
The Knight Times
Weekly Newsletter for TDHS Faculty and Staff
Volume 1, Issue 14 (Week of November 12th)
Principal's Message
What an awesome kickoff to the 2nd 9 weeks! I cannot describe just how much you lift me up! The work you do for students day-in and day-out is tremendously inspiring! Thank you for your work to deliver on the promise of #EveryKnightEveryDay.
I am fascinated by the concept of continuous improvement. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, continuous improvement is the relentless pursuit of perfection knowing full well that it cannot be obtained. Because of this fascination, I was intrigued by the success Toyota has experienced over the years, and I read a book on their continuous improvement model -The Toyota Way to Continuous Improvement. Their process is Plan-Do-Check-Adjust. This is much like the framework for the four questions I shared with you about how we plan for and implement instruction.
In the spirit of continuous improvement and the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust model, I am considering something I never thought I would. Since late September, I knew I wanted to see how we could make a schedule for 2019-2020 that included Enrichment on all 5 days, still keeping a relatively sustained period. After reading your feedback from the last faculty meeting and having brief conversations with some of you, I wondered if we could try it out as an experiment for a week or two throughout the year. Then, the students hit me with it, and they have hit me pretty hard.
I want you to know that I am considering a bell schedule change at the semester point. I've asked a small team to put together a schedule that would have a decent amount dedicated to Enrichment, would offer Enrichment every day, and would still keep us within the seat time requirements levied by the state.
Offering Enrichment every day, with more time than we offered in the past would allow for more opportunities for Academic Enrichment and more flexibility for Club/Activity meetings. I would not consider restructuring our Monday schedule; I would hold true to Morning Meeting dates, Club/Activity dates, and Genius Hour dates.
If you have an opinion either way, please drop me a short email with your thoughts. There are four words I try to remind myself of constantly: "Listen to your people." So, in the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust cycle, we are checking to see if an adjustment needs to be made. I am calling upon my courage (and taking a risk) to Adjust sooner than expected, even if the original plan was to wait.
If you are interested in reading the book referenced above, stop by my office. I have a copy you are welcome to borrow.
Up-Front Summary (by day):
Monday
- Homeroom Teachers: Review Genius Hour Catalog
- Chicago Preview during 4th block
- Personalized PD Pathways
Tuesday
- Normal Day!
Wednesday
- Dress for Success Day
- Homeroom Teachers: Genius Hour Sign Up
- Last day to sign up to host a Club Meeting next week. Click HERE.
Thursday
- Homeroom Teachers: Genius Hour Sign up
Friday
- Graduation Gown Day
- Positive Referral Ice Cream Social
Links shared in this issue:
- KUDOS
- More Student Recognition!
- Instant Family Fandango Link (support the Junior class)
- 2nd 9 Weeks Tardy Spreadsheet
- Tech Integrator - Janice Skipwith
- Grade Change Form
- Testing Calendar
- Chicago Comp Tickets
- College and Career Month Calendar of Events
- Nutcracker T-shirt Order Form
- Pep Rally Ideas for SCA
- Winter Exam Schedule
- Knight's Cafe Order Form
#EveryKnightEveryDay
I Make A Difference
From Gonjoe Winn:
The 14th I Make A Difference Award goes to Darby Dickerson.
Darby has been on both campuses so you can ask anyone, anywhere, and they will tell you how awesome Darby is for our school and community. She is on the frontline, interacting daily with students and parents. Whether she is fielding phone calls or off-the-wall questions, Darby does it in a professional manner. Attendance is not always easy or fun, but whenever I have an attendance question or change to be made, she is there with a reliable response.
Darby always greets you with a smile and is always willing to help. Darby goes above and beyond and BEYOND for our students. Thank you, Darby, for being such an intricate part of our Knight family!
Kudos
Please enjoy this week's KUDOS by clicking HERE!
Teacher and Staff Member of the Month
- September: Jamie Barrack and Michelle Kimenhour
- October: Rachel Langston and Steve Davies
Submit your nomination for November's Teacher and Staff Member of the Month by clicking HERE.
Student of the Month
Please think of a student you feel is deserving of November's Student of the Month and submit that student's name HERE.
More Student Recognition!
The Culture by Design team has come up with several ways for us to celebrate our awesome knight students, as they exemplify the pillars of the Knight Code. Please take a moment to read through the awards and methods of nomination.
Additionally, we would like to ask that all Homeroom teachers encourage their students to come up with spirit-oriented Genius hour sessions. Ideas to jump start the conversation include: poster painting, face painting, relay races or candid photos... but we'd love to make their ideas come into reality.
Announcements
- United Way (Information/Action). We are counting down to our last few weeks of our United Way Campaign. If you would still like to contribute, the online portal is still available, as is the hard copy that I can collect from you. FYI- I found it easy to sign up for the $1.00 a pay check to help out knowing I can allocate my gift to our kids through CCIS. If you already donated, thank you for your support. Thomas Dale - Uknighted for the United Way, Dee Davis.
HONOR ROLL CERTIFICATES-11/16 (Action). This Monday during 1st period, please deliver honor roll certificates along with the report cards to those students who have earned one. We have 1187 students who will receive this honor. The criteria for a certificate, is a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA for the quarter and must be enrolled in 5 or more courses.
- Positive Referral Ice Cream Celebration (Information). Our first ice cream celebration for positive referrals will be on Friday, November 16, at 2:30pm.
- Support the Junior Class (Information). See the movie Instant Family opens November 16. Get tickets via our custom Fandango Link now through December 2nd to benefit our cause: https://www.fandango.com/instant-family-2018-213977/movie-overview?a=13034&cmp=13034:FAMILY14421
- Tardies (Action). The tardy count for each student reset as of today. Here is the link for TDHS 2nd Nine Weeks Spreadsheet.
- (Re-Print) Impact Federal Aid Sheets (Action). Each year, we are required to have the Impact sheets filled out by parents to support funding from the federal level. In the next few days you will receive 30 copies of the Impact Aid Survey and parent letter (2 sided) in your mailboxes. Please distribute to your students. The deadline is Nov. 30th but please encourage them to return as soon as possible. Please return any extra forms to the office. Please collect and turn in completed forms to office. A Spanish version is available in the office if needed.
- Tech Integrator (Information). Janice Skipwith is a wonderful resource for high-quality instruction. Please see her weekly newsletter HERE.
Gradebooks from Jill Seal (Action)
CONGRATULATIONS on successfully posting Term 1 grades! I really appreciate all of you and your efforts to make the first 10:00 a.m. Tuesday deadline! Now that the palace has printed our report cards, I'm sure you're wondering what to do about make-up work that kids have turned in and grade changes. It's important to know that once grades are posted, the system never looks back. That means that when a grade changes in Synergy for Term 1, it will never print correctly on a report card going forward, unless you fill out a grade change form. HERE is the grade change form. Please turn it in to Bridget Lehman for any student whose grade changed since your last post. Happy Term 2, everyone!
Club Meetings - November 19 (Action)
Genius Hour - November 26 (Action)
Students/teachers had this past week to sign up to host a Genius Hour. The catalog will be ready Monday (11/12) during Enrichment and posted on the TD Dashboard. Please review the catalog during Morning Meeting (11/12) with your students. They will have through Enrichment on Thursday (11/15) to sign up. The link to the Google Form will be posted in their Google Classroom. We still have students not signed in to the Google Classroom, please share the code with them:
Class of 2019 (Seniors): qdpxews
Class of 2020 (Juniors): aitbjqt
Class of 2021 (Sophomores): 816xqic
Class of 2022 (Freshmen): uxfpb8
If you did not sign up to host a Genius Hour, you still might be hosting one for a student or be a holding area. I will let you know is a separate email. Also, we are designating certain areas for specific activities (1000 Hallway at Main is the Quiet Hallway and 300 Hallway at West is the gaming hallway), so certain activities will be moved accordingly. We will have limited activities outside (based on student requests), remind the students they will need to prepare for weather if they sign up for one of those!
Short Takes - Testing Calendar
The 2018-2019 Testing Calendar has been added to the TDHS Dashboard on the Testing Page. Hopefully you will find this calendar useful as you plan for the year. Please keep in mind that test dates may be adjusted due to inclement weather and/or other circumstances beyond our control.
Also, due to ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act), there are many POSITIVE and EXCITING changes that will take place this spring involving the number of SOL tests that will be administered to students. More detailed information will be shared after the first of the year, once all legislation has been approved and finalized.
For the Writing SOL in March and the EOC SOLS in May, a "Testing Bell Schedule", similar to the PSAT bell schedule, will be used.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Chicago Preview (Information/Action)
This Monday (11/12) during 4th block, the fine and performing arts department is proud to offer a preview of our fall musical Chicago. All teachers are welcome to attend but the event is not mandatory. If you do attend, your entire class must go, do not just send students to the auditorium, and you need to attend with your class as it will be a full house. Also, in order to make sure we have enough seating in the auditorium please make sure that you attend the session you are scheduled for.
Session 1, 1:40-2:00
Classes: 600 hall, 700 hall, 1000 hall, Art Rooms, All Main Gym Classes, F5
Session 2, 2:10-2:30
Classes: 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 halls
Session 3, 2:40-3:00
Classes: All West (Will dismiss from Main)
Any West teacher who will not be attending, please let Dr. Grabham know in advance so we can arrange the number of buses that should arrive at West for dismissal.
Chicago is THIS WEEK! (Information/Action)
All teachers and staff are invited to attend the performance for free, just use the google form below to let us know what night you wish to attend and we will add your name to our list.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_MQT_alRW12yoxbscHFef9dr7FldV25WgLt1ffpO20-m6CQ/viewform
If you wish to bring family members / friends with you to the show (and we hope you will!) you can purchase tickets in advance online through our boosters here: https://tdhschicago.brownpapertickets.com Tickets will also be sold for cash / check at the door one hour before the show, and in the TDHS main office from 10am to 2pm Monday through Friday.
You can also help us spread the word about the show by hanging a poster (stop by rm 512 if you need one), sharing our facebook event:
https://m.facebook.com/?_rdr#!/events/645848772482980
Bringing students to see the preview performance on Monday, and offering extra credit to your students who attend the show. We will stamp programs at the end of the performance so that your students can show you proof of their attendance.November is College and Career Month (Information/Action)
November 14 is Dress for Success Day. On Friday, November 16, we invite teachers to wear their graduation gowns to school!
Registration Knight - Course Fair and Club/Sport Expo
Registration Knight will take place Tuesday, November 27th from 6-7:30pm. This is an all hands on deck event as this is our first opportunity to begin building relationships with our rising Knights. It is also a great opportunity to show off the amazing things that are happening at Thomas Dale High School.
Each department will have a table to display a general overview of the content area and another table that showcases some of the electives within the department. CTE, Performing Arts, and World Languages will have individual tables for each program within your content area (Ex. there will be a Spanish table, French table, German table, Latin table, Japanese table). It will be up to you and your team to determine who will be at each table. Some folks will need to be present at other tables for clubs, sports, and other activities.
Following a brief presentation in the auditorium, parents and students will be welcomed into the cafeteria and gym for an open house experience to explore the different options available at Dale. Have fun with this! You can create displays, create something to show on a computer, or even have current students share their experiences. Please let Clint Patterson know if you have any questions or need any clarification.
The KNIGHTCracker
Enjoy the Jazz Nutcracker with our Dancers and Jazz Ensemble on December 14 and 15 at 7pm. pre-order a T-shirt here: https://tinyurl.com/JAZZNUTTEE!
See you there!
SCA Corner
Hello all,
December 3-7 is a Spirit Week. The days are under construction at the moment. That week we will also do the Hallway Decorations with the Seniors having the 600 Hallway, the Juniors the 400, the Sophomores the 200 and the Freshmen West Campus. On December 7th we will have a Pep Rally.
If you could please post this link to for your Homeroom. They are going to give suggestions on what they want to see at the Pep Rally. Thank you.
That is all.
(Re-Print) Registration Knight - November 27, 6-7:30pm (Action)
Our largest participation comes from our Rising 9th Grade students and their families. This is our first opportunity to meet our newest Knights and their families, and the first chance we get to build the foundation for our relationships with them.
On the Meeting Dates Document, this date was communicated as an event I needed everyone to attend to ensure maximum impact on our purpose. Please make plans to be here that evening; we will communicate the layout for the evening as the date approaches.
(Re-Print) Field Trip and Athletic Event Absences (Action)
This additional layer of communication will allow everyone in the building to first know what is going on, and second know where their students are in the event of an absence or a need to depart class early. It is the responsibility of all staff members to pay attention to the daily attendance email for information about an upcoming field trip.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure our communication structures are solid.
(Re-Print) 2018-2019 Winter Exam Schedule
Thursday, December 13 - Regular school day for students
Friday, December 14 - Regular school day with 2E exam embedded in the day (we will modify the schedule to facilitate an extended 2E block)
Monday, December 17 - Period 1 and 2O Exams (12:35pm dismissal)
Tuesday, December 18 - Period 3E and 4E Exams (12:35pm dismissal)
Wednesday, December 19 - Period 3O and 4O Exams (12:35pm dismissal)
Thursday, December 20 - No School, begin Winter Break
Knight's Cafe (Information/Action)
Librarians' Corner
Staff Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, November 14, after school in the west campus library. We will be discussing The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong. Hope to see you there.
The west campus library will be only be open from 8:00 am - 11:00 am on Friday, November 16.
From November 12-December 7, students can donate canned goods to the either campus library to waive fines. One canned good will waive a fine up to $3.00. Canned goods will be donated to Knights in Need.
Field Trips
- Chicago Preview. THIS is a list of students who will be involved in the in-school field trip / 4th period performances on Monday.
- Boys VB, State Semis. The Boys Volleyball team will travel to Virginia Beach for the State Semifinal. These students should be released from class on Tuesday at 1pm. Please see the attendance email from Darby regarding which students should be excused from class. Thanks!
- DIVERSITY DIALOGUE FIELD TRIP-11/14 (Information). 8 Knight Mentors will be attending the University of Richmond this Wednesday to work with other high school students from Virginia. The topic this year is stereotyping.
Agenda and Minutes Corner (Information)
- Admin Team: November 6
- ILT: November 9
- Instructional Admin: October 30
- Community Partners Meeting: October 9
- Principal's Advisory Council: October 17
- Student Advisory Council: November 9
- ACTS Notes (from Cindy Waters): October 8
- English: October 23
- Math: Minutes Folder
Upcoming Events
Click HERE for our 2018-2019 meeting dates.
November 12 - Chicago Preview during 4th block
November 12 - Personalized PD Pathways Meeting (Locations Vary by Pathway)
November 13 - PTSA Meeting
November 13 - Boys VB State Semifinals
November 14 - Dress for Success Day
November 14-17 - Chicago
November 16 - Graduation Gown Day
November 16 - Honor Roll Certificates
November 16 - Ice Cream Social for Positive Referrals (2:30pm)
November 19 - Tri-M Induction Ceremony
November 19 - Club/Activity Meetings during Enrichment
November 21-23 - Thanksgiving Break
November 26 - Genius Hour
November 26 - Faculty Meeting (West Auditorium)
Click below to access previous issues of The Knight Times, our weekly staff newsletter:
- Week of August 13
- Week of August 20
- Week of August 27
- Week of September 3
- Week of September 10
- Week of September 17
- Week of September 24
- Week of October 1
- Week October 8
- Week of October 15
- Week of October 22
- Week of October 29
- Week of November 5
Click below to access previous issues of From the Castle, our monthly parent and community newsletter:
Is there anything you need to communicate?
Please email me what you'd like to share - just ensure you have The Knight Times as part of your subject line. I will just need a title, body of text to include, and a picture attachment (if you have one to add to your piece).
Thomas Dale High School
Email: christopherm_jones@ccpsnet.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/tdhs/
Location: 3626 W. Hundred Rd. Chester, VA 23831
Phone: (804) 768-6245
Facebook: facebook.com/ThomasDale
Twitter: @GoTDKnights