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From the Principal's Desk
April 19, 2021
Greetings FWAFA Family,
As we embark on the last six weeks of the school year, I am happy to share that we have over 80% of students back in the building. Encourage your student to have a strong finish to the school year by checking Parent Portal and Google Classroom often, turn in work on time (let's all shoot for no missing assignments this six weeks!), ask questions in class, and take care of your health by getting enough sleep each night (log off your devices!).
We have a busy 5 weeks ahead of us with many in-person performance engagements on the Green Space, a full two weeks of Senior end-of-year activities, and LOTS of state assessments, so let's keep our eyes on the prize, work hard, and have some FWAFA-style fun as we wrap up a year unlike any other.
Creatively yours,
Dr. Jackson
The annual “Juried Art Show” features original artwork created by 3rd-12th grade FWAFA art students. Students may enter up to two original artworks in a variety of media, processes, and techniques (drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry making, fibers, found objects, or mixed media).
This year, the show will be judged by guest juror, Bernardo Vallarino, a contemporary sculptor who explores relevant and timely themes of human suffering, violence, abuse of power, politics, control and hypocrisy in his work. Vallarino graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Texas Christian University, an MFA in the same field from Texas Woman’s University and is the current coordinator of Fort Worth Art Collective and board member of Art Room. We are thrilled to have Bernardo serve as our juror this year and bring his art expertise and wonderful spirit to our event–he will select winners in elementary, middle and high school divisions and award prizes for excellence.
The art will be on view in the Gallery and we will post the video of Bernardo naming the winners on Friday April 23rd at 7 pm on the FWAFA Facebook page.
Junior VASE Superior Ratings Announced
Congratulations to the following middle school students for scoring Superior ratings of 4 at the Jr. Vase Art Competition this past Saturday! Students competed against all other schools in the region and earned top scores!
Caroline Burshears
Micah Griffin
Jack McQuade
Lola Schwed
Anna Tabor
Sofia Zarate
Additionally, Anna Tabor and Caroline Burshears scored the additional honor of Platinum, which only goes to the top ten percent of each artwork that scores a 4!
Great job everyone! We are so proud of you!
We are also excited to find out high school VASE results this coming this week.
7th Grade Accelerated Math Placement Test Information
Test Dates and Time:
Saturday, April 24, and Saturday, May 1, at 9:00 a.m. Please plan to arrive at 8:55 a.m.
The test usually takes 2 to 3 hours depending on the student and their personal test-taking speed. As this is outside of school hours, you do not need to be in uniform.
The test will cover the 7th Grade Math TEKS.
The purpose of the placement test is to see how prepared the student is to skip 7th grade math. Many topics in 7th grade math are an extension of topics covered in 6th grade math so students who excel in 6th grade math typically have a strong enough foundation that they can make this jump. With that being said, it is a big jump. Ms. VanDyck sent an email last week to 6th grade families with more information about the expectations of PreAlgebra in 7th grade. Please reach out to her at kede.vandyck@fwafa.org if you have additional questions.
To make the final decision about the advanced class, we will look at:
- the math assessment scores
- grades from math class this year
- past STAAR scores
- current math teacher recommendation
We have a fun upcoming performance coming to FWAFA elementary students sponsored by our PTSO. The Ft Worth Opera is bringing a COVID safe performance to FWAFA. Ft. Worth Opera calls this performance a Student to the Stage performance.
The performance will come to FWAFA this (date change) - Thursday, April 22, 2021. Our FWAFA PTSO has purchased the tickets for all the elementary students, so there is no cost to attend the performance. This performance will be held outside for in-person students and will be live-streamed for the at-home students. This performance will coincide with our new theatre history unit of Medieval Theatre History.
Since it is outside, in-person students are encouraged to please bring a water bottle, wear sunscreen, and bring a hat to wear outside during the performances. Performances will be held at 1:15 pm for 3rd & 4th grade, and at 2:15 pm for 5th & 6th grade.
At-home students can access the Zoom live stream at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm using this Zoom link, code and password listed below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4049169398?pwd=NFZma3R2U29xY2lWSXcwYTI1RUpKZz09
Meeting ID: 404 916 9398
Passcode: Theatre!
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.
Adventures in Color: Tickets On-Sale Now!
The Singing Girls of Texas cordially invites you to our in-person reveal of Adventures in Color on Saturday, May 15, on the FWAFA Green Space! We will have a "Color Festival" before the streaming concert event from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with food trucks, balloon animals, art projects, and games! The reveal will happen on the silver screen at 8:30 p.m. after a live Q&A and special performance with combined singers of SGT and TBC!
There are two ticket options: 'picnic-pods' and 'lawn-chair pods'. All the pods will seat a max of 5 people and will be $20 a pod (the pods are 6x6 and spread out across the green space and pavement). Seats are limited so please make sure you grab a ticket when they go live on our website on April 10. If you'd prefer to watch it online, it will stream May 15-22.
Class of 2022: Senior Parent Meeting - Tuesday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting ID: 884 614 5221
The TBC Virtual Spring Concert, “From Darkness, We RISE” will be streaming at www.artsacademics.org/live from April 22-29. There will be a screening of the concert on the FWAFA Green Space on Friday, April 23, at 8:15 p.m. (Food Trucks open at 7:00 p.m.) Tickets for socially distanced pods may be purchased for $20 here: http://bit.ly/tbcRISE21
The first half of the program explores all of the tragedy, lost, and angst we have all suffered due to the pandemic over the last year, while the second half of the program is more hopeful and sends the message that the end is near while also celebrating the ways in which people have come together over the past year.
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!
There will be a screening on the green at 8:30 p.m. on April 30. For tickets to the screening or for access to the online stream, go to bit.ly/REVIVAL21.
PTSO Teacher Appreciation
It is time to show our fabulous FWAFA teachers a lot of appreciation for all their hard work this year!
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 3-7, and we are planning to treat them every day with a little something special and then host a lunch on Friday, May 7th. At lunch, teachers will be able to enter into a raffle to win a special gift basket.
Please help make this special and sign up below to bring an amazing item for the following basket themes.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4da9ac23a4fd0-teacher
Sports Fanatic
Music Melodies
Artist's Dream
Summertime Fun
Date Night
Movie Madness
Grill Master
Perfect Pet
Books Alive Reading Adventure
Spa Relaxation
Chocolate Galore
Gift cards are welcome in $15 or more!
Please deliver donated items to the school by April 27. Thank you in advance for helping to make this happen to support our teachers!
PTSO Teacher and Staff Appreciation,
Ginger and Sarah
AP Test Dates
AP Testing is right around the corner. Mark your calendar for these important dates and times. All students who are taking an AP test are required to attend the AP Pre-Administration on Monday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. The Pre-Administration session will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. 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.
Tuesday, May 4 - AP Calculus 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.
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)
Friday, May 14 - 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)
8th Grade
Tuesday, May 11 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Wednesday, May 12 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
Thursday, May 13 - STAAR 8th grade Social Studies (on computer at school)
Friday, May 14 - All 8th graders Asynchronous (At-Home)
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)
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
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!
Tuesday, April 20 - English I STAAR EOC; Class of 2022 Senior Parent Meeting at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom
Thursday, April 22 - TBC Concert streams until April 29; Juried Art Show Opens until May 7
Friday, April 23 - TBC Concert on the Green Space
Saturday, April 24 - 7th Grade Math Placement Test for Current 6th Graders at 9:00 a.m.
Monday, April 26 - AP Test Pre-Administration at 4:00 p.m. in Cafeteria (required for students taking an AP Test)
Tuesday, April 27 - 7th Grade STAAR Writing
Thursday, April 29 - English II STAAR EOC
Friday, April 30 - Revival Dance Company Concert streams until May 7
Saturday, May 1 - 7th Grade Math Placement Test for Current 6th Graders at 9:00 a.m.
May 3-May 7 - Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
Tuesday, May 4 - Algebra EOC; AP Calculus Exam
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
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, STAAR grade 8 Social Studies, Grades 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11, and 12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms
Friday, May 14 - STAAR grade 6 Reading, STAAR grade 7 Math, AP Biology at 8:00 a.m., Grades 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 stay at home; there will be no Zooms