YOUNG SCHOLARS OF
GREATER ALLEGHENY
CHARTER SCHOOL
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News and Events
that you don't want to miss!
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE 1ST WEEK OF HYBRID MODEL
Dear Families,
What an exciting week it has been! We are thrilled to have some of our students back in the building and to continue to teach others in the online setting. Students have adjusted well to the new schedule, and we have had minimal interruptions to instructional time.
This is the first week that we have welcomed students into our new building. Our classrooms are bigger and brighter in our new building, and we have new technology and amenities that are making your child’s learning experience better than ever. We have grass space and a nearby park that our students and teachers are taking advantage of for recess, and we are able to safely social distance ourselves in our new space.
Throughout the day, you will see our teachers working hard to engage students in both in-person and online settings. Students are still receiving all of the core classes, in addition to intervention classes in the afternoons for both ELA and Math daily. If your student is in the online setting, we are highly encouraging them to log on to their afternoon sessions. Students and teachers are continuing to work hard in small groups and to find new and exciting ways to learn. We know that students have been out of the school setting for almost a year prior to this week, so you will also see your student's teacher taking the extra time during class, as well as in the mornings and afternoons to reconnect with your student and make sure that the transition back into the classroom is a smooth one.
Each day brings new challenges and new excitement, and we appreciate the patience of you and your students as we work to face these things together. As a school community, we continue to work to improve the school experience for each family every day. We cannot wait to see what the future brings!
David Aiden
CEO
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Discipline Office & Student Services Corner |
Greetings from Mrs. Humphries
We are excited to be in our new space as we welcome scholars back to the school building. From the start of the day, scholars are arriving by bus or car scurrying into the building to meet their teachers and greet friends both in-person and online. For those scholars who have returned to school, uniform shirts and closed-toed shoes are required. Please contact the school if you are in need of new shirts. For our scholars who remain remote, we are just as excited to see you in class as you should continue attending 4 days each week. Remember homework and independent help is still available, please schedule time with your teacher.
We want to end this year, strong. We appreciate you and your family.
YSGA is on the move! Let’s continue to do our best.
Spring is almost here!
Kelli Humphries
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Happy Spring!
Now that our new building is open in the Hybrid Model here are a few Health-Related Topics to revisit, mostly related to the Coronavirus.
1. PLEASE practice with your Young Scholars the safe and appropriate use of face coverings. BE AWARE THAT FACE COVERINGS are REQUIRED for all Pennsylvania residents (including children) both inside and outside of buildings. This mandate was updated as of November 18th and will be enforced.
2. Please observe and practice with your Young Scholars effective handwashing (use of water, soap, 20-second scrub, rinse, and dry) We have visuals posted in the bathrooms and a video will be presented as reinforcement.
3. Hand sanitizer is hung in dispensers throughout the building and its use is encouraged.
4. 6 feet spacing is in use in the new building to the greatest extent possible and floor markers are displayed.
We appreciate the efforts you have made in the past several months to facilitate the learning of your Young Scholars. Now that school is open in the Hybrid Model, we ask that you continue the diligence you have displayed by checking in with your students before they leave for school:
1. If they are displaying signs of illness, (fever, cough, cold, stomach upset, sore throat, shortness of breath) please keep them at home and seek medical advice from your child’s physician.
2. If a family member has been exposed to someone with Coronavirus, please follow the Quarantine-advice of staying home for 14 days. (This includes the children) NOTIFY SCHOOL!
3. Please call me at school to discuss any concerns or for direction during this challenging time.
Thank you for reading this and I wish you all a safe Spring Season.
Sincerely,
Karen Ieong
412-673-7300 x108
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Hi Families! I hope you are doing well and staying healthy. I wanted to reach out to let you and your scholars know I am available if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach me by email ([email protected]) or by phone (412-448-2746). Stay Healthy!
Character Education News
In Character Ed classes during the month of February, we were very busy learning about friendship- what it means and how to be a friend.
Learning happens best when it is done both at school and at home. Below are many ways that you can help your child continue to learn about the theme of friendship through reading about it, talking about it, and practicing it! We have really enjoyed exploring this topic at school, and I hope your family will enjoy it just as much!
Read About It!
Here are some books to help you learn more about friendship:
- Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
- Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry
Practice It!
Help your child practice being a good friend with role plays.
Talk About It: Gratitude Discussion Starters
- What is a friend?
- Who are your friends?
- What do you do if you want to play with a group of friends who are already playing together?
- What if you ask a friend to play and they say “no”.
- How would you feel if someone was mean to you?
Lauren Kielbasa
Phone: (412) 673-7300, ext. 121
We want to ensure our families are being helped and supported in their time of need!
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Electrostatic Spray against Covid & Other Viruses
YSGA has recently contracted with a vendor to spray ViroGuard to all areas. ViroGuard is a disinfectant product that kills bacteria and viruses. It is a systematic application that targets high traffic and high-touch areas such as walkways with handrails, door handles, bathrooms, reception areas, and common seating/eating zones.
This Treatment is performed in a slow and consistent manner to ensure adequate coverage and application time. There is no access to space while the product is being applied or drying. This may be up to one hour after the Treatment, dependent upon the ventilation of the Service Area. While this protective barrier or “nano-surface” will remain intact for up to 3-6 weeks, it may be abraded off. The rate of abrasion depends on the type and frequency of contact with the treated surfaces.
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Kahve Zamani: Coffee time
We decided to go to Starbucks to have coffee with the students in order to experience the drinks we dealt with in Turkish lessons. We agreed to meet on Saturdays with a group of students and parents each day.
Of course, it was very difficult to predict how many students would come during the pandemic process. Despite this, words were not enough to describe my excitement and enthusiasm. Finally, the big day came and as the clock turned 10, the students started rushing to the bookstore.
My happiness has doubled with the participation of some parents of students. After a little chat, we went to Starbucks to get our coffee and hot chocolate. The taste of coffee was way better than ever: having them with my students and parents together.
One of the parents in our group started to explain with tears how much they love this school. She kept repeating what a noble task we were doing, reminding us that she was an educator herself in the past. Her favorite sentence was “We know that you are not just teachers working for a paycheck at the end of the month”. It couldn't be a greater source of happiness than this.
After a good conversation, it was time to break up. Giving the books we bought as gifts to the students, we said goodbye to them all. When everyone left and I was alone, I once again felt how sacred of a profession teaching was.
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Last month, we held our annual High School Fair virtually. We had 8 schools present live for our students and staff. A High School Fair Resource website was created as a way for our families to view the presentations and information about the school. To view the website, click here
Careers
During the month of March in grades 1-8, we are learning about different careers. Grades 1-3 are learning about careers through stories, games, and class discussions. Grades 4-8 are learning about careers through activities and class discussions. All scholars are learning about different types of jobs, how being a student is preparing them for their future career, and how our interests are helping guide us to choosing our future career.
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To celebrate National Read Across America Day on March 2, 2021, we enjoyed some Dr. Suess books and activities! Second and third grade was visited by the Lorax! Students also listened to the Cat in the Hat book and received a personal letter from the Cat in the Hat. He asked them to design him a new hat. Here are their creations! |
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YSGA has revised the school calendar for the remainder of the school year. Please CLICK HERE to see the revised calendar and it was also posted on the school website.
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Enrollment Deadline for the Lottery: March 19, 2021
Enrollment Lottery: March 24, 2021
Math Night (Virtual): March 23, 2021
End of 3rd Marking Period: March 26, 2021
Spring Break: March 29 - April 2, 2021
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