduardo Reyes!

Mr. Zinzarella is our US History teacher. He has impacted the lives of many students within his four years of service at CHEC. When asked how do students earn badges in your classes? Mr. Zinzarella responded saying, “Students earn badges in my classes for a variety of different things, such as coming to our live sessions, completing assignments, attending extra support classes, participating in class, and turning on their cameras for class.” Mr. Zinzarella shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class has helped you during virtual learning, “Restorative practices have helped me during virtual learning by helping to establish better relationships with students. Normally in an in-person environment, this is something that I strive to push for during the first couple weeks of the advisory. In the virtual classroom, doing more check-ins with students and SEL related circles have really helped me fill in for that loss of an in-person classroom setting and connect with students. “

Mr. Reyes is our Ancient World History teacher. He has also impacted the lives of many students within his four years of service at CHEC. When asked how do students earn badges in your classes? Mr. Reyes responded saying, “Students earn badges by participating in class, sharing their answers, and presenting their work. The key in my class is participation and engagement, not exactly if the answer is right. I want all my students to feel that they are welcome to share their approaches and methods in solving the problems presented to them, because each child has that knowledge and are working hard to communicate their ideas.” Mr. Reyes shared the following when asked how has using restorative practices in your class has helped you during virtual learning, “By working on Building Positive Relationships, it works well to make students feel that they can approach the teacher with questions and concerns. This is very useful when students are lost or confused during lessons, and their peers do not have the answers. Relating myself to them, recognizing their cultural identity and respecting it, and finally sharing the feeling of tackling mathematics with different approaches is where I can communicate with them, and see how they truly take the responsibilities of student.” Thank you, Mr. Reyes, for your commitment to your students and team.

Everyone, please shine your light on Mr. Zinzarella and Mr. Reyes this week!

CHEC Happening:

What's happening at CHEC? Last week was SPIRIT WEEK! Check out the IG page @checdc to see who participated! Also, CHEC out the LIT School Activities and Trips tab! All students will be receiving notifications of activities, events, and trips happening at CHEC. Please use the link below to see activities added to the LIT School Activities and Trips Calendar. https://dcps.instructure.com/courses/206982
PBIS STUDENT WINNERS:
Student Name                 
Grade
Points
Dixon Guillen Juarez
6
36
Jose Casarrubias
7
28
Gabriela Valdez Hernandez
8
33
Julissa Canales Cerros
9
32
Anna Aguilera
10
36
Jeremy Campos
11
25
Tenielle Parker
12
30
Please celebrate these students for their high earnings of PRIDE points!

Student Support Forms:
Also, we have created a padlet which has the student support form and the behavior referral form. Please bookmark this padlet for future reference: CHEC Student Support Guide. Feel free to connect with the Dean Team if you have any questions.

Peace & Love,
The Dean Team

WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE
Happy Holidays to all from the CHEC Athletic Department!  

Are you missing the spirit of competition because you haven't been able to compete on the playing field yet?  Then join our inaugural Esports team!  You must be at least 13 years old and have access to a Playstation 4.  If you are interested in Esports (even if you don't have a PlayStation 4), reach out to Coach Duvall at ryan.duvall@k12.dc.gov.

The District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) recently announced that unfortunately due to the current public health emergency all DC extracurricular activities has been suspended.  As a result, our sports seasons have been pushed back.  The DCSAA is targeting Monday, February 1, as the new start of the 2020-21 athletic calendar, with the intent of holding three seven-week sport seasons:

Winter sports: Practice begins February 1; competition February 8 to March 27
Fall sports: Football practice begins March 1; other sports begin practice March 8; competition March 15 to May 1
Spring sports: Practice begins April 26; competition May 3 to June 12

More information can be found on https://www.thedciaa.com/.  If you have any additional questions, please contact Coach A at desmond.alexander@k12.dc.gov.  
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