Titan eNews
Weekly Campus Update
Mission: to create a community of learners empowered to collaborate and compete in a rapidly changing world.
Titan Parents:
Costs may include, but not limited to:
Cost of new Chromebook Charger: $13.00
Cost of Keyboard replacement (if missing keys): $55.00
Cost of new Chromebook: $305.00
We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Counselor's Corner
IF YOU'VE RECENTLY MOVED OR PLAN ON MOVING DURING THE SUMMER, PLEASE CONTACT ASHLEY MADDING TO UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS. IF YOU ARE MOVING OUT OF DISTRICT, PLEASE PROVIDE HER WITH THE NAME AND LOCATION OF THE SCHOOL YOUR LEARNER WILL BE ATTENDING NEXT YEAR.
UPCOMING STATE TESTING
Biology- Monday, May 6
Algebra I- Tuesday, May 7
US History- Wednesday, May 8
Second year learners will be taking Biology STAAR EOC, first years enrolled in Algebra I will be taking Algebra I and third years will be taking US History.
Please ensure that your learner is on time to school that day, has eaten a good breakfast, and has at least two sharpened pencils.
Learners have four hours to complete their test.
First Years
This week first year learners began working on their brochures for Project Sustain in English classes with Ms. Wright. Each learner has a page or two to complete for their team brochure, which is due next Friday, May 10th.
In Math with Mr. Stone, learners are finalizing their review for Algebra I EOC on Tuesday, May 7th and are beginning to wind down for the school year and prepare for their final project presentations.
This week Mr. Welch’s World Geography classes were engaged with activities about how infrastructure, climate and resources impact location and patterns of economic activity this week. Next week, learners will be looking at different level of development through the lens of a company CEO.
In Physics with Mr. Hardy, classes learned to applying Ohm’s Law to combination circuits.
In Art/Tech with Mr. McCoy, teams continued building scale models of their communities, which are due next Friday, May 10th.
In Engineering with Mr. Hudnall, teams presented their career exploration presentations and completed a resume activity. First year learners helped spearhead the idea of building a GAGA Ball Pit. Engineering facilitators Ms. Cone, Mr. Fawcett, and Mr. Hudnall helped them build it. GAGA Ball is a game that combines dodging, striking, running, and jumping, with the objective of being the last person standing. Players hit the ball at each other with their hands, and are eliminated if the ball strikes them on or below the knee.
Second Years
Just a few weeks left of Project Y and the 2018/2019 school year, and our first fully-functioning prototype has been completed! Team 44, The Necessity Ninás have finished their prototype of their “Necessity Jacket”, an affordable, durable, weather-proof utility jacket stocked with basic hygiene products to assist people struggling with homelessness and offer them a support tool. As the Ninás are almost a week and a half ahead of schedule, we asked them to sit down with us and share how they achieved such a level or production. Very strong schedule and calendar, with deadlines, checkpoints and what has been done. We had a moment to sit down with Team 44, and ask about their success so far.
Q: What aspect or element of Team 44 allowed y’all to get your prototype finished so quickly?
A: Gali! Her sewing skills, and previous experience, as well as her ability to teach. Perserverance to finish the jacket, and a fully developed schedule.
Q: What are your next steps?
A: We are going to start on our presentation, and we will finish our infographic and team video. Schedules are being completed.
Q: What advice would you give to teams that may be struggling with their prototype?
A: If there is a mistake, just keep going. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just finished. Go back when you are completed and fix any mistakes, but get it done.
Q: What has been the most difficult aspect of finishing your prototype?
A: The amount of pins and injuries recieved from pinning. The fabric would get caught, and that could be frustrating.
Q: Have you experienced any setbacks? How did you move forward from it?
A: Choosing the fabric was tough. We did a lot of research and testing, and found out that rip-stop fabric was the
Team 44 consists of Jillian Martin, Gali Baca, Lucy Diaz, and Crystal Chau.
Third Years
Third-year learners began reading their presentation scripts aloud today, with a microphone. Some took to it like a fish to water, but others found the experience intimidating. This is why we practice.
Last week we told you about our big dress rehearsal coming up on May 16th and 17th. Please look below to find the dress rehearsal schedule and see if you are available to attend. We'd love to have you fill out the role of the authentic audience for our learners. The closer the rehearsal is to the 'real deal', the more they will get out of the practice.
Please RSVP below.
Similarly, the final presentation schedule is locked in. We hope to see many parents and local preparedness professionals in attendance. Please RSVP below.
Thank you for recognizing how important an authentic audience is in a project-based learning environment. We have appreciated your support throughout this year and are very excited to share this culminating activity of the junior year with you now.
Please RSVP using this link: https://tinyurl.com/GV-RSVP-2019
Fourth Years
Attention Seniors!
Graduating seniors, you are invited to reminisce with friends at your elementary school senior reunion. Reunions are scheduled at individual elementary schools for this year's graduating class of 2019.
Please check this site frequently, as new schools are added daily.
Graduation is quickly approaching. Please review the below document for important information regarding graduation and senior events.
Titan Robotics
Last year, 5431 hosted our very first summer camp - the North Texas (NTX) Camp of Engineering! We had 23 wonderful young learners join us at AHS for a half day of fun, LEGO Mindstorms and engineering challenges!
This year, we are not only hosting this camp, but two other camps as well with Plano Senior’s FRC team, Chain Reaction Robotics! We are hosting the Camp of Engineering, Battle Bots, and Mindstorms Camp. The Camp of Engineering is open to grades 4-8, and will be from 9-12PM May 28-31, June 3-7, and June 10-14. The Mindstorms Camp is open to grades 7-8 and is a 2 week camp from 1:30-4:30PM May 28-31, June 3-7. The Battle Bots Camp is open to grades 7-8 and will be from 1:30-4:30PM June 9-14.
Please visit ntxrobotics.com to sign up! We can’t wait to see you there!
From our Plano Academy High School PTSA
Upcoming Events
STAAR EOC Biology- 5/6/2019
STAAR EOC Algebra I- 5/7/2019
STAAR EOC US History- 5/8/2019
Senior Banquet- 5/21/2019
Senior Sunset Tailgate- 5/23/2019
Graduation Rehearsal- 5/24/2019