Titan eNews
Weekly Campus Update
MISSION: TO CREATE A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS EMPOWERED TO COLLABORATE AND COMPETE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD.
Counselor's Corner
MINI COLLEGE FAIR, TOMORROW!
Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 19th we will welcome seven universities to campus from 12:30-1:30.
We hope learners will take this opportunity to learn more about these institutions.
Drake University
Bradley University
DePaul University
Louisiana State University
Hardin-Simmons University
Texas A&M University Texarkana
University of Oregon
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AP Exams
If your learner is interested in taking an AP exam, we will administer the exam on our campus.
Information about AP exams can be found on our website: https://www.pisd.edu/Page/16914
If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Conner
Payment for AP Exams open today, February 1 and you must pay for the exam by March 1st.
AP Exams are $94.00. If using paypams, the preferred method, the price is $97.00
Instructions for payment are below.
Go to https://paypams.com/HomePage.aspx
-On the main menu, look for: AP Test – Plano Academy High School
You will choose either “high school” for 1st & 2nd years or “senior high school” for 3rd years & 4th years
-Once selected you will be prompted to go to the following option to continue the
payment process and make your payment:
-A $3.00 fee has been added to each test in order to use PayPAMS.
-To make a purchase, mark the item in the ‘Buy’ column and then click the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
or Payment by check :
-Checks should be made out to Plano Academy High School.
-Each AP exam is $94.
-In the memo line, please write your students name, ID number, and the test that your learner will be taking.
Mrs. Madding in the Counseling office will accept your payment.
We are unable to offer the Computer Principles exam and the Studio Art exams
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DFW National College Fair
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Dallas Market Center-Main Hall
1pm-4pm
The fair is a terrific opportunity for juniors to focus their college research, and for ninth and tenth graders to begin learning about colleges! In addition to the fair, we will have a number of information sessions on aspects of the admissions process, essay writing, financial aid, scholarships, and more. The fair is open to the entire family!
ALL STUDENTS SHOULD REGISTER to attend the fair.
To explore resources on how to promote the fair, such as posters in English and Spanish, please click the button below.
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UNT Frisco: NEW Project Based Learning Degree Program
Collin County Seniors!
We would like to invite you to one of our three Freshman Info Nights @ UNT Frisco to learn more about our new Fall 2019 Project Design & Analysis track.
This highly specialized track within the Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies is designed to help you confidently face the evolving tide of industry and societal need with concentrations in Project Management, Design, Operations Research, and Analysis.
- $5,000 Scholarship to all Founding Members – stackable with other financial aid and scholarship packages
- Three year accelerated program
- Project-based learning
- Cohort, team-based approach
- Built-in internships
- Individual attention & mentoring
RSVP to join us for an informative evening where you can meet program faculty, receive a FREE Application Waiver, and enter to win a $250 scholarship door prize!
Session held on February 20th – 6:30pm-8:00pm
Visit the website to learn more!
Representatives from this program will be on campus Wednesday, February 20th at 9:30 to visit with interested sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Sign up in the counseling office to attend their information session!
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UPCOMING COLLEGES ON CAMPUS
- Wednesday, February 20th University of North Texas at Frisco – attend their information session at 9:30 am.
SIGN UP TO ATTEND IN THE COUNSELING OFFICE
FIRST YEARS
SECOND YEARS
Change the Game is ramping up as learners interviewed for positions, and were sorted into guilds based upon their skills, desired learning, and game type preferences. Guilds have spent this week brainstorming, developing storyline and narrative for their games, as well as their project charters. Second year facilitators have thus far been impressed with the teamwork that these guilds have been demonstrating towards their work.
Randy Varnell of Gearbox stopped at the Academy this week to give the Second Year students some great direction, tips, and suggestions regarding game development, story and the importance of a good “core loop”. The whole team, as well as the learners are very thankful for Mr. Varnell’s time, knowledge, and perspective on game and story development. The learners were able to take much of what was discussed, and apply it to their project charter and game plans.
The Second year team is excited and anxious to see what the learners have in store. In the words of Claptrap, “Look out everybody, things are about to get awesome!”
THIRD YEARS
A brief update from the 3rd-year team this week. Learner teams a patiently awaiting their space assignments for Turning Points presentation day. They submitted their applications for assignment earlier this week and have been developing plans to display their exhibits and interactives. Poetry has been the focus of the week in English. While in art and technology they continue to work on their Flash animations. History has seen the wrap up of WW2 and moving through the 50s. In science, the learners have been studying enthalpy, and in math, they have been learning about exponential functions and furthering their study of hypothesis testing.
Next week will be short but packed full as teams receive their space assignments and begin adapting their planning to fit the space provided.
We hope you enjoyed the long weekend and we'll see everyone back here tomorrow!
These 3rd and 4th year learners went to VASE this past Saturday, February 16th!
FOURTH YEARS
This week fourth-years continued to work on our current project, Suburban Soul. Learners began working on their revitalizations website. The website will organize the considerable research learners have compiled and communicate their vision for their revitalization plan. In English this week learners used Neil Gaiman’s essay from the city building game, SIM City, as a text to drive inquiry, learners explored what they considered to be the soul of Plano. “What does it mean for a city to have a soul and how can we promote soul in our revitalization plan,” were questions learners discussed. In SRD, learners were introduced to the TuvaLabs software /database which provided them with an opportunity to learn how to represent raw data. Students also review their understanding of experimental designs by creating a personalized study guide and preparing for an assessment of experimental design. In Government this week we studied the process of congressional redistricting. We looked at gerrymandered maps from around the country and explored possible solutions to this pervasive problem. The learners also had a great opportunity to hear from Doug Shockey, head of the Plano Parks and Recreation Board, and father to our very own Cole Shockey. Mr. Shockey spoke to the learners about the City of Plano. He told us how the city went from a small unincorporated part of Collin County to the 9th largest city in the state of Texas. He explained how the city is organized and what part the mayor, council, manager, and citizens play within the government. We are very thankful for his time and talents.
Mention PAHS PTSA to cashier before paying for your order.
NO ONLINE ORDER Please!
WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS
Hi Everyone -
We have several opportunities where we can use your help.
We are looking for:
* Klenex and Hand Sanitizers (now)
* New Titan Night (2/26)
SENIOR BABY PICTURES NEEDED
Graduation will be here before you know it and we are busy preparing a delightful senior banquet for all seniors and their families. We need your help as we try to gather a baby pic for each learner. Please just send one photo in any format to babyseniors@planoacademyptsa.org.
Mark your calendars now for the senior banquet on May 21st at 6:30-8:30 pm at Celebration Event Center at 2165 W. Park Blvd. in Plano. Details and ticket information coming shortly!