Fall 2018–2019 Volume 3 Issue 1
5048 E. Oak Street Phoenix, AZ 85008 602 389 8600 newwayacademy.org
NEW WAY FAMILY
CONNECTIONS
News and campus highlights connecting the New Way family.
Student Toolkits:
Learning Isn’t Always Academic by Laura Murray
W
hen students arrived on campus for the 2018-2019 year, they were introduced to a new method to gain essential knowledge about the world around them: Student Toolkits. By now, we may know that students work through their Toolkits in their homeroom, covering topics necessary to demonstrate independence. However, not much as been unveiled about developing the Toolkits in the first place. I asked New Way Executive Director, Abbey Ross, all the details of our new, essential campus offering. “The Toolkit began as a personal brainchild of mine, when I began teaching fifteen years ago,” shared Ross. “My students [at the time] consistently seemed to lack some of the general knowledge that we just assumed they had. For example, memorizing emergency phone numbers, navigating what part of town they lived in, or knowing their clothing size. I realized that these gaps of knowledge were not small, but in fact created vast opportunities for student connection. From there, the framework of Toolkits for every level was born.” What started as an idea over a decade ago gained its legs towards full development around 2016. A staff committee was formed, ideas were put to paper, and the structure, scope and sequence were created. From content to execution, the committee analyzed each piece for effectiveness and engagement in students at all levels. Each student now has a document to make their own, build upon
their skills, and practice essential life knowledge at each stage in development. And, just as our students are growing, the Toolkit will grow and adapt as well. A small group of teachers now lead the charge with the Student Toolkit Committee. Collectively, they are assigned to analyze three main components of the Toolkits: measuring student progress, integrating guest speakers and field trips in conjunction with correlating topics, and developing a capstone project for students who progress quickly through all the topics. Each section of the Toolkit intentionally and thoughtfully provides guidance through important concepts not otherwise learned in an academic setting. By encouraging broad learning and general life skills, Toolkits are designed to gradually present a variety of topics throughout the year including health, etiquette, and social awareness. Additionally, each level builds upon previous learning, such that the content will circle back to important concepts and skills that require additional review each year. With much to uncover such as practice in organization, life skills, basic finance, and even transportation, the pilot year of implementing the the Student Toolkits is off to a great start. Students now have an instrument to build a deeper partnership between students, families, and their school environment. Have you noticed a benefit from your student working through their Toolkit? Let us know! Send your feedback to Laura Murray, Director of Marketing at murray@newwayacademy.org.
campus happenings Wrangle up the family! Fall Kickoff is coming!
Don’t Miss Madagascar! The Imagination Theater has no idea what it’s in for! On November 30 and December 1, the Lower School will perform Madagascar: The Musical. While we wait for the zoo’s main attraction, Christina Huston, Lower School Musical Theater Director, shared a bit of nostalgia in being part of the production. “Growing up, I ‘produced’ many musicals with my sister,” she shared. “We always had showtunes around!” This year, the Lower School was looking for something energetic to showcase. “Many of the Lower School students’ favorite musical was The Greatest Showman. They were looking to participate in something that was equally upbeat.” Sounds like the koala-fications have been met! For Huston, though, it’s the process that matters the most: “My absolute favorite thing is when the cast members get on stage, despite all of their stage fright and anxiety, and enjoy their parts fully! Opening night is THE BEST!” Madagascar opens Friday, November 30, at 6 pm. A matinee performance is Saturday, December 1, at 2 pm. Run time is about one hour.
Join us on Friday, October 26 from 5:30–8 pm for the 10th annual Fall Kickoff! Celebrate the start of a great school year with carnival-style games, raffle prizes, a cake walk, dunk tank, and of course — Kiss the Pig! Don’t miss this treasured family event on New Way’s back field. More information on how to purchase admission and event tickets will be distributed soon. Help underwrite the costs of Fall Kickoff with a sponsorship in exchange for advertising exposure. Contact Laura Murray, Marketing Director at murray@newwayacademy.org.
Welcome, New Staff! For the 2018-2019 school year, we welcomed nine new staff members. Each is a wonderful asset to the New Way family, with diverse experience and fantastic skill sets to offer. If you haven’t had a chance already, please give them a warm welcome when you run into them on campus! From Left: Laura Stratta, Upper School Teacher Support; Amy deKruif, Speech and Language Specialist; Jenna Billings, Speech and Language Specialist; Laura Murray, Director of Marketing and Communications; Eliana Givre, Junior High Teacher; Samantha Sarager, OT Assistant; Meg Sipple, Junior High Teacher; Peter Vallejo, Junior High Teacher. Not Pictured: Elizabeth Drewelow, Reading Specialist.
Giving Back to New Way Like many non-profit, independent schools, New Way’s tuition does not fully cover operational costs; our school needs help to bridge the gap between funds received from tuition, and the actual costs of providing top notch educational services. To support our academic programming, New Way presents two key giving opportunities annually to keep the school functioning at its best. Donations from the Annual Fund and Tax Credit campaigns in particular are crucial to supporting our students as lifelong learners: confident, capable, and able to reach their full potential. We call upon our community — families, staff, board, alumni, and supporters — to place New Way Academy at the top of their philanthropic priorities each year.
ABC: July–June Our Annual Bulldog Campaign (ABC) is vital to New Way’s ability to provide an exemplary, one-of-a-kind educational experience to students. Funds from the ABC support the operating budget overall, and has allowed New Way to allocate specific funds to our extra curricular programs. Each year, we strive for 100% participation from our families, faculty, and Board for our ABC, which also allows New Way Academy to look attractive to philanthropic organizations that offer grant giving opportunities. Donate online now at: www.newwayacademy.org/annualfund
Tax Credit: August–April By contributing through the Arizona Private School Tax Credit program, you may receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Arizona state income tax return. Tax credit contributions provide need-based scholarships for qualified students to attend New Way Academy. Over 70% of New Way students receive financial aid in order to attend New Way Academy each year; your Arizona Private School Tax Credit contribution is a great way to help make New Way a possibility for even more students. Some other key facts when considering a tax credit contribution: • Arizona taxpayers can take advantage of BOTH the Public School Tax Credit AND Private School Tax Credit in the same year. • Tax Credits are a dollar-for-dollar credit, not a deduction, on your Arizona state income taxes. Instead of paying the state, you are redirecting some of your tax liability to student scholarships at New Way Academy. • You may be eligible to contribute your Private School Tax Credit even if you receive a refund on your Arizona income taxes. In some cases, you may even be able to maximize your refund by contributing to the Private School Tax Credit. Learn more and make your Tax Credit contribution today at: www.newwayacademy.org/taxcredit
Every gift, no matter what size, is valued and important. Thank you for your continued support of New Way students!
Upcoming Events OCTOBER October 8–12 Fall Break October 22–26 Book Fair October 24 Fall Kickoff RSVP deadline October 26 Fall Kickoff! October 31–November 2 Student Annual Meetings, noon dismissal
NOVEMBER November 12 Veterans Day observed, no school November 15 Third Annual New Way Fashion Show November 21–23 Thanksgiving Break November 30 Spirit Assembly in Gym, 8:30 am November 30 Lower School Musical: Madagascar, 6 pm
DECEMBER
Campus Highlight: Officer Warren, New Way’s Friday School Resource Officer Our new School Resource Officers are a wonderful asset to New Way this year. With a different officer each day of the week, we're delighted to have each of them as they get to know our community. On Fridays, we’re in the company of Officer Warren, who has a fantastic perspective on spending the day amongst New Way students. Officer Warren has been with the Phoenix Police Department for about 13 years, and is also a training officer for those newly arriving in the force. Fridays at New Way are a great way to spend the end of his week, although occasionally he runs security at the Biltmore for a different atmosphere. Officer Warren is a member of the Arizona Association of School Resource Officers, and served in the Dysart District for four years before coming to New Way. He shares, “This school is so different from others I’ve been at. The community is so wholesome, welcoming, and the kids are very good natured. You really have a special place here.” Thank you to all of our School Resource Officers for helping to keep our students safe!
December 1 Lower School Musical: Madagascar, 2 pm December 21–January 7 Winter Break, dismissal at noon on 12/21
SAVE THE DATE! New Way Auction & Gala, Saturday, May 11, 2019
Coming Soon: The Garden Gala New Way moms and auction co-chairs, Abby Friedman, Andrea Kravets, and Sheri Bernstein are excited to announce our upcoming New Way Academy Auction & Gala, The Garden Gala, scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Chateau Luxe, in North Phoenix. Our generous parent volunteers are an integral part of making our annual Auction & Gala a wonderful evening and successful fundraiser. Please watch the New Way emails for volunteer opportunities beginning in October. We have many exciting opportunities to make this year’s event a growing success! A special save-the-date reminder will come home with your student when you return from Fall Break!
Join us for the Fall Transition Fair by Laura Keathley The Transition Department is excited to host our second annual Transition Inspiration Fair on Thursday, November 8th, 2018 from 3:30–6 pm. Dedicated to inspiring our students to pursue their dreams and achieve their highest potential, New Way will be hosting a diverse range of post-secondary resources. The Transition program has grown since last year, and New Way is thrilled to welcome a few new faces to campus, including more trade programs, universities, community colleges, and vocational supports. High school students are required to attend.