Global Studies Academy
Newsletter March 20, 2023
Last Course Selection Reminders
REMINDER: You CANNOT take any GSA-Required courses over the summer for original credit, you are only permitted to take non-GSA-Required courses.
Courses UNAVAILABLE for Summer School original credit:
AAC/AP English I-IV
ALL Social Studies Courses
ALL Language Courses
GSA Course Selection 2023-2024 School Year
Course selection is approaching, it is the STUDENT's responsibility to ensure you are taking the correct courses that coincide with the Global Studies Academy requirements. The counselors and I will do our best to ensure you are in the right courses, however, it is WAY EASIER if you select the required courses during the course selection process. See the required courses below for your grade level.
Course Selection Information: rising 10-12th Graders GSA
10th Grade GSA Requirements: Language II, ELA II AAC, World History (AP Recommended but not required)
11th Grade GSA Requirements: Language III AAC, ELA III AP, US History (AP Recommended but not required), Choice of: Mexican American Studies, African American Studies, OR AP European History
12th Grade GSA Requirements: Language IV AP, ELA IV AP, ECON/GOV (AP Recommended but not required), GSA Capstone
FYI - Academy-ONLY classes (GSA Capstone) are NOT available on the online course selection. You must add these courses on your paper sheet you will turn in to your counselor. This is to prevent non-Academy students from requesting these courses and causing confusion.
Important Weekly Newsletter Facts
Each week, the Academy Newsletter is updated and by your Academy Coordinator. New opportunities for volunteer hours and enrichment activities can be found beneath the sections titled "After School Enrichment" and "Volunteer".
It is the responsibility of the Academy student to meet their Academy requirements at a time that best suits their schedules, which is why this newsletter acts as an aide to assist students in finding opportunities for them with varying dates, times, and locations.
For SCHOLARSHIP opportunities, scroll all the way to the bottom of the newsletter. Your Academy Coordinator updates this section as new opportunities are available.
Please ensure you are checking this newsletter WEEKLY for updates on these opportunities.
From your Academy Coordinator -
In this newsletter you will find helpful information, news from the GSA Booster Club, and some volunteer opportunities and Enrichment Opportunities.
Parents/Guardians, please make sure that you have gone into skyward and checked your email addresses. It is our main way of communicating with everyone and last week many were undelivered. If it is incorrect, please update it.
Enrichment and Volunteer Hours: You will find links in the newsletters to enrichment and volunteer opportunities for the semester. Please remember that you will need to complete two enrichments per semester for a total of 4 for the year and 12.5 volunteer hours for a total of 25 hours a year.
GSA Booster Club Membership Dues!!
Please pay your $45 GSA Booster Club membership dues. Click the link below to complete the registration form and submit your payment. Dues are used to pay for various events throughout the year including student socials, Lock-In, the Global Issues Summit and the End of Year Banquet. Funds are also used for student Travel Grants and for Senior Scholarships.
We also accept additional donations on our website and please reach out to businesses or companies that may be interested in donating to these wonderful students! Thank you for your support!
We appreciate your help in making this year the best GSA year yet!
GSA Parent & Booster Club BAND
Please take a moment to download the "Band" app, this is a quick and easy way to stay in touch as a group. GSA Booster Club is very active and hosts a lot of spirit nights, parent socials, and invites all GSA parents to play an active role in GSA through opportunities provided in the Booster Club. Scan the QR Code or click the link below to join our group!
Hey, join our 'GSA Booster Club & Parent Band' group on BAND - The app for groups and communities!
https://band.us/n/a0a57eGeW7765
NEW! Band APP for STUDENT ONLY communication through GSA
Feel free to scan the QR code below to join our Band to stay up to date on all things GSA!
We would like to start highlighting our outstanding Academy students and their accomplishments in and outside of school. If your student has won an award, received a scholarship, participated in a competitive summer program, etc. please submit this form. We will post your student's accomplishment in/on the varies academy social media platforms and they may be featured in other community publication.
The name and photo associated with your Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form
Schoology Course Codes
Class of 2026: BNKQX-H3TT8
Class of 2025: VPJX-CW5H-VGHTF
Cass of 2024: VT9G-5M3S-FZ88N
Class of 2023: 8JDHC-R5M8M
YOU MUST FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW WHEN SUBMITTING ENRICHMENTS!!
Engineering Academy Career Fair
The Engineering Academy is very excited to host the annual Engineering Academy Career Fair!
The event will take place on March 25th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the James Reese Career and Technical Center. I highly encourage all students to sign up and make connections with important engineers in the Houston area. Such events are critical to securing internships and future recommendation letters!
RSVP HERE https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e45a4af2babf49-engineering
The Student Empowerment Summit
It’s not too late to REGISTER to join more than 27,000 students in this year’s Summit!
The Student Empowerment Summit is a 3-day asynchronous event designed to empower students with the resources, enthusiasm, and leadership tools needed to plan a local event for Mental Health Awareness Month (May). Programming materials provided by Varsity Brands and Believe In You, Erika’s Lighthouse, Look for the Good Project, and Crisis Text Line. Register for the summit by April 3rd to join The Collective Conversation and tap into FREE resources for you and your students.
Creativity Marathon
Creativity is More than Art
Creativity is our most valuable resource. The act of creating can be exhilarating, challenging, or at times, even frightening. Many times, it can feel like all of the above.
However we experience it, creativity is the force that drives progress, expression, and discovery. Full Sail University is a community that respects and empowers creative thinking, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.
Let your creativity shine in an international filmmaking competition that celebrates creative solutions and the hope for a brighter future around the globe.
Join the Creativity Marathon
The Creativity Marathon is an opportunity for high school students from all around the world to come together to solve some of the world's greatest challenges through a filmmaking competition.
With the help of some filmmaking lessons from Full Sail, teams of three to five students, accompanied by an adult sponsor, will have until March 25, 2023 to produce a three-minute video showing a clear and creative solution to one or more of UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals.
RealTalk Virtual College Exploration
Real Talk is a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. We empower Black students to own their futures their way.
Real Talk is a safe space for you to learn and engage, while also getting answers to your most pressing questions about life after high school. No matter where you are on your journey, we’re here for you. Family members and educators are also encouraged to participate!
CIEE Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad
Virtual Presentation Every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST
We want your students to apply for their study abroad programs with confidence!
That's why every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. EST, our helpful Enrollment Coordinators answer questions live on a virtual call.
Students, parents, teachers and administrators are all invited to join us to learn more about:
- Program options
- Application process
- How to apply to a scholarships and more
Youth in Politics - Article Writing
Youth in Politics is an organization dedicated to creating more civically engaged and informed teens. If you are interested in writing article(s) to be published on their website, you may receive enrichment credit for each article that is published.
*NOTE* your article must be published to receive enrichment credit, if the owners of Youth in Politics choose not to publish your article, you will not receive enrichment credit.
Community Mapping 101 - Enrichment Opportunity
Please check out the link below to complete the activity for an additional enrichment opportunity!
YOU MUST USE THE VOLUNTEER FORM BELOW WHEN UPLOADING VOLUNTEER HOURS!!
VOLUNTEER HOURS - UPDATES
GSA Students must complete a total of 25 volunteer hours per school year. This breaks down to 12.5 volunteer hours per semester. You may find some opportunities available to you below.
**CHANGE: You will now submit your volunteer hours directly to Schoology. You must upload your volunteer hour documents in a way that can be opened and viewed or you will not receive credit.
UIL A+ Academics Competition - Volunteers Needed
The Neill Elementary PTO are helping coordinate volunteers for the upcoming FBSID elementary UIL A+ academic event on Saturday, April 29, 2023 and I'm hoping to secure about (40-50) high school student volunteers to assist.
UIL A+ Academic Competition
Saturday April 29, 2023
08:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (will separate the day into 2 hour shifts)
Indoors
*estimated attendance 500 student participants plus parents.
Boxed lunch will be offered for the volunteers (Food Trucks will also be on site)
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080944AFAC23AAF49-uilaelementary
The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation Arts Fest - Volunteers Needed
Service Hours?
The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation is in need of your servant leadership skills Sunday, April 2nd from 3-5pm at the Sugar Land Arts Fest to help with Artist Breakdown in the plaza outside of Smart Financial Center. The date is April 2nd and the time is from 3-5pm. Volunteers will be assisting the artists with their tent breakdown and carrying things to their cars.
Here is the sign up genius link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA4AC22A0FFC61-sugar3
Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy Awareness Event
Hello friends!
Please join us for our Pediatric Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy Awareness event March 25th, 2023.
Location: West Gray Recreation Center 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019
Time: 11 am- 2 pm
Parking is free
UT Health Houston Neuroscience Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital invites you to join us for this fun patient event. You will have the opportunity to interact with patients and physicians/therapist on our team including Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, PT, Ot, and SLP.
Service hours will be given for volunteers who will assist as needed in children's games, T-shirts, food running, photo booth, assistive sports assistant, set-up and clean up during events, etc. (shifts will include set upo and clean up) Feel free to sign up for both shifts if you like. Please email Christine.hill@uth.tmc.edu or text 716-866-8060 day of if you have any additional questions.
Thank you for considering this opportunity!
Fort Bend Exchange Club Volunteer Opportunity
Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Bonner @ fbonner1906@gmail.com
Field installation
•Date: April 1, 2023
•Time: 9am
Teardown
•Date: April 29, 2023
•Time: 9am
Locations
We have two awareness fields:
•Historic Courthouse in Richmond
400-498 Jackson St
Richmond, TX 77469
•Intersection of Alt-90 and Present Street in Stafford, Texas.
We usually begin at the Historic Courthouse, then move to Stafford (subject to change).
Attire:
•work clothes; something you don't mind sweating in and getting dirty.
Goodwill Houston Volunteering
Goodwill Houston needs volunteers like you to help change lives! Through our volunteer program, we offer fun, hands-on opportunities to get you involved and help us make a meaningful impact in the Greater Houston area.
If you are interested in making a difference, Goodwill Houston is the place for you!
We welcome the following types of volunteers:
Volunteer Program
Student Program
Vocational Learning Program
Community Service
Volunteer with SBP Disaster Relief
Experience meaningful volunteer experiences that teach you life skills as well as help your community! Scan the QR code on the second flyer below to learn more!
Cards for a Cause
Cards for a Cause is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the spirits of disheartened, hospitalized, and/or seriously ill children by creating and sending encouraging homemade cards to give them something to smile about during a difficult time.
Make and send 6 cards to equal 1 volunteer hour. Make sure you take a picture of the cards you send and upload them with your volunteer forms.
See website on how to get involved:
Letters Against Isolation
Make and send 6 cards to equal 1 volunteer hour. Make sure you take a pictures of the cards you send and upload them with your volunteer forms.
See the website on how to get involved:
TUTOR CHILDREN VIRTUALLY WITH TEENSGIVE
TeensGive volunteers are high school students who want to use their skills to give back. So, what better way than through helping younger children learn? We offer three options to our members:
- In-person tutoring at our network of after-school programs
- Virtual volunteering: tutor children from Title 1 schools online on our platform
- Teach our entrepreneurship curriculum, Counting Cupcakes, which teaches math and business skills in a fun and delicious way!
"https://teensgive.org/about-us/"
TRANSLATE TED TALKS VIRTUALLY
TED Translators are a global community of volunteers who subtitle TED Talks, and enable the inspiring ideas in them to crisscross languages and borders.
Volunteer Roles: Apply HERE
The TED Translators program encourages the growth and advancement of all of our volunteers. There are specific roles volunteers can achieve to engage in the program and develop their skills:
Translator / Transcriber
Translators and transcribers are volunteers who create subtitles on CaptionHub. New volunteers should work on one assignment at a time before claiming a new video to subtitle.
Qualifications:
- Fluent in both source and target languages (note: transcribers should be fluent in the transcription language)
- Passed onboarding application quiz
- Reviewed all TED guidelines and best practices
Virtually National Archives Transcription and Tagging VIRTUALLY NATIONAL ARCHIVES TRANSCRIPTION AND TAGGING
Topics that the National Archives is looking for help with include: Sign up Here
- Homestead Final Certificates 18-63-1894
- African American History Documents
- The American Soldier
- African American Civil Wars Soldiers
- and Many more
- At the bottom of this page, they have documents categorized by beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
ZOONIVERSE VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Second Mile
Whether you love to work one-on-one with people in need or to work diligently behind the scenes, we have a place for you. People like you give their time and talents to help us serve our neighbors through the most devastating moments of their life. We could not do this work without generous volunteers. Volunteers ages 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Before your volunteer session and for a quicker check-in, complete this online volunteer application: https://secondmile.keepntrack.com/apply/index.html?db=secondmile.
- Please be sure to sign in at the volunteer kiosk and sign out after volunteering. We will not be able to process your volunteer records without these steps.
Mask Mandate Update (August 2021)
In accordance with the latest CDC guidelines and with the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, masks are required for all individuals who enter Second Mile.
Thank you for your help in supporting this ministry while prioritizing the health of our community.
Project C.U.R.E
Please join us in saving lives by preparing medical supplies for shipment to hospitals and clinics in need around the world. Activities may include organizing warehouse inventory, sorting medical supplies, supporting administrative efforts, pulling for and loading containers, or other projects to be accomplished for the day. This will be a fun, engaging, and hands-on experience.
Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment, and services around the world. Project C.U.R.E. builds sustainable healthcare infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment needed to deliver healthcare in communities. Since its inception, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to people in need in more than 130 countries.
- Go to this link: https://projectcure.volunteerhub.com/lp/houston/
- Scroll to the calendar and select a date which you are available (Make sure to go fast, spots are filling up!)
- Select “Sign Up” and “Create new account”
- Once you have created your account, you will be emailed a confirmation
- Students below 18 must print/ fill out a waiver form signed by their parent/guardian and bring it to the event *The waiver will be in your email confirmation
- New volunteers must arrive 10-15 minutes early to their volunteer slot for an orientation
Important Information:
Thank you for volunteering to serve with Project C.U.R.E.
Project C.U.R.E.’s Houston facility is located at 8303 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX 77055. We are located in Spring Branch near the intersection of Bingle and Kempwood.
Before arriving, please review the safety guidelines in this video.
Also, please keep the following in mind:
- Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes in the warehouse.
- Please dress comfortably and wear weather appropriate clothing - the warehouse can be warm in the summer and cool in the winter.
- Some of our tasks can be physically demanding but are always optional
- Minimum age to volunteer is 15 (under 18 requires parent/legal guardian signed consent in advance).
We look forward to working with you soon! Thanks for your interest in helping in our mission of "delivering Health & Hope to the world!"
The safety of our volunteers and staff is our top priority. We are taking all possible precautions. During your volunteer time, we will be following CDC recommendations and all volunteers and staff are required to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask and gloves. If you have your own mask, please bring it to your volunteer session. Disposable masks will be provided if needed. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer throughout your volunteer session. Please do not come volunteer if you are feeling ill or have been in contact with someone feeling ill. Your support in maintaining a safe facility is tremendously appreciated!
Please keep in mind the following:
- Attire: Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes. We recommend comfortable, weather-appropriate attire that you don't mind getting dusty. The warehouse is colder in winters and warmer in summers.
- Timing: Please arrive on time. You will be led by a Volunteer Leader and they will need adequate time to explain to you what will need to be done.
- Food/drink: You are welcome to bring water and small snacks with you if you wish.
- Age: The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old; volunteers younger than 18 years old will need parent/legal guardian consent signature.
- Cancellation concern: If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration so we do not schedule staff unnecessarily.
We look forward to working with you soon! Thank you for helping us in delivering health and hope to the world.
Target Hunger
Target Hunger depends upon the support of the community to fulfill our mission. A vital aspect of that support is volunteerism. Each year, Target Hunger welcomes hundreds of volunteers who donate their time to help children, families, and seniors in need of food assistance. If you are interested in volunteering with Target Hunger, please register below.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Drive-Thru Food Distributions
Volunteer to help pack bags filled with food and place into the trunk’s of cars.
Register to Volunteer at a Food Distribution
Community Garden
Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you want to share your passion for gardening with others? We welcome both novice and experienced gardeners to volunteer at our Garden. Volunteers work together to grow 6,000 pounds of nutritious produce that is distributed through Target Hunger Pantries and Food Fairs.
Gandy Ink offers 10 - $1000 Scholarships annually. Applications are open March 1st – April 15th.
Candidates must be high school seniors planning to attend a college or university during the immediate fall semester.
Winners will be announced by May 1st!
Apply below!
Global Studies Academy
Email: mary.skelton@fortbendisd.com
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/Domain/2400
Location: 1111 Harlem Road, Richmond, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3106
Twitter: @fbgsa