GLOW Students & Families,

We hope you've had a great weekend!

At the beginning of August each year, before students have returned from summer break, I meet with our staff and introduce the theme that will drive our work for the coming year. This past August when we met I shared what I believe...that this year is a pivotal one for GLOW as we make good on the vision set forth seven years ago that "she will graduate, go to college, and succeed in life." Our staff theme for this year is "Our Time is Now!" As we both celebrate the graduation of our first class of seniors and work with intentionality and urgency to prepare our 6th-11th graders for future success, we use this theme to acknowledge the significance of the 22-23 school year at GLOW.

Our Time is Now is certainly playing out for our seniors, as this season IS "their time." At Thursday's Senior Breakfast we shared some pretty incredible numbers already accrued by this senior class. 94.1% of our seniors have applied to college and on average these students have applied to 7 schools. As of January, 84.3% have been accepted to college. Most incredible, however, is what our students have been offered in merit based scholarships...$1,736,000!

We are so proud of our seniors and know that this is just the beginning of the good news that will come from this first graduating class. We also recognize that these students didn't do this work alone. We are so grateful for the instruction, support, and opportunities these students have received from their teachers, staff, and especially from our College Access Team at GLOW. These accomplishments remind us of the impact our work has on our students' long term success. Our joy extends to our 6th-11th graders, as we know we will only continue to grow and improve in our practice and that all GLOW students will reap the benefits of that work.

Parents, our students' success is so dependent on what you provide for them outside of school, but also the relationships you build with staff at GLOW. When we are working together, the possibilities are endless for these students. Thank you for all you do to partner with us in this work.

Wishing you all a great week ahead,

Kate B. Tayloe

Principal

Reminder that tryouts for Esports is Tuesday, Jan. 17th from 3:30 -4:30 in room 618. Any 8th-12th grade student is welcome to try out. Please make sure your ride is here on time.

If you have questions, please contact Mr. Kirby, Mr. Mitro, Mr. Monroe, or Mr. V.

Learn more at ncssm.edu/summerventures.

Applications are due by January 17, 2023 for program dates in Summer 2023.

Please direct questions to Ms. Lexi at ashank@glowacademy.net

What is PBIS?

PBIS helps schools create a common language around student behavior expectations and focuses on teaching expectations, preventing problems, and using logical consequences. At GLOW, we have established a common language by identifying 4 key expectations (respectful, responsible, safe, and kind) for all students. PBIS requires that we focus first on educating students about expectations and recognizing students who exhibit these behaviors (respect, responsibility, safety, and kindness).

Students have been provided instruction regarding what it means to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in all school environments. When we communicate with students about behavior that requires redirection, we use these 4 key words to communicate with students and re-teach expectations, as needed.

To learn more, you can find our PBIS Expectations Matrix HERE, as well as our school PBIS posters that are displayed in all settings HERE.

We encourage you to also use the language of GLOW's expectations when communicating with your student about behavior in and out of school. We believe that all behavior (appropriate an inappropriate) can be aligned with these 4 expectations.

Cold and flu season is upon us. To prevent widespread flu, GLOW will be following the recommendations and guidelines outlined by the CDC and New Hanover County Health Department:

Please do not send your child to school if she has or has had:

• fever of 100 degrees or higher within the last 24 hours (must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school)
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the last 24 hours.
• Symptoms that make it hard for your child to participate in school such as frequent coughing, headache, body aches, fatigue, earaches.
• Strep Throat- until on antibiotics 24 hr.