Principal's Welcome
Community Update 2017/2018 - posted 29 August 2017
Dear Thunderbird Preparatory Academy (TPA) Parents and Families,
We are gearing up for a banner school year. Many thanks to all of you who made the decision to return to our school and a big welcome to all of our new families and students joining us this year. Education is a life-long commitment and the journey is a worthy and exciting one. Our goal is to challenge our students and to make learning rigorous and engaging. We are delighted that you have chosen Thunderbird Preparatory Academy as your school of choice. You and your child will have the opportunity to learn and grow together. As the world evolves, we will be instrumental in launching your child’s academic success.
To ensure a successful launch, please note the following:
Kindergarten Staggered Entry
We will utilize Kindergarten staggered entry on the following days: August 28 - 31. Your child will attend school on the day noted below and all Kindergartners will report to school on Friday, September 1. Allowing your child’s teacher to work with a small number of children each day will benefit your child and help with the transition from home to school. When you send your child to school, please be sure to include the following contact information: your child’s full name, your name, your address, along with your home, work and cell phone numbers. We also encourage all parents to have your child bring a change of clothing (underwear, shorts, shirt, socks, etc.) to keep at the school in the event of an accident. (You will want to rotate the clothing via the season.)
Open House
TPA’s Open House is Thursday, August 24, 2017. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. and everyone is asked to enter through the main entrance of the school. You will be introduced to the staff and get information regarding carpool, the before and after school programs, the Exceptional Children’s program, etc. You will have the opportunity to visit your child’s teacher at 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Lunch Time
Thunderbird Preparatory Academy does not have a cafeteria and we will not offer hot lunches on a regular basis. All students are asked to bring a nutritious and healthy brown bag lunch with them each day, along with a healthy snack. Students are encouraged to use an insulated lunch container with an ice pack to keep foods chilled if needed. Microwaves nor storage in refrigerators are available for student usage. Boys and girls are also encouraged to bring a bottle of water to drink opposed to sugary drinks. (We want to ensure that all students are able to eat each day; thus, parents can coordinate with the teacher to bring in healthy snacks so that snacks can be shared with everyone. All snacks and food items must be purchased and in their original packaging.) We are planning to have Pizza Fridays. Please look for more information about Pizza Fridays soon.
Carpool (Morning and Afternoon)
K-3 students should be dropped off each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. and picked up each day beginning at 2:45 p.m. Students in grades 4 – 7 are dropped off each day beginning at 7:45 p.m. If you have a child in grades 4-7, you will drop your children off at 7:30 a.m. In the afternoons, you will pick up both children at the latter time, 3:00 p.m. For parents with children in different grades requiring two different drop off and pick up times, please drop both of your children off during the 7:30 a.m. drop off and pick up your children during the 3:00 p.m. pick up. Please do not drop off your children before the designated time.
Instructional Day
K-3: 7:45 a.m. – *2:45 p.m.
4- 7: 8:00 a.m. – *3:00 p.m.
*On Early Release Days afternoon dismissal will begin at 1:00 p.m. for K-3 grades and 1:15 p.m. for 4-7 grades.
Early Release Days
Early release days provide staff with additional time to participate in professional development workshops and extra instructional planning opportunities. These workshops can enhance instructional knowledge and skills, resulting in improved student learning. The first release day of the 2017 -2018 school year is Monday, August 28. K-3 students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. and 4 - 7 students will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m.
Middle School Grades and Experience
This year, Thunderbird Prep will expand to the 7th grade. We are committed to having our sixth and seventh graders exposed to key middle school concepts and ideals, as well as a strong course of study. Students will experience longer blocks of time dedicated to their academic study, change classes on a small scale basis and benefit from receiving instruction from at least two teachers.
Opportunities for Parents and Families
This is an excellent time for all parents to become involved in their child’s education. At the Open House set for August 24 @ 5:00 p.m., parents can sign-up to be involved with the PTO, serve as a volunteer in your child’s classroom, in the office, during lunch time in the lower grades, school beautification committee, School Leadership Team, etc.
Sincerely,
Janice Davidson
Interim Principal
We are gearing up for a banner school year. Many thanks to all of you who made the decision to return to our school and a big welcome to all of our new families and students joining us this year. Education is a life-long commitment and the journey is a worthy and exciting one. Our goal is to challenge our students and to make learning rigorous and engaging. We are delighted that you have chosen Thunderbird Preparatory Academy as your school of choice. You and your child will have the opportunity to learn and grow together. As the world evolves, we will be instrumental in launching your child’s academic success.
To ensure a successful launch, please note the following:
Kindergarten Staggered Entry
We will utilize Kindergarten staggered entry on the following days: August 28 - 31. Your child will attend school on the day noted below and all Kindergartners will report to school on Friday, September 1. Allowing your child’s teacher to work with a small number of children each day will benefit your child and help with the transition from home to school. When you send your child to school, please be sure to include the following contact information: your child’s full name, your name, your address, along with your home, work and cell phone numbers. We also encourage all parents to have your child bring a change of clothing (underwear, shorts, shirt, socks, etc.) to keep at the school in the event of an accident. (You will want to rotate the clothing via the season.)
Open House
TPA’s Open House is Thursday, August 24, 2017. The event will begin at 5:00 p.m. and everyone is asked to enter through the main entrance of the school. You will be introduced to the staff and get information regarding carpool, the before and after school programs, the Exceptional Children’s program, etc. You will have the opportunity to visit your child’s teacher at 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Lunch Time
Thunderbird Preparatory Academy does not have a cafeteria and we will not offer hot lunches on a regular basis. All students are asked to bring a nutritious and healthy brown bag lunch with them each day, along with a healthy snack. Students are encouraged to use an insulated lunch container with an ice pack to keep foods chilled if needed. Microwaves nor storage in refrigerators are available for student usage. Boys and girls are also encouraged to bring a bottle of water to drink opposed to sugary drinks. (We want to ensure that all students are able to eat each day; thus, parents can coordinate with the teacher to bring in healthy snacks so that snacks can be shared with everyone. All snacks and food items must be purchased and in their original packaging.) We are planning to have Pizza Fridays. Please look for more information about Pizza Fridays soon.
Carpool (Morning and Afternoon)
K-3 students should be dropped off each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. and picked up each day beginning at 2:45 p.m. Students in grades 4 – 7 are dropped off each day beginning at 7:45 p.m. If you have a child in grades 4-7, you will drop your children off at 7:30 a.m. In the afternoons, you will pick up both children at the latter time, 3:00 p.m. For parents with children in different grades requiring two different drop off and pick up times, please drop both of your children off during the 7:30 a.m. drop off and pick up your children during the 3:00 p.m. pick up. Please do not drop off your children before the designated time.
Instructional Day
K-3: 7:45 a.m. – *2:45 p.m.
4- 7: 8:00 a.m. – *3:00 p.m.
*On Early Release Days afternoon dismissal will begin at 1:00 p.m. for K-3 grades and 1:15 p.m. for 4-7 grades.
Early Release Days
Early release days provide staff with additional time to participate in professional development workshops and extra instructional planning opportunities. These workshops can enhance instructional knowledge and skills, resulting in improved student learning. The first release day of the 2017 -2018 school year is Monday, August 28. K-3 students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. and 4 - 7 students will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m.
Middle School Grades and Experience
This year, Thunderbird Prep will expand to the 7th grade. We are committed to having our sixth and seventh graders exposed to key middle school concepts and ideals, as well as a strong course of study. Students will experience longer blocks of time dedicated to their academic study, change classes on a small scale basis and benefit from receiving instruction from at least two teachers.
Opportunities for Parents and Families
This is an excellent time for all parents to become involved in their child’s education. At the Open House set for August 24 @ 5:00 p.m., parents can sign-up to be involved with the PTO, serve as a volunteer in your child’s classroom, in the office, during lunch time in the lower grades, school beautification committee, School Leadership Team, etc.
Sincerely,
Janice Davidson
Interim Principal
