The Invictus Inquirer Jan. 13, 2023 |
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What's new in this week's edition? - A Word from the Headmaster
- Save the Date
- After-School Clubs
- The PSO Plug
- Athletics
- Charter School Advocacy
Repeat Information: ***IMPORTANT NOTES*** - The latest time scholars can be checked out is 12:30pm on early release days or 2:30pm on regular days. We ask that that you respect this cut off time.
- Please complete this Parent Survey to give us feedback on your experience during the 2nd Quarter.
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a word from the headmaster |
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Greetings, Highlanders, We hope you had a restful and joyful break, and were thrilled to welcome students back to campus this week. Monday was a beautiful day of celebrating all of the hard work our students invested in their poems. On Monday afternoon, we joined together in the gym, as a whole school, to recite for one another. In just my lifetime, memorization has fallen out of favor. Why learn the “times table” when we have calculators? Why memorize the names of all fifty states, when you could just “Google it?” While there is some utilitarianism that could be ascribed to memorization (precise attention to detail, oral presentation to peers, perseverance required to learn multiple stanzas), that is not why we memorize. When we memorize something, or learn it “by heart” we are internalizing the words and committing them to memory. Our campus name, Invictus, was the title of a poem that gave hope to Nelson Mandela, while imprisoned for 27 years. The memorization of Epictetus is what James Stockdale attributed his perseverance and leadership to, while imprisoned as a POW for seven years. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I’ve been asked to sing “In My Room” when one of my boys can’t fall asleep. The lyrics and melody that were a comfort to me as a young boy have now been passed down to them. Because I knew them and loved them by heart. Click the video link below for a short montage of your scholar's poetry. |
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- Kinder: I Do Not Mind You Winter Wind by Jack Prelutsky
- 1st: My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson
- 2nd: The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key
- 3rd: Friends, Romans, Countrymen… by William Shakespeare
- 4th: Paul Revere's Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- 5th: The Bells by Edgar A. Poe
- 6th: St. Crispin's Day Speech- Henry V- William Shakespeare
- 7th: The Barefoot Boy by John Greenleaf Whittier
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This was a wonderful first “Independent Study Week” for us, and we looking forward to making even more memories during the second half of this inaugural year. Thank you for your partnership! Take good care, |
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Matthew Vlahovich Headmaster |
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- Jan 16: MLK - No School
- Jan 20: Kinder Field Trip to Sea World
- Jan 20: Network Spelling Bee
- Jan 27: Progress Reports
- Jan 28: Family Event: Highlander Breakfast on Campus
- Feb 16: Family Event: Family Movie Night
- Mar 25: Family Event: Highlander Spring Picnic
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We are thrilled to bring clubs back this quarter! Please click here if you would like to register for after-school clubs. - Brass Instruments- 4th-7th
- Crochet Club 4th-7th
- Baking Club (now offering two days a week) 1st-7th
- Highland Dance Club K-7th
- Lego Club (Animal Adventures) K-7th
- Gardening Club K-7th
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January 28th: Our Highlander Breakfast that is coming up in a few weeks will be similar to the Pancake Breakfast from last fall. We will have different food options, but the feel of the event will be very similar. Volunteer opportunities will be provided in next week's newsletter. February 16th: The Family Movie Night will take place on the MPR turf. If weather is a factor, the event will take place in the gym. March 25th: Our biggest family event of the year is the Highlander Spring Picnic. Please mark your calendars for March 25. |
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- If we have any businesses in the school that would like to sponsor a booth at the Spring Picnic, please contact Kazia Estrada.
- If anyone is interested in serving on the Picnic Planning Committee, we are meeting on January 19th at Wine 101 in Helotes at 6pm.
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Congratulations to our boys soccer team with the victory over FEAST this week. |
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Texas 88th legislature: Charter School advocacy |
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- The Texas Legislature convenes every other year, and last week, lawmakers met in Austin to kick off the 88th session that runs through May. During this time, Great Hearts needs parents at each campus to advocate for our classical charter schools! If you feel called to serve as a parent advocate for your campus, email Family Advocacy Manager Bridie Chaudoir at bridie.chaudoir@greatheartstx.org.
- Stay up to date on critical charter school legislation and action alerts from the Texas Public Charter School Association (TPCSA). TPCSA is the statewide organization representing Texas charter schools to state leaders, lawmakers, and state agencies.
Even if you cannot serve as a campus advocate, all parents can stay informed by subscribing to TPCSA’s emails and alerts. To receive TPCSA emails and alerts, please click this link. - Legislative Priorities: TPCSA has released its list of priority issues to win in Austin this session, from funding to municipal discrimination and more.
- Online Advocacy Workshop: TPCSA has opened registration for its next Parent Advocate Leader program (PAL). This program trains parents to become advocacy champions. TPCSA's goal is to win in Austin. Parent voices will make a difference in helping to achieve this goal!
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The Great Hearts Invictus Spelling Bee will take place on January 20th at 6:00 p.m. Classroom champions are requested at check-in 10 minutes prior to the start time. Alternates are not required to attend unless notified that the class champion in unable to compete. The school champion will advance to compete in the Great Hearts San Antonio Spelling Bee, and have the opportunity to compete in The Brauntex Regional Spelling Bee! |
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From all of us at Great Hearts Invictus. |
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