Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Teacher Appreciation Day
AEHS Community Member,

As Teacher Appreciation Week is here! Every year the first week of May is when we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers work tirelessly everyday to help their students achieve and learn new concepts. Sometimes teachers make strong connections with students and have impacts that go far beyond the classroom. As educators, we all want to have a lasting impression on the young minds we have the privilege to mold everyday. Our Acceleration East staff is wonderful and I am grateful to have them on our team.   

As the President of the United States writes in a recent proclamation, “our Nation’s teachers are selfless, dedicated, and caring individuals who devote themselves to the well-being and progress of our students. During this National Teacher Appreciation Day and throughout National Teacher Appreciation Week, we honor educators who touch the lives of students across America and who are essential to building the future of our Nation.” To read the entire proclamation, click here: Proclamation from the White House on Teacher Appreciation Week 2022

I hope you will take a minute this week to send a note of thanks to your own teachers or your child’s teachers! Maybe you have a teacher from a previous school year you would like to thank for something you learned from them. Maybe you remember a specific story you can tell them about how they had an impact on your life. Send them a note telling them how much you appreciate them.  

Looking for ideas of how you can show your favorite teacher your appreciation? Here are a few to consider:

  • Write a thank you note and bring it to the teacher (or the office)
  • Give them a gift card to buy classroom supplies
  • Send them an e-card to brighten their day
  • Make them a card or a crafty item
  • Bring them a small treat
  • Post your appreciation on social media
  • Tell them “thank you”

Read the entire article for more information: 50 Ways to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
FSA testing continues again this week and I want to wish all our students good luck as they have the opportunity to show us what they have learned this year. You’ve got this!

Parents, please help us meet our state expectations of testing 95% of the students. It is critically important you send your children to school each day this week and ensure they are on time for school!

Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your week.

Douglas K. Loftus, M.S. Ed.
Principal

Above right: Principal Loftus with the assistant manager from Camila's Brazilian restaurant (please see story below). 

Pictured very top: Administrative support appreciation luncheon on Wednesday, April 27 for National Administrative Professionals Day.
Dates to Watch For
May 10: Senior drive at 6pm in the AEHS parking lot
May 11: Seniors last day
May 16-17: CFEs (8, 9, 10, & 11)
May 23 : Graduation rehearsal at 6pm, Colonial High School performing arts center
May 24: Acceleration East High School graduation at Colonial High School. Ceremony will begin at 6pm.
May 25: Last day of school
May 26-27: Post planning
May Testing Schedule
May 2: ELA Reading Session 1 (8th, 9th, 10th), Senior CFE (US Government, English 4)
May 3: ELA Reading Session 2 (8th, 9th, 10th), Senior CFE (US Government, English 4)
May 4: Makeup testing
May 5: Biology EOC, US History EOC, FSA Math Sessions (8th)
May 6: FSA Math Session 2 & 3 (8th)
May 9: Algebra I EOC Session 1, Geometry EOC Session 1
May 10: Algebra I EOC Session 2, Geometry EOC Session 2
May 11: Makeup testing
May 12: Statewide Science (8th)
May 13: Makeup testing
May 16: CFEs during class (8th, 9th, 10th, 11th)
May 17: CFEs during class (8th, 9th, 10th, 11th)
May 18: Makeup testing
May 19: Makeup testing
May 20: Makeup testing
May 23: Makeup testing
May 24: Makeup testing

EOC = End of Course Exam (created by the Florida Dept. of Education)
CFE = Common Final Exam (created by OCPS)
Curriculum Highlight
Portuguese students at Camila's Brazilian restaurant
Principal Loftus, Ms. Lopez, Ms. Vieira, and Camila's manager
Staff Recognitions
Barry Hall,
April 2022 Teacher of the Month
Vicki Jenkins,
April 2022 Staff Employee of the Month
Tish Atehortua, 
20 year service pin
Alka Singh, 
10 year service pin
Kim Dipasquale, 
Teacher of the Year plaque and 10 year service pin
Helga Olafsson, 
10 year service pin
Our new Dean of Students, Dr. Renee Butts, speaking to new Acceleration East parents this past week. 
Important Reminder
OCPS Special Events
Summer Tips for Parents - Virtual Workshop (May 11):
Orange County Virtual School Summer Courses:
Parent Academy (May 21):
Food for Thought
at Teacher Appreciation Week '22
The economic benefits from an education (2021 results just released):
Making sense of the chart: While the numbers may fluctuate a bit year to year, the basic pattern does not. Overall, those with more education earn more each week and have less of a chance of being out of work.
WISDOM TO LIVE BY
Here at this Teacher Appreciation Week '22 we offer some quotes about work ethic, self improvement, and education from Lorena Ochoa Reyes, Lebron James, and others.
Lorena Ochoa Reyes On Work Ethic
You will never regret making a sacrifice. It will always pay you back.
~ Lorena Ochoa Reyes, golf champion

David M. Burns On Persistence
Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.
~ David M. Burns, author

Ray Kroc On Self-Improvement
Are you green and growing or ripe and rotting?
~ Ray Kroc, McDonald's CEO

LeBron James On Intelligence
In order to win you've got to have talent. But you've got to be very cerebral too.
~ LeBron James, basketball star

B.B. King On Knowledge
The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.
~ B.B. King, musician
Thank you to all of our wonderful Acceleration East High School educators for opening the minds and hearts of our students this 2021-2022 school year. You have each done an amazing job helping to prepare them for the future and it is a privilege to serve with you.
Douglas K. Loftus, Principal
Acceleration East High School
Tuesday, May 3, 2022
U.S. Teacher Appreciation Day
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Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS - Acceleration East High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Acceleration East High School. Please contact douglas.loftus@ocps.net (principal) with any questions or for further information.
2274 S. Semoran Blvd.,
Orlando, FL 32822-2704
Phone 407-992-0917
Fax 407-207-4961