From the Principal's Desk
April 12, 2021
Greetings FWAFA Family,
Just wanted to give a big shout-out to everyone who made the Kids Take Over the School event a huge success last Friday! It was so much fun to see all of the "mini-me" people hard at work. Because of the tremendous support of this event, all of our middle school and high school academic classrooms have been outfitted with their own wireless access hubs that will accommodate up to 30 users. I am proud to say that we are quickly becoming well-resourced with 21st century learning tools and technologies that, along with their creative and innovative thinking ability, will give our students the edge when they enter the global job market. Thank you to our PTSO and our parent and community supporters!
We also kicked-off the last six weeks of the 20-21 school year today. Be sure to mark your calendars for all of the important dates that are coming your way. Please reach out to your student's teacher if you have questions about what STAAR tests he or she is taking and what dates are asynchronous, at-home learning days for your student during the week of May 11.
Creatively yours,
Dr. Jackson
Congratulations to UIL Solo and Ensemble Participants!
UIL Solo and Ensemble is a yearly event where singers can compete individually or as a group to receive accolades for musicianship, artistry, and technique. The scale of success is on a 1 to 5 scale with 1 being the highest score you can receive. This year, we entered 8 students and all 8 received a 1 and will continue to State Solo and Ensemble competition. Those students are: Gracie Burrows, Amy Franco, Jamie Gonzalez, Stephanie Jarboe, Vincent Kaltenrieder, Kate Portele, Madelynn Sill, and Zoe Williams. Congratulations! We are so proud of your accomplishments!
We know how much you love your arts classes during the school year, and hope you will keep up the fun this summer as well! We are offering camps in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art for ages 3-18.
More Details:
· Open to the public
· 9am - 4pm
· Monday - Friday
· Before & after care available
· In-person & online options
· Classes taught by degreed instructors
· End-of-week showcase for all students
· We offer multi-week and sibling discounts
We have a fun upcoming performance coming to FWAFA elementary students sponsored by our PTSO. The Ft Worth Opera is bringing a COVID safe performance to FWAFA. Ft. Worth Opera calls this performance a Student to the Stage performance.
The performance will come to FWAFA this Thursday, April 15, 2021. Our FWAFA PTSO has purchased the tickets for all the elementary students, so there is no cost to attend the performance. This performance will be held outside for in-person students and will be live-streamed for the at-home students. This performance will coincide with our new theatre history unit of Medieval Theatre History.
Since it is outside, in-person students are encouraged to please bring a water bottle, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat to wear outside during the performances. Performances will be held at 1:15 pm for 3rd & 4th grade, and at 2:15 pm for 5th & 6th grade.
At-home students can access the Zoom live stream at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm using this Zoom link, code and password listed below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4049169398?pwd=NFZma3R2U29xY2lWSXcwYTI1RUpKZz09
Meeting ID: 404 916 9398
Passcode: Theatre!
Yearbooks On Sale Now!
1. Go to this direct link https://www.balfour.com/texas/fort-worth/fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts
to order your yearbook. They are only available to purchase online.
2. Order quickly! We sell out every year!
3. They will be full color - 144 pages and $58.00. The yearbook will cover elementary, middle, and high school performances and events!
4. There will be options to order extra autograph pages, a protective cover, and a yearzine.
5. Due to COVID and in order to have enough content, we pushed back the yearbook distribution to late summer. The exact date that they will be passed out has not been determined yet, but I will keep everyone posted. We know it's not as much fun to get them after school is over, but please don't let that get in the way of ordering a book. This will be a year to remember! We worked really hard to get this book done during this crazy time!
6. Normally everything that happens after spring break isn’t included. This year, Ms. Wiggins will get to include many things that are happening after spring break which is very exciting!
7. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE GOING ON SALE! They were not available to purchase at the first of the year.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Ryan Wiggins - Yearbook Advisor.
Adventures in Color: Tickets On-Sale Saturday, April 10
The Singing Girls of Texas cordially invites you to our in-person reveal of Adventures in Color on Saturday, May 15, on the FWAFA Green Space! We will have a "Color Festival" before the streaming concert event from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with food trucks, balloon animals, art projects, and games! The reveal will happen on the silver screen at 8:30 p.m. after a live Q&A and special performance with combined singers of SGT and TBC!
There are two ticket options: 'picnic-pods' and 'lawn-chair pods'. All the pods will seat a max of 5 people and will be $20 a pod (the pods are 6x6 and spread out across the green space and pavement). Seats are limited so please make sure you grab a ticket when they go live on our website on April 10. If you'd prefer to watch it online, it will stream May 15-22.
Class of 2022: Senior Parent Meeting - Tuesday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting ID: 884 614 5221
The TBC Virtual Spring Concert, “From Darkness, We RISE” will be streaming at www.artsacademics.org/live from April 22-29. There will be a screening of the concert on the FWAFA Green Space on Friday, April 23, at 8:15 p.m. (Food Trucks open at 7:00 p.m.) Tickets for socially distanced pods may be purchased for $20 here: http://bit.ly/tbcRISE21
The first half of the program explores all of the tragedy, lost, and angst we have all suffered due to the pandemic over the last year, while the second half of the program is more hopeful and sends the message that the end is near while also celebrating the ways in which people have come together over the past year.
Spring STAAR and Asynchronous Learning Dates
Asynchronous means that students will be learning from home that day. They will answer their Attendance Check questions in order to be marked present for the day. There will be no Zooms on Asynchronous Learning Days.
3rd Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 3rd grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 3rd grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - All 3rd graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - All 3rd graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
4th Grade
Tuesday, April 6 - STAAR 4th grade Writing (on paper)
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 4th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 4th grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - All 4th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - All 4th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
5th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 5th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 5th grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 5th grade Science (on paper)
Friday, May 14 - All 5th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
6th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 6th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 6th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - All 6th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - STAAR 6th grade Reading (on computer at school)
7th Grade
Tuesday, April 27 - STAAR 7th grade Writing (on computer at school)
Tuesday, May 11 - All 7th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 7th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 7th grade Reading (on computer at school)
Friday, May 14 - STAAR 7th grade Math (on computer at school)
8th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 8th grade Social Studies (on computer at school)
Friday, May 14 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Tuesday, May 18 - STAAR 8th grade Science (on computer at school)
Thursday, May 20 - STAAR 8th grade Reading (on computer at school)
Friday, May 21 - STAAR 8th grade Math (on computer at school)
High School End-of-Course Assessments
Tuesday, April 20 - English I (on computer at school)
Thursday, April 29 - English II (on computer at school)
Tuesday, May 4 - Algebra I (on paper)
Monday, May 17 - Biology (on computer at school)
Wednesday, May 19 - U.S. History (on computer at school)
High School Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Days
Tuesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 12
Thursday, May 13
Friday, May 14
Project Celebration Class of 2021 - Donations Needed!
The Project Celebration Committee is in high gear planning a one-of-a-kind event for the Class of 2021. You can support their efforts by donating today! Here's the link to their Amazon wish list. It includes a WIDE variety of gifts from flair pens and school supplies all the way to a Mac Book Air. And, here's a link to their Sign Up Genius with other items to donate.
Not One More: Mission to Eliminate Teen Suicide
PTSO Family Ambassadors Needed for 2021-2022 School Year!
WANTED! PTSO Family Ambassadors for 2021-2022
It’s that time of year where the PTSO needs volunteers to help welcome new families to our school. We are looking for parents who will serve as a point of contact for a group of new families in each grade level to answer questions and help assist with their transition into FWAFA. We have a unique culture at FWAFA and we want new families to feel welcomed and be prepared for a great start. First impression is everything!
We will need six to eight Ambassadors for third grade (if you have an elementary student, you can help with this, or if you have an older student AND an incoming third grader), and one to two Ambassadors for other grade levels.
Expectations of a FWAFA Family Ambassador:
· Send a nice welcome email to your group
· It is optional to meet as a group (via Zoom or in person if restrictions lift)
· Be the face of FWAFA
· Be available to answer questions or help point them in the right direction
· Meet and Greet them at the Ice Cream Social for new families (in August)
Please consider this opportunity to welcome a new family. If you are interested, for grades 3-6, please email Jeannine Miner j9miner@gmail.com, for grades 7-12 Natoya Walker Alee nwalkeralee@yahoo.com. Please be sure to let us know what grade level you prefer to represent. We are so grateful for our amazing community of volunteers!
Quick Links
Mark Your Calendar!
Monday, April 12 - First Day of 6th Six Weeks
Tuesday, April 13 - School-Day SAT (11th grade and some 12th grade); PTSO Spring General Meeting via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 15 - 7th Grade Theatre Showcase - link emailed through JupiterEd
Friday, April 16 - Report cards distributed during 8th period; At-Home Learners will be mailed following week; 8th Grade Theatre Showcase - link emailed through JupiterEd
Tuesday, April 20 - English I STAAR EOC; Class of 2022 Senior Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Thursday, April 22 - TBC Concert streams until April 29; Juried Art Show Opens until May 7
Friday, April 23 - TBC Concert on the Green Space
Monday, April 26 - AP Test Pre-Administration at 4:00 p.m. in Cafeteria (required for students taking an AP Test)
Tuesday, April 27 - 7th Grade STAAR Writing
Thursday, April 29 - English II STAAR EOC
Friday, April 30 - Revival Dance Company Concert streams until May 7
May 3-May 7 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
Tuesday, May 4 - Algebra EOC; AP Calculus Exam
Wednesday, May 5 - AP English Literature Exam
Thursday, May 6 - AP U.S. History Exam; New Student Night at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Friday, May 7 - AP Chemistry Exam