WARRIOR WEEKLY October 5-9
Dear TMA Families, 
 
Wow, it's been 5 weeks of remote instruction! Thank you for all of the ways you have supported your scholar’s and their teachers. I hope that you take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Go ahead...I'll wait :-). We are so glad that virtual classrooms are continuing to become a space for students and families to learn and find joy and connections. Students are continuing to dig into content and work on mastering virtual routines, expectations, and technology platforms. Thank you for your support, resilience, fortitude and commitment as we continue to navigate the virtual learning environment. 
 
The first portion of the school year was designed to build relationships, establish norms & routines, generate excitement and set goals. We marvel at the creative ways teachers have managed to do just that in this remote context. And...they are doing so while managing their own families and children. Thank you to each of you that have shared your appreciation for our teachers. Please keep those coming. Text, email, join a zoom class and share the love with our teachers. They deserve it and they need the encouragement.
 
While we are not certain yet what the 2nd quarter will look like, if the beginning of our year is any indication of what is possible, we are well positioned for another amazing quarter.
 
 
Quote of the Week: 
“This world is your best teacher. There is a lesson in everything. There is a lesson in each experience. Learn it and become wise. Every failure is a stepping stone to success. Every difficulty or disappointment is a trial of your faith. Every unpleasant incident or temptation is a test of your inner strength. Therefore nil desperandum. March forward hero!”
~Swami Sivananda
What’s Ahead:

  • 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 13th: Law Firm Tutoring--11th Grade
  • October 24th: Mentor Day
  • October 27th: Law Firm Tutoring--11th Grade
  • October 30th: End of 1st Quarter
Attendance

Please notify your student’s teachers, advisor and rshort@tmapchs.org when your student is going to miss any synchronous classes.
Parent Access to Canvas

Parents, next week, on the 14th of October at 5:30pm, we will host a training session on how to gain access to your students Canvas account. As a parent, you can link your Canvas account to your student's account so that you can see assignment due dates, announcements, and other course content. We will send out an invite next week. 
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. 
UPCOMING  ASSESSMENTS: 9TH, 10TH, AND 11TH GRADE ONLY 

On October 13th our 9th, 10th, and 11th, grade students will take the Achievement Network (ANet) assessments in reading and math. These assessments are meant to test students’ proficiency on Common Core State Standards. In preparation for testing, we’re asking that all students in these grades acquire TMA chromebooks as a way for us to ensure testing security. If students are unable to acquire a chromebook, please contact Ms. Mays at mmays@tmapchs.org to discuss other test security options for the device your child will be using. Students  are only able to take the ANet assessment on the following browsers and devices, as the assessment will not run through other browsers or devices. 

Supported Browser(s):
  • Google Chrome 58+
  • Mozilla Firefox 40+
  • Apple Safari 9.1+

Computer Type(s):
  • Apple iPad
  • Apple MacBook
  • Chromebook
  • Dell Laptop
  • Lenovo ThinkPad
Class Announcements

Click on your grade level to see assignments and announcements from your Dean and teachers:
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!
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

After school has begun! To view our virtual Club Fair, 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. 

Please take some time to download, copy, fill out, and email this form to 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: 


What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a type of meditation in which you focus on paying attention to the present moment of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. It includes the intentional nurturing of positive states of mind such as empathy and kindness. Also, mindfulness is a practice of developing an ability to let go of reactivity and act from a place of greater ease, stability, and wisdom.

What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?: Mindfulness seeks to create an emotionally balanced life, animated by a spirit of compassion and caring. Also, the practice of mindfulness helps to relieve stress, anxiety, and cultivates positive emotions to promote emotional well-being.

This is a simple kindness meditation—offering good wishes and compassion to others.
  • To begin, find a comfortable sitting position. Allow your eyes to close or lower your gaze toward the floor.
  • Now bring to mind someone who you love and care about: A family member or a close friend.
  • Notice how you feel as you bring this person to mind- Fill your body with those good feelings from head to toe. Breathe it in and breathe out. Take a moment to sit with those good feelings breathing it in and breathe out.
  • Now with this person in mind make a kind wish and send it their way. Think about what would make them happy? What would make them smile?
  • Now open your eyes.
  • Check in with your mind and body as you conclude this practice. What did you notice during the exercise? How did your body feel? Were there any changes in your mood?
  • If you would like to view this mindfulness meditation, please click here.

Mindfulness Resources
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

School Safety Omnibus Act of 2018 Policies
In compliance with the DC School Safety Omnibus Act of 2018 and in order to enhance safety for students, Thurgood Marshall Academy has published the policies listed below on our  website.  If you have questions or need to file a complaint, please contact Executive Director Raymond Weeden, rweeden@tmapchs.org or 202-563-6862.


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
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
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  
Other Items

  • 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!
  • 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!