The Agora Pulse

In the December issue, we are excited to provide you with important information about the winter break schedule and some exciting activities and opportunities for our students during this time.

CSI. SIP. TDA. Learning Intentions and Success Criteria. Type 1 writing. Success Guides… What does it all mean?

Agora is tasked with creating and implementing a School Improvement Plan (SIP) that outlines the ways that we will help improve student achievement.

Click HERE to learn about some of these initiatives and how you can help support us as we support your student.

As part of our commitment to keeping you informed, we would like to highlight some essential dates on the December calendar, including the winter break and adjustments to the school schedule. To download the full calendar, click Agora Academic Calendar.

December 4: Board Meeting @ 4:00 PM, BoardDocs

December 6: (AM) Half Day for Students | (PM) Asynch for students; Staff In-Service

December 6: Parent Session: Motivating Young Learners (K-5) @ 12PM

December 20: (AM) Half Day for Students | (PM) Asynch for students; Staff In-Service

December 22: (AM) Half Day for Students | (PM) School/Office Closed

December 25-29: Winter Break | School/Office Closed

January 1: New Year’s Day Observed | School/Office Closed

January 2: Asynchronous Day for Students | Staff In-Service

Agora's in-person graduation ceremony will be on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 @ 4:00 PM, at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. No tickets are required for this event and you are welcome to invite guests. More details will follow, but we wanted to ensure you have this date marked on your calendars. We hope you can join us for this memorable occasion.

The Parent Engagement Advisors extend an invitation to all parents and guardians of Elementary students to join us on Wednesday, December 6th @ Noon. As parents and educators, collaboration is key to building children's confidence at home and instilling values that prioritize learning and growth over mere performance. Moreover, identifying your child's learning style is a crucial step toward achieving optimal success. This session will be led by Suzanne Klein, an Agora Elementary School Counselor.

Topic: Motivation in Young Children (K-5)

Date: Wednesday, December 6th

Time: 12:00 PM

Link to Join: Click here to join the meeting

As we embrace the winter season, we're excited to invite you to join us at an Agora Day Out (ADO) event. The December events are designed to bring joy, laughter, and a sense of community to our Agora family. The in-person and virtual events can be accessed by visiting the Agora Days Out Collection. RSVP and remember, if your student attends an ADO, they will be marked present for the day.

College and career events can provide you, as parents, with the resources, tools, and information you need to assist your student in making the best choices for their future, whether it's pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or exploring alternative pathways to success. Kristin Thatcher, Agora's College and Career Readiness Coordinator, can offer resources and advice to help students on their journey towards a successful future. You can connect with Kristin at kthatcher@agora.org. To view events happening across the state, download the PDF below.

ParentSquare is a free and easy-to-use communication tool that helps Agora stay connected with parents. It allows Agora to send messages, announcements, and other important information.

Need more help setting up your account? We are here for you.

ParentSquare Account Set Up Help Session

This session is designed to help you set up your ParentSquare account and learn how to use the app to stay connected with Agora.

• Second Wednesday of each month (12/13/23, 1/10/24, 2/14/24, 3/13/24)

• 3:00 PM

• Join on your computer, mobile app or personal device

• Click here to join the meeting

Download the ParentSquare App:

• Learning Coach ParentSquare Resources and Support
• Parents—Getting Started Video
  
• Parent Square - Getting Started for Parents Recording
  

Agora is committed to providing the best possible educational experience for all students, and your input plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. To better understand your perspectives and gather feedback, please take a few minutes to complete the Community Engagement Survey. Click the link: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY

We are immensely proud of our staff's unwavering dedication and hard work in making Agora a haven of learning, growth, and belonging. They consistently go above and beyond to ensure that every student feels seen, valued, and heard. Their commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community has earned them the admiration of parents and students alike. We are incredibly fortunate to have them as part of the Agora family.

Click HERE to See Who Was Thanked for December!

We want to keep the thank you initiative going. Please take a moment to think about a staff member who has made a difference in your child's life. Maybe they have gone above and beyond to help your child succeed academically or socially. Maybe they have created a positive and supportive learning environment for your child. Or maybe they have simply been a kind and caring presence in your child's life.

No matter why you choose to thank a staff member, your message will be greatly appreciated. Thank yous can be made for any staff member, including teachers, administrators, and support staff. Staff who are thanked by you will be highlighted in the next Agora Pulse Newsletter and celebrated internally by their department. Submit a Thank You HERE

• Virtual Bookfair: Agora’s Virtual Bookfair is November 24 – December 8! 25% of all sales go directly to support literacy events for Agora students. Books make great holiday gifts! Shop from the comfort of your own home!
• Mobile Library: Agora’s mobile library is on the go again this year! Reach out to your family coach for more details on where and when you can borrow books.
• The Polar Express: The Polar Express is coming to a town near you! More details will be emailed to students in the event area. Check your email to register for an event!
• 11/29: Lancaster/Lebanon and Erie
• 12/6: Williamsport/Lewisburg and Philadelphia area (King of Prussia)
• 12/13: Pittsburgh and Scranton

While December brings joy to many, it can also be a challenging time for some, marked by winter blues. Recognizing this, December is dedicated to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) awareness. Discover valuable winter wellness tips in this month's Mental Health Newsletter. Click HERE for insights on caring for your mental health during this season. Take a moment for yourself—your well-being matters!

At Agora Cyber Charter School, we believe in creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all our students. Regular school attendance is a critical factor in ensuring academic success and long-term educational outcomes. We want to take this opportunity to inform you about the concept of chronic absence and provide guidance on how to prevent it.

Defining Chronic Absence: Chronic absence is defined as missing 10% or more of the total school days in a school year. In our case, this would amount to 18 or more days out of the 180 school days in the academic year. While we understand that occasional absences may be unavoidable due to illness or other circumstances, chronic absence can have a significant impact on a student's academic progress and overall well-being.

Why Regular Attendance Matters: Regular school attendance is crucial for several reasons:

• Academic success: Consistent attendance is directly linked to academic achievement.
• Skill development: School attendance provides opportunities for students to develop essential skills.
• Social interaction: Regular attendance fosters positive relationships with peers and teachers.
• Future opportunities: Establishing good attendance habits prepares students for success in future endeavors.

How to Avoid Chronic Absence: Here are some tips to help your child maintain regular school attendance:

1. Establish a routine: Set consistent routines for waking up, getting ready for school, and bedtime.
2. Prioritize health: Attend to your child's health needs promptly to prevent unnecessary absences due to illness.
3. Communicate with the school: Keep open lines of communication with teachers and school staff. Inform the school promptly if your child will be absent.
4. Create a positive learning environment: Support your child's education by providing a conducive home environment for learning.
5. Celebrate achievements: Recognize and celebrate your child's accomplishments, including good attendance.

If you ever encounter challenges that may affect your child's attendance, please don't hesitate to reach out to your family coach or your child’s teacher. We are here to support you and work together to ensure the best possible educational experience for your child. Thank you for your commitment to your child's education. By working together we can create a positive and enriching learning environment for all our students.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) rebate checks are issued per household twice a year. The deadline to submit your Fall ISP Rebate is January 5, 2024. The Legal Guardian will need to login to the Sapphire Student Information System to access the rebate form and submit the required internet provider billing documentation. The Fall rebate check covers the months of September through December 2023. All questions or concerns must be in writing in an email to isp@agora.org.