Advantage Academy 
Grand Prairie West  Newsletter
  December 2016

IN THIS ISSUE
 
 
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District News 

As the holiday season moves into full swing and kids are home from school, it's easy to get lost in the preparation and forget to keep children on a regular reading schedule. Unfortunately, in many states, assessment tests are right around the corner.

One of the things kids look forward to in December is the academic  downtime, but there's no reason why they can't keep their minds sharp during the holidays. And, believe it or not, they can have fun while doing it. Reading doesn't have to mean sitting at a table with a  boring school book for a set amount of time each day. You can  easily 'sneak' reading into daily activities. Here are a few tips that  parents and guardians can use to sneak learning into the holidays at  home:


Happy Holidays from the District Office! 
Principal's Corner

The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it. 
~Hubert H. Humphrey

Good afternoon,
The holiday season is upon us!  I hope that each GPW family enjoyed their Thanksgiving with family and friends.  I am so grateful for each student and family and your trust in us to nurture and prepare your scholar for success!

Texas state testing is quickly approaching! There are less than 60 days remaining before our scholars have to demonstrate mastery of learning .  Here are a few tips to ensure your scholar has the best opportunity to be successful.
  • Come to school DAILY and on time.
  • Stay in touch with your scholar's teachers on ways you can help them at home
  • Have your scholar read  or listen to you read  for 20 minutes each night
  • Allow your scholar in preparing for dinner or making recipes and or grocery shopping- this helps in problem solving and mathematics
Education first,
D. White - Principal  

"Building Champions with a Future and a Hope"
Attendance in school is Essential!
  • Scholars may arrive to school as early as 7:30am for Breakfast
  • Scholars leave the gymnasium at 7:45am to head to class.
  • 8:00am is when students are late to school.  
  • Ten minutes late to any period is considered an ABSENCE.
Beginning October 3, 2016, students will report immediately to their 1st period and sign a tardy slip inside their classroom.

Please try to schedule appointments for students after school to ensure students receive maximum instructional time.

Dismissal is at 3:20 pm for K-4 and Grades 5-8 at 3:40 pm
Parents will not be allowed to pick up students after 3:00 pm. It is too difficult for staff to gather scholars while preparing for dismissal.  We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
After School Tutorials

The first round of after school tutorials will conclude on December 1, 2016.  The tutorials have been in progress for 12 weeks.   Teachers and administration have reviewed the data and made the necessary recommendations on how to proceed with the next round of tutorials.
The targeted after school tutorials will begin December 5, 2016 at 3:45  pm. until  5:00 pm
  • Tutorials will operate on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
  • By Invitation only in grades 3-8
  • Scholars must attend each day of tutorials to keep their seat in each session
  • Subjects: Reading, mathematics, science, and social studies
  • Permission slips must be returned to the classroom teacher by Friday, December 2, 2016 in order to attend
  • Part I  December 5 - March 10 and Part II  April 3- April 27
Mark Your Calendars

12/5 -  Tutorial session Round 2 begins by Invitation only. Students in grades 3-8.
12/16 - Christmas Around the World Program @ 1:00 pm
12/16 - End of 2nd Nine Weeks
12/19 to 1/2 - Winter Break: No school!

*Please  note that all dates and times are subject to change. Check with the front office for confirmation of information.

Check out the full website calendar of events here:  Campus Calendar
A A G P  West Soaring Eagles
Student/Staff Highlights from November

Thanksgiving Luncheon!
Parent University & Parent/Teacher Conference!

1st Nine Weeks Awards Ceremony!

6th Graders working on class assignments!

Important Reminders

December Professional Learning Community (PLC) Days:
12/7
12/14

Students are released 1 hour & 15 minutes earlier than their normal times on PLC days.

PLC Release Times:
PreK-5th @ 2:05 pm   
6th-8th  @ 2:25 pm 

*** Saturday School Boot Camp  has been discontinued  due to low attendance.***
Clubs at GPW

Encourage your students in grades 3-8 to participate in a club.  The meetings  will be held after school from 3:30pm- 4:30pm.

It is  important for scholars to be well rounded in all
areas -academics, extra-curricular, and social /community involvement.
College/Spirit Shirts 
and Jean Days

College Shirt Mondays! Students may wear college t-shirts every Monday with standard uniform bottoms.

Spirit Shirts are required on Fridays and may be purchased for $8.00 in the Main Office.

Jeans are optional on Fridays for $1.00 fee. Jean passes are $15 per semester or $25 per year.  
View Your Child's Grades Online!
Parent Portal is Available to You! 

Advantage Academy wants to help you access your student's grades. Sign up now for access to the Parent Portal and you  can monitor your child's grades and attendance from your computer! 

I f you need assistance with this technology, please call the front office at 214-276-5800 option 2 and schedule a time to meet with our Instructional Technology Specialist and he will help you set up your free Parent Portal access and an free email account (if you need one).

 
Child Nutrition

Keeping your scholar healthy
Good health is essential to achieving academic progress. The season is changing and scholar's must be protected from the germs and common viruses.

* Wear appropriate outer wear as the temperatures change (hats, coats, and gloves)
* Eat healthy and get proper rest
* Wash your hands frequently especially after sneezing and coughing
* Cough inside of arm and not on hands; cover mouth when sneezing

Check out our Breakfast/Lunch Menu
          
Here at AAGPWest, we are dedicated to providing a healthy, well-rounded breakfast and lunch. For a glimpse at this month's breakfast and lunch menu click  the link below.
Athletics Department
          
We are off to a great start in athletics this year and we are excited to  see what this year has in store for us as an athletic department. If  you need an athletic packet, please stop by and see one 
of the  coaches in the gym. We want to continue to show our Eagle pride  by coming out to the games to show our support of our athletes.  The most up to date schedule can be found on our website: 
GO EAGLES!
How Can We Contact You?

Parents and Guardians,

It is very important that we have updated and accurate contact information in case there were an emergency or a situation that involved your child. Please be sure to keep us updated as we need your correct phone number(s), address, and email information.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us keep the lines of communic ation between school and home connected!
Faculty Contacts:
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