Skagit Academy Tuesday Talk
November 14, 2023 - Week #11
American Education Week is This Week: November 13-17
Participating in American Education Week allows individuals to show appreciation for educators and promote the value of education. Here are ways to get involved:
- Thank an Educator: Express your gratitude to teachers, school staff, and education professionals who have made a positive impact on your life or your child’s life.
- Visit Schools: Arrange visits to local schools to learn about the educational programs and initiatives in your community.
- Support Education Initiatives: Get involved in local education initiatives, such as school improvement projects or literacy programs.
- Advocate for Education: Advocate for policies and funding that support quality education in your community and beyond.
- Engage in Education Discussions: Join discussions on education topics and attend educational seminars or workshops.
Congratulations Academy Students and THANKS to the Mount Vernon Fire Department
20 Skagit Academy 8th-12th Graders earned their CPR/First Aid cards this month after attending a training at Skagit Academy sponsored by the Mount Vernon Fire Department (thank you!).
Congratulations to these conscientious and responsible young people who volunteered their time to be a resource in their community (see photo below).
Early Release and Thanksgiving Break
Noon dismissal on Wednesday, November 22. There will be a sack lunch available for those who sign up by Monday, November 20. Please email cmessenger@mvsd320.org to sign up for the sack lunch on that day. Students will get these as they leave for the day.
STAR Assessment Results
All students enrolled in Skagit Academy take the STAR assessment three times per year. STAR is one way for teachers and families to monitor progress in reading and math. Teachers use the information to help individual students, as well as know when a concept needs more teaching class-wide. Families can use this same information to work with their students at home.
When reading a STAR report, there are several things to keep in mind:
- Each STAR assessment shows how a student is doing on that day, at that time. It can vary from day to day and should be used along with other information over time.
- We look for an overall upward trend in growth over time.
- GE stands for “grade equivalent” and is one way to gauge how your student is performing compared to other students in that grade level nationwide.
- PR stands for “percentile rank” and is not out of 100. The 50th percentile is considered the benchmark for each grade level.
- The lightning bolt indicates a focus skill and is a good place to start when working on a particular skill area.
If you have questions, please contact your student’s advisor.
Join the Fun in our Upcoming Spirit Weeks!
DRESS-UP WEEK is 11/27-12/1
Monday - Book Character Day
Tuesday - 20's Day
Wednesday - PJ Day
Thursday - PJ Day
Friday - Anything But a Backpack Day
SWEATER WEEK is 12/11-12/15
It's time to sport your favorite festive, ugly, or cozy sweater!
PREP & AC UPDATES
PREP 5/6 Update
This month in advising: Showing Gratitude
This month, Prep students are going to focus on showing gratitude, an activity that is proven to have significant impact on mental and physical health! It's great for all ages.
*Improves sleep
*Supports heart health
*Lessens anxiety and depression
*Reduces stress
Aside from all those benefits, it helps build relationships and promote community.
AC 7-12 Update
This month in advising: Self-Management
This month, students will be focusing on:
*Stress Management
*Motivation
**These topics were among the top 5 categories from our student survey last year as important to cover!
11/12 Update
This week in advising:
Running Start registration is happening now! All students have received their RSEVFs and should be registering as soon as the block is cleared.
Click here for the November 11/12 Raven Update
*Questions? Email kjohnston@mvsd320.org
Fall Semester Student Surveys
We will be giving a student voice survey to PREP students on November 27 and AC students on November 28 (2-parts) during their advising sessions.
Anonymous results of the 1st part of the survey (Prep and AC) will be used to help the district make an effective plan for equity and inclusion. The 2nd part of the survey (AC only) is for Skagit Academy and will be used to assist Ms. Katrina and Ms. Brigitta address topics that are important to students in advising.
Please email kjohnston@mvsd320.org if you have questions.
ATTEND TODAY... ACHIEVE TOMORROW!
- Students who attend a school sponsored sporting events as an athlete is an excused absence.
- Students who attend a school sponsored sporting events as a spectator (even if a family member) is an UNEXCUSED absence.
Absence Reminder #2:
- Students who have a doctor appointment is an excused absence.
- Students who acoompany a sibling, parent, or any other person to a doctor appointment is an UNEXCUSED absence.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Because we have so few onsite school days, please make every effort to schedule doctor appointments on a day when a student is working remotely instead of having them miss onsite class. Thank you.
Nov 22 Noon Dismissal (sack lunches available if you sign up in advance)
Nov 23-24 Thanksgiving Break (no onsite classes)
Nov 27-Dec 1 Spirit Week!
Nov 29 CPR class hosted by Parent Leadership Team
Dec 18- Jan 1 Winter Break (classes resume 1/2/24)
Jan 15 MLK Day (no onsite classes)
Jan 22-26 ALE Work Week (no onsite classes or at-home work, teachers available by request)
Click on this email link to report your absence:
Please report your student's absence in a timely manner for the absence to be considered excused. It's an important first step of the truancy reporting process. Thank you!
Valid justification needs to accompany the absence report. Include the information about the nature of the absence when calling or emailing.
Click here for: November Lunch Menu
Order a lunch two different ways:
- Recurring lunches on a particular day or days your student will be on campus for lunch.
- On the day of the lunch by 9:00am.
cmessenger@mvsd320.org and kbrooks@mvsd320.org
Email at the same time to make sure your lunch order is accounted for.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
SKAGIT ACADEMY RESOURCES
Skagit Academy
Email: kjohnston@mvsd320.org
Website: http://skagitacademy.mountvernonschools.org
Location: 2001 Cleveland Avenue, Mount Vernon, Washington, USA
Phone: (360) 428.6206
Non-Discrimination Policy
ENGLISH: The Mount Vernon School District does not discriminate in employment, programs, or activities on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District's Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent William Nutting, bnutting@mvsd320.org or the Section 504/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Clint Carlton, Director of Special and Support Services, ccarlton@mvsd320.org, 124 E. Lawrence St., Mount Vernon, WA, (360) 428-6110.
SPANISH: El Distrito Escolar de Mount Vernon no discrimina en ninguno de los programas o actividades según el sexo, la raza, el credo, la religión, el color, el origen nacional, la edad, el ser veterano o la situación militar, la orientación sexual, la expresión de género, la identidad de género, discapacidad o el uso de un perro guía capacitado o animal de servicio y proporciona un acceso equitativo a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos de jóvenes designados. Se ha designado a los siguientes empleados para encargarse de las preguntas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Bill Nutting, Superintendente Asistente y Coordinador del cumplimiento de los derechos civiles o Coordinador del Título IX, 124 E. Lawrence Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360)428-6110 o Clint Carlton, Director de servicios especiales y de apoyo y Coordinador de la legislación para los Estadounidenses con discapacidades o la Sección 504, 920 S. Second Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360)428-6141.
RUSSIAN: Маунт Вернон школьный округ предоставляет равные права и возможности участия во всех программах или видах деятельности независимо от пола, расы, вероисповедания, религиозных взглядов, цвета кожи, национальности, возраста, статуса ветерана или военнослужащего, сексуальной ориентации, гендерного самовыражения или самоопределения, инвалидности или использования обученной собаки-поводыря или животного-поводыря, и предоставляет равный доступ бойскаутам и другим специализированным молодёжным группам. С вопросами и жалобами о возможной дискриминации обращайтесь к следующему ответственному работнику (работникам): Титул IX, координатор по соблюдению гражданских прав, Билл Наттинг, помощник суперинтенданта, 124 E. Lawrence Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360)428-6110; Секция 504 / Координатор ADA, Клинт Карлтон, Директор Специальных и Вспомогательных Служб, 920 S. Second Street Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360)428-6141.
For additional information, CLICK HERE: MVSD Equity & Nondiscrimination