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Trailblazer Times

September 20, 2024

Trailblazer TimesSeptember 20, 2024

REMINDERS AND UPDATES FROM MRS. WOODALL

I hope all of our learners enjoyed the day off today and were able to sleep in. I'm sure parents appreciated the break from our traffic!


Every year STEM academies in Mansfield ISD participate in Fall Presentations of Learning (POLs). POLs are a tradition in MISD STEM and are an opportunity for learners to showcase to their families their “glows”, what they’ve accomplished, and their “grows”, goals they have yet to achieve. POLs also give learners the opportunity to develop their public speaking and presentation skills to a “friendly” audience before they are expected to engage in presentations to community partners. In addition to becoming effective communicators, they will get the opportunity to develop future ready skills such as use of technology, celebrating successes, receiving feedback, being reflective and determining next steps for growth. All of these skills will serve our learners well in college, career, and life. It is a requirement that every STEM learner has a POL and they will spend the next few weeks preparing for these. During the POL, families will be given a “Look For’s” sheet to help guide them through this process. Please make sure to sign up for a time to attend your learner’s POL if your learner is in grades 9th - 11th, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4FAEAF2CA4F85-10th2. Seniors will attend the Destination Success/Ready2Work Expo in February with details to come.


Learners! Would you like to be part of a team of 30 community members distributing about 2000 pounds of food to 250 cars in 3 short hours at a mobile food pantry giveaway? Come help Arlington Charities help those who are food insecure! The fall service dates are Oct 24, Nov 21, and Dec 10. If you are interested, please email Ms. Whitney (marilynwhitney@misdmail.org) today! She will use email to communicate with you, so please regularly check email.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

  • September 20th - Deadline to Sign Up for Kickball Exhibition Game (iSTEM)
  • September 23rd - 1st Day of 2nd Six Weeks
  • September 23rd - HOSA Spirit Day at Sweet Panda Frozen Yogurt
  • September 27th - Junior & Senior Class Meetings with Jostens
  • September 27th - Junior Trip Fundraiser - Poetry Slam from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the school
  • October 2nd - Picture Day
  • October 3rd - Jostens On Campus from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
  • October 7th - 11th - Homecoming Week
  • October 10th - Presentation of Learning from 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • October 11th - Homecoming Kickball Game from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at RL Anderson. Families welcome!
  • October 12th - Homecoming Dance from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at the school
  • October 14th - Presentation of Learning from 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
  • October 16th - National Day of Testing
  • October 24th - All Pro Dads Meeting from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the school

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

Seniors: If you are interested, please check out the Empowering Women in Tech Essay Scholarship By Designli. This is a $3,000 essay scholarship for young women aspiring to be business leaders in technology. https://designli.co/women-in-tech-scholarship


Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025 Application is NOW OPEN! Regeneron STS is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science research competition for high school students. Started in 1942 as the Westinghouse Science Talent Search, Regeneron STS recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are developing ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges. Unique among high school competitions, the Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising future leaders in STEM. Application Deadline is November 7, 2024 at 8pm ET. Open Your Application Today!


SMU is offering application fee waivers this year. A representative shared more info about their programs on Wednesday during iStem. If you anticipate receiving a full Pell grant due to financial need, please check out their AccessSMU program.


We’re in college application season! When you need to send an official transcript to the schools that you are applying to, the link is on this district website. Students get 10 free transcripts, and additional ones are $2.


We have a UT Arlington Bound for Success admissions counselor available to work with Frontier learners. His name is Jayle Vongphakdy, and he can be reached at jayle.vongphakdy@uta.edu. Jayle can assist with UT Arlington admission and/or general college admission questions. See Counselor's Guide One-Pager Below.


Seniors will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


Mansfield ISD is proud to support college and career readiness by excusing college and career exploration visits during learners' junior and senior years. Learners can have two absences excused their junior year and two absences excused their senior year when they follow the process and submit the forms below to their assistant principal.

PTSA NEWS YOU CAN USE

Want to get involved? Join our PTSA at joinpta.org! Our PTSA family would love to have you!


A special thank you to everyone who supported the PTSA by attending our Crave (Hot Dogs & BBQ) Spirit Night on September 19th from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.!


Hello, parents! We are excited to announce that we will be starting an All Pro Dad Chapter here at Frontier STEM Academy. All Pro Dad is a monthly gathering where dads get to intentionally engage with their children. This is not just limited to dads, but all learners must be accompanied by an adult. There will be fun activities and a character-based curriculum that helps dads start meaningful conversations with their learners. Our first gathering was held on September 19th at 3 p.m. If you couldn’t make it to this gathering, the next one is scheduled for October 24th. Please contact our team captain, Dion Brugger, at Dion.Brugger@familyfirst.net if you have any questions/concerns or would like more information!


The MISD Clothes Closet is a vital resource that provides clothing, school supplies and toiletries to any student and their families within the Mansfield district. With that it takes many hands to keep it organized and running efficiently. The MISD Clothes Closet requests that each PTSA provides volunteers for one day during the school year. For parents or approved students, the FSA/BBIA PTSA Clothes Closet day is Oct 7th from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please sign up for an hour or two here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44ADAF283-51110151-frontier


For students that would like volunteer hours, they are invited to help change out the seasonal clothes on Oct. 7th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090B4DA4A92AABFC1-51242271-ccoctchange


Click this link to nominate your favorite teacher to get flamingoed! 🦩 If the teacher you nominate is chosen, they will receive a treat of their choice as well as kind notes from students, parents, and staff.


Last but not least, we sell cookies every Tuesday & Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Cookies are $1.00 per bag & we are accepting cash or payment via Cheddar Up. See the QR code below for the link to sign up for payment through Cheddar Up. If you are interested in volunteering to lend a hand with cookie sales, you can sign up here. Your help is greatly appreciated. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054DA5AB2CA4F94-50614892-cookie


Keep up with us on Facebook @Frontier STEM/Ben Barber Innovation Academy PTSA and Instagram @fsabbiaptsa!


Click here for a letter from the PTSA!

🎓🎓🎓🎓 CLASS OF 2025 NEWS & UPDATES 🎓🎓🎓🎓

Jostens will be on campus on September 27th from 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. in the CUBE to meet with seniors about ordering graduation packages, spirit wear, class rings and letterman jackets.

For more information, visit the Jostens Frontier STEM website here.


Jostens will return on October 3rd to take orders and answer questions in the Commons from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Frontier Administrative Team

Principal - Michelle Woodall

  • Class of 2025 Administrator

Academic Associate Principal - Stephanie Martinez

  • Class of 2027 Administrator

Facilities Associate Principal - Dustin Streitz

  • Class of 2026 Administrator
  • Student Management (last names A - H)

CTE Specialist - Jennifer Goodson

  • Student Management (last names I - O)

Assistant Principal - April "Adams" Jackson

  • Class of 2028 Administrator
  • Student Management (last names P - Z)

STEM Integration Coach - Larita Nunez

  • ALL the things!

District STEM Director - Victoria Webster

District CTE Director - LeighAnn Tamplen


Frontier counselors are here for you!

John Williams, Lead

  • A - K

Jennifer Roberts

  • L - Z

Sarah Buckner

  • District CTE Counselor
Michelle Woodall
Michelle is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters