April 2015 - Freedom Preparatory Academy

Ne w sl et te r fo r Fr e ed o m Pr e p ar a to r y A cad e my
www.freedomprep.net
April 3, 2015
F R E E D O M F LY E R
From the Director’s Desk...
Dear Freedom Prep Parents,
Elementary School
Edition
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 3rd
11th Grade Tour of UVU
(School Dress Required)
April 6th - 10th
Spring Break
No School
April 17th
7th - 9th Grade Spring
Activity
(See website for more details)
10th - 11th Grade Prom
(See website for more details)
Our Eagles are soaring this month in so many
areas. Here is an update as we dive into April.
We held our first National Honor Society induction ceremony and have an impressive group
of sophomores and juniors participating as we
move forward. This is a significant step for FPA
and we appreciate our advisors for supporting
this opportunity for our high school students.
Rebekah Reno placed first at the state engineering competition with her essay on technology/
engineering. She has been invited to participate
in the national competition this June!
Amanda Day, a fifth grade student in Mrs. Mitchell’s class recently demonstrated her scientific
skills at the Central Utah Science Fair held at
BYU. This is a quote from her mother Heather,
who sits on our Governing Board:
“We were invited to attend the awards ceremony
held yesterday evening at Orem High School,
not knowing the final results of the competition
ahead of time. Amanda did amazingly well and
she proudly represented Freedom Preparatory Academy. She was competing with almost
600 remaining competitors who had advanced
through several levels of competition (including
school, district and regional contests). Incredibly,
Amanda won the Grand Champion award in her
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category! There was a total of 110 awards presented in the ceremony, and Amanda’s Grand
Champion Award was presented at the very
end, as the highest possible achievement for all
of Central Utah. She received a nice trophy and
won $60. She was so excited to receive such a
great honor! (Sadly, she cannot advance to the
next level of competition because only 6th graders or older are eligible).”
The following day, Mr. Renda took the combined
choir to competition. He said, “Our Freedom
Prep Choir received “Excellent” and “Good”
ratings at the Charter School Choir Festival. We
received very complimentary reviews of our
performance from both the audience members
and judges.
We recognize the diligent work of
everyone involved and the growth
that is taking place this year. We
expect both of these programs to
be highly sought after each year
at the school. The Shakespearean actors and actresses have
just completed performing “The
Taming of the Dude” to enthusiastic audiences. Mr. Stringham
always does a fine job with these
budding performers.
Way to go, Amanda. We can’t wait to see what
the future holds for you and our other young
scientists.
Andrew Wilding, Brynn LaFleur and Sadie McGinn also participated at this level.
Mr. Stan Renda, our orchestra and choir teacher
has been very busy recently getting his combined secondary school choirs and orchestra
prepared for state competitions. They treated
the school community to a fine concert last
week and then competed in Salt Lake Valley this week. The orchestra received overall
“Superior” ratings or “I’s” from the judges at
the Utah Charter School Orchestra Festival.
This rating is the
absolute highest
score an ensemble can achieve
at competitions
and festivals The
orchestra included 8 high school
students, 5 junior
high students,
and 6 elementary
school students
who are students
of Mrs. Tullis, our
elementary music
teacher. Mr. Renda
said, “Considering we were being
judged against advanced high school orchestras
prior to our performance, we held strong and
were able to perform at the highest level! One
of the judges wrote on his score sheet - ‘Well
prepared! Best performance here!’”
Everyone is delighted with the increase of concert etiquette recently. Our expectations of
audience manners when attending school productions and performances should continue to
improve in the future. We will be including a
handout in our
printed programs
so everyone will
know the expectations.
Our Leadership
Days on March 24
were outstanding
in every way. The
students gave
performances and
shared talents
demonstrating the
growth of our 7
Habits program.
As Leader In Me
schools, we will
have a Leadership Day each year. They will be
totally student run and showcase our young and
capable leaders in all areas. Thanks to those of
you who attended. The Governor sent regrets
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but wished us the best. Senator Margaret Dayton who had planned to attend, called expressing her apologies and said she keeps hearing so
many wonderful things about Freedom Prep.
We know she will visit one day soon. Provo
Mayor John Curtis did attend the secondary
program and was duly impressed with everything. Thanks to our Lighthouse Teams at both
schools for leading and lighting the way. We
are on the way!
And finally, we are pleased to announce that
the State Charter Board has approved our application for a satellite school. This K-5 school
will be built in the Vineyard/Orem area where
new growth and development is taking place.
The Governing Board and administration determined that it was the appropriate time to
submit an application for expansion. Our school
is one of the highest performing, longest running charter schools in Utah. It is successful at
all levels and our wait lists are very long each
year. The Charter Board applauded our K-12
model, vision and success. The final step is the
nod from the State Education Board early this
month, after which we will hold an informational meeting for all
parents. At this point,
we do not have the
location selected nor
any design or work
in process pending
that last step. We have
completed in-depth
studies on population
and business growth,
transportation and
development of Utah
Valley for the next
25-40 years. We will
share all of that with
you soon.
Our Accreditation two day evaluation will
be wrapped up as you read this. This two
year journey has been one of self-reflection
and gathering data in all areas to review what
makes Freedom a
great school. This
process takes place
every five years.
More details in next
month’s newsletter.
Soccer season is underway, after school
classes and plays are
in progress, field trips
and last quarter learning are all in progress.
Children are thriving
in our special learning environment.
Parents are highly engaged and completing
their 40 hrs. of volunteer service and their $200
donation.
Best wishes to the students traveling to Washington D.C. and to France this month. We all
wish we were with you.
Second semester teacher evaluations are continuing and interviews are taking place this
month to fill our few openings for the 2015-16
year. We will have teacher assignments in May
and teacher requests will be send out the end
of May for the elementary parents.
Enjoy Spring break April 6-10. Everyone deserves a nice break from routine and will come
back refreshed and invigorated, ready to tackle
the work and activities that will see us through
the end of this school year.
We thank our ever diligent Governing Board
members for their dedication and support.
They keep our vision bright and support our
every effort to take Freedom Prep to the greatest heights.
Sincere regards,
Mrs. Herring
Executive Director
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Volunteer Opportunity
Beauty and the Beast Jr.
We need parent volunteers to help during our
morning pick up (7:50 am – 8:20 am) If you
are interested and can help during this time,
please contact Mrs. Walters at:
Date: April 16th & 17th
Time: 7:30 PM at the Elementary School
Place: 1190 West 900 North, Provo, UT
Tickets $2 at the door
Children 3 and younger FREE
[email protected]
Or contact the front office. Thank you!
To All Parents:
Our secondary Special Education department
has created a tool for all parents at the following address:
Leadership Day Survey
Below is a link for a brief survey of the Elementary School’s Leadership Day. If you
attended Leadership Day at the Elementary
School, please fill out our brief survey by Friday, April 3, 2015. We appreciate your help!
my.uen.org/myuen/57265/4
A list of all teachers and many of their current
assignments is posted. We are sure that it will
help students who have difficulty with organization and help parents verify student reports
of assignments.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6DFNB67
We depend upon teachers to provide the information to us. It may not be completely comprehensive, but we try to maintain a current
listing for every class. We are sure to improve
as time goes on.
ESU Yard Sale Fundraiser
Now accepting donation of your unwanted
items. Yard Sale will be on May 16 (Sat). Please
bring items to the front office at the secondary
school.
Mr. Jerry Timothy
Future Authors Guild
The Future Authors Guild meets each Wednesday at 3:15. Students, parents and teachers
are welcome to come. Bring 4-5 pages
(double-spaced) of your story. We meet
in Mr. Timothy’s class room. This week,
we will listen to a short podcast about
“The Problem of Originality.” Those that
are not participating in the contests can
come for free.
Attention: We have some valuable items
that were left at the school during the
book fair and leadership day. Please contact the elementary office if you misplaced
anything during those activities.
We have critiqued The Infinite Sphere, Don’t
Break My Heart Peter Pan, The Perfect Storm, Blue
Night Garden, and The Extremities of Love.
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5th Annual Walk-A-Thon
Learning About the State of Matter
We are excited to announce that the fifth annual
Freedom Walk-A-Thon fundraiser will be held
on Friday, April 17, 2015! This is the PTO’s
only fundraiser for the entire year. Before the
Walk-A-Thon, students will seek pledges from
family, friends, or neighbors. Then, on the day
of the Walk-A-Thon, each class will have 30
minutes to walk, jog, or run as many laps as
they can. Parents and other family members
are invited to join their children in walking.
Miss Buchanan’s class loved learning about
the states of matter! They were able to see how
dry ice (a solid) and water (a liquid) can form a
giant bubble filled with air (a gas) in a bowl!
There are 3 grand prizes for the top fundraisers
in the school including 4 tickets to the Stadium
of Fire, a Hot Air Balloon Ride, and a Kindle
Fire Kids Edition! In addition, there are prizes
for every class with over 80% participation, a
drawing for every student who participates in
fundraising with tons of awesome prizes, and
great prizes starting at $10.00 of fundraising
such as free dress days, homework passes,
and extra recess. Our school goal is to raise
$10,000.00 and we know that every donation
big and small can make a difference.
Copies of the pledge form and a letter with
more information will be sent out with the
school email and hard copies of both will also
be sent home with your student. Happy Fundraising and hope to see you Friday, April 17,
2015!
Walk-A-Thon Schedule:
8:40 am - 9:10 am
10:25 am - 10:55 am
11:00 am - 11:30 am
11:35 am - 12:05 pm
12:10 pm - 12:40 pm
12:45 pm - 1:15 pm
1:20 pm - 1:50 pm
1:55 pm - 2:25 pm
2nd Graders
AM Kindergarten
4th Grade
1st Grade
PM Kindergarten
3rd Graders
5th Graders
6th Graders
We love science!
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Regional Spelling Bee
Dear Parents and Faculty,
I learned this morning that Vikram Athithan
(4th grade; Karla Kay Snow’s class) took 5th
place at the Regional Spelling Bee held at UVU
Saturday.
He is a tremendous talent and a determined
learner. For those of you at FPA1, please congratulate him when you see him today and
throughout the week. He worked hard at this.
For those at FPA2 may not have known, but
our school spelling bee champion, Simon
Handford (8th grade), moved out of state and
could not make the regional bee. Ultimately, the lot fell to young Vikram, and he took
up the torch running. We still have to wait 3
years(!) until we see him here.
Joseph Ponczoch
Latin Teacher
Freedom Preparatory Academy
More Leadership Day Photos...
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where
he stands in moments of comfort, but where he
stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
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If your actions inspire others to dream more,
learn more, do more and become more, you are
a leader.
~John Quincy Adams
Boxtops for Education
Don’t forget that the Passive Fundraising
committee comes around each month to collect
and award prizes to the class with the most, so
keep clipping and collecting!
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Dear Students and Parents,
We are pleased to announce that Freedom’s Annual Walk-a-thon Fundraiser will be held on Friday,
April 17, 2015!
This is the only fundraiser the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) holds each year and directly
benefits our students as all funds from this fundraiser go to supporting student events such as Red Ribbon
Week, Love of Reading Week, the Spelling Bee, class parties, and the Inspirations Fine Arts Contest.
Prior to the walk-a-thon, we encourage each student to seek pledges from family, friends, and
neighbors for either a flat donation or a donation per lap and fill out the attached pledge form.
On the day of the walk-a-thon, every Freedom Academy student will have 30 minutes to walk, jog,
run, or race as many laps as they can around our school’s quarter-mile playground track.
After the walk-a-thon, your student will receive a certificate of participation showing how many laps
they completed. Students will then use their pledge forms to collect the funds, then turn the funds and the
pledge form into your student’s teacher by Thursday, April 30th.
All donation amounts are accepted; remember even small donations can make a big difference. In
addition, we have fantastic prizes to encourage some serious fundraising and school-wide participation!
2015 WALK-A-THON PRIZES
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EACH CLASS that has 80% of the students turn in a donation and pledge form (no matter the donation amount)
will receive a CLASS FREE DRESS DAY for their class.
EACH STUDENT who turns in a donation of any amount and pledge form will be entered into a drawing for
awesome prizes like movie passes, fun center passes, rock climbing passes, desserts, meals, and more!
EACH STUDENT who raises $10.00 will earn a FREE DRESS DAY.
EACH STUDENT who raises $20.00 will earn a FREE DRESS DAY & a HOMEWORK PASS.
EACH STUDENT who raises $30.00 will earn a FREE DRESS DAY, a HOMEWORK PASS, & EXTRA
RECESS.
The TOP EARNER IN EACH GRADE will also be invited to a PIZZA PARTY with DIRECTOR HERRING
in the TEACHER’S LOUNGE during school.
THE BOY AND GIRL who walk the most laps in each class will receive a prize-ribbon and a special privilege
from their teacher.
The THREE TOP EARNERS IN THE SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
GRAND PRIZES!*
o 4 Tickets to the Stadium of Fire
o A Hot Air Balloon Ride for the Student and a Guest
o An Amazon Kindle Fire Kids Edition
*The 1st place winner will choose first; the 2nd place second; the 3rd place third; please note if you are eligible for a
grand prize, you are not eligible for top grade earner prize.
We encourage family members to come walk, jog, or run with your student. Strollers are also
welcome. A donation table will be set-up on the day of the event and a $1.00 “walking donation” per
family member joining the students is encouraged and will also be counted towards your student’s
fundraising. The schedule of when each grade will be walking during the school day is on the back side of
this letter so you can plan ahead to join your children.
Our goal is to raise $10,000.00 as a school. If we do, the teachers will come to school dressed in a
school uniform with crazy hair!
Thank you in advance for your support and happy fundraising!
The Freedom Preparatory Academy PTO
FREEDOM ACADEMY WALK-A-THON FUNDRAISER PLEDGE FORM
Student Name: _____________________________
Teacher Name: _____________
PLEASE HELP ME RAISE MONEY FOR MY SCHOOL!
Freedom Academy’s Annual Walk-a-thon Fundraiser is an event that directly benefits students by allowing the Parent
Teacher Organization (PTO) to organize events such as Red Ribbon week, Love of Reading Week, a school-wide Spelling
Bee, and the Imaginations Fine Arts Contest.
On the day of the walk-a-thon, each student will have thirty minutes to complete as many laps around the school’s
quarter-mile playground track as they can by walking, jogging, running or racing. Please support our students by contributing
either a flat donation or a pledge per lap completed. You will make your pledge before the walkathon on the sheet below;
the student will then collect funds from you after they have completed the walk-a-thon.
Any and all amounts are accepted. Remember even small donations can add up to make a big difference!
Name
Address & Phone
Flat Donation
Amount OR Pledge
Per Lap Amount
(to be filled out before the
event)
AMOUNT
COLLECTED
(to be filled out
after the event)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
TOTAL
Parents, please help your student count and
enter the total amount collected.
*Please make checks out to “Freedom Preparatory Academy.”
STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS:
*Please fill out this form before the walk-a-thon, but note that you do not need to turn it in to the school until after the event.
*If you have more than 9 sponsors, copy this page or pick up an additional page from the front office.
*When turning in Pledge Forms, please place all cash and checks in one envelope and staple the envelope to the Pledge Form.
*All Pledge Forms and Donations are due to your student’s teacher Thursday, April 30, 2015 by 3:00 p.m. in order to
be eligible for prizes.
Freedom Academy proudly presents:
Beauty & The Beast Jr.
April 16 & 17, 2015
7:30pm
Freedom Academy
1190 W 900 N, Provo Utah
Tickets $2 at the door
Children 3 and younger FREE.