Greetings Families,
I hope you were able to enjoy some rest on winter vacation. We are very glad to welcome students back. Please read on for all the information you need for a successful return.
Our 2nd term ends at the end of this month. January 26-27 will be Student at Home Work Days. Teachers and staff will be working and available via email. These next few weeks are an important time to focus on time management and asking for support when needed to complete all Term 2 classes. Our 3rd term begins January 31.
Here is the Aspire Academy 2022-23 Calendar for your reference. A revised calendar to make up for missed school due to weather will come in future newsletters.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023!
Kecia Fox
Principal
ASPIRE ONLINE (aka MVVL) NEWS
Support Lab Days for 2022-23
On site student support is on Wednesdays at Aspire Academy. If you need help come on in! We're located at 3302 Cedardale Road, suite B300.
Morning session: 9am-11am
Afternoon session: 1pm-3pm
Get Help one-on-one!
Alejandra, our paraeducator (aka superstar), is available throughout the week to meet with students via Zoom, or in person. Email her at aguzmanvilla@mvsd320.org, or use her scheduling link to set up a time.
Aspire Online Staff:
Cara Bryant, Program Lead, cbryant@mvsd320.org
Richard Bradley, High School Teacher, richardbradley@mvsd320.org
Carrie Brooks, K-8 Teacher, cbrooks@mvsd320.org
Elizabeth Needham, K-8 Teacher, eneedham@mvsd320.org
Gillian Sinclair, High School Teacher, gsinclair@mvsd320.org
Alejandra Guzman Villa, Paraeducator, aguzmanvilla@mvsd320.org
ASPIRE STUDENT COUNCIL
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 16
Financial Aid for College or Career
Financial Aid Day Advising Slidedeck presented to seniors by School Counselor, Mrs. Chang. Unless a student is planning on going straight to work after earning their diploma, they should apply for Financial Aid.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on Oct. 1. Students nationwide are applying for aid that might support their college education or career training.
Washington offers the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)for people who aren’t eligible to file for federal financial aid.
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Dates to Remember January 16, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday, no school January 26-27 Student at Home Work Days January 30, Semester Break, no school January 31, 1st Day of 2nd Term February 20, President's Day, no school June 8th, ASPIRE GRADUATION! | Winter Fun DayOur December Winter Fun Day was postponed due to the snow day. On January 3rd we enjoyed games, arts, crafts, and hot cocoa. | January Mini Family Survey Please complete this short Family Survey to help us communicate with you and best serve students and families. |
Dates to Remember
January 26-27 Student at Home Work Days
January 30, Semester Break, no school
January 31, 1st Day of 2nd Term
February 20, President's Day, no school
June 8th, ASPIRE GRADUATION!
Winter Fun Day
Our December Winter Fun Day was postponed due to the snow day. On January 3rd we enjoyed games, arts, crafts, and hot cocoa.
January Mini Family Survey
DECEMBER STUDENTS of the MONTH
Jessica Santa-Cruz for academic growth and showing that she cares about her grades.
AnaKelly Castaneda-Roque for bringing a positive attitude and commitment to her learning and goals.
Spencer Pearson for a great attitude and taking risks in class. Excellent progress!
Gracie Neff for always being honest and working hard towards her goals!
Gabriel Morales-Sanchez for being such a hard worker and making great progress this term. He is always willing to participate when asked and is managing his time exceptionally well.
Britseida Lopez for making excellent progress on completing her assignments, reaching goals outside of school, and showing maturity in difficult situations.
Thomas Romero-Portillo for hard work staying ahead of pace. Always shows up for in person support.
Danielle O'Meara for finding joy in learning and showing friendliness to her peers and teachers.
Arry Sires for showing kindness and joy to everyone around her. It is a pleasure to have Arry in our school.
Andrea Rodriguez for showing leadership on the Student Council and taking initiative to spread kindness and joy to others.
Bailey Dillman for showing a lot of personal growth and hard work to reach her goals.
Hugo Salazar-Velazco for his diligent work ethic and commitment to learning, positive attitude, and willingness to ask questions.
Chanelle Torro for always being willing to help out others, and completing all of her work.
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING CORNER: Time Management
Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) state laws provide for flexible, yet structured learning. At Aspire, students are required to attend school on site for half a day. The other half of their day is independent work at home. It is very important to schedule this at home work time.
Time Management: students are more successful if they set a structured time and place for their at home school work and stick to it. It can be helpful to write down this schedule and post it where others can help support staying on the schedule. Building good time management skills is an important part of success at Aspire Academy.
REMINDERS
- Make sure the school has your current contact information.
- Email teachers if students are struggling (contact information below).
- Ask your student for a specific example of what they are enjoying learning.
- Ask your student to see their grades and celebrate their successes.
- Call us when your student is absent. We miss them when they are gone.
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Daily GratitudeIn positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships. | Break the Habit You read it here! I am vowing 1 phone free hour every day (2 on weekends!). Some benefits include:
| Read More See if you can make time to read more. This simple change can improve skills, help you relax, and increase joy in learning. Mrs. Vetter has an amazing school library for students to enjoy! |
Daily Gratitude
In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
Break the Habit
Some benefits include:
- Less anxiety and stress
- More clarity
- Deeper connections with others
- Sharper critical thinking and creativity
- More mindfulness
- More gratitude
- A healthier body
Read More
Attendance Matters, You Matter
- illness
- bereavement
- athletes playing in a school-sponsored athletic event
CALENDARS AVAILABLE: Do you want a MVSD school year calendar? We have them! Stop by the office for your copy.
WINTER POEM
Choices
By Tess Gallagher
I go to the mountain side
of the house to cut saplings,
and clear a view to snow
on the mountain. But when I look up,
saw in hand, I see a nest clutched in
the uppermost branches.
I don’t cut that one.
I don’t cut the others either.
Suddenly, in every tree,
an unseen nest
where a mountain
would be.
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Parking @ School Students who drive to school will need to submit a parking form that provides information about vehicles driven, insurance and driver’s license. Students, please park on the east side of the parking lot near the front of the school. Do not park in front of other businesses. See Mrs. Acosta for a Parking Form. | Student Handbook Tip: Cell Phone UseCell phones can be distracting to learning in class. They are not to be used without teacher permission, except during breaks. Consequences in the Student Handbook are: Step 1: Conference with administrator and check phone into front desk Step 2: Parent picks up cell phone from the office Step 3: Check in phone at front desk everyday | Inclement Weather Schedule Here are all Aspire Academy Schedules. They include Daily, Half Day, Late Start, and Snow Days for both Aspire Onsite and Aspire Online (previously MVVL). Get the Remind app to receive the latest weather related schedule information and other important updates. |
Parking @ School
Students, please park on the east side of the parking lot near the front of the school. Do not park in front of other businesses.
See Mrs. Acosta for a Parking Form.
Student Handbook Tip: Cell Phone Use
Cell phones can be distracting to learning in class. They are not to be used without teacher permission, except during breaks. Consequences in the Student Handbook are:
Step 1: Conference with administrator and check phone into front desk
Step 2: Parent picks up cell phone from the office
Step 3: Check in phone at front desk everyday
Inclement Weather Schedule
Get the Remind app to receive the latest weather related schedule information and other important updates.
School Lunch
All students receive a free lunch at the end of the session they attend. Snacks are also available during school.
ASPIRE ACADEMY MISSION & VISION
Vision: Aspire Academy is a learning community where students are supported to hone their skills, talents, and passions by challenging themselves at school and in their community.
Mission: At Aspire Academy, we create interdisciplinary pathways to students’ best possible futures by investing in their passion and potential today.
