February 16 - Is Time on Our Side?

 

Thank you to Lindsey, Margo, and the student Wellness Committee for setting up some fun, inspiration, and an energy boost on Tuesday. Little events like these (and the poetry exhibition, guests, upcoming art expo in World History, and more...see below), that mix things up and provide some fun and socializing for our students go a long way in helping to build our sense of community, wellness, and overall strength. 

Pictured here is Abenaki Educator, Miss Lucy Neel, who visited Jess Graham's American Literature class earlier this week. She shared artifacts, history, and stories, as well as, some fun drumming. This was a follow up to the students Land Acknowledgement unit. 

Schedule Committee Question of the Week: 

Thanks for your input on TA length of time for next year. If you were unable to complete that TA survey, please do. We need all advisers input. 

For this week, we are curious about TIME!?! Knowing that adding time to one thing requires taking time from another, we must prioritize our use of time. Therefore, please go to this form to RANK TIME....as if we can control it. :) Speaking of time, we will provide time at the start of Monday's Best Practice to both explain this request and give you time to complete it, all of which we think will take less than 5 minutes of our time. 

March - Woman's History Month

If anyone is doing anything specific to Woman's History Month in March can you please send me a message with some details. I'll use this information in the first March Family Communication. 

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Quote of the Week: 

“I’ve been fortunate to meet and work with a lot of really smart people. The thing that strikes me most about them is how they continue to explore and learn every day. I have tried to apply that approach in my modest career as well.” - Bill Russell

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This Week's Link(s):

Vermont-NEA is sponsoring a full-day workshop with Afrika Afeni Mills, author of "Open Windows, Open Minds: Developing Antiracist, Pro-human Students" on Thursday, April 4th at The Delta in South Burlington.  Afrika was a long-time educator in the Boston area before her blogpost, "A Letter to White Teachers of My Black Children" went viral. Her first book, "Open Window, Open Minds" is an excellent book for all educators, but most importantly, educators in predominantly white areas. You can hear her TedTalk, "4 Ways to Have Healthy Conversations About Race" here. 

Here is a link to the flyer. Registration here. 

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Updates/Reminders: 

EST - For Monday's Best Practice please remeber to bring at least 3 student names for whom you would like to celebrate or for whom you'd like to share ideas for how to help them improve in your class. (See Ali's email from Wednesday 2/14.)  

Let's Dance: Be sure to let Van know about interest in joing the PA Electric Slide Dance Team - rehearsal to immediately follow Best Practice on Monday. 

Come on PA - Let's go win this thing....here is a great opportunity to show off your brain power, share some fun with colleagues, and support the local teen center - who supports us!

March Conferences 

    3/14- 1:30-6:30

    3/15 - 8-11  (day ends at 1pm)

*Based on feedback from you and parents and lengthy discussion with the Leadership Team we decided to go back to two day and evening times for conferences. There will be more breaks scheduled within this schedule*

(if this schedule poses a problem, please give us feedback ASAP) 

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Calendar

2/16 - Mt Film Festival - during FLEX & TA

2/19 -  Best Practice 

2/20 - Egress Drill - 9:30am

2/23 - Talent Show/Community Meeting/Winter Carnival

2/24 - Break Begins

3/19 to 4/11 -  VTCAP Testing dates 

4/4 - 10th Grade College Field Trip

June In-Service - tentatively scheduled for 6/17-18, with camp to follow 6-19-21.

Flex Dept Meeting Dates

Co-Curricular Schedule

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TA (Teacher Advisory) 

Tuesday (2/20): Announcements, Flex Sign up, Winter Carnival Update

Friday (2/23): NO TA - Winter Carnival

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Schoolwide Happenings: 

Hey, where did everyone go? 

Chemistry class

World History III - exploration in period art....early steps in preparation for their art expo

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Celebrations: 

Please welcome another Pack member, 

Theodore (Theo) Francis Riffenburg.

Congratulations to Lesley and Family. 

Congratulations to PA senior Ashton Tibbets who earned his 100th career point last night (7 total on the night) during the teams big win over Northfield. Keep you eyes and ears open to word about the upcoming playoffs opportunities. 

Happy Birthday

Kristen Connelly  Feb. 20

Reeves Larson  Feb. 22

Matt Yoskowitz  Mar. 2