April 2021 News

North Duncanville

A Message from the Principal

Dr. Williams

Principal

Advantage Academy North Duncanville

Hello, ND families!

This month starts our last quarter of this school year. Going back to our beginning of the year theme, my goal for all of our students is to RISE UP so we can FINISH STRONG.

Specifically, we need students to:

Be at school every day and ready for learning - come with the right mindset and right materials (including a fully charged device every day!)
Work hard while you're here - finish all assignments whether they are on paper or digital
Go the extra mile - come early for before school study hall and/or stay for after school tutoring

We need families and guardians to:

Check grades regularly and make sure students are making progress whether they are in Eagle Academy, 100% at school, or whether they are working at home and school as hybrid students.
Ensure students come to school on time daily and they are ready to learn!

Some things we will be doing at AAND this quarter to help students finish strong:

CHALLENGE LABS. Challenge labs will be days that students can stay for an extra 2 hours (until 4 pm) on PLC days to get caught up on work with the support of teachers and campus staff. At-home learners will need to notify their MATH teachers to sign up to come for challenge lab days as well.
INCENTIVE DAYS. On incentive days, students with strong attendance and improved academic performance (no zeroes and passing all classes) will be able to participate in special activities with their classmates. Information about incentive days will come from their teachers!
FUN IN THE SUN DAYS. On fun in the sun days, students will have a variety of fun outdoor activities to keep them encouraged and help them have fun at school. These activities include our spring music performance, Easter egg hunt, extended recess, outdoor learning days (At School Learners only)!

We are looking forward to a successful and victorious 4th quarter for each of our champions at AAND!

7 Pillars of Character & Leadership Program

April 2021

Pillar: Authority

Character Trait: Truthful

Habit: 4 Think Win-Win

Visit Campus Events

STAAR Testing Info

All Texas State assessments must be taken on campus. We would very much like to have as many students as possible participate in STAAR and TELPAS assessments this spring in the safest testing environment possible. Again, students must attend on-campus to take state assessments.

As a district, we must comply with federal and state laws relating to state assessments. We are also committed to providing the safest environment possible for students and staff on our campuses, including the continuation of masks, social distancing, and extensive cleaning protocols. While we believe that teacher assessment of learning is extremely important, data from tests like STAAR and TELPAS can help us evaluate the impact of the COVID pandemic on student learning. Knowing your child’s data is extremely important for the next school year.

That said, we recognize that, as parents, some of you may still feel that for health reasons, coming onsite to test is not a viable option. In that case, we respect your decision, recognizing that in making that decision, your child will not be able to participate in his or her STAAR or TELPAS assessment.

Please be assured that not participating in a STAAR assessment in grades 3-8 does not affect promotion or retention decisions. However, having your child’s assessment data on file will help to know what type of interventions might be best for your child.

Counselor's Corner

As we start heading towards the end of the school year, students often begin to have anxiety about the STAAR test. While it is important for students to do their best, the STAAR should not cause excessive anxiety. Guidance lessons this month are aimed at helping students learn techniques to calm their stress. You can also help your child manage their test anxiety. Here is a great article from Scholastic with tips on what you can do at home.

You can contact me at stacy.renfroe@advantageacademy.org

PE NEWS

Simple Ways to be an Active Role Model:

Communicate positively about the various benefits of physical activity
Plan and set goals for physical activity
Encourage community physical activity
Encourage family physical activity
Avoid linking physical activity to discipline

FITNESS GRAM!!

In-person students will start Fitness Gram April 5th-9th
At-home students will do Fitness Gram through Google Classroom.

Nurse Corner

April Awareness Month

❖ World Autism Awareness Day - April 2

❖ World Health Day - April 7

❖ Parkinson’s Awareness Month

REQUIRED MEDICAL

INFORMATION

● Please submit updated Vaccine records to the Campus Nurse.

● Hearing/Vision is REQUIRED for PK, KG, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th.

● Spinal screenings REQUIRED for 5th/7th Girls and 8th Boys.

● *Pre- K(Boosters) and 6th Grade going into 7th,(MCV4 & TDAP)-Parents, Your child will likely need additional vaccines PRIOR to the 2021-2022 school year. Please check with your Medical Provider or ask the Nurse.

COVID Testing Now @ the Campus. Students and Staff ONLY. Must call the Nurse for an appointment.

CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older

Keep your child home if:

● Temperature of 100.0 or higher

● Vomiting in last 24 hrs

● Diarrhea in last 24hrs

● Rash with itching or fever

● Eye infection - red, itching, with drainage

● Hospital Stay/ER visit- Must be cleared

● Close/direct contact with person positive for COVID 19