Dear Academy 4 Friends,

During this challenging time, relationships are more important than ever and that is why Academy 4 continues to connect! Many of our 4th graders and their families are hardest hit by the impacts of this pandemic. We continue to connect our 4th graders to their mentors through our online Connect Notes . Recently, every 4 th grader received a note that highlighted our March trait, Respect. An astounding 95% of mentors took the time to write personal notes to their students. In addition to these rays of encouragement, our students receive a LEADERS Challenge each week that encourages them to work on one of our leadership traits with their families. Finally, we conduct a virtual Academy 4 Friday each month, A4 Friday with Ruby , that introduces the month’s leadership trait with a visit from everybody’s favorite 4th grader, Ruby! 
On April 23rd we will kick off our
A4 Connects Campaign .
This campaign will give you an opportunity to make a gift of any size to Academy 4 to support our response efforts to every 4th grader and partnering schools.
From April 23rd thru May 21st you can make a huge impact for the upcoming school year by making a donation.


We appreciate your prayers and support!
MAYOR PRICE CELEBRATES NATIONAL MENTOR MONTH WITH ACADEMY 4
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price celebrated National Mentor month at Manuel Jara Elementary on January 10 th . Mayor Price enjoyed dancing alongside Academy 4 fourth graders and later shared the importance of mentors encouraging each 4 th grader to never stop learning.
Mentors Make a Difference!
"I could read to my mentor one hundred million times!" ---4th Grade Student at Wooten Elementary in Austin, TX 
Mentor Connect Note
Here is one of the encouraging online notes that a mentor sent to his 4 th grader. Enjoy!

Hey Jaiden,

I hope you and your family are doing great and enjoying the down time together. I've been working from home and hanging out with my girls. We've been working out and doing a lot of chalk art on the sidewalks. I was really looking forward to seeing you this month. Hopefully we'll be able to hang out next month.

Remember some of the things we discussed during Academy 4 and put it into practice. Always keep in mind that your everyday choices define who you are. Make the effort to make good choices each day.
You're a great kid and leader. I believe in you Jaiden and look forward to chatting with you next time.

Take care!

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Thrivent Financial provided 100 care packages for Academy 4 and Leaders 5 teachers throughout Austin and Fort Worth. Care packages included handwritten thank you notes, Thrivent swag, and a Starbucks Via pouch. A QR Code loaded with information on 2 financial workshops and a survey to assess financial literacy needs was also provided. 

Thank you Thrivent Financial for showing your care and support for teachers during this time of need. 

To learn how you or your organization can become a community partner visit: https://www.academy4.net/communitypartner
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Academy 4 would like to thank you for casting your vote of support for us as a finalist for the Greatest Gift Catalog Ever.

Although we were not selected to be in this year's catalog, we made history by being the FIRST ever first-time applicant to become a finalist.
This newsletter is dedicated to the healthcare professionals and service workers who continue to provide for our health and necessities through the COVID-19 crisis.
Be sure to connect with us on social media !