Happy Monday, Warrior Families,

We hope you had a great weekend. We have a few updates for our final in-person week of the year.

First, we want to shout out our Drama class who performed at the Richard III (Kind of) at the Shakespeare Theater. Our students did an incredible job making the complex story of Richard III their own. We want to thank the Shakespeare Theater Company for their Residency program and our very own Ms. Gokool for helping our students meet the challenge.

Are you all set for virtual learning on Monday, 12/19, and Tuesday, 12/20? If not, reach out to Ms. Moore today at nmoore@tmapchs.org. We expect all students to participate as with any other attendance day. 

Finally, please be on the lookout for 2nd quarter progress reports. We want to ensure all families have a pulse on how their students are doing. Be on the lookout for assignments that students can work on during the break to improve their grades and prepare for the end of the quarter.

Raymond A. Weeden, Jr.

Executive Director

"Never be satisfied with less than your very best effort. "

 G. Ford

Distribution will be Friday, December 16th, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM in the cafeteria.

If you have any questions, please contact zames@tmapchs.org or call 202-766-1803.

Below you will find a link to one of the more exciting things to happen to TMA this year. We are students who wrote an anthology that was officially published. Chaotic Harmony is a testament to the brilliance that our children display every day in our building; if you are looking for a birthday, holiday, or "just because gift," We highly recommend it!

The internet can be a wonderful resource for teens. They can use it to stay connected to peers, complete schoolwork, and engage in learning and fun. However, the internet also comes with risks like cyberbullying, child predators, explicit content, and exploitation. Teens often access the internet through smartphones, computers, and gaming consoles like Xbox, Playstation, and Switch. Keeping your child safe online can seem like an impossible task, but a few simple tips can make a big difference. 

• Communicate with your child about online activities. Be curious about what they are doing online and whom they are speaking to without interrogating them. Keep communication respectful and open. Encourage your child to share by remaining non-judgemental and kind. To open the conversation, you might ask, “Have you seen anything cool/funny on TikTok/Instagram/Snapchat lately?” or “Who do you play Fortnight/Minecraft/COD with? Are they any good?”. Asking questions like these will encourage your child to talk so that you can listen and learn about what they are doing online.

• Be aware of when and where your child is accessing the internet. Knowing which devices in your home allow internet access will ensure that you can appropriately monitor online activity. Place as many devices as possible in common areas where you can supervise. This is particularly relevant for gaming consoles if your child plays online games. It is normal and understandable for teenagers to want some level of privacy, and it is not possible to constantly supervise when your child has access to a smartphone; this is where the next step comes in

• Educate your teen about the potential dangers they face online. Teens are highly susceptible to predators and scammers who act like friends or offer money or gifts. Teach your child to recognize the signs of grooming, scammers, and other online dangers. Make sure to teach your teen about the importance of protecting personal information (phone number, address, name)

For more information about online safety, check out the following sites:

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html 

https://iamcybersafe.org/s/parents-top-tips 

https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus/keeping-children-safe-online 

Take advantage of TMA's offerings. Your teachers are here to support you during Office Hours; we have tutors here to support you with Homework Help, clubs, and athletics. The After-School Schedule is updated regularly and highlights all programs, such as academic support to clubs and athletics.

Teacher Office Hours Schedule (Fall)

TMA After School TMA After School Schedule (Clubs & Athletics)(Clubs & Athletics)