Summer ARSA Legend
Welcome Legendary Rangers!!
LEARN
LEAD
ACHIEVE
Principal Message
My hope is always, when you open the Legend, still in summer mode, that it greets you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and filled with meaningful experiences. Time with family, friends, and self is a necessity because these areas provides us with love, laughs, and heartfelt experiences. These times sustain you.
I always feel very fortunate as an educator to have a spirit of a "New Year" in August! Who else gets to have have this sense of renewed dreams, hopes, and focus in the middle of the year. It allows us intentional time to reconnect to our common aspiration.
This year, my school family, we are moving into the next generation of Ann Richards Middle School. This year we become Ann Richards STEAM Academy, ARSA for short. The intention and purpose behind these 4 words is forward thinking and necessary for the world our scholars are stepping into.
STEAM is about creating learning environments where students realize greater potential in themselves and expand their understanding of and access to the world around them.
A STEAM focus allows our students to have access to courses and learning opportunities that better prepare them for the needs of the 21st Century. As adults there is probably not a day in which we do not use these skills: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking (4 C's). Our movement toward STEAM strengthens these critical skills that all of our students need to practice and demonstrate proficiency before they leave us.
At ARSA it is Full STEAM Ahead!
Our 2017-2018 motto Learn. Lead. Achieve. speaks to both the role of the adult and the scholar.
Learn
As adults and educators it is imperative we have a constant desire to learn and grow. It is at the core of who we are in this profession (which I call, a "calling").
As scholars learning dictates how grow. An important element this year is helping our scholars understand HOW they learn. Knowing the how allows them to feel more confident when it comes to learning new things and making deeper connections.
Learn starts our motto because our learning impacts and grows them and their learning impacts and grows us. Pure synergy!
Lead
As adults it is imperative that you believe you lead. To lead means that we are thoughtful, act with purpose, and are a positive part of the greater community - contributing ideas, solutions, and empowering others.
As scholars, to lead at ARSA is to be more self aware and responsible for one's impact on self, others, and on one's learning.
Lead is part of our motto because as an ARSA community we must all believe and see ourselves as an integral part of realizing our VISION. You and every scholar makes a difference- always know and respect that!
Achieve
As adults to achieve at ARSA, one must start with clearly defined, data informed goals, with progress measures and support systems. Our focus at ARSA is to put forth maximum, effective effort to support our students academic success and growth.
As scholars, to achieve is to identify what success looks like, be diligent, responsible, consistent, and open to the guidance and support provided by the staff / adults at ARSA to achieve academic, social/emotional success.
Achieve is why we are here. We want our students to consistently grow academically and socially. At ARSA growth is the bottom line. Continuous growth leads to ultimate achievement. Middle School is a critical time in a young person's life and we want them to achieve success. High school and College / Career awaits them and we want READY RANGERS, who welcome the opportunities and challenges, because they have thrived and excelled at ARSA!
The Summer Legend is PACKED with much information. Take your time and please ensure that you review it in its entirety (may take a couple viewings :-). I am back at work as of July 18th, so please do not hesitate to email, call, or text.
I am humbled and INSPIRED by the work we do everyday. I am completely honored to SERVE the ARSA Community. Bold goals and much work lie ahead and together with the Learn. Lead. Achieve spiriti in our minds, hearts, and actions I have no doubt that we will achieve success in service of our scholars and their future.
Proudest Principal in DISD, Ranger Nation!
F. Taylor-Glenn
P.S. - Take a moment to watch a very brief video on how geese and leadership connect. Click here.
TEAM
GRIT
GROWTH
A few things to make you chuckle...
What about the V formation?
Does everyone know Burt?
Ha, Ha real funny!
Move in Dates
Our campus has undergone major HVAC work over the summer. Crews have been here every day and we are excited to start the new year with minimal to NO issues when it comes to ARMS heating and cooling.
Our hard working and committed Custodial Team has been also working around the clock to prepare our beautiful facility for staff and students return.
Campus Room Prep Days & Times:
August 14th & 15th (Monday & Tuesday), 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, all ARMS staff are welcome into the building to begin working on room / office set up.
*These are the first days the building will be open for staff set up. Due to projected contractor completion dates, there will be no room set up dates prior to these days.
There will be additional days throughout the professional development/teacher work days that are indicated in the Ann Richards STEAM Academy (ARSA), Institute Agenda.
DISD/ARSA New Teacher Information
- a teacher with previous teaching experience BUT new to DISD
- 1st year teacher
Please click on the link below for additional information about Summer required professional development.
**New Hires should be receiving information in regards to attendance requirements for the district August professional development days.
New Teachers to ARSA are to report to campus on August 7th & August 15th.
Brief Overview:
August 7th @ ARSA Library 8 AM
Teachers will be given afternoon hours to work on classrooms.
August 15th @ ARSA Library 8 AM
Teachers will be given afternoon hours to work on classrooms.
DISD Summer Professional Development Information
As you continue to relax at home, travel, read, or hang out by the pool/beach, please ensure the following professional development dates are noted on your calendar.
Returning Teachers:
If you HAVE COMPLETED your 14 hours of PD, then as a reminder August 14 & 15th, are PD flex days, you do not come to work.
If you HAVE NOT COMPLETED your 14 hours of PD by August 13th, register for PD in Schoolnet PRIOR to the August 14th & 15th district PD sessions.
Once in the PD section of SchoolNet, these sessions are listed under the Initiative heading of "
"2017-2018 P2LD Flex Day PD"
Teachers 1st Day Back
All Teachers at Ann Richards STEAM Academy (ARSA):
1st day to report to work at ARSA, Wednesday, August 16th.
Beginning of the Year (BOY) Professional Development (PD) starts on August 16th.
ARSA BOY Professional Development: ARSA Institute
ARMS Institute Professional Development Schedule
Week-At-A-Glance: Click Here
Rotation Sessions are held on two days. Rangers have an opportunity to participate in various session in the areas of instruction and culture at ARSA.
- Instruction PD Rotation Schedule: Click Here
- Culture PD Rotation Schedule: Click Here
Staff Pictures will be held over a two day period. One day is an individual, professional attire picture (shoulders/face) and the second day are ARSA Spirit pictures.
- Staff Picture schedules: Click Here
Ranger ARSA Spirit!!
We will be wearing the Rangers Staff Spirit shirt for Team Picture Day on August 18th.
Ranger Spirit Day is every Friday, so your shirt will have many opportunities to be worn.
To have orders ready by picture day, all staff sizes must be entered by August 4th. Please click HERE to submit your name and size.
We are very happy to provide the Spirit shirt to all staff members as a gift for being awesome!!
Calling All Summer Pics!!
MS. ZAPATA BY AUGUST 9TH (Wednesday)
2017-18 ARSA Professional Development Focus
The intention of the ARSA Campus Professional Development Plan for 2017-18 is to address two main target areas:
ARSA Teaching & Learning:
1. Strengthen how we design and execute learning opportunities that deepen how students apply and analyze their learning.
2. Develop students meta-cognitive awareness through incorporating of 21st Century Learning Skills (4 C’s: communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking) and engagement in computational thinking processes.
ARSA Culture:
1. Strengthen our culture at ARSA in which adults and students value and practice healthy social and emotional behaviors which support effective the academic success of all students.
ARSA Teaching & Learning (Area #1)
- effective questioning techniques,
- student academic discourse & discussion,
- and student's applying and analyzing their learning.
Professional development and ongoing coaching and support will occur through training, development of effective lesson plans, teamwork via content PLCs, observation and feedback cycle with Instructional Coaches and Administrators.
Graphics below provide visual representations of the PD focus. We will review this further during our BOY Institute.
ARSA Teaching & Learning (Area #2)
1. Students engage in behaviors (the 4C's) that promote what is needed to be college and/or career successful.
2. As a STEAM campus we will have a targeted focus on incorporating the benefits of computation thinking (CT) in our advisory learning sessions. CT is beneficial as it translates to any content area and highlights the thinking processes and students awareness of their own thinking process as they work toward their learning destination.
Below is a graphic that visually represent the 21st Century Learning Skills. During our BOY Institute, more training and information will be shared in regards to STEAM & CT @ ARSA.
STEAM / CT Resources
Video on Computation Thinking - explains the meta-cognitive process used and how it benefits scholars in how they think about their thinking. Click here.
Code.org - Code.org is a leader in bringing Computer Science education to education. Check out their website. ARSA is using their resources as it pertains to our Unplugged Advisory program.
ARSA Culture
Below are graphics that visually represent the SEL focus. During our BOY Institute, more training and information will be shared in regards to SEL @ ARSA.
SEL Resources
ARSA Higher Ed Professional Development Partnerships
ARSA & SMU
Teachers receive training all three summers and support throughout the year to bring science alive for our students!
Read about the program our ARSA Science teachers participated in this Summer.
ARSA & UTD
Teachers will participate in an intensive summer training and implement reasoning and higher order thinking curriculum that can be utilized in any learning environment.
Click on the links below to read more about Center for Brain Health and Adolescent Reasoning Initiative.
ARSA Partners with Buck Institute for Project Based Learning (PBL) Training
We look forward to learning how to best utilize the PBL model with a smaller group of students and build upon our experiences. We will then expand PBL into 7th grade the following year and 8th grade the next.
Visit BIE website to learn more about how PBL has positively impacted the lives of students and educators.
Good Information to Have!
ARMS Calendars
Revised Calendars are sent with the Weekly ARMS Legend publication.
ARSA Organization & Committee Charts
Please keep these for your reference. As the year progresses different needs arise and the charts can help you make connections and contacts faster.
Staff Only Parking Lots
Visitor / Parent Lots
2016-2017 Teacher Leader Meetings, August 10th
ARSA Marquee 2018-19
We have 187 days to get down to business and garner support from our community and campus!
We were provided an example of what our marquee would look like (with ARSA information). Check it out!
MANDATORY COMPLIANCE VIDEOS (Oct.)
All staff members in DISD are to complete the Non-Instructional Compliance training videos. The training videos categories: Student Employee Welfare, Human Resource Management, Employee Welfare, Human Resource Management.
These videos communicate important information that all educators must have a basic understanding of and honor in their professional responsibilities. The videos take a considerable amount of time, I strongly suggest starting ASAP. Click on the links below to for the necessary documents.
Instructions
Compliance Training Completion Form
All videos are to be completed by October. District will send hard date at a later time.
The Compliance Cover sheet must be completed and all certificates are saved on an electronic file or printed.
All materials are turned into Ms. Zapata. Please get started if you have not already.
Masters in Educational Leadership
Click here.
The Most Important Work of our Time! Always remember YOUR IMPACT!
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