May 5, 2023

Greetings Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Families,

Happy Friday! Earlier this week I thought we were back to Winter as cold as it was, but today we are back to warmer temperatures and sunshine. Have you ever heard this saying?, It is always darkest before day, meaning that even though things MAY seem challenging or tough, it will not last forever and better days are coming, and it's usually something GREAT (better than expected) waiting on the other side if we never give up and keep pressing forward no matter what. The changes in our weather making things gloomy, our scholars persevering through testing and giving it their best, and our Class of 2023 graduates working hard to end the year strong to earn their last credits for their diploma, made me think of this and I hope it encourages someone.

We will continue ILearn make-up next week for those who were unable to join on us their originally scheduled days, as we know that life happens, so we MUST see you next week as the testing window will close.

PLA Virtual is working hard to meet our Indiana state mandated goals and expectations to ensure all scholars in the designated grades take their required iLearn assessments during this testing window. As a publicly funded school with a strong desire to know where our scholars are academically to best support their academic growth, we must ensure that all scholars complete the ILearn assessment during their designated grade levels.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Carol Sepaniak, our State Testing Coordinator, csepaniak@phalenacademies.org.

Have you registered your scholar for Summer Advantage> If not, what are you waiting on? I would like to personally invite you to join us this summer for Summer Advantage. This is an amazing opportunity for our scholars to have fun learning this summer and stay connected with their teachers and friends! We have shared invites as we ONLY have 60 open available seats. We are opening up this wonderful FREE opportunity for our current K-8 families who want to join us! Seats are extremely limited so please contact Angie Baker to reserve your spot. You do not want to miss this FREE opportunity to participate from June 7-June 30, 2023.

NEWSFLASH! Previously, qualified families were not eligible for PEBT if their children attended a virtual school. Legislation recently changed, and as promised, if it ever changed, I would be the FIRST to inform you. Please see below if you qualify and the deadline is May 15, 2023. PLA Virtual cannot and does NOT apply for you, you MUST apply on your own if you want to be considered and I have included the link below.

Have a wonderful, safe and fun weekend and enjoy the sunshine outside and inside YOU!

With Gratitude,

Dr. Townsend, Principal

New From the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA): Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (PEBT) Eligibility

Families who meet certain income requirements and have chosen home or virtual school for their children due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for PEBT (federal food assistance), but they must act quickly. Families must apply for this benefit before Monday, May 15.

Families who meet the qualifications below are encouraged to visit FSSA’s PEBT webpage to apply. The PEBT Home or Virtual School Program provides benefits for:

• Students in kindergarten through grade two
• Who are attending home or virtual school for COVID-related reasons
• Who are determined to be eligible for free/reduced price meals due to their family’s income
• Students in grades three through 12
• Who were enrolled at an NSLP (free/reduced lunch) eligible school and switched to home/virtual school after the Federal Public Health Emergency began on January 27, 2020, and
• Who are attending home or virtual school for COVID-related reasons
• Who are determined to be eligible for free/reduced price meals due to their family’s income

Families can find the application and other information about PEBT here. More information about FSSA and all its divisions and programs is available at www.IN.gov/FSSA. PEBT Homeschool/Virtual School Technical Support can also be reached via telephone at 317-664-7272.

Monday- How many kids do you want when you are older?

Tuesday- Are you scared of any animal?

Wednesday- If you could have 100 of something smaller than your hand what would it be?

Thursday- You get a free airline ticket… where would you go?

Friday- What does your dream job look like?

Attendance is key to your scholar’s success!

If your scholar will be absent for any reason, please let our Attendance Clerk, Mrs. DeHaven, know as soon as possible. You can email her at tdehaven@phalenacademies.org or call the attendance line at 317-829-6065.

**Reminder--after 5 absences called in by the scholar's Learning Coach, we will require a doctor's note for further excused absences.**

ILEARN BEGINS (ALL Scholars in Grades 3-8 and High School Biology)

April 17-May 12, 2023

High School Field Trip--Trine University College Tour Day

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Class of 2023 Senior Banquet--Invitation Only

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Elementary Field Trip --Indianapolis Zoo

Monday, May 15, 2023

10:30am

Finals Week for Class of 2023

Week of May 15, 2023

Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony--Invitation Only

Friday, May 20, 2023

High School Final Exams

May 25-31, 2023

8th Grade Bridging Ceremony (Virtually)

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

12:30pm

Last Day of Quarter 4--Grading Period Ends for Semester 2

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Field Day with our Sister School, Promise Prep

Friday, June 2, 2023

Lee Road Park

11:00am-2:00pm

Scholar Last Day of School

Friday, June 2, 2023

Teacher and Staff Last Day of School

Monday, June 5, 2023

http://instagram.com/plavirtualk12/

https://twitter.com/PLAVirtualK12

TikTok Coming Soon!

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.

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.

https://bit.ly/PLAVIRTUAL_APP