GVP Family News
December 4, 2020
A Note From The Principal
Seasons Greetings Parents & Scholars,
This Week In Review We are back from Thanksgiving break grateful and motivated to continue this journey. I spent a great deal of time in the virtual classrooms this week. I was encouraged with various points of engagement both from scholars and teachers. Teachers were reteaching some skills and introducing new ones as well. They are assessing, teaching and tracking our scholars. This week we had an opportunity to participate in a “Higher Order Thinking” training during our professional development. Everyone walked away with new ways of engaging and questioning scholars in the classroom.
Keeping You Connected We are still committed to keeping our scholars connected to our campus life. This week we celebrated our Falcon of the Month. Our focus was on the letter “L” in Falcon. These scholars were being celebrated for being a loyal ambassador of our school. A scholar who embodies these admirable characteristics is a model scholar that represents our school well. We also celebrated our December birthdays. Happy Birthday Scholars!!! When you get moment read about them in our next section.
Things We Can Work On Together Although the majority of our scholars were eagerly engaged some had difficulties adjusting to the eLearning environment. We have young bright minds ready to absorb information. I am asking you to help with three things that can make a difference. First, have your scholar ready to start school at 8:00 each morning. COVID-19 changed our location, not out mission. Second, work with our teachers to ensure your scholar’s microphone is muted when he/she is not answering the teacher. We are experiencing background noise (often inappropriate adult conversation). I am sure it is accidental. Let’s remember young minds are listening. Third, encourage your scholar to ask and answer questions during class time. Student engagement is 90% of the battle. We are in this together!
Scholars First,
Dr. Sue Starr
Virtual Learning Norms
- Be aware of your scholar's environment and work on providing the least distracting environment possible. (Sibling disruptions, talking, TVs and other electronics running in the background, etc.)
- Scholars may benefit from using earbuds or headphones during class.
- Virtual class is from 8am to 3pm each day. Please ensure your scholar working during the entire duration.
- If, as a parent, you are following along with your scholar and have a question, teachers are available to assist you from 1:00 to 3:00 during teacher on call hours.
- Do your best to provide a routine for your scholar. Having a set bedtime, a wake up time and breakfast are vital for your scholar's success.
We are incredibly grateful for all the support you have shown with your scholar the last few weeks. Virtual learning is impossible without you! Thank you!
Virtual Learning Attendance
It is crucial that your child attend class daily. Please help us ensure your scholar's success by making sure they are online on time at 8:00 each day. We are tracking absences. If scholars are not attending school, there is a possibility of retention in the current grade.
Device Care
We are seeing a lot of devices (iPads and Chromebooks) that aren't being cared for properly. Scholars and families need to treat these devices with care so that they can work properly and last a long time.
Device Care:
- NO eating around the device.
- NO drinking around the device.
- Wash hands before using the device.
- Be sure to charge the device each night so it's ready for the morning.
- Keep the device in a safe place when it's not in use (not outside, not in a car, not where others can get to it).
- Use gentle hands when using the device.
- Close tabs/apps you don't need. Having several tabs/apps open slows the device's performance (click X to close tabs on Chromebook; double click the home button on iPad and swipe up to clear apps).
Hot spots are for scholar learning and only hold so much data. If a second box is needed due to the number of children online, please let us know.
Weekly Meal Distribution
Meal distribution will take place every Monday from 8am to 1pm in our parking lot. Scholars will receive 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and milk. If you are in need of meals for your scholar, please come to the school during this time. Remain in your vehicle and a member of Side Street will deliver the meals to your car. If you are unable to make it during this window, please contact the main office and we will work to make arrangements for you.
STEM Update
This week in STEM, we continued working with coding programs and understanding algorithms. We will continue working with interactive websites.
Having STEM gives our scholars the ability to learn about different professions that they might not be exposed to. As the school year continues, we will indulge in topics and terminology that will increase their mindset to change the world.
Mark Your Calendars
Winter Break - December 21 through January 4, 2021
Virtual Learning Day - January 13, 2021
MLK Day (No School) - January 18, 2021
In Person Learning Resumes - January 19, 2021 (Tentatively)
Have Questions? Contact Us Today!
George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academy is an A-rated, tuition free charter school serving grades K-8. Our scholars experience hands-on learning with high-quality teachers in small class sizes. We work to help our scholars master key academic skills, and demonstrate strong character, as exhibited by: honesty, service to others, a superior work ethic, and a strong vision for and belief in their futures.
Email: sstarr@phalenacademies.org
Website: gvp.phalenacademies.org
Location: 2323 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Phone: 317.333.6980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GVPhalen
Twitter: @GVPhalen
Return to E-Learning
Blackboard Information
Additional information on how to navigate the Blackboard platform can be found in the document below.
School-wide Academic Goals
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, scholars will achieve an IREAD 3 pass rate of 85%.
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, ILEARN ELA scores will increase 3-5%.
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, scholars will hit or be above the 55th percentile of growth in Math from BOY to EOY on NWEA.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal Access
As we partner together for our scholars success, we want to ensure you have real-time access to your scholar's academic journey at GVP. With your scholar's report card, you should have received a personalized link for your scholar(s).
Here is a short Getting Started video to check out:
https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/getting-started-with-campus-parent-and-campus-student-video
Infinite Campus is a network-wide student information system designed to manage attendance, grades, schedules, assessments, and other information about our scholars.
Parents and Learning Coaches have access to Campus Portal. It is a confidential and secure website that allows you to log in and view your scholars' progress. There is also an app available for both iOS and Android devices on our website.
Logging into the Campus Portal will allow you to view the following
real-time information about your child: demographics, attendance, grades, and report cards.
If you have additional questions regarding Infinite Campus - Campus Portal, please email operations@phalenacademies.org.