PLA Virtual News
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
"Bytes" From Your School Leader, Dr. Townsend
October 28, 2022
Greetings Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Families,
Happy Friday! I hope everyone had an awesome week of learning as we returned back from Fall Break. I hope those three extra days of rest and relaxation last week were just what was needed to give everyone the extra boost to finish this semester STRONG!
We appreciate your patience as we know several classes experienced Blackboard issues, which were resolved last night and remedied this morning for all classes. We would like to extend a special thanks to Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Brady, Ms. Wells, Ms. Dunbar, Mr. Poe, Ms. Embry, Mr. DeHaven and Ms. Strader for making the VERY BEST out of a challenging situation to ensure ALL scholars had full access to LIVE instruction even when Blackboard presented us with with challenges before and after Fall Break. Isn't it great to be at a school where teachers care enough to not stop until our scholars have what they need? PLA Virtual Teachers ROCK!
If you celebrate Halloween, we wish you a fun and safe pre-Halloween weekend! Either way, have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing you back online in school Monday, October 31, 2022
With Gratitude,
Dr. Townsend, Principal
Phalen Virtual Television Episode 6
Check out these great offers for all of you to enjoy in our community!
Free National Parks Pass- https://everykidoutdoors.gov/educators.htm
This states it is for 4th grade parents, but anyone can sign up for this offer. This site also offers different educational activities for your scholar to enjoy.
Access Pass- https://www.childrensmuseum.org/visit/hours/access-pass
Qualified residents can receive this access pass for 17 attractions throughout the state. This allows you to get discount admissions of $2.00 per person.
We plan to do some field trips at some of these locations and this would be a great resource for you to participate in.
10/31/22 - 11/4/22 Daily Family Talk Questions
Monday- What are your hobbies?
Tuesday- What is the best gift you have been given?
Wednesday- What is the worst gift you have received?
Thursday- Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
Friday- List 2 pet peeves that you have?
Helping Our Scholars Stay Logged in Every Day, All Day
Did you know that when students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating?
Remember, 80% of success is showing up!
Do you need to speak with the school social worker?
We Want to Connect with You!
Learning coaches, please remember to check your registered email address regularly so you are not missing important communications from the school or staff.
Scholars, please remember to check your school email address daily so you are not missing any important information from your teachers.
Happy Diwali! Did you see and hear all the fireworks on Monday evening? This was in celebration of Diwali, an Indian holiday also known as the Festival of Lights. It’s a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.
This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Diwali is India’s most important festival of the year—a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Widely observed among more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora, the five days of Diwali are marked by prayer, feasts, fireworks, family gatherings, and charitable giving. For some, Diwali is also the beginning of a new year.
Congratulations to our high school scholars who took the PSAT on the 25th! You all rocked it!
The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT which all high school students in Indiana will take as juniors. Seniors may also take it as a college admissions requirement.
How to Log-in for DAILY LIVE Classes
Chromebook Login
Username(Scholar email): __________@plavirtual.org
Password(Example): AWalker1180!
Blackboard Login (How to Login to Class)
(YES! This is different from last year. Please use this updated login format for 2022-2023)
https://elearning.phalenacademies.org/
Username (Scholar email): __________@plavirtual.org
Password: STN Number
Homeroom Teacher Contact Info by Grade Level
Kindergarten: Mrs. Beriault, tberiault@phalenacademies.org
1st Grade: Mrs. Lakin, dlakin@phalenacademies.org
2nd Grade: Mrs. Surface, ksurface@phalenacademies.org
3rd Grade: Mrs. Thomas, cthomas@phalenacademies.org
4th Grade: Mrs. Brady, mbrady@phalenacademies.org
5th Grade: Mr. White, rwhite@phalenacademies.org
6th Grade: Ms. Hawks, chawks@phalenacademies.org
7th Grade: Mrs. Groulik, mgroulik@phalenacademies.org
8th Grade: Mrs. Putt, eputt@phalenacademies.org
9th Grade: Mrs. Dunbar, cdunbar@phalenacademies.org
10th Grade: Mr. DeHaven, cdehaven@phalenacademies.org
11th Grade: Ms. Embry, sembry@phalenacademies.org
12th Grade: Ms. Stewart, alstewart@phalenacademies.org
Tech Support @PLA Virtual
2022-2023 School Events
Thanksgiving Break--No School
Monday, November 21-Friday, November 25, 2022
NWEA Winter Testing Window
December 1-10, 2022
High School Finals Week
December 13-19
Quarter 2/Semester 1 Ends
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Winter Break--No School
Wednesday, December 21, 2022-Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Staff Development Day--No School for Scholars Only
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Classes Resume/Quarter 3/Semester 2 Begins
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Click to Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
PLA University Announces Its 2021 Training Start Dates, Expanding Free Job Training in Health and Information Technology
Indianapolis, IN - Phalen Leadership Academies is honored to announce the official launch of the upcoming 2021 cohort of PLA University, a tuition-free job training program for the adult family members of current PLA scholars.
Last year’s cohort launched with Health & Life Sciences training. The new cohort, beginning August 23rd, expands training to include Information Technology (IT). PLA families can now apply for training to become: IT support professionals, Forklift Operators, Certified Nursing Assistants, Veterinary Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Billers and Coders, or Medical Assistants.
“We are excited to expand the offerings of PLA University to bring more training options and training partners for PLA families,” said PLA University Executive Director, James Swift. “We have been bolstered by the support of local businesses and institutions such as the Launch Hope Foundation, the Hardon Educational Institute and Penn Foster College. These partners are helping us to lay a strong foundation as we work to help our families secure jobs with competitive salaries and long range potential.”
Created in the wake of the murder of George Floyd to foster self-sufficiency and economic parity, PLA University is among the first career training institutions of its kind as it seeks to improve the outcomes of both PLA scholars and families. The program works to teach families life skills, provides certification training and job placement. The program is located at James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy on Indianapolis's Far Eastside.
The next PLA University cohort begins August 23rd. For more information or to apply to join this PLA Universitycohort, please visit PLAUniversity.org and apply or contact info@plauniversity.org.
Download our APP!
The latest news and information from schools in the Phalen Leadership Academies Network are now available on smartphones and mobile devices with a new mobile app launching today. PLA is working to expand its communications outreach with a mobile app that is now available in the online iTunes® and Google Play® app stores for free.
The mobile app will offer a constantly updated feed of school and network news and events with photos and links to PLA school websites. The app can also be customized by the user by selecting the schools they are most interested in for news and updates. Users can also choose to receive push notifications to get breaking news, updates about school closures, calendar changes, or even sports updates.
Have Questions? Contact Us Today!
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy (PLA Virtual) is a tuition-free online learning academy for Indiana families in grades K-12. We are backed by an accredited university to help empower our scholars and families to accelerate academic success with high-quality curriculum taught in their own environment. We use technology to provide interactive and rigorous online classes that allow our scholars to learn and thrive. Our scholars excel not just in academics, but also socially and emotionally with a blend of online coursework and options to engage in sports and enrichment at a local PLA campus.
Email: ttownsend@phalenacademies.org
Website: PLAVirtual.org
Location: Indiana, USA
Phone: 317.939.3787
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhalenLeadershipAcademies
Twitter: @AcademiesPhalen
Congratulations to our "Story Time with Dr. Townsend" Book Drawing Winners
- Aubree K. (Attended ALL 5 weeks!)
- Simon S.
- Makenna S.
- Audrey D.
- Anderson M.--gifting his prize to Christopher who also participated in our LIVE!