WARRIOR WEEKLY December 14-18
Dear TMA Families,
 
As we approach Winter Break, we remain impressed everyday with the students' resilience, perseverance, and flexibility to learn in the virtual space. We are already planning for the next quarter of this busy school year.  In addition, while we have made it to December in virtual teaching, we are following our established protocol of gathering staff and family input and looking to local and national guidance and data in advance of making our plans about onsite learning in this unusual year. We will keep all families informed as we move closer towards making a decision about on-site learning opportunities. 
 
Lastly, there are several bright spots happening across the school. We have so many bright spots to celebrate! Therefore, please take the time with your family to focus on the bright spots in your home.


Quote of the Week: 
What’s Ahead:

  • Tuesday, December 15th: Law Firm Tutoring
  • Wednesday, December 16th: Admissions Meet and Greet
  • Monday & Tuesday, December 21st & 22nd: Student Asynchronous Work Days
  • December 23rd-January 3rd: Winter Break 
  • Monday, January 4th: Classes Resume
Attendance

Students must log in to their scheduled Zoom/Canvas sessions for synchronous classes to be considered present for the class period. Please email your student’s teachers, advisor, and rshort@tmapchs.org, when your student will 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.  

TMA has several internal opportunities available for students to earn community service hours. Students can reach out to Ms. Ames, zames@tmapchs.org, to learn more. 

Service Opportunity Spotlight: TMA Story Time Program

Description: This is a virtual community service opportunity that pairs TMA students with local elementary and middle school students. Our students can earn up to five (5) service hours reading stories to younger children. This program is coordinated by Brianna Anthony, one of our 12th grade Community Service Ambassadors. We currently have eight (8) students ranging in grades from 9th to 12th serving as reading buddies in the TMA Story Time program!

Parent Participant Testimonials:

I think that the Reading Buddies Program is an awesome program for my kid. She’s having fun while learning.
         -Ziyonna’s Mom

My children love their reading buddies. On Wednesdays they are excited to read stories and get to know their buddies more. It has truly been a blessing to our kids.
           -Tavon Lawrence

College & Counseling Updates


The focus of this week's announcement is all about scholarships! 
 
Included in this email is a bevy of scholarships available for ALL seniors. If you have any questions, please let me know; but please make sure you click and READ through the website before you ask. These scholarships are NOT created by us, but by the respective organizations. 
 
For more details, we encourage you to visit our SCHOLARSHIP PAGE!
 
Please remember: We are wrapping up the college application process on the 18 December. Please ensure that you have updated your Naviance student with ALL transcript requests, submitted applications, and any decisions you have received from colleges. We need to know the decisions from colleges so that we can support and celebrate you.
 
Please also ensure that you have completed your FAFSA! and if your school requires it, the CSS PROFILE.
 
Make it a great week!
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. 
Programs Updates

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

Prospective Athletes: Although we are not at the phase on re-starting high school athletics, we want to make sure that all potential athletes have the necessary paperwork on file. Therefore, all prospective athletes must have a current physical on file at the school clearing them to play, and all immunizations must be up to date before a student will be allowed to participate in sports. Please CLICK HERE to find the Universal Health Form.

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.


Job Opportunity 
Thurgood Marshall Academy has learned that Curative Inc. seeks Test Site Specialists--a part-time job paying $20.00/hour. We thought this might be of interest to families of our students--if interested, contact Samantha Viotty of Curative Inc. at samanthaviotty@curative.com. Note that Curative Inc. is entirely independent of Thurgood Marshall Academy--we are simply sharing information.


Kids Ride Free Cards
Kids Ride Free cards are now available for pick up at the school. Please email Ms. Moore at nmoore@tmapchs.org for additional information and pick-up hours.

Meal Service Over Winter Break
During Winter Break 2020 (12/23/2020 - 1/3/2021), Thurgood Marshall Academy will continue home delivery of meals to students whose families have requested it, with the following exceptions:

  • Meals will not be delivered on Christmas Day (12/25/2020) or New Years Day (1/1/2021), but multiple meals will be delivered in advance of those holidays.
  • Meal service administration (new enrollments; changes to service; customer service response, etc.) will not be available 12/23/2020 - 1/3/2021.  
  • Families who are traveling or otherwise have different needs over Winter Break should reach out by Wed. 12/16/2020 to Nora Moore, 202-563-6862 x181, nmoore@tmapchs.org.

If your student is not currently on the meal delivery schedule and you want to receive meals during Winter Break, please contact Ms. Moore before 12/16/2020.


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


Attorney General Karl A Racine and Children’s National Hospital are excited to co-host the Youth and Family Town Hall Series on Tuesday, December 15, at 6:00 pm. The goal of this series is to address the social determinants of health, speak to the physical and mental health of youth struggling from the impact of COVID-19, and provide resources to help families. These two town halls will be co-led by youth organizations, Building Legacy and Culture w/Knowledge (BLACK) and Latin American Youth Center (LAYC).  


Wellness Tips for the Week

What Went Right this Week? 

As we continue virtual learning and managing our day to day lives, it is helpful to think about the things we are doing RIGHT for ourselves each day. Take a few minutes each day to jot down some things that you did to support yourself. Did you eat breakfast? Take a shower? Log into class on time? Ask a question during class? Help your family? Completed assignments? Exercised?

The tasks that you might find simple or a regular part of our day, are also ways you support ourselves and make sure you have a positive day and week!

Parent Tip

How do we Teach our Warriors to be resilient?

  • Competence- People need to be seen when they are doing something right and to be given opportunities to develop specific skills. If a warrior in our class displays a particular passion for something or aptitude for a specific skill, activity or sport, we need to recognize this and let them know we’ve noticed and encourage them.
  • Confidence- The solid belief in one’s own abilities is everything. As we teach and nurture, we build confidence. 
  • Connection- When we are part of a community (class, team, club) we know we aren’t alone if we struggle and that we can develop creative solutions to problems. 
  • Character- A fundamental sense of right and wrong helps us make wise choices, contribute to the world, and become stable adults.
  • Contribution- Once we understand the feel-good factor of helping others, it becomes easier to ask for help when it’s needed – being willing to ask for help is a big part of being resilient. 
  • Coping- We need healthy coping strategies to manage their stress. 
  • Control- We need to feel like they have a degree of control over their lives and their environment. When you realize that you can control your decisions and actions, you’re more likely to know that you have what it takes to bounce back.

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: Link.


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:

Are you Looking for One of Our Team Members?
If you need to contact a TMA Faculty or Staff member, you can find their email address listed HERE: Faculty & Staff Directory  
Other Items