IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER Issue 1 Fall 2013 STUDENTS WORK HARD DURING STUDY CAFГ‰ IN THIS ISSUE Edgenuity: Helpful Tips VIEWING THE ASSIGNMENTS CALENDAR You can view the assignments for each day by following the directions below: 1) Click on вЂњOrganizerвЂќ (top right corner) 2) Click on "Reports" 3) Click on "Assignment Calendar" on to the next topic until you make a 70 or higher on the assessment. TO SEE GRADED ASSIGNMENTS and TEACHER COMMENTS: To see your graded assignments, click on вЂњOrganizerвЂќ, then вЂњReportsвЂќ, then вЂњScores and Scroll through each course to see what to do for FeedbackвЂќ. You can select the course you want to see the assignments for. Click on the that day in order to stay on target. assignment name and you can view the questions & answers. The meter is also a useful tool: Green= you're ahead TECHNICAL ISSUES Blue= you're on target 1) Switch to Mozilla Firefox Red= you're falling behind 2) Check your plugins (directions below) 3) Clear cached memory (directions below) WRITTEN RESPONSES The written responses are usually computer 4) Make sure not to open any additional graded, based on your use of complete sentences browsers while youвЂ™re taking a quiz/test. This and key terms. To ensure the highest grade, use can cause the system to automatically submit several key terms from that lesson. If you get a your assessment, which sometimes grade that is lower than you think you deserve, automatically gives you a 0. just email the teacher and ask them to manually grade your response. ***TO CHECK PLUG-INS*** Click on "Resources", then "Check Plugins". NOT MOVING ON This will ensure that you have all the necessary Whenever you make less than a 70 on an software to run the videos. assessment (quiz/test) you need to review your results, go back over topics that you need help ***CLEAR CACHED MEMORY*** on, and contact your teacher for help on Hit "Control-Shift-Delete"... a little box should anything you still donвЂ™t understand. When youвЂ™re pop up... change the Time frame to ready, your teacher can give you an additional "Everything"..... UNCHECK "Active Logins", retake on that quiz. You wonвЂ™t be able to move make sure the one that says "Cookies" and "Cache" ARE CHECKED. Hit "Clear Now". Advice from Real Students Page#2 Tricks from the trade on being an online student. Summer 2013 Page#3 What did IA students do over the summer? The GHP Experience Page#4 Jumpstart Page#5 Technology & Arts Page#6 The Voice Behind Siri All Things Tech You Ought to Know Artist Anime and Conventions Getting to KnowвЂ¦ Page#7 Experiencing Spelman Page#9 Thought of the Month Page#10 Interpreting your Grade Calendar Page#12 Study Cafe Page#13 Tips for Parents Page#14 Page#11 IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 2 Advice from Real Students Tired of hearing advice from your parents and teachers? Here are a few words of wisdom from real Impact students. each lesson you do or another assignment that you complete is вЂњI have a filing bin that is my SAVIOR!!! I call another it my "homeschooling locker". I like to take step closer to being a old quizzes from the last chapter that's good hardworking and excelling to study and notes I took during the lesson, student.вЂќ so each subject I have, I keep a separate -Haley Biles, 9th grade folder for each one. When taking notes always just abbreviate the When taking notes words and always just personalize them abbreviate the words Most of the time it to you. My and personalize вЂњWell, I normally do whatever you want. I have found shouldn't take more weakness was that them to you. go to the that if I focus completely on a course than at most 45 I would write assignment with no distractions, the minutes per section, down every single step and detail and I calendar and write assignments take only about an hour from vocab to quiz. realized that doing that it took me twice as down the things I long to finish a lesson. and a half to complete. have for that day, along with the number of minutes the direct instructions are. I Being a student we have a lot of other Also, take breaks! I know that my just cross off as I go, and when I get past interests and distractions, especially when brain becomes overwhelmed sometimes the practice, I take about a five minute working at your house. Working in a loud if I do too many subjects' assignments in break to let it all soak in and go over the room or in your house can be very one sitting, so I usually go get a snack answers. Then I go on to the quiz/test. If distracting, so I recommend going in your and just chill out for a few minutes so my you fail the test the first time, just go room and sitting at a desk or table and this brain can re-coop, which makes it so back to the direct instruction and take a really helps yourself to really focus on much easier for me concentrate on my few more notes. Most of the time it lessons and work. These are some of my tips work. A big part of me staying on track shouldn't take more than at most 45 that have is, of course, my mom; she stays on me minutes per section, from vocab to quiz.вЂќ вЂ¦each lesson you do or really th and makes sure I don't get behind and -Daniel Donoghue, 10 grade another assignment that you helped that I have finished all of my complete is another step me assignments for the day. These things closer to being a hardworking through really do help me get through the day and excelling student. doing and actually make my life a whole lot this school. Always keep a good attitude and вЂњGet rid of any distractions, like cell easier and hopefully they could help don't set your mind on negative thoughts of phones, television, loud noises etc. Time someone else too.вЂќ being behind or failing each subject or just management is really important too, you th having a bad grade in one subject, just keep -Kathryn Jones, 11 grade don't want to spend several hours in one focusing and always keep a thought that course if unnecessary, because then you'll be up all hours of the night working which will definitely affect you in the morning (this has happened to me a few times). It feels so much better when you finish your assignments early Get rid of any and you have the distractions, like rest of the day to cell phones, television, loud noises etc. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 3 Summer 2013 вЂњThis is me riding a horse named Austin this summer. He's a 16.1 hand (one hand is four inches), six year old appendix quarter horse (Quarter Horse/ Thoroughbred). I am training him, with the help of my amazing instructor, to become a hunter/ jumper show horse. We both still have a long way to go, but with every ride we take, we are getting better! I am so blessed to have a horse as great as Austin to ride.вЂќ Photos of Kalila JonesвЂ™ trip to Manhattan. -Julie Mitchell, 9th grade вЂњOver the summer I rode the subway to Manhattan in New York with my family because we usually drive there. We ate at Hard Rock Cafe, and went to Madame Tussauds. I had a lot of fun there, so that was something interesting and fun I did over the summer.вЂќ -Kalila Jones, 11th grade вЂњI went on a summer long mission trip this past summer to Scotland, but was deported after not having the right visa to do the work. So my team and I were re-commissioned to Indiana where we went to different county fairs, and did surveys for our ministry, and shared Christ with them that way.вЂќ вЂќI went to Panama City and watched the sunset from our balcony.вЂќ th -Carrie Thompson, 9 grade th -Christopher Slaughter, 11 grade IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 4 The GovernorвЂ™s Honors Experience by Abigail Biles The unofficial slogan of GHP for more years than anyone is willing to admit, is вЂњa life changing experience.вЂќ Though it sounds overworked and hyperbolic, it is GodвЂ™s honest truth. Never before have done anything that changed me in more ways than one, nor do I expect to find another place that will rework me as an individual and modern thinker. For those who donвЂ™t know, the GovernorвЂ™s Honors Program is a four week (previously sixweek) summer program in which GeorgiaвЂ™s best and brightest in areas ranging from mathematics to dance are brought together in Valdosta to share this вЂњlife changing experience.вЂќ Upcoming juniors and seniors are nominated through their school to go through various rounds of interviews (school, county, and state) which will ultimately lead up to the summer long program. Students are "GHP freed me from all sorts of inhibitions I didn't even know I had." nominated in common core subjects such as math, science, social studies, communicative arts (aka English), and foreign language as well as other areas that include fine arts, dance, music (instrument and vocal), and technology. Every year, thousands of hopeful students vie for the 600 spots. Once chosen through the rigorous fall and winter interview sessions, students are sent to Valdosta State University where they will live, dine, work, and play on campus for four weeks. Students are given the full span of the college experience which includes dining halls, laundry rooms, dorms and common bathrooms, roommates, homework (especially the comm arts kids!), with sprinklings of informational and fun seminars, concerts, plays, and even exercise programs. Students also participate in a minor that they chose the second day of the program. As you might guess, not one moment of GHP is boring. Every second is action-packed and entertaining, all the while being insanely informational. I was chosen as an upcoming senior to participate in GHP 2013, which was also the 50th anniversary of the program. I went in the area of communicative arts, and arrived in Valdosta knowing only the six other students from Union Grove who were chosen to attend. I was saddled with a fabulous roommate (weвЂ™ve dubbed ourselves Jo March and Tour Guide Barbie) who was a social studies major, though the dorm left plenty to be desired. I shared a hall and bathroom with about forty other girls and it was a very entertaining experience. Every day except Sunday, students would go to a four hour long session in their major, followed by lunch and then a two hour session in their minor. The afternoon and evening was left to dinner, seminars, lawn jam sessions, and hanging out with the amazing people you shared the вЂњMagic SquareвЂќ (our campus) with. As a communicative arts major, every week I chose two classes to participate in. Everything from playwriting to feminism to the Godfather to surrealism was offered and often the decision for only two of the available twelve classes was a painful one. The instructors both taught and mentored us all the while encouraging us to broaden our minds and hearts to new and strange concepts. While we were often given homework (this weekend you should: write a play, read an entire novel, write ten poems, write and deliver a speech about carrots), it was never arduous or uninteresting. GHP communicative arts changed my perception of my environment, my world, my values, and more importantly myself. By the end of the journey, I was reading my personal poetry to a packed house of strangers at coffeehouse night, and making strangers into dear friends. I found my favorite book in the world in the feminism class, learned to read and understand ancient Anglo-Saxon poetry, and met one of my now life-long mentors in everything empowering. As a GHP participantвЂ”no, aficionadaвЂ”I learned how to be an independent person (as mom wasnвЂ™t around to wash my clothes or make my meals), how to be a free thinker, how to interact and engage with new people (as no one at GHP is a stranger), and appreciate all kinds of people, ideas, music, literature, movements, and so much more. Between bouts of вЂњSpeed FriendingвЂќ with three hundred people, learning to waltz like a nineteenth century debutant, impromptu West Lawn concerts where people would literally come out of the woodworks with strange instruments and harmonize with strangers like they had known each other forever, I was learning how to be myself, and that is a gift that I will never be able to repay GHP. In high school, with people youвЂ™ve likely known most of your life, itвЂ™s hard to reinvent yourself. ItвЂ™s hard to escape the fads and trends that dictate how students act and interact. ItвЂ™s hard to blossom into yourself when youвЂ™ve got one thousand people trying to all be the same. ItвЂ™s hard to find what you love when youвЂ™re forced into hours of pointless homework and boring core subjects. In GHP, I was whoever I wanted to be. In GHP, I never felt pressure to act one way or be one way because every single person was their own person, someone new and eccentric and unique. In GHP, I found that I am a feminist, a lover of people and life, a poetry novice, a budding hero of the world if I wanted to be. In GHP, I found that English is the only subject that enraptures my entire being and soul and self and that itвЂ™s the only path that I can ever take in life. If given the opportunity, I hope you seize it. Go to GHP, learn to be yourself, learn to appreciate this crazy world and all the crazies in it, learn to love what you love without worrying what someone else will think. Even if you never get the chance to go to GHP, donвЂ™t think yourself missing out. It doesnвЂ™t take an honors program to strike a match to set your passion on fire. It only takes you. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER Welcome to Jumpstart for Impact academy! by Malkah Lyons During the summer, Impact Academy hosted a one-day event for students to learn about how the program works. I have to admit, I didnвЂ™t feel like going. I was on summer vacation, hanging out with friends, and they expect me to come in for school? However, in the end, I was glad I went. The day was broken into two main parts. During the morning hours, we were split into groups and rotated between three different sessions. The first place my group went to was the gym. We met with more experienced Impact students who gave us tips on how to stay on track with our work and what to do if we need help. We also played games to get to know each other. Next, we traveled to the computer lab where we learned how to log into Edgenuity. Edgenuity is the website where you can find most of your classwork, and your grades. During the last session, we met with Ms. Malone to go over our schedules. Once we finished the morning sessions, we had a break. IвЂ™m proud to say I saw Issue 1 a few familiar faces from the previous school year. However, I also saw people I didnвЂ™t know but had common interests with and we became friends. After the short snack break, we were told there would be a competition. The teams that finished first, second or third had a chance to get a prize. We received brief instructions from Ms. Cwetna about a scavenger hunt which they called, The Amazing Race. They put us in groups of four or three and off we went! During the Amazing Race, we completed several tasks in order to receive a clue word. Once we received all of the clue words, we had to rearrange them to answer the question, вЂњWhatвЂ™s great about virtual schools?вЂќ During the scavenger hunt we sent emails, located the link for online tutoring with Mr. Matthews, sent a text message to Ms. Allen listing all the parts of an email, reenacted a historical pose and texted it to Mr. Fenn, and even had to call Ms. Massie or Ms. Theodocion and sing our favorite song. All of this was fun, and very tiring! When it was all over, we met back into the gym and they gave out the awards. Sadly, my team didnвЂ™t get a prize but we did learn how Impact Academy works and how kind our teachers are. I went home that day with more knowledge than I came in with, and new friends. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 The Voice Behind Siri 6 TECHNOLOGY AND ARTS NEWS by Anthony Johnson Apple launched the iPhone 4S on Oct. 4, 2011. Within this phone was an automated personal assistant commonly known as Siri. Susan Bennett recently came out as the voice of Siri. For the iPhone & iPad, Bennett was the voice of Siri for her first 2 years of existence. However, since Apple recently launched a system upgrade, iOS 7, new voices were recorded for Siri. Bennett is from Atlanta and has lived in this area for a while as she has done work in numerous recordings. She has recorded for Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, and Adult Swim. Susan Bennett recorded the words of Siri in a studio in Atlanta back in 2005. Bennett was not updated or was given any information of what would be done with the sound clips. However, when the iPhone 4S was announced in September 2011, she found out what her words were being used for. All Things Tech "It has been an absolute whirlwind. It's been overwhelming and unexpected.вЂќ she said, backstage at the Latifah show. "It will continue to get smoother and sound less robotic," she says. "Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be able to put your own voice into the phone and tell yourself where to go." Bennett assumes voice-assisted technology will enhance and become better in coming years. Siri was AppleвЂ™s major addition to the iPhone. From the announcement in September, to the release in October of 2011, Siri was highly anticipated in social media, and was a common, household name. Whether itвЂ™s getting from place to place, looking up information, or just wanting to get a laugh, Siri can accompany that and much more. by Troy Hicks With the holidays just around the corner, technology companies are working hard to get shoppers to buy their products. Apple, Windows, and Samsung are rolling out new products while retailers are rolling out new deals to get the shopperвЂ™s business. These new deals can be found in commercials, online advertisements, newspaper advertisements, and radio advertisements. All you have to do is turn on the TV, computer, or radio to find these deals. Apple recently came out with the new iPhone 5c and 5s along with a new operating system, iOS7, that millions downloaded for free. There is a shortage of iPhones in stores but if you want to order one, you can get on a waiting list and surely have your iPhone just in time to wrap it up as a gift for a loved one. Both iPhones come in different colors and different gigabytes. The color option is something new for Apple. Buyers are urged to take advantage of the opportunity for customization of their most popular gadget. There is also the new iPad mini coming out soon. Rumor has it that the iPad mini will come in different colors, like its sister products the iPhone and iPod. Microsoft Windows has a new Nokia Lumina phone on sale now along with a new Windows tablet. The new operating system is available also, with a bunch of new features such as custom ringtones, the ability to close apps quickly, and a new processor. The operating system for the phone and tablet is the same Windows 8 operating system for your laptop or desktop. Samsung released the new Galaxy S4 phone this past summer and is still very popular in terms of sales. The Galaxy S3 tablet comes in three different screen sizes with the option to add gigabyte space. Then thereвЂ™s the Galaxy Note 3. These products run on the Android operating system. These items make great gifts for students, not-so-tech-savvy parents, and really anyone looking for the convenience of having a computer small enough to fit in their purse or back pocket. They are lightweight and donвЂ™t have to be booted up the way a laptop does. There are millions of apps that will allow the user to study, complete work, or just entertain themselves when bored. Though these items are different, they all have the same goal- to make life more convenient for the user. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 7 You Ought to Know Artist by Abigail Biles raw and honest, each more tantalizing than the last. OdellвЂ™s distinctive voice, bordering on sharp, gives a certain vitality and rawness to each song, whether it be a lovesick ballad or empowering foot-stomper. foreign films sound dreadfully romantic cements his abilities to write love songs outside the norm that will leave the listener feeling desperate for OdellвЂ™s reunion with his unnamed lover whom he croons about not realizing he loved until she was gone. Most notable of the tracks, вЂњAnother LoveвЂќ, the most popular track on the album, weaves delicate piano riffs with aching vocals as Odell croons about being too empty from his last relationship to start another. The ballad mixes with perfection aggressively honest statements with poetic verses as he attempts to ask for forgiveness from his suitor. With the release of his first studio album, Long Way Down, in September of this year, Tom Odell has thrust himself into the world of the alternative singer/songwriter genre with surprising ability. The 23 year old Brit previously released Songs from Another Love, a collection of a few songs, and won a BritвЂ™s CriticвЂ™s Choice award last year. Long Way Down perfectly blends rock, ballads, and alternative influences. With each crooning melody, Odell weaves intricate stories of love and loss. Odell leaves listeners with swollen eyes and hearts as his vocals are Also on the album are more gentle tunes such as вЂњHeal,вЂќ вЂњSense,вЂќ вЂњSupposed to Be,вЂќ вЂњLong Way Down,вЂќ and вЂњI Think ItвЂ™s Going to Rain TodayвЂќ are great numbers to lull listeners to a gentle sleep. These songs contain that sleepy, drizzly feeling that only British writers and singers can seem to create that will leave one dreaming of misty London streets and foggy English fields. More upbeat than вЂњALвЂќ, вЂњStormsвЂќ combines foot stomping beats with near folky verses. The tune will make listeners want to clap or stomp along to the steady rhythm or run out to seek a raincloud to dance in to wash themselves clean of sorrows. Another notable track, вЂњTill I Lost,вЂќ expresses OdellвЂ™s unique writing abilities. In the rollercoaster tune, Odell weaves a seemingly simplistic Rating: 5 out of 5 stars vision of a romance You Might Also Enjoy: Daughter, that Birdy, Bon Iver, The Lumineers resembles the likes of romantic comedy montages. OdellвЂ™s ability to make coffee stains and Overall, the album is a heartbroken chronicle by Odell that ultimately succeeds. Though some songs can fade into one another in tempo and sound, they are spaced well enough to break up ballads with вЂњscream in the streetsвЂќ British folk tunes. Paired with the excellent music videos which you can find on OdellвЂ™s Vevo channel, the stories in the songs are perfectly displayed as emotional poems set to music. Listeners hope that Odell will soon be at work on a second album, perhaps one of victories in love instead of beautifully tragic losses. Getting to KnowвЂ¦ Dr. Theodocion Name: Kelley Theodocion Hometown: Morrow, GA Alma Mater(s): University of Georgia (ABJ) Walden University (Ed.D.) Favorite book: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Favorite movie: Lincoln Who was your role model when you were growing up and why? My parents вЂ“ my father was the head football coach at Morrow High School, and my mother was a National Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics. Their work was visible to me. After school, I would attend my fatherвЂ™s practices, and every day I watched my mother interact with her customers and team members. I was able to see their work ethic and perseverance first hand. Random fact about yourself: I have always been an avid sports fan, and before I started teaching, I worked as a sportswriter for the Athens (GA) Daily News. However, I never played on a sports team as a youth. I didnвЂ™t have the courage to try out! The most exciting thing you did this summer: I created a YouTube channel for our Impact Academy middle school students. The channel primarily features short clips that th will assist our 8 grade students with their Georgia Studies social studies course. My favorite clip so far is a look at the Okefenokee Swamp. Subscribe to the вЂњKelley TheodocionвЂќ channel! Follow Me: I use social media to enhance student learning, connect with Impact Academy families, and showcase the amazing things our program has to offer. On Twitter: @Impact_Theo On Instagram: ktheodocion IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER Issue 1 Anime and Conventions by Madison Davis Are you an avid lover of cartoons, but are ready for something with more dramatic storylines and action? Do you want to see the vast variety of genres found in live actions shows and movies while viewing the impressive skills of an artist? Then Anime might be the way to go for you! When people think of Anime, they think of just flat out chaotic weird characters and plots, however they neglect to notice the beautiful artwork and lessons put into every show, movie, or comic. It is so much more than what people think, in fact, there is very little different between regular shows seen here in America and Anime; both have diverse genres such as romance, action, adventure, and drama, they also have children, teen, and adult shows as well. The only major differences youвЂ™ll see are cultural, as Anime embodies the pop culture of Japan. If you want a good feel of what Anime really is, you can start your journey with Studio Ghibli. Studio Ghibli can be described as the вЂњJapanese DisneyвЂќ, the ones who showed us the world of Ponyo (2008) which was a childrenвЂ™s movie directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Their most popular movie and by far the most fascinating one to critics is Spirited Away (2001). This incredible film will take you on a magnificent tour of Japanese Culture, adventure, and the detail put behind Anime. But the greatest thing about Anime in my opinion is not the anime itself; itвЂ™s the community of fans that follow it. Many people will argue that the Anime community is one of the friendliest ones you could ever be a part of. You donвЂ™t even have to like Anime to be a part of it! The best way to get involved with these wonderful people is through Anime Conventions. ThereвЂ™s an anime convention going somewhere every weekend in the United States, so itвЂ™s easy to find one. These conventions are filled with endless amounts of activates from vintage arcade games to comedy shows. The best part is meeting hundreds or even thousands of people, all who share your passion for comics, cartoons, Manga, Anime, movies, video games, and more. DonвЂ™t know where to even begin looking for a Convention? Well here in Atlanta there are several conventions that take place, they include Momo Con, Anime Day Atlanta Spring, Seishun Con, Anime Weekend Atlanta, and Anime Day Atlanta Fall. I personally have been to all of these conventions, and each one is a blast! TheyвЂ™re beautifully put together by staff and organizers to provide fans with a great weekend (or day) of endless fun! My personal favorite convention is Anime Weekend Atlanta, the largest convention in Georgia that occurs every fall. As a con goer for three years, I can guarantee you this convention will be one of the greatest Anime conventions you will ever go to. Anime Weekend Atlanta (or AWA for short) holds some of the best panels run in the South, from hilarious вЂњAsk a CharacterвЂќ panels, to the enormous Costume Contest, thereвЂ™s something to for everyone. But if youвЂ™re not a fan of big events, you can simply just arrive at the party to meet new people. I go to anime conventions to show off my costuming (the technical term is вЂњcosplayingвЂќ) and find new people who share my love for my favorite fandoms; trust me, people there are the nicest people you will ever meet. So, never feel youвЂ™re вЂњtoo old for cartoonsвЂќ, вЂ�cause AnimeвЂ™s got you covered! Go out and enjoy the incredible worlds in which these extremely talented artists create for our enjoyment, and go experience the wonderful community of Anime! COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS A Cosplayer shows off an elaborate costume at AWA 2010. Photo courtsey of AWA.com To comment on any of these articles, ask a question, suggest a topic, or even submit your own article, please email Ianewsletter@live.com IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER Experiencing Spelman Issue 1 by Daisha Evans-Graham On October 1, I had the opportunity to tour Spelman College with other Impact Academy students. We had a great time and got a lot of photos and information about the history, start, and special activities of Spelman. A lot of things caught my eye about this school. It was a wonderful, new experience. IвЂ™ve been on a college tour before, but this was one of my favorites. The first thing I liked was visiting Rockefeller Hall. This hall caught my eye because I learned about the historical significance of John D. Rockefeller in my social studies class the last year. Spelman College a four- year liberal arts womenвЂ™s college located in Atlanta, Georgia. The college is a part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC) which is an academic consortium in Atlanta. This college was founded on August 11, 1881 and received its collegiate charter in 1924. It is one of the most historic black colleges for women. The daughters of Bill Cosby, Henry Louis Gates, Gerald Levert, Martin Luther King, Jr., Morgan Freeman, and Sidney Poitier attended Spelman College. The college was named after Laura Spelman, John D. RockefellerвЂ™s wife. She and her parents were longtime activists in the anti- slavery movement. One of the things I found very interesting is that Spelman has an endowment of over $200 million. For those who donвЂ™t know what an endowment is, an endowment is what the college pulls from when they give out scholarships or money to students. The school colors are blue and white and their mascot is the jaguar. The campus currently has over twenty buildings. The building considered most important is SisterвЂ™s Chapel. SisterвЂ™s Chapel was made for Laura Spelman Rockefeller and her sister. They studied, learned, and played in this building. Both of them, and John D. Rockefeller himself, were big on family. They believed that you should value your family because theyвЂ™re the only people who will always have your best interest in mind. Family definitely came first in their minds. While the female students toured Spelman College, the males visited Morehouse College. According to their website, they have students from 40 states and 27 foreign countries. Students who attend Morehouse, the traditionally male school, can take classes at Spelman. Spellman ladies can also attend classes at Morehouse. In a way, itвЂ™s like one big campus. After touring the campuses, we enjoyed lunch at The Varsity. The teachers are planning trips for next semester to two schools in Milledgeville, Georgia College and State University and Georgia Military College. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 10 Thought of the Month As many of you may know, Breast Cancer Awareness is recognized in October. The mission of the National Breast Cancer Foundation is to save lives through early detection and increase awareness through education. According to their website, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is a little-known fact that men, too, can be diagnosed. ItвЂ™s very important that you get regular checkups and do self-exams. If breast cancer runs in your family, your chances of getting it naturally increase. DonвЂ™t think that youвЂ™re too young. To calculate your general risk, go to https://ww w.heredita rycancerqu iz.com/pin klotus. For more information about cancer, visit: www.cancer.gov. Below are the stories of three inspiring women. DonвЂ™t think that youвЂ™re too young. Shirley, 58, is a survivor. вЂњSeven years ago, on ValentineвЂ™s Day, I had a biopsy. I got my results back two days laterвЂ”I had hormone-related cancer in one breast that was about three centimeters in diameter. I wasnвЂ™t really scared! I just thought: this a problem, so what can we do to fix it? Because they also had to remove some of my lymph nodes, on March 13 they extracted a piece as big as a walnut. Although the surgery was successful, the doctors found pre-cancer cells which also required removal. ThatвЂ™s when they wanted me to have a double-mastectomy. Up until that point, I hadnвЂ™t really been bummed out. The cancer was like a bug that I just wanted off of me! I think everyone should know that you help make the decisions! When the doctor says that you have cancer, you should find out what type and research your options. You choose whatвЂ™s best for you and tell them that is what you want to do. Lying in bed for three months to heal from a double mastectomy was not what was best for me, so I told them I just wanted the pre-cancer cells removed! As a result, for the following six years, I alternated between a mammogram and a MRI every six months. I also did 36 weeks of radiation. They prescribed Arimidex which is a low dosage of chemo; a side effect by Paris Hoskins of this medicine is the cause of my earlystage dementia now, so there was a tradeoff. I continued doing what I always did. Staying busy prevented me from thinking about any of it. I knew I was fortunate compared to countless others. Yes, even after seven years thereвЂ™s still a chance that it can come back. If and when it does, then IвЂ™ll face it. I just worry about my three daughters being at risk. ThereвЂ™s no sense in living life if you donвЂ™t enjoy it, so I donвЂ™t lose sleep over these things. Besides, stress is the worst thing for you, because itвЂ™s highly connected to cancer.вЂќ Anonymous is still a fighter. Her great-niece shared her story. вЂњShe was first diagnosed about a year ago and didn't really have time to think about telling the family before her husband posted it on Facebook; that's how we found out. As far as mammograms, I believe that's how the cancer was found. She had a double mastectomy, and afterwards decided to go ahead with cosmetic surgery for implants. Everything that could possibly go wrong with them went wrongвЂ”there was an infection at one point, and then one busted. She just had no luck, but we support every decision she makes as long as she's getting better. It influences me, because every time it pops up in the family, it means mine and my mom's chance of getting Breast Cancer increasesвЂ¦ It's scary. When I was first exposed to it, I guess I was about 8 or 9, so I didn't know how to react. I'm trying to do everything I can to prevent it from happening to me. I get a check up once a year and am careful about what I eat (it's not so easy in college). In the next decade, I'd like to see women being more aware of what's happening in their bodies instead of denying that it could ever happen to them. From what I've seen, many deny anything could go wrong and procrastinate getting it checked out.вЂќ вЂ¦everyone should know that you help make the decisions. Rachael, Feb 11th, 1974 вЂ“ May 2nd, 2013, is an angel. вЂњMomma fought cancer for basically four years. At first, she found a knot in one breast. She reported it to her doctor who confirmed it was cancer. Finding it early definitely helped her beat it, but later it came back,вЂќ her fifteen year-old daughter states. вЂњHer doctor didnвЂ™t send her to get mammograms or MRIs every six months. We didnвЂ™t even know that she was supposed to have them until it was too late! We thought the cancer would justвЂ¦ be gone. This time, the cancer spread to her lungs, brain, spine, pelvis and hip. Doctors estimated that she wouldnвЂ™t have long to liveвЂ¦ But Momma sure showed them! She was doing chemotherapy which really made her tired. My sister went every single time. It was important to us to help take care of and support her throughout the fightвЂ”thatвЂ™s what I think kept her faith. Nothing really changed around our house; she was the same person as before. Momma kept a positive attitude. IвЂ™m so proud of her for not giving up! Processed foods have a connection to cancer, so I eat them moderately and only drink water to help reduce my risks. In the next decade, I would like for them to find a sure cure so that no one elseвЂ™s loved ones have to suffer.вЂќ RachaelвЂ™s mother, Betty, shared her inspiration, вЂњShe was what kept me going! Rachael had that fight in her and even cracked jokes about the cancer sometimes. Now what keeps me going is fighting for the kidsвЂ”making sure that they grow up right, with an education and become something. Because of her type of insurance, I donвЂ™t think she was treated like she should have been by doctors and Hospice. If I had it to do over, it would be absolutely different. I lie in bed for hours at night just wishing she was here and that I could have done more. I have not been tested for cancer. If I was to get it вЂ“I hope I donвЂ™tвЂ”but if I do, I doubt that IвЂ™ll seek medical treatment. If anything, I think cutting into the cancer makes it spread quicker. First I would rather try more natural cures such as eating healthier; things will fight it better than the treatment is what I personally believe. In the next decade or sooner, IвЂ™d like to see them being more up front about cancer; it can kill you and the treatment doesnвЂ™t always work no matter how hard someone fightsвЂ¦ because if that mattered, my daughter would still be here. She fought like no other.вЂќ To learn more about breast cancer, and ways you can support research programs please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org . IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER Issue 1 What do all These Numbers Really Mean? Interpreting your Grade in Edgenuity Overall Grade vs. Actual Grade Jamie made all 100вЂ™s on the first day of school but never completed any other assignments. Her Overall Grade is 100; however her Actual Grade is very low because of all the missing assignments. Complete vs. Target Completion Think of your course like a 100-page book. The % Complete represents the pages youвЂ™ve read. Target Completion represents the number of pages you should have read up to this point. Start Date vs. Target Date If you started on the first day of school, your start date is 8/5/2013. The Target Date is 12/21/2013 UNLESS there are multiple parts to that course. Progress Reports and Report Cards Your IA teachers report grades to your home school. The home school prints out the progress report & report card and either mails it to your house or keeps it in the front office for you to pick up. Call your home school for more details. IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 12 Mark your Calendar November College Admission Tests SAT For more information visit www.collegeboard.org 11-15 Kindness Week 25-29 Thanksgiving Break December 2 Field trip to CDC, upperclassmen 9 Math 1B, Math 2B, Accelerated Math 2 EOCTs March 8, 2014 10 US History EOCT May 5, 2014 11 Economics EOCT 12 Biology & Physical Science EOCTs ACT 13 English 1 & English 3 EOCTs For more information visit www.ACT.org 20 Last day to complete finals and coursework in Edgenuity 23 First day of the semester break December 7, 2013 January 25, 2014 June 7, 2014 December 14, 2013 Only FULLTIME IA students take their EOCTвЂ™s with Ms. Allen. HCOA students will test at their zoned school and should contact their facilitators if they have questions. February 8, 2014 April 12, 2014 June 14, 2014 January 7 Second Semester Begins 22 Grade 8 Writing Assessment 29 HS Field trip to the Federal Reserve Bank IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 13 Study CafГ© Core Teachers (Math, Science, English, and Social Studies) are available during the following support cafГ© times. Please note that this schedule is subject to change and is flexible to meet the needs of our students. Middle School: Face-to-Face Tutoring Monday Wednesday Science & Math (Mrs. Massie)- rm.838 8:30-11:30 & 1:00-4:00 8:30-11:30 & 1:00-4:00 Social Studies & English (Dr. Theodocion) rm. 819 8:30-11:30 & 1:00-4:00 8:30-11:30 & 1:00-4:00 High School: Face-to-Face Tutoring Tuesday Thursday Math (Mrs. Cwetna)- rm.838 8:00 вЂ“ 12:30 12:30 вЂ“ 4:00 English (Ms. Allen)- rm. 819 10:00-12:00 12:30 вЂ“ 4:00 Science (Mr. Matthews)- rm. 836 12:30 вЂ“ 4:00 8:00 вЂ“ 12:30 Social Studies (Mr. Fenn)- rm. 819 12:30 вЂ“ 4:00 8:00 вЂ“ 12:30 Monday Wednesday High School: Online Tutoring Math (Mrs. Cwetna): http://impactacademy.adobeconnect.com/mathtutoring English (Ms. Allen): http://impactacademy.adobeconnect.com/allenmondayaft/ 12:30pm- 2:30pm 1:00pm-3:00pm Science (Mr. Matthews): http://tinyurl.com/impact-science Social Studies (Mr. Fenn): http://impactacademy.adobeconnect.com/mrfenn/ 9:00am-10:00am 10:00am-12:00pm Note: Students can NOT be dropped off before early to wait on a session to begin and students MUST be picked up promptly at the end of the scheduled sessions. Snacks: Students can bring a snack from home. PROCEDURES Arrival: Students who attend Support CafГ© should report to the Impact Academy office to sign in. Then report to their teacherвЂ™s room. Impact Academy students are not permitted in other areas of the Henry County High/Academy of Advanced Studies campus without permission or under supervision. classroom and at the office). Students are not allowed to leave the campus with anyone other than a parent or authorized adult. Parents may text or call students that they are waiting outside. Students will exit out of the side Impact Academy entrance. Dismissal: Students must sign out at the end of their session (in the IMPACT ACADEMY NEWSLETTER | Issue 1 14 Parent Tip of the Month вЂ“ Digital Distractions Read this article about How to Minimize Digital Distractions During the Virtual School Day by Dan Reiner. Click on the title to go to the article. It is also accessible from the IA website under Information for Parents. Then, sit with your student to create your own Digital Routine. Creating a DIGITAL ROUTINE Designate specific times (and duration) for technology Specify what happens to the technology outside of those time frames o Does the phone get turned in at night? o Do the video game controls get locked away when itвЂ™s not вЂњTech TimeвЂќ? Tech Time can be used as an incentive to complete assignments. Impact Academy Newsletter Editors Abigail Biles, IANewsletter@live.com Paris Hoskins, IANewsletter@live.com Contributing Writers Abigail Biles Madison Davis Daisha Evans-Graham Troy Hicks Paris Hoskins Advisor A Program of Henry County Schools Karla Cwetna, Karla.Cwetna@henry.k12.ga.us Anthony Johnson Malkah Lyons To learn more about Impact Academy, please visit www.henry.k12.ga.us/IA