Titan eNews
Weekly Campus Update
Mission: To create a community of learners empowered to collaborate and compete in a rapidly changing world.
Progress Report FAQ’s
What should I expect from this 9 week report?
It is important to remember that learning progress is continuous at Academy High School. The mid-semester 9 week report is a progress report, or snap-shot, of learning progress. It is not a final nine week score as you may receive on traditional campuses.
How is a “Current Course Score” determined for the 9 week report?
The facilitator updates each learning target that is relevant to learning in the 9 week period. The learning target, and its score, is represented on the progress report. To learn more about how the learning target score is determined, login to Empower and view the evidences within each learning target.
What if the digital progress report and the paper report have different learning targets?
That may happen and that is to be expected. The digital report not only updates more immediately, it is intended to share progress and information about what your learner is actively working on. The overall learning target score should be updated every two weeks based on activities within the target.
What if the Current Course Score does not makes sense? What if a learning target does not make sense?
The best person to contact with questions about scoring or reporting is the facilitator for the course. You can find facilitator information using this link.
Will a course score change between now and the end of the semester?
Yes. A semester course score takes into consideration all learning targets addressed in the semester. The 9 week progress report is only a snapshot of the learning that has taken place up to that point. All additional learning is considered for the end of semester course score. This means that additional learning targets can cause an overall score to be lower than it was at the 9 week progress reporting time. It can also mean that additional targets demonstrate strong learning and the course score is higher than it was at the 9 week progress reporting time. The most important thing to consider as you track learning progress is the totality of evidence provided by the learner demonstrating proficiency with the learning target.
How do I know if my learner is progressing, or “on track”, to meet a specific score/outcome at the end of the semester?
The final semester score is based on all learning targets scored in the semester. Continue to monitor progress on the learning targets in the digital progress report view. There are features in the new parent/learner portal which allow you to see updates when an activity is scored or when a learning target is updated. You can also sort activities based on scores or to see if there are missing activities. This video will walk you through the updated parent/learner portal.
ATTENTION SENIORS!
Jostens will be here Tuesday, March 26 from 8:30-9:30 AM in the cafeteria to deliver caps/gowns and announcements.
If you have a balance due, they will only be accepting cash and money orders.
A picture ID will be needed to pick up your items.
If you have not placed your order yet you can do so by going to www.jostens.com<http://www.jostens.com/ or by calling 1-800-567-8367 and ordering over the phone.
Juniors and Seniors - It is not too late to order your class ring! You can also order your class jewelry on this day and receive it before school is out. You can order at www.jostens.com<http://www.jostens.com/
Counselor's Corner
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS IN OUR AREA
Boston University will be hosting a reception for high school sophomores and juniors and their families. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to learn more about BU and what makes an application competitive for admission.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre
5410 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Dallas, TX 75240
Registration: 12:30 p.m.
Presentation: 1:00 p.m.
All students who plan to attend should RSVP on our website.
Summer Opportunities for Learners
Summer Engineering Camp at SMU
https://mailchi.mp/lyle/summer-camps-at-smu-lyle-school-of-engineering-595723?e=763ccc66d4
Stanford University Programs for High School Students
https://summer.stanford.edu/apply-now?utm_source=BN1Reco_Mar20
Physics Camp for Young Women at UTD
https://designconnectcreate.org/utd/
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Long Island University Entrepreneurship Academy
This summer, Long Island University is launching the Entrepreneurship Academy, a weeklong intensive program for ambitious students planning to major in business. Admitted students engage in hands-on experiences that provide insight into career paths in business and receive leadership coaching from former executives who’ve held positions such as: Managing Director at Merrill Lynch, Marketing Director at Bloomberg, and Partner at E&Y. Students cap off their career exploration experience with a visit to a Fortune 500 company.
During the Academy, students get a taste of college life while dorming at our rural Post campus on Long Island and visiting our city campus in Brooklyn.
Students may choose from two sessions: June 23 – June 29 or July 21 – July 27.
Top candidates are passionate about business and leaders in their school communities who are eager for opportunities to advance their presentation and leadership skills while learning more about potential career paths in business.
Ideal candidates meet the following criteria:
· Professional, driven leaders in their school communities
· Current juniors planning to major in Business
· Cumulative GPA above 90, 1200 PSAT
Tuition and lodging are offered free of charge. A fee of $100 is collected for materials and students are responsible for food and transportation costs.
**If you are interested in being considered for this program, please see your counselor.
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PLANO YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Plano Youth Leadership (PYL) is now accepting applications for its 2019-2020 class (Class 25). Students currently enrolled in the 9th grade and planning to enter the 10th grade during the 2019-2020 school year are eligible to apply. Applicants must reside in the area served by the Plano Independent School District (PISD) or within the City of Plano, regardless of whether the applicant attends public or private school or is home schooled.
PYL provides students with an opportunity to explore leadership and learn more about becoming effective leaders, working with different leadership styles, and increasing awareness of the Plano community, all in order to help prepare them to make positive impacts on their community today and in the future. Through a series of monthly class sessions during the school year, students develop the confidence and knowledge they need to succeed in leadership positions while learning about local leadership and service opportunities.
According to Monica Shortino, former PYL Board President, "Plano Youth Leadership is a unique opportunity for tenth-grade students to develop critical leadership skills while building comprehensive knowledge of the community they live. The program’s experience allows students to learn first-hand from community leaders representing government, education, community service and business to get involved in making our community even stronger.” Cole Shockey, a PYL alumnus and current Student Advisor, adds, “PYL was an amazing experience. The program helped me discover my potential as a leader, allowed me to develop skills that made an immediate and lasting impact, and inspired me to expand my vision of the future.”
The PYL Selection Committee chooses participants representing a cross section of the community based on information provided in the written application. Completed applications must be submitted by April 15, 2019. Applications are available on the Plano Youth Leadership website: planoyouthleadership.org.
Tuition for the program is $175 per participant, and need-based scholarships are available for qualified students.
For additional information, contact support@planoyouthleadership.org or President-Elect Beccy Alldredge: beccy.jlp@sbcglobal.net.
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United States Naval Academy Summer Program Applications Open Now
Summer STEM
STEM is all about exploring, creating, building, and making things better, and at our Summer STEM Program, you’ll do just that. You’ll work with students from all over the country as you test your problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills.
Summer Seminar
Summer Seminar will introduce you to life at the Academy, where you will experience first-class academic, athletic, and professional training at the #1 public college in the U.S.* (Top 25 Public College in the U.S. 2017, Forbes). Your Summer Seminar application will also serve as a preliminary application to the Academy that you will complete before or during your senior year.
For more information or to apply: https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/index.php
First Years
First years are excited to be wrapping up their project: Lights, Camera, Action! This week in Engineering with Mr. Hudnall, learners put the finishing touches on instruments they created-from concept design to real product.
In Art/Tech with Mr. McCoy, learners continued editing their films in preparation for the upcoming film festival. It will be Tuesday, April 2nd at the Academy from 6:00 PM-7:30 PM. Dress is casual.
In Math with Mr. Stone, the learners have been working on problem solving skills involving quadratic equations and will soon be jumping to a unit on data and how to best fit functions to the data that they have acquired.
In Geography, learners have been working in pairs this week on an assigned region. They have been trying to figure out what makes a region distinct. Next week, we will continue looking at regions and comparing the social, political and economic factors that can lead to or inhibit mobility.
Finally, in English, learners continued finding sources for their research paper and they began writing the rough draft portion which is due on Friday, March 29th with the final draft due on April 5th.
We are excited for parents and family members to see the hard work and effort put into the films & animations and we hope to see you at the LCA Film Festival. Popcorn and snacks will be available for sale.
Second Years
Dissection week at Academy is almost at an end! This week the Second Years built knowledge around anatomy and body systems, via dissection of fetal pigs. Learners have been incredibly engaged in this hands-on experience, which required them to learn how to make a surgical incision. As one Second Year reported it, “The pig dissection was a really cool experience, something I had never done before, and I learned a lot...it was really fun.”
Second Years have been working hard on their video game, and Change the Game is coming along swimmingly. Booth development is underway, and multiple deliverables have already been completed. As the departments finish up music, art and animation, programming and coding are in full swing, and games are coming together. We are excited to see what is done in the next couple weeks as Change the Game wraps up, excitement and stress levels may be elevated. Be sure to visit the Academy on May 4th, from 5:30-7:00 to see the great things our Second Year learners have developed.
Third Years
Dear Third Year Parent,
Welcome to the last project of the third-year, Going Viral. We will be exploring different types of disasters as we answer the question, “How Do We Build Resilience for Extraordinary Events?” This will be accomplished by researching pandemics, epidemics, natural disasters, and manmade disasters, then exploring how communities can prevent and respond to these types of extraordinary events.
How are we doing this?
Learners will synthesize research in order to develop a plan to prevent or respond to natural disasters, man-made disasters, or epidemics caused by infectious disease and present their findings and recommendations to attendees of a preparedness conference.
How are we going to show this?
Teams of learners will prepare for the 2019 Plano Academy High School Preparedness Summit taking place the last week of school where they will showcase and share their research findings, best practice training models, tools, and/or other resources that advance the field and serve the community.
What does it look like?
Learners will craft a professional and well designed presentation that includes:
In depth research on a disaster including a well crafted message of how they will prevent and/or respond to such extraordinary events
Mathematical analysis of the effects of disasters/ emergencies using exponential functions (with logarithms as needed), logistic functions, symmetry, and hypothesis testing
An analysis of environmental impacts
Historical grounding of the likelihood of such an event occurring in a given area and historical documentation of the effects of previous events on the surrounding community.
A prototype of a new or refined engineering solution
Learners will craft a well reasoned argument around an ethical topic and present solutions in an essay.
Learners will create scratchboard art regarding fear.
Learners will make intaglio prints from closely observing scientific matter.
What are the phases of the project? What are the deadlines?
Phase I: What is a Crisis/Disaster?, 3/18/19 – 3/22/19
Entry Event 3/18/19
Printmaking Pre-Assessment 3/19/19
Define problem and type of presentation, start teaming 3/22/19
Individual Project Charter Due 3/22/19
Phase II: Problem Selection and Planning, 3/23/19 – 4/5/19
Pandemic Art History due 3/25/19
Lock in problem, presentation type, and team 3/27/19
Greenhouse Gasses Lab 3/28/19-3/29/19
Begin Presidential Digital Storytelling Storyboard 3/29/19
Eco Fair 4/1/2019
Summit Application due 4/3/19
Establish prototype plan 4/3/19
Presidential Digital Storytelling Presentation Due 4/5/19
Ethical Argument Essay Due 4/5/19
Summit application back to learners 4/5/19
Phase III: Research, Solving, and Prototyping, 4/8/19 – 4/26/19
Presidential Story Presentations 4/8/19 - 4/10/19
Materials List due 4/9/19
Revised Summit App due 4/10/19
140 Character Summary due 4/10/19
Materials List finalized and order placed 4/12/19
Finalize Invite List 4/16/19
Printmaking Assessment 4/18/19
Send professional invites 4/23/19
Fab lab time for prototypes 4/24/19- 4/25/19
Printmaking Plate 4/25/19
Script Outline due 4/26/19
Prototype constructed by 4/26/19
Phase IV: Presentation, 4/29/19 – 5/25/19
Prototype Feedback (Final Test and Refine) 5/1/19
Script due 5/2/19
Script Reading 5/3/19
USH STAAR 5/8/19
Printmaking due 5/9/19
Printmaking Artist Statement 5/10/19
Presentation with prototype complete 5/10/19
Peer Reviews 5/13/19 – 5/14/19
Dress Rehearsals 5/17/19
Presentations 5/21/19 & 5/22/19
How can you help?
Guest Speaker Needs: We are looking for public health, health care, disaster relief, emergency management, and other professionals nationwide to provide feedback to our learners and attend the 2019 Plano Academy High School Preparedness Summit. Any expertise or connections that you are able to provide would be greatly appreciated. To volunteer or for more information, please contact russell.young@pisd.edu
Questions for the dinner table:
Phase 1 & 2
What are some of the different types of disasters that you explored?
What is a specific example of a man-made disaster, natural disaster, or epidemic that you researched?
What do you think could have been done to prevent the disasters that you researched?
How do you think governments and private organizations should respond to different types of disasters?
How can community’s leaders inform their citizens of certain disasters?
How has art been influenced by disasters?
How have the rise and fall of different populations affected the environments around them? How does a new species impact the rise and fall of another species and the environment around them?
What are some examples of policies that Plano ISD has put in place to prevent and/or respond to natural disasters?
What disaster will you or your team be focusing on?
Phase 3 & 4
Have you shown through hypothesis testing this disaster is valid to study? What results did you get?
Have you modeled the spread of disease/damage for your disaster? What is the model? After how much time are there turning points in the level of damage/spread?
What are the elements of your emergency response system?
Will your team be focusing on prevention, responses, or informing?
What method of presentation will you be using for the preparedness summit?
What solution will your team be presenting? What does your prototype look like?
Sincerely,
The 3rd Year Facilitator Team
Fourth Years
This week the 4th Year learners began their final project of the year, Mars Attacks. In Mars Attacks learners will hypothesize why humans may have to some day leave Earth to colonize Mars. Next, the learners will have to colonize Mars and play a game designed to test their survival. In Government this week learners began their study of different government types. The learners will create their own government, including their own constitution over the next couple of weeks. In SRD, learners worked towards creating a conclusion section for the Final Research Project. The purpose of the conclusion section is to summarize the key points from the major areas of research and findings in their Capstone Project. In English this week, learners were introduced to the Collaborative Interview assignment. This assignment allows learners to engage in a close read of a text, in our case, a science fiction text, to analyze how the literary devices employed advance the author’s purpose and perspective. They will use the short story, “The Machine Stops,” by E.M. Forster as the text for this work. In Compsi this week, learners began to examine the basics of computer networking. Basic hardware components and network layout designs were explored. Learners also learned about the Domain Name System (DNS), the “address book” of the internet.
Suburban Soul Presentation Night
On Monday of this week, learners presented their Revitalization Plan at Plano City Hall. It was a great end to a project that many felt personally invested in considering the plans highlighted a Plano they would like to see in the near future.
Awards were given to the following teams:
Most Soulful - Alex Lomonaco, Alex Gonzalez, Takaru Kitagwa-Barnes, and Gregory Kellmeyer
Most Needed Revitalization - Erin Wanek, Cali Marsh, Cole Shockey, Sierra Mcmillen, and Courtney Grope
Most Family-Friendly Plan - Kennadi Cook, Sam Battista, Matthew Orsborn, and Maverick O’Brien
From our Plano Academy High School PTSA
attention parents and even 8th grade parents coming to academy hs
How would you like to know all about the exciting events coming up at Academy HS? How would you like to make an impact with your kids and the school? Would you like to get to know your teen’s high school peers, their parents, teachers and administrators? Keep Calm and Be a Part of our PTSA at Academy HS.
We are looking for anyone interested in serving on our Executive Board Next Year Please let us know if you are interested in serving as any of these positions by emailing nominating@planoacademyptsa.org
President
First VP - Membership
Second VP - Programs
Third VP - Ways and Means
Fourth VP - Communications
Fifth VP - Volunteers
Treasurer
Secretary
We also have several chair positions available, some even allow you to volunteer from the comfort of your couch! Please email president@planoacademyptsa.org for more info.
our ptsa has several opportunities available for you!
Teacher Appreciation - Staff Casserole Day
Senior Banquet Tickets - 5/21
Please click
Plano Academy High School PTSA - Plano ISD, TX - Membership ToolKit
Senior Baby Pictures Needed
Graduation will be here before you know it and we are busy preparing a delightful senior banquet for all seniors and their families. We need your help as we try to gather a baby pic for each learner. Please just send one photo in any format to babyseniors@planoacademyptsa.org.
Mark your calendars now for the senior banquet on May 21st at 6:30-8:30 pm at Celebration Event Center at 2165 W. Park Blvd. in Plano.