Spring 2018

Dear Student,

Thank you for your interest in Summer Academy’sTeaching Assistant Program (TAP). Upon completion of your application you will be matched with a Summer Academy class. You will experience what it is like to teach bright and talented students like yourself. Through TAP you will get a look at the behind-the-scenes activities that form Summer Academy. You will leave this program with a strong understanding of Summer Academy’s commitment to providing quality education that is designed specifically to address some of the needs of the gifted student.

TAP students must be:

  • Mature, responsible, dependable, caring, highly motivated, self-disciplined and have good interpersonal skills.
  • In good standing at your school with no disciplinary marks/actions on your record.
  • Between grades 7 -12.
  • Attend all the days of Summer Academy and a short organizational meeting that will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. at the Columbia Heights Media Center.(See page 3 for the TAP Calendar.)

All applications for SA2018 TAP students will be completed online at Applications will be accepted from March 1 - April 13. The online application components include:

  • Contact Information
  • Introduction letter including the following information:
    your name
    SA courses you have taken as a student
    current school
    grade
    hobbies/interests/abilities
    any career thoughts
    a particular course and/or grade you prefer to assist
    if you are a returning TA, please include the courses/teachers you were a TA for and tell us aboutyour experience
  • Reference
    Please list a teacher who can attest to your qualifications, character and abilities. Be sure to ask this teacher in advancefor permission to use him/her as a reference including his/her phone number and email address.

During the first week of May, applicants will receive anemail about whether they have been selected for TAP. Specific course assignments will be sent at a later date. Yes, former TAP students do need to reapply. Preference will be given to an applicant who has attended a prior Summer Academy as a student. There is no tuition charge to participate in TAP.

Driving and parking information is below. SA moves into Columbia Heights High School and adjacent Highland Elementary.

Transportation – If you need to ride the bus from your district, and if busing is provided from your district, your ride may be free of charge. You will need to call your district’s Summer Academy representative to arrange this service. Please make the call as quickly as you can to secure yourself a seat and inform the district that you are a TA and you may get free transportation. Identify yourself as a potential TAP student. If you need busing, it is crucial you secure a place now. If things do not work out being a TA, then you can always cancel your bus seating. If you are riding the bus, you will arrive and leave as that bus does. Please check for your SA representative’s contact information.

If you have any questions or concerns about TAP, or if you are unable to make the TAP meeting, please leave a message at the Summer Academy message line at 763-258-4621 or email . I look forward to receiving your application.

Sincerely,

Mike Schroeder

Summer Academy Director

Directions: The address is 1400 – 49th Ave NE in Columbia Heights. Please park in the lots directly across the street from the high school /elementary complex. If you are coming from Interstate 694, take Hwy 65 (Central Ave) south. Look for 49th Ave NE; turn left on 49th Ave NE. Go up a hill and soon you will see the complex of the high school/Family & Learning Center/elementary school on your right. The parking lots are on your left. As you leave your car and cross the road, heading onto the campus, and go into the high school. Signs will direct you to the media center.

Teaching Assistant Program (TAP)

2018 Details

SUMMER ACADEMY 2018

Should you be accepted into TAP, here are the order of events.

  1. One hour group meeting for all returning and new TAP students. This meeting is Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. and will be held in the Media Center of the high school. Details are in the cover letter. We will talk about the make-up of Summer Academy, “behind-the-scenes” information, and your role. We will also talk about how and what to observe as you are assisting. Your parents are welcome to attend this group meeting.
  1. Your teacher will contact you after assignments are made. This contact may happen very close to the beginning of Summer Academy.
  1. Tuesday, June 12 – Thursday, June 28are the student dates of Summer Academy.

It is very important that you agree to all of the days of Summer Academy

a)TAP student hours are 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Two extended-hour days: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (June 14June 21)

Evening Open House 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (June 27)

  1. Note transportation information on the cover letter. If you are riding the bus, you will arrive and leave as that bus does
  1. At the end of Summer Academy, there will be a short evaluation for you to complete. When Summer Academy is done for the summer, you will receive a certificate acknowledging your time and position at the Summer Academy for your records.

June
2018
North Suburban Summer Academy (SA) / 13 days of classes (2 extended days) /
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday
3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9
Tap In-service for all new and returning TA’s (9:00 – 9:45)
Columbia Heights HS Media Center
10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16
Day 1 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 2 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 3 of SA
(8:00 – 2:30)
Extended Day / Day 4 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00)
17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 21 / 22 / 23
Day 5 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 6 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 7 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 8 of SA
(8:00 – 2:30)
Extended Day / Day 9 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00)
24 / 25 / 26 / 27 / 28
Day 10 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 11 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00) / Day 12 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00)
Open House
(6:00 – 8:00) / Day 13 of SA
(8:00 – 12:00)
  • If you are riding the bus, you will arrive and leave as the bus does.
  • Parents are welcome to stay for the TAP In-Service meeting. The topics will include specifics about the TA role, expectations, behind-the-scenes information, and time for questions