I am pleased to announce a few upcoming exciting events that are occurring at FAET!!! We are participating in teambuilding as a staff, adding new courses to enhance our technology program, and continuing to strengthen our sports program.  FAET continues to obtain additional courses that will enhance our Technology program.  This semester, I am pleased to announce that we are offering a Gaming course which allows students to design video games. We also offer a STARS certification program which allows students to become certified in the area of Geospatial Technology. FAET is one of the only schools in the district that offers this award winning program which will allow students to become certified in a growing technology field.

On Thursday, February 2, 2012, 30 of our middle and high school students will be participating in a broadcast interview with an astronaut from NASA. FAET was one of four schools in the Nation that will have the opportunity to participate in this broadcast. Our students are excited and are ready to interview the Captain with pertinent questions which will allow them to obtain critical information regarding space technology.

Our Saturday Grizzly Academy and SES Title 1 After School tutorial program began on December 10, 2011.  During these academic academies, students have the opportunity to enhance language arts and mathematics skills in preparation for the MSA and the May submission of the HSA.  Our academies have been well attended and the students are pleased to have this opportunity which will assist them with achieving more than a one year plus progression rate. We are working toward “Charting the Pathway to Proficiency”!!!!

We have a class of 101 seniors that are ready to graduate!!! We are the only transformation school in the district that has retained our entire senior class! Many of these seniors have already been accepted to various colleges and universities. I have taken the liberty to attach our college acceptances to this announcement. These colleges have awarded various scholarships and opportunities to our seniors. Labria Wallace received a scholarship to Mary Baldwin for $24,000 and a scholarship to Stevenson College for $12,000. Martray McKesson received $2,000 to Virginia Union.  Dallas Ware, Antonio Goodman, and Austin Heggins, three of our high school students, are also enrolled in Community College of Baltimore City and University of Baltimore to receive college credits before graduation. This was a wonderful opportunity that will provide these students with a head start for college. Additional updates and announcements will follow as our students continue to receive college acceptance letters and scholarships.

On January 31, 2012, Labria Wallace was awarded Friendship College Bound Student of the Year. She will compete in the District Wide College Bound competition!!!! The FAET Family is very proud of Labria’s accomplishments.

To celebrate Black History Month, our middle and high school PRIDE programs will be participating in various activities to include teachers dressing as scientists, inventors, politicians, poets, mathematicians, and historians on a daily basis. Each department will base their curriculum on a theme geared towards a black historian. Language Arts will focus on black poets, science classes will focus on scientists, social studies (law) classes will focus on politicians and historians, and mathematics/algebra classes will discuss and learn about black mathematicians. This unit will focus on presentations and skits that will provide students with an opportunity to learn additional information regarding black history.

The FAET Special Education Department facilitated a presentation in the 2^nd Annual Paraprofessional and School-Related Personnel Education conference held at the Baltimore Convention Center on January 27, 2012.  Mr. Robert Cephas (PRIDE Program Director Middle School), Mr. Damon West (PRIDE Program Director High School), and Mrs. Luanda Johnson(FAET School Social Worker) wrote and presented “See Me Beyond My Behavior: True Facts of ADHD and Bipolar Disorders. This information empowered all participants with strategies to develop healthy supportive relationships in order to intervene and promote positive outcomes within the school setting.  

The Interscholastic Athletics program continues to expand. The FAET Grizzly Girls and Boys JV basketball teams are currently in Division 1. This division plays exceptional teams such as City, Poly, Dunbar, Western, and Mergenthaler.  Both teams have started the season off strong and are ready to take FAET to great heights. Our middle school will have a track and field team beginning next week and our high school girls are preparing to begin the spring season with softball.

Last but not least, the FAET staff will be participating in Staff Appreciation Month from February 22, 2012- March 21, 2012. The staff will facilitate various teambuilding exercises to enhance our school culture. Our staff is so excited about all of the opportunities that we have obtained this school year!!! Please stay tuned for additional updates as they develop throughout the remainder of the school year!

Enjoy your school day!!!