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News & Notes - November 2, 2018
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What's Happening at The Academies?
Nov 2 --
SVA Theater presents: One Acts
Nov 6 -- Election Day, go vote!
Nov 8-9 -- Conferences *NO SCHOOL*
Nov 12 -- Holiday *NO SCHOOL*
Nov 19-23 --
Fall Break *NO SCHOOL*
Dec 4 --
SVA Spelling Bee
Dec 13 -- SVA High School Night
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A Message from Principal Benton
Hey SVA Family,
Allan here at the Principal desk. I thought I would share a little about what I do and what my intentions are when I work with your scholars in my capacity as Principal.
While I do often see students because of a problematic behavior that has occurred, it is also my practice to visit with and check in with scholars proactively, whether or not there has been any problem. I make it my goal to learn as many of the student's names as I can, and am typically pretty close to 100% by the later part of the year (it's the whole new crew of Kinders that always gets me! LOL). I try to have positive contact with as many students as possible, every single day, as part of building the school community and also as a preventative measure against potential future behaviors. It is my intention to make our scholars feel seen, known, and appreciated.
When I have the opportunity to advise or counsel students, my guiding principle is to help students "find their gifts," and then find ways to use them effectively. I ask scholars tons of questions about what they enjoy doing in and out of school, what things they are good at, and with what things with which they struggle most. It is my belief that finding success, happiness, and joy in life lies in finding a person's passion and exploring their love for something. Combining this along with using natural abilities, aptitudes, and gifts is key! My purpose is to help students begin to realize their passions, recognize their abilities, and make connections between those things and the needs that they see in the world around them. People who feel that they can positively affect their community through the use of their talents and abilities are happy people!
My other goal is for students here to always feel that they have a safe place with a safe adult to come to when needing support. Our students can trust that they will get an ear ready to listen fully and completely and a person to walk with them through the struggle until some resolution is found to make things right. I want our scholars to feel comfortable to walk into my open door with their struggles and to trust that they will be addressed with the seriousness and respect they deserve.
I want all of our scholars to feel self-respect and dignity. I want them to feel valued and worthwhile. My work with your student is in an effort to help produce these feelings inside them and give them the strength and ability to make great choices on their own.
My door is always open to parents as well! If you ever have questions or concerns regarding your scholar, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Thanks so much!!!
Allan Benton
Principal
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SVA Theater Presents
An Evening of Theatrical Performances
This trimester, SVA's Introduction to Theater class was given the opportunity to create unique one-act plays based on their choice of Greek Myth, Fable, or Tall Tale.
The students have worked tirelessly creating their scripts, blocking their shows, and creating their own sets and props. We are excited to share this amazing (FREE!) evening with our family and friends and we look forward to seeing you!
Friday, November 2
5:30-8:00PM
SVA Cafeteria
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Conference Care
There will be no school on conference days, November 8-9. Our After School Program is offering
care from 7:30AM-4:30PM.
The days will include special activities, crafts, and fun!
Meals and snacks will NOT be served, so please be sure to send food for the day with your child.
Sign up using the form linked on the After School page of our websites.
Half Day: $12.50 each 4.5 hour session (7:30AM-12:00PM
OR 12:00-4:30PM)
Full Day: $25 (7:30-4:30)
ATTENTION: You
WILL be charged the half day rate if you leave your child in Conference Care only during your scheduled conference time.
Families who purchased the Unlimited Flat Rate Plan for after school care incur no additional charge for these days, but please do complete the sign up form if you plan for your child to attend so that we can plan staffing accordingly.
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How to Read Your Child's Report Card
We are nearing the end of Trimester 1 and teachers are gearing up for conferences and report cards. Please take a few minutes to prepare for your conference by reading this document:
How to Read Your Child's Trimester Report Card. This handy guide will help you better understand and interpret your child's scores.
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PBL Update
This week, SVA's 3rd & 4th grades held their PBL culminating event at the El Diamante Theater where students presented their original campaign videos for the candidates of their choosing.
Throughout the project, students learned about the value of voting in a democratic system and the ways in which campaign propaganda can influence voters. Students sought to answer the essential question: How will campaign videos influence constituents of Visalia during the November elections?
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SVA High School Night
On Thursday, December 13 from 6:00-7:30PM, SVA will host a high school night for 8th graders and their families (7th graders welcome, too!). Please come to speak with representatives of many of our local high school options including: VUSD Linked Learning, UPHS, VTEC, La Sierra, VCIS, ERCLC, and VUSD neighborhood schools.
Since our graduates transition to many different schools, families are entirely responsible for applying, registering, and orienting students to their intended high school.
The teaching team and administration will help however we can if asked, but families must take the lead. Come this evening to explore the local high school options or to make contact with representatives from your child's school of choice.
See you there!
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Shop and earn money for your school!
So far, we've raised over $200 for our schools from just a handful of orders! Please check out Primary and help support our schools! Use the links below to shop online.
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Operation Chromebook
The 5th & 6th Grade teaching team has been hard at work pounding the pavement to raise money for the purchase of Chromebooks for their students. So far, they are over halfway to their goal of $23,000!
A HUGE thank you goes out to the donors who have already put a whole class set of Chromebooks into the hands of our kids:
SVA PTO
Ruiz 4 Kids (Ruiz Foods)
Erin Andersen
Toby Maitland-Lewis
Harold Rollin
Ruth Dutton
Jaime Baeza
Operation Chromebook will be up and running until the goal of acquiring two full class sets is met. If you would like to contribute to this cause, please contact Claudia Van Groningen or Erika Chan.
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Our schools offer a convenient option for student breakfast and lunch. Meals are provided by through contract with Visalia Unified School District's Nutritional Services Division and are delivered daily to our cafeterias.
Breakfast - $ 1.25 per day Lunch - $2.00 per day Milk - $0.35 per carton
You can pay for lunches at school with cash or check,
or pay
online with the myschoolbucks.com
service
. An app is available so you can easily use this service on your smartphone. If you have not already done so, you will need
to register, create an account and
provide an ID number for each student
.
Contact the front office of your school to obtain your child's student ID number.
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Next SVA PTO Meeting
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Next BOA PTO Meeting
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| Monday, November 5 |
Tuesday, November 13 |
| 6:00PM |
6:00PM |
| Round Table Pizza |
Round Table Pizza
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| Packwood Creek Center |
Mary's Vineyard Center |
4035 S. Mooney Blvd.
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1691 E. Noble Ave.
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If you would like to share any ideas or add an agenda item for discussion at the
PTO
meeting please
email
it to [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting.
Spanish translation available at meetings.
¡Estamos muy contentos de compartir que ofrecemos traducción en español en nuestras reuniones! ¡Hay que trabajar juntos!
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Why Read 20 Minutes a Day?
Did you know that reading helps build student success? We're sure that you know this, but here is some more evidence to show that reading really does have a significant impact on a child's foundation in learning.
Let's break it down...
A child who reads 20 minutes per night reads 3,600 minutes per school year and is exposed to 1,800,000 words. Wow!
Initially, kids can't read for 20 minutes on their own, but early readers benefit from reading with a parent. The child can read a short book, then listen to a read-aloud or picture book with a parent. The blossoming reader can hear a fluent reader and build vocabulary.
Teachers in our 1st & 2nd grades are noticing greater academic growth in students who consistently read or are read to at home each night compared to those who do not. This is reason enough to make reading a regular part of your child's day.
("The Case for Reading 20 Minutes a Day."
Fairhill School and Diagnostic Assessment Center
, 27 June 2016)
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The Nutcracker
Several SVA students will be appearing in the Theater Arts Alliance production of The Nutcracker.
November 24 @ 2:00PM and 7:00PM
Tickets:
$22.50 for adults
$17.00 for Seniors (65+)
$12.50 for students.
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Know of a community event you'd like to share? Email information and images to Claudia Van Groningen
[email protected]
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The Academies CMO| 559.622-3236 | theacademiescharters.org
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