Last week of Quarter 3, let's go!

This is the time of the quarter when I send out my Hat Tips and Encouragements to all.  I'll make it short and sweet:

1. Hat Tip to everyone who has worked diligently to keep on top of their due dates.  Rest easy this Spring Break, yay you! Enjoy your break.

2. Encouragements to those who got a bit behind.  Take advantage of the upcoming two weeks when nothing is due!  Slow and steady complete the race, so commit to a consistent amount of time each day to get caught up with coursework.

**This asterisk section is for those who need a Hail Mary to pass the class. Kidding aside, if you are in despair or feeling that you just can't anymore, please email me or attend tutoring. We'll go over where you are in class, how many hours you have left, and what we both can do to help you successfully complete your class.  Act now before it's too late.

IMPORTANT:

1. Seniors! I will add some scholarship opportunities to our English Google classroom resources and QCVA website. There are many $$$ to be had for all types of students and GPAs. Do not despair, just keep your mind open to opportunities and take action when they come.

2. Tutoring is still open for this week. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 

9:00 to 9:45 AM https://meet.google.com/hfe-dtwc-xew

3. Middle Schoolers' Huddle still happening

Thursday, March 9 · 1:30 – 2:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uom-afvv-hfn

WORDS TO LIVE BY:

Last week, I sent out a snippet about "The Path to Mastery."  I hope that y'all took the time to contemplate about how it applies to you.  This week, I'd like to share the article written by Joshua Medcalf, you can read its entirety below.  He starts off by quoting Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during World War II, "Those destined for greatness must first walk alone in the desert."  The writer, Joshua, then lists some of the remarkable figures in history who walked their figurative deserts in order to become great such as Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Steve Jobs, and so on.  He explains what a "desert" is and why it's character-altering to cross it.  It made me think that some people do not seek to become "great" or that "destined" sounds predetermined.  I also think that crossing a figurative desert might be a bit too much for the heavy-laden or traumatized to attempt alone. Although I agree with Joshua that there are several adventures, pathways, or circumstances where one would have to travel by their lonesome in their figurative desert, I disagree with how he qualified a desert.  I think that "desert" can also describe one's routine or daily tasks. I mean, life can be monotonous, right? So the droneness of life can be described as a desert.  In order to be great, or better (like SELF version 2.0), one has to "walk alone in the desert." In daunting and challenging times, walking alone means being able to rely on or count on yourself even when you're a sigh away from giving up.  It means betting on yourself even when you yourself doubt you.  It means investing in your future especially when you put other people's needs ahead of your own's.

As we end this quarter, I challenge you to be consistent with yourself.  "Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out."  You are in charge of YOU.  Happy Spring Break, everyone! 

Hat tips and Encouragements to all! You are great! 

 This week has been such a blur! Why is it Thursday already? LOL.

A few things:

1. Our Week 6 and Week 7 announcements are posted on my, Mrs. Rogers, website. Click here!  As to why it is on the website and not in our Google Classroom... don't ask! I think I had several moments last week.

2. Save the Dates for State testing, please see the document and block out those days for state testing. We have review materials located on the QCVA website, please check them regularly as facilitators add more stuff weekly. Study for the tests that only pertain to your grade level.  There are four tests:

AASA for Grades 7 and 8

ACT Aspire for Grade 9

ACT for Grade 11

AzSci for Grades 8 and 11

3. JUNIORS!!! I hope you have been working on your 11th Grade Academic Success class, it will help you review content for the ACT (state testing for Grade 11).   The class ends on March 10 😅  Please note that the English portion of the ACT is reading comprehension AND half is punctuation and grammar.  So please, please, please review for those.  For information about the breakdown of the ACT and sample test materials can be found on the "Get Ready for ACT" slides here.  A student can have a feel of the actual ACT test by doing the sample test through Test Nav > UNDER Practice Tests.  https://tn.actonline.act.org/client/index.html    You do NOT have to log in,  just click on PRACTICE TEST and select TIMED.   Again more info about this procedure can be found on the ACT preparation PowerPoint here. Juniors will also create an ACT account before testing on March 28-31 in order to receive their scores.  Please familiarize yourself with the test so you do not feel overwhelmed when you take it.  

4. SENIORS!!! If you have NOT ordered your cap and gown, the extended deadline is March 10, click here for links. Please make sure to order.  If you are NOT participating in the graduation, we are so sorry that we will miss you. I'm sure you will get the reception fit for a Senior Graduate wherever you are!  Please respond to the email sent out by QCVA so you can stop getting more emails about graduation LOL.

5.  Middle Schoolers, we have our last Informal Huddle this Thursday.  Please come! We have a raffle to declare our March winner.  We are talking about how to be concise in writing 😁  

Middle Schoolers' Huddle with Mrs. Rogers

Thursday, March 9 · 1:30 – 2:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uom-afvv-hfn

** This week, same old same old, see you for Tutoring.  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 to 9:45 AM, please click on the link to join via Google Meets https://meet.google.com/hfe-dtwc-xew

Finally, I would like to share this diagram from the book "The Path to Mastery" by George Leonard.  The diagrams represent (1) what we want- which is continued growth exponentially, (2) how the journey of mastery feels- which is like a roller coaster, and (3) what the path to mastery is- which is like stairs. He said that the real path to mastery follows a pattern: (a) short growth spurt where you are introduced to a skill and you begin to do it, then (b) a slight dip- now you can to that skill but has not mastered it all the way yet, then (c) a long plateau because you have to keep practicing in order to perfect it.  Last, you have to repeat (a) to (c) until you master the entire craft or skill set.  Every time we learn something new, we bring the bar of learning higher and higher when we "master" that skill set.  It's like unlocking a new level of yourself every time you do something new! So do not be disappointed if you feel like you're on a roller coaster while trying something new out.  It's normal.  The path of mastery takes time and it has several steps so be patient with yourself.  Take learning one step at a time!

I think I have covered everything.  Keep on going QCVA, friend! The end of the school year is getting closer, last leg, you can do this!  Take care! 

Hello February! How is everyone? How was your weekend? Mine was busy and productive.

This week we are going to put a spotlight on how you can receive tutoring from the facilitators.  We are available via Google Meet and phone call and email, click here!   Please know that we are here to assist you, no question is too simple or grand.  Always come prepared by reviewing your lessons, completing coursework, or having questions prepared. If you need a retake and want to prepare for it, attend tutoring to maximize your points.

THIS WEEK:

JUNIORS- I have set up a meeting to answer your questions for ACT.  Attend! Also, we have a raffle to win gift cards, so please attend.

ACT Prep 11th Grade QCVA (virtual)

Wednesday, February 8 · 10:00 – 10:30am

Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jcg-gjor-zxu 

Middle Schooler's Huddle- We are moving this week's Thursday meeting to a Wednesday.  Please come!

Wednesday, February 8 · 1:30 – 2:00pm

Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/uom-afvv-hfn 

Grades 9 to 12- Please review this scholarship opportunity for $5,000! "I'm Sarah Johnson, Program Manager for the Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) located on the ASU Polytechnic Campus.  We are hosting a scholarship competition for high school students.  Click here for more details.   Details are also available on the competition website: Military Infrastructure Resiliency Challenge, click here.  

We also have English tutoring available, click to join: 

Monday, Tuesday, and Friday 9:00 to 9:45 AM https://meet.google.com/hfe-dtwc-xew 

It's now February 6th.  It sometimes feels like time is dragging but at the same feels like flying by so fast.  You may have questions about the future, maybe some uncertainties, or just feeling the pangs of doing the same things over and over.  I can relate to that feeling of uneasiness because life seems mundane or monotonous.  Stuff seems hum-drum because it's the same routine day in and day out, year after year.  As we all know, life comes in stages.  We often hear, "its the journey, not the destination."  However, sometimes one can feel a sense of being lost especially if the road being traversed is taking forever.  Like, "when will I get there?" You have been in school since you were five years old.  I know how you feel! Let me assure you that being in school is a great path to take for adulthood.  Not only because society requires workers to have graduated with a high school degree or GED, but because education (though some information may be irrelevant) teaches us the basics for learning- reading and writing, math, applied science, humanities appreciation, art, philosophy, critical thinking, and a whole lot more.  Please note that school will not teach you everything you need for real life because living/adulthood is so complex, one can't expect 4 years of high school to do the trick.  2019 statistics say that only 37% of Americans graduate with reading comprehension skills proportional to their grade level.  This means that only 37% of 12th graders can read proficiently given a 12th-grade-level text.  What is a 12th-grade level text? Think of procedures on how to take a prescription, directions on a technical multi-step manual, or works written by Shakespeare.  It's concerning that a good majority of the literate population is underskilled.  This means that you should take pride in what you do for you have some more school years ahead of you.  Also, take this statistic as a challenge! Time flies, but you are the pilot so take yourself to new heights. Although you may not know exactly what the future holds, take confidence in knowing that you are on the right path by being in school.  "It feels good to be lost in the right direction"

The future is bright! Life may be repetitive but it sure offers all of us opportunities to grow, to be better individuals, and to help others along the way.  Celebrate your small wins and be proud of the things you have accomplished.  Tackle that challenge and don't be a statistic.

Again, Juniors and Middle Schoolers, I will see you on Wednesday, February 8.  Please check your Gmail for invites or click on the links above.  Take care!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12HQSX1E-BYR4pVP1Y_fZX1qOA_H5tICS/view?usp=sharing

https://usafacts.org/data/topics/people-society/education/k-12-education/12th-grade-students-or-above-proficient-reading/