From the Principal's Desk
April 26, 2021
Greetings FWAFA Family,
We are just a few short weeks away from our "Asynchronous Learning" days due to state testing. The Texas Education Agency allowed schools/districts to take up to 10 days per test administration in order to have enough classrooms and staff to administer the various required state assessments and adhere to health guidelines. Fortunately, we have enough classrooms and staff to only need 4 asynchronous days here at FWAFA.
Please be sure to look below for your grade level's testing days and take note of the asynchronous days that have been assigned to that particular grade level. Not all grade levels will be asynchronous for all four days. The assigned Asynchronous Days vary by grade level.
There will be no Zooms on the Asynchronous Learning days. Students need to be sure to respond to the Attendance Check question for the classes on their schedule for that particular day in order to be marked present for that day.
Students who are in the building taking a test will go to their afternoon classes after testing and have regular dismissal. If you are an At-Home Learner and are coming to take a test, you are welcome to stay the whole day. Just be sure to let your afternoon teachers know that you will be here that day so that they have a seat for you and be sure to bring a sack lunch.
If you have any questions about requirements for state assessments or the asynchronous learning days, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Creatively yours,
Dr. Jackson
The annual “Juried Art Show” featured original artwork created by 3rd-12th grade FWAFA art students who may have entered 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 was judged by guest juror, Bernardo Vallarino, a contemporary, local sculptor. He awarded prizes of excellence in elementary, middle, and high school categories. The winners are:
Grand Prize - Best in Show
Avery TeSelle
Juror's Choice: Digital
Sadie Tennyson
Best Social Message
Essence Quigley
Best Creative Work
Isabelle Taylor, Paola Mendez, Emma Howell
Best Elementary 3D Work
Iwon Jeon
Best Middle School 3D Work
Anna Tabor
Best High School 3D Work
Tory Rivera
Best Technical Skill
Shelby Cooper
Outstanding Work
12th grade - Avery TeSelle
11th grade - Tyler Turbeville
10th grade - Ava Adler
9th grade - Quin Perkins
8th grade - Geneva Periman
7th grade - Claire French and Lael Pope
6th grade - Ruby Watson
5th grade - Kylee Nicols and Isiah Grady
4th grade - Nivida Agarwal
3rd grade - Bonnie Sloan
You can watch the Juried Art Show video on the FWAFA Facebook page.
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
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!
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
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 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.; Saturday School (See teacher emails to know if this applies to your student).
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
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, 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
Saturday, May 15 - Adventures in Color - Singing Girls of Texas Concert streaming and on Green Space
Monday, May 17 - 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)
Past Principal Newsletters
