FINAL POST!

 Something Personal

Team, 

I'm writing as a dad, not as a principal, and a dad who is going through all the emotions of seeing your daughter grow up so fast (as my oldest transitions to MW). 

Since the moment my girls came to QUEST, Ashley and I have been absolutely amazed with how selfless, thoughtful, communicative, and collaborative this school has been. There's a genuine feel of care for our students--all of them--and it really comes through as a parent. Thank you so much for the little details you each put into your work. My children have absolutely benefited in ways that extend well beyond a test score. 

My daughters have been incredibly lucky to be part of this learning community. Thank you!

Derek 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Team,

I'm writing as a principal now! 

What an amazing year. We went through so much together: high highs and low lows, changes, growth, incredible student-centered moments...and our school continues to be strong. Thank you so much for going above and beyond in your work, aligning with our values, and doing what is necessary to ensure our students are taken great care of. It takes all of us!

As you shift into summer mode, I challenge you to completely shut it down. When you are working to reach a professional why that is as important as we each have, the need for rest and recharge is essential. Take this place out of your mind and enjoy every moment with those you love. 

Thank you for your professionalism, hard work, and collaboration. I'm lucky to get to work alongside each of you, and I'm most proud of the great year we just had. 

Yours in education, 

Derek 

Something Professional 

Retirement Bus...

End of Year Celebration

Staff Development

This video highlights the options as well as the changes summarized in this document.  It will be posted on the SDAC website and the options will be communicated in September.  

Week of 6/10/24

 Something Personal 

As we shift to the final days of the year, I hope you are able to find a moment of calm amid the busy. Each June comes with an emotional crescendo that eventually --hopefully--turns into the relaxation of summer; but I hope between now and then you are able to find the joy that comes with the end of the year.

A huge thanks to each of you  for making the moments count with our kids. I see it and am grateful to be on this journey with you. 

Something Professional 

Blue Lit. Folders

Over time, we have slowly consolidated all that gets collected within the lit. folders. We are to the point where we only need one folder. If you consolidate to one folder, please return the other folders to Paula. 

IXL Heads Up

IXL Class Creation in 2024-2025

We heard your feedback this year about the various problems caused with automatic class rostering in IXL. As a result of your feedback, we will be making the transition this summer to manual class creation in IXL. It is a simple process, with a quick tip sheet on how to do so here. If you have any questions or need any support, please don't hesitate to reach out to an instructional tech!

Emergency Folders

At the conclusion of this year, the emergency folders need to be turned in to Paula. Thank you! 

From Tech

As shared previously, a group of teachers districtwide piloted GoGuardian Teacher beginning in February 2024. After reviewing the feedback from check in surveys throughout the pilot and the end of pilot survey, the decision has been made that for the 2024-2025 school year, we will be moving forward with the use of GoGuardian Teacher in grades 3-12. The pilot results showed that at the primary level pilot participants felt it wasn't as impactful for the students. We can revisit usage at the K-2 level if it becomes a need in the future.  Keep your eyes out for further information and training opportunities in the future.

Also Tech

Flip (formerly known as Flipgrid) recently announced that they will be retiring their website and mobile apps on July 1 and moving the Flip camera into Microsoft Teams. You can read their full announcement here. The website will become view only on July 1, but you will have access to download Flip videos through September 30. We have been investigating replacements, and one that has risen to the top is Screencastify Submit - learn a little more about in this two minute video with a full overview of the features here. Another option is the Screencast App on student Chromebooks - see a brief overview here. If you need any assistance in downloading videos from Flip or exploring the two highlighted or other available options to meet your instructional objectives, please don't hesitate to reach out to an instructional tech.

 

Week of 6/3/24

Something Personal 

Reflecting on a Memorable Moment at QUEST

This year's graduates marked the first Kindergarten class I've overseen as Principal at QUEST. As I observed a student, who had been rather reserved and heistant in their earlier years, confidently present to a room filled with proud QUEST staff, I was amazed. That moment encapsulated the essence of QUEST.

Each one of us contributes to the growth and development of our students. Regardless of our specific roles and job titles, it is a collective effort to empower students to reach their full potential. Witnessing this transportmation firsthand was truly remarkable and a standout experience of my year. 

To our entire QUEST community, thank you. Our work can be exhausting, at times unappreciated, and the end of the year can bring many moments of doubt; however, every effort matters. We have a significant impact on our students, and together, we create the magic at QUEST. I see and appreciate each one of you. Keep up the exceptional work--home stretch! 

Something Professional 

Science Fun Day 

Please read your Science Fun Day email. All paperwork for classes will be found in your mailbox at the end of the day, May 30th. Don't forget Science Rules!

Click here for an organized overview!

Session times: 

Kick Off in Auditorium- 9:15-10:05
Session 1- 10:10-10:45
Session 2- 10:50- 11:25
Session 3- 11:30-12:05
Session 4- 12:10 - 12:45
Session 5- 12:50- 1:25
Session 6- 1:30-2:05

Session 7 - 2:10 - 2:45

SUMMARY OF STAFF MEETING Survey RESULTS 

ACCORDING TO AI

I reviewed the feedback on staff meetings line-by-line to determine good next steps for next year, but I also asked AI to do the same and to collaborate with me. Thank you, Magic School! 

This is how AI interpreted the results: 

• With the question regarding what type of staff meeting do you enjoy the most: 

Summary of Staff Meeting Style Preferences:

• Choose Your Own Adventure (Breakout Sessions): 24 votes
• Team Time to Plan and Work Together: 14 votes
• Sit and Get (Presenter Talks, You Listen): 3 votes
• Independent (On Your Own Work): 5 votes

Based on the survey results, it seems that the staff heavily favors "Choose Your Own Adventure (Breakout Sessions)" as their preferred style of staff meeting, closely followed by "Team Time to Plan and Work Together."

• With the question regarding in what ways did vertival teams benefit our school: 

Summary of Benefits of Vertical Teams:

• Building community and connections with staff not regularly interacted with.
• Increased productivity compared to previous years.
• Collaboration in a meaningful way across different groups.
• Sharing ideas and activities for self-care.
• Focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and generating ideas for classroom implementation.
• Opportunity to learn from colleagues at different grade levels.
• Common time to plan and discuss committee-related topics.
• Collaboration across grade levels and departments.
• Learning new strategies for classroom implementation and SEL.
• Exchanging successful practices between different levels.
• Consistency in working towards a common goal or mission.
• Integration of vertical team work into staff meetings for efficiency.

• With the question regarding a creative way to make meetings better: 

Summary of Creative Ideas to Improve Staff Meetings:

• Providing snacks.
• Starting and finishing meetings on time.
• Sharing out updates at the end of meetings.
• Incorporating more mindful minutes.
• Having a flexible schedule for meetings.
• Considering after-school meetings instead of always before school.
• Making district-required meetings more meaningful and relevant to the school.
• Less district based meetings
• Increasing interactivity and group activities during meetings.
• Allowing for more options and customization in meeting schedules.
• Exploring different locations for meetings to enhance collaboration.
• Limiting district presentations during meetings.
• Ensuring good acoustics for better hearing during meetings.
• Incorporating fun activities like games or conversations starters.
• Improving seating comfort and sound systems.
• Encouraging variety and change in meeting formats.
• Creating a visual display to track progress and achievements throughout the year.
• Offering more options for interactive or self-directed meeting days.
• Considering separate rooms for meetings to improve sound quality.
• Providing agendas in advance for preparedness.
• Featuring teachers presenting on their strengths or passions.
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities for each team before and during meetings.

• With the question on the most meaningful staff meeting: 

Summary of Favorite Staff Meetings:

• Appreciation for Choose Your Own Adventure meetings where staff share expertise and knowledge.
• Enjoyment of vertical team meetings and IB-focused meetings.
• Positive feedback on interactive meetings such as the walking/podcast session.
• Preference for sessions where teaching tools and strategies are shared.
• Value in collaborative meetings where schoolwide projects are worked on together.
• Interest in topics like executive functioning and math strategies.
• Engagement in activities focused on building connections and identifying safe persons for students.
• Enjoyment of community circles after significant events.
• Satisfaction with customizable meetings that cater to individual interests and needs.
• Emphasis on learning new strategies or tools with immediate application in the classroom.
• Preference for staff-led sessions where colleagues share resources and expertise.
• Likelihood of finding meaning in meetings with options to choose activities.
• Positive experiences with CIA meetings that focus on student relationships and connections.
• Appreciation for the ability to select sessions for a more personalized meeting experience.

Closing out APPR for Teaching Staff

1. Even though they are able to see their summative element in Frontline, there is NO action needed at this time regarding the summative element. 
2. The collective growth score will be calculated in July and automatically input into teachers' summative element. 
3. Time will be set aside on the August 22^nd Staff Summer Day for teaching staff to acknowledge their overall composite score in Frontline. Directions will be forthcoming after the collective growth score is inputted.
4. The entire process will be finalized in Frontline. Teachers will no longer need to sign their composite score report in Schoolfront. 

    

Learner Profile 

As you have likely noticed in your building, we have been celebrating Hilton students who exhibit the IB Learner Profile both in and outside of school in grades K-12.  We are looking to once again highlight 5-6 students across the district (K-12) and will have posters created to celebrate them to be posted in each school.  We try to post the first group in September and the 2nd group in February.  However, we need your help in identifying these students.   Please view this link of the learner profile.  If you know of any students who are exhibiting any of the traits inside or outside of school, please write a short description including their names and what they are demonstrating and send to Steve Cudzilo.  If selected, I will reach out to the student's parents for permission to create a poster and hang it in the buildings.  Thank you for your consideration.

Learner Profile docs.google.com

Reminder from Tech

In a memo from NYSED on May 1, 2023, best practices and requirements to reduce a district's risk relative to cybersecurity and cyber-attacks were listed. The first item on the list was multifactor authentication. The memo in its entirety can be seen here. Since September 2021, for all district employees, multi-factor authentication on our District's Microsoft hilton.k12.ny.us accounts was a requirement. As we continue to evaluate potential changes to increase cybersecurity, we have determined that our next step is to implement multi-factor authentication on staff member Google accounts (ga.hiltoncsd.net). 

 A quick walk through on how to set up this feature is here, or if you prefer a video walkthrough, you can find that here. 

 In addition to typical multifactor authentication methods, if you are logged into your ga.hiltoncsd.net account on an eligible phone, you may choose push notification Google prompts as your multi-factor authentication method. More on the Google prompts option can be seen here, including directions for both Apple and Android phones. Again, this method is an option but not required. You may choose to use the code by voice or text message method outlined above.

 You may complete this process at any time leading up to Thursday, June 20. This feature will be active on Thursday, June 20, for all employees. If you haven't gone through the process to enable multifactor authentication on your Google account prior to June 20, you will be prompted to do so on June 20 or the next time you log into your Google account. 

 Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and thank you for your assistance in protecting student and staff data.

 Library Reminders:

Important dates for the end of year library operations

Interlibrary Loan (for faculty/staff to request books from other school libraries)

Last Day to request ILL: Thursday, May 23
Return ILL: Friday, June 7, 2024

Students:

Last day to checkout books: Friday, June 7
Start to return your books on Monday, June 10
Last day for K-4 classes: Friday, June 14

Faculty
Faculty can continue to borrow books from the QUEST library  until the last day of classes.

The library staff will communicate with students and faculty/staff about any books or other equipment that has not been returned. Q? Contact Michelle or Mindy

Something Profound

 

Check out this interesting article by George Cuoros on the use of AI and getting into the habit of it. 

CLICK HERE!

Week of May 28th

 Something Personal 

Summer is coming, and it is never too early to start organizing some good books to challenge your thinking. Some of my new favorite books that are worth checking out: 

Something Professional 

Repost:                         GoGuardian

As we look to continually develop digital citizens and teach students about online safety, a new feature of GoGuardian is being rolled out. This new layer of monitoring will be send building leadership an alert anytime a student searches for explicit material on a school-issued device--both during the day and outside of the instructional day. Although our filtering system blocks such searches, this new layer of information will be communicated with the student's family, by the school administrator, as necessary when an alert comes through. 

Parents will be notified of this shift in the near future once it is all up and running, however, please be aware of this shift and continue to foster environments that promote internet safey and digital citizenship. Once this new system is up, running, and communicated to families, you will be notified. 

From: Office of Instruction

We are excited to announce that the Hilton School District will be initiating a comprehensive review of our K-12 ELA/English and K-12 Art programs starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. Program evaluation plays a crucial role in understanding student achievement and how our curriculum, assessments, and instructional methods contribute to this success.

This evaluation will be an annual process, focusing on two to three departments each year to ensure a thorough and thoughtful review. The plan is to cycle through all K-12 departments, guaranteeing that each program undergoes evaluation once every five years, beginning with Art and ELA.

We are currently seeking volunteers to join the K-12 ELA/English and K-12 Art program review teams. This process is open to all staff members, as we value a diverse range of perspectives to enrich the evaluation process. Details about the commitment of team members can be found in the form's introduction.

If you are interested in being part of this important process, please complete the form by June 7, 2024. Your participation will be invaluable in shaping the future of our ELA and Art programs.

·                     ELA/English Program Evaluation Team Interest Form

·                     Art Program Evaluation Team Interest Form

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our school community. I look forward to working together on this exciting endeavor.

 Kristen Paolini

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Hilton Central School District

Science Fun Day!

Please read your Science Fun Day email. All paperwork for classes will be found in your mailbox at the end of the day, May 30th. Don't forget Science Rules!


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1urPuA8SYnBxVKhKMj5EUX4YQw3djHjXIMgaY7EusAFA/edit?usp=sharing

Library Reminders:

Important dates for the end of year library operations

Interlibrary Loan (for faculty/staff to request books from other school libraries)

Last Day to request ILL: Thursday, May 23
Return ILL: Friday, June 7, 2024

Students:

Last day to checkout books: Friday, June 7
Start to return your books on Monday, June 10
Last day for K-4 classes: Friday, June 14

Faculty
Faculty can continue to borrow books from the QUEST library  until the last day of classes.

The library staff will communicate with students and faculty/staff about any books or other equipment that has not been returned. Q? Contact Michelle or Mindy