CCA Scholars,

We can't wait to have you back learning with us!

Our new year brings New Beginnings in many ways. Although we are starting via online, you will want to create some great learning habits with your time schedule, time management and study skills. We have some ideas for you below.

Your goal toward completing an Associates degree directs our support both inside and outside the classroom. We are proud of the commitment you have made to accelerate your learning, to dig deep, monitor your progress and work hard every day to reach your goal. We admire your Grit and Growth Mindset!

As you may know, especially since you are checking your TCC email daily, TCC classes start on Monday, August 24, two weeks prior to high school classes. We are working on ways to support you as you begin college classes. Read more information below.

We know that you have many questions about the start of school in an online format. Some information is provided below, and, as our district makes further decisions, we will send updated information within the next few weeks.

Again, we are so excited to get back to learning!

See you online soon!!

Tralissa Griffin

Academic Dean, ECHS

TCC Classes start Monday, August 24, so you will be able to pick up your textbooks/access codes in a drive-through distribution** at our new building 1900 Longhorn Trail, Crowley, TX 76036:

- Wednesday, August 19, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

- Thursday, August 20, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Below is a picture of our distribution route through the parking lot - If our lot is still closed, you will enter on the other side of the CTE building and come all the way around back to our lot.

See you soon!

**Note for New CCA students: You will need a laptop in order to login appropriately to your TCC classes, so your distribution will be different and held on Monday, August 17 either 9:00-11:00 am or 4:30-7:30 pm. Parents will receive details in an email after our Orientation meeting Thursday, August 13 6:30-7:30 pm.

Registration for TCC classes will end Monday, August 17. If you have not completed your course registration, do so ASAP!! Email Mrs. Mar, amar@crowley.k12.tx.us, if you do not find the email she sent you. [New CCA students are already registered]

Here are some helpful videos from TCC:

1) Dual Enrollment Navigation: https://youtu.be/9wlY7TWQq4k

2) Registering for classes: https://youtu.be/k0MuKEyEF-U

3) How to Navigate Web Advisor: https://youtu.be/7AAeoEvk424

4) How to Navigate Blackboard: : https://youtu.be/uG7eCXXaBwU

This post from Ben Cichy @bencichy reminded me of the reason you are at CCA:

"Got a 2.4 GPA my first semester in college. Thought maybe I wasn't cut out for engineering. Today I'm landing two spacecraft on Mars, and designing one for the moon. STEM is hard for everyone. Grades ultimately aren't what matters. Curiosity and persistence matter."

It's time to move out of Summer mode and prepare for a great start to your New Year! Follow these tips for virtual classes as well as in-person classes when the time comes.

- Own It: Remember this is your education. Be the owner of your learning. This means whether you are working alone or with a group, you are learning what you need to be successful in your future and helping others learn, as well. Take responsibility so you can create your best future.

- TCC classes: remember the normal expectation in college classes requires time with the instructor as well as study or reading time on your own. Time on your own is generally 3 hours for every 1 hour in class, however, learning virtually will require more of your time than you think.

- Time Schedule/Routine: Create structured time to do your work, a routine. Use your high school bell schedule to establish study time for each of your classes whether you have a class meeting or not. This trick will help make sure you are ready for in-person classes, as well as help keep you on track with your studies.

- Instructor Office Hours: Each instructor will provide you with times to ask questions outside of class time. Office hours may be times that instructors use to respond to emails or offer online help sessions. Pay attention and schedule times to meet with your instructors for help.

- TCC Tutor 24/7: Did you know that TCC has online help all he time? Tutor 24/7 is accessed through your MyTCC account. Here you can get help by chatting with a tutor in many different subjects. They also offer writing help, which takes some planning on your part - Find out how to submit and receive feedback and criticism to help you improve your writing before it's due.

- Time Management Techniques: According to research, we need to offer ourselves rewards so we will stick to a study schedule. Rewards can be brain breaks (social media time or playing a game for 5 minutes, walking around the house, going outside for a little fresh air). Here are some tips from College InfoGeek on How to Motivate yourself to Study.

- AVID: You will learn more about study skills through your AVID classes in writing & note-taking, reading, inquiry/questioning, collaboration, and organization (WICOR). Use these same skills in your college classes; remember the professor expects you to know how to study and will not tell you what to do.

- 8/13 6:30-7:30 pm - New CCA Scholar & Parent Orientation via Zoom

- 8/17 9:00-11:00 am & 4:30-7:30 pm - New CCA Laptop & Textbook Distribution

- 8/19 1:00-3:30 pm - Textbook Distribution

- 8/20 10:00 am-12:30 pm - Textbook Distribution

- 8/24 - TCC Classes begin (online)

- CCA Teacher Professional Development begins

- 9/7 - TCC/CCA Student & Staff Holiday

- 9/8 - CCA High School Classes begin (online)