CURRICULUM SPOTLIGHT
MEETING OF THE MINDS
In celebration of Black History month, learners in the Modern World History class will be taking part in a special Meeting of the Minds simulation wherein each learner was given the opportunity to
bring to life a historical figure
they revere in a culturally responsive learning environment.
Leading up to the Meeting of the Minds simulation in class, students conducted
careful and thorough research
on their chosen figure to understand who they were/are, their
beliefs and philosophies
on life, and their
significance
.
In preparation to become that person, students prepared visualization posters that represented the major ideas, information, and reasons why they chose that person which they shared with their peers during a
Socratic seminar
session. It became apparent that there was great tension in the classroom as the ideas of the figures were in juxtaposition.
We are excited to see such figures as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, Beyonce, Trayvon Martin, Athena, Tupac, George S. Patton, Cesar Chavez, King Christian X, Will Smith, Selena, Mother, Black Panther, Paul Pogba, and Lionel Messi.
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SPRING FORMAL
"Glowing Under the Sea- Bioluminescence"
The Academy invites current students and an optional pre-approved guest to our Spring Formal Dance: “Under the Sea, Bioluminescence” on Thursday,
March 29 at 6 p.m. The dance will take place in the
Garden Ballroom at The Reef in Long Beach. Tickets will be $45 dollars a person ($40 prepay) and will include a soda bar, appetizers, professional photographer, and a DJ.
Receive $10 off your dance ticket by participating in our
Chipotle FUNdriaser on Saturday, March 10. Simply, submit your receipt with a purchase of $20 or more at Chipotle to Mrs. Sanders by March 14th, to receive your discount.
Academy students can bring guests by completing a Guest Form no later than Monday, March 26. Guest tickets cost $45 with no available discounts.
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JOIN THE FUN!
Celebrate the Academy's Birthday with a Chiptole FUNdrasier to Support the Spring Formal Dance!
Eat Chipotle in Bixby Knolls between 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, March 10
and 50% of your dining bill will be donated back to support the Academy's formal dance next month!
Submit your Chipotle receipt to Mrs. Sanders the next day to receive $20 off your dance ticket!
Be sure to bring a flyer with you or a copy from your mobile device.
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ACADEMY DANCE TEAM
Hip Hop Dance Starts February 27
Hip Hop Dance starts on Tuesday, February 27. Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Tuesday 3:45 - 5:15 and Thursdays 2:30 - 4:15.
S
tudents will learn the fundamentals of Hip Hop and perform in front of a few different audiences. This will be a five-week program with an accelerated class starting after spring break.
WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME MISS HILLARY TO OUR COMMUNITY!
Hillary Santos is an experie
nced Hip Hop
choreographer and dancer. She performed with Hip Hop International USA, America's Got Talent and Dance to Excess with Theory Dance Company. She has experience working with various age groups in competitive and non-competive settings. She values team work and educating students about how dancing can be pursued as a profession.
There is a $50 donation for the 5 week session.
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AFTER SCHOOL STUDY HALL, SUPERVISION, AND CLOSED CAMPUS
Our spring semester study hall schedule is now finalized and starts next week. These are teacher supervised periods after school where students can do schoolwork in a quiet environment. Here are the scheduled times:
Mondays, 3:45 p.m. to 4:35 p.m.
Tuesdays, 3:45 p.m. to 4:35 p.m.
Thursdays, 2:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We provide additional supervised, safe space for all students to just hang out after school. This lasts until the Academy closes at 5 p.m. M-W and 4:30 p.m. Th-F.
In order to maintain a high level of safety, we maintain a closed campus throughout the day. No students are allowed to leave and re-enter, even after school ends. We do allow an exception right when the school day ends at 3:27 p.m. (Thur. 1:57 p.m.), but we promptly lock the doors at 3:45 p.m. (Thur. 2:15 p.m.).
The Academy is not able to supervise students who choose to leave the campus, but hang out on Long Beach Blvd. (on the sidewalk outside our entrance). We encourage students to either stay inside the building or make arrangements off site. Please communicate with your child the importance of staying safe once they leave campus.
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WOMEN IN ENGINEERING
Did you know that only 11% of engineers are women?
Last Friday, a small group of Academy students were invited to participate in a Women in Engineering Career Day event at Los Angeles Harbor College. Our students toured through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) classes and discussed the interaction between the different disciplines in industry.
In addition to the serious gender gap within engineering, speakers discussed the skills that engineers need to be successful. Scott Callihan, Associate Professor of Architecture, listed these three skills:
creativity, critical thinking, and technical skills
. Astrid Acuna, Chemical Engineer at the Californian Resources Corporation, discussed
open-mindedness
and
perseverance
.
The Academy’s Master Virtues were all over the “what’s needed” to be successful as an engineer. We think that is what’s needed to be successful, not just as an engineer, but t
o adapt to the modern world
. Academy students are prepared to excel in college and later in career. I wouldn’t be surprised if several Academy students become engineers.
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SUPPORTING HOME LEARNING AT THE ACADEMY
At the Academy, the focus is on thinking and learning. Here are some suggestions on how to support your child's learning at home. Visit the website by clicking the links below for more information on supporting your child's learning at home.
- One goal in helping to focus on learning is to assist students in figuring out as much as they can for themselves (e.g., constructing meaning). Ask questions that guide, without telling what to do.
- The goal is that students learn and practicing intellectual virtues in their thinking. One thinking routine that can help in processing what students have learned – even if it doesn’t seem like they get all of the assignment – is “I Used To Think, Now I Think”. Another thinking routine that can help students expand on and explain their thinking is “What makes you say that."
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tues., Feb. 27 at 3:45 p.m.
Hip Hop Dance Club Begins
Fri., March 2 at 8:15 a.m.
Community Meeting
Mon., March 5
Registrations Due for incoming students
Wed., March 7 at 7 p.m.
Board Meeting at
IVA Middle School
Thurs., March 8
Chromebook Check- Bring Chromebook & Charger
Fri. March 9
Staff VS Student Basketball Game (during afternoon advisory)
Sat., Mar. 10 from 4-8 p.m.
Wed., March 21 at 9 a.m.
Wed., Mar. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Thurs., March 29 at 3 p.m.
Campus closes early
Thurs., March 29 at 6 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 30 to Fri. Apr. 6
No School, Spring Break,
Fri. Apr. 13
All Stars VS Staff Futsal Game (during afternoon advisory)
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MASTER VIRTUES
CREATIVE VIRTUES
Curiosity
Ask questions!
Open-mindedness
Think outside the box!
Intellectual Courage
Take risks!
CRITICAL THINKING VIRTUES
Intellectual Attentiveness
Look and listen!
Intellectual Carefulness
Avoid errors!
Intellectual Thoroughness
Go deep!
VIRTUES OF SELF-GROWTH
Intellectual Autonomy
Think for yourself!
Intellectual Humility
Admit what you don't
know!
Intellectual Tenacity
Embrace struggle!
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