Greater Heights Academy 4/11/22
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Great
News From the Nest
April 11-14, 2022
***
Children First, Respect, Determination, Continuous Improvement, and Gratitude.
A Brilliant Week !
We have so many wonderful opportunities for growth, testing and family celebrations happening in the next weeks and months ahead!
1- We will begin our awesome M-Step Testing this week.
We had an amazing Pep Rally last Friday to empower our scholars to do their best! -
Trailer and sneak peek trailer below - The full length movie will be coming soon!
(Please see the letter from Michael F. Rice, Ph.D. State Superintendent below about testing)
2- Our end of the 3rd marking period is this Tuesday April 12, 2022 -
Report cards coming soon
3- Parent/Guardian - Teacher Conferences on Thursday April 14, 2022
(End of the marking period is April 12, 2022)
(Your Scholars teacher will be reaching out to set up a scheduled time with you. We look forward to a 100% completion as this is so very important for all of us.)
NOTE: There is no school for Scholars on April 14 & 15, 2022
4- Please help us empower our scholars to be prepared each and every day as we embark upon our learning. We appreciate your help in getting your scholar here on time and staying the entire school day. We begin school at 8:00 AM and School is Dismissed at 3:30 PM.
5- In regards to our "Intent to Return" if you have not completed the form please take the short survey below to reserve your scholar's seat here at Greater Heights Academy for the 2022-2023 school year.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwz8a4OuSkI7E13jbAxWnQyMFvSXupE6E1-N7endfytwtsng/viewform
6- Summer Advantage - Seats are vey limited and filling up fast. If you have not registered your scholar for this brilliant 5 week program please so.
(Please note: this is for GHA scholars only)
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
As always it is an honor to partner with you in the trajectory of your scholar's formation and education. (Virtus et Scientia - Character and Knowledge)
Richard Thompson, (Mr. T ) Principal
Greater Heights Academy
3196 W. Pasadena Ave
Flint, MI 48504 U.S.A
M-STEP PEP RALLY TRAILER
Sneak Peek Trailer of Full length Movie coming soon!
***
***
From Michael F. Rice, Ph.D. State Superintendent
March 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian:
This spring, your school district will administer state tests designed to provide
important information on student knowledge and their progress toward being
career- and college-ready upon graduation.
These tests are required by federal and state laws. Schools and districts use these test results for school improvement initiatives that benefit all students. The data gathered from this year’s state assessments will help educators support students when they return to school in the fall and move forward with their education.
Students in grades 3-10 will participate in the following assessments:
• M-STEP English language arts (ELA) and mathematics (grades 3-7)
• PSAT 8/9 (grade 8)
• M-STEP science and social studies (grades 5 and 8)
• M-STEP science and social studies
We want your child’s state testing experience to be as stress-free as possible.
Your positive outlook will support your child’s experience. State assessment results do not
affect your student’s grades in any way.
On average, a student will spend no more than three hours on M-STEP mathematics
and ELA tests. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will spend an additional two hours on
science and social studies testing.
While we support parents in making choices for their children, there is no acceptable
way under state or federal law to allow an “opt-out” of state assessments.
Last year, requirements for 95 percent participation in state assessments were waived by the U.S. Department of Education due to COVID-19 restrictions.
However, this is no longer the case for 2022. Students who are not assessed this year will count against their school’s required 95 percent participation rate, which will create an incomplete picture of their school’s performance.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
CASANDRA E. ULBRICH – PRESIDENT • PAMELA PUGH – VICE PRESIDENT
TIFFANY D. TILLEY – SECRETARY • TOM MCMILLIN – TREASURER
JUDITH PRITCHETT – NASBE DELEGATE • ELLEN COGEN LIPTON
NIKKI SNYDER • JASON STRAYHORN
608 WEST ALLEGAN STREET • P.O. BOX 30008 • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48909
www.michigan.gov/mde • 833-633-5788
Parent/Guardian
Page 2
March 2022
Annual assessments provide information on how Michigan students perform and
how well our schools and districts are teaching students compared to those in other
communities, states, and nations. Assessment results help target support and
resources to students and schools that need them most. The test results may also
inform future state education programs and policies to help Michigan students catch
up on learning that was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can find information about Michigan’s state assessment system on our website,
www.michigan.gov/oeaa. An excellent place to start is with the handout
“Michigan’s State Assessment System: What It Is, What It Means, and What It
Offers.”
Additional information, including how to help your child prepare for M-STEP
testing, is available at www.michigan.gov/mstep.
Sincerely,
Michael F. Rice, Ph.D.
State Superintendent
March 2022
Dear Parent/Guardian:
STATE OF MICHIGAN
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
LANSING MICHAEL F. RICE, Ph.D. STATE SUPE
***
GHA 3 Month View
UPCOMING EVENTS !!!
Please Register
Join Phalen Leadership Academies Regional Leadership for a Michigan and D.C. area Virtual Townhall on Wednesday, April 27th at 6:00PM EST.
Get important news and updates, learn more about PLA and ask questions! Click the link today to register: https://phalen.info/TownHallApril27th .
Also, please provide us with feedback by taking our family survey: https://phalen.info/TownHallFamilySurvey
ESPAÑOL:¡Llamamos a todas las familias con estudiantes que asisten a las escuelas asociadas PLA en el área de Michigan o D.C.!
Únase al liderazgo regional de Phalen Leadership Academies para un ayuntamiento virtual en el área de Michigan y D.C. el miércoles 27 de abril a las 6:00 p. m. Hora Este. ¡Obtenga noticias y actualizaciones importantes, aprenda más sobre PLA y haga preguntas!
Haga clic en el enlace para registrarse hoy
: https://phalen.info/TownHallApril27th
Además, envíenos sus comentarios completando nuestra encuesta familiar: https://phalen.info/TownHallFamilySurveySpanish Sent from my iPhone
***
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Scholar of the Month March and April Video
M-Step Pep Rally Movie Coming soon
Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences Thursday, April 14, 2022
Earth Day - Friday April 22, 2022
GHA PLA Town Hall - Wednesday, April 27, 2022, 6:00 PM Zoom
Scholar of the Month - Friday, April 29, 2022, TBA
Cinco De Mayo - Thursday, May 5, 2022 - Tacos - Thank you Mr.Barcey
Kindergarten Round Up - Saturday, May 21, 2022
No School Friday, May 27 & Monday, May 30, 2022
Family Celebration - Friday, Saturday, June 4. 2022 TBA
Kindergarten Graduation - Thursday, June 16, 2022, @ 7:00
6th Grade Graduation - Friday, June 17, 2022, @ 7:00
No School Friday, June 10 & Friday, June 17, 2022
GHA Field Day - Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Last Day of School - Thursday, June 23, 2022
***
Scholars Shine at GHA!
It is always at Great Day @ Greater Heights Academy!
***
Mr. Shawn Hurt - CMU Representative Visits GHA!
Scholars SOAR!
Special Thank you to Ms. Nichols for organizing our March Reading Month !
***
***
GHA SUMMER ADVANTAGE
Please click on link to see the Summer Advantage opportunity here at Greater heights Academy this Summer 2022.
***
***
Thank you Mrs. Kionna Williams for your Dedication and Leadership to GHA Staff, Scholars and Families !
***
Greater Heights Academy
MISSION STATEMENT
To achieve individual academic success for all scholars through a positive family/school/community partnership
VISION STATEMENT
To provide the highest quality comprehensive educational environment that inspires excellence in academics and character by:
- educating the whole (social, emotional, physical, academic) child,
- setting high expectations,
- partnering with parents and community,
- fully maximizing available resources, and
- ranking in the top 10% statewide
***
***
***
Scholar Learning and Formation never ends at GHA !
***
GHA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Professional Dress = Success !
If you have any ties you would like to donate to the effort - Please drop them off at the school.
***
MASK MANDATE - For the safety of our GHA FAMILY we will continue our MASK MANDATE - Please help us with this as we continue our diligence.
***
Greater Heights Academy Honors MLK
Martin Luther King Jr. Speech - How to Design Your Life's Blueprint | Motivational Speech
Thank you Earl Phalen for your Leadership
Transformative Education for a New Generation - PLA
***
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."
Thank you Ms. Berry for your diligence putting this together!
Dear GHA Families -
Ms. Berry has so generously put together resources for our Scholars from generous donations.
Please fill out the form above to request your appointment to shop the GHA Family Care Closet. Appointments will be scheduled in the order that the requests are received. Please allow up to two weeks for your appointment to be scheduled due to current need and demand.
***
***
Scholar & Teacher GHA Board Presentations
6th Grade will be highlighted on Tuesday December 14, 2021.
Please tune in to see our amazing teachers and scholars.
Year Schedule
- December 14, 2021 = 6th Grade
- January 18, 2022 = 5th Grade
- February 8, 2022 = 4th Grade
- March 15, 2022 = 3rd Grade
- April 19, 2022 = 2nd Grade
- May 17, 2022 = 1st Grade
- June 21, 2022 = Kindergarten
More information below...
***
WE BELIEVE IN S.O.A.R.
- Please know that we will be going over the S.O.A.R. ethos upon our return. Please go over these with your Scholar as we continue to create our Greater Heights Academy as a place that embraces learning and respect.
- S = SAFETY MATTERS
- O = ON TASK
- A = ACT RESPONSIBLY
- R = RESPECT
We are Thankful for the opportunity to partner with you in the Character and Knowledge (Virtus et Scientia) of your child as we journey through this academic year.
Thank you again,
Richard Thompson
Principal
Greater Heights Academy
GHA Scholars Presenting the SOAR Ethos
***
Please Partner with us in our Scholar Dress Code
- Please continue to partner with us in our GHA Dress Code as we will be enforcing this most important aspect of our school. If you need assistance in this expectation please feel free to reach out so we may assist. Upon the return of school opening on Monday November 29, 2021, the Dress code will be enforced to ensure the quality of attentiveness and professionalism of our scholars. Please work with us in this very important aspect of GHA. (Letter below)
Dress Code Letter - sent home on Friday November 19, 2021
November 19, 2021
Dear Greater Heights Families,
I want to personally thank you all for entrusting your scholars to Greater Heights Academy Family during their educational journey. We are continuing to build an exceptional learning environment for all scholars and we need your assistance.
We want our scholars to be the best scholars in Flint and we want them to look their best as well. GHA has a scholarly dress code that includes navy blue, black, or khaki pants or skirts, and a collared gray, powder blue, white, or yellow top. Also, sweaters (without hoods) may be worn in any of the colors listed. Scholars can wear any type of shoe as long as their entire foot is covered. This gives the scholars options while still adhering to the scholarly uniform. Students should not wear jeans (unless it is a dress-down day), hoodies, graphic tees, leggings, slide sandals, flip flops, or hats or caps (inside of the building). Lastly, coats will need to be hung in a designated area within the scholars’ classrooms, and may not be worn throughout the day (unless they are going outside for recess).
As of Monday, November 29, 2021, all scholars MUST be in their scholarly uniform every day. We truly thank the parents that have already been diligently ensuring that their scholar(s) were dressed properly. We now need every parent and guardian to assist us in making sure that scholars are dressed for success in their scholarly uniform.
If you have any questions, concerns, or needs, please feel free to call the office.
In partnership with you,
Richard Thompson
Principal
Greater Heights Academy
Examples of our Brilliant Scholars in the GHA Uniform
Please review the Handbook and the GHA Dress Code
***
Lamp Lighters ATTENTION YOUNG MEN ages 9 - 17
***
Please follow us on Facebook...
***
GHA excellence and expectations of S.O.A.R.
S = SAFETY MATTERS
O = ON TASK
A = ACT RESPONSIBLY
R = RESPECT
***
Please help us with the MASK mandate by the GCHD.
***
***
***
***
Have Questions? Contact Us!
Greater Heights Academy is a tuition-free charter school proudly serving K-6 families in Flint. We represent a partnership of scholars, faculty, staff and administration. We are united in our mission to achieve academic success for all scholars through positive family, school and community relationships. Scholars are our first priority. We believe that traditional fundamentals of education must be enhanced to form a solid foundation for our scholars’ futures.
Email: Thompsonr@greaterheightsacademy.org
Website: http://greaterheightsacademy.org/
Location: 3196 W Pasadena Ave, Flint, MI 48504, USA
Phone: 810.768.3860
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreaterHeightsAcademy/