PLA Virtual News
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
"Bytes" From Your School Leader, Dr. Townsend
November 4, 2022
Greetings Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Families,
Happy Friday! I hope everyone had an awesome week of learning and a great Halloween for those who celebrate.
Don't forget that time changes on Sunday, so we will get that extra hour! What are you doing with your extra hour? Are you adding in an hour of reading time, heading to the gym, cooking a special meal, spending time with family, creating a vision board for 2023? Personally, I am using the time to clear out clutter in my house and working to keep only those things that bring me joy and don't cloud my thinking, positive energy and space.
In preparation for Veteran's Day on Friday, November 11, 2022, please be sure to take time to complete the form (included below) developed and led by our very own Mrs. Groulik, so that PLA Virtual can honor your loved ones who served or are actively serving our country.
Lastly, our School Social Worker is initiating a November Gratitude Challenge and I am here for it!!! So, please se below for more details and how you can get on board...
Have a GREAT weekend and be sure to get out and enjoy some of this forecasted warm Fall weather we have in store for us the next few days!!!
With Gratitude,
Dr. Townsend, Principal
Veterans Day Wall of Honor Submissions DUE November 8, 2022
Your PLA Virtual staff invites you to participate in creating a Wall of Honor for this Veteran's Day. In an effort to recognize our Veteran and Active Service Members, Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy will create a digital Wall of Honor. If you have any Veteran or Active Service Members in your family that you’d like us to pay tribute to, please click the link below to submit their names. Please complete this form by Tuesday, November 8th.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Groulik and PLA Virtual Staff
Phalen Virtual Television Episode 7
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.
11/7/22 - 11/11/22 Daily Family Talk Questions
Monday- If you could hire someone to work for you, what would you have them do?
Tuesday- If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wednesday- Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?
Thursday- If you could choose a nickname for yourself, what would it be?
Friday-In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a friend or watch a movie?
Helping Our Scholars Stay Logged in Every Day, All Day
Do you need to speak with the school social worker?
November GRATITUDE Challenge
Parents & Scholars, throughout the month of November let's have a Gratitude Challenge. Sometimes our world can literally feel as if it is upside down. In times like these, it is important to think about things that we are grateful for. This challenge is a great way to think about the blessings in our lives so that we can stay positive and thankful. You’ll be given something to look for and be thankful for throughout the month of November in every newsletter. While interacting with your scholars, challenge them and yourself to remember the good in life during hard times can make the whole day go better.
DID YOU KNOW???
Does your scholar have an IEP or an ILP? Does your scholar sometimes need Text To Speech (read aloud)? Chromebooks can read text aloud using Select-to-Speak! Find out more here:
21st Century Scholars Program for 7th and 8th Grade Scholars
Last week I hosted an information session for our middle school Learning Coaches discussing the 21st Century Scholars Program. Since then, I have been notified that we’ve had many scholars sign up!
The 21st Century Scholars Program is a program that provides up to four years of undergraduate tuition to income-eligible students at participating colleges or universities in Indiana.
There are specific rules and qualifications for this program. Scholars can only apply if they are in 7th or 8th grade. To sign your scholar up for the 21st Century Scholars program, please visit learnmoreindiana.org/scholars
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
Gary Family Event
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
11-1pm CST
ASVAB--11th Grade Scholars ONLY
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
8:30am EST
Thanksgiving Break--No School
Monday, November 21-Friday, November 25, 2022
Volunteer at Gleaners--4th-12th Grade Only
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
11-2pm
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
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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