News from our Secondary Principal, Craig Randall
Dear Parents,
We are down to our last week. I would like to start by thanking all of our teachers, counselors and secretary for all their hard work this year in helping your students to learn and grow as people. I also want to thank you parents for all of your work in helping your children learn and grow as people. The only way we are able to accomplish our common goals, to create successful adults, is when we work together. Thank you all.
As we look to next year I want to share some information with you.
We are really excited to move to our new five-day schedule next year. One of the things that we are excited about, as part of the switch is the longer passing time between classes. We are excited that this will allow students to feel more comfortable using their lockers next year. This will allow students to only carry the books that they need and not have to lug around heavy backpacks all day. You will also notice that on Sundays and Wednesdays there is a 35-minute advisory blocks.
The schedule change from an eight day to a five day schedule was done to support learning goals for GAA students.
Goals related to the schedule change include:
This new addition is a fantastic opportunity for us to better care for our students. Elements of this advisory will include a bi-weekly personal academic and social/emotional check-in. During this check-in, each advisory teacher has individual mini-meetings with each student. During these meetings teachers look at current grades, discuss these, and check in on student’s personal well being at school. If areas of concern arise, teachers will contact teachers and parents as appropriate. Additional parts of advisory will include mini-lessons on things like study and organizational skills, friendship and anti-bulling skills, cyber safety, and college readiness among many others. Advisory will also include bi-weekly Middle School and High School assemblies. During these assemblies we will bring in guest speakers, displays of school talent and student council events among many others. Below is what the timetable will look like next year.
We are down to our last week. I would like to start by thanking all of our teachers, counselors and secretary for all their hard work this year in helping your students to learn and grow as people. I also want to thank you parents for all of your work in helping your children learn and grow as people. The only way we are able to accomplish our common goals, to create successful adults, is when we work together. Thank you all.
As we look to next year I want to share some information with you.
We are really excited to move to our new five-day schedule next year. One of the things that we are excited about, as part of the switch is the longer passing time between classes. We are excited that this will allow students to feel more comfortable using their lockers next year. This will allow students to only carry the books that they need and not have to lug around heavy backpacks all day. You will also notice that on Sundays and Wednesdays there is a 35-minute advisory blocks.
The schedule change from an eight day to a five day schedule was done to support learning goals for GAA students.
Goals related to the schedule change include:
- Preparing our students for high achievement in their IB Diploma courses. We know that the higher our students score the more doors open to students as they apply to universities. Previously, world language had been offered as a partial credit course. Increasing world language courses to a full credit was a vital change in helping our students to be better prepared for success in the world language portion of their IB courses.
- Preparing our students for growth in all areas of their development, not just academic, is an important piece in developing well rounded global citizens who will be successful functioning adults. Spending dedicated time devoted to preparing students for this success is important. Adding a true advisory program on Sundays and Wednesdays helps accomplish this goal in meaningful ways. Whether it is through teaching mini-lessons on study or organizational skills, friendship and communication skills, IBB learner profile traits, or digital citizenship, time dedicated to supporting our students holistic growth does prepare them for success as 21st century learners.
- Students who are well supported achieve higher success. We have personalized the student experience by having advisory teachers check in personally with each student every two weeks on their academic progress and social emotional well-being. The addition of advisory time allows for us to do this and therefore take better care of each of our students.
- Research shows that longer breaks between classes increase student concentration and performance. By eliminating the morning homeroom which was 30 minutes and instead creating mini 10-15 minute breaks between classes we have provided the longer breaks that research says leads to increased performance. We have done this without any loss of instructional time so we still meet all of our goals for time spent in class.
- Research shows students perform better when there are steady regular class times. On the eight day schedule students would often have anywhere from four to eight calendar days between courses. This is not optimal for learning because with this amount of time off between classes extra time is spent re-teaching what was taught in the previous lesson. In the five day schedule almost every single class will meet three times a week ensuring better continuity in student learning.
This new addition is a fantastic opportunity for us to better care for our students. Elements of this advisory will include a bi-weekly personal academic and social/emotional check-in. During this check-in, each advisory teacher has individual mini-meetings with each student. During these meetings teachers look at current grades, discuss these, and check in on student’s personal well being at school. If areas of concern arise, teachers will contact teachers and parents as appropriate. Additional parts of advisory will include mini-lessons on things like study and organizational skills, friendship and anti-bulling skills, cyber safety, and college readiness among many others. Advisory will also include bi-weekly Middle School and High School assemblies. During these assemblies we will bring in guest speakers, displays of school talent and student council events among many others. Below is what the timetable will look like next year.
Please know that student schedules for the new school year will be sent out electronically in August.
New student orientation will take place August 27th. We are excited about this event and the changes we are making to it. For the first time we will have existing students be active participants in the orientation.
Wishing all our families a wonderful Summer Break.
Ramadan Kareem,
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
New student orientation will take place August 27th. We are excited about this event and the changes we are making to it. For the first time we will have existing students be active participants in the orientation.
Wishing all our families a wonderful Summer Break.
Ramadan Kareem,
Craig Randall
Secondary Principal
Message from our Maths Department
Dear Students and Parents,
Please note that all High School students (Grades 9 to 12 for 2015/16) are required to own and bring an approved graphing calculator to every mathematics class. For your guidance I have attached a list of the approved and prohibited calculators. The majority of GAA students and mathematics teachers use the TI-84 as the color screen is highly recommended.
For Middle and High School students - The Mathematics department would also suggest reviewing concepts and skills over the summer – just like sports and music, our talents and abilities are at their best with regular practice. Please follow the below link and refer to the table contained therein.
https://sites.google.com/a/grauerschool.com/grauermath/home/summer-math-packets
Note: While these packets are not required, they will help make next year all the more successful and easier. If your child is currently in grade 6 or Math 7, they could refer to the review for Pre-Algebra; Those currently in Pre-Algebra should refer to Algebra 1; Current Algebra 1 refer to Geometry and/ or Algebra 2; current Geometry refer to Algebra 2.
(Intro to HS Math and Business Math are not offered at GAA.)
Thank you for a fun year of math at GAA. We have fond memories of pi Day and look forward to making next year’s math event(s) bigger and better.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Parker on [email protected] or Ms Ruderman on [email protected]
Please note that all High School students (Grades 9 to 12 for 2015/16) are required to own and bring an approved graphing calculator to every mathematics class. For your guidance I have attached a list of the approved and prohibited calculators. The majority of GAA students and mathematics teachers use the TI-84 as the color screen is highly recommended.
For Middle and High School students - The Mathematics department would also suggest reviewing concepts and skills over the summer – just like sports and music, our talents and abilities are at their best with regular practice. Please follow the below link and refer to the table contained therein.
https://sites.google.com/a/grauerschool.com/grauermath/home/summer-math-packets
Note: While these packets are not required, they will help make next year all the more successful and easier. If your child is currently in grade 6 or Math 7, they could refer to the review for Pre-Algebra; Those currently in Pre-Algebra should refer to Algebra 1; Current Algebra 1 refer to Geometry and/ or Algebra 2; current Geometry refer to Algebra 2.
(Intro to HS Math and Business Math are not offered at GAA.)
Thank you for a fun year of math at GAA. We have fond memories of pi Day and look forward to making next year’s math event(s) bigger and better.
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact Ms Parker on [email protected] or Ms Ruderman on [email protected]
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Dear Parents,
Summer reading—it’s important! Research shows that kids who read four or more books over the summer are better prepared for the coming school year and do not go down the ‘summer slide’—the loss of reading and learning skills during the summer break. Reading over the summer months really does make a difference to your child’s learning.
The GAA English Department is providing a suggested list of novels per grade level as well as “Summer Reading at New York Public Libraries” suggested titles grouped by middle school and high school. These titles are mere suggestions. Summer reading, though not mandatory, is strongly encouraged.
Here are five easy ways you can help your child reduce summer reading loss:
Make reading important.
Be a role-model for reading. Let your child see you reading throughout the day and use daily routines as reading opportunities. Cooking, reading TV listings, looking for information on-line, reading directions, or following a map all provide authentic reading experiences.
Give your child the power of choice.
Having reading materials available is key to helping kids love to read, and the reading materials kids choose themselves are best. In fact, 92% of children and teens say they are more motivated to read and are more likely to finish a book they have picked out. Help your child find texts that appeal to his or her interests, yet are age appropriate and ‘just right’ in difficulty.
Set aside time to read every day.
We know that the more kids read, the better they become at reading and the more they will enjoy reading. During the summer, encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes per day. Make reading ‘down-time’—an opportunity for family members to read together, either aloud or quietly to themselves. Keep track of progress by recording book titles, pages read, and minutes spent.
Talk it up.
Talking about books during and after reading helps improve comprehension. Encourage kids to share their ideas and opinions by asking open-ended questions. Talk about what you read to let them know that reading is an important part of your life. Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you— soon they might start doing the same.
Be part of a reading challenge.
Most local libraries have summer reading programs that help engage and motivate readers. Kids set a goal, track books they read, and receive incentives for achieving goals. Summer programs also promote reading club opportunities where children can discuss and share books with others, either on-line or in person. You can even create your own family reading challenge.
Have a great summer, and happy reading!
Summer reading—it’s important! Research shows that kids who read four or more books over the summer are better prepared for the coming school year and do not go down the ‘summer slide’—the loss of reading and learning skills during the summer break. Reading over the summer months really does make a difference to your child’s learning.
The GAA English Department is providing a suggested list of novels per grade level as well as “Summer Reading at New York Public Libraries” suggested titles grouped by middle school and high school. These titles are mere suggestions. Summer reading, though not mandatory, is strongly encouraged.
Here are five easy ways you can help your child reduce summer reading loss:
Make reading important.
Be a role-model for reading. Let your child see you reading throughout the day and use daily routines as reading opportunities. Cooking, reading TV listings, looking for information on-line, reading directions, or following a map all provide authentic reading experiences.
Give your child the power of choice.
Having reading materials available is key to helping kids love to read, and the reading materials kids choose themselves are best. In fact, 92% of children and teens say they are more motivated to read and are more likely to finish a book they have picked out. Help your child find texts that appeal to his or her interests, yet are age appropriate and ‘just right’ in difficulty.
Set aside time to read every day.
We know that the more kids read, the better they become at reading and the more they will enjoy reading. During the summer, encourage your child to read for at least 20 minutes per day. Make reading ‘down-time’—an opportunity for family members to read together, either aloud or quietly to themselves. Keep track of progress by recording book titles, pages read, and minutes spent.
Talk it up.
Talking about books during and after reading helps improve comprehension. Encourage kids to share their ideas and opinions by asking open-ended questions. Talk about what you read to let them know that reading is an important part of your life. Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you— soon they might start doing the same.
Be part of a reading challenge.
Most local libraries have summer reading programs that help engage and motivate readers. Kids set a goal, track books they read, and receive incentives for achieving goals. Summer programs also promote reading club opportunities where children can discuss and share books with others, either on-line or in person. You can even create your own family reading challenge.
Have a great summer, and happy reading!
Here is our Community and Secondary School Calendar - Scroll through the months to see what's planned for this year at GAA
Please make sure you check this calendar regularly for updates and new events