Academy Family Newsletter

Hello Academy Parents and Guardians,

Report Cards went home today. Please ask your child for the Report Card. Attached is the iReady results as well.

AAA Elementary and Middle School Spelling Bee- Friday, January 13, 2023

9:30a.m.-Middle School

11:30a.m.- Elementary

PLEASE, PLEASE do NOT drop students off in the front of the school unless after 8:00a.m. Then, you must sign them in. We have seen several students running across the parking lot before 8:00a.m. This is not one of the supervised drop off locations. Buses drop off in the front loop. Car riders need to drop off in the car line area. If you have questions, please let us know.

Attendance

Please view the attendance letter below. Second semester begins January 4, 2023. Our goal is to have as many students as possible receive the Perfect Attendance Award in January.

iReady Testing

iReady reports went home January 6, 2023 with Report Cards.

Arrival Expectations

In the morning, there are two arrival points - carline and bus. Students should NOT be dropped off in the front parking lot unless it is after 8:00 am. The earliest arrival time is 7:30a.m.

No Cell Phone Policy

Just a reminder that we still follow the No Cell Phone Policy. We see cell phones increasingly becoming a concern. Please discuss with your child that cell phones should not visible or on during school hours. If you need to speak with your child, please call the front office. Thanks for your help and support.

AAA Way

This month we are highlighting our Hallway Expectations. Please remind your child. The playbill is below.

Please continue to discuss with your child the importance of completing assignments on time and staying focused during learning times. We are excited to see all of the progress our students will make this nine weeks.

ACAP Vocabulary Words of the Week

1. formulates- create or devise in a concise manner

2. deteriorate- to make or become worse or inferior in character, quality, value, etc.

3. attentive- (adj.) alert and watchful; considerate; thoughtful

4. serenity- (n.) the quality of being calm, peaceful, or untroubled

5. allot- give out

6. convey- make (an idea, impression, or feeling) known or understandable to someone

Have an awesome weekend!!!

Our Best Always!

Kitrise Torain

AAA Middle, Principal

kitrise.torain@hsv-k12.org

Dr. Evelyn Coffey

AAA Elementary, Principal

evelyn.coffey@hsv-k12.org

Another great source of information - Join our Facebook Group page Academy for Academics and Arts! Join Twitter @AAAMiddle

to the following students who have qualified to participate in the School-wide Spelling Bees on January 13, 2023! Middle School Spelling Bee will begin at 9:30 am and the Elementary Spelling Bee will start at 11:30 am. Both spelling bees will be held in the AAA Theater. Please come to watch and support our students.

Middle School Participants:

8th Grade

Tatiana Mills

Morgan Smith

Niala Anderson

Alexa Bass

Patrick Hereford II

Sarah Snead

7th Grade

Patrick Ivan

Nola White

Chaiyim McCobbie

Kaitlyn Pelletier

Kamari Robinson

6th Grade

Neamiah Potter

Ziyan Pettis

Gabrielle Prince

Karma Ford

Harper Perkins

Charlotte Wilkerson

Elementary School Participants:

Mrs. Cunningham’s class winner -Vincent Westmeyer

Mr. Hunt’s class winner - Fenrir Cunningham

Mrs. Scrivner’s class winner - Ethan Shoulders

Mrs. Brigman’s class winner - Jude Carroll

Mrs. Leslie’s class winner - Julianne Carroll

Mrs. Moore’s class winner - Marlowe Barrick

Ms. Bierley’s class winner - Collins Finlen

Mr. Farbman’s class winner - Adonis Harrison

Mrs. Lanza’s class winner - Sophia Turner

Mrs. Frevert’s class winner - Leah Johnson

Mrs. Lazor’s class winner - Evelyn Qualls

Mrs. Lewis’s class winner - Elyjah Alexander

Mrs. Snodgrass’s class winner - Stark Williams

We have the carline ending by 3:25p.m. If you pull in after this time, please go to the front office to sign out your child. Here are a few things that will help:

1. Please pull into the line in which you would like to exit. Pull in the line closest to the school if you are turning right onto Sparkman. Please pull in the second line if you plan on exiting left on Sparkman. THANK YOU!
2. Please do not yell at our faculty and staff. They are working hard to get your child to you in the safest way possible.
3. Display your child's name in the windshield, even as you pull up to the loading area. It is difficult to see names that are on the dash board.
4. Carline tags can be displayed on the sun visor with clips or rubber bands. Please keep the car tags in your sun visor until you are completely out of carline.
5. Being distracted by a cell phone, slows the line down more than one might realize. Please stay off the phone in carline.
6. The front line turns right on to Sparkman and the back line turns left on to Sparkman.
7. Pull up as far as you can.
8. Pull up as close as you can to the car in front of you.
9. Bus transportation is available to zoned schools. Most of the buses drop off at their first stop by 3:30 PM.
10. Afterschool tutoring pick up - Parents MUST park and walk to the door to check their child out.

Thank you for your patience! We can't wait to see how much this process improves next week. :)

1. The front circle is for BUSES ONLY in the afternoons!
2. Please do not park your car on the circle.
3. We have buses that drop off and pick up students every day between 2:30 and 4:30.
4. The curbs around the circle are not for car pick up and drop off, they are for buses only!

Cell phones must be powered off while students are in the building. Students will receive consequences based on the HCS Behavior Learning Guide if phones are on.

Please talk with your child to make sure they understand this procedure.

Thank for your support! Our students have been following the No Cell Phone Policy.

6th Grade Updates - 1-3-23

If you are willing and able to, please send in hand sanitizer and tissues. With the cold & flu season upon us, we are in desperate need. We are also in need of pencils. We prefer pre-sharpened, but we will take anything!

ELA:

Stricklin- Happy New Year! We will be starting our Narrative writing unit. We were introduced to narrative writing in the first nine weeks. We will continue our study by planning and writing a personal narrative, biographical narrative, and a fictional narrative. Students will plan several options of each narrative and will choose which one they want to write and turn in. Choice is important when learning to write well.

Estelle- Welcome Back! We are looking forward to a really great second half of the year!

We begin reading The Good Samaritan this nine weeks. From René Saldaña, Jr.’s 2003 collection of short stories, “The Good Samaritan” is told through the eyes of a teenage boy named Rey. When his relationship with a neighborhood family turns sour, Rey soon finds himself faced with an age-old moral dilemma.

We are working on summarization skills and continue to explore plot, character traits, and making connections to a text. We are now using a daily English journal for taking notes and doing quick writes. Also, we have weekly vocabulary and grammar assignments. Our writing genre for the third quarter is argumentative writing.

Math:

Happy New Year! We will be working on Ratios and Rates for this new quarter. Students will take a pretest tomorrow on lessons 1-4. Math groups will be based on pretests and will be flexible as well. Please make sure that laptops are fully charged AND bring their chargers with them. Too many are without chargers and not able to work in class.

Social Studies: Welcome back! This week we will be reviewing text-dependent writing strategies for Social Studies class. We will be beginning our study of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl over the next few weeks.

Science - We begin a new unit on the Sun, Earth & Moon !!!! This unit focuses on how the celestial bodies of our Solar System work together. We will learn how to compare celestial body sizes, distances, mass and weight. Modeling this system is the main focus of our learning with fantastic hands-on investigations that work with scaled models. Students need to be IN CLASS in order to optimize this in person learning.

Additionally, students need a new science journal for the second semester. And last, but not least, we begin a new job in science class: lab assistant. Students have already applied for the position but we still have openings to fill. Please encourage your child to step up to the responsibilities of the Science Lab Assistant position!

ELA: Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful break. This quarter we are starting off strong with our poetry unit. We are learning about how to analyze literature for mood and tone in this first week and then we are moving on to all figurative language and annotating/analyzing poetry for literary devices. Students will have important notes on paper that they are expected to keep up with in their English folders. Lastly, as a reminder, this semester all work is due by Monday at 8:00 a.m. of the following week. There is no late credit this semester (except in cases of absences.)

Math: Ms. Chasitey Garner is the new math teacher that will take over the rest of the semester. We are excited that Ms. Whitney is doing much better and will return towards the end of the month. While she is still recovering, she will assist the new teacher, Ms. Garner, with making sure our students master the needed skills.

A Note from Ms. Garner: Welcome back! My name is Chasitey Garner, and I am honored to be your child’s 7th grade math teacher. We are starting the year off by focusing on the Expression and Equations Domain. 01.05.23 - 01.06.23, the 7th grade class focused on being able to identify like terms and simplifying expressions. The students are doing great with the concept thus far, and we will continue to explore more in-depth about expressions during 01.09.23 - 01.13.23. During each lesson, the students will be introduced to various vocabulary. It is vital for the students to understand the vocabulary, so they can understand the concept. The students will have the opportunity to show their understanding of the lesson cover thus far on Wednesday, 01.11.23. Please encourage your students to study their study guide on 01.10.23. I will be sending out a remind code to notify you of important information such as quiz date, homework, and behavior. I look forward to working with you all to help your student be academically successful. As a reminder late work will not be accepted this semester (except in the cases of absences).

Science:

Welcome back!!!! This quarter we will be learning about heredity, DNA and how cells multiply! We are starting the year by learning and practicing important vocabulary that we will be using throughout the quarter. We will be having a vocabulary quiz on Thursday January 12th over these vocabulary words. We will be using the vocabulary words to create Punnett Squares, analyze them and calculate probabilities. Please make sure that students have their Interactive Notebooks every day because we will be using them almost every day. Lastly, as a reminder that this semester, late work will not be accepted (except in cases of absences).

Social Studies:

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas break! I am very excited to get this semester started as we move into geography. The next couple of weeks will be an introduction to geography. Students will learn about different forms of maps as well as about latitude and longitude. This semester our textbook is online. Students will need to have their computers everyday with a charge. If students do not have it they will get behind very quickly. As a reminder late work will not be accepted this semester (except in the cases of absences). I look forward to seeing all the kids back tomorrow.

ELA: Welcome back! Students have been reading abridged copies of some of William Shakespeare's plays and writing the gist of them. This is preparation for the Shakespeare Festival (in April). For the next few weeks, they will read “A Midsummer Night's Dream”. They will be issued a classroom copy of the novel, and a copy of the text will be uploaded in Schoology so that students can continue to read at home (if necessary). Along with the text (and a few informational texts), they will be forming and supporting their own argumentative essay based on the theme “Control”.

Math:

8th Grade Accelerated Math: Exploration, inquiry and application of Systems of Equations, Triangle Angle Sum Theorem, Linear equations in two variables and graphing using Slope Intercept Form, Slope review and practice, parallel lines cut by a transversal, real world application etc...

8th Grade Regular: Exploration, inquiry and application of Systems of Equations, Triangle Angle Sum Theorem, Linear equations in two variables and graphing using Slope Intercept Form, Slope review and practice, Properties of Exponents review, real world application etc…

Science: OMG!!! Happy New Year to each one of you, my AAAmazing students! We are so excited to see you, and there are some things you will need to be aware of. Second semester is very hands-on (Physics) so you will need to be prepared to review and revisit lab safety protocol, general school-wide and 8th grade policies/procedures, and specific classroom expectations to ensure your success. This semester requires your undivided attention in all classes, timely completion of all assigned work, and the proper display of AAA Way! Over the next few weeks, you will be introduced to the wonderful world of Physics (with a heavy emphasis on force and its calculation) so please make sure that you are prepared to move full-steam ahead.

Social Studies: A very very big Happy New year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! We are back and in full swing of things. I like to start off each semester/new year with an opportunity to do an intake on the students' year so far and where they plan on going as the new year approaches. Therefore we are doing a fun little activity that makes them take into account their life thus far. After this, we dive into major world religions beginning with Judaism. We will also cover Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and some other historical/minor religions of the ancient world. We will be studying them through a historical lens and view these religions as a building block for major ancient civilizations. There is a change to my grading policy this 9 weeks as well. All students have been informed of this change, but all late assignments without an excused absence will start off with a 50% deduction. By now students have a solid understanding of the workload for this course and should be able to demonstrate good time management. Have a great week!

Creative Writing - Welcome back! Mrs. Parker’s class is starting their poetry unit this quarter! For workshop each week, students will be able to choose from a list of genres to write and submit their piece. In the meantime, they will write different types of poetry in correlation with each mini Monday lesson and the subsequent poetry readings of the week. Also, students can still submit to this year’s literary magazine (via Schoology message to Mrs. Parker) until the end of the month, January 31st.

Media Arts - 7th & 8th grade - Welcome Back! Students are creating a short film based on the school motto “Our Best Always”. This will require them to write and act out their own script(s) and use video equipment to record and edit the film. This assignment will take 6-7 weeks to complete.

Media Arts - 6th Grade- Welcome back! We have been working on our new project “Product Placement,” this week. Students will analyze the work of Milton Glaser and create a product using traditional materials. They will convert it into a real-world product prototype using digital applications, then evaluate and present the product in a specific place.

AAA Theatre -

AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT!

Auditions for Comedy of Errors are next week!

All information can be found online at www.WhyAAA.org/MS-Theatre

8th Grade Audition - Monday, Jan. 9

7th Grade Audition - Tuesday, Jan. 10

6th Grade Audition - Wednesday, Jan. 11

**Call backs - Thursday, Jan. 12**

All students in Feemster’s classes must audition for a grade!

Mr. Grumpy’s Info

Last Day to Purchase DVD & Photos are Jan. 27th.

Link: https://forms.gle/QivHKeqSMHodstfh8

We would love to have your reflection and feedback to help us grow for Grumpy’s 2026! Please fill out this anonymous form!

Link: https://forms.gle/SBWFTSCfJs6EyZ316

Last Strike!

Please help us finish getting all Grumpy’s things down. We will be at the theatre from 1p-3p on Saturday, Jan. 7th

Theatre Performance Classes

Introduction to Theatre

Welcome! I am so excited to have this new crop of theatre performance students. As you know, Introduction to Theatre is a semester split class. Students will take technical theatre with Mr. Stricklin one semester and theatre performance the other semester. We will be starting the semester with some audition prep and then moving into improv!

Theatre I

Welcome back! We will begin the semester with audition prep and then we will move into a script writing unit!

Theatre Production

Welcome back! We are starting the semester FAST! We are super busy!

Comedy of Error Auditions

Fully rehearsing The Yellow Boat (with 2 casts)!

Thespian Cabaret - Jan 28! More info soon.

Rehearse those IEs

Tech IEs need to be finished!

Our One Act, The Yellow Boat - Feb. 11

ThesFest - Feb 17-19

Make sure you're making your payments!

STARS and CLOWNS

January 13 is the last chance to sign up and pay your deposit for the Competition trip in Atlanta. If you need financial assistance, please email Mrs. Stricklin at jennifer.stricklin@hsv-k12.org.

Music

Strings-Hello Strings Families! We are so excited that so many orchestra members in Middle School have signed up for the Festival in Atlanta for April 2023. Spring events are coming up! And February will have two beautiful favorite spirituals included in our music literature we have begun to prepare for performances/contests/trips April and May. Thank you for your participation and support. Be thinking of our amazing AAA music department Faculty as the three of us (Mrs. Staples, Mr. Snodgrass, and myself) attend the annual state music educator’s conference (AMEA) during the third week/weekend of this month (January 19,20,21!) And also remember how our 4th graders showcase violin performances during the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s Young People’s Concerts February 24th, 2023! Some of our current 8th grade strings members remember those good ol’ days:) Have a wonderful winter month of January!

Band - Hello Band Parents! Happy New Year! Saturday January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., we will be having Uniform Measurement Day. All band students will need to come to the school and get measured for their black satin vests.The band uniform performance attire for beginning and advanced band will consist of the following: Black Satin Vests and bowties (School will provide), White collared button-down dress shirt, Black dress pants or long Black skirts (girls option), and Black dress shoes. NO BLACK JEANS OR BLACK TENNIS SHOES!! Girls that are in both band and choir will wear the Black choir dresses. See you this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.! Come to the school in the back where the carline is. Thank You!

Choir - Hello Choir Parents! Happy New Year! Saturday January 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., we will be having Uniform Measurement Day. All choir students will need to come to the school and get measured. The choir uniform performance attire for boys will consist of the following: Black Satin Vests and bowties (School will provide), White collared button-down dress shirt, Black dress pants, and Black dress shoes. NO BLACK JEANS OR BLACK TENNIS SHOES!! The choir uniform performance attire for girls will consist of the following: Black choir dresses and Black dress shoes.

BLACK TENNIS SHOES!! Come to the school in the back where the carline is. Thank You!

Visual Art- Welcome back! Students in Visual Arts I have begun working on their “Artist Letters,” project. Students will transform the 2D shape of a letter made from cardboard and work to specifically turn it into a 3D form. They will work with mixed media to develop themes for letters reflecting a particular artist, movement, or time period utilizing choice and voice.

Visual Arts II students are working on “Friends with Keith Haring.” Students will incorporate the elements and principles of design to create three-dimensional figures made from paper mache and paint based on Keith Haring’s style. They will collaboratively create environments for the figures to interact, documenting problems and solutions.

Dance:

Welcome back and Happy New Year!! This week students have been conditioning their bodies, building their dance vocabulary, and rehearsing for their upcoming production “The Wiz”. Auditions will be held in the middle school dance room on January 21st, 2023 from 9:00am-2:00pm. Below are the requirements for the audition.

1:30 solo

Black leotard

Black Leggings/ shorts

Light snack

We are happy to accept any gift card donations ($5-10) to use for Teacher Door Prizes. Donations can be dropped off at the front office.

Chromebook chargers are available for purchase for $30 each. The chargers may be picked up at the front office. Prior to pick-up, you can pay the charger fee with a Credit Card/Debit payments via MySchoolFees: www.myschoolfees.com. Sign in as GUEST, Select AAA Elem (or Middle), Select Public, Select Chromebook Charger $30, be sure to list child’s name in the COMMENTS. Or you can pay the $30 fee at the time of pick-up with cash or check. All checks should be made payable to Academy for Academics and Arts Elementary (or Middle) School. If you have any questions, please contact the school at 256-428-7600 and speak to Erica Dillard or Ingrid Lawler, Bookkeepers.

Grades and Coursework - Contact the teacher first please firstname.lastname@hsv-k12.org

Data Generalist: Ramona Calhoun at Ramona.Calhoun@hsv-k12.org

Attendance - Ramona Calhoun at Jahshay.McKeller@hsv-k12.org

Cafeteria and Nutrition - Norma Martin at norma.martin@hsv-k12.org

School Counselor - Debbie Smith at debbie.smith@hsv-k12.org

Nurse - Christina Darby at Christina.Darby@hsv-k12.org

Librarian & Technology - Brenda Levert at brenda.levert@hsv-k12.org

Elementary Principal - Evelyn Coffey at Evelyn.Coffey@hsv-k12.org

Middle School Principal - Kitrise Torain at kitrise.torain@hsv-k12.org

January

January 13- Middle School Spelling Bee

January 24- Honor Society Inductions 9:00a.m.

February

February 7- Madison County Spelling Bee

PK-5th grade and 6th-8th grade Arts Magnet school in the Huntsville City School District.

Email: Kitrise.Torain@hsv-k12.org
Website: https://www.huntsvillecityschools.org/schools/academies-academics-and-arts
Location: 4800 Sparkman Drive Northwest, Huntsville, AL, USA
Phone: 256.428.7600
Facebook: facebook.com/AcademyforAcademicsandArtsElementary
Twitter: @AAAMiddle