Academy of Scholastic Achievement
Winter-Spring 2013
Cruise-Themed Report Card Pick-Up is a Hit
Mr. Lupo meets with parent and student
Mr. Lupo meets with ASA Senior Shadeja Syas and her mother during Parent Appreciation and Family Literacy Day in April. Students and parents earned incentives at the cruise-themed report card pick-up attended by more than 80 people.
     More than 80 parents and students attended Parent Appreciation and Family Literacy Day on April 11th, making it one of ASA's best- attended report card pick-up events. The school adopted a cruise theme for the day. As parents picked up their child's report card, they were given a passport and encouraged to visit 6 "ports of call." At each port, staff was on hand to provide parents with specific information about their child's academic progress. Parents also had a chance to observe students' literacy projects, and get updates from teachers on the school's numeracy initiative. Parents also were briefed on graduation requirements, post-secondary dual enrollment procedures, NCLB policies, and Upward Bound program offerings.
     To encourage participation and increase dialogue between families and staff, the school offered a series of incentives. Parents earned their child 10 extra credit points for every port they visited, and the first 30 parents to turn in a passport with all six ports stamped, received a $25 gift card.
     "We were really hoping for an even greater turnout," said ASA Principal Gladys B. Simpson. "But the consensus amongst students, families and staff was that the event was a success."
     Social Studies Teacher, Antonino Lupo agrees. "I thought the quality of the event was a lot better than our normal report card pick-up," he said. "This format helped facilitate richer conversations with students and parents." 
     Visit the photo gallery on our school website and Facebook page for more pictures.
Literacy Presentation
ASA Senior Janiquie Johnson presents her literacy project to a group of parents. Janiquie was one of several student presenters showcasing her written work and presentation skills as part of ASA's effort to encourage parents and families to join the literacy movement.

Provider's Day 2013 at the Academy 

Chicago House
A representative from Chicago House speaks to students about HIV/AIDS awareness. Chicago House was one of a dozen community organizations on hand in March for our annual Provider's Day.
  
     Domestic violence, juvenile justice, crime prevention, HIV/AIDS awareness, mental illness, sexually transmitted infections, and teen parenting were just a few of the topics discussed at ASA's annual Provider's Day event in March. Representatives from a dozen local community organizations visited with students for a series of no-nonsense straight talk workshops about real-life issues affecting teens across the city. Workshops included role-playing, poetry readings, and frank question-and-answer sessions. Participating organizations included the Chicago Police Department, CeaseFire, Hartgrove Hospital, Illinois Action for Children, Ruth Rothstein CORE Center, Vida/SIDA, Chicago House, Pathfinders Prevention Education Fund, Circle Family Healthcare, Austin Childcare Provider's Network (ACPN), the Center for Employment Training, and the United States Attorney's Office. Visit our website and Facebook page for pictures.
 
Students Talk College, Careers, Trades  
PCCTI Healthcare
Lora Griffin of PCCTI Healthcare discusses program options with ASA Senior Felicia Townsel. PCCTI Healthcare was one of more than a dozen colleges, universities and trade schools on campus in February to inform students of career and post-secondary options.

     Thirteen colleges, universities, and trade schools were on hand for ASA's annual College and Career Day in February. Representatives shared information with students about program offerings, applications, entrance requirements, and financial aid. Junior Achievement of Chicago sponsored a panel discussion of young professionals who shared career advice with students and spoke of common career pitfalls to avoid. Other organizations present included Robert Morris University, Northeastern Illinois University, City Colleges of Chicago, Lincoln Technical Institute, Everest College, DeVry University, and PCCTI Healthcare to name a few. Visit our website or Facebook page for more pictures.

Volume: 5  Issue: 2
In This Issue
Provider's Day
College & Career Day
Lab To Open Soon
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ASA at the MoviesStudents see 42. About 20 students were off to the movies in April to see 42. The movie documents the life of legendary barrier-breaker Jackie Robinson, the
first African-American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). Following the movie, students gathered for lunch at a nearby restaurant in Oak Park, IL. The event was sponsored by the ASA Counseling Department. 

Lab To Open Soon 
Contractors are still making final touches on the school's new state-of-the-art science lab. The lab will hold one laboratory and one  classroom, adding 1,600 square feet to the school building. The school parking lot is also being renovated and will feature a new drainage system, extra lighting, landscaping, and a parking space for the disabled. Construction should wrap up in June. 


ASA Takes on MSI 
Dissection at MSI Chicago
Chemistry lab, biology dissections, and DNA extractions came to life - literally -  for twenty-one ASA students in April. They took part in a field trip to the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago sponsored by the MSI CPS Scholarship Program. The Academy was awarded the scholarship thanks to Science Teacher Frehiwot Gebrehiwot. Students explored the Science Storms and Genetics exhibits. In the MSI learning labs, students extracted DNA from their cheeks and dissected cow eyes.
Students at MSI Chicago

Enrollment is Closed

Enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year is now closed. Students interested in attending ASA should visit www.applytoyccs.com and enter their names on the waiting list. For specific questions, please call the registrar, at 773-921-1315,  or e-mail us at [email protected] .

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 ASA Mission 
To accept students where they are academically, socially, and emotionally by educating, supporting, celebrating and empowering students to achieve a higher quality of life.

 

 

   

 ASA Vision  

To cultivate compassionate, self-sustaining, globally-minded, critical thinkers who can compete and succeed in the world economy.

 

    

 

 ASA Core Values

Integrity

Discipline

Compassion

 

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Academy of Scholastic Achievement
4651 W. Madison Street ~ Chicago, IL 60644
p: 773-921-1315 ~ f: 773-921-1121
www.asaschool.org

A Youth Connection Charter School Campus