NCCA Middle Cyber Connection
Issue 2, December 2020
Hello NCCA Families!
Can you believe it? The Winter Break is almost here, we are just 1 day away!
I am ecstatic to relay that students continue to work hard with their Edgenuity coursework. As a reminder, active participation is extremely important in achieving success as a virtual learner! Middle School year-long core courses (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) requiring 2.5% completion per week. Semester courses (Electives and PE/Healthful Living) require 5% completion each week. Students should attend synchronously (at the time of instruction) small group guided lessons, or asynchronously (posted recording) and submit activities as assigned by the teacher. In addition, students are responsible for successful mastery of all material, which may require additional time, supplemental assignments, and/or participation in small group guided instruction.
Although not required, if you choose to work during the break to catch up on your work we encourage you to do so. This will put you in the best space to start strong upon your return after the winter break.
A loud and proud shoutout to the 140 students who have maintained perfect attendance so far this school year. Also, congratulations to all of the student leaders highlighted in this newsletter edition for their academic and character performance. Our middle school Cyber Owls are achieving amazing academic success and continue to make me proud!
Best,
Principal Fleming
Learning Coach Hub Mondays!
Did you know that your Middle School team hosts Learning Coach Hubs?
Learning Coach Hubs support our families and provide resources. Check below for the schedule of monthly Monday meetings: January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, and May 10.
If you have any questions you would like discussed at the upcoming meetings, please complete this short form: Learning Coach Hub Questionnaire. By completing this form we are able to ensure that we have information and/or resources that you need in a timely manner.
Virtual sessions are facilitated in Google Meet by Mrs. Majors, experienced Learning Coach turned NCCA teacher, and Mrs. Gratale, a national board-certified NCCA teacher!
Virtual Book Club Host Author, Jewell Parker Rhodes
Facilitated by Ms. Kelly Feimster, AIG Coordinator, our One Book One School initiative was a success! The group ended with a bang with a special virtual visit from Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of The New York Times bestseller Ghost Boys!
Jewell Parker Rhodes has always loved reading and writing stories. Born and raised in Manchester, a largely African-American neighborhood on the North Side of Pittsburgh, she was a voracious reader as a child. She began college as a dance major, but when she discovered there were novels by African Americans, for African Americans, she knew she wanted to be an author. She has written novels for adults, two writing guides, and a memoir, but writing for children has always been her dream.
Jewell's children’s books include The New York Times bestseller Ghost Boys and the Louisiana Girls Trilogy of Ninth Ward, Sugar, and Bayou Magic. When she’s not writing, Jewell visits schools to talk about her books with the kids who read them. She also teaches writing at Arizona State University, where she is the Piper Endowed Chair and Founding Artistic Director of the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing. Our NCCA MIddleVirtual Book Club had the opportunity to host Ms. Rhodes at our last virtual book club session.
"I loved every minute of it. She was amazing, captivating, and engaging! Her energy came through the screen and you could really feel her passion for the issues she addresses in her books. The students asked lots of questions and she addressed the students personally and connected with them. She challenged each of them to self-love. She encouraged them to tell their own story, to tell others’ stories but to tell it truthfully, and to make this world a better place to diminish the inequities that face many of our youth in America past and present."
Angela Howard
NCCA Board of Directors Parent Representative
A Video Interview with Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jewell Parker Rhodes is the author of books for middle-grade readers. In this interview, Jewell talks about writing stories that explore tough topics like racism and violence, finding an authentic voice for her characters, how her books invite in reluctant readers, why she loves writing for kids, and much more. I invite you to watch to learn more about her passion and initiatives.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Each quarter NCCA teachers nominate students to receive the Spotlight on Student recognition in the quarterly Middle School Cyber Connection Newsletter. Students are nominated for a varied number of reasons of which may include:
- Exemplary character when interacting in virtual small groups
- Showing student leadership
- Leading and participating in the community through volunteering, participating in clubs, --churches, or other organizations.
- Excelling in showing kindness and compassion
Caydence George, 6th Grade
Caydence is a 6th-grade student leader who collaboratively worked with Aubrey Hargis to start the Study Buddies Club! The two young ladies posed their idea of leading study groups for the 6th graders. After receiving approval, they have since led group meetings where they address subjects that other students request support in. They have done this by using various technology tools such as Google slides, videos, and Nearpods. Their next venture is to support individual tutoring and have created a Google Form that their classmates can fill out to request support. They have worked extremely hard to help others academically.
Check out some unique things that Caydence has shared about herself:
- My favorite subjects are ELA and Math. I love ELA because I love to read all the different stories and excerpts in the lessons. I love Math because I know that it is something I am going to need for the rest of my life. My favorite activities are working on word problems and decimals.
- My favorite kinds of books are the American Girl books. Some of my favorites are, the Real Z, Meet Nicki, Courtney Changes the Game, Design's by Isabelle, and McKenna Ready to Fly.
- Outside of school, I love to bake with my mom in our huge kitchen, taking horseback riding lessons, reading books, and writing my own songs.
- My dream job would be to become a paramedic and firefighter.
- After high school, I plan to further my education in medicine. I am unsure of exactly what career I want to do, but right now I am very interested in paramedics and firefighting.
Aubrey Hargis, 6th Grade
Aubrey is a 6th-grade student leader who collaboratively worked with Caydence George to start the Study Buddies Club! The two young ladies posed their idea of leading study groups for the 6th graders. After receiving approval, they have since led group meetings where they address subjects that other students request support in. They have done this by using various technology tools such as Google slides, videos, and Nearpods. Their next venture is to support individual tutoring and have created a Google Form that their classmates can fill out to request support. They have worked extremely hard to help others academically.
Check out some unique things that Aubrey has shared about herself:
My favorite subject is Math because I think it's fun!
My favorite things to read are books by Roald Dahl
Outside of school, I enjoy dancing and singing
My ultimate dream job is to become an avian and exotic animal veterinarian
I would like to attend North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Michael James-Martin, 8th Grade
Michael is described by his teachers as hard-working, perfect attendance in live lessons always actively engaged, and showcases himself as a student leader.
My favorite subject right now would be Science because I love creating and exploring with different items.
My favorite thing to read is comics!
Some things I love to do outside of school are puzzles, art activities, and building things.
A dream job would be a chef - as I enjoy cooking.
After High school, I would like to attend college at NC State University.
Student Clubs & Organizations
We are excited about the student activities and clubs that we have been able to provide this school year! There are a host of clubs and groups and the coolest thing is that many are STUDENT created! We welcome you to join us as we take time to enjoy some of our individual passions.
Winter Break Reading Bingo
Stay Safe!
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Learn how COVID-19 spreads and practice these actions to help prevent the spread of this illness. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should:
- Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people (at least 6 feet).
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.
CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others.
Additional Resources
School Websites
NCCA Middle Counseling Website
NC Cyber Academy School Website
Resources
NCCA Student Handbook/School Calendar
Concept Coaching Tutorial Support
https://www.edgenuity.com/concept-coach-booking
Accessing your Course Map and Report
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xUBoLlHz-UQU7gJEL7Nd1FvUrJoKv5SNnmXeDC6tpn4/edit?usp=sharing
About Us
Email: cfleming@myncca.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/myncca.com/nccamiddle/home
Location: 2800 Meridian Pkwy Suite 150 Durham, NC 27713
Phone: 984.262.9237
Facebook: facebook.com/nccamiddle
Twitter: @nccamiddle