DIGITAL MEDIA ACADEMY

Course Selection should be wrapped up, your counselors will be reaching out to you if they have additional questions about your 2023-2024 schedules.

REMINDER: You CANNOT take any DMA-Required courses over the summer for original credit, you are only permitted to take non-DMA-Required courses.

Courses UNAVAILABLE for Summer School original credit:

English I-IV

Computer Science Courses

Principles of AV and Advanced A/V Courses

Graphic Design I, II, & Practicum

Course selection is approaching, it is the STUDENT'S responsibility to ensure you are taking the correct courses that coincide with the Digital Media Academy requirements. The counselors and I will do our best to ensure you are in the right courses; however, it is WAY EASIER if you select the required courses during the course selection process. See the required courses below for your grade level.

Course Selection Information: rising 10-12th Graders DMA

10th Grade DMA Requirements: Graphic Design I, ELA II (AAC Recommended), Choice of Psychology/Sociology, Fundamentals of Computer Science or AP Computer Science

11th Grade DMA Requirements: Graphic Design II, Graphic Design Lab, ELA III (AP Recommended) **You may also choose to attend the Reese Center for 11th and 12th grade to follow the A/V Production pathway in place of Graphic Design.

12th Grade DMA Requirements: Practicum in Graphic Design & Illustration, ELA IV (AP or Dual Credit recommended)

FYI - Academy-ONLY classes (Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2 & Lab, & Graphic Design Practicum) are NOT available on the online course selection. You must add these courses on your paper sheet you will turn in to your counselor. This is to prevent non-Academy students from requesting these courses and causing confusion.

Academy Students & Parents -

Each week, the Academy Newsletter is updated and by your Academy Coordinator. New opportunities for volunteer hours and enrichment activities can be found beneath the sections titled "After School Enrichment" and "Volunteer".

It is the responsibility of the Academy student to meet their Academy requirements at a time that best suits their schedules, which is why this newsletter acts as an aide to assist students in finding opportunities for them with varying dates, times, and locations.

For SCHOLARSHIP opportunities, scroll all the way to the bottom of the newsletter. Your Academy Coordinator updates this section as new opportunities are available.

Please ensure you are checking this newsletter WEEKLY for updates on these opportunities.

Dear FBISD High School Parents and Students Participating in Academies, PTECH, and Early College,

The FBISD Transportation Department has announced the new bus routes for the upcoming spring semester. These new routes go into effect on January 5, 2023, the first day of classes following the Winter break. While the FBISD transportation department continues to adjust to assure the safety of students, additional adjustments to the routes may be necessary. Prior to the start of classes on January 5, 2022, please visit the FBISD Transportation website for updates. https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/1107

In this newsletter you will find helpful information, some volunteer opportunities, and enrichment activities

Parents/Guardians, please make sure that you have gone into skyward and checked your email addresses. It is our main way of communicating with everyone and last week many were undelivered. If it is incorrect, please update it.

If you need to, email Ms. Skelton and make sure to include your academy, campus, and ID number in the body of your email. Please reach out with any questions or concerns that you have to Ms. Skelton (mary.skelton@fortbendisd.com).

Enrichment and Volunteer Hours: You will find links in the newsletters to enrichment and volunteer opportunities for the semester. Please remember that you will need to complete two enrichments per semester for a total of 4 for the year and 12.5 volunteer hours for a total of 25 hours a year.

For the 2022-2023 school year, we will be moving away from Remind101 and using "Band" for quick communication throughout the Digital Media Academy.

Scan the QR Code or click the link below on the invite above to join our new group!

https://band.us/n/a0ab76P1rdP3i

We would like to start highlighting our outstanding Academy students and their accomplishments in and outside of school. If your student has won an award, received a scholarship, participated in a competitive summer program, etc. please submit this form. We will post your student's accomplishment in/on the varies academy social media platforms and they may be featured in other community publication.

The name and photo associated with your Google account will be recorded when you upload files and submit this form

Schoology Code

Class of 2023 - 6WX8-CP4H-9F2WT

Class of 2024 - 6F9F-7XCM-4WGFF

Class of 2025 - HKW9-TJVG-38KBK

Class of 2026 - FG6CQ-RZD6J

Parents,

The Hightower Academy Booster Club is still looking for fill some board member positions. If you are interested please contact the Nikki at hightowerabc@gmail.com

The Engineering Academy is very excited to host the annual Engineering Academy Career Fair!

The event will take place on March 25th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the James Reese Career and Technical Center. I highly encourage all students to sign up and make connections with important engineers in the Houston area. Such events are critical to securing internships and future recommendation letters!

RSVP HERE https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e45a4af2babf49-engineering

It’s not too late to REGISTER to join more than 27,000 students in this year’s Summit!

The Student Empowerment Summit is a 3-day asynchronous event designed to empower students with the resources, enthusiasm, and leadership tools needed to plan a local event for Mental Health Awareness Month (May). Programming materials provided by Varsity Brands and Believe In You, Erika’s Lighthouse, Look for the Good Project, and Crisis Text Line. Register for the summit by April 3rd to join The Collective Conversation and tap into FREE resources for you and your students.

https://www.varsitybrands.com/student-empowerment-summit

FULL SAIL University offers free virtual workshops on interests such as Art & Design, Gaming Tech, Film & Television.

Register and attend one or more of these workshops and it will count as an enrichment activity for each workshop you attend.

https://www.fullsaillabs.com/free-virtual-workshops

https://go.fullsail.edu/creativity-marathon

Creativity is More than Art

Creativity is our most valuable resource. The act of creating can be exhilarating, challenging, or at times, even frightening. Many times, it can feel like all of the above.

However we experience it, creativity is the force that drives progress, expression, and discovery. Full Sail University is a community that respects and empowers creative thinking, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.

Let your creativity shine in an international filmmaking competition that celebrates creative solutions and the hope for a brighter future around the globe.

Join the Creativity Marathon

The Creativity Marathon is an opportunity for high school students from all around the world to come together to solve some of the world's greatest challenges through a filmmaking competition.

With the help of some filmmaking lessons from Full Sail, teams of three to five students, accompanied by an adult sponsor, will have until March 25, 2023 to produce a three-minute video showing a clear and creative solution to one or more of UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals.

Real Talk is a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. We empower Black students to own their futures their way.

Real Talk is a safe space for you to learn and engage, while also getting answers to your most pressing questions about life after high school. No matter where you are on your journey, we’re here for you. Family members and educators are also encouraged to participate!

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/communities-events/real-talk?SFMC_cid=EM833727-&rid=47400623

This is a PODCAST is host and produce by one of our very own Janavi Seshadri Check out her Podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/2QDq7fUk2CrsSseEA0VXme

Do you enjoy Photography and Film, Drawing and Painting, or Acting? Are you looking to step up your game on the dance floor? Or develop amateur fashion sketches? Our Arts & Design programs explore many different forms of Art and our teach you the important concepts of visual art, literary art, and performing art. We place emphasis on your individual artistic direction and allow unique avenues for exploration. Our programs are geared toward high school students and specified to fit the learning styles considered most effective for young adults.

https://www.summerdiscovery.com/arts-and-design

Fundamentals of Logo Design is a free online course that introduces you to the fundamentals of graphics. It outlines the prerequisites of Logo design and provides you with guidelines and best practices for logo design. We will discuss the requirements for a successful logo design and the psychology behind the different colours when designing a logo. You'll also learn the difference between font and typeface.

*Do not pay for certificate. Just take a screen shot of your course completion.

CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED

If you are struggling to find enrichment opportunities, you can find free online courses to take at your own pace. Screenshot the certificate at the end of the course and you can find some great opportunities.

https://www.edx.org/search?q=digital%20media

Texas Internship Challenge: https://www.txinternshipchallenge.com/vosnet/Default.aspx

The Texas Internship Challenge encourages students to participate in the thousands of internships around the state to gain the marketable skills employers are looking for. Internships help you explore career opportunities, network with employers, and earn a salary or school credit. Start your search by entering your keyword in the search bar above. Click here to register and enter your résumé.

Academy students are required to complete 25 volunteer hours per school year (12.5 per school year)

**CHANGE: Students will submit all volunteer hours to Schoology in the appropriate assignment area. Please upload volunteer hour documents in the appropriate format so they may be viewed and recorded. You will NOT receive credit if the documents cannot be opened properly

Service Hours?

The Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation is in need of your servant leadership skills Sunday, April 2nd from 3-5pm at the Sugar Land Arts Fest to help with Artist Breakdown in the plaza outside of Smart Financial Center. The date is April 2nd and the time is from 3-5pm. Volunteers will be assisting the artists with their tent breakdown and carrying things to their cars.

Here is the sign up genius link. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DA4AC22A0FFC61-sugar3

Hello friends!

Please join us for our Pediatric Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy Awareness event March 25th, 2023.

Location: West Gray Recreation Center 1475 W Gray St, Houston, TX 77019

Time: 11 am- 2 pm

Parking is free

UT Health Houston Neuroscience Center at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital invites you to join us for this fun patient event. You will have the opportunity to interact with patients and physicians/therapist on our team including Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, PT, Ot, and SLP.

Service hours will be given for volunteers who will assist as needed in children's games, T-shirts, food running, photo booth, assistive sports assistant, set-up and clean up during events, etc. (shifts will include set upo and clean up) Feel free to sign up for both shifts if you like. Please email Christine.hill@uth.tmc.edu or text 716-866-8060 day of if you have any additional questions.

Thank you for considering this opportunity!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054dada92ea13-cerebral#/

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040E45A4AF2BABF49-fort

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Bonner @ fbonner1906@gmail.com

Field installation

•Date: April 1, 2023

•Time: 9am

Teardown

•Date: April 29, 2023

•Time: 9am

Locations

We have two awareness fields:

•Historic Courthouse in Richmond

400-498 Jackson St

Richmond, TX 77469

•Intersection of Alt-90 and Present Street in Stafford, Texas.

We usually begin at the Historic Courthouse, then move to Stafford (subject to change).

Attire:

•work clothes; something you don't mind sweating in and getting dirty.

Goodwill Houston needs volunteers like you to help change lives! Through our volunteer program, we offer fun, hands-on opportunities to get you involved and help us make a meaningful impact in the Greater Houston area.

If you are interested in making a difference, Goodwill Houston is the place for you!

We welcome the following types of volunteers:

Volunteer Program

Student Program

Vocational Learning Program

Community Service

https://www.goodwillhouston.org/donate/donate-money-time/volunteering/

See the flyers below on how you can help people in your community who are still struggling with damages caused by the winter storm and Hurricane Harvey.

Experience meaningful volunteer experiences that teach you life skills as well as help your community! Scan the QR code on the second flyer below to learn more!

Volunteer at your local Fort Bend County Library!

https://www.fortbend.lib.tx.us/get-involved/volunteer

Spend some time spreading joy to senior citizens who have spent the majority of the pandemic isolated in senior care facilities. Senior loneliness is a well-documented issue and has effects not only on seniors’ mental health but on their physical health.

Make and send 6 cards to equal 1 volunteer hour. Make sure you take a pictures of the cards you send and upload them with your volunteer forms.

See the website on how to get involved:

https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com/

Cards for a Cause is a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the spirits of disheartened, hospitalized, and/or seriously ill children by creating and sending encouraging homemade cards to give them something to smile about during a difficult time.

Make and send 6 cards to equal 1 volunteer hour. Make sure you take a picture of the cards you send and upload them with your volunteer forms.

See website on how to get involved:

https://cardsforacause.org/make-cards/

Do you wish to volunteer with Send A Smile Today™ to earn community service hours? Here are the guidelines for earning volunteer hours:

CLICK HERE

*ONLY GREETING CARDS OPTION. NO DONATION OF STAMPS

Click here for our card making guidelines for further details.

Founded by volunteers in 1969, the mission of Houston Audubon is to advance the conservation of birds and positively impact their supporting environments.

From supporting our staff at our headquarters, to maintaining trails on our Bird Sanctuaries, to increasing appreciation and understanding of birds throughout Houston, and more, volunteers are the lifeblood of Houston Audubon!

Read below to learn more about our current volunteers needs and how you can get involved in helping protect bird habitat in your community. Click the link below for more information

https://houstonaudubon.org/ways-to-help/volunteer/

Whether you love to work one-on-one with people in need or to work diligently behind the scenes, we have a place for you. People like you give their time and talents to help us serve our neighbors through the most devastating moments of their life. We could not do this work without generous volunteers. Volunteers ages 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

• 1. Before your volunteer session and for a quicker check-in, complete this online volunteer application: https://secondmile.keepntrack.com/apply/index.html?db=secondmile.
  2. Please be sure to sign in at the volunteer kiosk and sign out after volunteering. We will not be able to process your volunteer records without these steps.

  Mask Mandate Update (August 2021)

  In accordance with the latest CDC guidelines and with the rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, masks are required for all individuals who enter Second Mile.

  Thank you for your help in supporting this ministry while prioritizing the health of our community.

This is a virtual/digital volunteer opportunity. Student need to sign up to volunteer. By signing up Smithsonian will record your date and time under "MY WORK" when you log in to transcribe. However, it will not track the amount of time you spend on each document. Therefore, each completed document you will receive .5 hours of credit. There is a 3 HOURs MAX for this volunteer opportunity. Take a screen of your "My Work" page showing your name and completed pages to get credit. No signature is need for this volunteer opportunity. CLICK HERE for more information about tracking your volunteer work with the Smithsonian

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

CLICK HERE FOR TIPS AND INSTRUCTIONS

Please join us in saving lives by preparing medical supplies for shipment to hospitals and clinics in need around the world. Activities may include organizing warehouse inventory, sorting medical supplies, supporting administrative efforts, pulling for and loading containers, or other projects to be accomplished for the day. This will be a fun, engaging, and hands-on experience.

Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment, and services around the world. Project C.U.R.E. builds sustainable healthcare infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment needed to deliver healthcare in communities. Since its inception, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to people in need in more than 130 countries.

1. Go to this link: https://projectcure.volunteerhub.com/lp/houston/
2. Scroll to the calendar and select a date which you are available (Make sure to go fast, spots are filling up!)
3. Select “Sign Up” and “Create new account”
4. Once you have created your account, you will be emailed a confirmation
5. Students below 18 must print/ fill out a waiver form signed by their parent/guardian and bring it to the event *The waiver will be in your email confirmation
6. New volunteers must arrive 10-15 minutes early to their volunteer slot for an orientation

Important Information:

Thank you for volunteering to serve with Project C.U.R.E.

Project C.U.R.E.’s Houston facility is located at 8303 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX 77055. We are located in Spring Branch near the intersection of Bingle and Kempwood.

Before arriving, please review the safety guidelines in this video.

Also, please keep the following in mind:

• Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes in the warehouse.
• Please dress comfortably and wear weather appropriate clothing - the warehouse can be warm in the summer and cool in the winter.
• Some of our tasks can be physically demanding but are always optional
• Minimum age to volunteer is 15 (under 18 requires parent/legal guardian signed consent in advance).

We look forward to working with you soon! Thanks for your interest in helping in our mission of "delivering Health & Hope to the world!"

The safety of our volunteers and staff is our top priority. We are taking all possible precautions. During your volunteer time, we will be following CDC recommendations and all volunteers and staff are required to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask and gloves. If you have your own mask, please bring it to your volunteer session. Disposable masks will be provided if needed. Please wash your hands or use hand sanitizer throughout your volunteer session. Please do not come volunteer if you are feeling ill or have been in contact with someone feeling ill. Your support in maintaining a safe facility is tremendously appreciated!

Please keep in mind the following:

• Attire: Volunteers are required to wear closed-toed shoes. We recommend comfortable, weather-appropriate attire that you don't mind getting dusty. The warehouse is colder in winters and warmer in summers.
• Timing: Please arrive on time. You will be led by a Volunteer Leader and they will need adequate time to explain to you what will need to be done.
• Food/drink: You are welcome to bring water and small snacks with you if you wish.
• Age: The minimum age to volunteer is 14 years old; volunteers younger than 18 years old will need parent/legal guardian consent signature.
• Cancellation concern: If you are unable to attend, please cancel your registration so we do not schedule staff unnecessarily.

We look forward to working with you soon! Thank you for helping us in delivering health and hope to the world.

Target Hunger Website

Target Hunger depends upon the support of the community to fulfill our mission. A vital aspect of that support is volunteerism. Each year, Target Hunger welcomes hundreds of volunteers who donate their time to help children, families, and seniors in need of food assistance. If you are interested in volunteering with Target Hunger, please register below.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Drive-Thru Food Distributions

Volunteer to help pack bags filled with food and place into the trunk’s of cars.

Register to Volunteer at a Food Distribution

Community Garden

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you want to share your passion for gardening with others? We welcome both novice and experienced gardeners to volunteer at our Garden. Volunteers work together to grow 6,000 pounds of nutritious produce that is distributed through Target Hunger Pantries and Food Fairs.

Register to Volunteer at the Garden

Class of 2023 -

See the document attached below for the list of this month's scholarship opportunities available for soon-to-be graduates!

The Horatio Alger Scholarship application opens today! This opportunity is great for CTE or P-TECH graduates. The application can be found here: https://www.acteonline.org/hascholarship/

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have completed high school (or earned a high school equivalency credential)
• Cannot be taking pre-requisite courses and must be enrolled in a certification or technical program
• Must be enrolled full-time by fall 2023 to be eligible
• Exhibits a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a career or technical program (up to 2 years) at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States
• Demonstrates critical financial need (must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell grant as determined by completion of the FAFSA)
• Demonstrates perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Be under the age of 30
• Be a United States citizen

Funds may be used for any costs associated with earning a degree/certificate including, but not limited to: tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation and other personal expenses. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient.

If you are a school official, you may sign up for the Stay Connected list so that you will be notified of important application updates. To do so, please visit the School Officials page.

For any scholarship specific questions, please contact Julia Kasper jkasper@acteonline.org

Gandy Ink offers 10 - $1000 Scholarships annually. Applications are open March 1st – April 15th.

Candidates must be high school seniors planning to attend a college or university during the immediate fall semester.

Winners will be announced by May 1st!

Apply below!

https://form.jotform.com/gandyink/scholarship?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=242573402&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UkGs_19AdIkkkyDNrBUlW_VgJPEQjwfY8uPqj-amI1lShS31l2_ewG0Q0apcOaIqIvC3Bn9W-O3e8yuSpYvWDbxUYFdEyhrRFX6nkeBoQXoWXUTw&utm_content=242573402&utm_source=hs_email

The Aggie Homework Helpline (AHH) is an initiative to help provide quality, free online tutoring to PK-12 learners and families. The mission of the AHH is to connect Texas families and school district partners with Aggie tutors and education interns who are committed to improving learning outcomes for PK-12 students.

Tutoring appointments through the AHH can be scheduled between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. CST Monday-Thursday and 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. CST Friday.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

I want to remind students that Academy Virtual meetings/events are school and academy sponsor events and FBISD Student Code of Conduct applies and enforce. I ask that students adhere to the following expectations.

• Demonstrate courtesy and respect for all participants and guests
• Behave in a responsible manner by turning off your mic, video, and refraining from using the annotating tool without permission from the meeting host.
• Ask thoughtful questions during Q&A
• Be in compliance with host requests
• Comply with all guidelines noted within the SCC (School Code of Conduct)

Email: mary.skelton@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/digitalmedia
Location: 3333 Hurricane Lane, Missouri City, TX, USA
Phone: (281)634-3106
Twitter: @DigitalMediaACA