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VERSE  OF THE WEEK

In This Issue:

• Current News
• Student Club & Specific Class Announcements
• Parent Resources
• Spiritual Life & Service
• College & Academic Counseling
• Athletics

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KEY CALENDAR DATES  

2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR

 

COHORT ROTATION

• October 26- 29 - BLUE COHORT on campus

• November 2-5 - GOLD COHORT on campus

• November 9-12 - BLUE COHORT on campus

• November 16-19 - GOLD COHORT on campus
• Nov. 30-Dec. 3 - BLUE COHORT on campus

• December 7-10 - GOLD COHORT on campus

• December 14-17- Finals Week - No students on campus

October 23 (F) - Progress reports released in Family Portal by end of day.

October 24 (Sa) - Virtual Open House #1 for Prospective Families, 11:00 a.m.

October 26 (M) - Hybrid Learning Begins, New Rotating Schedule

November 5 (Th)- "Navigating College Admissions Tests" 7:00 p.m. Register here.

November 13-14 - (F-Sa) - Virtual Performances of  the Jr. High Musical, The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley

November 23-27 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break

December 4-5 (F-Sa) - Virtual Performances of the High School Play, The Merchant of Venice

December 5 (Sa) - Virtual Open House #2 for Prospective Families, 11:00 a.m.

December 15-17 (Tu-Th) - Semester 1 Final Exams

December 18-January 3 - NO SCHOOL,  Christmas Break

January 4 - School Resumes, Semester 2

 

TKA 2020-2021 School Year-at-a-Glance

*All school events subject to change due to public health orders to prevent the spread of COVID19.  Please check here and the Family Portal for all correct dates.

CURRENT NEWS   

New Hybrid Learning Rotating Schedule Starts Monday, October 26. The rotating schedule has been modified slightly to allow time for classroom cleaning between classes, and to allow longer times for bathroom use since occupancy restrictions are now in place. 

 

OCTOBER 26-29: BLUE COHORT ON CAMPUS

STUDENT COHORT ONGOING DAILY CHECKLIST & EXPECTATIONS

 

STUDENTS: BRING TO CAMPUS EACH DAY

• Electronic Device - All junior high students must bring an iPad to school and all high school students must bring a MacBook.
• Lunch - and any snacks for the day, but students cannot share
• Water bottle - filled upon arrival, which can be refilled on campus
• Face covering - must be worn over face and nose upon arrival to campus
• Backup face covering
• Power cord/charger - TKA will not have backups, and students cannot share
• Headphones - these will still be needed for breakout groups
• New Campus Map - download here!

 

STUDENTS:  PRE-ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS

• Complete self-check COVID-19 Response Form daily in Family Portal --> Web Forms--> COVID Response Form.
• Stay home if sick or temperature above 100.0°F within past 3 days.
• Stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms within past 3 days.
• Bring your own lunch, snacks, and filled personal water bottle.

ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS

• Students arrive wearing a mask.
• Students maintain 6' spacing when waiting for classes to begin.
• Parents remain in cars.
• Parents drop-off after 7:30 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (9:15 a.m. on Wednesday).

STUDENTS:  ATTENTION WHILE ON-CAMPUS

• No sharing of books, devices, food.
• Keep 6' spacing ALL DAY even during breaks.
• Masks on unless eating, drinking, or engaging in physical activity.
• Wash hands often.
• Adhere to signs for occupancy limits.

DEPARTING CAMPUS

• Students maintain 6' spacing while waiting for pick-up.
• Parents ensure students are picked up by 3:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, and by 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. 

Does Your Student Require Medication? Plan now so you'll have these forms complete before TKA transitions to the hybrid on-campus model.  Please download and complete these forms: Medication Authorization Form and Medication Administration Log. Each school year, a new form needs to be on file in the SAO. Any prescribed or over-the-counter medication brought to school, either carried by the student or stored in TKA's First Aid room, require both doctor and parent signatures. Please return these forms when complete so we'll be ready to go! Questions? Email SAO@tka.org.

Attendance: 

• Official Attendance Report by Parents Only to Attendance@tka.org. Students may report an absence to a teacher for assignment coordination only, not to be excused from class
• Reporting Absences: Attendance@tka.org *Please do not expect a response to attendance email.
• Parent Questions or Concerns: SAO@tka.org.*Parents will receive a response to SAO email in a timely manner.
• Connectivity-Related Absence from Class:  Parents should officially report to Attendance@tka.org any absence from classes due to computer connectivity issues. 
  

Need Help with Tech Issues?? 

• Issue with FACTS or GOOGLE SUITE: Email Help.Desk@tka.org 
• Issue with Webex: Contact Webex support by going to https://help.webex.com
• Issue accessing a class link: Reach out to the specific teacher.
• Note: TKA's IT department is not able to provide support with any issues related to your home network or personal devices including devices released this summer by TKA. 

Reminders from the Business Office:

• TKA Tuition & Fee Payment Policy
• FACTS Payment: Just a reminder that you will now make your tuition payments through the FACTS Family Portal. Instructions here.
• Questions? Contact businessoffice@tka.org

Are You a  Fan of TKA? Consider Writing an Online Review: Online reviews can be very useful in helping prospective families learn more about our school. During this admissions season, please consider sharing your experience at one of the review sites below.

Our annual Knights Annual Fundraiser event was scheduled for October 10, 2020. We are postponing the event until the spring when we hope to be able to gather together safely. In the meantime, we still have many families who count on the tuition assistance we raise each year at the Knights Annual Fundraiser (KAF) 

 

Each school year, we aim to raise $1.5 million for the Knights Annual Fund. With many more people impacted by COVID-19, the need for financial aid is even greater this year. If you are in a position to help at this time, please consider a gift to the Knights Annual Fund. All gifts this year will go towards helping students receive a Christ-centered education at The King's Academy.
 

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT!

• GIVE ONLINE HERE.
• WRITE A CHECK payable to "TKA" to the Development Office and indicate "Knights Annual Fund" on the memo line.
• MAKE A STOCK GIFT:  To make a gift of stock using these stock transfer instructions.
• REQUEST CORPORATE MATCHING:  To find out now if your employer will match your gift, kindly check with your HR department

TKA Employment Opportunities: Please pass this information along to any friends of yours whom you think might be qualified and interested. We would appreciate your prayers as we seek to find the best candidates for TKA.

• Teaching Positions - Openings for 2020-2021
  • Vocal Music Teacher-Director, Part-time  Hours:
    • Monday 11:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. with lunch between the two classes
    • Tuesday 10:55 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    • Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. with lunch between the two classes
• Staff Positions - Openings for Current Year
  • Weekend Facilities Staff
  • Human Resource Coordinator, Full-time/Part-time

Spirit Gear Ordering Window Open Through Friday, October 30! This is the time to show your school spirit, order Christmas gifts, and get cozy gear for the fall. Orders will be delivered beginning November 16. We will also be offering masks (no logo) for $8.25. Go to www.tka.org/spirit for details and to order.

It's Not Too Late to Order School Photos! Order here.

 

Students & Parents: Yearbook Needs These Photos From You---Please Help!

• Did you learn a new hobby or skill this summer? Did you bake or create masterpieces in the kitchen? Teach yourself an instrument? Send us your pictures!
• Did you serve in your community this summer or fall? Send us your pictures with a brief description of the service activity!
• Did you have a summer job? Send yearbook your photos of yourself at work with a brief description of your job.
• Are you a NEW FAMILY to TKA? Send us a picture of your students or your whole family??
• Please send all pictures to chrissy.mata@tka.org.

STUDENT CLUBS & CLASS SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

TKA Virtual Club Day: Students, view the club page here. We invite you to browse around and get connected with peers that share your interests. Joining a club is a great way to enrich your academic experience at TKA and make new friends. We currently have almost 20 student-run clubs from a range of interests and more being added each week.  For any questions, please email Mr. Yu at david.yu@tka.org.

 

All Students - You Can Charter a TKA Club! Clubs at TKA are initiated by students, with the support of a staff sponsor. The list of clubs for the current school year will be published later this fall, as clubs must be renewed each school year based on interest. Complete a Club Charter Application or Club Renewal Application, also located in the Student Portal under "Resources." Clubs for 2020-2021 are forming now! You can see a list of clubs that formed last school year at www.tka.org/clubs.  Questions? Contact Tonya.Pegram@tka.org.

• Clubs formed to date

Quiz Bowl Team is Recruiting New Members: When did Pepsi own a navy? What are the six flavors of quarks? Who was the Wife of Bath? Join Quiz Bowl and you might find out. Answer questions using facts you never knew you needed to remember and get some high quality entertainment while you're at it. Practices are held Mondays after school from 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Discord. Join our server here to see what we're all about, or contact ryan.cheng@students.tka.org for more information.

8th Grade & 12th Grade Yearbook Celebration Ads: This is one way you can commemorate this special occasion for them. These ads have come to be a much-cherished tradition here at TKA and fill the final pages of each yearbook. Graduating students, the student body, and the faculty and staff all look forward to perusing these pages. We hope you will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate your student. Ads submitted before October 31 receive the discount price. Details here!

 

High School AI Scholars Live Online: AI Scholars Live Online, developed and taught by a team of Stanford Ph students, exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful AI project where they apply math to real world problems through machine learning. Students attend live online classes where we teach them the mathematical principles behind AI algorithms in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 4:1. Brochure linked here. Students of all levels may apply here for our winter break program by October 31st. We would be thrilled to work with them

 

Class of 2021 - Orders for Graduation Announcements and Cap & Gown: Orders due by Friday, December 18. Our vendor is Herff Jones. You may order on the paper form linked below or online.

• Digital Packet and Paper Order Form
• Herff Jones Info Video for Parents
• Order Online Here

PARENT RESOURCES

Note: These resources and organizations do not necessarily represent the views or values of TKA. Our hope is they may be helpful or informative for parents. Send resources to Director of Marketing & Communications, Kriss.Hayward@tka.org

Moms in Prayer Zoom Meetings on Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Consider joining in prayer for the needs of our TKA community! "Cast all your worries upon Him because He cares for you." I Peter 5:7. Details here

 

Back to School Night Teacher Videos: We hope you enjoy this new format in place of Back to School Night. You can now watch the videos and see all your students' teachers at a convenient time from home. (The page below will remain live through Monday, November 9.)

TKA Parent Seminar "Grief, Anxiety, and Self Care: Addressing the Issues Caused by the Pandemic": By Gary Quan, MFT, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who practices at Christian Counseling Center.

• Slides & Resources from Presentation
• Video of Presentation (Skip to 9:37 when the presentation starts!)
• Books suggested by Gary Quan
  • It is Ok That You're Not Okay by Megan Devine
  • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
  • Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett
  • Roadmap to Resilience by Donald Meichenbaum
• Guided Christian Meditation Videos and Calm app suggested by Brenda Rosé

Parent Resources:

• End the School Shutdown, Wall Street Jounral Opinion 10/20/20
• Digital Citizenship Week Lessons, Daily Planner Templates, Common Sense Education
• Video: 5 Essential Media Literacy Questions for Kids (1:09), Common Sense Education
• Help Kids Fight Cyberbullying and Other Mean Online Behavior, Common Sense Education
• Texting Preferred Over In-PersonTime"...REALLY???, Screenagers 10/20/20
• Friendships During Covid, Screenagers, 10/13/20
• Common Sense Conversation on Documentary, The Social Dilemma, 10/11/20
• Forget about making this school year as normal as possible, Boston Globe, 10/12/20
• What Every Child 10 And Up Needs To Know, Screenagers 9/22/20 (September is Suicide Prevention Month)
• Nerves On Edge In Your Home? Screenagers, 9/15/20
• Top Ten Back-to-School Tips to Help Your Child Thrive, Stanford's Challenge Success Program
• Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World: Recommended by Principal Ferrante

Sweet Dreams for Quaran-teens (from the Axis Newsletter, Culture Translator):  A survey conducted by the Institute for Family Studies showed that during 2020's peak "quarantine" months (March–July), teens actually experienced less depression and loneliness than during a similar survey conducted in 2018.  As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unspool into a never-ending mental health crisis for adults, teens are reporting a curiously different experience—some even feel healthier and happier than they did pre-quarantine. The results of this survey indicate that sleep may be what factors most heavily into this equation, with teens who attended remote learning programs finally getting the recommended 7+ hours of snoozing in. The survey also found that family time increased, presumably because parents had more time to spend with their teens, and social media use decreased while streaming service use spiked. More sleep, quality family time, and less social media use = healthier, happier teens, even in a global pandemic. Read "Teens Did Surprisingly Well in Quarantine" The Atlantic 10/13/20

 

AXIS Cultural Translator is a weekly newsletter. Subscribe free. The Cultural Translator is also available as a podcast on Spotify, Apple and Google. Axis' goal is to connect parents, teens & Jesus in a Disconnected World.

SPIRITUAL LIFE & SERVICE

This Week in Chapel:  We heard a message from Jay Kim, pastor at Westgate Church.  Jay spoke on Luke 9 and dug deeper into what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.  He challenged students to think through what it looks like to Re-Commit our lives and to follow Him as his disciple.  We had a contemplative time of worship and announcements to kick off our time together and Homegroup discussion time immediately following Chapel.

Home Group Chapel Discussion Questions:

• When have you ignored someone (on purpose or accident)? When did you realize you were doing this? How did they react?
• What is something hard (painful) that you feel God calling you to do or to work on?
• What needs to be "put to death" in your life in order to follow God more closely?

2020-2021 Service: Service is a critical component of TKA's educational experience, and all high school students at The King's Academy are required to complete service hours annually as part of their graduation requirements. We find ourselves in a unique situation for the 2020-2021 school year with regard to service. The experience will be different this year for many but no less valuable. Details found at www.tka.org/service2020

• Local In-Person and Online Service Opportunities(Updated regularly)
• MobileServe: If you can not find your activation email, please download the MobileServe app on your phone or access on your computer browser, click login, and then click forgot password. This will generate another email invitation to join. You must log in with your TKA email address.

COLLEGE & ACADEMIC COUNSELING

"Navigating College Admissions Tests" -  A Presentation for TKA Families.  Please join us for a thoughtful and pragmatic discussion of college admission testing that will be useful to students and parents alike. Details here.

• Thursday, November 5, 7:00-8:00 p.m. via Zoom with live Q&A
• You must register in advance here to attend the live webinar event.
• The event will be recorded and available at a later date.
• Program aimed at sophomores and juniors but open to any family.

 

The October Edition of College Connection Newsletter Focuses on the FAFSA! It also features timelines and to-do lists for Juniors and Seniors.

 

Financial Aid Presentation: If you missed the Financial Aid presentation, you may view it here.

 

UC Application & Personal Insight Questions: Presentation linked here.

 

JUNIORS and SENIORS, Did You Know College Rep Visits Are for Your Benefit?

• Here is the current list of colleges coming in October.

Changes to this list happen daily: new visits scheduled or time changes, so the best source of information is your Naviance Student account homepage. Look under What's New for a quick view.  

NOTE: Some visits may indicate a start time that overlaps with the last 5 minutes of class time. As long as you register in advance, you may join the meeting as soon as you are able! 
To Register for a visit, follow these instructions:

1. Go to the Naviance student homepage
2. Click Colleges.
3. Click Colleges Home.
4. Under College Visits, click Show More.
5. Select the desired school.
6. Click Register.

UC Admissions Night, Thursday, October  29, from 7:00- 8:30 p.m.: UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, and UC San Diego are joining together for an overview presentation of the UC System following by a live Q & A. Families can register here. 

Virtual Christian College Fair:  Register for this free event. The event will be live on Thursday, November 5, starting at 3:00 PDT. The 125 college booths will be open along with their videos, docs, links, hundreds of presentations. Note: Recorded sessions from an earlier event are also available now through November 6 so check them out on your own time and save the date of November 5 when we are live again!

 

StriveScan Virtual Visits Featuring Over 500 Colleges. Hear from admissions officers and gain important knowledge for the admissions process.

 

College Resources:

• A "Fit" Over Rankings: Why College Engagement Matters More Than Selectivity, Stanford's Challenge Success Program
• College Selection Guide: interactive tool to determine what they want in a college, Stanford's Challenge Success Program
• Why Now? A healthy framework to consider this year's unique admissions process, Forbes, 8/28/20\

IEEE TRY Engineering:  Are you looking for ways to spark your students' interest in STEM? Check out IEEE TryEngineering Tuesday, our new series that will focus on a particular technology or field of engineering each month. The inaugural issue of TryEngineering Tuesday is all about ocean engineering.  For more information about resources, webinars and more, go to tryengineering.org.

Watch the Royal Reminders for weekly updates.

• Questions: academiccounseling@tka.org

ATHLETICS

High School Sports Sign-Ups Through Monday, November 2:  Sign up at www.tka.org/sportsignup found on TKA homepage under "Athletics."

• We are holding sign-ups for both seasons at the same time so we can get a more accurate picture of how many viable teams we have.
• You may sign up for one sport in each season.
• Season 2 only: If you are interested in playing a second sport during Season 2 (i.e., Basketball and Track), please email Mr. Maemone at Joe.Maemone@tka.org.

The King's Academy is a Christ-centered school that inspires academic excellence, servant leadership, and enduring relationships.

The King's Academy

562 N. Britton Avenue • Sunnyvale, CA • 94085-3841

408.481.9900   www.tka.org
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