All D. A. T. E., students receiving digital curriculum and direct instruction online are subject to any applicable District policies and this Student Virtual Learning Code of Conduct.
Students are responsible for proper behavior during online learning.
Students are expected to take integrity and use authenticity of their own work.
It is illegal to create harmful computer viruses.
Remote Learning correspondences are public under school’s records and subject to disclosure.
Internet Policy
Data that is composed, transmitted, accessed, or received via the Internet must not contain content that could be considered discriminatory, offensive, obscene, threatening, harassing, intimidating, or disruptive to any other person. Examples of unacceptable content may include, but are not limited to, sexual comments or images, racial slurs, gender-specific comments, or any other comments or images that could reasonably offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Disciplinary Action
Progressive discipline will continue to be utilized to create the expectation that the degree of discipline imposed will be in proportion to the severity of the behavior. Violations of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including Districts policies and guidelines.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
DeKalb Agriculture Technology and Environment Charter Schools, Inc. (DATE) utilizes the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as a universal screener three times a year - Fall, Winter, and Spring.
In an effort to accommodate the many schools within the district and students opting to remain in a virtual learning environment, the Winter MAP testing window opened on Monday, January 4, 2020, and will close on Friday, February 26, 2020.
For school year 2020-2021, the Winter MAP test administration window is utilized for Magnet and Gifted eligibility screening. Therefore, due to the nature of the 2020-2021 Winter MAP assessments, students in grades 3 – 8 will be administered the MAP test in two different testing modes, if applicable: remotely (Language Usage and Science MAP tests) and face to face (Reading and Mathematics MAP tests). K – 2 students will be administered the MAP test (Reading and Mathematics) in a face to face setting.
All students in grades 3 – 8 will be administered the Language Usage and Science test during the Winter MAP administration window, January 13 – February 26, 2021.
All K-8 students participating in face to face or virtual instruction will be administered the Reading and Mathematics MAP test between February 1 – February 26, 2021.
*Students assigned to the virtual learning model will report for face to face testing for reading/math following the schedule below:
Grades 6 - 8 => February 1 - 4 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Grade 3 - 5 => February 8 - 11 (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
Grades K - 2 => February 16 - 18 (9:00 AM - 11:00 PM)
Make up testing will occur daily (M-Th) as needed February 1 - 26 for any grade level.
Below are D.A.T.E.’s Winter MAP 2020 face to face test procedures:
1. Students must wear face covering or mask during the entire time that they are on the premises.
2. There will be no more than 15 student participants per test session/per examiner.
3. Students should bring the school technology device daily. Computers should be transported in a protective bag/case.
**If students are showing signs of fever, cough, runny nose, chills, or any other cold-like symptoms, they should not participate in this administration. **
**DATE will follow all Georgia Health Department and the Center for Disease Control Health and Safety Guidelines as related to the COVID-19 pandemic. *
MAP Growth tests from NWEA® are unique in that they are adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. This means the test questions will become more difficult when your child answers a question correctly and easier when your child answers a question incorrectly. The information presented on the test is aligned with the Georgia Department of Education curriculum and is the same information that your child should have already been exposed to in school.
If, based on your child’s IEP, 504-IAP, or EL-TPC plan, there are allowable accommodations that your child may receive on the Winter MAP assessment they will be provided as outlined in their plans.
Each remote MAP Growth test session will consist of 9 - 12 students (including your child). Each face to face test administration will consist of up to 15 students (including your child).
Below are instructions on how to prepare your child for their MAP Growth assessments. Additionally, attached to this letter is a Student Log in Quick Guide that will provide you with a visual on how to access the MAP assessment.
Prior to Test Day (virtual administration)
1. Make sure your child’s device has an internet connection. (virtual administration)
2. Make sure your device meets testing requirements using the Workstation Diagnostic Tool. (virtual administration)
3. Watch the MAP Growth introduction video
4. Practice the test at practice.mapnwea.org
(Username: grow Password: grow)
On Test Day (virtual administration)
1. Minimize distractions for your child as much as possible.
2. Provide a quiet testing environment.
3. Follow all instructions from the teacher/proctor.
For more information about MAP Growth, visit: NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit. If you have any additional questions, please contact Dr. Keidra Taylor ( KTaylor@dateacademy.org ) .
#DATEstrong
Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Dr. K. Taylor,
Chief Academic Officer
The NBA’s color lines were broken in the 1950-51 season when three Black players made their mark on a series of teams. The appearance of the players shifted the racial paradigm of the popular sports league, paving the way for the Black superstars of today.
On April 25, 1950, the Boston Celtics drafted Charles “Chuck” Cooper, followed by the May 24 signing of Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton by the New York Knicks and the debut of the Washington Capitols’ Earl Lloyd who was the first Black player in an NBA game on October 31.
Dr. E. Wilson
Middle School Principal
D. A. T. E.'s Motto: "Learning with Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor."
Ms. Erica Thomas,
Elementary Principal
Attendance Matters!
We know some absences are unavoidable even in this virtual environment, but keeping students logged in for all their classes matters. Attending school regularly helps students self-esteem, builds school morale, and helps to reduce academic challenges. Start building this habit early so students can learn right away that going to school on time and every day is important. If your student is unable to participate in their daily schedule, they are considered absent. Please remember when this occurs, the school needs to be notified within 30 days to excuse any absences. To report an absence, please email Attendance@dateacademy.org. If email is not possible, please leave a message on our front desk line at 678-999-9290.
Meek, thin, and unassuming are all words that may be used to describe Amanda Gorman. However, once she opens her mouth to speak, she spits lightning, roars thunder, and rains fire. Her fire cut masterfully through the pall the encompassed the Capitol complex as remnants of the failed insurrection were ever present. Her dark chocolate countenance and illuminating smile were captivating, as she held her audience in rapt attention.
Amanda Gorman was born in Los Angeles, California to a single mother who is an English teacher. Battling a speech impediment as a child and at times, immersed in a less than desirable environment, Amanda could have easily become another statistic, yet she persevered. She realized the power of words and speech at an early age, becoming poet laureate of Los Angeles as a young child and later National Youth Poet Laureate of the US. She wrote and recited her way through Harvard University, graduating cum laude in 2020. With her impeccable writing style and flawless delivery at the inauguration, Amanda catapulted herself from obscurity to fame with each word she spoke.
Her recitation of “The Hill We Climb”, a poem that she wrote for the Inauguration, offered inspiration in a world stricken with disease, bigotry, and divisiveness. Exuding a wisdom that exceeds her twenty-two years, Amanda closed out her poem by saying, “There is always light if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.” It is this writer’s opinion that as a nation, we are at a crossroads. The society where we currently reside could easily devolve into a lawless one, where tribal affiliations are pervasive and become our new normal. Amanda is more hopeful than I, stating, “We are a nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished”. Her words of a better America, one that is more diverse and welcoming of all cultures and lifestyles, offer hope that can only be seen if one chooses to see it.
January 20th, 2021 was not only the day that Joe Biden was inaugurated as President of the United States, it is also the day that Amanda Gorman was introduced to the world, cementing herself into the very fabric of society. She is known now not only a poet laureate; but also, as an author, and an activist. She is quickly proving herself to be a force to be reckoned with, and this at a time when African-American women are lifting and leading their communities. Step aside ladies, Amanda Gorman is on her way!
It is so important that all parents be connected to all the tools available to assist in the success of our students. Infinite Campus is one of those wonderful tools available to us. Connection to Infinite Campus allows you, the parent, to ensure the completion of all assigned tasks for your scholars' test scores, attendance in scheduled classes, and so much more. Please email Ms. Armstrong at: sarmstrong@dateacademy.org from your personal email to request your Activation Code needed to create a Parent Portal Infinite Campus Account.
Please do not use your scholars email address to request the activation code. The email assigned to your scholar is for student communication with their instructors.
Greeting All,
February is the month we as a nation celebrate Black History. People of color understand that our history happens everyday and there are so many great things that we have accomplished throughout human civilization. I once heard someone say recently “ I am a black person 365 days out of the year”. While we are familiar with Martin Luther King, Shirley Chisolm, Frederick Douglass, Washington Carver and the likes, there are a number of notable leaders in our community that are making history in the 21st Century. Let’s all take a moment to discover the greatness of these “sheroes” and “heroes”. These are just a few of MANY!
Shirley Ann Jackson, PH. D is the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, New York and Hartford Connecticut which is one of the oldest technological research universities in the United States. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Physics and a Ph.D in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics from MIT. She is a trailblazer and the first African-American woman to lead a top-ranked research university.
Dr. Julian Manly Earls became NASA’s first black section head, first black office chief, first black division chief, first black deputy director, and NASA’s second black center director. Dr. Earl is responsible for research, technology, and systems development programs in aeronautical propulsion, space propulsion, space power, space communications and microgravity science.
Kimberly Bryant is the founder of Black Girls Code where her mission is to increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology
These scholars are to be celebrated for their greatness and contribution to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Mrs. Shillingford
S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Coordinator
Environmental Specialist
It's National School Counseling Week! We strive to advocate for our students and help guide and support them through their daily experiences. Continue to celebrate your successes as you navigate these tough times and know that at D.A.T.E., The Caring Counseling Department is here to help!
In an effort to make sure our students and parents have access to support during these uncharted times, our School Counseling Department will be providing support group services covering a variance of topics to provide strategies to parents, and an emotional outlet for children. These groups will run virtually after school on a weekly basis. Below you will find the links for the meetings.
Topics to anticipate are as follows:
Students:
Social challenges
Academic frustrations
Organization and planning
Social engagement
Parents:
Ways to encourage your student
Promoting healthy communication
Supporting your student's social needs during a pandemic
