New Academy Charter School
March 2023 Edition
From the Principal's Desk
Hello Again!
We hope you are doing well and are getting ready for Spring Break! I know we are. We are working on some community service projects to donate for Easter and we are approaching the opportunity to take some of our Fantastic Friday rewards outside as the weather gets nicer. This is the time of year when we never know what the temperature will be, so we encourage students to remember to wear their uniform shirts under any school issued sweaters, so that if it gets hot, they can remove the sweaters and still be in the appropriate uniform.
We had a GREAT time at the Neville Island Roller Drome for our Roller Skating Party! The students earned their way to the rink and had a blast jumping back in time to when roller skating was one of the most popular past times. Some students were pros, some caught on right away, and for some, well, it was quite evident this was their first time, but boy were they troopers! It was an awesome experience for both the students and the staff.
As we look ahead into April, we have Spring Break and PSSA's for 8th Grade. Further information will be sent home for parents to help support their students during exam time.
Well, here we are, Spring has sprung, we turned our clocks forward and we are on our way through the home stretch. Hang on tight, because I'm sure quarter 4 will feel like the quickest one yet.
Talk Soon,
Jamie Hopkins
Student Highlights 🥳
February Raffle Winner
Kei'Auzia T.
Kei'Auzia was 'Caught Doing Something Right' and entered into the monthly raffle!
February Students of the Month
CONGRATULATIONS!
These students were voted on by their teachers and staff for excellence in Academics and Behavior.
Keep up the hard work!
Santanna J.
Anya E.
Quarter 3 Honor Roll
Highest Honors (3.75-4.0)
Zach O. – 3.95
Jon K. – 3.88
Deontae B. – 3.77
Clarence H. – 3.77
High Honors (3.45-3.74)
Israel B. – 3.70
Damine S. – 3.64
Kei’Auzia T. – 3.64
Andre G. – 3.54
Santanna J. – 3.51
Damien S. – 3.51
Ni’Zear M.N. – 3.47
Honors (3.0-3.44)
D’Niya M. – 3.43
Richard J. – 3.42
Robert E. – 3.40
D’Yani M. – 3.38
Anya E. – 3.35
Taylor K. – 3.31
Casey A. – 3.30
Thomas O. – 3.23
Cheelo M. – 3.21
Dreyona T. – 3.19
Isaiah C. – 3.18
Lexus S. – 3.07
Anauhzja B. – 3.05
Helena J. – 3.05
Janiece M. – 3.05
Maurice J. – 3.04
Destinee M. – 3.04
🍎 Our Busy Classrooms
Parent Access
Please email Cherisha Thomas at Thomasc@theacademyschools.com to register for your PowerSchool Parent Login information. When you have a PowerSchool Parent account you will be able to access your students grades, schedule, attendance and their teachers!
Math Department
The Math Department had students engaged in Pi Day activities on Pi Day (Tuesday, 3/14). Math Facts Friday continues to reinforce math facts with the students. Both Miss Mervosh’s classes and Mr. McCullough’s classes are progressing through the curriculum. The 4th Quarter is beginning as The Math Department looks to finish the academic year strong.
Science Department
As the third quarter comes to an end, the 9th grade Biology students are learning about cell division and the genetic and environmental causes of cancer. Chemistry students are learning the differences and interactions of acids and bases. Psychology students are learning the ins and outs of how the human brain learns and commits those lessons to memory. The Science Department is gearing up for Earth Day 2023 with tree planting and clean up around the school and some lessons on gardening. So, encourage your student to volunteer for this fun day of service event. We are also sponsoring a Science and Art Expo where students and staff can submit science projects and artwork for display!
Special Education Department
Can you believe we are done with the third grading quarter? We in the special education department are celebrating and cheering our students on as they come toward the goal of completing this 2022-2023 school year, but we are not out of the race yet. We recognize during this time student burn out is a real thing, anxious behaviors, academic fatigue and physical exhaustion are truly on the rise. Please continue to encourage your child to rest, keep pushing forward and to stay focused on the light at the end of tunnel, this school year. Can you see it? I know we can. We too are approaching spring break, so the time to refresh and refuel is close. We are doing everything we can to make sure we are reaching our students’ academic and behavioral goals and we know you are was well.
Social Studies Department
Spring has sprung and so has the 4th 9 weeks. The 3rd 9 weeks has come and gone as quickly as the month of March. The Social Studies department had a very productive 3rd 9 weeks and they are anticipating an even better one ahead. The Social Studies department is currently working to help prepare the students for the upcoming standardized tests. Mr. Zarko, Mr. Parkinson, and Mr. Shamitko are helping the students prepare by focusing the assignments on reading comprehension as well as paragraph development. Mr. P said, “In the short amount of time we have been focusing on these two elements, I have seen great gains by our students. They are using highlighters to identify key concepts, they are underlining topic sentences, if they use these skills during their tests, they’ll do great!” We wish the students luck in the upcoming weeks and hope everyone enjoys the Spring Break!
Physical Education/Health Department
At the New Academy Charter School, we believe your health is the greatest wealth. for the month of March our Health classes continued to explore Safe and Healthy Friendships. Highlighting peer pressure, refusal skill application and recognizing the benefits of abstinence. Also, students worked on identifying high risk behaviors that may lead to undesirable results in teen relationships. The Physical Education Department recognizes that March Madness is here, and basketball school tournaments are underway. We hope to provide fitness and fun to our students through sporting competitions like 2 vs. 2 basketball, 3-point shooting, badminton and possible kickball. Schoolwide fun was the goal of the month. Spring Break is here!!
English/Language Arts Department
8th grade and 9th grade have begun independent studies using the online platform Edgenuity. They will be working at individual paces to allow emphasis on specific areas of study. 10th grade has finished up studying the narrative concept known as the Hero’s Journey and the character study of the Anti-Hero. They are beginning to study a graphic novel titled March by John Lewis and Ander Aydin. 11th grade has finished their Black History Month posters and have begun a comparison and contrast essay. We have recently been looking into how to identify reliable sources for their essays. 12th grade is reading articles from the New York Times and using the RAPS writing process to highlight key details in their studies. The most current article, A Video-Gaming School Stumbles on a Way to Get Dropouts Back in Class, details the start-up of Japan’s first e-sports high school in an attempt to draw students back into school. Students are using this article as a springboard into an examination of the education in the United States.
Counselor's Corner
We are nearing the end of the 2022-2023 school year here at the New Academy Charter School. This is the busiest and most important time of the year so there are some important dates to keep in mind. The last day for seniors will be May 26, 2023. Mandatory graduation practice will be June 7, 2023 with graduation taking place June 8, 2023. The seniors have just completed their tour of Pittsburgh Technical College and the juniors and seniors attended a college and career fair with other 30 schools and 10 career and union representatives at Pittsburgh Greenway. Our last SAT date for the school year will be May 6, 2023 with registration ending April 7, 2023. All juniors and seniors are eligible for 2 free SAT tests. Also, summer is hiring season for teens. There are tons of jobs for students ages 14 and up that are hiring right now. Have your students stop on up to the library to fill out an application.
To All Parents/Guardians of Seniors - Please remember to schedule your mandatory Graduation meeting with Mrs. Craighead. 412-515-2280 or Craigheadd@theacademyschools.com
College Trip to PTI
Pittsburgh Promise College and Career Fair
College Trip to PTI
Pride Pays💫
At the New Academy Charter School our goal is to establish a school culture that reinforces positive behavior and academic success. In other words, "Catch a Kid Doing Something Right" is the motto of our school. To promote that motto we have established a reward system of positive incentives. In the month of March our students were recognized through our Live School program. This program allows students to earn points for academic accomplishments, attendance and positive behaviors displayed in school. Students can use these points to purchase things in the school store. In addition to the store students can earn their way into the monthly raffle to win items like 55" Smart TVs, Air Pods and Beats.
Students are invited to participate in a Jeans Day on Tuesday, April 4th. Any New Academy shirt with favorite (school appropriate, no shorts) jeans to kick off Spring Break!
Roller Skating Field Trip
Students had a blast at the Neville Island Roller Drome!
Alexis and Carly posing
What a Crew!
Auzja'Nae got the hang of it
Destinee, Jon and Tommy ready to take the rink
KeiAuzia giving a helping hand to Janiece
Time for a snack break
✨ Mental Health Tip
Let’s talk about Overstimulation!
Have you ever felt like your student gets incredibly irritable out of seemingly nowhere?
Overstimulation is when your senses are overloaded with information that makes it difficult to take in and process new information. Imagine overstimulation as if you left 100 tabs open on Internet Explorer, but each tab is a sensory experience- a clock ticking in the background, the way your clothes feel, how bright the lights are, the temperature in the room, too many people talking at once, a dog barking down the street, and someone yelling at a videogame. Sometimes, the brain gets stuck and can’t prioritize what to focus on- like Internet Explorer saying “Not Responding”.
When someone is overstimulated, they might feel as if they’ve shut down and are feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or anxious and they might be struggling with loss of focus and an inability to ignore other things in their environment (such as loud sounds and strong smells). Their first instinct could be to start an argument, get out of the situation they’re in, or just freeze- whichever they feel might take away the discomfort that they are feeling.
So, how do we handle overstimulation when we recognize it in ourselves or in our students?
- Have a conversation with your student about what overstimulation looks like for them and try to recognize their warning signs in high stress moments.
- Encourage your student to take a break from the situation and come back when they are feeling better
- Ensure that they are getting enough rest and enough time to recharge.
- Work on effective communication of boundaries- “I’m sorry, I’m feeling overwhelmed/overstimulated and I need a break. Can I have 5 minutes away?”
- Work on mindful breathing exercises (you can find some on Youtube!) and encourage your student to practice those when they start to feel upset or irritated.
Community Resources
Kidsburgh
Summer time is approaching ! The kids burgh website highlights summer camp for a range of ages throughout Pittsburgh. Currently 50 great camps are listed for summer fun, exercise and enrichment.
Please check the following website periodically they will keep adding more camps and updating information.
https://www.kidsburgh.org/kidsburghs-2023-guide-to-summer-camps-in-pittsburgh-and-the-region/
Dollar Energy Fund
The Pennsylvania hardship program provides one-time assistance grants that are applied directly to a limited-income household's utility bill.
https://www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/pennsylvania/hardship-program/
PA Public Utility Commission
Call: 1-800-692-7380 or contact online
http://www.rhls.org/utilities/pulp/pa-low-income-utility-assistance-programs/
PULP Hotline
Are you facing a utility shut off? Are you already without service?
Pennsylvania residents may be eligible for free legal help.
Call: 1-844-645-2500 or
Local Resources
We recognize families have a variety of needs as they navigate life. Below are resources that address needs such as technology, school options, parenting resources and more.
Attendance Matters ✏️
The New Academy Charter School recognizes the importance of regular attendance in school as a means of helping students achieve academic success. We know your student may have a valid reason for being absent.
Some reasons for an excused absence are: doctor or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours, death of a family member, student illness, religious holidays, or required court attendance.
- Please provide a medical note or written explanation for all absences upon their return to school.
- Submit medical notes/or written excuses within 3 days of the absence to Ms. Melissa Miller email millerm@theacademyschools.com, fax: 412 515-2299
- Phone calls to the school will NOT excuse your child.
- Only 10 parental notes can be accepted each school year. All others must be formal excuses.
We appreciate your support!
Parent Survey
We are looking for feedback!
Parents, please complete this survey so that we can better service your student(s) and your family.
Health and Wellness Policy ⚕️
You can find the Local Health and Wellness Policy by clicking the picture to the left!
📝 Student/Parent Handbook
You can find the student/parent handbook by clicking the picture to the right!
What's Coming Up
Wednesday, April 5-12 - Spring Break - No School
Wednesday, April 19 - PLC Day - 2 Hour Delay
Monday, April 24-28 - 8th Grade PSSA's
Happy Spring!