At Young Men's Leadership Academy, our young men strive to be young men of honor, dignity, integrity and service. Each leader works to show empathy, show kindness to others, and exemplify the phrase "my brother's keeper. These leaders show these qualities and more. Here are last week's "Tied to Kindness" winners pictured with school principal Mr. Dixon.

Last week we celebrated National School Counseling Week. From the cards, messages, visits from current and former students, gifts, well wishes, and more we felt loved! Mr. Randle and I are so grateful for the opportunity to work with dynamic leaders and staff members here at YMLA. We appreciate all of you for your support and allowing us to execute a comprehensive counseling program. We truly love what we do and YMLA is an excellent place to build dreams and vision. Thank you!

YMLA Leaders worked with the SEL team to set smart goals. Students planned to accomplish their short and long-term goals using problem solving skills, leadership skills, and by implementing interventions to reach success. Students were motivated with an incentive from their SEL team for progress and growth.

YMLA's 8th graders had a great time learning about current trades, career paths, and potential college majors. Students met with industry-based professionals and students in career fields to gather information to help guide them for future aspirations.

Thank you to the admin staff for the mini celebration for Valentine's Day to all the staff, we appreciate the love.

Thank you to Mrs. Robles for the well-thought-out plan for telpas for next week. Thank you for looking out for the best interest of all parties involved.

Shout out to Ms. Robertson, Ms. Ramirez, Mrs. Campbell, and Nurse Jeffares for supporting the Muffins with Mom celebration.

Congratulations to our Teacher of The Year Mrs. Carol Bain!

Congratulations to our Paraprofessional of The Year Mrs. Noralissa Garcia!

Shout out to Mrs. Evans for the Beautiful & Yummy cupcakes for Valentine’s Day

I want to affirm Ms. Ellis for her flexibility and jumping in to the PLC writing loop conversations! Thanks for jumping right in.

I want to affirm Mr. Rogers for helping out with a student during the 6th grade field trip this week.

8th Grade Wednesday 8:50-9:20

7th Grade Thursday 8:50-9:20

6th Grade Friday 8:50-9:20

REQUIREMENTS TO EARN PRIZES

• App/Meets/Masters, or achieve or exceed Target Score on all 4 Test
• Meets and Masters on all 4 test
• Perfect Attendance (No more than 3 unexcused absences)
• A/B Honor Roll.

How does it work?

• Red= 4 prizes: Student Met 4 of the 5 expectations. If a student achieves Meets/Masters on all 4 tests, or all 5 expectations they will also earn a free dress day.
• Green= 3 prizes: Student Met 3 of 5 requirements.
• Blue= 2 prizes: Student Met 2 of 5 requirements.
• Orange= 1 prize: Student Met 1 out of the 4 requirements.

Student must meet a minimum of 2 requirements to attend the next school dance, and not be on the fines list. No referrals has to be 1 of the 2.

Violin Students:

Monday Mornings from 8:00AM-8:30AM

Monday Afternoons from 4:30PM-5:30PM

Viola Students:

Tuesday Mornings from 8:00AM-8:30AM

Tuesday Afternoons from 4:30PM-5:30PM

Cello and String Bass Students:

Friday Mornings from 8:00AM-8:30AM

Friday Afternoons from 4:30PM-5:30PM

Make up days for missed practices/open practice

Wednesday Mornings 8:00AM-8:30AM

Thursday Afternoons 4:30PM-5:30PM

Open Practice for Orchestra and Mariachi students

Wednesday Mornings 8:00AM-8:30AM

Thursday Afternoons 4:30PM-5:30PM

YMLA Symphonic Orchestra Families,

This is a reminder that on Wednesday, March 1st, we will participate in our annual UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation.

• All Symphonic Orchestra students will participate in this event. Text or call me in addition to letting the front office know if your student misses that day so I can tell UIL.
• This event takes place during the school day and students will arrive at school by 8:50am and leave at the normal time of 4:15 pm.
• All students must wear all black on that Wednesday, March 1 (just like we do for concerts).
• Keep allowing attending sectionals before and after school until we are finished with UIL.
• Violins = Mondays from 8:00AM-8:30AM and 4:30PM-5:30PM
• Viola = Tuesday from 8:00AM-8:30 AM and 4:30PM-5:30PM
• Cello/Bass = Friday from 8:00AM-8:30AM and 4:30PM-5:30PM

Thank you for helping your student be the best musician possible and showing that at YMLA we are musically successful.

Familias de la Orquesta Sinfónica de YMLA,

Este es un recosrdatorio para el miércoles 1 de marzo participaremos en nuestro evaluación anual que se llama UIL Concert and Sight Reading.

Lo que se necesita de los padres y estudiantes:

• Todos los estudiantes de Orquesta Sinfónica participarán en este evento. Envíeme un mensaje de texto o llámeme además de informar a la oficina principal si su estudiante falta ese día para que puedo decir a la gente de UIL.
• Este evento se ocura durante el día escolar y los estudiantes llegarán a la escuela a las 8:50 am y se irán a la hora normal de las 4:15 pm.
• Todos los estudiantes deben vestirse de todo negro en el 1 de marzo miércoles (tal como lo hacemos para los conciertos).
• Seguir a su estudiante asistir a las seccionales antes y después de la escuela hasta que terminemos con UIL.
• Violines = lunes de 8:00AM-8:30 AM y 4:30PM-5:30PM
• Viola = martes de 8:00AM-8:30 AM y 4:30PM-5:30PM
• Violoncello/Contrabajo = de 8:00AM-8:30 AM y 4:30PM-5:30PM

Gracias por ayudar a su estudiante a ser el mejor músico posible y demostrar que en YMLA podemos ser exitosos en la clase de música.

Respetuosamente,

Jaime S. Bustillo

Department Chair for YMLA Fine Arts and

Director of Orchestra and Mariachi for

Young Men’s Leadership Academy at Kennedy Middle School

The counselors will be pushing into classes to talk to students about the courses they want to take next year. Students will complete a Google form choice sheet to choose their courses and electives. Please speak with your students about the courses they want to take.

GPISD Social Work Hub is excited to partner with GPISD’s Kindness Crews and Community partners to serve GPISD families/students and to help enrich the lives of our families and students by providing proper resources and tools needed. We want to meet the social, emotional and basic needs of our students to make their educational journey a success.

Students and families needing mental health support or hardship assistance, please contact the Social Work Hub at 972-522-7070 Monday thru Friday 8am-4pm. We are located at 650 Stonewall Dr (door #2), Grand Prairie, TX 75052 (inside of Johnson DAEP school).