Friday, March 25, 2022
AEHS Community Member,

This afternoon we will already finish the first week of the 4th quarter to 2021-2022. With eight weeks left in the quarter and the school year, I want to focus on cultivating a growth mindset.

According to Psychology Today, “A growth mindset is simply the belief that our basic abilities can be developed and improved through dedication and hard work.” As we celebrate Women’s History Month, I see the need to cultivate a growth mindset in our young women. We want to encourage them to seek out career opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.  

You can imagine how important it is to have a growth mindset throughout your life, but especially while you are in school and developing as a young human. If you or your child does not currently have a growth mindset, never fear, you can work to develop one.  Here is a quick video you can watch to better explain: The Truth about your Brain

Want to see what kind of a mindset you have? Take this quick free quiz and see what it has to say: Growth vs. Fixed Mindset Quiz

Not happy with your results? Maybe you just want to work on strengthening your growth mindset, here are 15 ways to cultivate a growth mindset as found in an article by Psychology Today:

  1. Acknowledge and embrace imperfection in self and others.
  2. Face your challenges bravely, reframe the situation in your mind.
  3. Pay attention to your words and thoughts. Replace more negative thoughts with positive ones.
  4. Stop seeking approval from others. Learn to trust yourself.
  5. Take a step deeper into authenticity. Stop being someone you are not to please others.
  6. Cultivate a sense of purpose.
  7. Redefine “genius.” Explore and appreciate your strengths, and work to improve your weaknesses.
  8. Turn criticism around until you find its gift.
  9. Value the process over the end result.
  10. Learn from the mistakes of others.
  11. “Not yet” is OK.
  12. Take risks in the company of others.
  13. Be realistic.
  14. Speed is not important.
  15. Own your attitude.

I hope you enjoyed your Spring Break and that your mindset is in a positive place as we start our last 8 weeks of the school year on Monday. These coming weeks are full of state assessments and other final exams, so stay positive and tell yourself, “I’ve got this!” 

Thank you for reading,

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

Pictured very top: Ms. Melton leading her ASL class earlier this week (please see her success story below).
Dates to Watch For
March 29: Agri-science exam for industry certification
Mar.ch 31: Last day of Women's History Month '22
April 1: Last day for the annual Parent Survey
April 7: FSA ELA Writing test
April 19: ACT day
May 11: Last day for Seniors
Curriculum Highlights
First week of Quarter 4
ASL with Ms. Melton
Ms. Amanda Melton is pictured below and at the very top of this week's issue signing new vocabulary words to her ASL (American Sign Language) students. As seen below, she created a rotational model where students learned new words by using different methods. Her students rotated through different stations on a fixed schedule.
Station example: "B"
At this station, the students worked independently to learn new vocabulary words such as "interesting," "so-so," and "6th-8th." 
Station example: "C"
At this station students were reviewing vocabulary in a small group setting using the "Jenga" game as part of the learning process.
Key vocabulary words Ms. Melton's students are learning here at the start of Quarter 4
Art with Mrs. Ker
Student artwork at this year's Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. We thought the community would enjoy seeing some our students' talent on display!
Acceleration East student art on display (left side of tent) at the 63rd Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival this past weekend.
Sophomore Bree Stockton pointing to her artwork (close-up on the right) at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. She received an Award of Merit for this piece!
Hailey Mojica's (9th gr.) artwork using graphite. She received an Honorable Mention yellow ribbon. 
Bree Stockton's (10th gr.) Japanese Notan Paper artwork earned an Honorable Mention yellow ribbon. 
Class of 2022
Acceleration East's Class of 2022 Senior News bulletin board. On the day this picture was taken earlier this week, the seniors had only 35 regular school days remaining (May 11th). Graduation is set for Tuesday, May 24th. 
College and Career
Spring College Fairs:
Women's History Month — Successes in both College & Business:
1) Young women are more likely to be enrolled in college today than young men, and among those ages 25 and older, women are more likely than men to have a four-year college degree (chart on left below). The gap in college completion is even wider among younger adults ages 25 to 34 (chart on right below).
Source: Pew Research
2) The rapid growth in the number of Hispanic or Latino women with 4-year college degrees in the workforce:
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis - FRED database
3) Industries where women dominate employment:
2022 Week of the Family
Annual essay and art contests
2022 OCPS Family Survey
Survey closes April 1st
Community Events
Tomorrow is Puerto Rico Baseball Day at UCF:
Have a great weekend!
Douglas K. Loftus, Principal
Acceleration East High School
Friday, March 25, 2022
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