Making Connections
September 15, 2024
Weekly Messaging from Connect Academy
Here What's Happening in September
September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16-20: Start With Hello Week
September 30: Non Student Day
Principal's Ponderings
At Connect Academy, our name reflects our core mission: to foster strong connections within our school community and beyond. As Juliet muses in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Her words remind us that while names are labels, the true significance lies in what they represent.
The term “connect” means to establish a relationship or link between people, ideas, or experiences. Synonyms like “link,” “bridge,” “unite,” and “relate” capture the essence of our mission. We are dedicated to building meaningful relationships between students, teachers, and families, ensuring that everyone feels valued, supported, and loved. Our approach integrates various aspects of learning, creating a cohesive and engaging educational experience that connects subjects with real-world applications.
By emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity, we encourage students to work together, learn from one another, and foster a sense of belonging. At Connect Academy, we believe that these connections—these links and relationships—are essential to providing a rich, supportive, and engaging education for all our students. It is not just the name that defines us, but the values and experiences we build through our commitment to connecting with one another every day.
Each day we are reminded how lucky we are to have connected with you.
Teacher's Tomes
Dear Connect Academy Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well. We have some exciting updates and reminders to share with you.
Assignment Submission Reminder
We would like to remind all students that next Wednesday marks the end of the 20-day assignment submission window. Please ensure that all assignments are submitted by this deadline to receive proper credit. If you have any questions or need assistance with submitting assignments, please reach out to your child's teacher or the school administration. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. As a reminder, if a student is missing 6 or more assignments within a 20 day window they are in violation of the written agreement and at risk of being removed from Connect Academy.
Reading Buddies
We are thrilled to announce that our Reading Buddies partnership started this week! We were able to partner our middle school students with younger students from Design39Campus to promote reading skills and foster a love for books. The students have been enjoying their time together and we look forward to seeing improvements in their reading abilities. Thank you to all the students who have participated and to the teachers who have organized this wonderful initiative.
Cave Art History Project
Next week, we will be diving into an exciting Cave Art history project. Students will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of prehistoric art and create their own cave art masterpieces. This project will not only enhance their artistic skills but also provide a deeper understanding of our ancestors' creativity and expression. We encourage parents to engage in conversations with their children about this project and support them in their artistic endeavors.
2nd P.E. Log Due
Lastly, a friendly reminder that the 2nd P.E. Log is due. We encourage all students to stay active and record their physical activities regularly. The P.E. Log not only helps us track their progress but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. Please remind your child to submit their completed log to their P.E. Canvas Course by Wednesday 09/18/2024. In order to receive full credit, students must have the following:
400 minutes of P.E.
A student signature
A parent signature
A completed reflection section
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. We appreciate your partnership in creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!
Best regards,
Mr. Gizzo & Mrs. Matos
Counseling Connections
Mr. Bibby's Tip of the Week: Stay Organized with Binders
Keeping your materials organized is key to staying on top of your academic responsibilities, and using a well-maintained binder is a core AVID strategy. Designate separate sections in your binder for each class, including dividers for notes, assignments, handouts, and graded work. By consistently filing papers in the right sections, you’ll have quick access to all your resources, making it easier to study and complete assignments. Be sure to clean out old papers regularly to keep everything current and avoid clutter.
In addition to organizing your materials, a tidy binder fosters a sense of control over your workload. Knowing exactly where everything is can reduce stress, save time, and make it easier to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Plus, developing strong organizational habits in school sets the foundation for success in future academic and professional settings. Take a few minutes each day to ensure your binder is in order, and you’ll be well on your way to mastering your classes with confidence!
Equitable Spaces
Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month
With Hispanic Heritage Month upon us, check out the slide deck below for some amazing activities to share as a family.
Redundant Repetitious Reiterating Repeated Recurrent Routine Reminders
What's Up With Poway Unified?
PUSD Substitutes Needed: With flu, cold, and COVID season upon us, we are once again in need of qualified substitutes to support PUSD and our campus in the event of an LED absence.
If you or someone you know are interested in applying to become a substitute teacher with Poway Unified School District, please click here.
Food and Nutrition Updates and Reminders: School breakfast and school lunch are FREE for all enrolled students, every school day. Meals must still be entered into the cafeteria computer by individual student account.
Even though meals are free, families are still highly encouraged to complete the application for free and reduced-price meal eligibility. School site funding depends in part on the number of students eligible for free/reduced-price meals. Families that qualify for free/reduced-price meals may qualify for other benefits, as well. The meal application is available online at MySchoolApps.com.
Printer-friendly PDF menus are available on the PUSD Food and Nutrition webpage. At the top of the page, click or hover over School Menus + and then Printable PDF Menus.
Interactive, web-based menus containing nutrient and allergen details are available at MySchoolMenus.com, as well as via links from the F&N webpage.