Newsletter 1/12/24
“I am curious and creative and communicate with grace!”
From “Our Commitments”
Arkansas Poet Laureate, Suzanne Rhodes, guided us through writing our first poems! Ava Rogers (2nd) demonstrates graceful communication and confidence as she reads her poem!
We began our week with a very special guest and ended our week with a very different type of (weather) guest! Suzanne Rhodes has the honor and title of Poet Laureate for the whole state of Arkansas for the next 4 years - she is a very good friend of Amy Imbody, President of The Center for Redemptive Education (who sponsored Suzanne’s visit!). Suzanne met with each class and lead them through an exercise where they explored their own curiosity about an animal and turned their burning questions about that animal into a short poem. It was a very effective, simple activity with a successful outcome for every student! She also taught us about similes and metaphors and how those are used in poetry to create word pictures.
By the middle and end of the week we were braving an arctic blast that kept us inside for much of the day. We went a little stir crazy, but we drew upon the resilience we’ve been developing since August, and made it work!
Since January 2nd, we have added SEVEN new students to our big, happy family! Mrs. Brown welcomed Aven Bray (1st grade) and Parker Brown (Kindergarten), and Mrs. Parker welcomed a big crew: Autry Brown (2nd), Cambri Bray (3rd), Cortana Reece-Lumba (2nd), Ezekiel Hill (2nd), and Reece Fulmer (2nd) who will start Tuesday. WHEW! (Mrs. Parker enjoys Coffee Parlor, Popeyes, Sonic, and Saku Saku…if anyone is wondering).
Re-enrollment
Our Re-enrollment for 2024-25 and sibling enrollment is underway! Some of you have already submitted applications for siblings (thank you)! As we stated in the re-enrollment email, we assume you will be returning unless you notify us otherwise by January 31st. All returning students will be re-enrolled on Feb. 1st and the $250 enrollment fee will be added to your payment plan, or we can roll this fee to June if you let us know: amber@joshua-academy.org.
Scholarships and LEARNS
ACE Scholarship applications open Monday, Feb. 5th at 8 am and close on tax day! This is an income-dependent program that pays up to $4,500 per child. You will need to have filed your 2023 taxes to apply. ACE applications are a part of our FACTS Financial Aid application accessed through Family Portal > Financial.
Reform Alliance is an income-dependent program available to those who don’t receive LEARNS or to kids with disabilities (can also receive LEARNS). You can apply for both ACE and Reform.
LEARNS funding (EFAs) open in March. The eligibility criteria are the same as last year with the addition of veterans/law enforcement/first responders and students who attended a D-rated school this year. You will not need to re-submit an application if you currently receive EFA. They will reach out about your participation next year. ALL students are eligible for 2025-26.
Joshua Academy scholarships will be awarded based on Financial Aid application information. You will need to complete a new application for next year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS!
I will try to make snow-day decisions by 6:15 am, sent out via our Parent Alert text system. Make sure your cell phone info is up-to-date in the Family Portal.
If your child will be absent, please text or call Amber directly at the main office number: 479-439-4092. You should also let your child’s teacher know.
Our 2nd annual Fund the Future Donor Dinner will be held Tues, Feb. 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm at Hidden Meadows Events in Rudy. We still need parent and student volunteers! We can’t invite all of our families unfortunately as space is limited BUT if you would like to host your own table (no cost, just fill with 8 potential donors), help set up/tear down or serve, email me: kara@joshua-academy.org.
Applications for new families open Feb. 1st and private tours are ongoing. Spots are very limited next year in 2nd-5th. Direct friends to our website to get on the interest list today! https://joshua-academy.org.
WHAT’S COMING UP!
Jan 15 (Mon) - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL/Teacher Inservice
Jan 19 (Fri) - Family chapel, 8-8:30 am
Feb 7 (Wed) - Family lunch, 12-12:45 pm
Feb 19 (Mon) - President’s Day - NO SCHOOL/Teacher professional development (with Amy Imbody In D.C!)