Titan eNews
Weekly Campus Update
Mission: To create a community of learners empowered to collaborate and compete in a rapidly changing world.
Who's HUNGRY?? From PTSA: Freebirds Event March 3rd at 11 AM - 9 PM TOMORROW
8240 Preston Rd, Ste 115, Plano, Texas 75024
From 5431 Titan Robotics
Volunteer for Quantum Leap ~ Avid Gamers and Gaming Experts needed!
We are seeking industry professionals to provide clear, actionable feedback to learners on their game pitch and current progress that they can apply moving forward with their production. We will need an even mix of both video game as well as physical board game designers and avid enthusiasts.
There are 2 time slots on March 7 from 10:00-12:00 and from 2:00-4:00
Please sign up HERE to help!
1st Years
What are the 2nd years doing? By Sage Yassa
The second years at the Academy are currently working on a project called Quantum Leap. Our team’s game is called The Kowalski Case, a 1920s noir detective story. Asad Daruwala, Tristan Rolater, and I are working on lots of different things applying to our game, including art, coding, writing, and character design. In art class, we are designing cover art for our game. During project time and engineering class, we are learning how to use GameMaker, the platform we will be using to bring our game to life. We are also working on the story, and figuring out how to direct the player through our game, without giving the story away. We are very excited about this opportunity and cannot wait for Acadacon!
3rd Years
Having presented their museum exhibits yesterday to parents and professionals, third-year learners have wrapped phase three of Turning Points. Phase four began in earnest today with a shift towards the upcoming personal turning point that our learners find either exciting, daunting, or both at the same time.
Post-secondary life.
This morning, area professionals presented to the learners on the topics of job interview skills and personal branding. This afternoon saw them immediately exploring their impending future through mods focusing on personal finance and resume writing. Next week, the post-secondary focus will continue as we add college application essay writing into the mix. Each learner will write an essay that could easily be used as they apply to colleges in the coming months.
Additionally, many guests will be in the building next week to provide feedback to learners on the college essay writing process (3/7) and their resumes (3/8). Spring Break is on the horizon, but there are many fantastic experiences planned for the learners between now and then.
All of the work over phase four of Turning Points will culminate in an internship job fair on 3/22 though which our learners will connect with local companies offering internships to Academy learners in support of their 30-hour internship graduation requirement. Every leaner will have the opportunity to interview with multiple organizations and some will even walk away with internship offers.
4th Years: By Purvi Contractor
This week served as the final stretch of the 4th Year's project, Suburban Soul. In English, learners discussed author's purpose and how setting impacts the plot of a story. The teams, in Government, explored taxation as well as monetary and fiscal economic policies. In SRD learners drafted the Results Section of their Capstone research paper and conducted background research for their ecosystem web site. Both Precalculus and Calculus learners demonstrated evidence of their mastery double angle and concavity concepts, respectively. The groups calculated values pertaining to subnets as it are a crucial component for establishing a secure smart city. Finally, teams spent time editing their documentary based on peer feedback, updated their pamphlets, and solidified their presentation plans. The learners are excited to propose their revitalization plan of a location in Plano next Monday, March 5th at the Plano Municipal Center.
A Message from the facilitators
The 4th Years presentation will take place from 5:30-6:30pm right before the Planning and Zoning Committee meeting. The learners will be able to pitch their Revitalization Plan in the reception before the start of meeting. We are not transporting the learners to the location, so please make sure they have talked with you about their plans to get to the venue.The address to the Plano Municipal Center is 1520 K Avenue Plano, TX 75074. Visitor parking is available on the north and east sides of the building. There is also additional parking on the lot across the street to the far north.
3rd Years Welcomed PTSA and Volunteers for an Interview Preparation Workshop this morning!
Importance of Personal Brand and How to Conduct a Job Search
by Brian Medina VP Self Opportunity and Ilene Sporkin
Body language, Dress for the Job, and the Art of the Handshake
by Cagla Darveaux & Amy Phillips
“You got this” How to Interview with Confidence & Nail the Interview
by Karen Bellessa & Sally Riddle
Thursday, March 8th, our PTSA is hosting a Resume Review Workshop with guest professionals in our community! The Internship Job Fair is on March 22nd!
2nd Years welcomed John Mitchell of NTT Data for a Titan Talk this morning!
Congratulations to Shaan and Om at Dallas Regional Science Fair!
Honorable Mention in Environmental Engineering
Honorable Mention by the US EPA Achievement in Engineering
PLANO YOUTH LEADERSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
PLANO YOUTH LEADERSHIP NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Plano Youth Leadership (PYL) is now accepting applications for its 2018-2019 class (Class 24). Students currently enrolled in the ninth grade and planning to enter the tenth grade during the 2018-2019 school year are eligible to apply. Applicants must reside in the area served by the Plano Independent School District or within the City of Plano, regardless of whether the applicant attends public or private school or is home schooled.
PYL provides students with an opportunity to explore leadership and learn more about becoming effective leaders, working with different leadership styles, and increasing awareness of the Plano community, all in order to help prepare them to make positive impacts on their community today and in the future. Through a series of monthly class sessions during the school year, students develop the confidence and knowledge they need to succeed in leadership positions while learning about local leadership and service opportunities.
The PYL Selection Committee chooses participants representing a cross section of the community based on information provided in the written application. Completed applications must be submitted by April 30, 2018. Applications are available on the Plano Youth Leadership website: www.planoyouthleadership.org.
Tuition for the program is $175 per participant, and need-based scholarships are available for qualified students.
For additional information, contact support@planoyouthleadership.com.
Counselors' Corner
UT Arlington Architecture Camp
The School of Architecture in the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs at UT Arlington is hosting a week-long design summer camp. More information can be found at Summer@CAPPA 2018 . If you are interested in applying, stop by the counseling office for an application. This is a competitive program that requires an application and recommendation from your counselor.
Camp RYLA
Each year Rotary International holds a summer leadership training camp for rising seniors. This year the North Texas camp runs from July 31 through August 5. There is an application to complete and an interview with a member of our sponsoring Plano Rotary. The application deadline is March 19th with interviews being held March 21 and 22 after school on our campus. If you are interested in applying, applications are available in the counseling office. This is an AMAZING opportunity to grow your leadership skills and our sponsoring Rotary covers the cost of attending the camp.
SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Check out the summer enrichment opportunities listed in Naviance.
Under the colleges tab, click on enrichment.
Many of those listed offer college credit.
10th ANNUAL PROM CLOSET 2018
February 27 & 28 (Tues.-Wed.) & March 1 & 3 (Thurs. & Sat.)
St. Andrew United Methodist Church
St. Andrew UMC invites financially challenged girls to prom shopping days. Only requirement: girls must be present to select their dresses and accessories.
WHAT: St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Plano invites all girls from ANYWHERE in need of a prom dress to come to the 10th Annual Prom Closet to select a dress and accessories, all at no cost. Dresses sized 0 to 28 are available to choose from, many of which have never been worn. Only requirement: girls must be present to select their dresses/accessories.
Questions? Email standrewpromcloset@gmail.com.
If interested in donating to Prom Closet, please bring donations of dresses, shoes, and other accessories to St. Andrew UMC, and drop them off in Room 133.
FACEBOOK: Prom Closet: St.Andrew UMC
INSTAGRAM: promcloset.standrewumc
WHERE: St. Andrew United Methodist Church, 1401 Mira Vista Drive, Plano, TX, 75093, in Smith Worship Center. (East side of church, Mira Vista and Plano Parkway; park in parking lot off of Mira Vista)
WHEN: February 27 & 28 and March 1 (Tues.-Thurs.) 4 – 8 p.m. and March 3 (Sat.), 9 a.m. – noon.
AP EXAMS
AP Exams
If your learner is interested in taking an AP exam, we will administer the exam on our campus.
You must pay for the exam before March 26th.
Payment can be made through paypams or check. Instructions for payment are below.
Information about AP exams can be found on our website:
If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Conner
· Payment for AP exams can be made by check or through PayPAMS. PayPAMS is the preferred method.
Go to https://paypams.com/HomePage.aspx
-On the main menu, look for: AP Test – Plano Academy High School
You will choose either “high school” for 1st & 2nd years
“senior high school” for 3rd years & 4th years
-Once selected you will be prompted to go to the following option to continue the
payment process and make your payment:
-A $3.00 fee has been added to each test in order to use PayPAMS.
To make a purchase, mark the item in the ‘Buy’ column and then click the ‘Add to Cart’ button.
o Payment by check :
-Checks should be made out to Plano Academy High School.
-Each AP exam is $94.
-In the memo line, please write your students name and ID number.
Mrs. Madding in the Counseling office will accept your payment.
HENDRICK SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 19
The Hendrick Scholarship Program is designed for seniors heading to Collin College in the fall. The program not only offers very generous scholarship money, but mentoring as well. If your senior will be attending Collin College in the fall and there is a financial need, please consider completing the application packet. Packets are available in the counseling office.
Boston University will be hosting a reception for high school sophomores and juniors and their families. This is a wonderful opportunity for your students to learn more about BU and what makes an application competitive for admission.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Hilton Dallas Lincoln Centre
5410 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Dallas, TX 75240
Registration and refreshments: 12:30 p.m.
Presentation: 1:00 p.m.
Please note that all students who plan to attend should RSVP on our website.
Plano Mayor's Summer Internship Program
You may have heard that Plano Mayor Larosiliere held a kickoff event and press conference on our campus last week promoting this great opportunity! Read more about it here.
Please follow the link for more information and to access an application!
From Film and Music Clubs:
Save the Date!
3/1-3: FRC First Robotics Dallas Regional
3/5: Suburban Soul Presentation to City of Plano
3/7: Open Mic Night
3/9: Titan Talk 3rd/4th Yrs Prom Fashion Show
3/10-18: Spring Break
3/22: Internship Job Fair
3/23: Titan Talk: Peter Balyta - Texas Instruments
4/5: College Fair during lunch
4/28: Prom (3rd and 4th Years)