Community Update: January 15, 2017

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Before the winter break, on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 the SAISD school board approved the Advanced Learning Academy’s  in-district charter application.  Included in the charter is the option to consider an extended school year calendar. Under an extended school year calendar, students would return to school the second week of August and end the school year in late June shortening the summer break from the current eleven weeks to seven weeks.  However,  students would attend the same number of days per calendar year and additional student holidays would be embedded into the calendar, along with the traditional Thanksgiving, winter and spring break.  On Wednesday, January 25 we will hold an informational meeting at 6 p.m. at our Fox Tech campus to discuss the benefits and challenges of this calendar flexibility and gather feedback from the community. We hope to have many of you  present as we continue to explore possibilities for our school.

On Wednesday, January 18th, our 4th-10th grade teachers will host a Report Card Pick-Up Night at the Fox Tech campus beginning at 6 p.m. Please look for signs and faculty directing you to the correct meeting space as you arrive. Along with picking up your student’s report card, teachers will be present to share course and class updates. The following evening on Thursday, January 19th our PTSA will hold a meeting in the Fox Tech cafeteria at 6 p.m. for all K-10th grade families and friends of the Advanced Learning Academy.

For the last few weeks, our K-3 students at ALA on Euclid have been completing a

Passion Project. On Friday, January 20th, these students will be exhibiting their project and sharing their learning. Students are invited to wear “Sunday Best” dress for the day in honor of the special presentations. Each Friday, following January  20th presentations students may continue to elect to wear a college shirt and jeans.

Finally, Ms. Stengel, Ms. Boydston, and the ALA at Fox Tech theatre students are hosting several community production nights to build the set pieces, props, and costumes necessary for each of the plays.  On the linked flyer, you will see a long list of needs and the dates and times for upcoming community production calls.   The community consists of students, parents, and ALA teachers.  

On January 26th, our plays will open for our community.   Folktales from Around the World, starring our own 4th and 5th grade students, as well as a 6th -10th folktale performance will be shown on Thursday beginning at at 2:30pm.  The second round of featured stories will be show on Friday beginning again at 2:30pm.  Please see the Folktales from Around the World  flyer for more details.   

Alice in Wonderland opens on Thursday, January 26th in the evening.   Tickets will be sold at the Report Card Pick-up Night on Wednesday, January 18th, and the January 25th Meeting. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the night of the play beginning at 6pm.  Please see our flyer, Alice in Wonderland , for more details.  

We would love to see you there!  If you have any questions regarding the plays or crew meetings, please feel free to email, astengel1@saisd.net .

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Community Update:January 9, 2017

Sunday, January 9, 2017

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

On Monday, January 9th and Thursday, January 12th, ALA on Euclid  will host a Parent Informational Meeting for Prospective Families & Students beginning  5:30 p.m. in the gymnasium for pre-K through 3rd grade families. These are the last two informational sessions before the January 31st, 2017, application deadline. If you have friends or family who are interested in ALA, please encourage them to attend an informational meeting. They do not need to register for the informational session. As a reminder,  although siblings of current students may be granted automatic admission if seats are available, they must submit an application by the deadline in order to be eligible.

At the informational session, families may hear about one of our K-3 students’ most recent initiatives. Students have been exploring the Japanese tradition of Soji, meaning “to clean.”  Many classrooms have elected to participate in Soji time at the end of each day to demonstrate and celebrate the pride they have in the school. We appreciate all of the teachers and students efforts!

Secondary students (6th-10th graders) on our Fox Tech campus are completing the 1st semester this week. Teacher are giving exams or have designed projects or writing assignments to conclude the semester.  For instance, students in Public Art Walks & Talks, a 1st semester elective class, will be leading walking tours of nearby public art for the community as their “semester exam” and final performance assessment. If your schedule allows, the students would love to have community members from our Euclid and Fox Tech campuses join one of the two tours on Monday, January 9th or Wednesday, January 11th! Each tour begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Fox Tech mall area and will last approximating 1 ½ hours. Please arrive a few minutes early to check-in at the front office and get a visitor's badge. Since you will be walking around the downtown area, we also recommend comfortable walking shoes!

As a reminder, Friday, January 13th and the 16th are students holidays.  On Friday, teachers will be participating in professional development and curriculum writing.

Finally, ALA @ Fox Tech (4th-10th grade) will host a  Report Card Pick-Up Night on Wednesday, January 18 at 6:00 p.m. Teacher will pass out report cards and share updates. The following evening on Thursday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m., we will hold PTSA meeting for all ALL families (K-10) at our Fox Tech campus.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: January 2, 2017

Monday, January 2, 2017

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Happy New Year!

We hosted a wonderful holiday luncheon at our Fox Tech campus shortly before the winter break. Many families noticed that our students were serving as disc jockeys during the festivities and asked to learn more.  The lunchtime performance was the result of a project in our Music Exploration and Creativity Lab, an elective class offered to our secondary students.  Prior to the break, a local non-profit organization, the AM Project, co-taught  a DJ 101 course with ALA music teacher, Abigail Van Klompenberg. Receiving instruction from local DJs and musicians, the students used dj controllers and software to launch and remix music before sharing their new skills and talents during lunch. We would like to thank the AM Project and Mrs. Van Klompenberg for facilitating this unique experience for our students!

Ten students in our first semester Model United Nations elective class will be participating in their very first conference, Wednesday thru Friday, when they attend Model United Nations San Antonio. Another fifteen 6th and 7th grade students will be observing the conference on Thursday before attending a middle school conference later in the year. We are excited to have begun our very own Model United Nations programs, and we thank teacher and sponsor Meghan Herrington for her efforts!

On Thursday, January 5, ALA at Fox Tech will host a Parent Informational Meeting for Prospective Students beginning  6:00 p.m. in the theatre for 4th-11th grade families. On Monday, January 9th and Thursday, January 12th we will hold informational sessions at ALA on Euclid beginning at 5:30 pm for pre-K thru 3rd grade families. These events are for parents and families of students interested in joining ALA in the fall of 2017. If you have friends or family who are interested in ALA, please encourage them to attend an informational meeting. The deadline to submit the application of SAISD Magnet and Specialized Schools, including the ALA application, is Tuesday, January 31, 2017.  Families may learn more about the many options available HERE and access the application for enrollment for the 17-18 school year HERE. As a reminder, for enrollment in the 17-18 school year, siblings of current Advanced Learning Academy students will be given automatic admission if seats in the grade are available after controlling for in-district and out-of-district ratios. Although siblings of current students may be granted automatic admission if seats are available, they must submit an application by the deadline in order to be eligible.

Looking ahead, the next  ALA @ Fox Tech (4th-10th grade) event is Report Card Pick-Up Night on Wednesday, January 18 at 6 PM. Teacher will pass out report cards and share updates. We look forward to seeing you there! The following evening on Thursday, January 19 at 6 PM, we will hold PTSA meeting for all ALL families (K-10) at our Fox Tech campus.

Finally, Ms. Stengel, Ms. Boydston, and the ALA at Fox Tech theatre students are hosting several community production nights to build the set pieces, props, and costumes necessary for each of the plays.  On the linked flyer, you will see a long list of needs and the dates and times for the community production calls.   The community consists of students, parents, and ALA teachers.  We would love to see you there!  If you have any questions, please feel free to email, astengel1@saisd.net .

Have a great week!

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

We have a few reminders and updates regarding arrival and dismissal procedures at ALA on Euclid and ALA at Fox Tech. Students may be dropped off beginning at 7:30 a.m. on both campuses. Prior to 7:30 a.m., there is no adult supervision for students.  If your K-5 family arrives after 8:30 a.m., we ask that you park and walk your child to the front office to check-in.  We ask that students be picked up promptly after dismissal: 3:45 p.m. at ALA on Euclid and 4:00 p.m. at ALA at Fox Tech. As a reminder, after school care is available at both campuses and families may still enroll their children. The after school care extends to grade 8 at ALA at Fox Tech. If middle school students need to stay at school later than the 4-4:15 dismissal period for pick-up, we ask that families enroll them in after school care with our YMCA partners.  Families may contact the main office for more information.

Our 7th/8th grade boys soccer and 7th/8th girls basketball seasons are under way. Our soccer team plays Monday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the SAISD Sports Complex while our girls basketball team takes the court on Saturday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at MLK Academy. Best of luck to both teams and Coaches Sarah Merschat (3rd grade teacher) and Rachel McDonald (4th/5th grade teacher)!  

ALA on Euclid will travel to the Lila Cockrell Theater on Monday, December 5 to see the Holiday Laser Light Show. Students studied light last week in their classes and even created their own rainbows using plastic cups, straws, mirrors, and sunlight. Students will get a lunch from the cafeteria when they return and will eat in their classrooms. Our 4th/5th grade students will also be attending the show on Tuesday, December 5 and information is posted on the 4th/5th grade blog: The Commons.

ALA students were awarded a Spurs Team Up Challenge grant to help find ways to support the homeless in San Antonio. They are holding a winter clothing drive at the Fox Tech campus. Congratulations to sponsor Rachel McDonald and our community- oriented students!

Dr. Linda Vargas, ALA guidance counselor at the Fox Tech campus, asked me to share these Class of 2020 Upcoming Pre-College Events for students and parents/guardians.

Finally, progress reports were sent home on Friday to our K-3 families and will go home this week on the Fox Tech campus for students in grades 4-7.

Stay warm this week!

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: November 27, 2016

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

During this time of thanksgiving we are reminded that our new school and all we have been able to accomplish in our first three months rely on the tremendous support of families and community partners. In the last thirteen weeks, we have launched and executed interdisciplinary projects leading to our Fall Festival at Euclid, the Cardboard Arcade Night at our Fox Tech campus, student presentations on how to make our school more energy efficient, and student awards at the Speak Up! Speak Out! Civics Fair in the State Capitol, where our 4th & 5th grade students won three of the eight awards while competing against 6th grade students. We have also participated in field trips to the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Institute of Texan Cultures, San Anto Cultural Arts, San Antonio Zoo, Trinity University’s Center for the Sciences and Innovation, Mission San Jose, San Antonio Public Library, to Trinity University to view Fancy Nancy’s Madame Butterfly ballet, and traveled to H-E-B Foundation Free Camp in Leakey, Texas for our very first overnight field trip. Our fine arts team organized a fall musical and dance showcase, Open Studio Art Night, and our middle and high school theater students will be leaving on Wednesday for the Texas Theatre Conference in Dallas. To the families, parents, and guardians who share the gift of time, ideas, and resources we thank you for your generosity and commitment to our school and our students.

We are looking forward to an even better spring semester!

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: Sunday, November 13, 2016

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

Last Friday,  ALA on Euclid hosted a Fall Festival designed, organized and run by our K-3 students. The carnival displayed cardboard carnival games that were colorful and interactive for the whole community.  There were colorful and creative games like a stuffed animal photo booth, sack races, a confetti water dunking booth, and much more.  Over the course of the unit leading up to the event, students explored the driving question: How do we create an event that brings our community together? Congratulations to all of the students on their hard work and creativity to bring our community together!

A reminder that Wednesday, November 16th will be the fourth 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.

On Friday, November 18th, our 4th and 5th grade Speak Up! Speak Out! Finalists will travel to Austin and the Texas State Capitol to compete.  Congratulations to all of the students on a successful first round.  Best of luck to our advancing students and our dedicated teachers!

Finally, we have created a new tradition at ALA: Turkey Day! It is a way to celebrate the last day before the break. You may review the Google presentation linked above for all Turkey Day guidelines. We return from Thanksgiving Break on Monday, November 28.  We wish all our ALA families a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser

Community Update: November 6, 2016

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Dear Advanced Learning Academy Families,

The 2017-2018 Application for SAISD Magnet and Specialized Schools, including the Advanced Learning Academy, was launched last week on the SAISD homepage.  Families may learn more about the many options available HERE and access the application for enrollment for the 17-18 school year HERE.

Students will be accepted to ALA through a lottery system. In order to be eligible for the ALA Lottery, a potential student only needs to fully complete an application and submit it by the January 31, 2017, deadline.  Next year, we will welcome an additional 60 Pre-Kindergarten and 60 Kindergarten families to ALA on Euclid. Additionally, we will be taking a small number of students in grades 1-11 based on available seats.  Pre-Kindergarten seats at ALA will be provided on a tuition basis to students who do not meet the Texas Education Agency eligibility requirements to attend Pre-Kindergarten for free. For enrollment in the 17-18 school year, siblings of current Advanced Learning Academy students will be given automatic admission if seats in the grade are available after controlling for in-district and out-of-district ratios. Although siblings of current students may be granted automatic admission if seats are available, they must submit an application by the deadline in order to be eligible. We are in the process of finalizing informational sessions for prospective students and families that we will share on our website and through my blog. Current students do not need to apply to secure a seat for the 17-18 school year.  

Monday, November 6th, ALA at Euclid will host a ceremony honoring veterans in our community. Families are invited to attend the 10:00 a.m. ceremony and encouraged to arrive no later than 9:40 a.m. to give ample time to park, check-in and get settled in the gymnasium.

On Tuesday, our 8th-10th grade students depart for a three-day travel experience

to H-E-B Foundation Free Camps in Leakey, Texas. I will be traveling with our students and will have very limited access to email and the internet at the camp. In my absence, families may contact ALA at Euclid Assistant Principal Beth Koennecke (FMORROWKOENNECKE1@saisd.net) or ALA at Fox Tech Assistant Principal David Nungaray(dnungaray1@saisd.net) for anything that requires immediate assistance. Although the internet at the top of camp may be limited, I will try to post short updates for our 8th-10th grade families on Ms. Bieser’s Blog.

On Wednesday, our 4th & 5th grade students will present their Speak Up! Speak Out! projects from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at ALA at Fox Tech during our Civics Fair. Students have been working in small groups to identify community problems and create innovative solutions before presenting their findings. Community judges will be joining us to give students feedback and to select the finalists who will attend a fair on November 18 at the Texas State Capitol building. Families are invited to join our 4th & 5th grade students as we celebrate with learning and creative solutions!

All of our K-10 students will be voting on school names this week at school. The vote will narrow the list of names to a few finalists who will present to a SAISD committee, which will make the final recommendation to the SAISD school board. We will share the finalists in next week’s update after the voting is completed!

Finally, a complete listing of the Community and Principal’s Coffee can be accessed HERE. The document will be continually updated as we confirm special presentations for each coffee.

Have a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Kathy Bieser