The Lions' Lens

As a friend of TLA, we value your support. The Lions' Lens, a quarterly newsletter filled with updates and activity highlights, is our way of sharing all of the great things happening at TLA throughout the year with you. Enjoy these updates from the second quarter of 2023-2024!

The first year of NJROTC programming has gotten off to a busy start! Led by Lieutenant Commander Spiritosanto, the Naval Science Instructor at The Lincoln Academy, NJROTC scholars presented the color guard to an assembly of middle and high school scholars on Veterans Day. NJROTC focuses on education and youth development around teamwork, citizenship & service to the US, personal responsibility and leadership development. This year, NJROTC scholars have participated in several drone competitions, their first Navy inspection, a first-year cadet drill meet, and completed community service hours among other activities. ⚓

K5 scholars spent time in the Innovation Lab ⚙️ building whisper phones. These “phones” will help scholars become more fluent readers by giving them the chance to hear the words they are reading better. They are so excited to become better readers!

K4-1st grade scholars shined bright on Winter Sing night! The scholars, full of joy, displayed their dance moves and raised their voices in song for families and friends. It was an evening full of smiles, laughter and beautiful voices! 🎶

The November career focus spotlighted Business and then shifted to Government during December. January found us focused on exploring Arts & Communication. Scholars at all grade levels learned about and explored career pathways in each of these areas. Middle and high school scholars with an interest in each field participated in a career panel highlighting different career pathways within the field. Field trips and a number of hands-on exploratory events rounded out each month's activities. Thank you to: JB's Professional Painters, Beloit Health System, Brooke Joos, Drew Pennington/GBEDC, City of Beloit Fire Department, Hendricks CareerTek, Ms. Kettlehut, Beloit Public Library, Welty Environmental Center, Wisconsin Business World, Blackhawk Technical College, HALO Branded Solutions, and Geronimo Hospitality Group for your support around scholar career exploration!

1st grade learned about creating your own business from your ideas. Mr. Brown, owner and operator of JB’s Professional Painters, stopped in to teach scholars the seven steps to painting! Afterward, scholars put their new skills to the test and painted their own "buildings." 🏠

Middle and high school scholars interested in Arts & Communication spent some time on the Beloit College campus at the Wright Museum of Art. 🎨 Scholars visited the museum's exhibitions, talked with museum staff and Beloit College students about the exhibits, how the museum operates, and student responsibilities in the operation of the museum. Discussion also included a focus on different jobs in the Arts.

The middle school Healthcare exploratory class spent time with one of our local EMTs learning about how to use the specialized equipment in the rescue squad. Next year, in partnership with Blackhawk Technical College, TLA will offer an EMT course on the TLA campus! 🩺

Congratulations to our scholar, Samara, who graduated during the quarter from her CNA class!

Did you know participation in Work-Based Learning (Internship or Youth Apprenticeship) during a scholar's Junior and/or Senior year is a graduation requirement at TLA? Learn more about our Work and Service-Based learning requirements on the TLA website.

Emma, a Junior at TLA, completed her CNA certification and is currently working at the Beloit Health System Riverside Terrace as part of the Youth Apprenticeship program. Way to go, Emma!

From November through January, we focused on the character virtues of gratitude, empathy and perseverance. Virtues were infused into all of our curricular subject content and taught through direct instruction with a focus on citizenship and service. At the end of each month, scholars who embodied the monthly virtue at each grade-level were recognized. Great job TLA!

4th grade scholars practiced both gratitude and writing skills through a project that mailed letters to members of the military.

There were a lot of things to celebrate at the start of 2nd Quarter. Our first state report card was released and TLA received a 4-star rating of Exceeds Expectations. We are so proud of our scholars, families and staff for their hard work and commitment! We also celebrated all of our 1st quarter achievements around academics, character, careers and attendance! GO LIONS! 🦁

You can access TLA report card information at: https://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards.

We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who, in their own way, has contributed to supporting scholars in preparing to achieve their dreams and live a choice-filled life.

One of the things we so appreciate about our collaborations and partnerships is how committed our partners are to having a positive impact on scholar learning and growth. A great example of this type of partnership is the connection we have made with the Wheeling High School NJROTC program. From providing opportunities for our cadets and staff to shadow their program and work with their cadets to providing uniforms and supplies to support TLA's program in getting off the ground in its first year, the support of the Wheeling High School NJROTC program has been invaluable. We can't thank them enough for their guidance and support of our program and cadets!

As an independent charter school, TLA receives less per pupil funding than the traditional public school. It is imperative that we make up the funding gap, partnering with our generous community to ensure we can offer an environment that will give each and every scholar a chance to succeed. Click on the donate button below to learn more and join us in being part of something transformational!

Join us May 16th for a casual evening fundraiser that showcases the creativity and skills of scholars of all ages and supports scholar enrichment and learning opportunities.

Shout-out to Ms. Wellnitz who was recognized as a Beloit Rotary Teacher of the Month during Q2! Read the Beloit Daily news article regarding this awesome recognition.

"I have the ability to affect the lives of my scholars in a way that will help them find success in their futures. This is my life’s work.”

317 new scholars completed applications for enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year during our February enrollment period and are eligible to participate in the lottery process! We will be holding a public, random lottery for available seats on March 12th at 2pm to determine enrollment and waitlist order for the coming school year.

Applications continue to be accepted; however, these applicants are not eligible to participate in the lottery process. Once a completed application is submitted, if there is a seat available the scholar will be enrolled. If no seat is available, the scholar will be added to the waitlist, behind lottery waitlisted scholars. Applications are available on the TLA website.

In 2024-2025, TLA will be a full K4-12 grade school! We have started the recruitment and hiring process for the upcoming year. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in exploring a career at TLA, learn more by visiting our website.

The Lincoln Academy (TLA) is a K4-12th grade public charter school serving Wisconsin residents and committed to reflecting the diversity of Beloit. Built with input from the community, access and equity drives TLA as an innovative, high quality, free public-school option. We expect ALL scholars to graduate from high school with a clear pathway to success.

Email: info@tlabeloit.com
Website: https://www.thelincolnacademybeloit.com/
Location: 608 Henry Avenue, Beloit, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 690-5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TLABeloit
Twitter: @TLABeloit