Our ALA High School educator team is committed to creating an equitable learning environment where all students feel accepted, motivated, and challenged. Our mission is to facilitate quality instruction with engaging, meaningful, and responsive learning experiences while providing social and emotional support to empower our students to achieve college, career, and life readiness.

"Hate is too great a burden to bear. I have decided to love." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Happy Friday, ALA HS Families!

We hope this note finds you well and excited for our holiday weekend. May we take time this Monday to recall with gratitude Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy and his invaluable contributions to our nation's history.

This day marks the end of the second quarter and our fall semester. All assignments are due to be completed TODAY to allow our educators time to wrap up grading and ensure that report cards are ready to go home to families next Friday.

• Congratulations to Ms. Tina Lee on her recent admission to UNC Wilmington's Graduate School of Education. She joins both Ms. Trenee' Martin and Mr. Dontrell Powell who are also pursuing advanced education degrees!! We have some smart cookies at ALA!!
  

• Our kick-off brainstorm session for ALA Career Week 2.1 (March 1-5, 2021) this past Wednesday was very productive. While your students have been engaging in career exploration activities with Ms. Lipsey this week in preparation, we need YOUR assistance to make our event SPECTACULAR! If you wish to touch the future and/or have a small business, serve in the military, or are willing to share some information about your job/know someone who might be willing, please complete the brief form ASAP: https://forms.gle/b9wNiCrkLpDy4VgR6
  

• SPIRIT WEEK 2021 kicks off in less than a month, and Ms. Grimm's musical theatre students are betting that ALA's got TALENT! They are planning a VIRTUAL VARIETY SHOW in mid-February and have asked interested students to sign up HERE :
  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdC_FP-yIl6mHM5rOXC5LAie5ZsmEn7F5c-fYbyEo28YClkoA/viewform?usp=sf_link

• We have a family in the Tramway area that has requested assistance with transportation or being part of a carpool for blended learning on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you are planning to commute to ALA those days and are in the Tramway area or are near US 1 approaching Hawkins Avenue, please email me, and I'll connect you to this family.
  

• We recognize that some of our students are struggling with the demands of remote learning and the workload of eight courses. As a result, we are permitting students to withdraw from a non-testing elective with no grade penalty effective with the third quarter/second semester - Jan. 20, 2021. This decision should be made by students and their parents if doing so would help them experience greater success in their core classes. Please click the link for more information and to complete a withdrawal request form PRIOR to Wed. Jan. 20: https://forms.gle/vX6WHJ4VvAcF9EjW9

• Our new quarter begins Wed. Jan. 20, and we have MODIFIED our daily schedule to better meet the needs of our students. Please read the attached letter for specific information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dx_x-ucOcPMHHNe0tcgmCGh7mJl4TBDr6vSLnqg40nc/edit?usp=sharing

• Attention, ALA SOPHOMORE Families! The Pre-ACT is in TWO weeks. Ms. Lipsey sent out a letter with details concerning the Fri. Jan. 29 Pre-ACT test administration. You may use this link to sign up for your test session: https://forms.gle/hegx8qmimt3eAN9d9.

• The halfway point of the academic year is an ideal time to share your experience thus far. If you wish to provide us some feedback for how things are going for your family, we would be happy to have your insights. Here's the Feedback Survey Link: https://forms.gle/1uqDdMuuMwSxrTKu8

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• The Sanford Chess Club has moved ONLINE! Please email Jeff at chesssnc@gmail.com or text him at 919-455-5794. We connected with these folks last year, and they are a great group. Players of every level are welcome.
• Is your student struggling with the winter blues? Seasonal Affective Disorder is a relatively common diagnosis, so keep in mind that we have a wonderful counselor who is happy to chat with students. Please contact Ms. Lipsey at slipsey@alaschoolsnc.org to set up a virtual session.
  

• DID YOU KNOW? When your child misses class due to illness or an appointment, you can email attendance@alaschoolsnc.org to offer an explanation, scan or forward the doctor’s note, etc.

COVID-19 TESTING

There are upcoming community testing events scheduled in Lee County. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the Community Testing Events webpage. Many events offer testing at no cost. For more details about a specific event, call ahead before you go for a test.

NEW COVID-19 DATA |The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services added a new COVID-19 Clusters in North Carolina Report to the COVID-19 NC Dashboard on the Outbreaks and Clusters page. Users will now be able to view clusters being identified in workplaces, educational settings, and many other community locations. The COVID-19 Clusters in North Carolina report includes total cumulative reported clusters, cases and deaths broken down by type of cluster since May 22, 2020 and graphs per type of cluster showing trends over time.

PARENT AVIATOR OPPORTUNITIES

Seeking volunteers to serve on our Teacher/Staff Appreciation Committee! This committee will plan and host several events to honor and appreciate our hardworking ALA teachers throughout the year, culminating with Teacher Appreciation Week in May 2021. If you are interested in this committee, please contact Sherrie Brown at sbrown@alaschoolsnc.org

SUBSTITUTES NEEDED

If you are interested in being a substitute teacher at ALA, please contact Sherrie Brown at sbrown@alaschoolsnc.org

UNIFORMS

Attention Aviators! Order uniform items here: https://www.companycasuals.com/AscendLeadershipAcademy//start.jsp

Please be reminded that we are always eager to aScEnD to new heights with our Aviator families! Should you need assistance, please feel free to contact me at jjett@alaschoolsnc.org or call our office at 919-842-5411 Monday-Friday from 8:00 - 3:30. Our ALA website https://www.ascendleadershipacademy.org/ is also a great resource to answer many of the questions you may have about your ALA experience.

Best wishes for an enjoyable holiday weekend with your loved ones and a SENSATIONAL start to the third quarter next Wednesday, Jan. 20!

Sincerely,

Janice Jett, PhD

ALA HS Principal

Event: Women in Gaming and eSports

Date/Time: February 15 from 1pm to 5pm

Location: Virtual via WebEx

About: Learn about careers and possibilities in the Gaming and eSports industries. Guests from Brown Girl Gamer Code, Microsoft, higher education, and other companies will talk about opportunities that are available to women and girls in these industries.

Link for information and to register: https://www.herspark.org/event-details/women-in-gaming-esports-1

A Fun Night

Ring! Ring!

“Hello?” a woman said. She sounded like she had this conversation thirty other times.

“Umm, yes I would like - ”

She cut me off, “Do you need an escort?"

I was nervous. “Doe - does that mean a - a girl?”

She barely let me finish. “Yes, you need an escort for the evening?” She said with a sigh.

“Yeah, I do.” I managed to spit it out.

She told me the price, got my address and name, and said they would send a girl over right away.

I started getting everything ready. I was nervous. This was my first time. I made sure everything smelled good. Then I sat down and waited. My foot was shaking. Soon I heard a car pull up in the driveway.

That’s her. I was nervous again.

Ding, Dong!

I knew what was about to happen. It still caught me off guard. I got to the door. I took a deep breath and opened it.

She was standing there wearing leggings and a plain t-shirt. She was a brunette. She had blue eyes, and she was attractive.

“Are you Tony?” She said with a light, yet serious voice.

“Yeah - yes, I’m sorry come in.” I had forgotten my manners.

“Okay, so where do you wanna start?” she asked. She was straight, to the point.

“Umm, no - uh - I don’t want that, but can we go to the dining room?” She looked confused, but followed me to the dining table to find two plates of food.

“Wait - why would you order me over for... this?” She was confused.

I gulped nervously and told her, “My wife died a few days ago, and I've never cooked for myself. So in order to eat, I cooked for two, and ordered you over.”

ALA's Mathematics Department Mission Statement:
The mission of the Mathematics Department at ALA is to deliver rigorous and engaging instruction that will promote student self-advocacy, risk-taking, and strong teacher-student relationships. By providing quality instruction, we will produce competent students that are equipped with problem solving and critical thinking skills to succeed in a changing world.

ALA's Science Department Mission Statement:

The goal of science education is to prepare students to be responsible citizens in an increasingly complex and dynamic world. At ALA, we will provide students with the foundation to achieve, collaborate, and participate in engaging learning experiences. Our science curriculum will accomplish these goals through NC state science standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Project Based Learning.

Click here for Ms. Lewis's Curriculum Night program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/179GtKsQ7zwBLmJKB-aQhid0gDoPbrXf_/view?ts=5fd2b5b5

Click here for Mr. Perez's Curriculum Night program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K-E8gqEHWK0QOhf4CZ8BH3BiK_0nw2W_/view?ts=5fd2aacd

Click below for the latest updates from Mr. Blanks, Ms. Lewis, Ms. Martin & Mr. Perez:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1cvSTgCvfQyH6fIzSxQokQ9gALxfD82AoCsIFGGeb3_U/edit?usp=sharing

ALA's Humanities Department Mission Statement:

Humanities and Social Sciences challenges students to understand their responsibilities in a globally changing world and provides opportunities for developing socially responsible future citizens that encompass our core values of respect, accountability, integrity, service, and excellence in order to work collaboratively to make the world a better place. As the academy leader in offering high-quality, innovative education, the department prepares students for a successful life in a democratic society through preparing them for future careers of choice.

-Ascend Leadership Academy Humanities Department Mission Statement, 2020

Click below for the latest from Ms. Ladner, Ms. Lee & Mr. Wedlock:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UmJe8ZR1s5JIxsHke7bWrIurYRwKHr2eooojzm7JBHg/edit?usp=sharing

Click here for MS. LEE'S CURRICULUM NIGHT presentation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fi_Rp6STfdlE-sJcz7Tjl_RCrFS0zl3H/view?usp=sharing

Update from Mr. Wedlock

Curriculum Night Info for 9th Grade WORLD HISTORY: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nh1wiN_Y6Bxgx2TfvxqH9gm6vM_oGwrB

Curriculum Night Info for 10th Grade CIVICS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1nh1wiN_Y6Bxgx2TfvxqH9gm6vM_oGwrB

Hey there! Are you interested in podcasts, radio hosting, or editing audio? Do you have a passion for community outreach? Do you want to stay up to date with all things ALA? If the answer is yes, then ALA has the place for you! Ms. Pyrtle and Mr. Wedlock are looking for interested students who would like to create and produce a weekly podcast that focuses on ALA news and community projects. Please complete the ALA Podcast Interest Form and let's get this ball rolling!

The mission of the Digital Media department at ALA is to encourage creativity, innovation and collaboration to enable students to produce entertaining content that contributes to society in a way our students can take pride in.

Click here to view Ms. Pyrtle's Curriculum Night program: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GnO-rvbUzRlaWVaHUXZlpND6ykKCPebV/view

Here's the link for the latest updates from Digital Media guru Ms. Pyrtle:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aqYhJP2Q2V4k3SehmcG88GRd1pAe610BxkWsBuSlFNM/edit?usp=sharing

ALA Electives Team Mission Statement:

As an elective team, we promise to equip you with the life skills needed to succeed both in and out of schools. We promise to create a safe, non-judgemental space that is culturally inclusive where every child can succeed. We promise to create a place where we can praise each other in good times and counsel each other in the tough times. We promise to challenge you, both physically and artistically, every day so that you can be the best student and person you can be.

Check out Art Teacher Ms. Louis Jean's CURRICULUM NIGHT slide show. She wins for BEST DESIGN featuring the students' GORGEOUS artwork - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1L3odXSze7nrBpD2AZ0eECnnCB48OdehHq_n-DBsS0Fo/edit?usp=sharing