Sunday Howl 3.14.21
New Bell Schedule starting March 16th
Please note that we will begin a new Bell Schedule on March 16th. This new schedule is to accommodate both in person and virtual learning. We will start the new schedule earlier than the April 5, in-person start date in order to get all students accustomed to the new schedule prior to that date. The new schedule can be found here (and on the ABQ website main page).
iMSSA ELA and Math Testing Results
The iMSSA is designed to measure student progress across the year, measuring achievement levels at the beginning of the year (BOY) around Sept/Oct, middle of the year (MOY) around Dec/Jan, and end of the year (EOY) in May. This data and assessment corresponds to the required state ELA and math test, NM-MSSA, given to 6-8 grades each March/April. So, in total, we can see four aligned growth points every school year in addition to our exit exams each quarter.
This year, we will only have iMSSA, but moving forward after the pandemic, we will also administer NM-MSSA as well.
Results from October and January are live now. You will need your child(ren)'s state ID (SSID) to access the portal. Your child(ren) may know their ID, or you can access it in PowerSchool or contact our IT staff for help. You will need to create a separate account for each child.
Please keep in mind that this assessment is meant as a snapshot of achievement and that we will use the October scores as well as the January scores to measure growth and work on plans for students who are in need of support in one or more areas. Concerns about test scores can be directed to the testing coordinator anytime.
Students who have indicated they will return to in person learning
For those students who indicated, on the parent survey, that they intend to return to in person learning on April 5, will be notified of procedures via email. Please be on the lookout for that email. This email will contain pertinent information including information concerning lunches, buses, and Covid Safety practices. Students will be required to wear their school uniform.
Uniforms can be ordered through https://firedawgshirts.com/ if you need to order new shirts or had not previously ordered. The school also has charcoal gray t-shirts available in the front office as 5100 Masthead for $10 each.
Grades for Quarter 3 and Term 6
Grades for Quarter 3 and Term 6 will be posted in PS on March 16th by 4pm.
Quarter 4 and Term 7 Class Schedules
Quarter 4 and Term 7 starts Tuesday, March 16.
Quarter 4 and term 7 schedules were posted in PS on Friday March 12. Class codes should be loaded in PS by Monday, March 15.
Spring Break: March 22 - 26th
If you haven’t already, please make a note of a change in the week of spring break. In order to coordinate with APS and Rio Rancho Spring break has been moved up by one week. The school calendar on the website now reflects this.
Lunch ordering for Spring Break and the following week
Between Sunday, March 14 and Wednesday, March 17 the lunch ordering form will indicate two weeks worth of lunches which includes the week of Spring break and the week after. These lunches will be delivered and ready for pick-up on Friday, March 19.
CNM Dual Enrollment Events:
The CNM Outreach and Recruitment team has organized several upcoming events that highlight CNM and Dual Credit opportunities.
Dual Credit Information Session – Thursday, April 8, 2021 5:30-6:30pm
Dual Credit Success Workshop – Thursday, May 13, 2021 5:30-6:30pm
Big Future Days Virtual College Fair
Attend a virtual College Fair hosted by College Board. The dates for the virtual college fairs are based on where the colleges are located and you can attend multiple dates. Before you attend BigFuture Days, be sure to save a list of the colleges you are most interested in connect with on BigFuture. If you are unsure about a college, you can check out their website, social media properties, or profile page on BigFuture.
BigFuture Day West + Southwest is on Tuesday, March 30
BigFuture Day Midwest is on Sunday, April 18
BigFuture Day Southeast is on Thursday, April 29
Explore Academy Elementary
Explore Academy’s Elementary has been approved! Thank you to all our families who pre-applied and helped with the approval process. Here is a video which outlines the model adjusted to the elementary grades. A letter of interest is open for students to "pre-apply" for our proposed K-5 program starting in the fall of 2021. Pre-applications will be converted to enrollment applications if the program is approved.
Check out our website to learn more: www.explore.academy
Letter of interest: https://forms.gle/fx1HSSWiJQmG3qSP9
Explore Academy K - 5 Program Overview video
Student Application for Fall 2021
Below is the link for our application for next fall. Siblings of current students get priority over the lottery for the general public. Families will need to submit prior to the April 13th lottery. https://forms.gle/fzmyycmwZ5CpaSW99
Student Intent to Return
For current Explore Academy students who have not yet filled out the student intent to return, please do so on this link.
Lunch Ordering:
Beginning the week of January 1, the lunch link will open on Sundays and close on Wednesdays of each week, with pickup on Friday.
Click here for the School lunch link: https://forms.gle/Kmxttpk15Dye5edGA
The National School Lunch Program is being extended into the fall for all public schools. This means that school lunches are free at this time. Check the Howl each week for the link that provides the weekly lunch menu. These menus are posted a week in advance.
Place your order by Wednesday of each week for the following week using this link: https://forms.gle/Kmxttpk15Dye5edGA
Pick up weekly lunch order on Friday’s at the Explore Academy Masthead location.
If you live too far from Explore we are told that APS and RRPS are also offering seamless meals as long as your child is between 1 and 18 years of age. Parents/guardians can contact the school closest to them. Click here for the School lunch link: https://forms.gle/Kmxttpk15Dye5edGA