TCCA News and Updates

Important Upcoming Dates

January- FAST testing/iReady Diagnostics

January 10th - High School Meeting

January 11th - Class Pictures (K-5th)

January 13 - Q2 Report Cards Released

January 16th - No School Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February 7th - TCCA Board Meeting, 6 pm in the Cafeteria

February 11 - Titan Trot 5k/Fun Run (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)

Class pictures for Kindergarten through Fifth are this Wednesday (1/11). Please make sure your scholars are on time and dressed in full uniform.

Methodology of Teaching Math

and Homework Help

by Tara Hazel, TCCA Math Coach

Singapore Math is grounded on particular foundational skills. One of the foundations is the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach, which is also referred to as the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) framework. This highly effective, research-based approach of teaching helps scholars build a deep understanding of concepts and skills in math. Since math is very abstract, it can be very difficult to understand. The CPA approach helps introduce concepts in a concrete, tangible way and move, over time, to an abstract understanding of symbols and numbers. Each stage is a stepping stone toward mastery.

During the concrete stage, scholars are “doing”. They are using tangible objects to model problems. Teachers demonstrate how to solve problems by handling math manipulatives or real life objects. For example, when students are solving problems about crayons, they can handle crayons to help them solve it. This practice helps create connections between the real world and mathematical ideas.

Next is the pictorial stage, or the “seeing” stage. Here, representations of concrete objects are used. The representation could come in the form of drawings, bar models, or diagrams. When teachers use bar models within their classrooms, they build visualizations for their classes, allowing them to connect the physical objects and the abstract.

The last stage is the abstract or the “symbolic” stage. It is within this stage that the highest level of understanding lies. Scholars use symbols and numerals to complete math problems during this stage. This is the most challenging stage, especially if there has been little to no understanding of the concrete and pictorial stages.

Teachers move through these stages fluidly and consistently, ensuring that concepts are taught and understood throughout each stage. How does this relate at home? When your scholar is not understanding a concept, try using real-world objects or drawing a representation. Even those simple acts can be incredibly helpful!

Last Chance to Sponsor!

Please join us for our family-friendly 5k and Fun Run! You can sign up to participate here. Contact our Project Coordinator, Danielle Borzillo to sponsor.

Nurse Stewart will be scheduling screenings for our scholars in grades 1, 3, and 6. First grade is screened for vision, hearing, and height/weight. Third grade for vision and height/weight. Sixth grade is screened for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and height/weight.

Parent consent to screen is required. Please check your permissions in Focus. If you have not already opted Each screening can be opted out individually, even if you consent to evaluate and treat.

High School Meeting

We would like to invite all parents of eighth and ninth graders to attend our high school meeting on Tuesday, January 10th at 6 pm in the cafeteria. We will be discussing upper school academic philosophy and sequence. Please join us to learn more about the exciting opportunities your scholars will have to grow in academic excellence and virtue.

Clubs Start This Week!

Pick up via carline at 4:30
Remit payment via MSB ASAP
Questions? Email Mrs. Barrera.

Field Trip Update

New Info!

The first through fifth-grade field trips in December were so much fun! Our scholars enjoyed learning about our local wildlife and marine habitats and making memories with their classmates. Now is it time for our upper school scholars and kindergartners to get in on the field trip action! Here is what is coming up:

Kindergarten will learn about farming and the relationship between people, plants, and animals as they visit explorations stations and get up close to creatures from the Hobe Sound Nature Center on 2/28.
Sixth Grade will explore the Cox Science Center and dissect a frog on 2/14.
Action Required Now! Seventh Grade will get cultured at The Kravis at the live performance of Pride and Prejudice on 1/23 (corrected date).
You may pay for this field trip here.
Download the permission slip and flyer.
Scholars on free or reduced lunch may order from the menu on the flyer.
If you are interested in chaperoning this field trip sign up here for a chance to be a chaperone. We have limited chaperon spots so names will be drawn from this list to determine who will be going on the trip.
Eight Grade will be inspired by space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center on 2/15.
Ninth Grade will be treated to a private tour and workshop at the Norton Gallery of art on March 6th (new date).

Sign up now for our spring semester volunteer opportunities today! We love having our parents, grandparents, and caregivers on campus helping in a variety of capacities. Volunteers are an integral part of what we do at TCCA!

If order to volunteer on campus, you must complete a level 2 background check. Click here to start the process.

Workroom Volunteers

Cafeteria Attendants

Did you know that all of your eligible Amazon purchases can benefit TCCA? All you need to do is click the link below and follow the prompts. You must shop through this link for TCCA to receive .5% of your total.

TCCA Amazon Smile

Banner Fundraiser for PE/Athletics

Price reduced to $350 for the second half of the school year! Support our Athletics Department!

What do I get and how much does it cost?

One 3ft x 5ft banner along the fence around the PE field.
Costs $350 if purchased from January through April. if you would like us to make the banner for you. You can provide us with the design already made and we can print the banner for you. Or you can give us the images and wording you would like and a designer will make and print it for you.
Discounted price of $300 if you provide the banner. Must be 3'x5"
No political ads, please.

Banners purchased during the 22/23 school year will stay up through the remainder of the 22-23 school year. The banners will be returned to you by June 2023.

If we are making the banner high-quality vector (.pdf, .svg, .eps, .ai) graphics are required. Checks for payment can be brought to the front office or mailed to TCCA at 1400 SE Cove Road, Stuart, Fl 34997. To pay by credit card click here.

Contact Danielle Sinatra-Iballarossa for an order form.

Are you looking for extra help for your scholar? The following teachers are offering tutoring services :

Lower School - Mrs. Barger
Upper and Lower School - Mrs. Tingo
Upper and Lower School - Mrs. Langel
Lower School - Ms. Marshall
Lower School - Ms. Zeidman

Operations Corner

Rolling out soon will be Centegix Crisis Alert. This will be replacing TCCA’s current platform, CrisisGo. Centegix is a panic button alert system, which will allow for staff to call for help for everyday needs (sick scholar, fall ..) to more extreme emergencies, and will notify administrators, SRO, or local law enforcement, where applicable. Both Palm Beach and Martin County school districts are on this same system and are well on their way to assisting in answering our training needs. Here, you can watch a quick YouTube video.