Good Morning, Manara STEM Families,
A new month is beginning and STAAR testing is quickly approaching. Within the newsletter is information about upcoming STAAR dates. At the conclusion of the newsletter in the "Upcoming Events" section, dates are added through the end of the school year for important events. More information will be coming regarding End-of-Year grade level ceremonies, but the dates will begin to be included within this section.
Sign up for the Manara 5K event! In the newsletter is the link to sign up. It is sure to be a fun community event, with proceeds going to raising money to support Gaza and to support Autism Awareness.
Happy Easter to those celebrating the Easter season! Enjoy the beautiful weekend!
#MAWAY
Principal Vinten
The mission of Manara Academy is to provide students with a creative, adaptive and ethical environment to become knowledgeable inquirers and future leaders in a diverse and evolving global society where we master languages, honor cultural heritages, and respect diversity.
The following field study events are around the corner!
Apr 4 UTA Planetarium Field Study for grades 3rd - 5th
Apr 11 Field Study PK4 - 3rd grade to the Ft. Worth Zoo
May 10 Six Flags Over Texas Field Study for grades 4th - 8th
If you are wanting to chaperone, please make sure to get the chaperone background forms (will come home with the field study slips) in by the designated date on the form so that the background check can be completed in time. If you have any questions regarding the field study, please reach out to your child's teacher.
On April 20 Manara will be hosting a 5K run/walk in Irving. Put it on your calendar today! Sign up here to participate either as a volunteer, runner, walker, or just to cheer everyone on! It is sure to be a fun event full of lots of fun activities! We're looking forward to seeing everyone and having a fun time!
Order your 2023-2024 Manara STEM Academy Yearbook today! The yearbooks will arrive mid May, so make sure to place your order before time runs out! Reach out to Ms. Corey if you have any questions about ordering!
The image below, even though it states middle school, can be applied for all grade levels. Attendance for the entire school day matters in ALL grade levels! Being late each morning or a few mornings each week, and/or being picked up early, even one day of the week, adds up! We want to create good habits in our children so those habits can follow them throughout their school career. If you have any questions about this, please reach out to Mrs. Vinten or Mrs. Wilson! Click on the video link below for more information!
Excused absences in the State of Texas include:
Observing a religious holiday
Attending a required court appearance
Appearing at a governmental office to complete paperwork required in the child's citizenship application
Taking part in a naturalization oath ceremony
Serving as an election clerk
A child in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) participating in a documented activity that is court ordered
Being temporarily absent for a health care appointment for the student/child (not the parent appointment)
Absent due to serious or life-threatening illness or absent due to illness or treatment (doctor/clinic documentation required)
Visiting with parent/legal guardian who is active duty military and parent has returned from continuous deployment of at least four months
Conducting activities related to enlistment (student must be 17 years of age or older.
Visiting an institution of higher education during a student's junior or senior year
A student in grades 6-12 sounding "Taps" at a military honors funeral held in Texas for a deceased veteran.
All of the above Excused absences require documentation. Absences are not excused without documentation even if they are on the allowable list.
All EXCUSED ABSENCES Require DOCUMENTATION. Please contact your school with the required documentation.
State law requires children who are six years old as of September 1 to attend school through their 19th birthday or until they graduate with a high school diploma (whichever occurs first). Compulsory attendance also applies to students who are younger than six who have previously been enrolled in first grade and to students below the age of six who are voluntarily enrolled in pre-kindergarten or kindergarten.
90% Rule:
Texas Education Code section 25.092 requires that a student in grades kindergarten through grade 12 be in attendance for at least 90 percent of the days a class is offered in order to receive credit for the class or a final grade. Most absences that are excused are still counted when determining whether a student is in compliance with the 90 percent rule.
Truancy:
Truancy is DIFFERENT than the 90% Rule. Truancy counts unexcused absences. Did you know that 3 or MORE unexcused absences Full Day or PARTIAL day in a four week period is considered Truant and 10 or MORE unexcused absences Full Day or PARTIAL day in 6 months is considered Truant. Parents can be held accountable and responsible in Texas Truancy Court with fines of up to $500.00 for contributing to their child's absences. Please be aware of truancy and cooperate with the school in getting in your documentation from the excused list.
Absences & Illnesses
(Mark your calendars!)
Apr 4 UTA Planetarium Field Study for grades 3rd - 5th
Apr 8 Bad weather make-up day (no school for scholars & staff!)
Apr 9-10 No School - Eid holiday
Apr 11 Field Study PK4 - 3rd grade to the Ft. Worth Zoo
Apr 12 End of 5th 6 week marking period
Apr 15 Start of last 6 week marking period!
Apr 16 STAAR Testing - ELAR grades 3rd -5th (STEM)
Apr 17 STAAR Testing - ELAR grades 6th-8th (STEM)
Apr 19 STAAR Make-Up testing day for ELAR
Apr 20 Manara 5K event in Irving
Apr 23 STAAR Testing - Science grades 5th & 8th (STEM)
Apr 24 STAAR Testing - Social Studies grade 8th (STEM)
Apr 25-26 STAAR Testing - Science & SS Make-up Testing grades 5th & 8th (STEM)
Apr 30 STAAR Testing - Math grades 3rd -5th (STEM)
May 1 STAAR Testing - Math grades 6th - 8th grades (STEM)
May 2-3 STAAR Testing - Math Make-Up testing grades 3rd -8th (STEM)
May 10 Six Flags Over Texas Field Study for grades 4th - 8th (field trip permission slips will be sent home at a later date)
May 23 Field Day (more information to come)
May 24 8th grade end of year celebration 9:00am - 12:00pm (more information will be sent home with 8th grade families)
May 24 Manara High School Graduation (Irving location)
May 27 No school - Memorial Day holiday
May 28 4th & 5th grade end of year ceremony 8:30-9:30am
May 28 6th & 7th grade end of year ceremony 10:00-11:00am
May 29 1st & 2nd grade end of year ceremony 8:30-9:30am
May 29 3rd grade end of year ceremony 10:00-11:00am
May 30 Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4 & Kindergarten end of year ceremony 8:30-10:00am
May 31 Last day of school for students