Advantage Academy 
Grand Prairie West  Newsletter
 
April 2017


IN THIS ISSUE
Attendance
Campus Calendar
Sudent/Staff Highlights
Important Reminders
Parent Portal
Child Nutrition
Athletics
Contact our Teachers
 
 
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Parents, Staff, & Students,
Please send your campus news, photos, student & staff achievements, awards, club news and more to:
Thank You!
 


 


 
District News 

Thank you parents for choosing Advantage Academy. We need your help in getting the word out to others about
enrollment for 17/18. Please tell your friends and neighbors, while seats are still available. Also, our first day of school will be Tuesday, August 29,2017.

Thank you!

Sherri Busalacchi
Principal's Corner 

I believe that education is all about being excited about something. 
Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message. 
~Steve Irwin.

Greetings!
We have less than 60 days until the 2016-2017 school year ends. Scholars are working diligently in these final nine weeks of school to demonstrate excellence in each content area. Congratulations to our scholars and parents in assuring we had 100% attendance during the STAAR testing cycle! We are so grateful for your support ! There are 27 days until the next STAAR administration.

  • Grade 3,4,6,7 Reading and Mathematics
  • Grade 5 Science 
  • Grade 8 Science and Social Studies
Students in grades 5 and 8 must pass
 these assessments. If NOT summer school will be REQUIRED.

Educationally yours, 
D. White, Principal
L. Dawn, Assistant 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.
Students will report immediately to their 1st period class. If they are late, they will 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.
2017-2018 Enrollment

Invite someone to attend Advantage Academy and enter a raffle for a Visa gift card. They must attend and sign up for enrollment!

New Parent Information Meeting on April 20, 2017 at 6:pm. in the school cafeteria. 

Many students come to our school based upon a parent referral. We want to continue to serve students whom parents believe would do well at our school! 
After School Tutorials

Tutorial Dates for the reminder of the year: 

April
4/4 - Grades 3-7 Reading ONLY
4/6 - Grades 5 & 8 Science ONLY
          Grades 3/4/6/7 Math ONLY
4/11 - No TUTORIALS Staff Meeting
4/13 - Grades 5 & 8 Science ONLY
            Grades 3/4/6/7 Reading ONLY
4/18 - Grades 3-7 Math ONLY
            Grade 5 Science ONLY
            Grade 8 Social Studies ONLY
4/20 - Grades 3-8 Pep Rally for STAAR 
            LAST DAY for Tutorials for the YEAR!
4/20 - 2017-2018 New Parent Information Meeting. A raffle for a                   Visa Gift Card for the parent/guardian who invites a potential             new parent to attend.
Mark Your Calendars

4/7 - Progress Reports go home
4/10 to 4/14 - Parent Appreciation Week
Let's us show you how much we appreciate you!  Let's us show you our appreciation WITHOUT you getting out of your car. Special treats will be given as you pass through the car line.  
4/10 - Donuts with Dad @ 7:30am - 8:30am in the small gym.                     Students should attend with their dad, do not report to class.
4/14 - No School! 
4/22 - Saturday School Blast! 3-8 grade: 8:AM to 12:PM
Bring a snack/lunch.Rock your  favorite colors- Prize to the person with the most of their favorite colors on!  We will have our final championship kick ball game against staff and students. Who will win?  Don't forget your lunch!!!

*Kindergarten Graduation Date has been finalized.

 May 22, 2017 at 6:pm

*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 March

Getting ready for the STAAR Pep Rally!

Ms. Matthew's class dissecting a frog 
 
 


Mrs.Key's class inspecting Owl Pellets.

 

Scholastic Book Fair!







































We Learn .  .  .

Scholars must SEE it, HEAR it, SAY it, and TEACH it to LEARN INFORMATION. Help us by giving your student the EXPERIENCES and opportunities to TEACH YOU all the wonderful things they are learning at school.

Examples of how to assist:
* Take a walk in the neighborhood and talk about what you see and hear.
* Discuss homework with the students to have them share how they solve mathematical problems.
* Allow them to assist in grocery shopping and preparing meals.
* Assist them in solving everyday problems.
* Read and discuss a good book each night for 20 minutes.

Important Reminders

April Professional Learning Community (PLC) Days:
4/5
4/12
4/19
4/26

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 
Upcoming Testing

Congratulations on 100% attendance 
for March STAAR tests!!! 
Lets aim for 100% in May too!!!

STAAR Testing is quickly approaching! 
May 8-11, 2017 for all 3rd through 8th graders.

We have been preparing them all year to be SUCCESSFUL on each exam.

How you can help prepare for the test?

* Get the scholar to school on time DAILY
* READ and write EVERY DAY at home for 20 minutes each
* Don't accept excuses. They can do it!
* Be consistent in your expectations! Only accept their BEST!
* Ensure they get a good 8-10 hours of undisturbed sleep each night.
* Help them maintain a POSITIVE attitude.
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 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: 

GPWest events/athletic calendar
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:

Teachers of the Month!

November:
Ms. Allen
5th/7th grade ELAR Teacher

December:
Mr. Davis
4th grade Science/Social Studies 
6th grade Science Teacher

January:
Amanda Key
5th grade Science/Social Studies Teacher

February: 
Cassandra Cooper
2nd grade Teacher

March:
Bernice Ortega
ESL Teacher

April:
Amy Jacobs
 6th Grade ELAR Teacher

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