Shark Bites Special Edition

May 28th 2020

End of Academic Year

As our academic year comes to an end, we take a moment to look back and recognize that we have much to celebrate and many happy memories. We had so many successes and despite the challenges we faced by the pandemic, we continued the work that had to be done to ensure the educational needs of our students.  We accomplished so many things thanks to our wonderful students, faculty and staff, and parent body.  There are countless people to whom we owe an expression of gratitude, but we would particularly like to acknowledge the outstanding leadership of our PALs president (formerly Vice President) Mr. Jimmy Parra over the past five years. Thanks to the PALs, the school was able to purchase student tablets, academic licensing, risers, a stage, bleachers for our gym, and provide appreciation gifts to our teachers.

Our students excelled in so many areas, it is impossible to list them all. These achievements have been in their academic studies, sports, music, the arts to name just a few.  We are incredibly proud of them.  Most notable, our first senior graduating class.  Every week for the second semester we shared with you their accomplishments in Shark Bites.  We are so proud of them and are so excited to see those Sharks excelling in our community.

Over the summer vacation, the administrative team will be working to put into place a smooth opening to the new academic year including creating new policies and procedures to ensure our students’ safety. Avant Garde Academy will always seek for ways to challenge ourselves and our students.  Our vision is to create the highest standards for our students and become recognized as a Lighthouse school in our community.

We would like to wish you all the absolute best for the summer vacation and look forward to welcoming you all back, refreshed and ready, for what will be an exciting, new academic year.

The Avant Garde Administration

Remote Learning What to Expect (Week of June 1st - June 2nd)

K-12 Update

As we reach the end of our last marking period for the current school year, our teachers are getting ready to finalize their grade books. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's grades, now is the time to reach out to your child's teacher directly. 

Report Cards for the 4th quarter will not be printed or mailed out. However, they will be posted on Virtual Counselor by tentatively by Wednesday, June 10th. You may also view your child's grades by accessing Pinnacle.

Food Distribution We will continue to distribute hot lunches and next day breakfasts to school aged children throughout the summer.  All children in the community are eligible for these free meals, they do not need to attend AGA. So tell your neighbors to come by and grab lunch for their children! Lunches are distributed through the bus lane between 10:00 and 1:00 every Monday-Friday.

School Device Return All borrowed school devices must be returned to school on June 4th or June 5th between 10 and 2. Parents will drive through the west side carline and hand devices to staff. Please do not get out of your cars.

8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Information regarding the 8th grade promotion ceremony will be sent home directly to families. Reserve the date of June 5th from 10:00-12:00pm. Additional information will be in the email.

Personal Items

Any personal items that were left at school prior to the COVID 19 temporary school closure will remain at school until reopening in the fall.  This includes folders, notebooks, headphones, items in lockers, spring pictures, etc. A pick up date will be forthcoming once we get closer to the reopening date.

A job well done, but the work continues…Social Emotional Learning

As we near the end of remote learning, take this opportunity to celebrate your hard work. As parents, you embraced your role and collaborated with administration, teachers, and students to ensure a job well done. It was no easy feat, but together we will always achieve more. So, take pride in your contribution and don’t diminish your role. You rocked! 

While we’re on summer break, the learning doesn't stop….it never does. In order for our students to gain the necessary skills necessary for them to succeed in life, requires all of us working together.  Our school has provided programs during the school year  to support students in learning about themselves, understanding and managing their emotions, achieving positive goals, becoming responsible decision makers, being able to show empathy to others, and fostering healthy relationships with peers and teachers. The baton is passed to you, as parents, for the next couple of months. They are looking to you for guidance more than you realize.

As parents, you provide an essential role in providing and nurturing social emotional learning in your children. As the school year comes to an end, we all remain with the uncertainty of not knowing. Being there for our children remains our priority.  

Lower School: • Talk to your children about what emotions are. • Teach them what feelings are. • Be a good listener to them. • Model the behavior you seek. • Nurture your child’s self-esteem. • Respect their differences. • Praise the process, not the outcome.

A job well done, but the work continues…Social Emotional Learning con’t

Upper School: • Encourage their curiosity and exploration. • Don’t push your agenda - they need their own. • Ask them what they are thinking.  Use an emotional

thermometer (degree of feeling) so they can recognize the intensity of feelings.

• Focus on their efforts and accomplishments. • Help them to understand there are natural

consequences for their behavior. • Encourage them to see challenges as an opportunity

for growth • How teens see themselves plays a central role in

their emotional well-being. • Encourage physical activity, connection with family

and friends through social media.

Our counselors are committed to provide additional support through this challenging time. Please email: Upper School Counselor:  Dr. Harper at:  drmharpersaint-jean@agabroward.org Elementary School Social Worker: Judy Rubino: jrubino@agabroward.org

Students who have already purchased an upper school yearbook may pick up between 9:00-am - 1:00pm. Anyone who wants to purchase a book in cash $65, must arrive between 1:00 - 2:00pm only. Only 50 books remaining.

To purchase before Wednesday, visit  yearbookforever.com Code: AGAUPPER

Lower School Yearbook The books are due to arrive at the end of next week. An email will go out to all K-5 parents letting you know when they can be picked up for those who have already purchased.

To purchase ahead of time, visit yearbookforever.com Code: AGALOWER. $48

AGA Seniors Win College Scholarships   Avant Garde Academy Foundation Inc.  Congratulations to  Jennifer Fanea and Alex Cortes for winning the Helen C. Gonzalez Entrepreneurial  Scholarship sponsored by the Avant Garde Academy Foundation, Inc. which was founded by Frances and Frank Bolanos.The foundation generates and distributes financial resources for the benefit of students, families and staff of Avant Garde Academy schools and targeted communities. This scholarship is awarded to students who attend an Avant Garde Academy school, plan to attend an accredited college or university, have a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate good character and possess evidence of leadership abilities. Each scholarship award is $2,500.   Florida Bright Futures  Congratulations to Alex Cortes, Oliver Crawford, Jennifer Fanea and Elijiah Kearney-Tate for winning a Florida Medallion Scholarship from the State of Florida. Florida Medallion Scholars achieved a weighted high school grade point average of 3.00, earned an SAT score of 1170 or higher, or an ACT score of 26 or higher and accumulated 75 or more volunteer service hours. Florida Medallion scholarships cover 75% of tuition and fees at Florida colleges and universities.  Bright Futures scholarships renew automatically each year if the student maintains the required GPA and earns the required credit hours.   Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools AGA High School Administrators have nominated Beatriz Gonzalez and Jennifer Fanea for the merit-based Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarship announced by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. Candidates who attend consortium member schools with strong academic records and demonstrated financial need are recommended to receive $1,500 to be used towards tuition, books, room and board, transportation and other college-related fees. Award winners will be announced in June.   Kiwanis of Hollywood Scholarship Congratulations to Jennifer Fanea and Ashleigh Sanjur for winning the Mary and Ken Rhodes Kiwanis of Hollywood Scholarship in the amount of $1,500 each. This scholarship is awarded to students who are in the top 25% of their graduating class and need financial assistance. Broward Education Foundation Applicants Each year the Broward Education Foundation raises money to provide scholarships for deserving graduating seniors from Broward County Public Schools and helps them attain their dream of attending colleges by providing scholarships.  The following students have submitted complete applications for scholarships. Although award announcements have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic it is important to recognize their eligibility.  They are: Ashley Coronel, Alex Cortes, Jennifer Fanea, Beatriz Gonzalez, Isabella Gonzalez-Diaz, Kevin James, Diana Khruslova, Oswald Proano, Ashleigh Sanjur, Ivanova Yanes Broward College Voucher for Excellence Congratulations to Vilma Manzanillo and Emely Rodriguez as recipients of the Broward College Voucher of Excellence.  The voucher covers the full cost of tuition not to exceed 64 credits per student, up to 30 credits per academic year.

Ashley Coronel Alex Cardenas Cortes

Oliver Crawford Jennifer Fanea

Beatriz Gonzalez Isabella Gonzalez Diaz

Kevin James

Diana Khrusolva

Oswald Proano

Ashleigh Sanjur Ivanova Yanes

Vilma Manzanillo

Emely Rodriguez-Abreu

Elijiah Kearney Tate

Computer Science Fundamentals

As we close out the year, I want to say that this has been a very exciting journey .    Avant Garde has begun the process of a Computer Science Pathway.   Kindergarten through 5th grade, students are learning Computer Science Fundamentals.  

We cultivate a comprehensive curriculum where students learn the foundation of programming, coding, digital literacy, and internet safety.    In 5th grade, students are prepared with the foundational skills to continue to sixth grade with computer science principles and web development. Avant Garde understands now more than ever that computer science has to be treated as an important paragraph instead of just a footnote.  

Our amazing 5th graders have been exposed to JavaScript, block-based coding, Python, and real-world scenarios to be prepared for next year when they begin game and web development.  

Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year, and 2020-2021 will come with great innovations at Avant Garde Academy. 

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw Challenge of the Week!

For the past three weeks we have learned the importance of Sharpening our Saws. As we continue to renew ourselves in each of the four areas:  physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual we only have one area left to sharpen and it is the spiritual area. Just like a chair, in order to be stable, all four legs need to be in perfect balance! Do not forget that We Must Never Be Too Busy To Sharpen The Saw! This week let's focus on our last area: Sharpening the Saw in the area of soul or spiritual!

Some ideas: • Read inspiring books • Listen to inspiring music • Serve in the community • Meditate • Reflect Now our saws are sharp and we can be productive and give our very BEST! Remember: It is all about, Working Smarter, Not Harder!

MRA Survey As part of the Leader in Me program our school is conducting surveys to learn more about key areas of strength and areas of needed growth in our school. The data from these surveys will also help us track the impacts of the Leader in Me process and implement key practices more fully. In order for us to have a holistic picture of what is going on in our school, we are asking all full-time staff members, parents/guardians, and students in Grade 4 and up to participate.  The survey is completely voluntary and anonymous, but we do hope to get feedback from one member of every household. The survey takes about 12 minutes to complete and will ask questions about your child and about his or her experience in our school. If you have more than one child attending the school, you will be asked to think about the oldest child’s experiences as you answer questions related to his or her growth.

Results will be summarized by grade level and available to the leadership of our school through a password-protected, data-encrypted website. Some group-level results from the MRA may be shared at public meetings like the monthly PALS meeting or with stakeholders like district administrators or community groups that support our school. 

https://www.leaderinme.com/s/avant-garde-acad-of-broward-fl/parent