Welcome back Woodlawn and Happy New Year! The first week back from a break always feels long to me. I get out of my sleeping habits and tend to sneak in a nap or two per day over break. I have always enjoyed a good nap but I need 45 minutes or more. My wife takes a 20 minute power nap and is good to go. I am excited to see the classrooms back in motion and learning happening again. There are a number of items in the blog today.
MAP STUDENT REPORTS FOR GRADES 3-8.
At approximately 3pm today, you received a message from Jeanne Spiller, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with your Winter MAP Reports for your child(ren). Please contact Jeanne at [email protected] if you do not receive a report or if you have any questions.
Is your current 8th-grader interested in the SHS Dance Program?
Stevenson High School students who will be freshmen in the 21–22 school year and who wish to participate in the dance program should submit videos by Jan. 18 to determine appropriate course placement. INFO
Please visit the PTO Monthly Blog! IT IS NEW!!!!
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Monthly Asynchronous Wednesdays (12/16, 1/13, 2/24, 3/17, 4/21)
Once per month, beginning in December, students will participate in asynchronous activities for a portion of their school day. The dates for each of these asynchronous Wednesdays are identified below. Students will go through all of their periods on an amended schedule. They will be done with their classes at 12:00PM. Lunch will be from 12:00-12:30PM and the asynchronous portion of the day will be from 12:30-2:30 PM. Teachers will communicate with students to be sure that they understand the expectations for each of these days.
These monthly asynchronous days were created to give students the opportunity to participate in topics that will enhance our current curricular content, and so that teachers have time to collaborate and plan with each other to determine the best way to approach future instruction.
In addition to the January 13th date, the remaining asynchronous Wednesdays will take place on the following dates.
January 13
February 24
March 17
April 21
The asynchronous portion of the day will take place in the afternoon. The asynchronous focus for this day is digital citizenship. Students will be engaging in a variety of Digital Citizenship activities See specifics below.
Middle School (Grades 6-8): Students will engage in instruction as they typically would until 12:00pm. At 12:30pm, the asynchronous portion of the day will begin and continue through the end of the school day. Students will access the asynchronous work in Schoology. Teachers will communicate with students to be sure that they understand the expectations and communicate where they should access the asynchronous work for each of these days. While we prefer that the asynchronous work is completed during this designated time, please adjust timing based on what works best for your family.
HERE is the schedule for 1/13.
An Opportunity for Student Creativity: Law Day 2021
Law Day is a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law–designated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958. The 2021 Law Day theme is "Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”
The Judges of the Circuit Court of Lake County, Illinois, have invited all Lake County students to participate in Law Day celebrations. At this time, middle school students are invited to participate in the Law Day Illustration Contest.
Theme: Advancing the Rule of Law Now
All entries are due by Jan. 27, 2021. See contest entry DETAILS
Additional contest opportunities coming soon include an Essay Contest (Grades 7–8) and a Poster Contest (Grades 4–6).
READ MORE INFO about Law Day activities on the Lake County, Illinois, Judicial Circuit Court website. Watch for this website to be updated with Law Day 2021 info within the next week.
8th Grade Math Placement Information- Please read! This is new information.
Current Patriot Consortium Mathematics Placement Process
The consortium has created criteria that defines the four strands of mathematical proficiency to highlight the attributes of a proficient mathematical thinker. The criteria are grouped into three categories
Procedural Skills & Fluency (How well you can correctly use mathematics.)
Conceptual Understanding (How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.)
Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence (How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.)
Over the course of the year, the mathematics teachers will be discussing these criteria with the students in class to create a portrait of each student. This portrait will be used to recommend the students into the mathematics course at Stevenson High School that matches their content knowledge as well as level of mathematics proficiency at this time.
As a district and consortium, it is our vision that each student move on to the next course in the sequence providing that there are no significant gaps in content knowledge. If there are significant gaps in content knowledge and a change in recommendation occurs, we will contact you. We feel that this process allows a mathematical picture of the student to develop over time, which will provide a more informed recommendation.
UPDATED Patriot Consortium Mathematics Course Sequence for Algebra 1 Students
Below are details concerning the pathways for 9th grade recommendations - whichever path students take, they will complete both Algebra 2 and Geometry by the end of Sophomore year.
A few weeks ago, you received an email from your student’s math teacher explaining the Stevenson Placement Process for Mathematics. This process has NOT changed. However, the sequence of courses offered to students has changed. If a student is proficient in the essential Algebra 1 content, it will be recommended for them to move on to Algebra 2. For students who need to refresh and strengthen essential Algebra 1 content, it will be recommended to take Geometry prior to Algebra 2. Whichever path students take, they will complete both Algebra 2 and Geometry by the end of Sophomore year.
-Algebra 2 will be recommended if students have mastered targets in Unit 1-3
-Geometry will be recommend if students need to reinforce and refresh targets in Unit 1-3
Course Sequence for Algebra 2 Students
-Geometry Honors will be recommended if students have mastered targets in Unit 1-3
-Geometry Accelerated will be recommend if students needs to reinforce and refresh targets in Unit 1-3
PORTRAIT OF A MATHEMATICALLY PROFICIENT STUDENT
Procedural Skills & Fluency
How well you can correctly use mathematics.
(skill in carrying out procedures flexibly, accurately, efficiently, and appropriately)
I can identify and use the most efficient method for the problem. (MP7)
I can use mathematical computations, terms, symbols, formulas, and language appropriately. (MP5, 6)
I can recognize the algebraic structure in problems and use rules or procedures to solve or simplify. (MP7)
I can solve problems with accuracy. (MP6)
Conceptual Understanding
How well you utilize mathematical ideas, transfer your knowledge into new situations, and apply it to new contexts.
(comprehension of mathematical concepts, operations, and relations)
I can use diagrams, pictures, and symbols to justify my work. (MP4)
I can understand and justify the “why” of the procedure. (MP3)
I can justify solutions algebraically, graphically, and numerically. (MP3)
I can explain my solution with sound mathematical reasoning using precise mathematics vocabulary and terminology. (MP3, 8)
I can determine the reasonableness of my answer. (MP2)
Problem Solving with Adaptive Reasoning and Strategic Competence
How well you can apply strategies and sound reasoning.
(capacity for logical thought, reflection, explanation, and justification and ability to formulate, represent, and solve mathematical problems)
I can select and use all the pertinent information to solve the problem. (MP2)
I can determine a solving strategy by forming logical relationships among concepts and situations. (MP7, 8)
I can represent a situation mathematically using modeling. (MP4)
I can retain and apply information and skills from previous units to solve problems alongside new concepts. (MP7,8)
I can make connections between multiple mathematical concepts to solve problems in unfamiliar situations. (MP7,8)
I can persevere when encountering new and difficult concepts.(MP1)
Online Volunteer Opportunity for Students in Grades 7–8
The Vernon Area Public Library has begun a new Winter/Spring 2021 session of their popular Online Teen Volunteer opportunity for students in grades 7–12.
There is no need to complete applications or training or commit to a minimum number of hours. Students volunteer as their schedule allows.
Teens select from among ten online service projects listed on the Vernon Area Public Library website. (https://guides.vapld.info/teenvolunteers)
The library is promoting two activities in particular: the Students Rebuild: Changemaker Challenge and the #WeWereHere Project.
The Students Rebuild: Changemaker Challenge invites students to acknowledge and make awards for the changemakers in their community who make a positive difference. For each award shared with Students Rebuild, a donattion of $5 to programs and organizations supporting changemakers, youth, and educators around the world.
The #WeWereHere Project asks teens to share their experiences during the pandemic in these categories: I Am Here; I Am Helping: I Am Okay; I Am Not Okay.
Please note that District 96 does not track volunteer service hours for our students.
Direct any questions regarding these teen online volunteer opportunities to VAPLD Librarian Diane Presta [email protected]
Finally, it has been a long week. As I mentioned earlier, there are a number of factors that contribute to a long week, but I am going to focus on the lighter side of life. I have been analyzing some of the things that I do in life that make me question how I have made it this far…
- While playing ping pong, I do this weird, bending neanderthal chase when the ball is rolling on the floor, repeatedly missing it when I try to pick it up. Ultimately, the ball stops rolling, which helps end the lunacy.
- When I am in a crosswalk and someone waves me through, I do this weird run where I do the cartoon character spinning his legs motion before I start moving forward. Whatever run motion I have is quickly halted by a lack of momentum and commitment. I should just walk from the start.
- Right after I crawl into bed, I mean within 5 seconds, I realize that I forget to turn out the light. I proceed to get mad and bounce out of bed. If it were an olympic sport, I would get a medal.
- This is one of my favorites. I have to do the walk of shame over to the recycling bin to get the directions out for something I need to put in the oven. Classic.
- No matter how many times I drop something into the car abyss, that space between the seat and the console, I try to jam my hand in there to get it. Every single time, I fail and it hurts.
- When I wake up before my dream is over, I try to fall back asleep to finish the dream. The only problem is that I try to finish the dream with my preferred ending.
Have a great weekend!