The Agora Pulse

Welcome to the March edition of our school newsletter! As we head into the month of March, we're pleased to announce that re-registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open for all enrolled school families. Be sure to re-register your student(s) today! Get ready for Spring and let's embrace the changing seasons and celebrate the achievements and milestones of our school community!

Agora works hard to help our students to reach their full potential. We set six goals for the 2023-2024 school year to help achieve this. Together, we can help every student thrive.

To see where we are now, and where we're headed to meet our goals check out the attachment, Coming Together For Student Success, on how you can help!

We can't wait to begin Agora's springtime adventures together! We invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements and successes of our students as they continue to blossom academically, creatively, and personally. Click on the grade band newsletters below for events and exciting news!

As we get ready for Spring, we want to highlight the importance of staying informed about upcoming events. The school calendar is a resource that outlines key dates, such as asynchronous learning days, Spring Break, and other significant events. Download the calendar by clicking Agora Academic Calendar.

March 4: Board Meeting @ 4:00 PM, Board Docs

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

March 13: Parent Session - ParentSquare Help Session @ 3:00 PM

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

March 21: Parent Session - The Learning Coach's Guide to Technology @ 3:00 PM

March 22: Quarter 3 Ends

March 25-29: Spring Break, School/Office Closed

It's time to let us know your plans for the next school year. Re-registration for the 2024-2025 school year is now open! The process is easy to complete and the re-registration portal is available in the Online School (OLS). Below are the steps to walk you through the process. Please note that only the Legal Guardian can complete the re-registration process.

Click on the link: STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

We look forward to continuing this journey together, fostering a supportive environment where every student can thrive academically and personally.

It's Prom Season! All enrolled high school students are invited to Agora's 2024 Proms! This year, we are hosting three regional proms across the state. For details on each prom and ticket purchasing information, refer to the attachment below or click this link: REGIONAL PROM TICKET SALES

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. For more information, please visit the Agora Resource Community (ARC app) in ClassLink! Go to Our School, High School, and then select Graduation from the drop-down menu! We hope you can join us for this special occasion.

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. If you need help in setting up your account, please join the upcoming Help Session on Wednesday, March 13th at 3:00 PM. Click HERE to join on your computer, the mobile app or from your personal device.

Download the ParentSquare App:

iOS App - Apple Store or Android App - Google Play

Additional ParentSquare Resources:

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

Nikki Johnson-Alfano, Esq. (Formerly Nikki Johnson-Huston) is an unlikely success story. Born into poverty, she was homeless at age 9, failed out of college by age 18, and by age 30, Nikki was a law school graduate with a J.D., MBA and LL.M in Taxation all earned at the same time in only 4 years.

CLICK ON HER PICTURE TO HEAR HER STORY!

Learn more about Nikki Johnson- Alfano:

•Nikki Johnson-Alfano (@njohnsonalfano) | Instagram

•https://homelesstolawyer.com/

Nikki-Johnson-Alfano will be a guest speaker at an upcoming virtual assembly for all high school students who wish to attend. Nikki is also a successful award-winning attorney and frequent speaker about how she overcame a life of poverty and homelessness to achieve her dreams. She will share her very personal story of how she got her life back on track, fought through adversity and never gave up on her dreams. The assembly is optional. Assembly details will be sent via email.

Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Online: Link Coming Soon

College and career events can provide you with the resources and information you need to assist your student in making the best choices for their future. 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.

We kindly remind you to regularly check your email inbox for important updates and information regarding the upcoming state testing exams, including the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone Exams. The annual state assessments will be computer-based and administered in-person at various sites across the state. These assessments are integral to evaluating student proficiency and guiding educational strategies. We will be sharing details regarding exam dates, preparation tips, and additional resources to ensure your student's success. Your active engagement in this process is greatly appreciated, and together, we can help our students excel. Please keep an eye on your email for more details!

At Agora, our dedicated and passionate staff fosters a haven for learning, growth, and belonging for all students. We're deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment, which is reflected in the positive feedback we receive from parents.

Click HERE to See Who Was Thanked for March!

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

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (D.D.A.M.), observed throughout March, is a nationwide event to raise awareness is a nationwide event to raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities.

Click HERE for this month's wellness newsletter for more information on how to observe National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Also, check out the many tools, resources, and insights to nurture your physical, mental, and emotional health.

• Virtual Book Store: Agora’s Virtual Book Store is March 12 – March 25! 25% of all sales go directly to support literacy for Agora students. Help your child SPRING into reading with some new books!

• Spring Reading Challenge: Looking for a fun way to encourage your student to read? Join Agora’s Spring Reading Challenge for a chance to win some cool prizes!

• 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.

At Agora, we encourage all Parents and Legal Guardians to initiate conversations with their students regarding the fundamental aspect of attendance. When discussing the topic, it's essential to maintain a positive and encouraging tone. By attending school regularly, students lay the groundwork for future success, acquiring invaluable life skills along the way. Moreover, celebrating their attendance achievements fosters motivation and reinforces positive behavior. Click HERE for a suggested approach when starting this conversation.

Agora's Travel Club is organizing a trip to Puerto Rico in 2025. Informational meetings were held in the month of February. Click the link to view the meeting recording: http://tinyurl.com/PRwithAgora. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Ericka Nicol, the Trip Organizer, at enicol@agora.org.