Hello and Good Evening AAE Parents:

I hope all of you are well and that you are all ready to enjoy the Taylor Swift Show, err, Superbowl. I always especially get excited for Superbowl food and its all just about ready!

It looks like we have a significant weather event coming in tomorrow night. Certainly no decisions have been made yet, but please stay tuned as it looks currently like we are slated to get at least six inches of snow.

As always, thanks for staying up to date with our school newsletters. Be well and enjoy the food and the game!

Mr. Adam Johnson, Principal

CREC Academy of Aerospace & Engineering

February 16th - Half Days 11:00 Dismissal

February 19th & 20th - No School - Presidents' Day Break

Are you fascinated by science and technology? Do you enjoy building and creating with your own handAre you fascinated by science and technology? Do you enjoy building and creating with your own hands? A career in manufacturing might be for you, and Pathways to STEM Night, hosted by the Connecticut Science Center and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), is the perfect place to start. Learn everything you need to know about pursuing this exciting career and start building your plan for the future!,

s? A career in manufacturing might be for you, and Pathways to STEM Night, hosted by the Connecticut Science Center and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), is the perfect place to start. Learn everything you need to know about pursuing this exciting career and start building your plan for the future!,

The Science Fair club is in need of white button-down dress shirts for some of our students to wear for the competition. If you have any shirts in your closets that your child has outgrown, please consider donating it to the Science Fair club. Have your child leave the shirt in the main office. We appreciate any/all donations!

AAE HS invites you to a course selection family information night on Thursday 2/29 on Zoom at 6pm. This will be geared towards families of students who are entering or are currently in high school. School counselors will go over course options, how to do course selection, and get your questions answered! See the flyer and RSVP TODAY!

Please support the Girls basketball team as they pink out their game on Wednesday night for Breast Cancer 2/15/2024 · Long-sleeve T-shirt small-extra large…..$20 · Long-sleeve T-shirt 2xl & up…..$25 · Hoody T-shirt small-extra large…..$30 · Hoody T-shirt 2xl & up…..$35 Cash or Venmo accepted…..@Dhana-Tulloch-Reid

If your child has an intellectual or related disability, there is a summer camp opportunity available to them. Harc in Hartford runs Capable Kids Camp for 6 weeks, beginning the last week in June and ending the first week in August. If you are a Hartford resident, there is only a $35 registration fee, and door to door transportation is offered. Non-Hartford residents can apply, but there is a sliding scale fee, and door to door is not offered. Below is a link with more information.

Connecting the next generation of innovators with Connecticut manufacturers

Reserve your slot here! https://www.housedems.ct.gov/mcf

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

8 am – 12 pm

1st Floor of the Capitol

210 Capitol Ave, Hartford

*NEW* for 2024! Career Fair for College Students from 1:30-4pm!

Representative Liz Linehan is bringing back the Manufacturer ConneCTion Fair in 2024!

We are joined this year by ReadyCT with help from AMEP and the State Office of Manufacturing

Students from Connecticut’s middle schools, high schools, and technical high schools are invited to connect with local manufacturers who will have booths and hands-on exhibits set up throughout the first floor of the State Capitol.

They'll experience fun, hands-on activities like a virtual welding simulator, robotics, and more designed to introduce kids to the high-tech world of manufacturing and engineering. These are companies with jobs and careers available, many of which can start at $65,000 a year with no college debt!

The event is free for both students and manufacturers. The fair has been incredibly successful in the past, with over 1,000 students attending last year, and this year will be even bigger and better! Plus, students will have an opportunity to visit the State Capitol during session.

INTERESTED SCHOOLS SHOULD REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to reserve a spot. Because you joined us last year, we are giving you PRIORITY for registration this year! If you respond before 1/30 you are guaranteed a spot!

https://www.housedems.ct.gov/mcf

Email Julianna.Goldfluss@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or want to learn more! We look forward to seeing you there!

Watch our Promo here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZgpaZhGghI

School Tutoring will held Mondays and Tuesdays 2:30 until 4:30 pm.

Students need to have:

1 – A parent/guardian signed paper permission slip. (same as clubs below)

2 – A parent/guardian signed paper bus form to ride the late bus. (same as clubs below)

3 – A scheduled appointment – this is not a drop in program – make an appointment with each teacher.

4 – Students must be on time (ie. 2:30) and stay until 4:30 pm.

High School - days vary, make an appointment with the teacher you want to stay with.

Ms. Easton-Hassah - ELA

Mr. Brown - Math and Science

Mx. Alive - ELA

Mr. Macken - Math

Middle School - some Tuesdays

Ms. Francois - Math

After school clubs will meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Some clubs will meet during the second half of Advisory time on Wednesday mornings and some clubs will meet online.

Students are only allowed to stay after school if they are formally signed up for a specific after-school club. We have much less school-wide supervision during after-school hours, so we need all students to be part of a specific, structured activity.

Late buses will be provided Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Pick up time is 4:15 pm.

If your student is interested in participating, parents must sign-up and complete the following important form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsuS50za0W8HD2z0lCMOyHjU_ADv-jGuTVEVWtFRqQ6crLqQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Permission Slips and Bus Forms are linked below.

Monday 2/12

Girls Basketball @ HMTCA

Wednesday 2/14

JV Boys Basketball vs Suffield High School at 4:30

Boys Basketball vs Suffield High school at 6

Girls Basketball vs Goodwin Tech (@International), Pink out Game for Breast cancer!!!!!!!!

Thursday 2/15

Girls Basketball Senior Night vs Parish Hill

Friday 2/16

Boys Basketball Senior Night vs East Granby

Please be aware that registration for spring sports is now open via Final Forms.
Here are the practice start dates -

HS Baseball and Softball – MARCH 9th

HS Track and Field and Boys Volleyball – MARCH 16th

Middle School Flag Football, Baseball, Softball, Track and Field – MARCH 18th

Please be sure to complete your paperwork and upload any new physicals as soon as possible.

Congratulations to all senior students who have received college acceptances so far! Please remember to inform Ms. Weaver of your college results by logging into your Naviance Account and changing the status of each school to Accepted, Denied, or Waitlisted.

Mid-Year Reports have been sent to all 4 year colleges. If your college is indicating that they are missing any materials, please see Ms. Weaver asap.

The 2024-2025 FAFSA is now open and can be accessed here: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Please be advised that ALL students should complete the FAFSA, regardless of post high school plans. This is essential to receive financial aid for 2 year community colleges, trade/technical schools, 4 years colleges/universities, and many scholarship programs. Please be sure to check FAFSA deadlines for each of the institutions/programs you are apply to! Please be advised that the Connecticut deadline to submit your FAFSA is February 15th!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to a FAFSA formula issue, FAFSA processing will be delayed into March, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). This pushes back the timing students can expect to receive their financial aid award packages. Financial aid packages are now expected to hit student inboxes/mailboxes in April.

Just a reminder that if you need assistance with financial aid forms, Mr. Richard Serrano, Coordinator for College Career Readiness for CREC, is available for in-person or Zoom appointments. His flyer with contact information is linked below so you can schedule an appointment with him if needed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MTKRfaBQsyaovNNL9Et3lLT7MrucNftk/view?usp=sharing

In addition, Mr. Serrano is hosting a series of "Answering Your Financial Aid & College Admission Questions Weekly Zoom Meetings" from January to March 25 . These sessions are designed to help you navigate the financial aid process for post-high school education, including 2-year/community colleges, 4-year colleges, and trade/technical schools.

What you can expect:

• Get personalized answers to your specific questions: Have your questions about financial aid and college admissions answered by an expert.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the financial aid landscape: Mr. Serrano can cover everything from loans and grants to the FAFSA and the CSS profile.
• Learn strategies for maximizing your financial aid: Discover tips and tricks for securing the most financial aid possible.

Who should attend?

• Families who are unsure of where to start with the financial aid process
• Anyone who wants to learn more about financial aid options
• Families who need assistance with FAFSA

Ø When: Mondays

Ø Time: 6:30-7:30 PM

Ø From January 8th to March 25, 20204

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88118233503?pwd=VjF1emNiYnVTQ04yYTZEeENYZS9qQT09

Meeting ID: 881 1823 3503
Passcode: 376744

Please take some time over the coming months to talk to your junior student about their Naviance account, college search(s) they have completed, and to review the resources below. Students have access to all of this as well through Schoology Class of 2025.

SAT School Day for Juniors will be on Wednesday, March 27th. Students and families should review the below important information and SAT Student Guide prior to test day.

Families of first-year high school students, you may have received in the mail a letter from the state expressing that your child should be looking at Advanced Placement (AP) or other college level courses. This was sent based on your child's PSAT scores from the fall. We applaud your child for doing their best and setting themselves up for success in high school. Most of our college level courses begin in the 11th grade year. However, in the 10th grade year students are eligible for the AP Computer Science Principles class. We will be going through course selection in late February and counselors will be going into classrooms to talk to students about their options and will also be hosting a family information session on Zoom. Please be on alert for the invite in the coming weeks!

Please review the below Program of Studies which outlines departmental course offerings as well as full course descriptions. Also included is information regarding AP/ECE courses. This will help support students in their course selection process coming up.

10th and 11th grade students were given a hard copy of the below document to use as a planning tool for their course selection. Students can also find this on their respective Schoology class pages.

Program of Studies

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CCW01E4c8muhOPr5kSFXbG-JVakZJBUQEpHKU0yslPA/edit?usp=sharing

10th and 11th grade students were given a hard copy of the below document to use as a planning tool for their course selection. Students can also find this on their respective Schoology class pages.

IF YOU ARE A RENTER…

If you are a renter, the landlord or property manager is required to provide essential services such as heat, cooking gas, electricity, hot water, or water, unless otherwise stated in your lease agreement.

Any rental residential structure must be provided heat so that a minimum temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit is maintained at all time whenever the outer or street temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you should lose essential services, please contact Hartford 311 at (860) 757-9311, Monday -Friday, 8AM - 5PM. If you have an urgent housing issue after 5pm or during weekend or holiday hours, please call the City of Hartford Non-Emergency Dispatch line at (860) 757-4000.

The National Weather Service suggests the following steps to prepare for cold weather

Preparing for Extreme Cold

· Make checking the forecast part of your regular routine so you'll know when to expect cold weather.

· If possible, adjust your schedule to avoid being outside during the coldest part of the day, typically the early morning. Try to find a warm spot for your children while waiting for the school bus outside.

· If you have pets, make sure they have plenty of food and water and are not overly exposed to extreme cold.

· Take precautions to ensure your water pipes do not freeze.

· Make sure your car or vehicle has at least a half a tank of gas during extreme cold situations so that you can stay warm if you become stranded.

· Dress for the outdoors even if you don't think you'll be out much.

· Update Your Winter Car Survival Kit.

After Extreme Cold

· Check Your Pipes: Your pipes may be frozen. Water pipes on exterior walls and in places that are subject to cold, like in the basement, attic, and under kitchen cabinets, freeze most often. Water expands as it freezes, causing pipes to burst. If they are frozen, first turn on the faucet. Water will drip as you warm the pipes. Heat the pipes using a space heater, heating pad, electric hair dryer, or hot water on a cloth. Never use an open flame. Continue until water pressure returns to normal or call a plumber if you have more issues.

· Salt Your Walkways: Once it warms up enough to safely go out, it's important to shovel the snow from your sidewalks and driveway or sprinkle salt if there is ice. If there is a thick layer of snow on the ground you cannot move, salt the area so that the snow melts. You should also put down salt if there is ice on your stairs leading into your house--less than a quarter inch of ice can be dangerous!

· Call Your Neighbors: Check to see that your neighbors are okay after the storm, particularly seniors, disabled persons or others living alone.

· Refill Your Supplies: This storm may be over, but there might be another one soon. Every storm is different, so it is important to always be prepared.

Winter Safety For Pets

· Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

· Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

· Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.

· Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. Keep pets indoors in possible, especially if they are sensitive to the cold weather due to age, illness or breed type.

Do you know there are FREE programs available to help you pay your utility bills and to heat your home? Well, there are!

Each year, during the winter months, help is available to income eligible households to pay for heating in the form of oil, propane, wood, kerosene, gas, or electric heat. Help may also be available if heat is included in the rent payment.

HOUSEHOLDS CAN APPLY USING THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

· In person or over the phone appointment. Dial 860-560-5800 (where you can reach the automated attendant and select the option to create an appointment)

· Online at www.ct.gov/heatinghelp/applyonline or from the DSS website

· By mail. Request an application to be mailed to your address or download the PDF from DSS website and mail completed application to CRT: 395 Wethersfield Ave, Hartford, CT 06105

· By email. Download the PDF application from DSS website and email completed application to crtenergyapplication@crtct.org

Income Guidelines below:

Household Size Annual Income

1 $ 41,553.00

2 $ 54,338.00

3 $ 67,124.00

4 $ 79,910.00

5 $ 92,695.00

6 $105,481.00

7 $107,878.00

8 $110,275.00

1. CREC-Financial Aid Night Presentation

2. 2024-2025 FAFSA updates

3. Support for CSS/FAFSA (Appointment Flyer)

4. Scholarship Resources

"A calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.” – Dalai Lama

1. Make an Effort to Focus on Your Strengths and Positive Qualities -Challenge a pattern of dwelling on what you believe you do not do well, perceived imperfections, and past failures. -Make a list of your strengths and positive qualities. Post it where you will see it frequently.

2. Practice Gratitude -Identify and write down things you are grateful for every day in a journal. -Small things count (same with strengths and positive qualities!).

3. Use Positive Affirmations -Acknowledge your efforts, positive results, and successes. -Make a practice of using positive words more often. -Record positive things that happen each day. -Post inspirational quotes or phrases that you find meaningful.

4. Practice Self-Care -Do not berate yourself when you make a mistake. It happens to everyone. -Take breaks, treat yourself, take care of your physical health, pursue hobbies, and participate in enjoyable activities to reinforce that you are worth it.

5. Focus on the Present -Redirect thoughts from perseverating on the past or worrying about the future. -Practice mindfulness, meditation, yoga.

6. Find Possible Solutions -Focus on making changes when indicated. -Accept when something cannot be changed and make a plan for coping.

7. Recognize Patterns of Unhelpful Thoughts -Practice moderating to make them less negative. Shift from “I’m no good at this” to “I’ll give it another try”. -Notice how different words make you feel. -Ask yourself: -Would you speak to someone you cared about this way? -Is this a fact or an opinion? -How likely is it to really be true? -How will you feel about this in one week, 6 months, one year? -Challenge all-or-nothing thinking, which allows for only two options.

8. Redirect Your Attention When You Find Yourself Engaging in Negative Thoughts -Exercise, do word puzzles, listen to your favorite music. -Fill a jar with slips of paper with positive comments, inspirational sayings, things you are grateful for. On more difficult days, pull out a slip to read.

9. Choose Situations to Practice Using More Positive Language -Choose a low stake, neutral situation to practice desired changes. -Make small changes that you can build on. -Notice how others respond and how you feel. For example, make a point of smiling and greeting people you pass by.

10. Engage in Supportive, Encouraging, Uplifting Relationships/Friendships

11. Strengthen Your Sense of Humor -Humor decreases levels of stress. Developing a more positive mindset is a process. It can take time to make this shift and it is helpful to begin with small steps. But making changes can eventually add up to big results, which you will notice in yourself and others’ responses to you. If you tend to be more negativistic, try some strategies, give yourself time, and target decreasing self-critical comments and increasing self-acceptance. It all begins with self-talk.

Source: https://medicine.uiowa.edu/md/sites/medicine.uiowa.edu.md/files/wysiwyg_uploads/Wellness%20Tips%20Mindset_052721.pdf

A special request from Mr. Johnson: Please Op-In to Text Messaging to receive important messages from us.

**** Opting in to receive School Messenger text messages****

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School Messenger does not charge recipients for text messages they receive or send to the short code (67587). However, wireless providers may charge you for individual text messages, depending on your individual cell phone plan. Please consult your carrier if you are uncertain.

You can unsubscribe at any time by texting the word STOP to 67587. Subscribe again at any time by texting YES to 67587.

Email: aaemainoffice@crec.org
Website: aaen.crecschools.org
Location: 1101 Kennedy Road, Windsor, CT, USA
Phone: 8602430857