WARRIOR WEEKLY Sept 21-October 2
Dear TMA Families, 
 
We can’t thank you enough for all you are doing to make remote learning possible! In this first month of school, there is so much for you to be proud of --- over 90% of our students have logged on to engage in learning while remote and our daily attendance rates remain high. 
 
As our entire staff works diligently to reflect on our remote learning practice this year and plan for the potential of on-site opportunities in the future, you can expect to receive important surveys from us in coming weeks. We look forward to your feedback and updated preferences about remote and in-person learning opportunities. 
What’s Ahead:

  • September 30: Clubs Fair (during Advisory)
  • October 2nd: Law Day--9th Grade Students 
  • October 6th: College Workshop: Financing
  • October 9th: Howard Law Academy--10th Grade 
  • October 12th: No School; Indigenous People Day
  • October 13th (Tentative): MAP Testing
  • October 24th: Mentor Day
  • October 27th: Law Firm Tutoring--11th Grade
  • October 30th: End of 1st Quarter
Open House & Teacher Meetings

Please view the following website to view teacher videos and sign up of 1:1 meetings with your student’s teachers. 
Class Announcements

Click on your grade level to see assignments and announcements from your Dean and teachers:
Technology & Online Resources

Last week, we moved to the Canvas Learning Management System. It is similar to Google Classrooms, but contains several additional features. Several of these features include providing students with the ability to access instructional apps, view teacher videos, submit work online, view all of their courses, manage their work and view grades in real time. In addition, parents will be able to create a parent account where you can view your student’s work, their grades on specific assignments, and communicate with their teachers. Until then, go to https://tmapchs.instructure.com/ and use your student’s TMA email and unique password to access class assignments.
Student Schedule Updates & Changes

The add/drop period for students opened on Monday, September 14th and will end Wednesday, September 30th. Students must submit schedule change requests using the online Schedule Change Request Form --> Fall 2020 Schedule Change Request Form. Submitting requests must be approved before changes not take effect. Please keep the following things in mind during the add/drop period:
 
  • Students must submit a  Fall 2020 Schedule Change Request Form to begin the schedule change process. Students should only list courses that they wish to add/drop on the form. Students should not use the form to create mock schedules. Many factors impact schedule change approvals outside of student desire and course availability.

  • Not all schedule changes will be granted. We will review each submitted request against class sizes, transcripts, and graduation requirements to determine if the schedule change will be approved.

  • Students should consult with their parents and advisors before submitting a schedule change request. Additionally, students interested in either adding or dropping an AP course should consult with both the AP teacher and Mr. Mitchell, in addition to their advisor, before submitting a schedule change request. Schedule change updates will be sent via email to all impacted parties. Students and parents will receive an email notification if the request is denied. Students, parents, and impacted teachers will receive an email notification with the new schedule if the request is approved. 
College & Counseling Updates

Please take a look at this college fair opportunity coming up in the next few weeks. I am strongly encouraging you to consider attending, especially if you are committed to attending college. Please see the flier for the VACRAO college fair and the information for the ALCANZA college fair. 


Both fairs will have over 200 colleges represented. 
 
2nd College Workshop Series: Thank you for making this a wonderful event and we look forward to seeing you on October 6, 2020 for the 2nd College Workshop Series: Financing your College Education!
Map Assessment

MAP Growth is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, and actionable evidence to help target instruction for each student or groups of students regardless of how far above or below they are from their grade level. Using MAP Growth insights, teachers can confidently tailor instruction to challenge every student, whether they are below, at, or above grade level. MAP Growth student reports also present realistic learning goals by subject areas so that, through a teacher’s guidance, students can individually see their progress and be inspired to take charge of their own learning.
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. 
Programs Updates

We are excited to begin activities this week. Students can sign up for activities during the Clubs Fair, which will be held during advisory on Wednesday, September 30. Below is a sample of Afterschool Activities beginning September 28:
Support Programs:
Homework Help
FLOC Tutoring
Mentor Program

Law Programs:
9th - Law Day 
10th - Howard Law Academy
11th - Law Firm Tutoring
Clubs:
Art Club
Chess Club
Civil Rights Experiences
Connections
Dance Team
Debate
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Fashion Club
Fitness Club w/ Coaches
Green Club
Happy Black Girls
Kidpower 
Music Club
Pathways 2 Power
Poetry Club
School Newspaper
Student Government
Please take some time to download, copy, fill out, and email this form to Amanda Wilson (awilson@tmapchs.org) or Christina Schwarz (cschwarz@tmapchs.org) if your student participates in after school programs at TMA. This form allows for your student to participate in focus groups that help shape and guide our programming for the school year. We will also be sending this form out through your student’s club or athletic advisor.
Special Education, Student Wellness & Interventions: 

Wellness Wednesdays Workshops Available for Families
The Department of Behavioral Health has launched Wellness Wednesdays, a new online parent support group which offers weekly workshops for families. Please view this flyer for more information.
Are You Interested In Joining TMA's Board of Trustees?

Thurgood Marshall Academy’s Board of Trustees is seeking two parents or guardians for board membership. TMA’s Board of Trustees is tasked with making sure the school lives up to its mission of preparing students to succeed in college and to actively engage in our democratic society. It regularly reviews the academic progress of all students and sets high standards for student success and achievement. It also oversees the school’s finances so that it raises and uses resources wisely, ensures exceptional school leadership, acts strategically and develops long-range plans for the school, and maintains district and state legal and regulatory compliance.

TMA’s board believes families play a vital leadership role on the board, giving insight into the school’s daily life and its program from their perspectives and contributing their considerable talents to the school’s work in support of the school. Board members are expected to attend meetings at least quarterly, participate in an annual retreat and new member training, and serve on at least one of our board committees : Governance, Finance, Development, and Academics. Most meetings occur at TMA (once we are through the pandemic) or via a Zoom or conference call. 

If you are interested in being considered for board membership, please complete the form here: Inquiry Form. As part of the review process, you will have the opportunity to meet with other board members. The Board hopes to have this position filled by November 2020. The deadline for applying is October 15, 2020. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Weeden, rweeden@tmapchs.org.
Resources and Support Information

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
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 this week 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
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  
State Board of Education Candidate Forum- 10.26.20 @ 6:30

You are cordially requested to Save the Date for a virtual At-large and Ward 8 State Board of Education candidates forum that will be held on Monday, October 26, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The forum will be co-hosted by the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC) and the students of the Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School. This will be a student organized and implemented forum will be the evening before in-person early voting begins and efforts will be made to have the media cover the forum. More information to come next month!
Other Items

  • Concussion Awareness Program: Parents & Guardians, please review the Concussion Awareness Program that applies to all athletic activities.
  • State Board of Education's Social Studies Standard Advisory along with DCSBOE and OSSEDC are working to update the DC Social Studies Standards and need your help! We want you to be engaged in the standards revision process and ask that you complete this 3-question survey Deadline is 10/6.
  • Our partners at PAVE want to hear from you! 
  • Complete the Parent Back To School Survey to share your family’s experience with distance learning! 
**Every family that participates will receive a school supply kit as a thank you for taking the time to share your story.**
  • Complete the 2020 Census! There is less than ONE MONTH to take action and make sure EVERYBODY in your household is counted!
  • Spend just a few minutes now to complete the Census and have an impact on your family’s future for years to come!