April Parent Newsletter

Our monthly newsletters are published on the first of every month to provide families with school-related updates, as well as beneficial information that parents can use at home.

Not receiving this or other communications? Reach out to communications@biaschool.org.

• Mission
  The mission of BIA is to provide students with an education that maximizes the realization of their individual talents and prepares them for success in a technology and information driven 21st Century Economy.
• Vision
  Our vision statement: Our goal at BIA is to be the State Charter School of choice in Georgia.
• Tenets
  Coding, Personalized Learning, PBL (Project Based Learning)

BIA's theme for the 2024-2025 school year is Sailing Towards Success! BIA continues to strive to provide an innovative, 21st century learning environment and to be THE school of choice for families in Georgia.

Great teaching and learning everyday at BIA! Here are some things headed our way...

Students completed the following benchmark assessments in March. This data will be used to drive instruction for the remainder of the year and ensure students are on track to succeed on the Milestones Assessments at the end of April!

• NWEA MAP in math, science, and reading (Students in grades 3 --8)
• i-Ready in math and reading (Students in grades 3 - 8)
• PSAT 8/9 (Students in grades 6, 7, & 8)

BIA celebrated Pi Day on March 14 with students participating in fun math activities throughout the building.

BIA Annual Math Tournament

Congratulations to our Math Super Stars who championed this year's math tournament.

Grade 2

Thank you to Liz McMullen and all the parents that helped to spruce up the the Secret Garden on Saturday. Our scholars will enjoy this green space for learning and leisure!

Congratulations to the March Caring Bears, who showed exemplary qualities of AFFABILITY.

These star scholars will be recognized and honored at a celebration on Friday, April 4 at 9am in the cafeteria.

For more information on the BIA Caring Bears Initiative click on this link.

BIA invites all community stakeholders to provide input on the District’s 2025-2026 Consolidated LEA Improvement Plan (CLIP). The CLIP fulfills the need for a plan from the district to be collected by the Georgia Department of Education (GADOE) to define how BIA will support students when accepting federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015.

BIA will hold the second of two CLIP meetings on Thursday, April 3, 3:30 - 4:30 in the Cafeteria.

For more information, please contact Mr. Samuel Stephens, Assessment and Title One Coordinator, sstephens@biaschool.org.

Thank you for registering and participating in our Virtual Head of School’s Address and GMAS 101 Session. Attached, you will find the GMAS 101 Presentation for your reference.

We encourage you to spread the word about our upcoming session, GMAS 102: Resources and Strategies for At-Home Support for the Georgia Milestones, scheduled for April 1, 2025, at 6:30 PM. Registration is open at https://forms.gle/ho2LK2YXxhmRScv87, and those who previously registered for GMAS 101 do not need to register again.

Thank you again for your participation and engagement in our Georgia Milestones training. We look forward to continuing to support our students in grades 3 - 8 as they prepare for the Georgia Milestones assessments beginning April 28th.

BIA Charter School will conduct our annual screening for scoliosis on April 15th. The screening is done yearly for students in 6th and 8th grades as required by Georgia State Law and mandated by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The screening is done to identify students who may have scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis affects one to two percent of the adolescent population. If the condition is detected early and appropriately treated, progressive spine deformity can be prevented.

If your child has already been screened by a health care provider or you do not want your child screened at school, you must submit the attached Department of Public Health Form 4400 to the school no later than Monday, April 14.

Questions? Reach out to Nurse Etheredge at aetheredge@biaschool.org.

Now available custom school spirit jackets.

These Yonex Dri-fit knit, ultra-soft jackets are light-weight with a heavy-duty lining. They incorporate visibility of different net patterns, which provides the wearer a full range of motion stretch and optimal cooling, as well as promoting school spirit and pride. Show your BIA pride by ordering one of these stylish and practical jackets today!

These custom sports jackets are only $65.00 dollars. For every jacket sold Quick Release will donate $12.50 to BIA Athletics.

Want to see a sample? Stop by the front office!

Questions? Reach out to Coach Smith, esmith@biaschool.org.

Parents of special education students are invited to join Special Education Parent Mentor, Chinetta Bradley, for Special Education Parent University on April 16 at 2pm in the cafeteria.

Ms. Bradley will be facilitating a session for parents on supporting special education students with organizational tips and routines.

For more information, reach out to Ms. Bradley at cbradley@biaschool.org.

Upper School Needs YOU!

The Upper School will be visiting JA Biztown and Finance Park on Friday, April 25 from 8 am to 1:30 pm. Parent volunteers are needed to support this PBL (Project Based Learning) opportunity. Parents help us by making sure that we are able to have enough exhibits open so that our scholars can get the full simulation experience! You do not need to be an upper school parent to volunteer! We welcome parents from the lower school to come out and volunteer with us so you can see what your scholar will be working on in the future! Please scan the QR code to sign up to volunteer! Each person that volunteers will be entered into a drawing to win free Chick-Fil-A!!! Spaces are limited so sign up now!

Assessment

i-Ready

i-Ready End of Year (EOY) Assessments will be administered to all students in grades K-2 as follows:

• April 14 - 18 - Reading
• April 21 - 25 - Math

Writescore

Final writing benchmarking assessments for students in grades K-2 will be administered on Wed., May 7.

GMAS (Milestones)

End of Grade (EOG) and End of Course (EOC) Assessments will be administered to students in grades 3-8 as follows:

• April 28 - ELA I (Grades 3 - 8)
• April 29 - ELA II (Grades 3 - 8)
• April 30 - ELA III (Grades 3 - 8)
• May 1 - Math I (Grades 3 - 8)
• May 2 - Math II (Grades 3 - 8)
• May 5 - Science I & II (Grades 5 & 8)
• May 6 - SS I & II (Grade 8)
• May 7 - EOC Algebra I - Section I (Grade 8 Algebra I students)
• May 8 - EOC Algebra I - Section II (Grade 8 Algebra I students)
• May 5 - 9 - Makeup Assessments

Questions? Please contact Samuel Stephens, sstephens@biaschool.org, 770-538-1550.

Recruitment

Recommend BIA to a friend!

Admissions Lottery

Admission of all new students to BIA (including siblings of currently enrolled students) is through the lottery via Lotterease. Please see full details under the admissions tab on our website for full details.

Tours

Tours for prospective families are scheduled throughout the year. The final school tour of the year will be on April 17. Please check the website or click FY25 Tour Sign Up Genius to register for upcoming tours. Be sure to share with friends and potential families.

Registrar and Student Information

IC

Parents please ensure that you have created your Parent Portal on Infinite Campus – a powerful tool that allows you to stay up to date with your child's attendance, grades, and missing assignments. Click here to see full details on the website.

Need to connect with Infinite Campus? Check out the link on the website. Still having trouble, please reach out to Carmen Swift, cswift@biaschool.org.

Records

Need to update student or family contacts of information? Need student documents or records? Please reach out to Ms. Swift, cswift@biaschool.org.

For assistance with admissions, records, or registration reach out to Carmen Swift, cswift@biaschool.org.

Just a friendly reminder, all visitors and parents must be buzzed into the building through the front doors by the front desk attendant, only. Doors are not be manually opened for anyone, even if they are recognized by students or staff. This policy is in place to help us monitor who enters the building and ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Attention BIA Parents! The Parent Council needs your help! Parent involvement is vital to our children's success, and we have some fantastic volunteering opportunities available. Whether you can contribute a little time or a lot, every bit helps our community grow stronger and brighter. Click the link below to explore all the ways you can get involved and make a difference in our school.

Get involved by reaching out to Visit:

https://www.biaparentcouncil.org/volunteer-opportunities

Contact:

ashelyburgess@biaschool.org

parentcouncil@biaschool.org

• This Week at BIA
• BIA Website
• Meal Information and Menus
• Uniform Information
• Class Dojo
• 2024-2025 BIA Academic Calendar
• 2025-2026 BIA Academic Calendar

Need more help? Reach out to communications@biaschool.org

We love guests for lunch...but to ensure a safe, productive learning community:

• Communicate your visit in advance with your student's teacher.
• Enter the building through the front door, only.
• Remember your ID and sign in at the lobby kiosk at arrival.
• Respect the academic schedule.

• Attendance: Email attendance@biaschool.org

• Calendar: BIA Main Calendar and Annual Academic Calendars

• Communications: BIA Bear News

• Events: This week at BIA

• Fees: MyPayments Plus

• Grades: Infinite Campus - Infinite Campus Parent Login

• Handbook: FY25 BIA Parent and Student Handbook

• Meals - Charter One Foods - Order on the EZ Lunch App

• Parent Council: BIA Parent Council

• Parent Right to Know
  

• Spirit Wear: BIA Sideline Store

• Supply Lists: BIA School Supply List

• Staff: BIA Staff

• Technology: Agreement

• Transportation
  

• Uniforms: BIA Uniforms

• Volunteer - Parent Connections

BIA Swag

Fridays are BIA spirit wear (and jeans) days, so wear your BIA gear with pride. Additional spiritwear is currently available through BSN Sports and Educational Outfitters Magnetic bumper stickers are available for purchase in the front office, too.

Uniforms

BIA has partnered with Educational Outfitters to meet students' uniform needs. Check out all the offerings for daily uniform needs, as well as spirit wear.