Community Update: October 30, 2016

Sunday, October 30, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Yesterday, ALA art teacher, Sonya Castro, along with students and families gathered at MuertosFest to create an altar (linked) in honor

of Dia de los Muertos. The ALA altar remains on display in La Villita throughout the day for families and other community members to visit.  Families may also support and celebrate the work of our students by voting for our altar HERE. Congratulations to our young artists and Mrs. Castro on their fine work!

Last week, report cards were sent home with our 4th-10th grade students for parents to review students’ progress. Along with the report cards, students’ fall MAP data and a Quick Reference Guide in English/Spanish were attached.  Teachers will be analyzing the data to see the progress of individual students, and the class as a whole, allowing the teachers  to make instructional adjustments based on student needs.  We are also attaching A Parent’s Guide to MAP for more detailed information regarding the test, data, and how teachers and schools use the MAP information to improve teaching and learning.

We are holding a required pre-trip meeting on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6 pm in the Fox Tech campus cafeteria for the families of our 8th-10th grade students who will be traveling to H-E-B Foundation Free Camps in Leakey, Texas from November 8-11. While at the camp, students will investigate and apply the laws governing motions in a variety of real world situations including archery, soccer, and much more! Our secondary math and science teachers will share an overview of the agenda, review medication procedures, explain the packing list, and answer questions.  If you are unable to attend the meeting, please email Amanda Chapman at achapman1@saisd.net to set up an alternate time to review the meeting material with one of the teachers. Finally, we are looking for male chaperones to accompany the group. You may email Ms. Chapman at the address above for more information about volunteering.

On Thursday, our secondary students in the Let’s Build It elective class are hosting an Arcade Game Night from 5-6 pm for our 4th and 5th grade. Using their cardboard arcade games, created using the design thinking process, the class will run the arcade for the younger students complete with tickets and prizes. Students and families are encouraged to attend!

Finally, this week is homecoming on the Fox Tech campus. Students at ALA at Fox Tech may celebrate following these Homecoming week themes.

Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Our Altar at La Villita!

Community Update: October 16, 2016

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Our Fox Tech campus is hosting several exciting events open to all K-10 families this week.  First, families are invited to an Open Studio Art Night on Tuesday, October 18  from 5:30-7:00 PM in the cafeteria.  Students and families are invited to spend an evening making art with cardboard. Along with ALA faculty, representatives from Luminaria, Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum,, San Antonio Museum of Art, Southwest School of Art, Artpace,  San Antonio Public Library, and Bibliotech will be present for families to learn about upcoming unique programs and opportunities. We hope to see many of there!

On Wednesday, October 19, SAISD will host a community meeting at Fox Tech at 6:00 PM to provide information and answer questions about the November 8th Bond and Tax Ratification Elections.  All of our ALA families are encouraged to attend and review the SAISD webpage for more information.

We also invite all families to join us at An Evening with the Fox Tech and Advanced Learning Academy Fine Arts on Thursday, October 20, as the arts once again take center stage. The evening will feature a variety of performances from 6:00-10:00 PM in the Fine Arts Building.

Switching gears, after last week’s early release, the entire ALA faculty gathered at ALA on Euclid to share our professional successes thus far and identify the factors that led to those success.  While our school is still in its infancy, we celebrated the many ways that our design principles and commitments are being put into practice in the service of students.

Friday, October 21 will be the third of six early release days this year.  Our K-3 students will  be dismissed at 1:15 PM while our 4th-10th grade students will be dismissed at 1:30 PM.  All magnet buses will run immediately after dismissal at 1:15 PM or 1:30 PM. The after school programs on both campuses will begin at their regularly scheduled time. Students attending the after school programs will be supervised by campus faculty until the programs begin at the normal time.

Finally, a reminder that our  first Principal’s Coffee will be held at the Fox Tech campus at 9:00-9:45 AM on Friday, October 21.  Families are invited to attend the coffee meetings to hear campus updates.

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: October 9, 2016

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Several of our students and teachers across both campuses enjoyed this weekend’s cooler weather during Chalk It Up,  the San Antonio annual art event sponsored by our neighbors at Artpace. Our students, under the guidance of art teacher, Sonya Castro, created a beautiful solar system themed piece.

Looking ahead, we are pleased to invite our K-10th grade families to an Open Studio Art Night on Tuesday, October 18  from 5:30-7:00 pm at our Fox Tech campus.  Students and families are invited to spend an evening letting their imagination run wild as they explore making art with cardboard.  

Wednesday, October 12th, is the second of six early release days this year.  Our K-3 students will once again be dismissed at 1:15pm while our 4th-10th grade students will be dismissed at 1:30pm.  All magnet buses will run immediately after dismissal at 1:15pm or 1:30pm. The after school programs on both campuses will begin at their regularly scheduled time. Students attending the after school programs will be supervised by campus faculty until the programs begin at the normal time. We will send home an after school care attendance form on Monday for the parents of students staying late. On the form, you will be able to indicate if your child will be attending after school care or if you plan to change the normal dismissal procedure. You may access a complete listing of the early release days HERE.

This Thursday, October 13th, our Fox Tech campus (4th-10th) will host an Open House and School Naming Exhibition beginning at 6 pm.  Families will have the opportunity to meet with teachers, learn about upcoming curriculum and projects, and join the newly created campus PTSA.  We encourage you to park in the large lot by the gymnasium and look for signs on where to report based on your student's(s’) grade-level. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Our first Principal’s Coffee will be held at the Fox Tech campus at 9-9:45 am on Friday, October 21.  Families are invited to attend the coffee meetings to hear campus updates and various presentations.  You may access a  full listing of Principal’s Coffee Meetings HERE.  The document will be continually updated as we confirm special presentations for each coffee.

The gifted and talented referral window is open until October 14th. After October 14th, we are unable to accept any referrals. All 1st and 5th grade students will be assessed using a universal screener. If you plan to recommend your child for testing, please let your child’s teacher know as soon as possible so that the teacher can send home a referral form. If you are new to SAISD, and your child was previously enrolled in another school district and identified in that district as GT, please email Beth Koennecke at fmorrowkoennecke1@saisd.net no later than Wednesday, October 12th.

Finally, our theater program is seeking donations for their upcoming performance of Alice In Wonderland (December 1st-4th).  If you are able to contribute any items on this Donation List, they may be dropped off at the Fox Tech campus.

Have a great week!

Kathy Bieser

School Updates: October 5, 2016

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

We have three quick updates to share with you this afternoon.

1. ALA at Fox Tech (grades 4-10) will hold its open house on Thursday, October 13 beginning at 6pm.

2. Progress Reports for students in grades K-3 were sent home yesterday. 

3. Progress Reports for students in grades 4-10 will be sent home on Friday.

Have a great afternoon! 

Kathy Bieser