We have certainly had a fantastic month here…it’s been incredibly busy, but the progress the students have made in just a few short weeks has been astounding! We anticipate great things from our students this fall!
We have already awarded our first two prizes for our ‘Caught Doing Something Good’ raffle. Damine S. won Apple Ear Pods in September! We will highlight October's raffle winner in next month's newsletter! Each month we will have a new winner, everyone is eligible; all students have to do is be ‘caught doing something good’.
Our annual Student Fall Festival day was a blast! Our Student Ambassadors and Morale teams put together an awesome day that students were able to kick back, have fun, be creative and get into the fall season. Activities like this really promote relationship building between not only student's, but with teachers and staff as well. Students were had the opportunity to make 'Mummy' treats that will be donated to the Arlington Civic Council Trunk-or-Treat, play yard games (albeit inside..it was raining!), decorate Halloween cookies, play candy Bingo and so much more!
I hope everyone has a safe and fun Thanksgiving break and that we come back refreshed and ready to learn!
Talk Soon,
Jamie Hopkins
Quarter 1 Honor Roll
Highest Honors (3.75-4.0)
Thomas O. – 3.94
Damine S. – 3.87
Zach O. – 3.80
Israel B. – 3.75
High Honors (3.45-3.74)
Damien S. – 3.68
Dreyona T. – 3.62
Lexus S. – 3.60
Deontae B. – 3.53
Destinee M. – 3.52
Honors (3.0-3.44)
Anya E. – 3.44
Kei Auzia T. – 3.43
Davon B. – 3.35
Maurice J. – 3.35
Jaimeer W. – 3.33
Helena J. – 3.28
Dominic S. – 3.28
Jon K. – 3.25
William E. – 3.24
Tyler R. – 3.22
AuzjaNae T. – 3.14
Parent Access
Please email Cherisha Thomas at Thomasc@theacademyschools.com to register for your PowerSchool Parent Login information. When you have a PowerSchool Parent account you will be able to access your students grades, schedule, attendance and their teachers!
Physical Education/Health
At the New Academy charter School, we believe your health is your greatest wealth! For the months of October and November, the Health Department is focusing on the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases like the common cold, flu and COVID-19. Also, the Physical Education Department will is focusing on fun sports and exercise movements that will counteract the negative affects of obesity in regards to quality of life. Our goal remains to get all students up and active.
Special Education
The month of October has been a spooktacular month for the Special Education department. We have been super busy with IEP meetings, creating positive behavior management plans, differentiating lessons, helping in general education classrooms, and communicating with parents to make sure all students have the best learning environment to succeed in. Not only have we been fostering relationships with the students with exceptionalities, but had the opportunity to do so with other students as we held a door decorating contest for Halloween in which students we do not service joined our team. As the first quarter of the 2022/2023 school year comes to a close, we are in the process of re-assessing behavior goals and sending home behavior progress monitoring goals for each eligible student. Proper behavior goals play a crucial role in supporting positive behavior and can play a crucial role in a student’s education. This month has been exciting and truly been a treat as we aid students in reaching their potential!🎃
Mathematics
The Math Department welcomed Miss Mervosh. She teaches Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1A, and a section of Geometry. She wasted no time getting to know her students. Students, Administration, and her fellow teachers have noticed her outstanding work in her classroom. Her students have responded in a positive manner to her lessons as she went right to work with pre-assessments and then jumping right into the curriculum. In the short time she has been here, Miss Mervosh has made her presence known in a positive manner. She is a great addition to The New Academy Charter School as she makes the Math Department stronger. Keep up the good work Miss Mervosh!
Science
Biology students have learned the difference between food chains and food webs and constructed their own food webs. Chemistry students are learning the parts of atoms. Psychology students are reading about Sigmund Freud.
English
The English department is working hard with our students in a variety of areas. Paragraph writing has become a department wide initiative with an emphasis on length and sentence variety, punctuation, and topic sentences and supporting details. In English 8 and 1, students are analyzing plot structure and character development. They are also writing perspective paragraphs, detailing the POV of the characters they are studying. In English 2, students are reading The Most Dangerous Game and learning to identify tone and recognize how setting can affect the other elements of a story. In English 3, students just finished their first essay of the year. It was a concept essay exploring the meaning of home. They are using this as a spring board into early 19th century American literature. English 4 just finished up a Slam poetry unit which was used to explore deep thoughts and feelings, effective brain storming techniques, the art of story-telling and forms of expression. They will be beginning a gothic literature unit next.
Social Studies
The Social Studies department is currently diving into some awesome topics, and the class to be highlighted is Mr. Zarko’s World Culture class. Students have been engaged and excited to learn about the Roman Empire. Classes have been studying various films while role playing some of the most epic gladiator battles. While discussing Roman law, Mr. Zarko’ students have made guests appearances to Mr. Shamitko’s Civics class to discuss the influence of the Roman Republic on American Government. Keep up the good work Mr. Z and students!!!
We are finally into the swing of the school year which means signing up for SATs, college tours and meeting graduation requirements. The next SAT day is December 3, 2022. The deadline to register is November 3, 2022. After that, is March 11, 2022 with a registration deadline of February 10, 2023. As a reminder, all students get two free SAT registrations. The seniors also toured Rosedale Technical School on October 25th and will be touring Chatham University in November! Don't forget all New Academy Charter School graduates earn a $2,000 scholarship to be used at a postsecondary school of their choosing. Be on the lookout for more to come!
At the New Academy Charter School our goal is to establish a school culture that reinforces positive behavior and academic success. In other words, "Catch a Student Doing Something Right" is the motto of our school. To promote that motto we have established a reward system of positive incentives. This month our students had the opportunity to enjoy our annual Fall Festival, which is full of fun activities like candy, bingo. raffles, mummy making and staff vs. student games. This day also features a delicious pizza lunch, caramel apples and Halloween cookie decorating! There is also a field trip planned for eligible students to take a bike ride on one of the city's many beautiful trail ways.
Many times, students show that they are angry when, in reality, they could be handling many different emotions, such as anxiety, depression, or loneliness. It is important to name the feelings so that your student can work to identify what they are feeling before their feelings become too much for them to handle. Understanding what a student is feeling is the key to helping them cope with the feeling appropriately and effectively. The Feelings Wheel is a tool that you can use to help your student identify their feelings. I recommend using it when they are having positive emotions and negative emotions so that they are familiar with it when they are really struggling.
Toys for Tots
It’s giving season!
Toys for Tots - Request , Donate or Volunteer visit https://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx
Allegheny County residents can request a toy by visiting …
Application Open Date: 10/1/2022
Date campaign begins accepting toy applications
Application Close Date: 11/21/2022
Date campaign stops accepting toy applications.
Helping Hands
Allegheny Link can help connect your family to resources with housing needs. They will assess your eligibility and find the right fit for you. This includes rental assistance, utility assistance and housing transition services.
Contact the Allegheny Link: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
By phone
1-866-730-2368
(Callers between 7:00 pm and 8:00 am will be directed to appropriate supports by an automated message.)
In person
Human Services Building
One Smithfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
By email
Contact Allegheny Link
New Academy Charter School
Homeless Liaison: Ms. Melissa Miller
412 515-2280
Local Resources
We recognize families have a variety of needs as they navigate life. Below are resources that address needs such as technology, school options, parenting resources and more.
The New Academy Charter School recognizes the importance of regular attendance in school as a means of helping students achieve academic success. We know your student may have a valid reason for being absent.
Some reasons for an excused absence are: doctor or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours, death of a family member, student illness, religious holidays, or required court attendance.
- Please provide a medical note or written explanation for all absences upon their return to school.
- Submit medical notes/or written excuses within 3 days of the absence to Ms. Melissa Miller email millerm@theacademyschools.com, fax: 412 515-2299
- Phone calls to the school will NOT excuse your child.
- Only 10 parental notes can be accepted each school year. All others must be formal excuses.
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