WARRIOR WEEKLY September 21-25 |
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Dear TMA Families,
Welcome to our new families, and welcome back to our returning families! We remained honored and humbled to serve your students and the community surrounding Thurgood Marshall Academy. Despite the new challenges facing us, our goal is to ensure that we are able to provide your students with the same high quality academic experiences that we have provided our students with for the past 20 years
While this is not an average school year, we are already approaching week four. Time flies...even virtually. We would like to thank all parents and students for the patience you have provided our faculty and staff as we enter this new learning space. Without your support, the first few weeks of the school year would not have been possible. So again, thank you for your support.
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What’s Ahead:
- September 23rd: Open House--5-7:30pm
- September 28th: MAP Assessment--9th & 10th Grade Students
- October 2nd: Law Day--9th Grade Students
- October 9th: Howard Law Academy--10th Grade
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Open House
This Wednesday, September 23rd, TMA will host the first Open House event of the 2020-2021 school year. During this time you will experience one of the Advisory activities that our students participate in daily. In addition, we will provide you with school wide updates, an opportunity to schedule 1:1 meetings with teachers and other important information. The event will take place from 5:30pm-6:30pm.
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Map Assessment
MAP Growth is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, and actionable evidence to help target instruction for each student or groups of students regardless of how far above or below they are from their grade level. Using MAP Growth insights, teachers can confidently tailor instruction to challenge every student, whether they are below, at, or above grade level. MAP Growth student reports also present realistic learning goals by subject areas so that, through a teacher’s guidance, students can individually see their progress and be inspired to take charge of their own learning.
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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.
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College & Counseling Updates
Thank you so much to those of you who were able to attend our first College Night! The recording, Powerpoint presentation, and resources mentioned at the event can all be found on our virtual classroom and website (links below).
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!
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Technology & Online Resources
This week we are moving to the Canvas Learning Management System. It is similar to Google Classrooms, but contains several additional features. Several of these features include providing students with the ability to access instructional apps, view teacher videos, submit work online, view all of their courses, manage their work and view grades in real time. In addition, parents, you will be able to create a parent account where you can view your student’s work , their grades on specific assignments and communicate with their teachers.
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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:
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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.
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Programs Updates
We are excited to begin activities in two weeks. Below is a sample of Afterschool Activities Beginning September 28:
- Homework Help
- Mentor Program
- Poetry Club
- Dungeons & Dragons Club
- Green Club
- Debate
- Student Government
- Art Club
- Happy Black Girls
- Kidpower
- Civil Rights Experiences
- School Newspaper
- Pathways 2 Power
- Dance Team
- Fitness Club with TMA Coaches
- Fashion Club
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Resources and Support Information
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
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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
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Class Announcements
Click on your grade level to see assignments and announcements from your Dean and teachers:
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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!
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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 this week 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
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Other Items
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Concussion Awareness Program: Parents & Guardians, please review the Concussion Awareness Program that applies to all athletic activities.
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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!
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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.**
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Complete the 2020 Census! There is less than ONE MONTH to take action and make sure EVERYBODY in your household is counted!
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Spend just a few minutes now to complete the Census and have an impact on your family’s future for years to come!
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