Titan eNews
Weekly Campus Update
Mission: to create a community of learners empowered to collaborate and compete in a rapidly changing world.
Thank you to our PTSA!
Parent Presentations and More
3rd and 4th Years Presentation
We would also like to invite you to our first Coffee and Conversation meeting on Sept. 10th from 8:30-9:15 in the Dome on the 3rd floor. This meeting's topic will be Empower Learning featuring assistant principal, Catherine Gaschen.
As we plan these monthly Coffee and Conversation sessions sponsored by our PTSA for you, please take a moment to share topics that may be helpful to you in this survey.
Class of 2020 Senior Sunrise!
4th Years
We are so excited to welcome your learners back to the Academy for the 2019-2020 school year. As many of you already know, this year begins with some new additions to the 4th Year team. Mrs. Gunnels has moved up from 2nd Year biology to facilitate Scientific Research and Design and Mr. Hong is new to the Academy, facilitating Computer Science. In Comp Sci, learners were introduced to the binary system. In government, they learned about Hammurabi’s code as well as the Athenian and Roman contributions to the US form of government. Systems of equations were discussed in math and learners wrote an autobiography of themselves as a mathematician. In English, learners set content specific learning goals and responded to a prompt discussing, “Why Read,” by Kelly Gallagher. Finally, in SRD, learners have begun the Capstone ideation process! Ask your learner about the topics they are considering for their year-long Capstone project; their Topic Proposal form is due on Friday, August 23rd.
Ms. Ojeda will be meeting with 4th years this week to assess the status of the required internship experience. Those still needing an internship will be provided with assistance.
3rd Years
This year has begun on such a high-point and has set a fantastic tone for the year. In our first two days, the learners engaged in the entry event for our first project titled Stop the Presses. During this project the learners will explore the characteristics of what makes a high quality paper by researching and reporting on topics they are interested in as it pertains to their specific subjects. Also, they will grow and refine their communication skills as they must work as a guild to produce their final paper. We look forward to seeing what artifacts are produced from these brainstorming days.
Thank you,
Your 3rd Year Facilitators
2nd Years
The first week of school is off to a great start for the Second Years, as True Grit shifts into gear. The focus of True Grit is to allow learners to set two personal goals and then track progress towards those goals. All goals are related to the Sustainable Development Goals of Health & Wellness and Responsible Consumption. The data that learners collect will be used as evidence of their progress and success, which they will capture on an infographic, and present to their peers at the end of the project. Ask your learner what their True Grit goals are, and how you can support them!
Please see the linked True Grit Parent Letter for more information.
Ms. Ojeda held a Titan Talk with 2nd years on Friday about being "academically-minded", stressing the seriousness of learning progress and expectations for learning for all students. She referenced the Learner Profile of Academy as well. Many were very excited to share their goals and career interests with a strong desire to get the most of their year. Ask your learner about the message and what steps your learner might take next to ensure he/she is meeting expected academic outcomes.
The Habits of Mind poster below is a great resource to engage your child in conversation with the mindsets that power learning and perseverance.
1st Years
Please follow this link to access the iTitan Parent Letter. This letter provides an overview of the project for you and includes ways for you to support your learner along the way.
Course updates:
- Geography: In geography this week we started talking about cultural diffusion. You could ask your student about how cultural diffusion works.
- Engineering/Technology: We began building a foundation of the engineering design process and learned about communication styles and how they can impact our teams effectiveness and efficiency.
- Art: Beginning first independent project, gridded graphite still life with focus on values/shading, form and composition.
- Math: This past week, we were able to think critically about patterns and algebra while discussing as a class the various approaches and ideas that are possible with a single problem. We also were able to review the order of operations and practice such problems.
- Physics: Students began learning about what makes scientific investigations fair and controlled. We also started learning how to write about scientific processes, as well as communicating scientific data and results.
- English: Students began to write a memoir about their math career to this point so far.
Campus Safety and Security
We are excited to welcome Officer Aaron Graham as our Safety Resource Officer! You may reach Officer Graham by email at aaron.graham@pisd.edu or by phone at 972-905-8144.
Campus Safety Reminders:
- Parents, learners are not permitted to leave the campus in the morning. Our doors are open at 8:15, and learners are expected to enter the building as soon as they arrive, remaining in the cafeteria or LS 1-3 until 9:15 am when they are released to go to their learning spaces. If your child wants off-campus breakfast, snacks, or coffee, please take them to those locations prior to drop off. We know that you are trusting us to protecting their safety as soon as they exit your car or the bus.
- Only 3rd and 4th year learners have access to off-campus lunch with your permission. Learners are expected to be in their designated learning space by or before 1:30 pm.
- All learners now have an ID Badge. ID Badges MUST be worn at all times by staff and students at all PISD high and senior high school campuses. We require the badge to be visible, on a lanyard around the neck or clipped onto their shirts. Badges on lanyards hanging out of pants pockets or clipped to backpacks or keys is not permitted. The purpose of the badge is for immediate identification of the learner and staff member.
- If your child forgets his/her badge, Ms. Chappelear will print a visitor sticker for that one day. We do not charge to reprint the badge if it is lost. Ms. Brar will be happy to make a new badge if needed.
Tip Line to Report Campus Concerns
IMPORTANT: Your tip will be provided to campus and/or District administrators, but this tip line is not monitored 24 hours per day and is not intended as a substitute for calling 911 or making a report to law-enforcement in an emergency. If the situation is an emergency, or if students or staff may be in imminent danger, please immediately call local law enforcement first.
NOTE: Using the Tip Line to make a false report or threat of violence involving a school is punishable as a felony under Texas Law.
The District maintains a tip line to allow parents, students and community members to report concerns affecting our campuses. This includes threats, bullying, drug use, suspected abuse or neglect and any number of other concerns that may affect the physical safety or health of our students.
It is important to provide as many details as possible (dates/times/names/locations, etc) so that your tip may be investigated appropriately. You may remain anonymous, but is often helpful if we can contact you for additional information if needed.
Please click on the following link to make a report: https://asp.schoolmessenger.com/planoisd/quicktip/