On September 27, over 20 seniors attended the UNCF’s Empower Me Tour. These scholars were inspired and came away with more than 100 college acceptances in a single day! Way to be great Class of 2020! 

Happy October Families!

We have gotten off to a strong start and there is much to update you about. On behalf of the entire HFCA family, accept my sincerest gratitude for trusting us with your child’s to and through college journey. If you woul d like to get involved in the life of the school, we had over 18 parents meet in September at our Parent Advisory Council Meeting. It’s not too late for you to get involved. Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 31 at 4 p.m. Dr. Fuller will be present to talk about how the group will work together.

Please read this October Update carefully to learn about all of the upcoming events and days off, our tardy policy, and our instructional approach. Our goals is to make e-communication a way to update you more frequently. While the monthly update may be lengthy like this, weekly updates will include more shout-outs and less information. 

Shout Outs: Shout out to the parents who came to the first Parent Advisory Council Meeting. They will be working with Dr. Fuller in the fight to make Parental Choice a leading issue for the next Presidential Campaign. Pictured here: LaShon Smith, Joan Lock, Willie Smith, Danny Hunt Sr., tycie Gosey, Angelina Davis, Tosha Logwood, Erica Carson, Cheryl Smith, Mary Bryant, Jevona Taylor, Vivian Mack, George Mack, Tammy Belton-Davis, Connie Phipps, and Lisa Goodman.

What is Personalized Learning? 

If you are new to HFCA you may be wondering what do we mean when we say that HFCA is a personalized learning school. Personalized Learning at HFCA is not just about the learning platform (Summit) nor is it about the computers students use to learn. Personalized Learning respects the needs of each individual scholar in the following three ways

1. Scholars have voice and choice in how they consume information and where they place their focus. This means that one scholar’s notes may look different from another’s. Scholars may even choose to study different resources to learn the content. Scholars take tests when they are ready, not on a day everyone else does too.
2. Every scholar meets with an adult mentor every week to receive one-on-one support in getting the resources, attention and push that they need. Through this mentorship and their Pride class (HFCA’s mascot is a lion and lions meet in Prides. Pride is like homeroom) scholars are developed in the Habits of Success–16 habits like Executive Function, Academic Tenacity, Purpose and Self Direction (see chart below).
3. Scholars develop self-awareness by analyzing their data and setting goals to achieve success. These are the competencies of the super-successful and it aligns with our mission of to and through college and our vision to develop students as community-focused leaders capable of learning in any environment.
   In addition to our instructional approach, scholars enjoy opportunities for internships, community service, and early college enrollment. Last year, over 15 scholars earned college credit in science. This year 22 scholars are enrolled in college courses.

If you are interested in learning more about our instructional approach, please come in and visit any third Thursday of the month to enjoy a school tour of classrooms during the school day. After the classroom tour, you will be able to ask questions to gain crystal clear clarity about how our approach is developing your child for college and for life.

What is PLT?

Personalized Learning Time (PLT). PLT is a core feature of our personalized learning approach. It gives scholars an opportunity to dive into their courses and study. Scholars can take notes in each subject, get some reading done, and take quizzes (called Content Assessments). They can also practice grammar, reading and math in web-based applications No Red Ink, NEWSELA, and ALEKS. Students are graded on attendance and their ability to set goals and learning strategy. Students receive a grade and earn a credit for PLT. 

School Updates

Beginning of Year Testing: Scholars have taken beginning of year tests to determine their strengths and growth areas. This information will be used by teachers to help scholars push themselves to gain even more skill and knowledge. During Parent Teacher Conferences, you will receive the full report along with suggestions of what you can do to encourage growth throughout the year. 

Uniforms: Students are expected to be in uniform everyday–black or khaki pants, HFCA polo with optional fleece, black shoes. Occasionally, we have incentive days where students can dress down. Every Friday, students who are present at 90% or higher are able to wear jeans and gym shoes. 

Dismissal: At the businesses’ request, students are no longer welcome to patronize Wendy’s or McDonald’s after school. Please know that students will be subject to the rules of the business and its security protocols.  

Transportation: Scholars who live outside of the school’s 2 mile radius and have maintained attendance at or above 90% will receive M-Cards for transportation. Scholars who live outside of the 2 mile radius but have not maintained 90% attendance will receive paper bus cards for a two-way ride. Please contact Ms. Parker or Mr. Beard with questions or concerns.  

NEW School Policy: Tardy to School and Tardy to Class

We have 17 classrooms. If one student arrives late in every classroom, that’s 17 students who are late to class and miss the opening exercises of class. Now, if they arrive late with a friend, that’s more than 30 students disrupting the learning process throughout the school. Unfortunately, it happens.This is an unacceptable commitment to our mission and no way to get to and through college. As a result, any student who is not seated at the start of class (when the bell rings) is considered late and will NOT BE ADMITTED TO CLASS unless they have a pass. Parents will receive daily notice of students who missed a class due to an unexcused tardy. As future leaders and bosses, we must have urgency around learning and success. To be on time is to be late to be early is to be on time. 

So, HFCA family, be great, don’t be late. 

Improving School to Home Communication At Parent Teacher Conference you will have an opportunity to opt-into a text/email system that will help keep you and your child’s teachers on the same page in terms of due dates, assignments and progress. Make sure that you opt into that program at October’s conferences or call the office to sign up. Also, we will be sending progress reports out every five weeks. If you would like to check your child’s progress, behavior, and attendance, you will be able to using your login information.

Save the Dates for First Semester: 

• October 3: Financial Aid For College Night. Senior Parents are invited to receive assistance completing the FAFSA for their student. Money will go fast so make sure you apply early. 
• October 9 and 10: Parent teacher conferences are Wednesday, October 9, 2 to 5 p.m. and October 10, 4:15 to 7 p.m. Please come to meet your child’s teachers and learn about their progress and beginning of year test scores on the NWEA MAP, ACT and Writing Exam.
• October 9: National Honor Society Induction 4:00 p.m. The Ceremony is expected to last 30-45 minutes.
• October 10: Harvest Festival
• October 11: No School for students. Staff Professional Development.
• October 12: Senior College Tour to Chicago State University
• October 19: CommUNITY Resource Fair. This event unites many community organizations to provide resources, fun activities, food and other special surprises. Invited vendors include food, clothing, community aid, health services, employment and much more!
• October 21 and 22: No school for Students. Teachers at Regional Professional Development.
• October 20 to 25: College Tour for Juniors. There are only 40 seats. Scholars must have 90% attendance, be on track academically, and have no serious behavior infractions to attend. Call the office for details. 
• October 24: Mid-semester celebration. Celebrate your child’s achievement and character accomplishments, 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.. 
• October 25 – 28: Fall Break.  No school for Students. 
• October 26: All seniors must retake the ACT. Beneficial to the college apps and a requirement for graduation 
• October 30: Dr. Fuller’s Parent Meeting: Taking Action for the Future
• November 25 – 29: Staff Professional Thanksgiving Recess. 
• December 20: Alumni Day. Half-Day Celebration with our Alumni who are returning from colleges across the country to share their experiences.
• December 23 – January 3: Winter Break. 
• January 6: School Resumes
• January 17: Semester 1 Ends