WARRIOR WEEKLY November 16-20
Dear TMA Families,
 
Greetings. For the past few weeks, our amazing teachers have been planning ways to engage students in rich academic experiences and their work is paying off. Planning rich learning experiences that spark creativity and joy is the heart of teaching and learning at TMA. Thank you parents for your continued support. Remember next Monday and Tuesday are asynchronous student work days. There will be no formal classes held. Enjoy the week and please join us this Wednesday for our Open House event. 


Quote of the Week: 
What’s Ahead:

  • November 17th: Law Firm Tutoring--11th Grade
  • November 18th: Open House #2--@5:30pm
  • November 19th: Admissions Meet and Greet
  • November 23rd-24th: Asynchronous Learning 
  • November 25th-27th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Open House: 

Our next Virtual Open House event will be held on the 18th of November via Zoom at 5:30pm. During this event we will provide you with school-wide updates and information on in-person learning opportunities as we move into the 2nd quarter of the school year. In addition, you will have the opportunity to schedule 1:1 meetings with your student’s teacher throughout the day on the 18th. To attend the School Wide Open House Meeting Click The Zoom Link HERE. 
Attendance

Please notify your student’s teachers, advisor and rshort@tmapchs.org when your student is going to miss any synchronous classes.
Class Announcements

Click on your grade level to see assignments and announcements from your Dean and teachers:
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:

  • By May 15th of 9th grade, students must have completed 20 hours 
  • By May 15th of 10th grade, students must have completed 40 hours 
  • 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. 
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. 
 
  • How do I create a parent account in Canvas? (video here) 
  • 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. 
  1. Erica Culbreath (technology teacher), eculbreath@tmapchs.org
  2. Malika Mays (Associate Head of School), mmays@tmapchs.org
  3. 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.  
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.

After school programming is LIVE! To view our club & athletic offerings, follow this link. To sign your student up for a club, have them fill out this form!

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.
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.
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.

In general, if you have technology needs reach out to Mr. Schlossman, dschlossman@tmapchs.org
Special Education, Student Wellness & Interventions: 

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 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 and 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

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. Below are the topics for the month of November:

November 18
“Say What? Communicating During COVID-19 - It Takes More Than Words” - Part II at 5:30 pm

November 25
“What Will Virtual Turkey Taste Like? - Maintaining Relationships & Rituals During the Holidays at 5:30 pm

Join the sessions using this link: https://bit.ly/31JpYiv Password: WW20
Join meeting by phone:
Call-in toll number: 1-650-479-3208 or 202-860-22110
Access Code: 1727619215

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.
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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