From the Principal's Desk

I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Ricki and Ethan Klos, Becky Melton, Anna Tabor, Wendy Martin, Patrick Clay, Cole Clay, National Honor Society, Student Council, and PTSO for their gift of elbow grease and time these last few weeks. We have been busy sprucing up our building in preparation of students returning to school and these volunteers have painted classrooms, administrative offices, fixed fencing around the school, cleared the courtyard, created signs for arrival and dismissal and so much more.

I always say that behind any successful school is a great group of volunteers that make the dream possible. If you have a little time to spare, feel free to reach out to me. I have a whole laundry list of "honey-dos" to make our school an extraordinary learning environment for our amazing scholar artists.

As always, this Principal newsletter is chock full of information to help you navigate all the happenings at school this week.

Creatively yours,

Dr. Jackson

October 16-18: The Many Adventures of Addie and Rouge

FWAFA Middle School Play

The Many Adventures of Addie & Rouge

A Virtual Play by Reagan Kruse

October 16 - 18 | ArtsAcademics.org/LIVE

This Show is FREE & Appropriate for All Ages

Here's a little glimpse behind of the scenes of the theatre department's first six weeks classwork. Students have been studying theatre through the lens of the 1940s. Take a look a look at what they have been learning.

An Exploration of the 1940s: Theatre Department Classwork

FWAFA student drivers need to register if they are planning on driving to campus. See Mrs. Van Dyck’s email for further details. Register here: forms.gle/s5Aj3XM8GDhDQRw8A

Students, please do not park in a numbered reserved spot unless you have purchased a spot.

Please see the JupiterEd email with the attached REVISED art supply list for this year that your student will need by October 13th.

Our elementary arts teachers have REMOVED some of the shared classroom/community supplies and cleaning products that were on the original supply list created last spring and have ADDED some items to ensure your child's health and safety this fall, so please read the revised list carefully.

These expanded lists are for your child’s safety, allowing your student to have their own sets of supplies that will not be shared with any other students. Only the items on the list marked “TBC” were included in the pre-ordered TBC fine arts boxes. If you pre-ordered one, they have been sorted, bagged and labeled for your student and are waiting for them in the art studios. You do not need to buy the items marked “TBC” again if you purchased a TBC box, but you WILL NEED to buy the other items on this list.

Any students who did not purchase a pre-ordered TBC box of supplies, we ask that ALL students bring these supplies to class starting on October 13th.

If you are an at-home learner, we highly suggest you purchase these items to create your art projects remotely.

Join me in saying farewell to one of our elementary/middle school theatre teachers, Reagan Kruse. Ms. Kruse has made the difficult decision to leave FWAFA to re-join her family in New Mexico beginning in mid-October. Ms. Kruse contributed so much to the learning and culture of our school these last few years. We all thank her for her service and wish her the best as she makes her journey home.

As we say goodbye to Ms. Kruse, we are excited to say hello (or rather hello, again) to Ms. Hope Wilton who will be joining us as the new elementary/middle school theatre teacher. Ms. Wilton is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where she received her BFA in Theatre Education in 2016. Prior to graduation, she student-taught in Pflugerville and Austin ISD.

Hope served as the Education Director and Resident Company Assistant Director at Kids Who Care from 2016-2019 where she taught students from all over the DFW metroplex ranging in age from 4 to 18. In addition, Hope has taught theatre workshops within FWISD, worked with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Kinderconcerts, and managed student performers for the Fort Worth Opera’s production of Carmen. Most recently, Hope was the Assistant Director for Brighton Beach Memoirs at FWAFA under the mentorship of Lindy Davis. She is currently working on her Master’s Degree at UTA, teaches for an advocacy theatre troupe, “We Have A Voice,” and runs her own photography business. Hope is thrilled to join the faculty at FWAFA and looks forward to getting to know all of the students and families!

To ensure a smooth transition in teaching and learning, Ms. Wilton will join Ms. Kruse in the classroom starting Tuesday, October 6, to team teach for the next two weeks. Ms. Kruse’s last school day will be Friday, October 16, and her final responsibilities will conclude after the online show “The Adventures of Auggie and Rouge” on Saturday, October 17.

Based on student progress data from the first six weeks and observational data from the last week, it has been determined that the mix of both At-Home students and In-School students is not yielding the level of student achievement and engagement we wish to attain at the elementary level.

Beginning Tuesday, October 13, students will be grouped by choice in learning environment. I realize that this will cause an initial adjustment in re-learning your student’s schedule and possibly working with a different teacher; however, in the long game, this change will support student learning to a greater degree in both learning environments.

How Will This Work?

By the end of the week, you will receive an email from your student’s first academic rotation teacher that includes your student’s new schedule with the days, times, fine art rotation schedule, and the code to join different Google Classrooms. The email will also include the Zoom links for our at-home learners.

Please read this email carefully as it will contain all of the information that students and parents need to smoothly transition to their new class days/times starting on Tuesday, October 13.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s teachers.

Thank you for your flexibility and support as we do all that we can to increase student achievement and nurture the whole child both academically and artistically.

It's not too late to join our amazing PTSO. This group contributes a tremendous amount to our school from hosting social events to providing classroom grants for teachers. PTSO is a huge contributor to our classroom literacy, technology, and field trip program. It's not too late! Join today for $15.

PTSO Membership Form

Due to the overwhelming demand for the FWAFA PTSO spirit shirt, the PTSO has extended the order deadline to November 1. Shirts will be delivered to the campus by November 13. For just $15, go ahead and order the purple AND the green.

https://fwafamerchb.itemorder.com/sale

We will begin our regular school day hours beginning Tuesday, October 13.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m.

7:45 a.m. - Students dismissed to class from auditorium, cafeteria, or gym.

8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - 3rd and 4th grade

8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. - 5th - 12th grade

Students will wait for their pick-ups outside with teacher supervision. If you are unable to pick up your student at dismissal time, please make arrangements with our after-school care provider Clayton Youth at www.claytonyouth.org.

The theme of the concert will be “Let Me Be the Music” and will focus on the transformative and healing power of music and how we are all still striving to sing and make music even though we are apart right now.

We will feature a combination of solo/small ensemble numbers from TBC and SGT, a video montage showcasing students' work from home and in person, and a combined virtual choir to close the program that will feature all TBC, SGT, and CCT members performing “The Music of Living,” by Dan Forrest.

Tune in at ArtsAcademics.org/LIVE

Join your FWAFA friends new and old for a fall paint party on the green space. All families welcome, registration link coming soon.

You will paint and create your choice of scarecrows, pumpkins, and monsters if you come in person. For those of our friends continuing online learning, we will have take-home kits for you to join the party at home. Please note non FWAFA siblings are invited to participate in this event.

This will be an outdoor event. School safety protocols will be followed for masks and social distancing. Supplies will be distributed for individual and one time use.

More details coming soon on the date, time of the event, and registration link. Watch next week's Principal newsletter, FWAFA Facebook and FWAFA PTSO Facebook pages for all of the information.

We can't wait to see you!

Join me via Facebook Live on Friday, October 9 at 7:00 a.m. for our first Coffee with the Principal of the school year. I have lots of information to share regarding the vision/mission of our school and the action steps that we are taking instructionally to support every student in attaining their highest growth and potential both academically and artistically. Bring your thoughts and questions. I enjoy hearing feedback and insights from our parent partners.

This year the Clayton After-School Program will be housed at our sister school Texas School of the Arts. After school transportation to TeSA will be provided by Texas Center for Arts + Academics. To reserve your student's spot in the program or for questions about cost and hours, please visit www.claytonyouth.org.

We are looking for a compassionate, industrious, nurturing individual to assist in our cafeteria program. This is a two-day a week position. The hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. If interested or if you would like more information, please reach out to our TCAA HR Specialist Rebecca Chisholm at rebecca.chisholm@artsacademics.org.

In order to keep everyone healthy in our school, we have adopted the following six core practices as recommended by the CDC and Texas Education Agency.

Six Core Practices to Keep Everyone Healthy

Symptom Screening for Students, Staff, Visitors

100% Compliance of Face Coverings

Vigilant Hand Washing and Sanitizing

In-Class Procedures that Maximize Social Distancing

Limited Use of Shared Objects

Frequent Disinfection of High Touch Areas

October 9: Register for Clayton After-School Program and Coffee with the Principal via Facebook Live at 7:00 a.m.

October 12: Student Holiday; Teacher Professional Development

October 13: Full Day In-School Learning Begins; Clayton After-School Program Begins - Housed on TeSA campus.

October 16-18: The Adventures of Addie and Rouge - Middle School Play at 7:00 p.m. ArtsAcademics.org/LIVE

October 23-25: TBC, SGT, CCT Choir Concert at 7:00 p.m. ArtsAcademics.org/LIVE

September 21

September 15

September 8

September 1

August 24

August 14