ALA Aviator Alert - HS
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ALA HS Aug. 27, 2020 Weekly Update
Happy Friday, Aviator HS Families!
We made it!! For the first time in my 25 years serving in education, we opened school virtually! I can not thank each of you enough for your patience and understanding as we worked through those little first-day bumps together. By now, we hope your student is feeling more confident with his or her schedule and the flow of activities.
Speaking of flow, today offered our first opportunity to test our Friday flex learning schedule. Naturally, there were fewer activities scheduled today than there will be in the future, but the basic premise for the Friday schedule is to allow teachers the opportunity to schedule short quizzes, group activity time, conference meetings, workshop learning, enrichment activities (such as newspaper), guest speakers, etc. with a dedicated time that is consistent throughout the quarter. Our math and science team has the 9-10AM slot each Friday, and our Humanities team schedules the 10-11AM slot. Quality teaching and learning activities will be taking place, so please ensure that your students pay attention to their teachers' announcements each week to know what will be expected of them during this time.
Earlier this afternoon, your student also engaged in Advisory with his or her 2A educator. This year's curriculum is based on Sean Covey's SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEENS and a series of instructional activities that were developed by several ALA educators to support our charter's RAISE values. While none of us would argue that core subjects are important, it is also vital that our students develop skills to help them get organized, set goals, cooperate with others, and practice self-care. Advisory time is thus invaluable to this goal. Attendance is taken, and there will be graded activities, so please ensure that your student is in attendance each Friday from 1-2PM. Beginning next week when we kick off Habit #1, BE PROACTIVE, I will share discussion topics and activities that you may choose to engage in as a family to reinforce the learning students are gaining through their Advisory experience.
For your reference, you may click here for a print copy of our first nine weeks' daily schedule for your fridge or notebooks: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x55D-Y3_dq02noHdRaLA2LOoEZwjSyBxeX0yR5y_dmA/edit?usp=sharing
In the week ahead, our high school faculty will meet to continue discussing best practices for remote learning as well as some opportunities for virtual clubs and athletic activities. If you or your student might be interested in starting or assisting with a club or activity, please contact me. Stay tuned as we plan to share an update in the next week or two.
Special note to SOPHOMORE PARENTS - Please see below for information from our counselor Ms. Lipsey about a mandatory seminar for your tenth grader detailing upcoming PreACT testing planned for Nov. 4.
All parents, if you didn't have a chance to read our new counselor Ms. Lipsey's letter of introduction in all of the excitement of our first week together, you'll find it linked here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X0ABWfLnQo5xQmQRV01dVczjB5wUq8AqRNkzDYKEkAY/edit?usp=sharing
There's also a link to Ms. Lipsey's "Corner" if you scroll down our newsletter.
Later THIS AFTERNOON, please be on the lookout for an email from our Managing Director Justin Smith with an update from our August 26 Board Meeting concerning our remote/blended learning instructional plan.
As always, we are eager to aScEnD to new heights with you as this year gets under way. 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
Should you need assistance, please contact your principal Dr. Janice Jett at jjett@alaschoolsnc.org or call our office at 919-842-5411 Monday-Friday from 8:00 - 3:30. Our school website https://www.ascendleadershipacademy.org/ is also a great resource to answer many of the questions you may have about your ALA experience.
Enjoy a well-earned weekend with your loved ones!
Sincerely,
Janice Jett, PhD
ALA HS Principal
Tips for New High School Students from ALA Sophomore Raegan
Attention, Tenth Grade Families...
As required by the State of North Carolina, all 10th graders will participate in the PreACT standardized test this year at ALA on Wed. Nov. 4th, 2020. More information about the administration of the test will be released to families as it gets closer.
We want to make sure all 10th grade students feel prepared and confident in their abilities to take the PreACT. Now is the time to start studying! Ms. Lipsey will be hosting a *mandatory* Sophomore Seminar with information about the PreACT and how to prepare for it Friday, September 11th at 11:00AM. I will also be hosting a follow-up Parent Seminar with the same information on Tuesday, September 15th at 5:00PM for those families that want to be involved. Both seminars will be held on the following Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/tcg-cqab-sqv
While the PreACT is considered a "practice" test and will not show up on your students' college applications, it is still a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with the college testing process. Additionally, many merit scholarship programs ask for PreACT scores when choosing recipients for funding. We encourage all students to take the opportunity seriously and study to prepare. Here's a website to learn more about the PreACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/sophomores.html
More information will be sent later, but if you have any questions, please bring them to the information seminars or email me at slipsey@alaschoolsnc.org.
Thank you,
Sara Lipsey
School Counselor, ALA
- HELPFUL TIPS FOR CANVAS -
ALA High School Open House Video
Math & Science News
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.
From Mr. Blanks - Physics First & Sports Science
Physics First (8/31- 9/4) will be working on Scientific Notation(M&T) and Significant Figures (W&TH). Students should make sure they become familiar with the Physics Reference table (available in assignments in Canvas).
Sports Science students should be prepared for their short presentation on assigned Weird Sport.
Humanities Update
Our Mission
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
Digital Media News
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.
Our tech skills have proven really valuable this week, right? Here's the link for the latest updates from Digital Media guru Ms. Pyrtle:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aqYhJP2Q2V4k3SehmcG88GRd1pAe610BxkWsBuSlFNM/edit?usp=sharing
Electives Corner
Hello Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to the 2020-21 school year here at ALA! The Elective teachers have created, found or adapted lessons to accommodate this year’s learning environment, whether it be remote or blended instruction. We are using the tools and technology available to us to virtually take students to visit an art museum, walk around an historic site in a Spanish-speaking country, hear from leaders in business or nutrition, attend a musical/theatrical performance, learn how to self-care from leaders in mental health, and spend a day in the life of an athlete. Students will then be able to apply what they've learned to their own lives and grow from the experiences. We are excited about the year ahead!
- Mrs. Dawn Louis-Jean, Visual Art
Ascend Leadership Academy High School
Email: jjett@alaschoolsnc.org
Website: https://www.ascendleadershipacademy.org/
Location: 283 Harvey Faulk Road, Sanford, NC, USA
Phone: 919-842-5411
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ascendleadershipacademy
Twitter: @ALAHSPrincipal