WARRIOR WEEKLY November 2-6 |
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Dear TMA Families,
The stretch between mid-October and Thanksgiving break is one of the most challenging phases of the school year. The New Teacher Center calls this phase the “disillusionment period” for new teachers. Even for experienced and passionate educators like us, this time of year can be particularly difficult. 2020 has added an additional gut-punch of a pandemic and contentious election season. As we prepare to collectively meet this moment, I want to emphasize the following:
- Find and elevate the moments of hope and joy.
- Tend to your emotional and physical health.
- We are the torch-bearers and are models to our children.
- Give yourself and your children permission to feel and express challenging emotions.
- Ask for and accept support.
Quote of the Week:
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.”
~Malala Yousafzai,
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What’s Ahead:
- November 3rd: No School (Election Day--Please Vote!!!)
- November 4th: No School
- November 5th: Beginning of 2nd Quarter
- November 6th: Law Day--9th Grade
- November 10th: Junior College Night--6:00-7:30 pm
- November 11th: No School (Veterans Day)
- November 13th: Howard Law Day--10th Grade
- November 17th: Law Firm Tutoring--11th Grade
- November 18th: Open House #2
- November 19th: Admissions Meet and Greet
- November 25th-27th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
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END of 1st Quarter
Our 1st quarter ended on Friday, October 30th. To provide teachers with time for professional development and planning, we are making Monday, November 2nd, and Wednesday, November 4th asynchronous days for students--November 3rd is Election Day, and there is no school. This means that students will not log into Zoom for classes on these days. Students can use these days in any of the following ways:
- Study content that was assigned to them during quarter one.
- Get ahead in ELA by reading ahead in the novel for class.
- Get organized (binders, Google Drive, etc.).
- Take a wellness day to relax and prepare for quarter two.
This is not a day for students to complete makeup work for quarter one, as teachers will not accept quarter one make-up work after Friday, October 30th. Please encourage your child to complete all make-up work prior to October 30th.
From Monday, November 2nd through Wednesday, November 4th, TMA teachers will be offline with this in mind. We are using these days as PD and wellness days for our faculty and staff. If you or your child have questions for a teacher these days, they will be able to respond to you on Thursday, November 5th.
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Election Day
As you know, Election Day is just days away! If you have not done so, please make a plan to complete voting by dropbox or in-person (Today -Tuesday). Your voice is critical and makes a difference for our community, and honors the legacy of Justice Thurgood Marshall's legacy!
Our seniors asked candidates about a few topics top of mind for them to help inform our community about the State Board of Education candidates. Attached is the response of candidates who submitted answers. Please see Kristian's message below and the information provided to help our DC voters make an informed decision.
"Hello TMA Community,
Last week, some of our Seniors attended a virtual forum for Ward 8 and at-large candidates running for the DC State Board of Education. While the discussion helped show the candidates varying ideas, we wanted more insight into their specific policy proposals regarding Ward 8 students. To put TMA's civic engagement mission in our democracy into action, our Seniors emailed all the candidates a few more questions. As the election nears, we recognize many ballots have already been cast, but we hope you'll read our questions and the responses from the three candidates that took their time to put our minds to ease by clicking HERE."
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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. We have broken it down to make it manageable. We suggest the following:
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By May 15th of 9th grade, students must have completed 20 hours
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By May 15th of 10th grade, students must have completed 40 hours
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By May 15th of 11th grade, students must have completed 70 hours
Students must complete one hundred (100) hours by May 15 of their graduation year
Below you will find some virtual approved community service opportunities.
Please contact Ms. Ames, zames@tmapchs.org, if you need additional assistance or have questions about community service.
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College & Counseling Updates
DC-CAP will host a two-day, virtual college fair with our 10 University Partners on November 4 and 5, 2020 at 5pm. Students will have the opportunity to attend up to 4 University Partner presentations each night. In addition to University Partner presentations, we will present DC-CAP and University Partnerships overviews. Please note, Delaware State University, George Mason University, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell will only present on November 5.
Due to attendance limits, we are encouraging students to register for one night only. If additional space opens up, we will follow-up with students via email. Students must register for either night by clicking here. Once a student registers, the student will receive a confirmation email with more information.
DC-CAP partners with the following institutions: Alabama A&M University, Delaware State University, George Mason University, Kent State University, Marshall University, North Carolina A&T State University, Ohio University, SUNY Oswego, University of Massachusetts Lowell, and West Chester University.
Each evening, the agenda is as follows:
- 5:00pm – Welcome & DC-CAP Overview
- 5:15pm – DC-CAP Partnership Program Overview (Scholarship, Support Services, Selection Process, Timeline, etc.)
- 5:30pm – Breakout Session 1 (student can attend one of ten* University Partner's Informational Sessions)
- 6:00pm – Breakout Session 2 (student rotates to a different University Partner)
- 6:30pm – Breakout Session 3 (student rotates to a different University Partner)
- 7:00pm – Breakout Session 4 (student rotates to a different University Partner)
*There will only be 7 sessions on November 4.
If you have any questions, please contact your high school’s DC-CAP Advisor or partnerships@dccap.org.
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Technology & Online Resources
Creating a Parent TMA Canvas Account
TMA parents and guardians can now create Canvas accounts to view their child’s courses in Canvas. If you’re interested in creating a parent account, watch this video. You will need access to your child’s TMA email address and Canvas password to create your account. Reach out to Ms. Mays (mmays@tmapchs.org) and Ms. Culbreath (eculbreath@tmapchs.org) if you have any questions.
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Programs Updates
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
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 (Roberts):
Wellness Tips for the Week
Self-Regulation
The Why and the Cans
Why?
Your Warrior has a lot on his/her 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 recognize when I experience stress.” Were you able to recognize a time when you were feeling stress? This week we will introduce our second “I Can” statement.
I CAN IDENTIFY HOW STRESS IMPACTS MY BODY AND BRAIN.
Upon recognizing that something is stressful, it is important to observe how the stressful thing makes us feel. For example, does it make me feel nervous, anxious, apprehensive, timid? What thoughts am I thinking about this stressor? For example, “This is the worst thing ever!” or “I can’t handle this!” How does this feeling show up in my body? For example, do you notice the following: heart racing, hands shaky, fidgety, giggly, distracted, feeling lethargic or agitated?
Be aware of those feelings that are showing up in your body. Write down the thoughts you are having that are connected to those feelings.
I CAN NOTICE HOW I TYPICALLY REACT TO STRESS.
When we experience stress, our bodies and brains respond -- whether we are aware of it or not! Paying attention to our first reaction to stress helps us to be more aware of typical patterns. For example, perhaps you just got an assignment back with a poor grade. Your friend sitting next to you asks you a question, and you snap back. You immediately feel badly when you see your friend looking confused and hurt. This is an example of a REACTION -- it happens without a pause, without thought. Noticing how we react is the first step to shift to a response -- when we do pause to think -- that feels better.
Behavioral Health Supports for Parents:
Families if you require tools, resources, and consultation to support your own mental well-being as well as that of your family members, the Department of Behavioral Health has developed coping tools for families. Please view this list of tools and the flyer for Wellness Wednesdays with families. If you have questions contact Audrey Williams at awilliams@dcpcsb.org.
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Faculty & Staff Directory:
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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