WELCOME TO GPFAA!!Dear Parents,!

It is my pleasure to welcome you and your child to the 2014-2015 school year. The GPFAA faculty, staff and I are looking forward to another amazing year. We will continue building our school culture which will nurture and push our students to expand their learning through advanced academics and advanced fine arts. We intend to operate as partners with you as we steer our students toward excellence. You and your child/ren get to work with a school that stresses the importance of commitment, hard work, individuality, uniqueness, compassion, collaboration, and creativity. We are excited to continue to get to know you and your family. Please read the following information carefully and let us know if you have any questions.!

GPFAA Vision: Extraordinary by Design!

And Our Journey Continues,!

Maria Schell!

Principal!

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The EssentialsRegistration Information………………………………………………………….page 3 Important Dates….………………………………………………………….……page 3 Start & End Time………………………….………………………………………page 4 Bell Schedule…………………………….……………………………………….page 4 Lunch Schedule………………………….……………………………………….page 4 Adding Money to a Lunch Account…….……………………………………….page 4 Pick Up/Drop Off Information……………………………………………………page 4 Dress Code………………………………..………………………………………page 5 School Supply List………………………..………………………………………page 6 Box Tops for Education…………………..………………………………………page 7

!Advanced Academics & Advanced Fine Arts

Grading Policy…………………………….……………….……………….……..page 8!Pre-AP & AP Expectations……………….……………………………..…..page 8 & 9!Fine Arts Expectations…………………….……………………………………..page 9!!

Stay In Touch!Updates to the Website…………………….………….……………………….page 10 Where & How of Technology……………….……………………………….….page 11 How Can Parents Get Involved?………………………………………………page 12

FAQ’s!

General……….………………………………………………………………….page 13 Enrollment……………………………………………………………………….page 14 Academic………………………………………………….…………..…..page 14 & 15!Fine Arts………………………………………………………………..…………page16!!!

**An electronic version of the 2014-2015 Welcome Packet is available on our website:!Our School —> Parent Tools —> 2014-2015 Welcome Packet**!!!!!!!!!!!

Table of Contents

Online Registration will open August 1st. If you need login or password information, please contact Mrs. McNeff at 972-343-6301.  ! Students will be able to pick up their 2014-2015 schedule in the cafeteria during the time listed below. August 19th - 1:00p-7:00p August 20th - 8:00a-7:00p August 21st - 1:00p-7:00p Students will need to have the following items in order to pick up the schedule: • Online Registration Confirmation Page • Proof of Residency

• Gas, Electricity or Water bill • Apartment or rent house lease with names of residents listed

• Parent Driver's License/ID !Students will also need to bring the items below if they have not been turned in: • Birth Certificate • Social Security Card • Shot Records !!

First Day of School: August 25th!! First Semester/Nine Weeks:!! ! August 25-October 24!! ! October 27-January 16!

! Second Semester/Nine Weeks:!! ! January 20-March 27

! ! March 30-June 5!Last Day of School: June 3rd!

Meet The Teacher: September 9th!!!

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Holidays!Sept. 1: Labor DayOct. 13: Fall BreakNov. 24-28: Thanksgiving Break!Dec. 22-Jan 2: Winter Break!Jan. 19: MLK DayMarch 9-13: Spring BreakApril 3: Good FridayMay 25: Memorial Day! !!!

Registration Information

Important Dates

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Middle School Hours: 9:15a-4:15p! High School Hours: 7:40a-2:40p!

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!Middle School Lunch 1: 11:55a-12:25p! High School Lunch: 10:50a-11:20aMiddle School Lunch 2: 12:30p-1:00p!!Adding Money to a Lunch Account!1) Go to: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/login/getmain.do?action=home or use

the Shortcut located on the bottom right of the GPISD website!2) Click on “Register for Free Account”!3) Follow Instructions!!Students may also bring cash or check to the cafeteria to add money to their lunch account. The following information must be included on checks:   !• Valid Drivers License Number!• Phone Number!• Student’s Name and ID Number!**Parents must check in at the front office before going to the cafeteria**!!Pick Up/Drop Off Information: There are three lanes that circle the parking lot. We like to keep the lanes moving as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you will be waiting an extended amount of time for your student, please circle the parking lot or find a parking spot. !

A Day Bell Schedule Middle School High School7:40a-9:10a — 1st Period

9:15a-10:45a 1st Period 2nd Period

10:50a-1:00p 2nd Period 3rd Period

1:05p-2:40p 3rd Period 4th Period

2:45p-4:15p 4th Period —

B Day Bell Schedule Middle School High School 7:40a-9:10a — 5th Period

9:15a-10:45a 5th Period 6th Period

10:50a-1:00p 6th Period 7th Period

1:05p-2:40p 7th Period 8th Period

2:45p-4:15p 8th Period —

GPFAA Schedule Information

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Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy uses the Grand Prairie ISD Dress Code as its guideline.  However, we are a fine arts academy where creativity and uniqueness is encouraged - we do allow our students to express themselves in accordance with their creative nature. We will also have multiple dress up days throughout the year. All students will need to purchase the black GPFAA Polo. Students will wear these when they go on academic and/or fine arts fields trips. If a polo was purchased last year, buying another shirt is optional.

Dress Code

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All 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Students Will Need the Following:!• One 2 inch or larger three ring binder (with D rings)!• One pencil pouch!• Black or Blue pens!• Pencils (and lead refills if mechanical pencils are purchased)!• One set of 5 multi colored highlighters!• Scissors!• One box of colored pencils!• Glue sticks!• At least two packs of loose leaf notebook paper (will need more throughout the year)!• One pack of dividers!• Two packs of 100 3x5 notecards (for Social Studies)!!6th Grade Students Will Also Need:!• Two folders (ELA)!• Spiral notebook (ELA-one per nine weeks; only need to have one for now)!• Spiral notebook or composition notebook (Math)!!7th Grade Students Will Also Need:!• Compass (Geometry only)!• Spiral notebook or composition notebook (Math)!• Spiral notebook (ELA)!!8th Grade Students Will Also Need:!• Composition notebook (Social Studies)!• Compass (Geometry only)!• Spiral notebook or composition notebook (Math)!!**Please note that those materials will be used on a regular basis and will need to be replenished throughout the year**!!!!High School supply lists are by specific courses; students will receive this list during the first week of school and it will be posted on each teacher’s Edmodo page.!!!!!

Middle School Supply List

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!!!!!Dear GPFAA Families,!!We are so excited about the opportunities that we will be able to provide for your amazing children this year. We are always looking for ways to raise money for these opportunities so that our students can increase in passion and skills in his or her strand. One of the easiest ways to do this is through Box Tops for Education. !!Box Tops for Education is a national school earnings program that has been around since 1996. Since then, schools across the country have earned over half a billion dollars from Box Tops to buy whatever they need. !!This truly is the easiest way to raise money for our school. By clipping Box Tops on certain items, you earn funds for our school that are greatly needed. !

Clip Box Tops, found on hundreds of products, and send them to school. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents for our school. This is what they look like: !!Make sure you sign up to support our school at BTFE.com. It’s totally free and once you do, you’ll be able to track our school’s earnings and enter for chances to win extra cash for our school.!!!

If we all work together, we can make a big difference for our school!!Thanks for your help,!Mrs. Teubner!!LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN EARN CASH FOR YOUR SCHOOL AT BTFE.COM.!

ONE OF THE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT BOX TOPS IS HOW EASY IT IS. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP OUR SCHOOL:

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Grading Procedures, Regulations, and Explanations Grades 6-12!!Middle School !

Grade Calculations - Nine Weeks:Daily Work (% of Final Nine Weeks Grade): 50%!Major Work (% of Final Nine Weeks Grade): 50%!!

Semester Grade!Average of each nine weeks grading period: 90%!

Semester Test: 10%!!High School!

Grade Calculations - Nine Weeks:Daily Work (% of Final Nine Weeks Grade): 40%!Major Work (% of Final Nine Weeks Grade): 60%!!

Semester Grade!Average of each nine weeks grading period: 80%!

Semester Test: 20%!!Pre-AP / AP Level of Instruction Middle and High School Academic Handbook!

GPFAA Middle School Level of InstructionPre-AP Level:!

• For students capable of performing at an academic level above their grade placement.!

• Students move at a much faster pace in a more academically challenging environment to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.!

• Students can expect more independent critical thinking and problem solving skills.!

• Students can expect more independent learning and more homework than a regular class. !

• These courses provide students with opportunities to develop a strong foundation by exploring a subject in greater depth and developing the skills, habits of mind, and concepts needed to succeed in college preparatory coursework.!

• Students who enroll in Pre-AP will be required to sign and abide by the Pre-AP/AP Contract which outlines specific expectations of advanced academics courses.!

Grading Policy & Expectations

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!GPFAA High School Level of InstructionPre-AP Level: !

• Designed for students capable of performing at a level above their grade placement.!

• Offer a combination of acceleration, enrichment, and differentiation as students practice in advanced level reading and more in-depth study. !

• Due to rigor and challenge of the Pre-AP coursework, students receive weighted points. !

• Students who enroll in Pre-AP courses and their parent(s) must sign and abide by the guidelines outlined in the AP/Pre-AP contract.!

Advanced Placement Level: !

• Designed for students capable of performing at the highest level!• These courses receive the highest weighted grade points!• Offer students a rigorous academic experience and the opportunity to

earn college credit through AP exams administered each May. !• Students who enroll in AP course and their parents must sign and abide

by the guidelines outlined in the AP/Pre-AP Contract!!NO PASS, NO PLAY!

• Students must be eligible under the no-pass, no-play rule. All students must be passing all classes to participate in UIL competitions, field trips, and performances. !

• Students can lose eligibility at the nine-week period and can regain eligibility at the three-week period. !

• Students can use a ONE-TIME ten point waiver for an advanced class!!!!!!!!!

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About Us: We have added a new section under About Us called Connect With Us. From here you can sign up for our newsletter, find instructions for Remind (formerly Remind101), click through to all of our social media pages, link to Ms. Schell’s archived Skyward Messages, and read archived GPFAA newsletters.!!You can also access Ms. Schell’s archived Skyward Messages from her Administration page:!!!!!!Faculty: We have a lot of new teachers joining GPFAA this year. Take a look around and get to know a little bit about our teachers and staff members.!!Phantom Phlair: This is a comprehensive list of awards, accolades, and achievements that our students have collected throughout the year. !!Events Tab: Stay up-to-date with all of the different events happening at GPFAA. !!Is it an A Day or B Day? Check out our calendar to find out. !

Updates To The Website!

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Website: www.gpisd.org/gpfineartsacademy!!Skyward, Edmodo & Parent University !The Parent Tools page on the website provides links and instructions on how to utilize important tools such as Skyward, Edmodo and Parent University. GPFAA uses all three of these tools to communicate regularly with parents about the success of their child at our school, so please take a moment to sign up or log in and familiarize yourself with them. !

Remind (formerly Remind101)!Remind is a safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents. Instructions to sign up for Remind can be found under the About Us -> Connect With Us section on our website!!Social Media Pages !Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/gpfaa13!Twitter - https://twitter.com/gpfaa13!Instagram - download the Instagram App on a mobile device and search “GPFAA13”!YouTube - www.youtube.com and search for “Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy”!Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpfaa/!**If you take pictures/video at a GPFAA event, please tag with #GPFAA. This is the easiest and most efficient way for us to see and share photos of our students with our followers**!!Newsletter!Sign up for the GPFAA Newsletter for information on upcoming and important dates, student opportunities, strand news, and so much more! Newsletter sign up can be found under Announcements on our homepage, under the About Us -> Connect With Us section on our website, or on our Facebook page. !!

Where & How of Technology

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Volunteer Clicking on Volunteer under the Our School section will take you to an online volunteer form for GPISD. A new volunteer form must be filled out every year, whether you volunteered the previous year or not. Go online and fill out the form before the year gets rolling and you will be ready to volunteer whenever the need arises! !

!**Volunteer Call** During the week of October 27th, our 6th grade students will be attending Market Place at the Dubiski Career High School. GPFAA needs 16 parent volunteers. !!PTA!The mission of PTA is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. More information about PTA and membership can be found on our website: !Our School —> PTA!!Fine Art Guilds Our version of the Booster Club - run and organized by parents to develop support and raise funds for strands!Guest Artists If you are a professional in any of our seven Fine Art strands, please let us know. We would love for you to share your expertise. !!Chaperones!Our students go on numerous field trips throughout the year and additional parent chaperones are a valuable asset. !

How Can Parents Get Involved?

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General!What is the mission of the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy? The Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy will create an incomparable learning environment with a dual emphasis on advanced academics and the arts. The academic curriculum offers all courses required by the State of Texas for the mastery of standards at each grade level and a focus on college and career readiness. !!How is GPFAA different from a traditional school with a Fine Arts program?GPFAA is designed for artistically and academically talented students. Students concentrate on a single fine art that provides more rigorous instruction and expanded internship and performance opportunities than in a traditional campus setting. Students also benefit from extended time in fine arts during the school hours, 90+ minutes per day. GPFAA offers innovative instruction that intentionally incorporates the arts into academic studies. !!Who teaches at GPFAA?!GPFAA employs highly trained faculty and staff. All members of the teaching and administration staff have a background in the Fine Arts. !!How early can I drop off my student at school?!The building opens at 7:00am for High School students. Middle School students can be dropped off as early as 7:45am (after the High School students are in class). Please contact the main office if you need to arrange an earlier drop off time. !

• High School students will remain in the cafeteria until the 7:40am bell rings!• Early arrival Middle School students eating breakfast will go to cafeteria!• Students not eating breakfast will remain in the gym until the 9:15am bell rings!!!

What is the attendance policy?!When a student is absent, it is important to let the school attendance office know the reason for missing school. Parents must call or send an electronic communication through the Parent Portal in Skyward to the school before 10am on the day of the absence. If contact is not made on the day of the absence, a note will be required. If a signed note is not received within four days of the absence, the absence becomes unexcused. !!When a student’s absence for personal illness exceeds five consecutive days, the student is required to present a statement from a physician or health clinic verifying the illness or other condition that requires the student’s extended absence from school. !!If a student needs to leave school or arrives late: he/she must check in or check out through the attendance office. An unauthorized absence (or absences) without parent knowledge will be considered truancy. Truancy may require a parent-student conference with an administrator. !!Students must be in attendance for 90% of the number of days scheduled in a semester in order to receive credit for each class. When a student’s attendance drops below 90% but remains at 75% of the days the class is offered, the student may earn credit for the class by completing a plan approved by the principal. !!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Enrollment!Who can attend Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy?!GPISD is an open enrollment district, which means students do not have to live in Grand Prairie to attend GPFAA. Any student in grades 6-12 can audition to attend GPFAA. We welcome students with extensive arts training as well as those with potential or underdeveloped talent. !!What is the process to attend GPFAA?!• Students interested in attending GPFAA must apply and go through an audition process for

the strand of their choice. Students must also meet the academic eligibility requirements: !• Pass with an average of 80 in all Core Classes (ELA, Math, Social Studies and

Science)!• 90% Attendance rate for the current year!• Passes all areas of the State Assessments (STAAR or EOC) in the last administration!• Acceptable Discipline Record for the current year!!

What is the timeline for the application and audition process?!Applications will be available in late November. Auditions for in-district students (currently attending a school within GPISD) will be held in December. Auditions for out-of-district students will be held in February. Academic standards will be checked after auditions. Acceptance/Denial letters will be emailed within one week of receiving the STAAR/EOC results.!!My student had to audition to get into GPFAA; does he/she have to audition for anything else?!Yes, students will continue to audition for specific roles within their strand and for special performances. Examples: a solo in the vocal music competition/performance; a lead in the dance performance; to be part of the middle school or high school musical!!Auditions are a professional skill that all of our students must learn and practice. This will be a major part of the experience at GPFAA. It is the mission of GPFAA to prepare our students for the professional world of the “arts” (when we say “arts,” we mean any kind of fine art) and a solid audition is an essential skill. !!Does GPFAA charge tuition? !No, GPFAA is part of the public education system and does not charge tuition.!!How many students attend GPFAA?!GPFAA expects to reach a maximum capacity of 600 students. !!Academics!What exactly does Advanced Academics mean for my child? !At GPFAA, not only are our teachers highly trained to implement College Board Advanced Placement (Pre-AP and AP) strategies, we also understand the behaviors and needs of gifted and talented learners. It is our desire to offer courses that will allow students to gain the 21st Century Skills necessary to compete in our ever-changing, global society.  All students have access to equal and fair educational opportunities, and at GPFAA, we aim to individualize the advanced academic levels of all our learners.    !

• Our Pre AP program is designed to assist all students willing to take on challenging courses in order to learn critical, creative and conceptual thinking skills as well as reading and writing analysis that will prepare them for future rigorous course work

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(AP and college courses).   In elementary, gifted students participate in a pull out program; however, GPISD services our identified gifted students through the College Board Pre AP/AP program in middle and high school.   Although the curriculum may appear to be same in PAP courses, teachers at GPFAA have been trained to use differentiation and other research based strategies to meet the academic and social and emotional needs of our gifted population.   !

• GPISD offers course acceleration in Algebra I and English I for identified high ability students, thus meeting the state’s requirement for specialized instruction and training for teachers of GT identified students. The distinction between PAP and GT occurs in our English curriculum.   In the 7th grade, students must meet requirements to take English I as an 8th grader.*   The rationale for allowing these students to advance by taking the English I Placement Exam is research based.   Studies reveal that students who process information fast and analyze complex reading beyond their peers have the potential to take on this challenge early.  As a 10th grader, students will take the AP Language Exam, which is a high school and college credit course (all students can take the in the course in the 11th grade).  This criteria is necessary in order to ensure student success on the AP Exam when given good instruction and persistent, hard work of the student exist.  While no student is denied the same educational opportunities, we allow high achieving students the academic rigor to meet their learning ability.  *see the campus Advanced Academics Specialist for details*!

• The ReadiStep (mandatory for 8th graders) test is scheduled the fourth week of every October and is administered to students during the school day.  ReadiStep is a middle school assessment that measures skills students need to be on track for college success. It provides insight into students’ academic progress and also equips educators with tools they can use to make informed decisions in the classroom. It covers critical reading, writing, and math skills, and can be a valuable predictor for success in future higher level courses, for future SAT scores, and for success in the transition into high school.  In partnership with the College Board, GPISD tests all eight graders with the ReadiStep, giving students an important opportunity to develop early college-readiness behaviors and skills.  For more information visit the College Board website:  http://readistep.collegeboard.org/!

• The PSAT/National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test (mandatory for Sophomores) is scheduled the third week of every October and is administered to students during the school day.  This practice test for the SAT is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Hispanic Recognition Program, and the National Scholarship Service for African-American Students.  It covers critical reading, writing, and math skills, and can be a valuable predictor for success in higher level courses, for future SAT scores, and for success in college.  In partnership with the College Board, GPISD tests all sophomores with the PSAT, giving students an important opportunity to develop early college-readiness behaviors and skills.   Students should also plan to take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year.  Many scholarship and college applications ask for junior-year PSAT scores.  For more information visit the College Board website:http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html!!

How did the school perform academically in its first year? !GPFAA’s state assessment (EOC/STAAR) scores will not be official until the fall. What we do know is that our students scored incredibly well and we are extremely anxious to receive the official results.!

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Fine Arts!What Fine Art studies are offered?!Art | Band | Dance | Mariachi | Orchestra | Theatre | Vocal Music!!What type of fine arts courses are offered at GPFAA?!GPFAA likes to describe its fine arts curriculum as advanced fine arts. Within each of the seven strands offered at GPFAA there are specific courses that take students through a series of specializations to hone their craft. !

• Middle School students have two classes in their strand!• In Middle School, students focus on the learning process and on improving skills and

knowledge beyond what is offered in traditional schools!• High School students have four classes in their strand!• In High School, students continue to learn as they specialize and work on college and

professional preparation with regards to auditioning and performance! !As students work their way through middle school and into high school, the number of performances, competitions, and field experiences will increase and become more varied.!!What outside-of-school arts opportunities does GPFAA offer its students?!Each Strand Director provides guest artists & guest lecturers, master class & development workshops, field experiences, and competition & performance opportunities. !GPFAA also identifies local, regional and national individual opportunities for students and provides support for the application process. !!How well did the strands perform in their first year? !GPFAA strands and students received many nominations, awards, and accolades in the first year. Some of the highlights include: !• State VASE Qualifier!• 1st place at the Rays of Light show at the SMU Meadows Gallery!• One GPFAA student (out of only 10 students in the state) has work hanging in the Governor's

office for the remainder of 2014!• Six out of 10 Vocal Music students advanced to the 2nd round of the All-State process!• Mariachi Sol Azteca went to State Finals as a group and placed 9th!• High School Theatre is nominated for 8 Schmidt & Jones Awards for the Fall production

of You're A Good, Man Charlie Brown!• Numerous “Superiors”, “Sweepstakes”, “Best In Class”, and “1’s” for Band, Orchestra and

Vocal Music!• See more achievements from students on our Phantom Phlair page!!!!

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