Friday Memo

January 9 - Late Start Day; Faculty Meeting, 3:35 pm to 4:35 pm

January 9 - 11 - 6th & 7th grade Admin/Counselor registration talks

January 10 - Incoming 6th grade parent night, 6pm

January 13 - Hixson 8th grade band & Advanced Orchestra tour

January 16 - MLK Day, No School

January 17 & 18 - 6th & 7th grade course requests entered

January 19 - rising 9th graders' course requests due; High School Counselors to visit Hixson

January 20 - Grades & Team/Department newsletter updates due

January 23 - Late Start Day

January 26 & 27 - NWEA Test

Since our second NWEA testing window is quickly approaching (January 26 & 27), I wanted to share some wording with you again about how to talk about the importance of the test with students. It is extremely important that we are talking about the test with students in a positive way that helps them understand its purpose.

"The NWEA test is important because it helps us determine what you are doing really well, and what additional academic support you need to be successful. As a staff, we look at the results from the test and decide how we are going to support you. This is why we ask you to do your very best on the test. If you rush through it or don't do your best, then we could end up trying to help you with something that you already know how to do. We realize that the test takes a lot of time and that some parts of it may be hard for you, but we definitely appreciate you doing your best and showing what you know! The NWEA test helps us better serve you."

It's staffing and registration season already...can you believe it?!?!?! Please take a moment to complete the Staff Input Form for the 23-24 SY. The purpose of this form is to gather your input ahead of registration and staffing so that we can plan appropriately. It is a brief survey that shouldn't take up too much of your time. Thank you!

Staff Input Form 23-24 SY

For Monday's Faculty Meeting, I will review our disaggregated MAP and NWEA academic achievement data with the staff. As I've shared before, we have some issues of racial disparities present in our achievement data that we as a staff need to address. We will be examining those disparities and asking some tough questions, so please be prepared to lean into the discomfort of those types of conversations. You will be asked to sit with your CLT/Department for this meeting. Please bring a device.

1. Disaggregated MAP & NWEA Achievement Data - Mayes

2. NWEA & Holiday Party - Strasser

If you are planning a field trip, please make sure that you are mindful of the building's field trip procedures. To minimize classroom disruptions, students should not be leaving and/or returning to classes in the middle of the class period.

This is just an info share to make sure everyone is aware of the new classes.

Robotics - taught by Destiny Davis

Computer Science 2 - Taught by Chantell Mason

Thrive Jr. - taught by Randy Rachal

The following courses will be closed:

• Tech Ed 1 & 2
• FACS 3

Please contact Hixson Administration should you have any questions.

We will begin the collection of the Chromebooks on May 11th and will finish up collections by May 19th. Below is the schedule for collection. This year's collection will take place during ELA classes. More detailed information will be rolled out closer to the time of collection. We wanted to share this information with you now so you can make plans for the second semester.

If you have a need for Chromebooks in your class after collection has begun please submit a technology request well before the month of May so Jason Heisel can plan accordingly. The request should have a minimum and max need.

Example: Need at least 3 Chromebooks and would love to have 15 Chromebooks available for the following dates: May 12-May 15th to allow learners to finish up submitting late work

Please keep in mind that a team of people worked to create this schedule based on feedback from last year and this year as well as working around major events that are on the calendar and testing schedules.

If you have any questions please let Jason P. Heisel, our building technology specialist, know via email.

Please see the information from Mrs. Hunter, our head custodian, for how to prepare your classroom for summer break.

• Please clear your teacher desk of everything, including drawers and surfaces.
• Remove all personal belongings from the classroom.
• Mark all things that are trash with a noticeable, legible sign.
• If your classroom has a tile floor, then the bookshelves have to be emptied. We will have boxes available. Please be mindful of how heavy you make the boxes. The saran wrap idea at the end of last year didn't work as well as I thought it would.
• We will be using the 6th grade wing for summer school.

Please don't hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.

Please be sure to complete the following NO later than January 10th. If anyone is in need of assistance with this, please submit a Technology Request including the availability of time to meet so that Jason Heisel can support the upgrading your Google accounts to 2-factor authentication.

Below are the directions from Bill K, our Director of Technology, on how to set up the 2-factor authentication.

"I have attached the directions below for your reference. If you need help, please reach out to your building Tech. specialists. For those of you that are visual learners, I have added a video link for you to watch below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJKWDDj1Wgw

Email: mayes.shenita@wgmail.org
Website: https://www.webster.k12.mo.us/Hixson
Location: 630 South Elm Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-963-6450