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Trailblazer Times

January 31, 2025

Trailblazer TimesJanuary 31, 2025

REMINDERS AND UPDATES FROM MRS. WOODALL

I cannot believe January is already over. February is shaping up to be an exciting month at Frontier STEM Academy! From showcasing talent and spreading kindness to celebrating our incredible learners' achievements, there's so much to look forward to. Be sure to mark your calendars for upcoming events, and don’t miss out on important opportunities.


I'm thrilled to announce the launch of our National Technical Honor Society chapter! Applications are due to Mrs. Alsabrook in Room B201 by February 7, 2025. Membership offers incredible opportunities, including scholarships. See the forms and attachments below for more details.


There is still time to register for Parent and Family Engagement's upcoming Parent University session on Internet and Personal Safety on February 21st at R.L. Anderson Education Complex. This important event will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you guide your children in navigating the digital world safely. See the flyer for more details.


Calling all talented Trailblazers! Try-outs for the annual Key Club Talent Show are on February 12th, with the big event happening on March 11th. Learners, be sure to sign up for try-outs here. All proceeds will support Cook Children's—come showcase your skills for a great cause!


Valograms for sale, be sure to spread some love! The Freshman and Sophomore classes will be selling Valograms starting February 12th. Be sure to grab one for a friend, teacher, or someone special!


We appreciate everyone who joined us for PTSA Spirit Night at the Star Center last weekend. Your support helps make a difference for our learners and designers in iSTEM.


Thank you for staying involved and supporting Frontier STEM Academy!


Upcoming Events and Reminders:

  • StuCo is hosting Friday Night Lights at R.L. Anderson Stadium on February 7th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for some Flag Football Fun! Detail to come.
  • StuCo's Valentine's Dance or "A Night in the City" is February 8th from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the school. Details to come!

Happy February! Let's bring in the month in style with STUCO Dress-Up Days!

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS

  • January 17th - February 8th: Ft. Worth Stock Show
  • February 4th @ 5:30 p.m. - All Pro Dad Meeting
  • February 4th @ 6:00 p.m. - PTSA Meeting
  • February 8th - SkillsUSA District Competitions, Various Locations
  • February 8th - German Regional Contest at BBIA/FSA
  • February 8th from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Valentine's Dance at BBIA/FSA
  • February 12th - Talent Show Try-Outs
  • February 13th - Last Day of 4th Six Weeks
  • February 14th - Bad Weather Makeup Day -No School
  • February 15th - 22nd: FFA Week
  • February 17th - Presidents' Day Holiday for Staff & Students
  • February 18th - First Day of 5th Six Weeks
  • February 18th - Ready2Work Expo & Destination Success - Details Coming Soon
  • February 24th - March 1st: Tarrant County Stock Show
  • February 26th - 10th Grade TSI Testing
  • March 5th - 11th Grade SAT Testing

CELEBRATIONS!

Congratulations to all of our future educators! We have 8 FSA learners competing in Galveston February 18th - 19th after qualifying for the state conference.


  • Julianna Abbas
  • Jesse Atkins
  • Emily Linh Mcfeely
  • Mickaella Galicia
  • Amir Ghani
  • Olivia Jackson
  • Sarah Kahn
  • Trish Lam


Our robotics team has grown from 7 to over 35 competitors with 3 teams! The Fighting Pickles, Crusading Cucumbers and Mad Hackers competed last weekend at the First Tech Challenge League Meet. Our very own Crusading Cucumbers qualified for the FTC North Semi-Regional Meet in February! This team was also awarded the Connect Award for reaching out to the community and promoting robotics in STEM. We are so proud of these students and their advisors, Mr. Green and Mrs. Abrams!

COUNSELOR'S CORNER

We are excited to share that your families have received an email from Parent and Family Engagement regarding our second college tour of the year. This is a wonderful opportunity for both students and parents to explore the University of North Texas (UNT) and learn more about the college experience.


Details of the Tour

  • Date: April 10, 2025

  • Departure Time: 8:00 a.m.

  • Return Time: 4:00 p.m.

  • Cost: $20 per person (to cover transportation)

  • Departing Location:
    The Center for the Performing Arts
    1110 W Debbie Ln
    Mansfield, TX 76063


Tour Highlights

  • A 30-minute presentation about UNT's admissions process and financial aid

  • A 60-90 minute walking tour of the campus

  • Lunch at the university cafeteria (participants will be responsible for their own lunch costs)

We will be traveling on a charter bus and space is limited. Registration will open on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Register here.


Seniors - The Texas A&M Engineering Academies have opened their applications from now through June 15. Please see their website for more information and for info session opportunities.


The Scholarships for Military Children program is open to unmarried military dependent children under the age 23 who possess a valid Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card. In addition, a student's parent(s)/sponsor(s) must be one of the following: active duty, reserve/guard, deceased, or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force.


  • Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor’s degree or a community/junior college designed to allow for a direct transfer into a four-year program.

  • High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 basis).


For more information, please see the below website. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, February 12, 2025. https://fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/scholarships-for-military-children/


Seniors Interested in Attending UT Arlington: The next Maverick Experience session is February 15th. Register here https://www.uta.edu/admissions/events/maverick-experience


Benefits of attending this event:

  • On-the-Spot Admissions: Students who bring an official transcript will receive an admission decision that day!

  • Application Fee Waiver: UTA will waive the application fee for all students attending the event (a $75 value).

  • Blaze Forward Program Eligibility: The Blaze Forward Program helps make college more affordable for eligible students by covering the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees. To be considered for the 2025-2026 aid year, students must submit all required admissions documents and financial aid forms by March 1, 2025. Maverick Experience offers the perfect opportunity to begin this process!


Event Highlights:

  • Campus Tour: Students will explore UTA’s campus and see firsthand what life is like as a Maverick.

  • Financial & Scholarship Presentations: Learn about the various financial aid options, including the Blaze Forward Program, and scholarship opportunities.

  • Major-Specific Guidance: Students can meet with representatives from their intended majors to ask questions and get detailed information.


Blaze Forward Program Eligibility (2025-2026):

  • Submit all admissions documents by March 1, 2025 (including a completed FAFSA or TASFA).

  • Be a Texas resident paying in-state tuition.

  • Be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and the TEXAS Grant programs.

  • Have a yearly family income of $100,000 or less.

  • Enroll as a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester).


This event is an excellent opportunity for students and families to get a head start on the application process and ensure they meet the March 1st deadline for the Blaze Forward Program. It’s a great way to learn how UTA can support their academic and financial needs as they prepare for college.

PTSA NEWS YOU CAN USE

Don’t miss our PTSA meeting next week! We will meet on Tuesday, February 4 in room B124. The Frontier/Ben Barber PTSA board meetings will be from 5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., followed by the membership meeting from 6:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Come hear what our PTSA is doing to serve our staff and students and we will have our wonderful counselor, Ms. Roberts came and speak on Course Selection. You do not want to miss this meeting. Email Kristi Ferguson: frontier.benbarber.ptsa@gmail.com with any questions.


We sell cookies every Tuesday & Wednesday morning in the Commons! Two cookies for $2! Our main source of fundraising is generated through our cookie sales! This year we have had difficulty bringing in the needed amount due to various circumstances and we would love to offer you an opportunity to donate to help us meet our fundraising goals. These funds will go towards monthly staff appreciation events and student social activities. If you would like to contribute, please visit this link. To sign up to help with cookies, Click here!


Hey, parents! As you might know we have started an All Pro Dad Chapter here at Frontier STEM Academy! All Pro Dad is a monthly gathering where dads get to spend quality bonding time and build strong relationships with their children! This of course is not limited only to dads, although all children must be accompanied by an adult. All Pro Dad will feature fun activities and a character-based curriculum that helps dads start meaningful conversations with their kids! Stay tuned for information regarding our next meeting and please contact our team captain, Dion Brugger, at Dion.Brugger@familyfirst.net if you would like more information!


Upcoming All Pro Dad Meetings:

February 4th at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

April 15th at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

May 6th at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.


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

This week's teacher of the week was Mrs. Adams! If you see her, make sure to thank her for everything she does for our school!

Click this link to nominate your favorite teacher to get flamingoed! 🦩

STEM SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Kashieka Popkin-Duncan

Ben Barber Innovation Academy Earns AP Computer Science A Female Diversity Award

Please help us congratulate our AP Computer Science A Instruction, Dr. Kashieka Popkin-Duncan, recognized for improving female representation in AP Computer Science A.


Mansfield ISD─Ben Barber Innovation Academy has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA). Schools honored with an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded access to AP computer science courses for female students.


During the 2023-24 school year, 1,153 institutions achieved an AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for CSA, CSP or both courses. Award contenders must either have reached 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or have achieved a percentage of female computer science exam takers that meets or exceeds that of the school’s female population.BBIA was one of only 237 recognized for improving female representation in AP CSA.


“Computer science is the source code of our economy and much of the career landscape,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program. “In the seven years since we began the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award, it’s been heartening to see schools like BBIA welcome so many more young women into this vital field.”


AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. AP CSA, which first debuted in 1988, continues to see an increase in the number of exam test takers. In 2024:


· 98,136 students took the AP CSA exam—more than a 60% increase in participation since 2017.

· 25,811 female students—an 81% increase in female participation since 2017.

Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 161% since 2017, which has broadened STEM career opportunities for more students.


Providing young women with access to computer science courses is critical to ensure gender equity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for computer and mathematical occupations was $104,200 in 2023. However, women represent just 26.9% of the 6.5 million people employed in the same fields.


According to a Google study, 54% of female computer science majors took AP Computer Science A in high school. College Board research about APComputer Science Principles (CSP) also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.


These findings highlight the importance of schools nationwide achieving gender equity in AP computer science classrooms. Female students remain underrepresented in computer science classes, and they account for just 34% of AP CSP participants and 26% of AP CSA participants. The 1,153 schools that receive one of this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Awards inspire and serve as models for all U.S. high schools.

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

It is officially 2025! We know there may be many graduation questions, especially if you are the first learner in your family to graduate from Frontier STEM Academy. The FSA graduation will be held at the Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 22nd at 8:00 p.m. Mansfield ISD will continue to update graduation information on the Mansfield ISD Graduation Information Page. Below is a timeline with some specific information.


First week of March:

  • An email with information on special seating requests will be sent, and
  • Jostens will deliver graduation caps and gowns to FSA.


Mid-March to mid-April: Ms. Fisher, the Class of 2025 sponsor, will collect pictures from parents and learners for the senior slideshow, which will be played at graduation prior to learners entering the auditorium.


First week of April: An email with information on the specific number of tickets each graduate will receive will be sent to learners and families. Please note:


  • Tickets are free and will be distributed at FSA.
  • If a learner is not in good standing academically, absent failing, or owes fines, a hold will be placed on their tickets, and
  • Tickets will be placed in an envelope and learners will draw their tickets out of a bucket and then envelopes with ticket sections (locations) are randomly placed in the bucket.


Early May:


  • An email with a link to help our announcer properly pronounce each graduate’s name will be sent, and
  • Graduation ticket distribution (more information to follow).


Thursday, May 22nd at 8:00 p.m.: Frontier STEM Academy Graduation Ceremony 🎈👏🎓

We will continue to provide information and updates as we progress through this semester. We can’t wait for the big day!

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