PLA Virtual News
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy
"Bytes" From Your School Leader
September 24, 2021
Greetings Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy Families,
Happy Friday! Did you notice the weather change this week? The first day of Fall was Wednesday, September 22, 2021 and the Indianapolis weather went from Summer to almost Winter and Back to Fall. I don't know about you, but I was truly grateful for Virtual Learning, as we did not have to leave home in the cold and were still able to have access to the BEST highly qualified teachers leading classrooms virtually (I am a bit partial, but it is 100% true).
We are beyond grateful for our PLA Virtual Family and Community. Although we may not see each other face to face, we will forever be intentional to find ways to stay connected and always keep our lines of communication open and fluid for the sake of our scholars/our future.
I would like to cordially invite you to join me for our First Fridays Coffee and Conversation at 9:00am EST via Zoom. Our first one will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021. I truly hope you can join me! It is a time to share your ideas, learn about what's new/upcoming this year, learn how you can participate in our school community, share what is working, ideas for improvement, connect with other Learning Coaches and more.
I am pleased to share that Infinite Campus Student Portal Access letters were shared with some families beginning this week and will continue to be sent out next week and Campus Parent Portal Access Information beginning the Week of September 27, 2021. If you want to get a head start, be sure to download the PLA app (continue reading for more information at the end of this edition of our newsletter). In addition, we will have a Help Session at Parents in Touch to support you in setting up your account and knowing where to go to log attendance and check grades.
With Gratitude,
Dr. Townsend
We Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 -October 15, 2021
Indianapolis National Hispanic Heritage Month Family Events
INDIANAPOLIS — National Hispanic Heritage Month has officially begun! Check out these upcoming events below:
- Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021: Library Hispanic Heritage month books and authors. Event is held until end of October.
- Friday, Sept. 17, 2021: Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Luncheon (hybrid due to COVID-19).
- Friday, Sept. 17, 2021: Hispanic Heritage Month Night Indians Game at Victory Field (501 W. Maryland St. Indianapolis, IN 46225) Gates open at 6 p.m. Pregame ceremony begins at 6:45 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021: Fiesta La Plaza (virtual event due to COVID-19).
- Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the Hon. Juan R. Sánchez. At 2 p.m., the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indiana State Bar Association Latino Affairs Committee will welcome the Hon. Juan R. Sánchez, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as the keynote speaker at their fifth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. (There is also a virtual option).
Scholar Technology Device Pick-up Information
James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy
4352 North Mitthoeffer Road
Indianapolis, IN 46235
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
11:00am-2:00pm and 4:00-6:00pm
Thursday, September 30, 2021
11:00am-2:00pm and 4:00-6:00pm
If you registered after our school start date (August 12, 2021), please choose one of the following days to pick-up your device.
You must be fully enrolled with a status of "REGISTRATION VERIFIED" in SchoolMint, otherwise, you will not be issued a device. If you are not sure of your status, please log-in to your SchoolMInt account and check the status of your application. If you need to submit additional information, it must be completed before you are able to pick up a device.
Please note that you will pick up the Chromebook and sign the agreement on the designated day based on your scholars last name at the time that works best for you on the designated day.
Face Masks are REQUIRED for pick-up and social distancing will be enforced in alignment with the Marion County Health Department and CDC guidelines.
We are asking that all families please adhere to the guidelines for last names and times as parking is limited and we are sharing space with our sister school who is gracious enough to allow us to use their building to distribute Chromebooks and have the opportunity to meet you face-to-face.
ALL questions regarding technology will be answered on-site, as the IT team will be present and best equipped to support you.
Mark Your Calendars
Check our our Annual School Calendar from our School Website:
https://bit.ly/PLAV20212022Calendar
Additional Scholar Device Pick-Up Days
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
11:00am-2:00pm or 4:00pm-6:00pm
Thursday, September 30, 2021
11:00am-2:00pm or 4:00pm-6:00pm
Teacher Professional Development Day (Alternate LIVE Schedule)
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Please check your Grade Level Newsletter for a Detailed Schedule with Times
Coffee and Conversation with Principal Dr. Townsend
Friday, October 1, 2021
9:00am EST
https://phalen.info/CoffeeAndConversation
Parents in Touch Day
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
9:00am-5:00pm
Registration Information
K-5 Health & Fitness in the Park
Friday, October 15, 2021
12:00-3:00pm
Holliday Park (see flier above)
PLA University Announces Its 2021 Training Start Dates, Expanding Free Job Training in Health and Information Technology
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.
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Download our APP!
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.
Have Questions? Contact Us Today!
Phalen Virtual Leadership Academy (PLA Virtual) is a tuition-free online learning academy for Indiana families in grades K-12. We are backed by an accredited university to help empower our scholars and families to accelerate academic success with high-quality curriculum taught in their own environment. We use technology to provide interactive and rigorous online classes that allow our scholars to learn and thrive. Our scholars excel not just in academics, but also socially and emotionally with a blend of online coursework and options to engage in sports and enrichment at a local PLA campus.
Email: ttownsend@phalenacademies.org
Website: PLAVirtual.org
Location: Indiana, USA
Phone: 317.939.3787
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhalenLeadershipAcademies
Twitter: @AcademiesPhalen