GVP Family News
January 22, 2021
A Note From The Principal
Greetings Parents and Scholars,
Big Shout Out! John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. I traditionally finish my newsletter celebrating our teachers. Teachers are notably acknowledged in a section entitled “Big Shout Out”. Many teachers are highlighted there for their work in the classroom and their impact on our scholars. However, this week I wanted to start my newsletter off with expressing my gratitude for the real “Superheroes” the “MVPs” our Teachers. You have been on the frontline daily educating our scholars through such difficult times. Your personal phone calls home, your extension of deadlines and your patience and dedication has not gone unnoticed. I personally thank you and pledge to live by these words of gratitude as well.
State Testing and You. Parents last week I discussed our campus has been preparing our scholars for success all year. Each week we discuss our academic goal and what we have done that week to address any deficiency in our scholars. Now as we look forward to our state assessments (IREAD & ILEARN) we would like to share some resources and insights with you and our scholars. We would like for our 3rd grade parents and scholars to attend our Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, February 3rd so we can discuss the IREAD assessment. We will also hold a similar Town Hall meeting for our 3rd – 8th grade parents and scholars to address the ILEARN assessment. To ensure we reach everyone, the Zoom link for each of these meetings will be in our newsletter, emailed and texted to each parent and included on our website. Please join us! We are here to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with resources. You will also hear about our academic plan. If we all work together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Please continue to communicate with us if we can be of any assistance please let us know.
Wow! I will conclude this section in celebration of our 2021 Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden. Our scholars had an opportunity this week to watch one of our nation’s most celebrated events. We all watched it as American not separated by party. Images of Kamala Harris, our first female African American and Asian Vice President was indeed historical. This image as well as the image of Amanda Gorman, the youngest female African American poet to deliver a poem at our nation’s Inauguration was simply amazing. Since her speech was so inspirational, we have included it in our section below because it speaks to the aspiration of people and hope for our future.
Scholars First,
Dr. Sue Starr
NWEA Window
IREAD Townhall
The state mandated IREAD-3 assessment is quickly approaching. We will be holding two townhall sessions on Zoom on February 3 at 1:00pm and 6:00pm to provide valuable information regarding this assessment. During this townhall, we will break down the assessment, discuss what we are doing to prepare your scholar and provide resources so you may assist your scholar in preparing for this important assessment. Please plan on attending one of these sessions.
Additional information and a link to the Zoom will be provided next week.
Enrollment
The Hill We Climb
“When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry. A sea we must wade.
We braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn't always justice.
And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished.
We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.
And, yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn't mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.
And so we lift our gaze, not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.
We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.
We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true.
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we'll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.
Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.
If we're to live up to our own time, then victory won't lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we've made.
That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare.
It's because being American is more than a pride we inherit.
It's the past we step into and how we repair it.
We've seen a force that would shatter our nation, rather than share it.
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.
And this effort very nearly succeeded.
But while democracy can be periodically delayed, it can never be permanently defeated.
In this truth, in this faith we trust, for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.
This is the era of just redemption.
We feared at its inception.
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour.
But within it we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.
So, while once we asked, how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe, now we assert, how could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be: a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.
We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, become the future.
Our blunders become their burdens.
But one thing is certain.
If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children's birthright.
So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the golden hills of the West.
We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the Midwestern states.
We will rise from the sun-baked South.
We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.
And every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful, will emerge battered and beautiful.
When day comes, we step out of the shade of flame and unafraid.
The new dawn balloons as we free it.
For there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it.
If only we're brave enough to be it.”
Updated Attendance Policy
High School Enrollment
PLA University
A new workforce development program is underway to respond to the growing economic challenges faced by Indy’s underserved communities. PLA University is a tuition-free training program created to provide PLA families with the access, skills, experience and job placement support to realize their full earning potential.
READ MORE HERE.
Virtual Learning Norms
- Be aware of your scholar's environment and work on providing the least distracting environment possible. (Sibling disruptions, talking, TVs and other electronics running in the background, etc.)
- Scholars may benefit from using earbuds or headphones during class.
- Virtual class is from 8am to 3pm each day. Please ensure your scholar working during the entire duration.
- If, as a parent, you are following along with your scholar and have a question, teachers are available to assist you from 1:00 to 3:00 during teacher on call hours.
- Do your best to provide a routine for your scholar. Having a set bedtime, a wake up time and breakfast are vital for your scholar's success.
We are incredibly grateful for all the support you have shown with your scholar the last few weeks. Virtual learning is impossible without you! Thank you!
Technology Troubleshooting Guide
Weekly Meal Distribution
Meal distribution will take place every Monday from 8am to 1pm in our parking lot. Scholars will receive 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and milk. If you are in need of meals for your scholar, please come to the school during this time. Remain in your vehicle and a member of Side Street will deliver the meals to your car. If you are unable to make it during this window, please contact the main office and we will work to make arrangements for you.
STEM Update
As we take on the new year, we will continue to learn how to program. Programming on the computer is a segue to the new chapter in our STEM class. We want to engage scholars with hands-on activities to keep them interested. Scholars need learning that keeps their minds wondering and with hands-on activities we believe that we can achieve the level of enthusiasm and engagement that we are looking for.
Having STEM gives our scholars the ability to learn about different professions that they might not be exposed to. As the school year continues, we will indulge in topics and terminology that will increase their mindset to change the world.
Mark Your Calendars
NWEA Assessment Window Opens - February 1
Teacher PD Day (Virtual Learning) - February 3
IREAD Townhall (Third Grade Families) - February 3
NWEA Assessment Window Closes - February 5
President's Day (No School) - February 15
Have Questions? Contact Us Today!
George and Veronica Phalen Leadership Academy is an A-rated, tuition free charter school serving grades K-8. Our scholars experience hands-on learning with high-quality teachers in small class sizes. We work to help our scholars master key academic skills, and demonstrate strong character, as exhibited by: honesty, service to others, a superior work ethic, and a strong vision for and belief in their futures.
Email: sstarr@phalenacademies.org
Website: gvp.phalenacademies.org
Location: 2323 North Illinois Street, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA
Phone: 317.333.6980
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GVPhalen
Twitter: @GVPhalen
Return to E-Learning
Blackboard Information
Additional information on how to navigate the Blackboard platform can be found in the document below.
School-wide Academic Goals
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, scholars will achieve an IREAD 3 pass rate of 85%.
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, ILEARN ELA scores will increase 3-5%.
- By the end of the 2020-2021 school year, scholars will hit or be above the 55th percentile of growth in Math from BOY to EOY on NWEA.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal Access
As we partner together for our scholars success, we want to ensure you have real-time access to your scholar's academic journey at GVP. With your scholar's report card, you should have received a personalized link for your scholar(s).
Here is a short Getting Started video to check out:
https://kb.infinitecampus.com/help/getting-started-with-campus-parent-and-campus-student-video
Infinite Campus is a network-wide student information system designed to manage attendance, grades, schedules, assessments, and other information about our scholars.
Parents and Learning Coaches have access to Campus Portal. It is a confidential and secure website that allows you to log in and view your scholars' progress. There is also an app available for both iOS and Android devices on our website.
Logging into the Campus Portal will allow you to view the following
real-time information about your child: demographics, attendance, grades, and report cards.
If you have additional questions regarding Infinite Campus - Campus Portal, please email operations@phalenacademies.org.