From the Principal's Desk
May 3, 2021
Greetings FWAFA Family,
Well, I don't know about you, but I was so happy that our power was restored on Sunday night! We all have a busy week ahead and can't be deterred by squirrels on the powerlines. #GOFWAFA!
We are just a few short weeks away from our "Asynchronous Learning" days due to state testing, and I have more information to share about that week of testing and asynchronous learning.
First, due to unforeseen circumstances with the number of available devices and number of testers, we had to make the tough call yesterday to change the date of two tests. The 8th grade Social Studies STAAR has been moved to Monday, May 17. This means that all 8th graders will have an Asynchronous Learning day on Thursday, May 13. The 6th grade Reading STAAR has been moved to Monday, May 24. This means that all 6th graders will have an Asynchronous Learning day on Friday, May 14. See changes below in the calendar of dates by grade level.
Second, although we are administering 19 different STAAR tests (multiple subject tests in 9 grade levels), the Asynchronous Learning days are only Tuesday, May 11 through Friday, May 14. The Asynchronous Learning days are different depending on what grade level you are in. I keep hearing some students say that they have an Asynchronous Day any day that they don't have a test themselves. That is not the case. There are only 4 Asynchronous Days, and again, that number varies by grade level. Some grade levels only have 2 Asynchronous Days during that week. For example, 3rd and 4th graders only have Asynchronous Learning days on Thursday and Friday of that week.
Third, we have some 7th grade students who are on the accelerated math track and will take the 8th grade math STAAR test. Take note of that difference if you are a 7th grader in PreAlgebra. These students will take the 8th grade STAAR math test on Friday, May 21 and have an Asynchronous Day on Friday, May 14 when the other 7th graders are taking the 7th grade STAAR math test. If you are not sure about your math STAAR date, check with your teacher - either Mr. Hammond or Ms. Cheryl Smith.
Fourth, all STAAR tests (except English I and II EOC) are four hours long. Typically, testing will be completed for most students by 12:30 p.m. We will start our normal bell and elementary rotation schedule around this time. At-Home Learners coming to campus to test are welcome to stay the whole day. Please be sure to bring a lunch and let your afternoon teachers know you are coming so that they have a seat for you.
Lastly, be sure to check the test dates and Asynchronous Learning Days down below in this letter. They have been updated to reflect the changes.
And, as always, thank you for the resilience and grace that you have shown this year especially as the Administrative Team feels like our day job has turned into working at an Amazon Logistics Department with 19 STAAR test administrations and 9 AP Test Administrations! #resilienceandgrace
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out by email or call the school. We are happy to help.
Creatively yours,
Dr. Jackson
21-22 Student Council Officers
Congratulations to the new class officers for 2021-2022! Thank you to all the election candidates and voters! A special election will be held in the fall to fill open offices.
Senior Class
President-Jackson Layton
VP of Special Events-Lily Jowers
VP of Fundraising-Kendrick Booth
Secretary-Hannah Madrid
StuCo Rep-open
Junior Class
President-Kara Salem
VP of Special Events-Layla Williams
VP of Fundraising-Gabriela Vargas
Secretary-Taylor Hatfield
StuCo Rep-Bailey Page
Sophomore Class
President-Tilly Klos
VP of Special Events-Natalie Ricke
VP of Fundraising-Skyla Jennings
Secretary-open
StuCo Rep-open
Freshman Class
StuCo Rep-Anna Tabor
Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Seniors Avery Teselle and Hailey Wasden are curating a gallery installation highlighting selected artworks from their high school career. This exhibition includes several award-winning works from State VASE and Scholastic Art competitions.
It’s time to start planning for this fall! To make school supply shopping easy, our Texas Boys Choir has teamed up with a bulk supply company to purchase school supply packs for next school year. Order forms will be coming home with your in-person students next week, and will also be available to download/print online and return to the school. Pre-ordered supplies will be delivered to the school before Open House Night in August. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Yearbooks On Sale Now!
1. Go to this direct link https://www.balfour.com/texas/fort-worth/fort-worth-academy-of-fine-arts
to order your yearbook. They are only available to purchase online.
2. Order quickly! We sell out every year!
3. They will be full color - 144 pages and $58.00. The yearbook will cover elementary, middle, and high school performances and events!
4. There will be options to order extra autograph pages, a protective cover, and a yearzine.
5. Due to COVID and in order to have enough content, we pushed back the yearbook distribution to late summer. The exact date that they will be passed out has not been determined yet, but I will keep everyone posted. We know it's not as much fun to get them after school is over, but please don't let that get in the way of ordering a book. This will be a year to remember! We worked really hard to get this book done during this crazy time!
6. Normally everything that happens after spring break isn’t included. This year, Ms. Wiggins will get to include many things that are happening after spring break which is very exciting!
7. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY ARE GOING ON SALE! They were not available to purchase at the first of the year.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email Ryan Wiggins - Yearbook Advisor.
The FWAFA Dance Companies (ADC, ADCT, Company II, and Junior Company!) are proud to present REVIVAL, a dance concert of student and faculty choreographed contemporary and classical works. This show features reimagined scenes from iconic classical ballets as well as brand new dances choreographed by ADC and ADCT dancers and FWAFA dance faculty.
You can stream the concert online at artsacademics.org/live from April 30 through May 7.
Make sure to watch our ADC Seniors in their final Dance Company Concert at FWAFA!
AP Test Dates
On your test day, please arrive no later than 7:45 a.m. to your test room. The test will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 5 - AP English Literature and Composition at 8:00 a.m.
Thursday, May 6 - AP U.S. History at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, May 7 - AP Chemistry at 8:00 a.m.
Monday, May 10 - AP French Language and AP World History at 8:00 a.m.
Tuesday, May 11 - AP Spanish Language at 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 12 - AP English Language and Composition at 8:00 a.m.; AP Music Theory at 12:00 p.m.
Friday, May 14 - AP Biology at 8:00 a.m.
NEW INFORMATION! CHECK IT OUT! Spring STAAR and Asynchronous Learning Dates
Asynchronous means that students will be learning from home that day. They will answer their Attendance Check questions in order to be marked present for the day. There will be no Zooms on Asynchronous Learning Days.
3rd Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 3rd grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 3rd grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - All 3rd graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - All 3rd graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
4th Grade
Tuesday, April 6 - STAAR 4th grade Writing (on paper)
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 4th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 4th grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - All 4th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - All 4th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
5th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 5th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR 5th grade Reading (on paper)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 5th grade Science (on paper)
Friday, May 14 - All 5th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
6th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR 6th grade Math (on paper)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 6th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - All 6th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
CHANGE - Friday, May 14 - All 6th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
CHANGE - Monday, May 24 - STAAR 6th grade Reading (on computer at school)
7th Grade
Tuesday, April 27 - STAAR 7th grade Writing (on computer at school)
Tuesday, May 11 - All 7th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 7th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 7th grade Reading (on computer at school)
Friday, May 14 - STAAR 7th grade Math (on computer at school) - This DOES NOT include 7th graders who take accelerated math - PreAlgebra. This group of students will remain home on this day. Check with Mr. Hammond and Ms. C. Smith for more details.
8th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
CHANGE - Thursday, May 13 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Friday, May 14 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
CHANGE - Monday, May 17 - STAAR 8th grade Social Studies (on computer at school)
Tuesday, May 18 - STAAR 8th grade Science (on computer at school)
Thursday, May 20 - STAAR 8th grade Reading (on computer at school)
Friday, May 21 - STAAR 8th grade Math (on computer at school) - This includes 7th graders who are in accelerated math - PreAlgebra
High School End-of-Course Assessments
Tuesday, April 20 - English I (on computer at school)
Thursday, April 29 - English II (on computer at school)
Tuesday, May 4 - Algebra I (on paper)
Wednesday, May 19 - Biology (date change) and U.S. History (on computer at school)
High School Asynchronous (At-Home) Learning Days
Tuesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 12
Thursday, May 13
Friday, May 14
May is Mental Health Month!
Project Celebration Class of 2021 - Donations Needed!
The Project Celebration Committee is in high gear planning a one-of-a-kind event for the Class of 2021. You can support their efforts by donating today! Here's the link to their Amazon wish list. It includes a WIDE variety of gifts from flair pens and school supplies all the way to a Mac Book Air. And, here's a link to their Sign Up Genius with other items to donate.
PTSO Family Ambassadors Needed for 2021-2022 School Year!
WANTED! PTSO Family Ambassadors for 2021-2022
It’s that time of year where the PTSO needs volunteers to help welcome new families to our school. We are looking for parents who will serve as a point of contact for a group of new families in each grade level to answer questions and help assist with their transition into FWAFA. We have a unique culture at FWAFA and we want new families to feel welcomed and be prepared for a great start. First impression is everything!
We will need six to eight Ambassadors for third grade (if you have an elementary student, you can help with this, or if you have an older student AND an incoming third grader), and one to two Ambassadors for other grade levels.
Expectations of a FWAFA Family Ambassador:
· Send a nice welcome email to your group
· It is optional to meet as a group (via Zoom or in person if restrictions lift)
· Be the face of FWAFA
· Be available to answer questions or help point them in the right direction
· Meet and Greet them at the Ice Cream Social for new families (in August)
Please consider this opportunity to welcome a new family. If you are interested, for grades 3-6, please email Jeannine Miner j9miner@gmail.com, for grades 7-12 Natoya Walker Alee nwalkeralee@yahoo.com. Please be sure to let us know what grade level you prefer to represent. We are so grateful for our amazing community of volunteers!
We know how much you love your arts classes during the school year, and hope you will keep up the fun this summer as well! We are offering camps in Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Art for ages 3-18.
More Details:
· Open to the public
· 9am - 4pm
· Monday - Friday
· Before & after care available
· In-person & online options
· Classes taught by degreed instructors
· End-of-week showcase for all students
· We offer multi-week and sibling discounts
Quick Links
Mark Your Calendar!
May 3-May 7 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
Tuesday, May 4 - Algebra EOC
Wednesday, May 5 - AP English Literature Exam; Progress Report Distribution for In-School Learners - At-Home Learners will be mailed the following week
Thursday, May 6 - AP U.S. History Exam; New Student Night at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Friday, May 7 - AP Chemistry Exam; Eligibility Regained; Senior Art Show Opens
Saturday, May 8 - Junior/Senior Prom at the Japanese Gardens
Monday, May 10 - AP French Language and AP World History at 8:00 a.m.; Senior Capstones for Invited Guests (more information forthcoming)
Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR grades 3-6 Math, AP Spanish Language at 8:00 a.m., Grades 7-12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms; Senior Capstones for Invited Guests (more information forthcoming)
Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR grades 3-5 Reading, AP Language and Composition at 8:00 a.m., AP Music Theory at 12:00 p.m.; Grades 6-12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms; Senior Capstones for Invited Guests (more information forthcoming)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR grade 5 Science, STAAR grade 7 Reading, , Grades 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms
Friday, May 14 - STAAR grade 7 Math, AP Biology at 8:00 a.m., Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms
Saturday, May 15 - Adventures in Color - Singing Girls of Texas Concert streaming and on Green Space
Monday, May 17 - 8th grade STAAR Social Studies (on computer), Senior Check Out Day; Senior Art Show Opens; High School Awards Assembly via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18 - grade 8 Science STAAR (on computer); Senior Skip Day; Middle School Awards Assembly via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19 - Biology and U.S. History EOC, Senior Staycation, Elementary Awards Assembly via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 20 - grade 8 Reading STAAR (on computer); In-School Student Device Return, Senior Staycation
Friday, May 21 - grade 8 Math STAAR (on computer); Senior Dinner sponsored by PTSO
Monday, May 24 - grade 6 STAAR reading (on computer); At-Home Student Device Pick-Up, Senior Showcase for invited guests at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25 - Senior Showcase Assembly for all grade levels, Senior Showcase for invited guests at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 26 - Graduation rehearsal at 9:00 a.m., Graduation at 7:00 p.m. for invited guests at McGorman Performing Arts Center
Thursday, May 27 - Last day of school; Early Release at 12:15 p.m.
Past Principal Newsletters
