District School-Community E-Newsletter 
Spring 2014
Advantage Academy awarded grant
Advantage Academy was recently awarded one of the largest grants given by the "I Am A Leader Foundation." The foundation is a private grant maker charity dedicated to supporting programs that build students' character and leadership skills in schools and around the world. 

 

The Leader in Me program, based on Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People", is a school-wide leadership process which integrates timeless character and leadership principles into the school culture, driving transformation.

 

These 21st century skills have been identified by educators and business leaders as vital to the future of today's students.

Perfect Attendance Award
AAGP Principal Mr. Fitzpatrick, Senior Raven Everly & Superintendent Mrs. McDonald
Raven Everly, Senior at AAGP received the Gold Star Award Certificate and Ipad Mini for her perfect attendance during the 2013-2014 school year.
FAST Rating
Advantage Academy operated by Eagle Advantage Schools, Inc. earned a four star rating from the Texas Comptroller Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) for three years in a row.

 

"Advantage Academy has made great strides and a conscious effort towards excellence both financially and academically," said Angela McDonald, Advantage Academy Superintendent. "I am proud of our FAST rating and am confident that we will continue to see continual improvement in both areas."

 

The Texas Comptroller's office created FAST to examine school district and campus resource allocation and the relationship between these allocations and student achievement. A five star rating is the maximum rating.

 

FAST looks at academic, financial and demographic data and identifies school districts and campuses that produce high academic achievement while maintaining cost-effective operations. You may visit www.fastexas.org for more information.

 

Teach for America Recognition
Ms. Faircloth, Ms. Rogers & Ms. E. Burns
Teach for America recently recognized three Advantage Academy-Grand Prairie TFA teachers at their end of the year Summit. 
 
TFA awarded 5 core value awards this year, including Diversity, Team, Transformational Change, Leadership & Respect, and Humility. AAGP high school teachers, Ms. Faircloth, Ms. Rogers and Ms. E. Burns received the "Team" award.

These TFA teachers have all left their family and friends from across the country to be a part of AA.

Congratulations TEAM!
New Gifted & Talented Program begins Fall 2014
This Fall, Advantage Academy is offering Gifted & Talented services in reading and math for students in grades 3 - 6 who have been identified for the program.  

Students that are identified for the program are nominated by parents or teachers. Students are tested to determine if they are gifted in intellectual ability in reading or math. Nominations are collected all year long and screening occurs in June for current students. 

June testing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at the Grand Prairie campus. Parents will be notified by letter if student needs to participate in the testing.

Advantage Academy GT Committee reviews screening results from June testing and then determines if students qualify for GT services.  Parents of students who participated in the testing will be notified of testing results and if their child has been selected for GT services.


2014-2015 School Calendars & School Supply Lists
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 20, 2014. The 2014-2015 School Calendar and school supply list are available below. 
 
According to recent studies, teachers who have more time to discuss student goals and outcomes together, have a more focused and data-driven instructional approach. 
 
With this in mind, we have made plans to give our teachers more opportunities to work collaboratively. Our early release days will be strategically used for these "teacher collaboration and professional learning communities".
 
Early release days are campus specific.
 

High School Graduation 2014
2014 Advantage Academy
High School Graduation
Saturday, June 7, 2014 @ 11:00 am
Crossroads of Life Assembly of God 
123 W. Hwy 67
Duncanville, Texas  75137
The church is located near the SW corner of Hwy 67 & Main St.
High School Program Information
In 2013, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 5. This bill changed the graduation requirements for Texas
students. Click here for more information.
 
You may also contact the district guidance [email protected]. 

 

PD 360: A Teacher Professional Development Tool
Advantage Academy subscribes to PD360, the largest on-demand professional development platform for educators. This tool allows our teachers and instructional assistants to expand their knowledge in specific areas related to teaching by watching on-line videos at their own pace.

 

The content is extensive and covers all major areas that apply to a teacher's job, allowing them to hone skills and expand their knowledge so they can become more effective teachers. 

In This Issue
Student News

Taylor Bird
 
 
AA-Waxahachie 8th grader, Taylor Bird won the 2014 Ellis County Spelling Bee this year!
 
Taylor advanced to the 56th annual Dallas Morning News Regional Spelling Bee competition held March 22, 2014 in Dallas. 
 
Congratulations Taylor! 

Sports News


 
 
AA-North Duncanville boys Middle School soccer team placed 3rd overall in the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League. 
 
This was the first year for soccer for the campus.
 
Great job Coach Dally and the AAND Boys soccer team! 
 
Thank you!



Thank you to all the students, parents and staff during our annual Hoops for Heart and Jump Rope for Heart programs.
 
This year Advantage Academy students raised $9,823.67. All proceeds go to the American Heart Association. 
Child Nutrition News
All Advantage Academy cafeterias have received between a 97 to 100 out of a 100 maximum score from recent Health Inspections.
 
Did you know that the CN Department served over 153,800 meals to Advantage Academy students this year? 
 
The CN department has added  new menu items that meet or surpass the current and upcoming meal requirements. We have introduced more vegetables, additional fruit, and whole-grain rich foods to our menus.
 
Click here for lunch program information and more.
Follow Us On Twitter @advantageisd

Enrolling Now for 2014
While supplies last - the district is providing special gifts to all new parents that finalize their enrollment packet information.