Middle School Newsletter
January 8, 2018
A message from Principal Lowndes
Special Programs Newsletter
Tutoring for students!
New website is up and running!
Important January Dates
January 16 - 19 - MAP Testing during Live Class time (one per day)
January 19 - Honor Roll Assemblies (Homeroom teacher will email you an invitation by 1/16)
8th – 9:30 AM
6th – 11:30 AM
7th – 1:00 PM
What counts for Honor Roll? Earn all As or As/Bs in all 4 core content, PE, Health, Advisement, and Art, if taken
MAP Testing Schedule - Mandatory to attend - VIRTUAL!
Tuesday, 1/16 - Language Usage
Wednesday, 1/17 - Reading
Thursday, 1/18 - Math
Friday, 1/19 - Science
Counts as a participation grade in each content under coursework!
No whole group CCs/WINS - Learner Conferences will continue
MAP closes on Friday, 1/19
If you are unable to attend a live session, please contact your HR teacher immediately, but please make every attempt to attend!
Spelling Bee coming - February 16th at 1 PM
Register using this link by February 12th: https://goo.gl/forms/1Jc7Lao99xa2avmA3
Information to study can be found in the registration
Contact Rebekah Cooper if you need more details – rcooper@gacyber.org
Hour of Code Results!
Join PTSO!! Only $5!
Becoming a GCA PTSO member is easy! Click HERE then select the Membership icon. For only $5 per school term you will receive access to special programs, have voting rights, and so much more. For GCA PTSO founding members, check your email for renewal instructions. GCA PTSO Members meet 4 times per year to provide progress reports, vote on new initiatives, and provide activity reports please join us:
GCA PTSO Meeting Dates for the 2017-2018 school year:
February 22, 2018
April 26, 2018
Browser Reminder
Make sure you have access to Infinite Campus where final grades are housed! 1st semester report cards available for viewing on January 16th!
GCA Board Meetings - Parents are invited to call in!
At the end of the meeting, if time allows, there will be an opportunity for public comments
Nicole P, 6th grader wins 1st place in k12 Art Contest!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS - Check out these 3 very cool stories of GCA MS students!
Louis C - 8th grader
Louis has Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA has affected his ability to breathe, speak, eat, move and support his head. Complications from SMA often kept him out of the classroom in a traditional brick and mortar setting. Georgia Cyber Academy has provided him the opportunity to focus on academics and excel academically. Louis controls his environment with his voice. At GCA, he is able to work in periods of time as his health permits, take frequent breaks when needed, and provides him the extended time he often needs to complete school tasks. He has been known to work from his hospital room surrounded by doctors. He is committed to his education and GCA has provided him that opportunity the traditional setting would never be able to provide. Louis, his Learning Coach and his teachers all work collaboratively to ensure Louis masters the standards. He is working above grade level in several courses. His mother attributes the teamwork between Louis, his teachers, and her as the reason for his success at GCA. Louis does not ever let SMA be an excuse. He and his parents hold him to a high standard. As Louis stated, “My test scores and grades are very important to me. They help to change perceptions and stereotypes about me. My grades show that I am more than my diagnosis.”
Khalid (KJay) S - 8th grader
KJay has an incredibly busy life for a 14 year old. He is one of Atlanta's upcoming pop star. His songs have played on Atlanta’s radio stations and his 1st EP is being released next week! He is part of Georgia’s Anti-Bullying campaign, traveling to over 65 schools a year to sing for the students and encouraging them to stay in school and bring an end to the bullying and violence.. He has acted in several tv shows and movies including The Wright Sounds, The Brady Bunch meets the Jackson 5, and commercials for Nickelodeon. He is performing at the Phillips Arena for Atlanta’s Winterfest Concert for a sold out crowd of over 21,000 people. Georgia Cyber Academy has given him the opportunity to perform and follow his passions in music and acting , all while earning top grades in the Advanced Learner Program. For his 8th grade year, he is taking 3 Above Grade Level courses and excelling. He truly appreciates all the opportunities at Georgia Cyber Academy because he has been able to follow his passions, all while achieving great academic success as well.
Book release/signing party for Mikayla L - 7th grader!
We have a published author in MS – 7th grader, Mikayla L. in Kelly Brooks’ HR. She is having a book release/signing party on January 25 at 6:30 PM at the Cartersville Bartow County Library. Check out her blog http://www.charliesport.org/calling-all-kid-authors/ and she actually wrote this book at 10 years old. She is now working on a sequel.
From Cartersville Library Youth Director, Thomas Shalin on MiKayla and her first book release - The author is a 12-year old GCA student, who resides in Cartersville, Georgia. Her name is Mikayla Lowery. It's a very funny read. Mikayla has given Zoe a sparkling personality and she writes a good, flowing dialogue. Zoe reminds me a little of Junie B., Clementine, she has no filter and loves to try silly things.