Hello PFAA Families,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer!  I am writing to share some important information about the new PFAA Block Schedule for the coming school year.  The schedule can be viewed by following this link. - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2Cfdn7gd9ibakNoVFZ6NnVLeWs   Here are some important points for parents and students to remember in preparation for the new year.

1. The PFAA school hours for 2017-18 will be 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.  Wednesdays will still be a “Late Start Day” for all students.  School hours on Wednesday will be 9:40 am - 3:30 pm.

2. The schedule is divided  into “Odd Days,” “Even Days,” and “Full Schedule Wednesdays.”  On Odd Days (Mondays and Thursdays), Class Periods 1, 3, 5, and 7 meet for 85 minutes each.  On Even Days (Tuesdays and Fridays), Periods 2, 4, 6, and 8 meet for 85 minutes each.  On Full Schedule Wednesdays, all periods (1-8) meet for approximately 33 minutes each.  

3. As in years past, each student will be assigned a schedule of seven classes/courses per year.  This schedule will be available for pickup on Monday, August 7, 2017 between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm for 7th - 12th graders, and on Tuesday, August 8th for 6th graders as part of 6th grade orientation (8:30 am-11:30 pm).  All students will be assigned classes in periods 1-6.  Each student will be assigned an additional class that will fall into either period 7 or period 8.  The unassigned period (the opposite of the assigned 7th or 8th) will be unscheduled time.  

   1. Example 1:  A student with an assigned 8th period and an unscheduled 7th period would finish school at 1:55 pm on Monday and Thursday and 3:30 pm on Tuesday and Friday.  On Wednesdays this student would arrive for their 8th period at 9:40 am and would be finished with school after their 6th period at 2:55 pm.  

   2. Example 2: A student with an assigned 7th period and an unscheduled 8th period would finish school at 3:30 pm on Monday and Thursday and 1:55 pm on Tuesday and Friday.  On Wednesdays this student would arrive for their 1st period at 10:17 am and would be finished with school after their 7th period at 3:30 pm.  

In short, the unscheduled period (either 7th or 8th period) means that formal classes for each student will end school at 1:55 pm on two of the days per school week. We believe that this format offers students and their families a variety of possible options during this flexible time.  Three options are listed below for the unscheduled time::

Option 1:  Dismissal - Following the end of their final scheduled period of the day, students with an unscheduled period may be picked up/leave campus at 1:55 pm.  This provides opportunities for students to pursue extra-curricular opportunities outside of school such as private lessons, internships, jobs or sports.

Option 2: Study Halls - As in years past, there will be study halls available after school for students who are in need of additional academic support or who need a supervised location due to parent work schedules.  These study halls will have limited capacity and should only be utilized by students requiring additional homework support or assistance. Dismissal from study hall will be at the end of the school day at 3:30 pm.

Option 3:  Enroll in an Additional PFAA Class - We will also have some space in 7th/8th period elective classes.  Enrolling in an additional elective class is a full year commitment.  Attendance and participation in all activities and assignments is required, and the student will receive a grade for the class.  Students who pursue this option will have a very full schedule of 8 classes and will require approval by the Academy Coordinator and school counselor.  Students wishing to add an optional 8th period must submit a class change request to the counseling center.  These requests will be accepted beginning on Tuesday, August 8 at 1:00-3:00 pm.  More information will be sent out about enrolling in an optional class as the start of the year draws closer. Please note: If the interest in additional classes exceeds the availability of these courses, the additional courses will be assigned to interested students through a lottery process.  

Survey of Options 1, 2 and 3

To assist the school in accommodating the option that best meets the needs of your student, we ask that you please complete this Google form by August 1, 2017.  - https://goo.gl/forms/G3UDnJWF26v8QnPP2

As we progress into the school year there will be multiple opportunities to provide feedback on the new schedule.  If you have a comment, question, or concern that needs immediate attention, please contact me directly via email - mdemeritt@natomascharter.org. There will also be monthly conversations about the schedule at the P4A meetings on the second Tuesday of each month. Finally, periodic surveys will be administered to parents, students, and staff.  

I’m looking forward to this coming year and can’t wait to see how this new endeavor will positively impact our students!  

Sincerely,

Matthew DeMeritt

PFAA Coordinator

Reduce summer brain drain and start the school year strong.  Plus, earn some extra credit and parent hours along the way.  Follow the links to find summer assignments.

Summer Math for All Grades - 6th, 7th, and 8th

Summer Reading for Incoming 6th Grade

Dear Incoming 6th-grade families

At the math placement tests, students were given a packet with summer work.  While summer work is optional, it is highly encouraged as a way to reduce a loss of skills and content.  We have done our best to create assignments that are fun and engaging, as well as providing choice for students and families.  These assignments are the same for PFAA and LE and can be done without access to NCS tech accounts.  

If your student misplaced the hard copies, links to the documents are available here:

SUMMER MATH

SUMMER READING

Also in the packet was a Save-the-Date for Orientation

6th-grade parent and student orientation will be held  Tuesday, August 8th, 8:30-12:30.

Thank you!

The NCS school year calendar for 2017-18 is now available.