Pre-Academy Monthly Newsletter
May 2022 Edition
Dear APA Families,
Summertime is almost upon us, friends! As our days stretch longer and the sun shines brighter, let's not forget to finish this school year strong!
We have lots of fun activities and ceremonies planned for May, and you don't want to miss them! Keep reading for more information!
Please don't forget to continue reviewing APA's dress code expectations with your children. We will enforce the dress code for the remainder of the school year. Dress code expectations are listed below.
Lastly, please take a look at the end of school year calendar of events and next year's school calendar attached below.
ONE MORE MONTH! WE CAN DO THIS! LET'S GO JETS!
If you have questions about anything published in this newsletter, please email mmccullough@goapa.org or jnahlik@goapa.org.
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PRE-ACADEMY DRESS CODE
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
1.) SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWSLETTER:
In an effort to increase communication with parents, the Special Education Department has started their own monthly newsletter. This will continue into next school year.
2.) 21ST CENTURY SCHOLARS:
Attention All 7th and 8th Grade Families,
As we get closer to the end of the school year, APA would like to make sure all students know about 21st Century Scholar. Indiana’s 21st Century Scholar program offers income-eligible Hoosier students up to four years of paid college tuition at an eligible Indiana college or university after they graduate from high school, dependent on financial need. During a student’s 7th or 8th grade year, an application can be created. Below are informational links on how to apply, how to create an account, and how to pay for college. Applications must be submitted by June 30th of the student’s 8th grade year to be considered. Please contact Julie King at jking@goapa.org if you have questions.
Link for application:
https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/enroll/
Link for creating an account:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqtLkTX_-ww
Link for ways for paying for college:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXYswZkPRb8&t=1s
3.) APA SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM:
The second round of summer school letters will go home on Friday, May 13th. The Summer Enrichment Program will run from June 6th – June 17th for Pre-Academy students. Pre-Academy students will attend summer school three hours a day for two weeks. We will have a morning session from 8:30am – 11:30am and an afternoon session from 12pm – 3pm. We will serve lunch from 11:30am – 12:00pm every day.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in summer school and you have not received a summer school letter, please contact:
- Cassandra Cunningham at ccunninham@goapa.org for students in grades K-5.
- Mallory McCullough at mmccullough@goapa.org for students in grades 6-8.
- Charles Miller at cmiller@goapa.org for students in grades 9-12.
4.) PRE-ACADEMY BAND & CHOIR SPRING CONCERT:
The Pre-Academy Band and Choir are hosting a Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 3rd at 6:30pm. If you have any questions regarding band, please contact Chris Drabyn at cdrabyn@goapa.org. If you have any questions regarding choir, please contact Dr. Eric Strother at estrother@goapa.org.
5.) 5TH GRADE TOUR:
Fifth grade students will be touring the Pre-Academy building on May 4th to get acquainted with the Pre-Academy teachers and learning environment.
6.) AFJROTC:
All uniforms MUST be turned in no later than Friday, May 13, 2022. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact TSgt. Tidwell at ktidwell@goapa.org.
7.) DAY OF SERVICE:
Day of service is scheduled for Friday, May 13th. Pre-Academy students will be working around the school and in the community to successfully complete their community service requirements. Please keep in mind that not all Pre-Academy students will leave school campus. Permission slips will be coming home shortly for those who are leaving school campus.
8.) BOOK FAIR:
We are hosting one last book fair to get students reading this summer. The book fair is scheduled for the week of May 16 through May 20. Books will be buy one, get one free.
9.) 8TH GRADE BANQUET DINNER:
Our teachers and faculty will celebrate our 8th graders before they head off into 9th grade. The 8th grade banquet is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24th from 6:00pm-7:30pm in the cafeteria. Eighth grade students will enjoy dinner from Lee's Chicken, door prizes, and a dance. This is for current 8th graders only.
10.) PRE-ACADEMY AWARDS:
Pre-Academy Awards is scheduled for Friday, May 27th from 9:00am -- 10:30am in the big gym. Parents are invited. If your child receives a reward, you will be notified.
11.) FIELD DAY:
Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 27th after the Pre-Academy Awards ceremony. Students can bring a change of clothes to participate in field day.
12.) FOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL:
APA is committed to working to improve the food services program. Capt. John Hayden is the Food Services Administrator and works with the vendor to oversee the program quality. No better way to get input and direction than working with the customers, our Cadets.
A Food Advisory Council has been formed and APA cadets have been recommended for service. This group will assist in getting ideas, opinions, and preferences shared. Community service hours will be given for this work.
Here are the tasks that will be part of the program:
- Review food choices for lunch program
- Help develop and process surveys
- Serve as a tasting committee for new food items
- Give opinions and evaluations of food
- Help talk to all Cadets to get feedback on food
- Act as responsible, objective quality judges for the food program
- Learn to be professional critics
- Assist us to develop the best food program we can while following state and federal requirements and limitations.
For questions and to express thoughts about the program, please contact Capt. Hayden at jhayden@goapa.org. If a Cadet wishes to be included as part of the team, please let Capt. Hayden know as soon as possible.
13.) JETS ATHLETICS CALENDAR:
Click here to access the Jets Athletics Calendar: https://apajetsathletics.bigteams.com/main/calendar/
14.) FOOD ASSISTANCE:
Those in need of food assistance during the 2021-2022 academic school year, please email mwalsh@goapa.org with the student name(s), school they attend, number of persons in the household, and an address. He will deliver a box of non-perishable food to your door.
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Ball State Youth Writing Summer Camps
Youth Writing Camps, Summer 2022
Indiana Writing Project
SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE!
If your kids are looking for something fun and creative to do this summer, sign them up for one of Indiana Writing Project’s Summer Writing Camps! This summer we are able to offer FREE writing camps for students in grades 4-12. Each camp will help students build their writing skills while having fun and teach them how to collaborate with one another.
Register online: https://bit.ly/3O0YDOW
MORNING CAMP (2 WEEKS):
1. Youth Writing Camp (Multi-Genre)
June 13-24, 9AM - 12 PM
Ball State Campus
Open to students in grades 4-8 and 9-12
Cost: FREE
Ideal for writers who want to work in many genres (narrative, poetry, non-fiction). This two-week camp will allow students to refine and develop writing and to polish something for publication!
AFTERNOON CAMPS (1 WEEK):
1. Poetry Camp
June 20-24, 1-4 PM
Ball State Campus
Open to: Grades rising 4-12
Cost: FREE
Perfect for the budding poet! We'll experiment with different types of poetry and use the campus setting as our canvas for ideas!
2. Journalism Camp
June 20-24, 1-4 PM
Ball State Campus
Open to: Grades rising 6 - 12
Cost: FREE
Calling all journalists and future news writers! This camp is for middle and high school students who are interested in exploring nonfiction, journalistic writing.
3. Nonfiction Writing Camp
June 20-24, 1-4 PM
Ball State Campus
Open to: Grades rising 6 - 12
Cost: FREE
This camp is for students interested in exploring the creative side of nonfiction writing, including writing from personal experience and observation.
Register online: https://bit.ly/3O0YDOW
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Space Exploration Camp Opportunity
WHAT:
- Explore the universe with NASA built radio telescopes and research grade optical telescopes.
- Research under the mentorship of astronomers and scientists.
- Tour cutting edge astronomy research labs at Clemson University and hear guest speakers share their experiences working in space science.
- Have fun with STEM challenges, field trips, games, and more!
WHEN:
- Space Cadets Camp (Ages 11-14): June 26-July 2
- Milky Way Trailblazers Camp (Ages 14-17): July 17-July 30
WHERE:
- Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina.
- Register at https://scienceweb.clemson.edu/cusoc/clemson-space-camps/
- Contact culsoc@clemson.edu or 864-656-9976 for more information.
- Thanks to a partnership with Indiana Space Grant, financial aid is available for students in need. Students can apply for financial aid here.
Please see flyer attachment below for more information.
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STUDENT SHOUT-OUTS!
- MACIH BROWN
- ERIANA HAMILTON
- HAYDEN BALLARD
- ALICIA BENITEZ
- CAYLYNN ELLINGWOOD
- JACK FISHER
- LEDA'JA CHAMBERS
- DON BOWLING
- ELIZABETH HIGHSMITH
- SAMUEL BOUDREAUX
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CAP PROMOTIONS
Civil Air Patrol would like to recognize and congratulate the following cadets on their recent promotions during the month of April:
RANK:
- C/SMSgt: Sophia Carson -- Achievement 6
- C/SrA: Adrian Sanchez -- Achievement 3
- C/A1C: Farrah Bowling -- Achievement 2
- C/A1C: Julisa Balderrama -- Achievement 2
- C/A1C: Amanda Cox -- Achievement 2
- C/A1C: Amarria Peoples -- Achievement 2
- C/A1C: Nyla Wilson -- Achievement 2
- C/Amn: Wyatt Alley -- Achievement 1
- C/Amn: Kaydon Fuller -- Achievement 1
- C/Amn: Trevion Johnson -- Achievement 1
- C/Amn: Jaelyn Young -- Achievement 1
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PBL/MAKERSPACE HIGHLIGHTS
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AFJROTC CORNER
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SETTING UP SKYWARD NOTIFICATIONS FOR PARENTS
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COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS
Students are required to complete 24 hours of community service by the end of the school year. If you need community service ideas, please click on the link below:
Students can ask their homeroom teachers for the community service link that is listed by their graduation year. Students can also ask their homeroom teacher how many hours they have acquired. The students will fill out their own forms based on their service hours for the specific events/service hours they worked. It will later be approved by administration.
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Important People To Know
CENTRAL OFFICE:
- Commandant Jill Barker: Superintendent
- Mrs. Kelley: Treasurer – Contact kkelley@goapa.org with any questions regarding school fees.
- Angie Shively: Registrar – Contact ashively@goapa.org for enrollment or withdrawal information.
- Lynda Whittaker: Attendance Officer – Contact lwhittaker@goapa.org to report any student absences.
PRE-ACADEMY:
- Director Miller: Principal – Contact cmiller@goapa.org with any serious issues.
- David Bradford: Athletic Director – Contact dbradford@goapa.org with any questions regarding APA sports.
- Capt. Brielle Rue: Director of Communications – Contact brue@goapa.org with any questions regarding social media, branding, PR, marketing, or picture day info.
- Casey Cecil: Corporation Testing Coordinator – Contact ccecil@goapa.org with any questions regarding NWEA, ILEARN, or WIDA testing.
- Cassandra Cunningham: Special Education Director – Contact ccunningham@goapa.org with any questions regarding special education services.
- Jenny Pruett: English-Language Learner Director – Contact jpruett@goapa.org with any questions regarding ELL or ILPs.
- Darnell Williams: Dean of Discipline – Contact dwilliams@goapa.org with any questions regarding discipline.
- Julie King: Pre-Academy School Counselor – Contact jking@goapa.org with any questions regarding class scheduling or counseling services.
- Lieutenant Colonel Smith: JROTC Department Chair - Contact osmith@goapa.org with any questions regarding JROTC.
- Mallory McCullough: Dean of Academics – Contact mmccullough@goapa.org with any questions regarding student academics, progress, grades, etc.
- Dr. Jennifer Nahlik: Secondary Curriculum Director – Contact jnahlik@goapa.org with any questions regarding curriculum, academics, etc.
- Matthew Walsh: Family Outreach Coordinator/Student Liaison - Contact mwalsh@goapa.org with any questions regarding resourcing or outreach.
- Michael Austin: Lead Teacher – Maustin@goapa.org
- Erica Whittaker: Lead Teacher – ewhittaker@goapa.org
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COVID EXPECTATIONS
In school, students are required to:
- Wear a mask.
- Wash their hands.
- Social distance.
**SPECIAL NOTE: If your child is quarantined, they are responsible for completing daily homework assignments in all subject areas. Students need to check their Remind101 notifications, their Google Classrooms, and the APA Blog for any daily homework assignments so they do not fall behind. Remind101 join codes, Google Classroom codes, and the APA Blog are linked at the bottom of this newsletter for your convenience. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these expectations, please contact mmccullough@goapa.org or jnahlik@goapa.org.
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LUNCH MENU
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PADLET & REMIND 101 CODES
PADLET LINK(S):
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GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODES
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QUICK ACCESS GUIDE
- Computer login
- APA Gmail
- Edgenuity
- Google Classroom
- IXL
- Mindplay
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SKYWARD ACCESS
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APA BLOG
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IMPORTANT TERMS TO KNOW
- PBL stands for project-based learning. PBL encourages students to gain knowledge and skills by working collaboratively on a real-world problem. APA is transiting to PBL in all subject areas.
- Rotational learning is an instructional model where students are divided into small groups and they rotate on a fixed schedule among different learning stations.
- SEL stands for social emotional learning. Specifically, we are teaching students to manage their emotions and develop empathy for others.
- SSC is our student support center for our IEP students. We have two rooms designated for this purpose. Lt. King is in charge of grades 6-7 and Lt. Mack is in charge of grades 8-9.
- IXL is a diagnostic tool we use to gauge students' grade level equivalents (i.e., GLE). A students' GLE is used to differentiate instruction in the classroom. Students access IXL on their computers.
- GLE stands for grade level equivalent. This information is used to differentiate instruction in the classroom.
- Mindplay is a program we use to improve students' reading skills.
- Edgenuity is an online K-12 curriculum that Pre-Academy teachers use to supplement their PBL/middle school curriculum.
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UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS
Band & Choir Spring Concert
Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 06:30 PM
101 West 29th Street, Anderson, IN, USA
Day of Service
Friday, May 13, 2022, 08:00 AM
101 West 29th Street, Anderson, IN, USA
8th grade banquet dinner
Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 06:00 PM
101 West 29th Street, Anderson, IN, USA
Pre-Academy Awards Day
Friday, May 27, 2022, 09:00 AM
101 West 29th Street, Anderson, IN, USA
ABOUT US
Website: https://www.goapa.org/
Location: 101 West 29th Street, Anderson, IN, USA
Phone: (765) 649-8472
Facebook: facebook.com/Anderson Preparatory Academy
Twitter: @apajetnation