Ranger Talk
ARSA Community Weekly Bulletin ~ 4/8/19
Week of April 8th
Principal Taylor Message
Our 7th and 8th Grade scholars take their STAAR this week (see schedule below). Please ensure that they are rested and encouraged to do their absolute best. This is an opportunity for them to show what they have learned and also is their first step as 8th graders in earning what is required for them to successfully move on to the 9th Grade.
Please send them off in the morning when you drop them off or wish them a great day at school with positive energy and support. These testing days can be stressful and they will be very tired at the end of the day. Especially our 8th graders who are involved in 2 STAAR tests and 2 STAAR Mock tests that mirror what STAAR will be like for them in May for Science and Social Studies.
It is a high stakes week and we are partners in this effort to ensure that the testing environment is optimal and our attitudes are one that promote the very best to shine through from our scholars.
F. Taylor
Proudest Principal in DISD
ARSA
Doors Open @ 8:05AM - Be on Time
7th Grade Writing STAAR & 8th Grade ELAR and Math STAAR
6th & 7th Grade Reading & Math Mock STAAR
8th Grade Science and Social Studies Mock STAAR
6 & 7th Science, Social Studies, and Elective 5th Six Week Common Assessments
National Assistant Principal Week - 4/8-12
Join me this week is celebrating our Awesome Assistant Principals - Mrs. Linwood, Ms. Nix, and Ms. Walker. Throughout the week please share sentiments of gratitude and appreciation for all that they do to implement the Vision and Mission of ARSA. Their leadership of their respective grade levels, content areas, committees and overall passion for the success and Flagship status of ARSA.
The Assistant Principals have and are a tremendous asset to the strengthening campus community, increasing academic achievement, and being stewards of our goals and growth. Hard work, growth mindset, and commitment to excellence sets this team apart and I am tremendously proud that they serve ARSA. I thankful to them for their unwavering support of our scholars and I am honored to celebrate them!
Autism Awareness Month: ARSA Celebrates and Strengthens Awareness
The Autism Awareness Month festivities are listed below as discussed. We plan to shed light, and educational excitement around Autism Awareness adding to the numerous outstanding highlights here at ARSA.
*April’s Events*
4/12/19 Twins Friday- Dress Up with a partner
Staff Only- please remember that all attire must be appropriate for our awesome instructional environment
4/18/19 Rep Your Set Thursday- Represent where you are from
Staff & Students “Students can have Dallas Attire Only” please remember that all attire must be appropriate for our awesome instructional environment. Staff can wear gear from where they are from.
4/26/19 Red Carpet Movie Premiere Friday –Wear your favorite movie attire
Staff Only please remember that all attire must be appropriate for our awesome instructional environment.
4/30/19 Blue Out Tuesday— The entire school will wear blue shirts for the last day of Autism Awareness Month
Staff & Students please remember that all attire must be appropriate for our awesome instructional environment.
To spread more treat love we will have goody bags for each voted winner of the participated events. Our intent is to ramp up the 2019 VIBE for Autism Awareness Month in a BIG fashion!
ARSA Calendar Events
Week of April 8th Overview
April is Autism Awareness Month
After school activities limited to Thursday 4/12 and Friday 4/13
Each week administrators and instructional coaches will highlight the growth in the instructional practices, creativity, purposeful and meaningful practices that promote student success. It is important that we recognize ALL the Excellence in Teaching we have in all of areas of our academic programs. The highlights are on a rotation throughout the year and each content/department will be the focus for the week.
Ms. Joliffe
Mrs. Walaski
Elective Highlights: Ms. Jolliffe and Mrs. Walaski
Ms. Jolliffe and Mrs. Walaski are highlighted this week as they led the Ranger VEX IQ Robotics Team Scouter Squad in a National level competition, CREATE US Open in Iowa, in which they tied for 2nd place in the Teamwork competition and finished 13th in the skills division. Ms. Jolliffe has been working with our VEX IQ Robotics teams since the beginning and I am tremendously proud of how the program has been built up over the years.
Being our first year involved in a National level competition highlights how these two educators work together tirelessly to elevate the skill and experiences of our Rangers! Our teachers supported the team along the way, encouraging and focusing them, as they were competing against over 80 teams from 43 different states and at least 4 other countries. The Scouter Squad won 2nd in Teamwork and that is a testament to how these two educators run their practice and what Ms. Joliffe and Mrs. Walaski value in the work that they do. They are a power team and and this is modeled by their students, Teamwork makes the Dream work!!!
The following Rangers put their practice to work and came our champions all around! We could not be prouder of our Ranger Team!
- Mark Alvarado
- Fabian Carrillo
- Angel Fuentes
- Jayden Medina
- Edwin Mejia
- Kevin Enriquez
Elective Highlight: Mrs. Gomez and Mr. Neault - UIL Success
The Symphonic Band and Honor Bands earned
- Excellent (2 Rating) for Stage Performance,
- Excellent (2 Rating) for Sight Reading Performance.
Honors Band was only one Superior rating away from receiving the highest possible score at the competition!!!
Highlight on Ms. Thomas - The Power of Inspiring Words
Our school is beautiful and sets a tone and energy for us all. We always want to add to that positive energy! Thank you Ms. Thomas for contributing to that.
Much appreciation for always elevating the mindset as they think about what it means to be a leader and how they can impact our ARSA Community.
Highlight on Mr. Jenkins - AVID
On Friday Mr. Jenkins and the scholars had an opportunity to share during the AVID Certification Presentation with district AVID leader and State level AVID Program Leaders. Mr. Jenkins and scholars had the opportunity to share their accomplishments, their growth, and plans for the future.
Spotlight on Mr. Holsey
I would like to spotlight Mr. Holsey. He brought his 8th-grade health classes to the library this week to research stories about violent crimes. Students were engaged in learning about their topics and how to set up and share Google drive. I always enjoy collaborating with staff and working with students on their assignments.
Spotlight on Ms. Wilson, Ms. Larsen, and Ms. J. Miller
I would like to express gratitude for our sensational art teachers, Ms. Larsen and Ms. Wilson. With their guidance, ARSA students all year have been producing delightful pieces that grace our hallways, adding a pop of color and whimsy to our space. Whether it's faux stained glass, aboriginal totems, or biographical prints celebrating Black History Month, the creative projects our kids produce are ultra impressive and inspiring. What a blessing to have two talented, patient, beautiful educators among us who empower their pupils to express themselves through a truly novel medium.
Ms. Miller is an exemplar of effervescence, always brimming with joy. Her sweet, energetic spirit uplifts us on the toughest of days. She is a pleasure with whom to talk and brings a fresh, positive perspective to any conversation. I wish our paths crossed more often because it is a real treat when they do. Thank you, Ms. Miller, for bringing your sunshine to Ann Richards!
Spotlight on Mr. Getz, Mr. Briones, Ms. Fuller,and Ms. Earl
Kudos to Mr. Getz for being an active and thoughtful member of the Campus Needs Assessment team with myself and Ms. A. Lewis in the area of Programs and Processes. He created a staff survey, encouraged participation, and brought back some valuable information to the team that informed the strengths and needs of the campus within our respective area. Thank you Mr. Getz!!
Much appreciation appreciation to Mr. Briones who works tirelessly behind the scenes with grade level events, supporting APs with parents and different tasks, covering classes, and supporting ARSA in various ever changing ways. I wanted to say a special thank you for his tremendous work on the Attendance for Credit program at ARSA. Mr. Briones is a direct help to me and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your flexibility, professionalism, initiative, and commitment to our scholars and their success.
Our Super TA Team!! Every day Ms. Earl and Mrs. Fuller show up ready to assist with ensuring our scholars are able to get the instruction they need when teachers are out. Talk about serious team players and vested in the scholars doing the best they can!! Major shout out to their positive attitudes as they don't always know where they will be, or what hat they will wear. Thank you for your work ethic and support to the overall ARSA Community.
ARSA Legendary Rangers
Listen to the morning announcements and be ready to wear your Legendary Apron!
Nix, Lee, K. Williams, Lacy, & Craig
Ms. Parker Cultivating Peer Tutors (Reading Language Arts)
A small group of students (approximately 18) have worked extremely hard in creating their own "exemplars" and performing well on assessments in order to serve as peer-tutors. Students earn rewards and privileges for doing so. Data-based selections are made as to which students will work with which peer-tutor.
Ranger Joyfully Assists with Daily Tradition
ARSA Parent /Staff Team Celebrate Staff Perfect Attendance with Yummy Taquito Lunch
Austism Awareness Activities
ARSA Get Ready!!!
Autism Awareness @ ARSA ~ Crazy Socks and Shoes Day 4/5/19
SLAM Saturday Session ~ ARSA Strong 6 days a Week!!
Scholars were improving their knowledge and skills in Science, RLA, and Math
ARSA Softball and Baseball
ARSA Social Studies Team Digs Into Designing Effective Lap Announcements & Stamp the Learning Strategy
7th Grade Science Exploring for a Cause
ARSA Artwork Continues to Amaze!!!
ARSA Dance Substitute Teacher Engages our 6th Grade Dancers
Student Code of Conduct 2018-19
ARSA Athletic Schedule
Ann Richards STEAM Academy
At Ann Richards STEAM Academy, our vision is to be a flagship middle school at the hub of the community, nurturing diverse leaders, and empowering intelligent trailblazers.
Email: frataylor@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/annrichards
Location: Ann Richards Middle School, North Prairie Creek Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972 -892-5400