My AVID Heart Will Go On

Here are a Few of My Favorite Things...

Happy February AVID Family!

This month represents so much more than love and acceptance. In AVID, not only are we celebrating Valentine's Day by sending E-cards to St. Judes Kids, we're celebrating Black History Month, Counselor Appreciation, and honoring President's Day. What else would you like to see celebrated in the AVID classroom? Please let us know.

Mrs. Hendrickson and Mrs. Forrest are thrilled about all of the great accomplishments going on in AVID this year and so far, here are our favorite highlights:

💕Clark HS AVID received $1000 from Texas Instruments (presented by the school board president)

💕We've added 14 new AVID students to our program this semester

💕Increased engagement with the AVID Newsletter

💕8th Grade AVID Symposium with Carpenter Middle School

💕AVID Focus Note PD is off to a great start.

💕AVID Council is up and running and is taking on a great community service project

💕We've received an overwhelming response from the nation's colleges and universities. We are expecting a bunch of college swag and goodies along with scheduled virtual speakers.


Virtual Collaboration	When your AVID Teacher tries to make you collaborate	Successful Virtual Tutorials

Virtual Collaboration

When your AVID Teacher tries to make you collaborate

Successful Virtual Tutorials


Figuring out the longest multiplication problem	ShopXarah Xarah Infante, 10th-grade AVID makes jewelry by hand	AVID Junior, Sunita checking in

Figuring out the longest multiplication problem

ShopXarah

Xarah Infante, 10th-grade AVID makes jewelry by hand

AVID Junior, Sunita checking in

Stay Woke, Black Girl by Arriyah Phillips

Stay Woke, Black Girl

From the span of my hips,

To my fro, to my toes,

To the melanin of my skin,

To my appearance as “ghetto”

The bigger my hair,

The harder they stare,

But I don't let the tears stain my face,

I don't let the broken, ignorant

Put me in my place

I’m black; no apology

They test me like biology

They expect me to embody poverty

Stay woke, black girl,

They're offended by your skin

Stay woke, black girl,

“Shut up, blend in.”

Stay woke, black girl,

“Control your anger; don't be snappy.”

Stay woke, black girl,

“Comb your hair; it’s too nappy”

Stay woke, black girl,

“Your words are just chatter”

Stay woke, black girl,

“Black lives don't matter”

Stay woke, black girl,

Stay woke.

(Printed with permission)

Please click on Arriyah's photo to listen to her Birthday Song (Turning 16). The incredibly gifted and talented young lady is in 10th Grade AVID.

SMU Virtual Night

When

Wednesday, Feb. 24th, 7pm

Where

This is an online event.

More information

Zoom details coming soon


Jacob Vaz I’m spotlighting Jacob because of his sincere willingness to help others during AVID tutorials even when no one else in AVID is able to help him in return. Jacob often comes to tutorials with questions in a difficult class that few others are taking, and it’s rare that anyone in his tutorial group knows much about the topics with which he is struggling. However, Jacob never lets that stop him from jumping in to help others in any way he can - he makes sure that everyone in his group finds the answers to their questions, even if he personally does not. He’s a commendable AVID student for that reason.	Congratulations!	Maycey West Though new to AVID this semester, Maycey has already embraced many of our AVID strategies - most notably, Maycey is doing an amazing job during our weekly AVID tutorials. She always completes her TRFs on time, helps others in her tutorial group, turns her camera on to present, etc. I’m so impressed by how quickly Maycey has acclimated to our class, and I am excited to continue to watch her grow as an AVID student!

Jacob Vaz

I’m spotlighting Jacob because of his sincere willingness to help others during AVID tutorials even when no one else in AVID is able to help him in return. Jacob often comes to tutorials with questions in a difficult class that few others are taking, and it’s rare that anyone in his tutorial group knows much about the topics with which he is struggling. However, Jacob never lets that stop him from jumping in to help others in any way he can - he makes sure that everyone in his group finds the answers to their questions, even if he personally does not. He’s a commendable AVID student for that reason.

Congratulations!

Maycey West

Though new to AVID this semester, Maycey has already embraced many of our AVID strategies - most notably, Maycey is doing an amazing job during our weekly AVID tutorials. She always completes her TRFs on time, helps others in her tutorial group, turns her camera on to present, etc. I’m so impressed by how quickly Maycey has acclimated to our class, and I am excited to continue to watch her grow as an AVID student!


Yoshini Munaga Yoshini is February's spotlight because she demonstrates amazing qualities. There are too many to list off- but to name a few, she is the dedicated president of the AVID Council. She is initiating an upcoming school project which gives a testament to her leadership abilities. She is intelligent, caring, and absolutely adored by her peers. She is a great example of AVID and a Clark HS student. Yoshini is definitely investing in her future. I am so proud of her. Congratulations Yoshini!	Congratulations!	Taylor Futrell Taylor is awesome beyond words. This entire year, Taylor has given her ALL in academics and athletics. She is devoted to her education and growth. Her hard work goes unnoticed and to show her generosity, she will offer tutorial help to her classmates in need and volunteer time to help her ever-so-busy teachers. Her patience and love for AVID is greatly appreciated. There is never a time when Taylor is too busy to help and she is always there to offer kindness to others having a bad day. Your friends and teachers love your energy. Keep up the amazing work!

Yoshini Munaga

Yoshini is February's spotlight because she demonstrates amazing qualities. There are too many to list off- but to name a few, she is the dedicated president of the AVID Council. She is initiating an upcoming school project which gives a testament to her leadership abilities. She is intelligent, caring, and absolutely adored by her peers. She is a great example of AVID and a Clark HS student. Yoshini is definitely investing in her future. I am so proud of her. Congratulations Yoshini!

Congratulations!

Taylor Futrell

Taylor is awesome beyond words. This entire year, Taylor has given her ALL in academics and athletics. She is devoted to her education and growth. Her hard work goes unnoticed and to show her generosity, she will offer tutorial help to her classmates in need and volunteer time to help her ever-so-busy teachers. Her patience and love for AVID is greatly appreciated. There is never a time when Taylor is too busy to help and she is always there to offer kindness to others having a bad day. Your friends and teachers love your energy. Keep up the amazing work!

Family Corner

SMU is offering services to families and students:

The Virtual Teen Support Group (Image)
Career Counseling Sessions

Zachary Kolodny

Location: Austin, TX for school, although I still spend time in Plano and that is where my permanent address is.

Time at Clark High School: August 2012-June 2014

Extracurricular Involvement While at CHS: Theater, HOSA, and NHS.

University Attended: University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) [Political Science & Economics (BA)]

University Currently Attending: The University of Texas School of Law [Doctorate of Jurisprudence [JD])

Aspiring Career: I want to be a public defender. A public defender provides legal representation to individuals who are accused of crimes but cannot afford their own lawyer.

Description of pathway to achievement: I worked hard but I also had a lot of support systems along the way.

Hobbies or interests: Politics and volunteer legal work.

Advice for students: My main advice is to work hard and not compare yourself to others. I also will convey the advice of my law school dean at our virtual orientation which was to try your best not to offend or be offended. We should approach life with the best intentions and at least initially assume others offer the same. Finally, I encourage students to always remember to give back to their community and help the less fortunate.

Educator's Corner

AVID Beyond Cornell: Focus Notes in the Virtual Space is now in Canvas. The last day the course will be available is February 26th – all work must be completed by 11:59 that evening. Please reach out to Ashley Hendrickson for questions about the course.