PLA@103 Friday Family News
The PLA@103 Phalen Falcons - United We SUCCEED
PLA@103 Friday Family News
October 25, 2024
PLA@103 Falcons - United We SUCCEED
Read on for information including the PLA@103 Gear Store (CLOSING SOON!), Fall Fest information, a fun video from JRP's Cosmetology program, free legal services, information about Habitat for Humanity, the uniform policy, important IMMUNIZATION information from our school nurse, and a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club as an after school resource.
A note about Halloween on Thursday, October 31 - this is a regular school day. Scholars are NOT to wear costumes on this day.
The PLA@103 Gear Shop is OPEN until October 30 - Order Now!
Get Your PLA@103 Gear Now!
The PLA@103 Gear Shop is open until October 30. Order now!
1) Scan the QR code below or go to https://sportsplusincstore.itemorder.com/shop/
2) Enter code FQT8H
3) Choose the items you want to order and add them to your cart
4) Include the scholar's name on the order (so we know who to send it home with)
5) Pay for your order securely with your credit card
6) Items will be delivered to the school before Christmas and sent home with your scholar
Fall Fest at PLA@103 & Hall Halloween at JRP
PLA@103 Presents Fall Fest Open House
Tuesday, October 29 between the hours of 4:00pm - 6:00pm, please visit PLA@103 for our Fall Fest Open House! Wear your favorite costume (optional), and come prepared for a good time! Trick-or-treating PLA@103 style, fun decorations, photograph backdrops, and more!
You can visit PLA@103 ~and~ JRP for tons of FALL FUN!
JRPLA Presents Hallway Halloween 2024
Dear PLA Families,
We are excited to announce that James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy will be hosting Hallway Halloween 2024 on Tuesday, October 29th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM! This event is completely free for all PLA Elementary Scholars and their families.
***Middle and High School scholars can only attend if they are with a PLA Elementary scholar.***
Address for the event is: 4352 Mitthoefer Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235
Families will enter through the Middle School entrance and exit from the Middle School gymnasium. During the event, teachers will be stationed outside their classrooms, handing out candy to scholars as they walk through the hallways. We will also have pumpkin painting and apple cider in the Middle School gym for all families to enjoy. Scholars are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes, though it is not required to participate.
For those interested in a spookier experience, there will be a haunted house in the gym for scholars and families who want to take part!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Brown at mbrown@phalenacademies.org.
We can’t wait to see you all there for a fun and festive evening!
Best regards,
Phalen Leadership Academy
JRP's Cosmetology Program
Check out this fun video of the Cosmetology program at JRP! Click HERE.
November 5, 2024 is an At-Home Learning Day due to Election Day
There will be no scholars in the building on Tuesday, November 5 due to Election Day. Scholars will have At-Home Learning. All work completed on Tuesday should be returned to school on Wednesday.
Next Early Dismissal is November 13 at 11:20am
Mark your calendars! Please plan to pick up your car rider at 11:20am on November 13, 2024.
Free Legal Services Available
Services Offered:
Immigrant & Survivor Justice Program
The Immigrant & Survivor Justice Program assists with various family-based and humanitarian immigration needs.
“Consult with a Lawyer” Program
The “Consult with a Lawyer” Program offers free legal advice and counsel on both general and immigration matters through the Clinic’s trusted staff and volunteer attorneys.
Housing & Consumer Justice Program
The Housing & Consumer Justice Program offers services for housing and consumer law issues, such as evictions, security deposits, repairs, accessibility issues, debt collection, and garnishments.
Tax & Economic Justice Program
The Tax & Economic Justice Program offers services for tax controversies with the IRS.
The Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic blog gives important insight into tax-related issues that many clients face.
Through our partnership with Helping Veterans & Families (HVAF) and LSV-H grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Veterans Justice Program assists homeless and at-risk veterans with a variety of legal issues.
The Re-entry Justice Program offers expungement services and driver’s license reinstatement.
The Online Legal Help Program offers free general legal advice for Indiana residents outside Marion, Johnson, Hamilton, and Hendricks counties regarding non-criminal legal issues.
3333 N. Meridian St.
Suite 201
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Monday - Thursday | 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Friday | 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
You can reach us by phone at (317) 429-4131 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
DO NOT PULL INTO THE BUS LANES BY THE SIDEWALK
All cars should pull up to the circle. NO CARS can be in the bus lane by the sidewalks until all 6 buses have been loaded and have departed.
Car Rider Procedures
Please Follow These Procedures to Keep Our Scholars Safe
*Please note, we have more buses this year. The front sidewalk/curb IS NOT available, and is not the designated drop off area due to safety concerns. Cars may not be in the bus lane until all six buses have been loaded and have departed.*
MORNING DROP OFF
*Doors open at 7:30am
* Do not drop scholars off before 7:30am. due to safety concerns.
* Do not drop scholars off anywhere but the circle drive.
* Pull as far forward as possible; do not drop scholars off until you've
pulled up to where staff are directing you to go
* Encourage your scholar to exit the vehicle quickly
* Stay in line. Dropping children off in the middle of the
circle drive is an extreme safety hazard that puts your child(ren) and others at risk.
* If you arrive after 8:15am, you must walk your child to the door and buzz to be let in.
Your child will be marked tardy.
* If you arrive at 10:30am or later, your scholar will not be admitted unless you
provide a written excuse from a medical professional. This will be an unexcused absence.
*Please note, we have more buses this year. The front sidewalk/curb IS NOT available as the pick-up line. Cars may not be in the bus lane until all six buses have been loaded and have departed.*
AFTERNOON DISMISSAL/PICK-UP
* If your child is walking home, they will not be dismissed until the busses have left.
* If your child is a car rider, you must be in the car rider line ON THE CIRCLE.
* There will be a staff member at the entrance to the circle drive.
You must stop and speak to them to give them your car rider number.
* Your child will not be dismissed from class until you've given your car rider number.
* DO NOT cut line. Your number will be skipped, and you'll end up waiting longer.
* DO NOT park and walk up to the building. STAY IN LINE.
* We know the line looks long, but it moves fast when everyone
cooperates and follows the procedures.
* Stay in line. Do not encourage your child to walk into the parking lot.
This is an extreme safety issue.
* Encourage your child to enter the vehicle quickly so the line can move efficiently.
* Talk to your child about exiting the building quickly.
They are not to stop by other classrooms or hang around in the halls talking to friends.
* Honking adds unnecessary noise and stress to the procedure. Please don't honk.
* Do not encourage your child to come to your vehicle if you are far back in line.
If you are changing the way your scholar gets home (permanently or temporarily) please call the office before 1:30pm (317-226-4103).
Scholars will not be dismissed early unless you arrive before 1:30pm. Please plan accordingly.
The office phones will not be answered after 1:30pm so that we may carry out safe and organized end-of-day and dismissal routines.
THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING THESE PROCEDURES TO KEEP OUR SCHOLARS SAFE.
Habitat for Humanity
Phalen Leadership Academy Parents
Imagine a place where your family can grow, thrive, and create lasting memories. With Habitat for Humanity, first-time homeownership is within reach! Habitat for Humanity is now taking applicants for 2025 homebuyers. Here's how our program can make a difference for you and your loved ones:
Why Habitat for Humanity?
- Affordable Homes: Tired of paying rent? Habitat offers low-interest mortgages to make homeownership attainable.
- Stable Living: Enjoy the security and stability of owning your own home, free from the uncertainties of renting while building equity.
- Empowerment: Benefit from homebuyer education and support that helps you be prepared to be successful in your new home.
How to Get Started:
- Apply: Visit indyhabitat.org/own-a-home to learn about eligibility.
- Join Us: Follow Indy Habitat on social media to learn about events and see recently completed homes. indyhabitat.org/contact
Explore more and take your first step toward homeownership at indyhabitat.org!
IMPORTANT DATES
Mark Your Calendars
* October 29 - Fall Festival & Open House at PLA@103 from 4-6pm. Also, enjoy Hall Halloween at JRP from 4-6pm as well!
* October 31 - Halloween - Regulary scheduled school day - NO COSTUMES for scholars
* Tuesday, November 5 - ELECTION DAY - AT HOME Learning - No Scholars in the Building
* Wednesday, November 13 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL- Please plan ahead and be on time!
* Thursday, November 14 - IMMUNIZATION CLINIC
* Tuesday, November 26 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL
* November 27-29 - THANKSGIVING BREAK - No School
* Decmber 18 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL- Please plan ahead and be on time!
* December 19-January 6 - WINTER BREAK - No School!
* January 7- Scholars Return to School
* January 15- 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!
* January 20- NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
* February 5- 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!
* February 17 - NO SCHOOL- Presidents Day
* February 26 - Spring PIT Day Conferences - Your scholar's teacher will be in touch if a conference is requested.
* March 3-14 - IREAD testing for grades 2nd and 3rd
* March 28 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!
* March 31-April 4 - SPRING BREAK - No School!
* April 7 - Scholars return to school
* April 9 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time!
* April 14-May 9 - ILEARN testing for grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th
* May 26 - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
* June 4 - 11:20am EARLY DISMISSAL - Please plan ahead and be on time! LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Boys & Girls Club Afterschool Resource
WIRELESS DEVICE PROHIBITION
PLA@103 Updated Cellphone/Device Policy
In response to the statewide Senate Bill (SB 185) passing and going into effect as state law in 2024, PLA@103 will operate within the following guidelines and procedures regarding all personal student devices (including cell phones and smart watches) during the school day (7:30am-2:30pm):
Scholars are encouraged to keep all electronic devices (including cell phones and smart watches) home during the school day.
Scholars who chose to bring their personal devices (including cell phones and smart watches) to school will be required to keep the device(s) in their backpack or a protected collection container within the classroom based on the teacher’s discretion.
If the device is out during the school day, the scholar will be asked to give it to the teacher until the end of the school day.
If the scholar refuses to turn in their device, the teacher will refer them to the Dean through an official write-up.
Progressive discipline will be instituted in ordinance with SB 185.
1st offense - give phone to teacher; warning; teacher documents and informs parent
Official write up to Dean if scholar refuses to turn in phone; teacher documents and informs parent
2nd offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve
3rd offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; ISS; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve and meet with Dean or administrator
4th offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; 2 days ISS; phone stays with Dean until parent can retrieve and meet with Dean or administrator
5th offense - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; wireless device suspension (scholar’s device will remain with Dean during the school day for 1-2 weeks depending on severity of the insubordination)
6th offense and beyond - write up to Dean; Dean contacts parent; wireless device suspension (scholar’s device will remain with Dean during the school day for 1-2 weeks depending on severity of the insubordination); parents, Dean, administrators meet to discuss next steps in regards to OSS or expulsion.
UNIFORM POLICY
School Nurse Corner
Welcome to Nurse Sara's Corner!
Please see important health information from Nurse Sara below (click the images to enlarge).
PICTURES FROM AROUND THE SCHOOL
PLA@103 Mission & Vision
Mission: Our mission is to ensure that each of our scholars meet high academic and social standards, and thrive as leaders at home, in their communities, and in the world.
Vision: Our ultimate goal is that our scholars master key academic skills, and demonstrate strong character as exhibited by: honesty, service to others, a superior work ethic, and a strong vision for and belief in their futures.