PLA Virtual News
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
"Bytes" From Your School Leader, Dr. Townsend
September 16, 2022
Greetings Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Families,
Happy Friday! Let's celebrate the successful completion of Week #6 of Teaching and Learning at PLA Virtual! I hope you are enjoying your Friday and are finding fun educational things to do as our teachers and staff are working hard to become even more effective for you.
It was amazing seeing our scholars and teachers in action this week during our Trine Instructional Site Visit. Scholars were asking and answering questions, actively participating using their cameras. mics , typing in the chat and responding to teachers polls. Scholars were reading aloud on the mic, encouraging their peers, taking risks, volunteering even if they did not fully understand because they knew the teacher would help them, raising their hands to be the first to respond, using the Blackboard screen tools appropriately, connecting to Google classroom and HMH for assignments and the list goes on.
Please do us a HUGE favor and tell your scholar how very proud we are of them and how much we appreciate them for their active participation in and outside of class to be the best scholar they can be.
We have some AMAZING updates to our newsletter, just for YOU! As you scroll down, you will see many new sections with helpful information from our school admin and admin support team! Each week we will also feature information from our Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, Data Coach, Social Worker, High School Counselor, Attendance Clerk/Registrar, Office Administrator, State Testing Coordinator and Enrollment Coordinator!
We kicked off our "Leading with Reading" initiative last night on Facebook Live and we want to cordially invite you to join us this upcoming Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 7:00pm for Story Time with Dr. Townsend (me!). I will be reading a story LIVE every Thursday the entire month! I hope you will like us on Facebook and join me!
Have an awesome weekend.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Townsend, Principal
9/19/22 - 9/23/22
Monday- Who is your hero?
Tuesday- If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
Wednesday- What is your biggest fear?
Thursday- What is your favorite family memory? Friday- What would you change about yourself if you could?
Helping Our Scholars Stay Logged in Every Day, All Day
Scholars need to be logged in every day, all day!
“When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.” –Attendance Works
#loggedintolearning
CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH!
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the contributions and importance of Hispanics and Latinos to the United States and those American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. September 15th was chosen as the kickoff date since it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), followed by Mexico on September 16th, Chile on the 18th, and Belize on the 21st. Another important date that falls within this 30-day period is Día de la Raza, or Indigenous Peoples Day, which is celebrated in Mexico on October 12th.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
If you are having trouble with your classes and assignments, don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help. Your teachers are there to help and will do all they can to ensure you are successful.
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
Story Time on Facebook Live with Dr. Townsend
Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 7:00pm
Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 7:00pm
Staff Development Day (No school for Scholars)
Friday, September 16, 2022
No school for Scholars
All Teachers and Staff will be Available
End of Quarter 1
Friday, October 7, 2022
Fall Break--No School
Wednesday, October 19-Friday, October 21, 2022
PSAT Testing Day (10th and 11th Grade Scholars ONLY)
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Additional information will be shared by our State Testing Coordinator, Ms. Sepaniak
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.
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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