Diamond Gazette
December 2016
Take a Peek at What's in December's Edition...
- School Resources and Information
- Booster Club and Outing Information
- ARVA Diamonds (students) Shining Across Arkansas (pictures of YOU!)
- Community Resources, including Special Needs Activities in Your Community
- K12 Resources and Information
Recognizing Additional Students Who Achieved Honor Roll and/or Perfect Attendance:
You are true ARVA DIAMONDS!
School Resources and Information
HS Counselors' Corner ~ Attention High School Seniors!
Also, multiple opportunities to apply for scholarships are compiled in a list by your counselor. New ones are added all the time, including the Essay Scholarship for Juniors and Seniors, the AXA Achiever's Scholarship, and more! See the full list here.
Lastly, we have colleges coming to present to our seniors during homeroom time. Several of these sessions were held in November. There is one more session coming up:
Dec. 9th – Williams Baptist College
Meanwhile, here is one of the recordings, from Baptist Health College in Little Rock's presentation:
http://viewpure.com/-smBuXV8EsU?start=0&end=0
In the video, she references the View Book, found here:
High School Counselor Office Hours
An office hour for Counselors will be available weekly for students from 8-9 am on Wednesdays. If you have questions regarding credits, colleges, scholarships, etc, come on in and talk with your Counselors! The link to attend is:
https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?password=M.5D5C056791CC9C331D0D65DA50B626&sid=559
Attention High School Juniors: 2017 Arkansas Governor's School
Ms. Carol Heavin wanted to remind Juniors about the 2017 Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS). AGS is a six-week summer residential program that will be held from June 11-July 22, 2017, at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. Gifted and talented students who will be seniors in 2017-2018 may be nominated for the program. The link to the general information and 2017 online nomination forms can be found at the following link: www.hendrix.edu/ags/nominationpacket/.
Please let Ms. Carol Heavin know by Jan. 5, 2017 if you apply so that she can complete her part. Also, Ms. Karen Sanders is available to assist you with your essay if you are interested.
Good luck!
Middle School Students - Come see FAST for OMS Platform Training!
Prefer to view a recording that you can pause and rewind as needed? Click here.
Ready to Drive? Check here first!
- High School students must contact their counselor. Students not yet in high school should contact Hollie Gumm, K-8 Principal: hgumm@arva.org
- Counselor or Principal will check the last semesters’ GPA to see if it is a 2.0 or higher.
- Counselor or Principal will send request to ARVA's registrar to send form to the student if the student is eligible.
Please note: Student must complete one semester with ARVA before ARVA will grant eligibility for a driver's license.
Forms will be sent via US Mail only. Please request 2-3 weeks prior to driver’s test.
ARVA's Parent Lending Library
ARVA's Parent Lending Library has books and games to loan to parents and learning coaches. It includes book titles such as How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk (shown here) and non-book selections and games. To find out more information about the ARVA’s Parent’s Lending Library or to check out a book, click here.
*Note that you can also request titles at most Arkansas libraries. They will often request the book from another library or order it for you to check out. Find your local library here.
FEATURED SELECTION for December: Overcoming Underachieving: A Simple Plan to Boost Your Kids' Grades and End the Homework Hassles
A parenting specialist and child psychologist helps tackle a headache for parents and kids alike--homework--and gets underachievers back on track. Is your child constantly bored or frustrated at school? Has homework become more of a family crisis than a learning exercise every evening? As any parent of a school-age child can tell you, helping children to achieve at school and get into a good college is a primary concern. Parents are starting to worry about this when their children are still very young, knowing that the work habits and study skills their children develop in elementary school will affect their performance in middle school, high school, and eventually, college. Unfortunately, bad habits on the part of kids and parents can result in poor academic performance and tense parent/child relationships. Now, in Overcoming Underachieving, Dr. Ruth Peters--a trusted child psychologist who has helped thousands of children and their parents solve scholastic problems--tackles kids' academic underachievement head-on, and presents a clear strategy that has worked for her clients and can work for almost all kids who aren't performing as well as they could. With a practical program targeted for parents of children from first through the twelfth grade, this book gives concrete advice about how to: -reward performance -build a child's self-concept -help kids battle apathy -identify common behavioral patterns among parents and children that lead to academic underachievement As the market is inundated with new study aids and guidebooks and expensive tutors, Dr. Peters's straightforward, strategic plan is a breath of fresh air for parents and children. Overcoming Underachieving is the best tool for helping your kids get the better grades they want and deserve.
How about a little Pep Talk?
Every parent finds themselves struggling to motivate their student at some point, whether they are an ARVA parent or a 'brick and mortar' parent. Check out this fun, inspiring video of Kid President, shared by Kristy Munroe, an Engagement Coach on the FASTeam.
2016-2017 ARVA Student/Parent Handbook
It is important to read and understand the handbook, whether you are a student or a learning coach. Once you have read the handbook, please sign the online form here, if you haven't already: surveymonkey.com/r/16-17_ARVA_Student-Parent_Handbook
Booster Club and Outing Information
Wish there were MORE OUTINGS near you?
YOU are important and needed!
Click here for information and to access recordings.
ARVA’s next outings of this school year
Booster Meeting Recording
Our next meeting is January 19.
Facebook Pages for ARVA Learning Coaches
- This Facebook page is for ALL ARVA learning coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ARVALearningCoaches/
- The North West AR ARVA family Facebook page is available for NW AR ARVA families to enjoy visiting both online and offline. If you are a NW AR family, consider joining the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWA.ARVA.Community.Group/
- There is a North Central AR ARVA family Facebook page for you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/twinlakes.arva.community/ Log in to see what's happening in your area and meet other ARVA families.
Look at all the ways ARVA Diamonds SHINE across our state!
Announcing KELSEY GRANT - ARVA's Nominee for the 2017-18 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program
Kelsey, congratulations on your nomination for the 2017-18 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program. This program, funded through the Comcast Foundation, recognizes high school seniors from Comcast communities for their commitment to community service, academics, and demonstrated leadership. To acknowledge these accomplishments, recipients of the award will receive a one-time grant of $1,000. Only one senior from each high school may be nominated for this award, so GREAT JOB!
Jonathan and his teacher, Mrs. Ramoly, taking time out for a picture at the Springdale Winterland of Gingerbread
Community Resources in your area
Crystal Bridges, in NW AR, Offers a Wide Variety of Student & Family Activities
Free Symphony Orchestra Tickets
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents its newest outreach program to all children and parents in the entire state of Arkansas. This program offers every student, from Kindergarten to High School seniors—all 400,000 of them—the chance to experience live orchestra performances, some of them, perhaps for the first time in their lives. Free!!
Know of other community resources in your area?
Share them with us so that we can share them with the ARVA community.
Click the pictures below to read about programs in your area!
Central AR Programs for Children with Special Needs
Community Connections is a non-profit organization in central Arkansas providing extra-curricular activities for children with special needs & support for their families. Programs include cheer, soccer, football, basketball, music, art, acting, golf, ceramics, etc. Most programs are FREE!
Camp Aldersgate creates life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs, enabling them to expand their worlds and express their unique voices. Camp offers programs such as Summer Medical Camps, Weekend Camps, Seniors Day Out, a Youth Volunteer Counselor program and Specialty Camps. These programs provide participants with one-of-a-kind camp experiences aimed to strengthen personal and social development, promote healthy lifestyles, enrich communities, and foster environmental awareness. Camp is located on 120 acres in the heart of Little Rock at 2000 Aldersgate Road. More information can be found at our website www.campaldersgate.net, or by calling Camp staff at 501.225.1444.
I CAN! of Arkansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with special needs and their families. Programs offered include music, art, dance, cooking, soccer, crossfit, etc. There is also an all-child accessible playground at their Arts Center in East End, AR. Most programs are FREE!
Click the pictures to read more!
NW AR Programs for Children with Special Needs
- Children with Special Needs and their families are invited to come to Jump!Zone in Bentonville on the 1st Wednesday of every month from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. FREE! What an exciting Booster outing this would be! Click here to see how to set up a Booster outing.
- The Special Needs Athletic Program, Inc. (SNAP, Inc.) states that their mission is to expand the quality of life for individuals with disabilities through athletics and activities, to provide positive and encouraging leadership for the development of these individuals/athletes, and to support and enrich their lives through social interactions. Contact Mark Stave: supernaturals1416@gmail.com for more information.
Do you know of more opportunities for children with special needs in your area?
Let us know so that we can share it with the rest of our ARVA community!
K12 Resources and Offerings
Learning Coach Certification Course Now Available!
http://arva.k12start.com/for-parents/learning-coach-certification/
Savor the Season Pinterest Sweepstakes
Learning Liftoff
To stay connected with educational parenting articles, subscribe to our Learning Liftoff newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
K12 Student Clubs
K12 offers a variety of student clubs where like-minded students can share their areas of interest. These clubs are offered typically two times a month, and last one hour. Browse our 2016–2017 club listings by clicking here, and register for your favorite clubs today!
K12 National College and Career Workshops
Have you thought about life after high school? Have you considered the careers that you might be interested in and whether or not you want, or will need, to attend college?
There is a lot to think about to get ready: where to go, what to study, how to apply, how to pay or it, and more. It’s never too early —or too late— to explore your options!
K12 will be hosting two live workshop sessions each month through the end of the 2016–2017 school year for students to talk about college and career prep topics.
Motivate 2 Activate
Also, visit the ARVA Strong Start site to find all of the available links to recordings that will help you with everything from behavior strategies to managing multiples.
UPCOMING SESSIONS IN THE SERIES
December 6th @ 6:30pm
Your Role As A Learning Coach
As a learning coach it is important to understand what we are able to provide and what we should provide to help our student be successful. “When I understand what I am responsible for I have a better chance of working effectively with my student using the things I can control. I stop wasting time trying to control things that the student has control over.”
Habits of Happy Kids
December 15 @ 10am
Have you ever wondered why some kids are more successful than others? Come join me for an interactive session on the 7 Habits of Happy Kids to find out on December 15th 2016. We will meet the Seven Oaks friends and learn how the practice of 7 special habits can help you throughout your life and in school. This session will be interactive and lots of fun! I can’t wait to see you there!
Click HERE to join the session on 12/15
Practice Makes Progress
January 17 @ 6:30pm
Gratitude Journal for Learning Coaches, Students and Families
ARVA's Family Academic Support Team (FAST) and the Strong Start Site
- Jennifer Shelby for grades K-8: jshelby@arva.org
- Alyssa Gordon for grades 9-12: agordon@arva.org
Need resource information for a financial or emotional need or crisis? Contact ARVA's Family Resource Coordinator, Amanda Weaver: aweaver@arva.org
Website: http://arva.k12start.com/
Location: 4702 West Commercial, Suite B3, North Little Rock, AR 72116
Phone: 501-664-4225
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArkansasVirtualAcademy
Gina Moore, editor
Amanda Lloyd, assistant editor