Welcome New and Returning Faculty 2011-2012:
My name is Deborah Casias Noonan. I am a member of the Theology
Department, Theology Department Chair,the Faculty person who works with the
Nerinx Mentoring Program for new faculty and staff and a Freshmen Moderator.
I am glad to welcome you to Nerinx. I hope that you will have a splendid
school year.
I would like to invite everyone to let me know if you have any special
gifts or areas of expertise that you want to share with the rest of the
community. I would be happy to let the rest of the community know that you are
available. It is important that we all mentor each other. This will be
a very busy and school year, so the more we help each other the easier it will
go for all of us.
Thank those of you who have chosen to become mentors for the coming school
year. I hope that you will find this experience rewarding. Please do not
hesitate to let me know how I can help you during the school year. My mailbox
is in alphabetical order under "C" for "Casias Noonan" *My office is the
Theology Office, located in the Lockwood House, our office extension is
# 135, my voicemail is #627. I will have a Freshmen homeroom -- S4. My email
is dcnoonan@nerinxhs.org. I hope this helps you find me when you need me.
I will try to provide some of the basic things that we would like you as
mentors help our new Faculty and Staff become aware of and understand. Since
most of us have been here for many years, we tend to forget that the new folks
don't know all the things that are special to Nerinx. I will also copy the
"Mentors' Handbook" prepared for Mentors by Karen L. Tichy, ED.D. This was
distributed to Mentors at the Archdiocesan Meeting for Mentors.
I have prepared my own version of our ever-changing daily school The basic
schedules can be found in the student handbook and in our faculty handbook.
Please subscribe to Dr. Angie Zinkl's ical. She has all the special schedules
on this. She updates it so you can always have a place to check for upcoming
events and schedule changes. These may be found by subscribing to Angie's iCal.
A summary of key events which you should probably explain to your Mentee will
be noted in personalized Mentors' Handbook. These are the little things that
sometimes fall through the cracks as the school year gets into full swing and
everyone is busy with their individual tasks. I am giving a copy of these
items to the new members of our community and hope that they will ask you
about anything that they don't know or understand. If you come across
something that you don't know about, please ask me and I will try to find the
answer.
Remember to share your wisdom about the upcoming events, wonders and secrets
of the copy machines, how to use PowerSchool and the web page, the Resource
Center, the library, technology resources, voice mail, email, who to
go to for what, the various forms -- attendance, missing from
class,detentions,progress reports, etc.
Thank you for your help.
Have a wonderful new school year.
Deborah Casias Noonan
*************
Dear Second and Third Year Mentors:
Thank you for continuing to mentor the Faculty and Staff who joined our
community during the past two years. I am enclosing the Calendar Two for
second and third year mentoring provided by Karen Tichy.
Please make contact with your Mentee and offer your support to their second or
third year journey. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help
you with.
If for some reason you feel unable to continue mentoring this year, please let
me know this immediately, so I can find a replacement mentor.
Thank you for all your help.
Sincerely,
Deborah Casias Noonan
Below is a summary version of the Mentors' Handbook for Mentoring First Year
Faculty.
MENTORS' HANDBOOK
(A resource for educators who assist beginning teachers with induction into
their ministry and profession)
3rd Edition
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Catholic Education Office
20 Archbishop May Drive
St. Louis, MO. 63119
Karen L. Tichy, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent for Instruction
Phone: (314-792-7321)
E-Mail: stlinsstrsupt@archstl.org
July 2004
Mentoring Calendar
Year One
August: 2011
Informally introduce yourself as mentor. *You will be able to do this on
August 10, 2011 at the New Teacher Orientation Lunch � in the Library at
11:45a.m.
* Explain your role.
* Put the beginning teacher at ease.
*Introduce the beginning teacher to other faculty members.
Host the beginning teacher at the opening of school faculty meetings. (Please
check in with your Mentee on August 15, 2011 during the first full faculty
meeting of the year. Introduce her to people around you.)
* Give the beginning teacher a general orientation to the school. (Don't try
to go over everything. Ask yourself what are the things my new teacher
needs to know right now to feel comfortable and to get off to a good start?
o The people
o The building
o School procedures
o Classroom procedures
o Routines
Invite the teacher to the religious education institute. (*The Religious
Education meeting is at the St. Louis University on August 9, 2011 this year
from 9-12.) One needs to pre-register for this.
Assist the teacher with initial preparations as needed and appropriate.
(*Find out what room(s) she/he will be teaching in and show her/him where they
are. Ask if she/he has any questions about the room or the block schedule,
contact time, etc. Tell her where you teach and where your office is.)
Listen to and support the beginning teacher.
Get to know the new teacher as a person (ask about his/her teacher program
in college, his/her family, likes and dislikes, interests).
Set up follow-up meeting dates and times (* Find out when she teaches and
see if you share a common free period. Let her know when and how she can get
in touch with you, if she has questions.)
First Day of School: (August 16, 2011)
Talk through the teacher's plan and procedures for the first day.(*Nerinx
has its own special brand of first day of school. Please take time to
explain the various activities that will occur on this day. The Seniors'
greetings at the beginning of the day; the shortened classes and Opening
Liturgy. Since she is part-time find out which cycle she will be teaching on.
Special Schedule First Day Special Schedule Second Day
7:55-8:20 Homeroom 7:55-8:20 Homeroom
8:20-9:35 Opening Liturgy 8:20- 9:05 Opening Assembly
9:35-9:50 Contact 9:05-9:35 Musical
9:50-10:30 A Period 9:35-9:50 Contact
10:30-11:10 B Period 9:50-10:30 E Period
11:10-11:50 C Period 10:30-11:10 F Period
11:50-12:30 D Period 11:10-11:50 G Period
Dismissal at 12:30 11:50-12:30 H Period
Dismissal at 12:30 Dismissal at 12:30
Do something special for the teacher on the first day.
Reflect with the teacher at the end of the day. (*If possible try to
see your mentee before she leaves for the day and find out how the
day went.)
Discuss and suggest procedures for learning names of students.
First Week of School:
Remind the teacher about schedules, events, etc. as needed (*Some of our new
faculty members are full-time and some are part-time, please ask if they have
any questions and share your own experience. If you haven't been part-time
please ask someone here at NHS who has so you can share their insights about
being part-time. Explain class meetings and Advisory Groups, I don't know
what their individual responsibilities are, help them find out about these
during the first week of school.
Note that there are schedule changes on Monday August 22, 2011, this is a
"C" day: Homeroom will be extended from 7:55 to 8:35 for the Reading Tests.
This means their classes will fall at different times because there is a
special schedule for this day and some classes will be shorter. All of this is
on iCal.
Homeroom: 7:55-8:35 Extended for reading test
"C" 8:35-10:00
Contact: 10:00-10:15
"D" 10:15- 11:40
"A"/LUNCH 11:40 -1:40
"B" 1:40- 3:05
(*Explain what the calendar sales are all about and let them know how the
calendars work, so if a student tries to sell them one, they know what it is
all about. If she/he teaches Seniors, explain Open Campus for Seniors.)
* Explain Hey Day -- It will be August 26, 2011.
(*If she/he teaches Freshmen, explain how we get eighth grade visitors in
our Freshmen classes. Explain Hey Day and the wearing of the beanies and warn
her that she will probably be invited to receive a beanie and dance on Hey Day.)
Assist the teacher with developing and implementing lesson plans as needed.
(*Since of this year we will continue work on curriculum guides talk to the
new teachers about this and offer any guidance you can. Their department chair
will tell her/him what is expected of her/him with regard to this.)
Be available to listen and advise.
Discuss the teacher's classroom expectations.
Discuss the teacher's procedures for grading students' work. (*Encourage
her/him to attend the technology workshops being offered on PowerSchool and
Google Docs. Refer her/him to Linda Howard if she/he has problems that you
can't answer.)
September: 2011
Review pertinent forms, procedures, deadlines, etc. as needed. (* Explain
the Wednesday late start schedules, Input meetings, Faculty Meetings, AdvancEd
Meetings, Department Meetings, and Curriculum Guide Meetings and Open
Meeting time. Talk to your mentee about Clubs and when they meet: Green Clubs
on Fridays this year and White Clubs on Tuesdays. Explain Contact Time and
the Musical and other plays.
Sponsor and accompany the teacher to the commissioning ceremony, if your
school has one. (*Tell the new teacher about Hey Day and beanie ceremony to
welcome the Freshmen and New Faculty.)
Review location of resources, media center, libraries,Resource
Center, Technology Office, etc.,if needed.
Assist the teacher with preparing a substitute teacher packet.
Assist the teacher with planning for prayer and liturgy. Let them know that
they are invited to attend retreats and join liturgy preparations.
Accompany the teacher to faculty meetings. Tell the new teacher where the
meeting locations are.
Advise the teacher about attending faculty social gatherings.
Help the teacher prepare for the back-to-school program. (*Back-
to-school night for us will be September 7, 2011 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.)
o Advise the teacher that this is a time to explain his/her program,
not to confer with individual parents about their son's/daughter's
progress. Progress Reports will be due on September 14, 2011.
Discuss the importance of parent contacts and role play parent phone calls
as needed. (* Explain how we can used PowerSource, email, voicemail, and
telephones to contact parents and keep them informed about their daughter's
progress.)
(* If she/he teaches Freshmen, there will be a Freshmen staffing on
September 21st, this is a Wednesday morning: Explain this to her/him and if
she/he has any questions that you can't answer refer her to Debbie Price.)
Accompany the teacher to the first home and school/parent � teacher
association meeting. (*We don't have these.)
Assist the teacher with understanding and preparing for student standardized
testing. (*We have a testing day in October for standardized testing.)
If the teacher holds an IPC or PCI Missouri teaching certificate, assist the
teacher with making the necessary arrangements to attend the Beginning Teacher
Assistance Conference required by the state to keep his/her certificate
active. [Information on this conference is distributed to beginning teachers
at the archdiocesan New Teachers Orientation and in the Missouri certification
handout provided at the orientation].
Listen to and support the teacher on matters of concern.
September 28, 2011 will be the Sophomore Retreat remind her/him that
Sophomores will not have class at all on this day. **Every Class has a
retreat sometime during the school year.
October:2011
* Assist the teacher with the goal setting and information planning processes
that are part of the teacher evaluation process.
* October 3, 2011 -celebration of Father Nerinckx's birthday, explain that
this is usually celebrated with a treat at Lunch time.
* October 5, 2011 there will be a Sophomore Staffing at 8:00 a.m.
*October 6, 2011 - Special Assembly Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 F Period
9:20-10:30 Blues Assembly
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 G Period
11:55-1:55 H Period /Lunch
1:55-3:05 E Period
* October 12, 2011 is the day for all school Testing for Freshmen, Sophomores
and Juniors. We will receive specific assignments for this day of testing.
* First Quarter Ends on October 13,2011. This is followed by a Faculty
Workday. Please explain these to your mentee.
*Wednesday Meeting: AdvancED 8:00 a.m. on October 19, 2011 followed by the
Late Start/Pep Schedule
9:10-9:20 Homeroom
9:20-10:35 B Period
10:35-11:50 C Period
11:50-1:30 Lunch/D Period(25 Minute Lunches)
*11:50-12:15 Freshman
*12:15-12:40 Sophomore
*12:40-1:05 Junior
*1:05-1:30 Senior
1:30-2:40 A Period
2:40-3:05 Pep Rally
* Help the teacher prepare for parent and teacher conferences; consider role
playing a conference. (*We have parent-teacher Conferences on October 27, 2011
from 4-7 p.m. Tell her that often the Fathers' club will provide a
light dinner, just prior to the conference.)
Help the teacher with ideas for special events and upcoming holidays as
appropriate.
Be alert to identify and discuss any matters of concern regarding grading,
planning, and school procedures.
Assist the teacher with plans for special circumstances as needed and
appropriate (e.g., majority of class on retreat or field trip,shortened class
schedule, etc.).
(*October 17 after school Juniors will leave for retreat. They will be on
Retreat overnight and all day on October 18, 2011. Half of the Juniors will
have retreat on October 18, 2011 None of the Juniors will have class on the
18th because the half that are not on Retreat will be on the Plunge Field
Trip. This same thing will happen again on April 12th and 13th, 2012. The
Juniors on Retreat will leave after school on the 12th and all Juniors will be
out of school on April 13th some on Retreat,others on The Plunge. Freshmen
will be on Retreat all day on October 12, 2011.
Seniors will have a two-night, three-day Retreat February 1st, 2nd thru 3rd,
2012. All seniors will be gone and many faculty will accompany them. Remind
the new faculty that if they teach a class that is on Retreat the day they
teach this class, they will likely be asked to sub for the teachers on Retreat
with that class.
Assist the teacher with interpreting standardized test results. (*All school
testing is scheduled on October 13th, this is a Wednesday, but there will
probably not be a late start. She might be assigned to proctor one of the
standardized tests on that day. There will be a special schedule on that day.
It is the day before the end of first quarter. It will be followed by a
Faculty Workday; no classes and no school on October 14, 2011)
Discuss use of student records as an information resource if appropriate.
(*Progress Reports will be due around the week of September 14, 2011.)
Help the teacher prepare for the first report cards. (* Ask if she needs any
help with PowerSource. Explain how we have to put our grades online using
PowerSource and how we have to make sure that we are around to verify the
grades after we turn them in to Sr. Mary. They are usually due by 9:00 a.m.)
First Quarter grades are due October 19,2011;Second Quarter and First Semester
grades are due January 4, 2012; Third Quarter grades are due March 14, 2012
and Fourth Quarter and Second Semester grades are due May 30, 2012.
Identify and explore duties and responsibilities outside the classroom.
Listen to and support the teacher on matters of concern.
Talk to the beginning teacher about the importance of personal time and
stress reduction.
(* On October 19, 2011, a Wednesday, "B" Day there will be a Pep Rally
Schedule: Late Start/Pep Schedule
9:10-9:20 Homeroom
9:20-10:35 B Period
10:35-11:50 C Period
11:50-1:30 Lunch/D Period
(25 Minute Lunches)
*11:50-12:15 Freshman
*12:15-12:40 Sophomore
*12:40-1:05 Junior
*1:05-1:30 Senior
1:30-2:40 A Period
2:40-3:05 Pep Rally
November: 2011
*November 1, 2011: All Saints Day
Liturgy Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 F Period
9:20-10:30 Liturgy
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 G Period
11:55-1:55 H Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 E Period
(*Explain Open House on Sunday, November 6, 2011 from 12:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Invite her/him to discuss this with her/him department chair, since different
departments require different things from their department members.)
*November 9, 2011 Wednesday Extra Late start
Wednesday Meeting: Department Curriculum Guide Work
10:00-10:10 Homeroom
10:10-11:15 E Period
11:15-12:55 F Period & Lunch
*11:15-11:40 Fr. Lunch
*11:40-12:05 Soph. Lunch
*12:05-12:30 Jr. Lunch
*12:30-12:55 Sr. Lunch
12:55-2:00 G Period
2:00-3:05 H Period
* Help the teacher prepare for parent and teacher conferences; consider role
playing a conference.
* Review individual student needs and available resources to meet those needs.
* Discuss the importance of advent in the faith life of the school
community.(* We will have Advent Prayer Services on the Mondays
during Advent during Homeroom time. This begins on November 28th.)
November 28, 2011
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:20 C Period
9:20-10:00 Advisory
10:00-10:30 Class Meetings
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 D Period
11:55-1:55 A Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 B Period
* Discuss and assist with the pacing of lessons.
* Reflect with the teacher on the goals set as part of the teacher
evaluation process.
* Listen to and support the teacher on matters of concern.
*Discuss instructional planning through the end of the semester as
needed,including relevant school expectations and alternate
schedules to be expected.
*Discuss the school community's traditions and expectations regarding the
celebration of Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas, especially liturgies and
prayer services. (* Explain how we have a very special pre-Thanksgiving Mass
with alums returning to celebrate with us. This will take place on November
23rd. NO WEDNESDAY MEETING: 7:55 START!
Thanksgiving Liturgy Schedule
NO WEDNESDAY MEETING: 7:55 START!
Thanksgiving Liturgy Schedule
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:00 F Period
9:00-9:50 G Period
9:50-10:40 H Period
10:40-11:30 E Period
11:30 Thanksgiving Liturgy
Dismissal following liturgy.
Remind the beginning teacher to be sure to log all professional development
activities in which he/she participates in order to document meeting the
in-service requirements for upgrade of his/her IPC or PCI certificate to a
CCPC certificate. (* This and the following four points are more for the
department chair and principal, but if you can help with these, please offer
your guidance and support.)
* Advise the teacher you are mentoring about what he/she can expect during the
rest of the year in terms of teacher evaluation by the principal; consider
role playing a classroom observation and pre and post conferences; explore the
beginning teacher's feelings and concerns about the evaluation process.
* If possible, observe the teacher in the classroom for an extended period of
time.
* Assist the beginning teacher in identifying an area about which he/she
wants or adjustments the teacher needs to or would like to make.
o Together decide what data would be helpful in determining what changes or
adjustments the teacher needs to or would like to make.
o Determine an effective way to collect that information during the observation.
o Observe the class, focusing on the area and data previously identified.
o Give your notes to the teacher; avoid judgmental comments.
o In a conference later, solicit the beginning teacher's reactions and
reflections about the lesson.
Focus the beginning teacher on thinking through the issues and alternatives
and using the data from the observation in his/her thinking.
Focus on teaching vs. the teacher.
Only offer suggestions and your assessment after the beginning teacher has
verbalized his/her thinking, and offer them only if requested; be as positive
as possible.
Focus on long-term adjustments in routines and strategies rather than
short-term solutions
Discuss the beginning teacher's reaction to the conferences and observation.
What was useful, difficult?
How will it be the same, different when the principal observes?
o Make sure the beginning teacher understands the difference between the
mentor's coaching and the principal's evaluation.
The mentor's coaching focuses on a specific area selected mutually and is
for the purpose of assistance, not evaluation. (*This is the role we see
Mentors doing best.)
The principal's evaluation focuses on all the criteria listed in the
evaluation booklet and is for the purpose of assessing the degree to which the
criteria are being met.
November 23, 2011 NO WEDNESDAY MEETING: 7:55 START!
Thanksgiving Liturgy Schedule
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:00 F Period
9:00-9:50 G Period
9:50-10:40 H Period
10:40-11:30 E Period
11:30 Thanksgiving Liturgy
Dismissal following liturgy.
November 30, 2011 Wednesday Meeting: Department Meeting
Late Start/Pep Schedule
9:10-9:20 Homeroom
9:20-10:35 D Period
10:35-11:50 A Period
11:50-1:30 Lunch/B Period
(25 Minute Lunches)
*11:50-12:15 Freshman
*12:15-12:40 Sophomore
*12:40-1:05 Junior
*1:05-1:30 Senior
1:30-2:40 C Period
2:40-3:05 Pep Rally
December: 2011
December 1, 2011 -- This will be a day of Reconciliation when priests will be
available for members of the community to receive the sacrament of
Reconciliation. Theology teachers will allow their students to leave class to
receive the sacrament. Other teachers are free to let their students know if
they are willing to do the same for students who do not have a theology class
today -- It will be an "H" Day.
Assist the teacher with planning for seasonal celebrations as needed and
appropriate. (* Explain the Adopt-a-Family program; this begins on Friday,
December 2, 2011.
The will be a special Liturgy Schedule on December 8th:
Liturgy Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 C Period
9:20-10:30 Liturgy
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 D Period
11:55-1:55 A Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 B Period
Extended Homeroom for Adopt-A-Family-- December 9, 2011
7:55-8:35 Homeroom
8:35-10:00 G Period
10:00-10:15 Contact
10:15-11:40 H Period
11:40-1:40 E Period/Lunch
1:40-3:05 F Period
(*The Faculty Christmas Lunch will be on Friday, December 9th, this is a "G"
Day during the Lunch period.)
Assist the teacher with providing an update on their teacher evaluation
process activities. (*Help and remind your mentee that she should keep her
PowerSource grades are up-to-date. I don't have the date for Progress Reports
for Second Quarter, figure about four weeks into the quarter. The quarter
ends on December 13, 2011.
Final Exam Schedule for 2011
Wednesday, December 14
9:00-10:30 Theology
11:00-12:30 Fine Arts
1:00-2:30 Social Studies
Thursday, December 15
9:00-10:30 Science
11:00-12:30 Computer/Business
1:00-2:30 Foreign Language
Friday, December 16
9:00-10:30 English
11:00-12:30 Math
1:00-2:30 Make-up Exams
This would be a very good time to explain the system used for Final Exams.
Explain how we have to proctor our own exam and then also those of other
departments, since all students are tested at the same time in each subject.
I will ask Jane to explain what responsibilities part-time people have beyond
their own exam. Explain how the times for exams are different in the Winter
and the Spring. Specific Schedules are on iCal.
Finally there is the Faculty Christmas Party on Dec. 15, 2011.
Christmas Break begins after the make-up exam on Dec. 17th--Jan.2, 2011.
Discuss inclement weather procedures as needed. (* Discuss the Snow Schedule
and the phone tree used for this.) This is found in the Handbook.
Reflect on and assist with staff relationships
Listen to and support the teacher on matters of concern.
January: 2012
Share with your mentee the schedule that will happen on our return from
Christmas Break. How the student government presents a review of the past
semester and the goals for second semester.
January 3, 2011
Special Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 A Period
9:20-10:10 Opening Assembly
10:10-10:45 Class Meetings
10:45-11:55 B Period
11:55-1:55 C period/Lunch
1:55 -3:05 D period
* Assist the teacher with identifying needs and priorities for the second
semester.
* Explore areas in which the beginning teacher feels the most confident and
areas in which the beginning teacher feels he/she most needs to grow.
o Explore available professional development opportunities; consider attending
with the beginning teacher.
o Review where the teacher is in terms of the curriculum for the year that has
been taught and what remains to be taught.
Review end of the semester procedures, reports, etc.
Explain Theatre Day -- this year it will be on December 12, 2011
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-8:40 H Period
8:40-9:10 E Period
9:10-9:40 F Period
9:40-10:10 G Period
10:10 Walk to the Rep
10:30-1:15 Theater Performance
1:15-1:30 Return to School and Dismiss
The Martin Luther King Holiday, Jan. 16th. There was talk of making this a
day of Service.
Assist the teacher with the collection and organization of his/her artifacts
for the information plan and with the implementation of the activities
designed to achieve the goal(s) designed for the teacher evaluation process
for this year.
Remind her to keep track of all of her professional development activities
for the whole year. You should also talk to her about the end of the year
self-assessment that we are asked to do. There is a copy of this in our
Faculty Handbook.
January 26, 2012 will be an Assembly Schedule for a Diversity Assembly.
Assembly Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 A Period
9:20-10:30 Diversity Assembly
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 B Period
11:55-1:55 C Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 D Period
Listen to and support the teacher on matters of concern.
Some of our new teachers will have advisees, please explain what this
involves. Also explain that we will have a Faculty Meeting to discuss
Registration for next year. It can be a good opportunity to learn more about
the offerings and requirements for the different courses offered at Nerinx.
This will be the January 25th meeting.
If possible, arrange for the beginning teacher to observe your class and
conference with you about the observation.
Explore whether the beginning teacher wants to share with you the results of
the principal's observations and evaluations to date; help the beginning
teacher process the experience and his/her reactions to it.
Assist the teacher with planning for upcoming religious seasons and civic
holidays.
o Consider joint planning so that the beginning teacher can observe how you
plan, how you teach, what you value, what you consider a priority, etc.
Remind her/him that she/he may have students who are attending the March
for Life in Washington D.C. This will occur Jan. 20-24, 2012. Consider what
you have done and could do to witness to your commitment to your faith and to
faith development.
Reflect on your mentoring relationship with your beginning teacher to
celebrate his/her success and progress during the first semester.
January 30, 2012: Advisory for Registration -- currently scheduled during a
regular Contact Time. Please check iCal for update.
February: 2012
February 1, 2012: Progress Reports are due today.
Senior Retreat begins after school on Wednesday, February 1st and continues
through Friday, February 3, 2012. Many faculty members attend this retreat.
Those who teach Seniors but aren't on retreat will be asked to cover the
classes for teachers on Retreat since their classes are gone.
February 6, 2012 -- Outreach Assembly
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 H Period
9:20-10:30 Outreach Assembly
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 E Period
11:55-1:55 F Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 G Period
o Emphasize student success as the goal.
***Parent-Teacher Conferences will be February 7, 2012 from 4-7 p.m.
February 9, 2012: Registration Turn in during Contact Time. We are responsible
for our Advisees' turn in for Registration.
February 13 -17, 2012 is Shout Week. (Explain Shout Week)
February 14, 2012
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:25 G Period
9:25-9:40 Contact
9:40-11:00 H Period
11:00-1:00 E Period/Lunch
1:00-2:20 F Period
2:20-3:05 Pep Rally
February 20, 2012: Presidents' Day -- NO School today.
February 22, 2012 Wednesday Meeting: AdvancED
Liturgy Schedule: Ash Wednesday
9:10-9:20 Homeroom
9:20-10:30 Liturgy
10:30-11:30 B Period
11:30- 1:10 C Period/Lunch
(25 minute lunch)
1:10-2:10 D Period
2:10-3:05 A Period
There will be Lenten Prayer Services each week during Homeroom on Monday
mornings, in Lent: February 27, 2012.
February 29, 2012
Wednesday Meeting: Department Curriculum Guide Work
10:00-10:10 Homeroom
10:10-11:15 H Period
11:15-12:55 E Period & Lunch
*11:15-11:40 Fr. Lunch
*11:40-12:05 Soph. Lunch
*12:05-12:30 Jr. Lunch
*12:30-12:55 Sr. Lunch
12:55-2:00 F Period
2:00-3:05 G Period
March: 2012
March 1, 2012: This will be a day of Reconciliation when priests will be
available for members of the community to receive the sacrament of
Reconciliation. Theology teachers will allow their students to leave class to
receive the sacrament. Other teachers are free to let their students know if
they are willing to do the same for students who do not have a theology class
today -- It will be an "A" Day. : Reconciliation Day when Students will have
the opportunity to receive the sacrament during their Theology class or free
period.
There will be Lenten Prayer Services each week during Homeroom on Monday
mornings, in Lent: March 5, 2012, March 12, 2012, March 27, 2012.
March 6, 2012: End of Third Quarter.
March 7, 2012: Faculty workday.
March 8, 2012: Beginning of 4th Quarter.
March 9, 2012 -- Safety Assembly
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 G Period
9:20-10:30 Safety Assembly
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 H Period
11:55-1:55 E Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 F Period
There will be Lenten Services each week during Homeroom on Monday mornings, in
Lent: March 5, 2012, March 14th, March 28; April 4, and April 11, 2011.
Discuss the importance of Lent in the faith life of the school community.
Reflect on whether your beginning teacher has indicated awareness of the
faith community atmosphere in your school; consider what needs to be or could
be done to enhance his/her experience of faith community.
Discuss the guiding documents of Catholic education to enhance the beginning
teacher's understanding of the ministry of teaching in a Catholic school.
AuxtioNerinx will be Saturday, March 10th. Explain this to your Mentee.
There will be a Volunteer Fair on March 12, 2012 at Contact.
** Explain Junior Ring activities. Junior Ring ceremony will be March 13,
2012 in the evening. Jr. Ring Breakfast will be on March 14, 2012. If your
mentee teaches Juniors "A" period explain that the Juniors will not be in that
class because of the Breakfast.
There is also a special schedule on March 13, 2012 and Grades are due today.
March 14,2012 Wednesday Meeting: Input
9:10-9:20 Homeroom
9:20-10:35 A Period
10:35-11:50 B Period
11:50-1:30 Lunch/C Period
(25 Minute Lunches)
*11:50-12:15 Freshman
*12:15-12:40 Sophomore
*12:40-1:05 Junior
*1:05-1:30 Senior
1:30-2:40 D Period
2:40-3:05 Pep Rally
Explore with the beginning teacher which students are struggling
academically, what supports are being given to them, what additional supports
are available, etc.
o Emphasize a team approach to meetings students' special learning needs.
o Emphasize student success as the goal.
March 15, 2012 will be the Quiz Bowl- there will be a special schedule for
this. 7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:20 E Period
9:20-10:30 NHS Quiz Bowl
10:30-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 F Period
11:55-1:55 G Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 H Period
Explain the Faculty Show. This will be on March 16, 2012.
Special Schedule - Faculty Show
7:55 - 8:10 Homeroom
8:10 - 9:15 B Period
9:15 - 10:20 C Period
10:20 - 10:35 Contact
10:35 - 11:40 D Period
11:40 - 1:40 A Period/Lunch
1:40 - 3:05 Faculty Show
Have a wonderful Spring Break form March 17 -March 25, 2012.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day.
Welcome Back- We begin with March 26, 2012: Lenten Prayer Service during
Homeroom time.
Explain the Spring Food Drive- it begins on March 28, 2012 through April 5, 2012.
March 29, 2012-- Insight Theatre Play Schedule TBA
Assist the beginning teacher with evaluating appropriate school involvement
outside the classroom; emphasize that the first priority needs to be his/her
teaching.
o Be aware that the beginning teacher may observe other teachers'
involvement and feel that he/she needs to be involved to the same extent.
o Be aware that the beginning teacher may feel that taking on many duties and
committees will enhance job security.
Share with your beginning teacher any new materials or resources helpful to
your own teaching and professional development which you have found recently.
o Be aware that by this time the beginning teacher may begin to feel awkward
about asking questions and seeking help; reassure him/her that all teachers
benefit from consulting and discussing with professional colleagues, no matter
how many years of experience they have.
Realize that by this time in the year, the beginning teacher may have
become quite independent; continue your informal contact and availability to
show on-going interest and support; plan ahead for help that the beginning
teacher may need at times that will be especially busy for you.
Explore with the beginning teacher his/her pace of progress through the
curriculum.
Check with the beginning teacher to see if he/she has any topics,
issues,concerns to discuss.
Assist the teacher with preparing his/her information to submit for the
teacher evaluation process and with preparing their summary report.
Consider joint planning of some instructional segment, special activity, or
event with your beginning teacher.
Take some time to reflect on your mentoring skills and insights; consider
what strengths you will bring to future mentoring situations; explore in which
aspects of mentoring you could improve.
Since you have spent so much time thus far with your beginning teacher
regarding valuable and appropriate field trips; explore whether your class
might take a joint field trip with your beginning teacher's class if feasible.
Work with the beginning teacher on gathering samples of students' work for
upcoming school events.
Assist the beginning teacher with preparation for the celebration of Easter.
Easter will be April 8, 2012.
April: 2012
April 5, 2012 -- Holy Thursday Prayer Service Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-8:45 Prayer Service
8:45-9:35 F Period
9:35 -10:00 Contact
10:00-10:50 G Period
10:50-11:40 H Period
11:40- 12:30 E Period
12:30 Dismissal - NO LUNCH SERVICE
Happy and Blessed Easter-- April 6-8, 2012.
Explain what the Loretto Teacher Immersion is to your mentee.
This will be April 12-15, 2012.
April 11, 2012: Progress Reports will be due.
April 12, 2012: Freshmen will be on Retreat all day today.
April 12, 2012 Junior Retreat will begin after school and continue until 4
p.m. on April 13, 2012. ** No Juniors will be in class on April 13th because
they will either be on Retreat or on The Plunge field trip.
April 19, 2012 will be Academic Awards Night.
April 20, 2012 : Founders' Day (*Explain how we celebrate this.) Schedule TBA;
We will dismiss early following field day
*Discuss with your beginning teacher how the offering of contracts is handled
at your school.
*Be available to your beginning teacher when he/she finds out whether a
contract will be offered for next year.
*If the news is good, consider some type of modest celebration.
*If the message is uncertain, provide continued support until there is a
definite decision.
o If the beginning teacher will not be rehired, make sure he/she knows why.
o If there is a reduction in force situation, make sure he/she knows it is not
sign that he/she is an ineffective teacher.
Consider whether you can help the teacher find another job.
Consider writing a letter of recommendation for the beginning teacher
highlighting his/her strengths and potential; make it clear to reader that you
have had the opportunity to work very closely with the teacher for the better
part of a year.
Emotional support is of paramount importance at this time; consider putting
your beginning teacher in touch with someone who had the same experience and
found another job, perhaps a faculty member who came to your school because of
that circumstance.
If your beginning teacher is not rehired, you may need to attend to your own
feelings about your work as a mentor. Do not blame yourself.
If there are things you wish you had done differently, make note of them for
the next time you mentor a beginning teacher.
Remember that you were selected by your principal to serve as a mentor
because of your expertise.
Realize that you gave your beginning teacher much more than he/she would
have had without a mentor.
Talk with your beginning teacher about your and his/her perceptions and
feelings about the mentoring process and your mentoring relationship.
Be alert to situations with your beginning teacher's class that may require
a change in classroom management strategies as students change with the change
in weather and with the end of the school year nearing.
**Explain the Faculty Day Away. This year it will be on April 27, 2012.
May: 2012
Freshmen and Freshmen Moderators will welcome the Incoming Freshmen on May 1,
2012. This usually occurs from 7-9 p.m.
Explain how the students get Prom Day (May 4, 2012) off if they sell they
calendars.
May 8, 2012 Explain SHE DAY
Explain SHE Day and the other activities scheduled for this day:
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:20 G Period
9:20-9:50 Advisory - SHE Day
9:50 -10:20 Class Meetings
10:20-10:45 Contact
10:45-11:55 H Period
11:55-1:55 E Period/Lunch
1:55-3:05 F Period
May 11, 2012 -- Fine Arts Assembly Schedule
7:55-8:05 Homeroom
8:05-9:15 A Period
9:15-10:25 B Period
10:25-11:40 C Period
11:40-1:20 D Period/Lunch (25 minute lunch periods)
1:20-3:05 Fine Arts Assembly
Explain Class Day: May 14, 2012
Class Day
7:55-8:10 Homeroom
8:10-9:25 E Period
9:25-10:40 F Period
10:40-12:10 Class Day
12:10-1:50 G Period/Lunch
(25 minute lunch)
12:10-12:35 Freshmen
12:35-1:00 Sophomores
1:00-1:25 Juniors
1:50-3:05 H Period
If you mentee teaches Seniors prepare her/him for the end of year activities
for Seniors, especially the fact that Senior Exams occur the week of May 15,
16, and 17, 2012. Explain how this works. Remind her/him that if she/he has a
senior in danger of failing that this must be made known to Jane.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
8:00-9:30 Math
10:00-11:30 Computer/Business
12:00-1:30 English
Wednesday, May 16 - PLEASE NOTE THE TIME DIFFERENCE ON THIS DAY
9:10-10:40 Social Studies
11:10-12:40 Fine Arts
1:10-2:40 Theology
Thursday, May 17, 2012
8:00-9:30 Foreign Language
10:00-11:30 Science
12:00-1:30 Make-up Exams
Baccalaureate will be this evening May 18, 2012 -- 7 p.m.
Graduation will be Saturday, May 19, 2012 all Faculty are expected to attend
these.
Explain what Prayers and Popsicles involves. This will be May 22, 2012 during
Contact Time.
Fourth Quarter and Second Semester will end May 22, 2012.
Final Exams for underclass women will be May 23-25, 2011:
Tuesday, May 23
8:00-9:30 Math
10:00-11:30 Computer/Business
12:00-1:30 English
Wednesday, May 24
8:00-9:30 Social Studies
10:00-11:30 Fine Arts
12:00-1:30 Theology
Thursday, May 25
8:00-9:30 Foreign Language
10:00-11:30 Science
12:00-1:30 Make-up Exams
Memorial Day -- is a Holiday.
The last faculty meeting will be on May 29, 2012.
Grades are due May 30, 2012.
Happy Summer.
* Be alert to attitudes that permeate the school as vacation nears and their
effect on your beginning teacher; model keeping students actively involved in
learning.
Review expectations and procedures for the close of the school year
including final assessments, final grades, student records, referrals to
specialists,communication with parents of students who need special help.
Analyze the mentoring process with your beginning teacher; focus on what was
most important, what helped the most.
Engage the teacher in analyzing his/her progress this year with a goal of
promoting his/her confidence and self-esteem by focusing on actual
accomplishments, not just positive feedback from another person.
Consider some recognition of the teacher at the final faculty meeting of the
year; thank all faculty for their involvement in assisting the beginning teacher.
Review the details related to closing school for the summer such as
inventories, book collection, room preparation, etc.
Discuss spiritual, professional, and personal development activities for the
summer for your beginning teacher and for yourself.
Let me know how I can help you through the school year. If you have a
question, I will try to get you an answer. Please make regular contact with
your Mentee. I would appreciate any feedback and suggestions that you feel
will help us improve this program.
Thank you again for helping to make our new community members feel welcomed to
Nerinx.
Sincerely,
Deborah Casias Noonan
Theology Office
Extension 135
Voice mail 627
