Principal's Message
February was an exciting month for the Knights. Our NAL team had many matches and made it to the Championships. We look forward to seeing our Knights in action as they compete in the National NAL tournament in March. Our 8th graders have been preparing for the big move to high school and have completed registering for high school classes. The 5th graders had a great time learning and playing in the snow at Camp Tontozona. The 7th and 8th-grade monochromatic-themed dance was a great time and the DJ was a former Academy Knight! So much fun and so much to look forward to in the fourth quarter!- Ms. Wilfert
From our Counselor's Corner
Huge shout out to our NJHS members! On February 14th, they were busy sharing Valentine's goodies with all of our Knights. The gummies were delicious and brought smiles to all!
International Students
IB students have a deep respect for the traditions and cultural experiences of others, and when we can't experience something firsthand, learning from one another is always valuable to us as human beings. At MAAS we have international students and students who have lived in other countries. In our next issues, we will share some of their stories and experiences. Take a few moments to learn about Ana Lia, Simon, and their families. Both families shared that language was one of the obstacles they encountered when moving to the U.S. This is why our IB programs incorporate language learning into our course listings.
Ana Lia Contreras- 5th Grader
Ana Lia is one of our newer 5th Grade Knights. She was born in México and moved to the U.S. with her family. Ana Lia shared that one of the greatest challenges for her and her family was the language barrier. When they first arrived they spoke very little English and communicating was difficult. Sometimes the cultural differences make it difficult to adjust but thank goodness for Ana Lia and her family most Mexican and American holidays are similar. She stays in touch with her culture and her family by visiting Mexico at Christmas time. Welcome to Mesa Academy Ana Lia and thank you for sharing your experience.
Simon Newman- 7th Grader
MLK Celebration Contest
Congratulations to 5th grader Kathryn Winward for her First Place entry in the Arizona State University Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration essay contest titled, “Be the Help.
Spelling Bee Champ
You've heard his name on numerous occasions. He represents MAAS well in all that he does in and outside of school. We are very proud to call this year's MPS District Spelling Bee Champ a Mesa Academy Knight. Last month we mentioned his regional win and we are happy to share that Preston did an AMAZING job bringing home the District Trophy. Way to be Preston Rule!
Mesa Academy's IB Students and Teacher of the Month for February
Every month teachers are given the opportunity to nominate students that exemplify IB Profile Traits. Congratulations to the following MAAS Knights for being recognized as our February IB Students of the Month: Layla Habbeb (4th Grade), Reagan Carlson (5th Grade), William Taylor (6th Grade), Abby Whitmer (7th Grade), and Kendall Von Burg (8th Grade).
8th Grade Project Presentations
Last month, all of our eighth graders presented project ideas about the City of Mesa to a panel of judges. Those fifteen groups of eighth graders were reduced to five groups for February’s presentations, which were received by a different audience. The five groups that moved on are Stayin’ Alive, Mesa’s Green Future, Solution to Light Pollution, Sunny Solutions, and Mesa Animal App. On Friday, the 10th of February, they all presented their ideas for programs to improve the City of Mesa to a panel of judges: employees from the City of Mesa. Those judges were Cynthia Catledge (College and Career Department Specialist), Marc Beasley (Student and Engagement Coordinator), Dr. Tracy Yslas (Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning), Evan Allred (Chief Data Officer), Sarah Tolar (Education & Workforce), Amanda Freeman (Special Projects Administrator), Mr. Kim Lofgreen (Mesa’s Office of Economic Development Marketing & Business Development Manager), and Jodi Sorell (Transit Services Director). Additionally, Mayor John Giles was present at the very beginning of the presentations and gave an encouraging speech. Many of the seventh grade classes were also in attendance to get a preview of what they’ll be doing this next school year. In the end, cookies and water were served for refreshments, and all of the eighth grade students were relieved to have finally finished their large projects. Many thanks to everybody who helped out and participated!
5th Grade Science Camp
Students engaged in the great outdoors with an experience they will never forget. In addition to the surprise of the snow, students were able to partake in multiple other learning activities. 5th-grade students had the opportunity to review their knowledge of matter while they made ice cream with the use of snow and icicles! Our 5th-grade scientists got the opportunity to practice all of their skills in physics as they built an amusement park ride powered by solar panels, built a Rube Goldberg machine, and built their own lego cars to race down ramps. Our Knights utilized their IB traits throughout their experience with a focus on Communication.
Scientists also enjoyed a fantastic lesson on owl pellets, where they got to dissect an owl pellet and reconstruct the animal the owl consumed. On the last night, our 5th-grade scientist got to enjoy the clear night sky and identify constellations and stars. They created marshmallow models of the constellations they observed and of course, enjoyed eating their models when they were done! Through many snowball fights, snow hiking, classroom learning, and challenges galore our 5th Grade Scientists returned to the Valley with new experiences, new information, and a greater appreciation for the Great Outdoors! Thank you, Mrs. Clanton and Mrs. Wylie for the great opportunity and experience.
5th Grade Science Expo
Our Mesa Academy families dipped their toes into science on the 27th at our Science Expo. Our MPR was filled with amazing Science posters from What happens to yeast when mixed with liquids other than water to What are the best post-its? Knights demonstrated their skills! There is no doubt that our young scientists have mastered the Scientific Method.
4th Graders enjoying some cultural treats
This month our 4th Graders had a blast learning La Macarena with Sra. Sandoval to go over the months of the year in Spanish. After watching them do the Salsa in September with Ms. Delgado, Sra. Sandoval was not surprised at the excellent Latin Dancing skills our youngest Knights displayed. Dancing was not the only thing they enjoyed. As a special treat and a preview of our International Festival on March 31st, two of the 4th-grade teams in Sra. Sandoval's classes were treated to authentic Mexican paletas. The cold weather didn't keep them from enjoying their all-natural paletas. Of course, while they enjoyed their treats they discussed the differences between American popsicles and Mexican paletas, and the ingredients, and many shared how paletas are already a part of their family traditions. Be sure to join us on March 31st at our International Festival for paletas and Latin Dance and Music!
Valentines for our Vets
Almost 200 Valentines were sent to Representative Greg Stanton from Mesa Academy. In February our 4th and 5th graders designed Valentine's Cards for our local senior veterans. Students included cute and warm pictures and phrases in Spanish and in English. We are so proud of the many ways that our Knights show their caring traits.
Native American Tribe History
Part of our 4th-grade curriculum is learning about Native American Tribe History. As part of the learning process, our students created a museum out of dioramas that showcased the adaptations of their unique tribe. Parents and family members were invited to see the projects. Students shared the information they learned, participated in a scavenger hunt, and even demonstrated some traditional techniques of their tribes. Great job, Knights!
Thank you, PTO!
Our PTO did a fabulous job putting together a February Family Mixer at Gene Autry in February. We had a great turnout. Kids were running, playing, and enjoying the great weather on that Saturday morning. Thank you to all that attended our Saturday Family Mixer and all that keep showing their support for our restaurant nights. We hope to see you soon.
7th and 8th Grade Dance
NAL
Knights Representing at Fremont
Shout out to our 4 Knights that are part of Fremont's Track and Field Team. We are very proud of your performance. Paul Trendler, Marcus Rogers, Liam Zappone, and Crew Comish. Here they are against Stapley and Rhodes.
UKnighters
For the February meeting, the UKnighters met on the thirteenth. Most people brought tasty treats and gladly ate them with their older or younger buddies. At first, the meeting started out with a fun recap since everyone had seen each other last, how things had been, what they’d done, homework, funny stories, and a lot more. After that intro the UKnighters spent time making valentines for a tree, decorating them with the materials we had. Then everyone got a paper and made a paper airplane. They all lined up and threw the planes to see which one went farthest to get a prize.
Staff Spotlight
Dr. Warner
Dr. Warner is our amazing psychologist here at Mesa Academy. He comes on Thursdays and is able to improve the students’ ability to learn. He can help with mental health, behavior issues, or social troubles. The thing he loves most about Mesa Academy is our exceptional band and orchestra concerts. He is so encaptured by our music and how talented our kids are. He’s watched our concerts here since his two daughters went here when we first opened. Something fun about him is that he is also a football referee, a basketball referee, and a baseball umpire.He wishes every school had technology, music and language courses like ours.
MAAS Staff and their pets
Be ready to fall in love with some of Mesa Academy's favorite pets. Can you guess what pets belong to what staff member?
PTO Information and Calendar
Save the Date
March 7 - Chick-fil-A
March 31 - International Festival
April 19 - Backyard Taco
May 11 6-7pm in MPR Close Up Meeting for current 7th grade parents for the 8th grade trip of 2024.
Interested in MAAS?
Preparing students for life in the 21st century and helping students become life-long learners who understand how to navigate successfully through an ever-changing and increasingly interrelated world is not a secret. Share what we do at Mesa Academy with your family, friends, and neighbors and encourage them to visit our school website for more information.
Your 2022-23 Knightly Newsletter Team: Amelia Clement, Adri Cardall, Anna Reeves, Arianne Rencher, Charlotte Whitmer, Emma Hughes, Hadley Kennington, Jessie Olmedo, Kendall Von Burg, Kira Shultz, McKenna King, Oliva Merrill, Ryan Weinstein, Valette Lara, Xavier Vaughan, Jazzy Pascacio, Helynn Castro, Abi Allport, Mrs. Sandoval.
A big welcome to our newest 6th-grade Newsletter Team members that are quickly learning all they can before this year's 8th-grade team says good-bye in 3 months. Alia Cluff, Julia Norton, Layla Spangler, and William Taylor. We are so happy you've joined our team.
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