The Lions' Lens

As a friend of TLA, we value your support. The Lions' Lens, a 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 first semester of 2024-2025!

It's our first year as a full K4-12 school and we hit the ground running! From K4 Orientation and Back to School Night to Senior Sunrise and the first day of school, scholars, staff and families jumped right back into school routines ready to make this year a great one! 🎯

Check out Dr. Cole's reflections on the start of the school year and why this year is special.

Scholars completed a unit that was all about tools and trying to test which tool was best for the job. They had to try and measure which piece of paper was longest and PROVE it using a tool! Their options were a calculator, cubes, and a measuring cup. They then had to show their proof on paper. Such a fun unit in ELA that also utilized math concepts! 📏

This semester, we hosted our Middle School Spelling Bee. We're so proud of all the scholars that participated and want to give special thanks to Ms. Frost and Ms. Whalen, who coordinated this year's Bee. Congratulations to our winner, Genesis G., and our alternate, Kennedy D., who are representing the 7th grade strong! 🎉

High school scholars enrolled in physical science classes designed and created simple machines for their module on work and energy. The creativity on display was amazing and their presentations were fantastic!🎡

K5 took a super fun trip to Welty Environmental Center this semester to learn about clouds! Scholars spent time learning about the water cycle, different kinds of clouds, and even made their own clouds in jars! They also enjoyed spending some time outside exploring on a cloudy day.⛅

The K4-5th Math & Literacy Night offered opportunities for scholars and families to participate in a different literacy and math experience at each grade level. It was a great night of free family learning and fun! 📚

Scholars at all grade levels celebrated quarterly achievements related to academics, character, attendance, and careers. The celebrations also included a bit of fun, with elementary scholars vying for a musical chairs title and sharing what they were grateful for, middle and high school Scholar Feud competitions, and relay race challenges.🎉

Congratulations to our scholars inducted into the National Honor Society this semester! 📜

Grupo Folklorico joined us for a dancing demonstration, teaching scholars about the history behind the dancing, colors, and music choices. It was amazing to see the dancers, learn more about the Hispanic culture, and was an opportunity to highlight one of our scholars, Yaminah AM! 🌟

Fall sports included girls volleyball and boys & girls cross country. The hard work, team spirit and sportsmanship displayed by our scholar athletes was great. The cross country teams had a number of personal best race times this year and the varsity volleyball team brought home its first win this season! The perseverance and focus on growth and development displayed by our scholar athletes and coaches has been inspiring! GO LIONS!

Wrestling and basketball are underway this winter. Teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance have been consistently on display, resulting in both individual and team accomplishments! We are excited to see our athletes progress as we head into the back half of the winter sports season. 🐾

Scholars in Supermileage Vehicle Club participated in the Challenge USA Supermileage event at LaCrosse Speedway in October! The TLA team took 1st in endurance in class 3 and 4 and 2nd place in endurance in class 3. The class 4 car #210 set a new state record of 41.875 miles traveled in one hour. Great job Lions!

With a focus on Energy Conservation, Supermileage brings the Engineering and Manufacturing worlds together with scholars designing, fabricating, and testing a small one-person vehicle with a focus of High Mileage during various challenge events.🚦

We are so proud of our NJROTC scholars for all they have accomplished in their competitions and how they have represented themselves, TLA, and our community through their volunteerism and participation in local ceremonies this semester. One of the major highlights was presenting the colors at the commissioning of the USS Beloit. Learn more here about the unique opportunity our cadets have had in connection with the ship and crew. ⚓

Scholars spent the first semester exploring a wide array of career pathways. Activities ranged from learning on our career exploration platform, virtual/onsite career chats and business panels, to hands-on exploration and field trips. 🚧

Thank you to our local partners: Frito-Lay, Beloit College, Hendricks CareerTek, Community Health Systems Seal-A-Smile, UW-Platteville, JP Cullen, Blackhawk Technical College, Lycon, Inc., UW-Whitewater, Lowell Custom Homes, Total Mechanical, McGilvra Electric, Beloit Box & Board, Campbells, Beloit Health System, Stateline Family YMCA, Madison College, MTL Metal Manufacturing, Culvers, Beloit Fire Department, Prent, Beloit Public Library, UTI, Walnut Creek, Corporate Contractors, Inc., South Central WI Health Education, Beloit Chamber, Meals on Wheels, Stateline Boys & Girls Clubs, UW-Whitewater Wheelchair Basketball, Nature at the Confluence, CBI Bank & Trust, Medical Grade Aesthetics, Beloit SkyCarp, Axley Law Office, and IronTek for your support around scholar learning and career exploration activities!

We would also like to thank the following businesses for their partnership in providing placements where scholars can work and learn: Life Balance, First Community Credit Union, Scott Forge, Stoughton Trailers, TLA, Beloit Senior Living, Stateline Family YMCA, SSM Health, The Rock, Prent, K12, Hardees, Beloit Public Library-Blender Cafe, Riverside Terrace, Culvers, Welty Environmental Center, Power Paws Pet Salon, Acres of Fun, Lucy's #7 Burger Bar, Beloit Skycarp, Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Starbucks, Stateline Literacy Council, and Humane Manufacturing.

A team of scholars represented TLA at the Dare to Dream Construction Skills Competition in October. At the start of the competition, the team received a plan that simulated floor, wall and roof construction and they had 3 hours to execute quality construction of the plan. The final product was judged by 3 master carpenters and the TLA team brought home 2nd place.

Great teamwork, skill work, and attention to detail Lions! 🔨

K4 jumped right into Business month with a project to create a classroom business! Room 101 opened an ice cream shop serving real ice cream and Room 102 went with a Culvers-type experience. The scholars were so excited to show off all their skills during this learning adventure, they invited their K5 friends to shop at their businesses. Their enthusiasm was amazing! Who knew practicing counting skills could be so fun? 🍧

Middle school scholars enrolled in Culinary this semester spent time at Blackhawk Technical College cooking with Chef Rob and Chef Hakim. They had a blast creating a full meal, with some scholars considering changing their pathway exploration! 🫙

This semester, we focused on five different character virtues. Virtues are infused into all curricular subject content and are taught through direct instruction with a focus on citizenship and service. At the end of each month, scholars who have embodied the monthly virtue at each grade level are recognized. Way to go TLA! 💙

6th grade took a trip to the Outdoor Wisconsin Leadership School (OWLS) to start off the school year. OWLS is an experiential education program that focuses on leadership, growth, adventure, choice and challenge. It offers scholars a unique opportunity to learn, experience personal growth, and work as a team. 🌳

Coach Jake and one of his players from the UW-Whitewater wheelchair basketball team visited TLA for an amazing assembly! They shared their personal stories regarding how they came to be in wheelchairs and scholars learned Coach Jake has won multiple gold medals playing on the US Paralympics Team. Scholars were encouraged to be persistent and work to overcome the challenges and barriers we all face. Then it was game time! 🏀

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.

We would like to take this opportunity to give a SHOUT OUT to our TLA Parent Leadership Council. Whether we are in need of volunteers to help support Seal-A-Smile activities, Picture Day coordination, class field trips, staff appreciation or the school carnival at the end of the year, our PLC is there for us! They are a group that offers feedback, engages other parents, acts as our parent advocates and is a group we can always go to for suggestions or needs. And that's not all! They also ask us great questions and give us important pushes as a school. Quite simply, our PLC is amazing! THANK YOU to everyone that has participated in PLC for generously giving your time, talents, feedback and ideas!

The Parent Leadership Council is an opportunity for all families to engage with TLA's leadership team beyond classroom level involvement. Meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of the month from 8-9:15am in the Library Conference Room.

We would like to thank MTL Metal Manufacturing for their incredibly generous support. MTL is located in Beloit and specializes in the welding and fabrication of steel components ranging from large switchgear sub bases and electrical enclosure assemblies utilized in the data center Industry to various size fuel tanks used in power generation.

Owner, Mike Nimmo, reached out to TLA looking to support the trade that he built his career around. MTL donated over 10,000 lbs. of steel (plate steel, tube steel, angle iron) to the welding program. They also opened their doors and gave tours to scholars interested in career fields in welding and fabrication. Mike believes in supporting and mentoring the next workforce. He himself was mentored by a previous employer who took him under his wing and showed him the ropes, and he wants to give back and help others find their path in the welding and fabrication industry.

MTL has led industry panels at TLA for scholars interested in owning their own business. Mike's story is truly inspiring as he has shared the trials and tribulations he had in becoming a successful business owner. MTL is working on taking on Youth Apprenticeships and has interviewed a TLA scholar looking to start an internship during the spring semester.

We can't thank Mike and MTL enough for sharing their knowledge, time, and resources with our scholars and the welding program. The industry support MTL has provided allows scholars greater opportunities to be exposed to hands-on learning and enrichment. We are so grateful for such a strong partnership! THANK YOU, MIKE, and MTL!

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!

Wisconsin Student Assessment System results and TLA's state report card for the 2023-2024 school year were released in November. The Lincoln Academy received a 3 star rating of Meets Expectations. Click here to learn more about the strides TLA has made in increasing overall scholar proficiency and addressing achievement within scholar subgroups, as well as areas where we still have work to do.📊

Dr. Cole covered a number of topics in her monthly blog this semester. In addition to those highlighted elsewhere in this newsletter, topics included a more in-depth understanding of the WSAS results and what TLA's report card tells us, the importance of supporting our most important resource: teachers, and a thank you to our families. 🚌

Our current school-wide attendance percentage for the year is 96%! We are so thankful for everyone who makes it possible for our scholars to come to school every day, on time, and ready to learn! We thank our scholars and families for making daily attendance a priority, our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an exciting place of exploration and knowledge, and our support staff, administration and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our scholars need. All of these things support our scholars in being excited about and present for learning. 💫

The enrollment period for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. In order to be eligible for the lottery process, completed applications must be submitted by February 28th. Click here to learn more about the TLA enrollment process!

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