WARRIOR WEEKLY December 7-11 |
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Dear TMA Families,
As we continue to head into the winter holiday season, we want again to thank you for your extraordinary partnership with us this year. I may sound like a broken record, but we are incredibly grateful to you and proud of the TMA Faculty and Staff for what we are accomplishing together under difficult circumstances.
Parents, please make sure that you remind your students that daily attendance and engagement in all classes is more important than ever. If you are having any challenges, please reach out to your student’s advisor for assistance. Enjoy the weekend, staff safe and healthy.
Quote of the Week:
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What’s Ahead:
- Tuesday, December 8th: Family Workshop - Coping with the Winter Blues
- Tuesday, December 15th: Law Firm Tutoring
- Wednesday, December 16th: Admissions Meet and Greet
- Monday & Tuesday, December 21st & 22nd: Student Asynchronous Work Days
- December 23rd-January 3rd: Winter Break
- Monday, January 4th: Classes Resume
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Student Highlights
TMA families, please take the time to applaud several students who represented TMA in the Mikva's Semi Round Soapbox speeches. Our students have demonstrated that as a community, WE have a lot of work to do in our fight for social justice. Parents, please send a big thanks to Ms. Lee via email (klee@tmapchs.org) for her facilitation of this process. Pulling this off in the building is challenging; online had to be an adventure.
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Attendance
Please notify your student’s teachers, advisor and rshort@tmapchs.org when your student is going to miss any synchronous classes.
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Class Announcements
Click on your grade level to see assignments and announcements from your Dean and teachers:
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Community Service Opportunities
All Warriors should be working to earn 100 hours of community service by the end of their senior year. Volunteer hours must be completed at either a 501c3 non-profit organization or government agency. Students may not receive any pay for volunteer hours.
TMA has several internal opportunities available for students to earn community service hours. Students can reach out to Ms. Ames, zames@tmapchs.org, to learn more.
Service Opportunity Spotlight: TMA Story Time Program
Description: This is a virtual community service opportunity that pairs TMA students with local elementary and middle school students. Our students can earn up to five (5) service hours reading stories to younger children. This program is coordinated by Brianna Anthony, one of our 12th grade Community Service Ambassadors. We currently have eight (8) students ranging in grades from 9th to 12th serving as reading buddies in the TMA Story Time program!
Parent Participant Testimonials:
I think that the Reading Buddies Program is an awesome program for my kid. She’s having fun while learning.
-Ziyonna’s Mom
My children love their reading buddies. On Wednesdays they are excited to read stories and get to know their buddies more. It has truly been a blessing to our kids.
-Tavon Lawrence
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Technology & Online Resources
Canvas Tutorials for Parents: Below are some helpful tutorials for our parents and guardians who are helping their TMA student navigate Canvas.
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How do I create a parent account in Canvas? (video here)
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How does my child submit assignments in Canvas? (video here)
If you have questions about Canvas, please contact any of the following TMA team members.
- Erica Culbreath (technology teacher), eculbreath@tmapchs.org
- Malika Mays (Associate Head of School), mmays@tmapchs.org
- You can also contact your student’s advisory teacher.
Infinite Campus Access: Parents, you will receive an email with access credentials for Infinite Campus this Friday evening. This will provide you with the ability to check your students overall grade in each of their courses. Also, students will receive access to Infinite Campus Sunday evening.
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Programs Updates
Dear parents and guardians,
We would like to know more about the children and youth who come to our after school programs so we can better help them learn and develop. Your child may be invited to complete a brief after-school survey. The survey will ask questions about what your child thinks of the program and about some of the ways he or she may be benefiting from attending the program. The information your child provides will be extremely valuable in helping us to improve our programs.
All information collected will be kept confidential. Your student’s name will not appear on any documents outside of the TMA Programs Department. No individual student will be identified. We do not see any risks to you or your student associated with participating.
The information gathered will be used to improve our afterschool program and to generate greater support for afterschool programs in the community.
Your participation is voluntary. We encourage all parents to agree to allow their children to participate so that we can have the most complete information possible about how our program is affecting children and youth. Please email Ms. Schwarz (cschwarz@tmapchs.org) if you wish for your student to NOT participate in the programs survey.
If you are interested in enrolling your student in Homework Help, email Ms. Schwarz at cschwarz@tmapchs.org. If you want to sign your student up for the Mentor Program, email Ms. Jean at pjean@tmapchs.org.
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Resources and Support Information
Library Corner--Sail Through Exams with BrainFuse HelpNow
To help you accelerate your learning experience, DC Public Library has an all-in-one suite of tutoring services, BrainFuse HelpNow! HelpNow is designed for a wide range of academic needs for students from Kindergarten through Grade 12. Access to this resource for DC Public Library cardholders is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
HelpNow services include:
- Expert Help with Tutors
- Live Tutoring in English and Spanish.
- Writing Lab
- Skills building with SkillSurfer
- Chat with Tutors with Send Question
- Language Lab for language learners
- Study Tools
- Diagnostic test center with the LEAP Learning Platform
- Create flashcards, tests and games with Flashbulb
- College and career prep with eParachute
- Virtual Collaboration
- Schedule virtual study rooms with MEET
- Create and share movie-like notes with Brainwave
Sign in with your Library card to start checking out HelpNow today!
General Resources
If your family needs any resources (like food, clothing, school supplies, etc.) or support during this time of distance learning, please reach out to Ms. Moore at nmoore@tmapchs.org.
Kids Ride Free Cards
Parents, please pick up your student’s Kids Ride Free Card this Monday-Wednesday between 9 am-3:30 pm.
Free Meals for DC Students
DC Public Schools are now offering no-cost meals to all DC youth ages 18 and under at 47 schools across Washington, DC. This program began on September 24. During this period, youth are not required to be enrolled in DC Public Schools to receive meals. Youth or parents/guardians on their behalf may receive up to 3 breakfast and 3 lunch meals daily. The meal sites will operate through December 31, 2020. DCPS meal sites can be found here.
Also, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is currently offering free grab-and-go afternoon meals for DC youth 18 and younger at ten sites. These meals are available for any child that visits a site. DPR meal sites can be found here.
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Internet Resources
If you received an email regarding free Internet services from the District of Columbia. You should receive a text message, phone call, and/or email from the DC Government soon asking if you want to opt-in to free Internet from DC—please respond “yes” (even if you have enrolled in Comcast via Thurgood Marshall Academy). The attached flyer provides additional details regarding the Internet Services Program: DC Government Free Internet.
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Special Education, Student Wellness & Interventions
Winter Blues:
TMA's world-renowned Mental Health Team presents:
Coping with Winter Blues
Tuesday, December 8th at 5:30 pm
Warriors will learn healthy practices and coping strategies that can help them get through the winter months. Feel free to join and/or share the info with your students and/or other families you are in close contact with.
OAG and Children's National Hospital Youth Town Hall Series:
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for the District of Columbia and Children’s National Hospital are proudly partnering to present a FREE, virtual town hall series lead by District youth. This two-part series is designed to provide youth and families with resources to improve health and well-being. Please see attached for registration details and feel free to share widely with youth and families in your communities. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact OAG at OAGCommunity@dc.gov. Click HERE to View Flyer.
Wellness Tips for the Week
Self-Regulation
The Why and the Cans
Why?
Your Warrior has a lot on their plate as they manage high school virtually, during a time of uncertainty. While we cannot change the fact that stressful things happen, we want our students to feel empowered to manage inevitable stress flexibly and in healthy ways. Our goal is for every student to feel confident that they can RESPOND to stress by recognizing that stress exists, identifying how it impacts their bodies/brains, and preventing typical reaction patterns by pausing and putting a coping skill into action.
Last week we used the statement, “I can pause and use a coping strategy to respond to stress in a way that feels good for me.” Were you able to recognize when you felt stressed? What did you choose to do next? This week will explore a coping strategy:
Reframing
Reframing is a technique used to help create a different way of looking at a situation, person, or relationship by changing its meaning. As we shift our thinking about our situation, there is a change in emotional tone and the meaning that we give to our life circumstances. Reframing helps us to use whatever life hands us as opportunities to be taken advantage of, rather than problems to be avoided.
Examples:
A Warrior is upset they didn't make the basketball team. Let’s ask them what positive things could come from not making the team. The Warrior is able to say they will have more free time and with enough practice, they might be able to make the team next year.
Positive Self-Talk: “I made a few mistakes today at work but I also completed a project very well”
Changing Perspectives:
Conceited → Confident / Values self
Clingy → Affectionate
Nosey → Curious / Inquisitive
Supporting Families through Transitional Living Circumstances:
Know your rights! Please see link below to learn more about the Educational Rights of Parents and Students Experiencing Homelessness:
If you have any questions, concerns or need support connecting with community resources please don't hesitate to reach out to Yolanda Hayden, School Counselor at yhayden@tmapchs.org.
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Faculty & Staff Directory: Are you Looking for One of Our Team Members?
If you need to contact a TMA Faculty or Staff member, you can find their email address listed HERE: Faculty & Staff Directory
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