Weekly Parent Update

Dear Parents,

Last Friday, we held our Prom at the State Capitol. Our students enjoyed an evening of dance, connection, and laughter throughout the event. Engaging with and seeing our students come together was an absolute blast!

During the evening, I had the opportunity to sit with the Highway Patrol Officers, who provided security at the building. As the night was winding down, one of the officers mentioned how amazing it was that they didn’t have to break up any fights or deal with other emergencies.

When our students started to leave, many of them thanked the officers for being there and providing safety. One student even ran over and gave a fist bump to one of the officers! The officer approached me afterward and showed appreciation for the kind gesture. They were also surprised to see how quickly our students jumped in to assist our activities coordinator with cleaning up.

Once our students had left, the officers expressed their admiration for our students. One officer said, “Your students have restored my faith in the youth of today.” What a beautiful compliment! All of us at LAU are grateful for the time we get to spend with your kids. We all agree with the officers, your kids are pretty amazing!

Thank you, for allowing us to be part of your student’s educational journey.

Shelly Jenkins

LAU Director of Operations

Action Items

End of year NWEA Testing: All students in grades 6-10 will be taking the final assessments of the year from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®) for math and language arts. The purpose of NWEA testing is to assess students' academic performance, track their progress, and determine if they need additional support. Students will access the NWEA assessment through an assignment in Homeroom between April 29-May 3. Please help and encourage your student to plan a time to complete these tests before the May 3 deadline.

Last Chance for Parent Feedback on State Testing: Calling all parents! We want to hear your feedback on state testing. This will help us better understand the needs of our parents and students for state testing, enabling us to make improvements. Please fill out this anonymous survey.

How are we doing with our communications? At LAU, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing!

Announcements

Summit Leadership Adventures Open for Self-Pay Students: Summit Leadership Adventures’ second session, occurring on June 3-7, still has space available! Consequently, we are opening up registration for self-pay students (including LAU students who would like to attend more than one session), non-LAU friends, and family members currently in grades 9-12. The cost to register for the session is $785 and payment is required at registration. This price includes food, lodging, and all other accommodations and activities. Students who are self-pay and want to register can do so through our Self-Pay Registration form. LAU students can still register without cost to parents by emailing the LAU Registrar. For further information, please visit our Summit Leadership Adventure webpage.

Mandatory Laptop Return: At the end of the 2023-24 school year, LAU will be collecting all Acer, Dell, and Lenovo laptops as part of our inventory rotation. If your student currently has one of these laptops, please watch your email for more information on how to return or purchase their laptop.

Student Body Leadership Applications are Open! Is your student interested in being a part of the Student Body Leadership (SBL) Team? Participating in SBL allows students to represent fellow Williamsburg students, plan online and in-person activities, and more! To participate, students must commit to attending a weekly SBL class on Thursday at 1:00 PM and actively participate in one of the five groups that manage the Williamsburg activities (e.g., Inspiration Hour, Thursday Night Live, Discord/Special Online Evening Events, Burger Meets, and Student Outreach).

Students must also:

• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.
• Be a Williamsburg High School Student next Fall (Juniors and Seniors will be given priority).
• Have been a student at WA/LAU/WAC for at least 1 year (2 semesters).
• Be able to devote 2 or more hours per week to this position.

If your student would like to participate in the 2024-25 SBL, have them fill out this application by April 26.

Spring Celebration (in-person): All LAU students are invited to join Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more. To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once WAC has reached its cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit WAC’s Spring Celebration web page.

Upcoming Events

April 26: Spring Celebration (Hosted by WAC)–4-7 PM MT

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing

May 21: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Live Classes–9:00 PM MT

May 22: LAU & WL Lagoon Day–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Self-Paced–5:00 PM MT

May 27-31: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 1

June 3-7: Summit Leadership Adventures Session 2

Please check the Parent Resource Center for Weekly Parent Updates, in-person activities, and more!

Action Items

Mandatory Laptop Return: At the end of the 2023-24 school year, LAU will be collecting all Acer, Dell, and Lenovo laptops as part of our inventory rotation. If your student currently has one of these laptops, please watch for more information on how to return or purchase their laptop.

Parent Feedback for State Testing: Calling all parents! We want to hear your feedback on state testing. This will help us better understand the needs of our parents and students for state testing, enabling us to make improvements. Please fill out this anonymous survey.

How are we doing with our communications? At LAU, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing!

Announcements

Summit Leadership Adventure Session #2: Summit Leadership Adventures’ second session, occurring on June 3-7, still has space available! Consequently, we are opening up registration for self-pay students (including LAU students who would like to attend more than one session), non-LAU friends, and family members currently in grades 9-12. The cost to register for the session is $785 and payment is required at registration. This price includes food, lodging, and all other accommodations and activities. Students who are self-pay and are wanting to register can do so through our Self-Pay Registration form. LAU students can still register without cost to parents by emailing the LAU Registrar. For further information, please visit our Summit Leadership Adventure webpage.

Student Body Leadership Applications are Open! Is your student interested in being a part of the Student Body Leadership (SBL) Team? Participating in SBL allows students to represent fellow Williamsburg Learning students, plan online and in-person activities, and more! To participate, students must commit to attending a weekly SBL class on Thursday at 1:00 PM and actively participate in one of the five groups that manage the Williamsburg activities (e.g., Inspiration Hour, Thursday Night Live, Discord/Special Online Evening Events, Burger Meets, and Student Outreach).

Students must also:

• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.
• Be a Williamsburg High School Student next Fall (Juniors and Seniors will be given priority).
• Have been a student at WA/LAU/WAC for at least 1 year (2 semesters).
• Be able to devote 2 or more hours per week to this position. Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.

If your student would like to participate in the 2024-25 SBL, have them fill out this application by April 26.

New School Phone Number: To make it easier for you to reach our Enrollment and Customer Support teams, we have a new, dedicated school phone number: 385-343-4111. You can also find this new number on our website.

Spring Celebration (in-person): All LAU students are invited to join Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more. To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once WAC has reached their cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit WAC’s Spring Celebration web page.

Upcoming Events

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 20: Party in the Park Event–5:00-8:00 PM MT

April 26: Spring Celebration (Hosted by WAC)–4-7 PM MT

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing

May 21: Final Day to Submit Pre-Final Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

May 22: LAU & WL Lagoon Day–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for Weekly Parent Updates, in-person activities, and more!

Dear Parents,

As state testing continues, one of the highlights for us has been meeting and mingling with our amazing students! State testing is not always convenient and is often misunderstood. Considering that LAU is a public charter school, our performance and test results are monitored by the state. Although we do not teach for the purpose of testing, having all of our students participate in state testing is a clear justification that the leadership-centered, liberal arts education your student is receiving is of high quality.

Parents, we need your assistance to demonstrate to the state of Utah that LAU provides high-quality education. State and National guidelines require 95% student participation to remain in good standing. Currently, we are under state scrutiny due to the low number of LAU students who participate in state testing. While we honor and respect our parents' right to choose what is best for their students, we also encourage parents to have their students participate in these fundamental tests.

If, for any reason, your student has not yet participated in state testing this year, we encourage you to review our 2023-24 Assessment Schedule and reach out to our Assessment Coordinator. Please let us know if, when, and where your student will be taking the tests necessary for their grade level. Parents will receive student test results at the end of the school year.

Thank you for your continued support and your outstanding efforts with your students!

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Parent Feedback for State Testing: Calling all parents! We want to hear your feedback on state testing. This will help us better understand the needs of our parents and students for state testing, enabling us to make improvements. Please fill out this anonymous survey.

Finalizing 2024-25 Student Schedules: LAU School counselors are approving student schedules for the 2024-25 school year! If your student is not registered for the appropriate number (5 for middle school/6 for high school) and type of classes by April 15, their schedule will not be approved, and they are at risk of losing their preferred classes. Please refer to our How to Apply & Enroll and Registration (for middle school/ for high school) pages on our website to ensure your student is enrolled in the appropriate number of classes. If you have any additional questions about finalizing your student's schedule or need assistance selecting classes, please contact your student's school counselor.

• Kate Chaney for students with last name A-L
• Shauna Larson for students with last names M-Z

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Our LAU middle school students have been learning about “How to Make Friends and Interact Safely Online” in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage parents to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these digital safety resources with their families.

How are we doing with our communications? At LAU, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing!

Announcements

April Counseling Update: If you're interested in learning about credit recovery, scholarship opportunities, or summer college courses at Southern Utah University (SUU), please refer to our April Counseling Update document.

LAU & WL Lagoon Day: Celebrate the end of a great school year at Lagoon Amusement Park on May 22, from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM MT in Farmington, UT. Attendees who have registered by May 21 will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at our discounted group rate via email. There is no participant cap, so invite your family and friends! For registration and further event information, please visit our Lagoon Day page on our website.

“Once Upon a Deam” Prom at the Capitol: Only 7 days until all 9-12 grade students join us for Prom at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted, you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. For further information, please visit the Prom at the Capitol page on our website.

Party in the Park Event: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Academy (WA) are throwing a party at Little Valley Park in St. George, UT, on April 20 from 5:00-8:00 PM MT. Students, families, and friends are invited to participate in park activities, including volleyball, yard games, and pickleball, alongside a catered dinner from Chik-fil-A! For further details and registration, please visit our website's Party in the Park page.

Upcoming Events

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 20: Party in the Park Event–5:00-8:00 PM MT

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing

May 22: LAU & WL Lagoon Day–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for Weekly Parent Updates, in-person activities, and more!

Action Items

Party in the Park Event: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Academy (WA) are excited to announce that they are throwing a party at Little Valley Park in St. George, UT, on April 20 from 5-8 PM MT. Students, families, and friends are welcome to join in on park activities, such as pickleball, volleyball, soccer, tug-of-war, sidewalk chalk, and more. Additionally, dinner will be catered by Chick-fil-A. For further details and registration, please visit our Party in the Park webpage.

Announcements

New LAU Website Resources: Two valuable resources for parents are now available to view on our website! Please read about these great, new tools below. 

• Grad Plan Tutorial: The Grad Plan feature in SIS helps parents and students track progress toward graduation! You can find a new tutorial about this tool on our Parent Orientation page under SIS Training. 
• SpEd & Intervention Services Webpage: The webpage for Special Education and Intervention Services, located under our Current Families tab, provides information on referring students to special services and other resources for special education. 

Southern Utah University (SUU) Summer Classes: SUU is offering summer classes through the Early College Online program. There are 21 different classes offered at a cost of $75 per credit. For further information on classes offered and important dates, please view this informative flier. 

Transition University (TU) Tuesdays: TU Tuesdays are a free workshop presented by the Utah Parent Center. These meetings occur every second Tuesday for youth with disabilities and their parents/guardians. See the TU Tuesdays handout for additional information.

“Once Upon a Deam” Prom at the Capitol: T-14 days until all 9-12 grade students join us for Prom at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted, you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. For further information, please visit the Prom at the Capitol page on our website.

Upcoming Events

April 1: Spring Recess - No classes / Office closed

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 20: Party in the Park Event–5:00-8:00 PM MT

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing

May 22: LAU & WL Lagoon Day–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT (Details coming soon)

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for Weekly Parent Updates, in-person activities, and more!

Announcements

Pre-Midterm Assignment Due Dates: This week was midterms, meaning pre-midterm assignments must be submitted by the following dates:Pre-Midterm Assignment Due Dates: This week was midterms, meaning pre-midterm assignments must be submitted by the following dates:

• Live Classes: Pre-Midterm Assignments were due on March 12 at 9:00 PM MT (submissions for these assignments are now locked)
• Self-Paced Courses: Pre-Midterm Assignments due TODAY, March 15, by 5:00 PM.

After these dates, the assignments will lock, and pre-midterm assignment submissions will no longer be possible.

*Please note that if your student fails their self-paced classes, they may not be able to take self-paced classes in the future.

Party in the Park Event: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Academy (WA) are excited to announce that they are throwing a party at Little Valley Park in St. George, UT, on April 20 from 5:00-8:00 PM MT. Students, families, and friends are welcome to join in on park activities, such as pickleball, volleyball, soccer, tug-of-war, sidewalk chalk, and more. Additionally, dinner will be catered by Chick-fil-A. For further details and registration, please visit our website's Party in the Park page.

University of Utah (U of U) Information Session: The U of U Assistant Director of Recruitment, Michelle Federer, is joining LAU school counselors for an information session on Friday, March 29 at 9:00 AM MT. This meeting aims to provide high school students and their parents with important information regarding admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and other aspects of the U of U. Following Michelle's presentation, there will be a Q&A session where attendees can ask any questions they may have. We encourage all interested students and parents to attend this online event. The Zoom link for the meeting will be sent via Homeroom to all high school students on the morning of the event.

Sibshop Sibling Support Group Resources: Sibshops, a program that provides siblings of kids with disabilities with peer support, and the Utah Parent Center are offering virtual and in-person activity-based support groups on March 29-30. These support groups function as safe spaces for siblings to connect, specifically for children ages 8-13+. Interested parents can register their students through the QR code on the Sibshop Sibling Support Group flyer.

Upcoming Events

March 12-15 or March 26: ACT Testing–Juniors only

March 14-15: Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 20: Party in the Park Event–5:00-8:00 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for Weekly Parent Updates, in-person activities, and more!

Dear Parents,

The LAU Board loves Summit Leadership Adventure and it's our hope that more students will attend this year. With that being said, we need your help! 

If your student attended Summit Leadership Adventure last year—and you are glad they did—tell us why! In a couple of sentences, accompanied with photos, a reel, or a video that is under one minute in length, share your student’s experience. Send your text and media responses to our communications team and we will forward them to our parent and student body. 

Thank you!

Molly Foster
LAU Board Chair

Action Items

Summit Leadership Adventure Registration Ending Soon! Are you planning on signing your student up, but need more information? Please see our Summit Leadership Adventure page and watch our Q&A session recording, hosted by adventurer Martin Frey, to learn what an exciting opportunity this is.

• Session 1: May 27-31 (almost full)
• Session 2: June 3-7 (filling quickly)

Midterm Assignment Due Dates: Mid-terms are next week. Students must submit their pre-midterm assignments by the following dates: 

• Live Classes: Pre-Midterms Assignments due March 12
• Self-Paced Courses: Pre-Midterms Assignments due March 15

After these dates, the assignments will lock, and pre-midterm assignment submissions will no longer be possible.

 *Please note that if your student fails their self-paced classes, they may not be able to take self-paced classes in the future.

Announcements

Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) Graduation: Graduation will occur on Thursday, May 23, at 6:00 PM at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, UT. All Seniors who are graduating should have previously sent their RSVPs for in-person attendance. For those who would like to attend virtually, a Zoom link will be sent to all seniors and posted in Homeroom as the event gets closer.

ACT Reminder: Parents of juniors who are taking the ACT, ACT testing is the same week as mid-terms. Please encourage your student to plan and submit all pre-midterm assignments early to avoid any additional stress during that time.

Upcoming Events

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 12-15 or March 26: ACT Testing–Juniors only

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

Please watch Homeroom for details and sign-ups as events get closer.

Dear Parents,

Summit Journeys Leadership Adventure camp spots are filling up quickly! We have just four openings left in Session 1 (May 27-31) and 15 openings in Session 2 (June 3-7). This camp is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9-12 grade year. 

Summit Journeys has reserved an outstanding location near East Canyon Reservoir on a developed ranch. This location has access to high-quality adventure activities, excellent food services, and unforgettable outdoor education opportunities.

World-renowned adventurer, Martin Frey, will lead both camp sessions. With that being said, Frey will be hosting a Parent-Student Information and Questions and Answer (Q&A) Night on Thursday, March 7 at 6 PM MT. All interested parents and students are encouraged to attend. For those unable to participate, a recording of the meeting will be sent out in next week’s parent email.

Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) has budgeted funds to pay for current LAU high school students to attend this exciting leadership camp, making attendance free to families. Please secure a spot for your 9-12 grade student by emailing our registrar, Angela Maloy. For more information about Summit Leadership Adventure, please visit our website.

We encourage you to take advantage of this transformational learning experience for your student and sign up today!

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Summit Leadership Adventure Q&A Session: Gifted explorer and mentor, Martin Frey, will host our Summit Journeys Leadership Q&A session on March 7 at 6:00 PM MT. This session is for anyone with questions about Summit Leadership Adventure and the upcoming in-person opportunity. The Zoom link will be emailed and posted in Homeroom on the morning of the event.

ACT Reminder: Parents of juniors who are taking the ACT, ACT testing is the same week as mid-terms. Please encourage your student to plan and submit all pre-midterm assignments early to avoid any additional stress during that time.

Announcements

March Counseling Update: If you’re curious about mid-terms, scholarship opportunities, or tips for planning your student’s courses, see our March Counseling Update.

Transition University (TU) Tuesdays:  TU Tuesdays are a free workshop presented by the Utah Parent Center. These meetings occur every second Tuesday for youth with disabilities and their parents/guardians. See the TU Tuesdays handout for additional information.

LAU Fee Schedule and School Land Trust Approval: The LAU Board will review, discuss, and approve our school’s Fee Schedule and Land Trust for the 2024-25 school year at the LAU Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 13, at 4:00 PM. All parents and students who are interested in attending are welcome. Further information for attending this meeting can be found on the LAU Academic Calendar or by emailing Sharla Nelson.

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Our LAU middle school students have recently reviewed “Digital Footprint & Identity” in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage parents to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss the Digital Footprint & Identity resources with their families.

Credit Recovery Class: LAU has a credit recovery program in place for students who have failed a class or are behind on their credits. Edgenuity, a high school credit recovery program, has partnered with LAU to offer these online high school credit recovery courses. Space is limited. If your student is behind on their credits, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

Upcoming Events

March 7: Summit Journeys Leadership Adventure Q&A–6:00 PM MT 

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 12-15 or March 26: ACT Testing–Juniors only

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

Student Information Systems (SIS) Scheduled Maintenance: The IT team will be performing server maintenance on Friday, March 8, at 10:30 PM MT. This will make our SIS unavailable for approximately six hours, however, Canvas will be unaffected.

“Paying for College” Virtual Fair: Our “Paying For College” Virtual Fair is taking place this coming Wednesday, February 28, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. At this event, our Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) school counselors will present creative ways to pay for college, including traditional scholarships, financial aid options, and college opportunities available through the military. After the presentations, the event will end with a Q&A.

“Once Upon a Dream” Prom at the Capitol: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Academy (WA) 9-12 grade students are invited to join us for a prom night to remember at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted. This means that your student can be as fancy or as casual as they would like, however, all guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. For further information regarding parking and refreshments, please visit the Prom at the Capitol page on our website.

Upcoming Events

February 28: Paying For College Virtual Fair–1:00 PM

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–8:00-11:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

Adventure Fridays is Expanding to New Counties! Adventure Fridays is a course your student can take that consists of Outdoor Adventures (Fall) and Leadership Adventures (Winter). These adventures act as great opportunities for Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) students to have fun and strengthen relationships with their classmates in person! Utah counties that now offer Outdoor and Leadership Adventures are Cache, Central (near Manti), Davis, North Salt Lake Valley, South Salt Lake Valley, Utah County, Washington/Iron, and Weber counties. Please note that for Adventure Friday courses to be viable, LAU needs a minimum of 15-20 students signed up within each county. If you’re interested in registering your student for the 2024-25 Adventure Friday course, be sure to do so as soon as possible—some areas are sure to fill up swiftly!

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Our LAU middle school students have recently reviewed “How to Protect Privacy” in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage parents to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these Digital Privacy and Security resources with their families.

Announcements

Self-Paced Course Reminder: Students who are taking self-paced classes must be halfway through their course(s) by March 15. Pre-midterm assignments will not be accepted after the March 15 deadline. If you have a student in a self-paced course, please check in with them to ensure that they are on track. If your student happens to be struggling, please contact their mentor for help.

Davis County Mental Health Screening Event: The Davis HELPS (Health Education and Law Enforcement Programs) Coalition is hosting a mental health screening event for 11 to 18-year-olds and their parents on March 21 from 4-7 PM MT. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete a screening questionnaire, meet with mental health professionals, and receive free social and emotional resources. For further information, please view the event flier.

Upcoming Events

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

February 22: Utah Jazz Game Activity–7:00 PM MT

February 28: Paying For College Virtual Fair–1:00 PM

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

Parent Mentor Updates and Conferences: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences are taking place now through Wednesday, February 14. Please check your email for instructions on how to sign up.

Provo Beach Activity: Join us at the beach! Come along for indoor surfing, dinner, and fun on March 15, from 6 - 9 PM at Provo Beach. LAU students and guests will enjoy private access to the Flowrider surf machine, a catered dinner by R&R BBQ, and $5 (per student) for arcade play! Registration ends March 11, or when max capacity is reached, so make sure to head over to our activity page soon to register!

LAU Fee Schedule: The LAU Board will review and discuss our school’s Fee Schedule for the 2024-25 school year at the LAU Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 21, at 4:00 PM. All parents and students who are interested in attending are welcome. Further information for attending this meeting can be found on the LAU Academic Calendar or by emailing Sharla Nelson.

Doodle for Google Art Contest: Calling all artists! The Annual Doodle for Google Art Contest is now open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com! To make this even better, students can win scholarships and tech packages for themselves and their school. Doodle submissions close March 14, so be sure to tell your young artist to start creating!

“Paying for College” Virtual Fair: Parents and students are invited to join LAU school counselors at their “Paying For College” Virtual Fair on Wednesday, February 28, at 1:00 PM via Zoom. At this event, our school counselors will present creative ways to pay for college, including traditional scholarships, financial aid options, and college opportunities available through the military. After the presentations, the event will end with a Q&A.

Celebrating our Students

Leadership Academy of Utah is grateful for the flexibility that we can provide our students. This flexibility enables them to pursue interests outside of school, and we love to celebrate our students and share their success stories with LAU families. If you have a student success story you would like to share, please email it to our Executive Director, John Tripp, or our Communications Team.

Wyatt Moon

Congratulations to Wyatt Moon, son of Dr. Ted and Deb Moon! He was recently accepted to the prestigious New York University (specifically, the Tisch School of Arts Photography program). This program is highly competitive, however, Wyatt has worked hard at LAU and credits Williamsburg Learning for helping him develop the skills to be successful at this University. Wyatt has agreed to visit with any student who has a desire to apply to these elite Universities. What you do during this time matters, and he has planned well for his future success. We wish him well in his new venture at the prestigious New York University!

Upcoming Events

February 5-14: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences

February 10: LAU Snow Day Activity–10:30 AM-3:30 PM MT

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

February 22: Utah Jazz Game Activity–7:00 PM MT

February 28: Paying For College Virtual Fair–1:00 PM

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break. No Classes, Office Closed

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear Parents,

Happy Valentines! The month of February is my favorite. Partly because it is the time for hearts and love, but mostly because it is a time of anticipation for the spring season. On a personal note, I am challenged with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This challenge gets worse as the days get darker and the sunlight is diffused. However, February excites me because I know the days are getting longer, the sunlight continues to shine, and I can visibly see future opportunities!

Our families must find a way to hold on to what we value and treasure when things get challenging. Thank you for your efforts, even during those difficult times, when your challenges may seem overwhelming. I am mindful of each of our students and your efforts as parents, and I want you to know that we are there to support them.

I love the Latin phrase, “Dulcius Ex Asperis”. This means “sweeter after difficulties”. Sometimes, the learning process is challenging. However, if students persist, they will find great rewards. This is especially true with the rigorous curriculum we use. Williamsburg purposely built challenges in each learning event to create more opportunities for growth and transformational learning experiences (TLEs). I encourage each of you to persist and find the sweet rewards after conquering the challenges. It will make all the difference for you and your child.

Thank you!

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

SUMMIT Leadership Adventures Registration is in full swing! SUMMIT Leadership Adventures is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9th-12th grade year. LAU will cover all camp costs. Parents can register students by emailing the LAU Registrar, Angela Maloy. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration. See the video below to see what type of adventures students will participate in.

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Our LAU middle school students have recently reviewed Media Balance and Well-Being in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage families to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss this Media Balance and Well-Being resource with your family. 

Announcements

Parent Mentor Updates and Conferences: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences will take place from Monday, February 5, to Wednesday, February 14. Stay tuned for an email with instructions on how and when to sign up.

February Counseling Update: If you’re curious about LAU class registration, scholarships, Safe UT, and more, please take a look at February’s Counseling Update document.

Upcoming Events

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 5-14: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences

February 10: LAU Snow Day Activity–10:30 AM-3:30 PM MT

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

February 22: Utah Jazz Game Activity–7:00 PM MT

March 15: Provo Beach Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

Open Enrollment is Available Now: Open enrollment is now open for the 2024-25 school year at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU). During the open enrollment period, parents of returning students must complete a returning student application. Additionally, parents of new, prospective students also need to submit an application with any required documentation. Every application must be completed by the deadline of Friday, February 9. For further open enrollment details, please review our Admission and Enrollment Procedures page on our website.

NWEA Test Results: Throughout January, students in grades 6-10 have been taking NWEA tests within homeroom. With NWEA testing ending, parents should anticipate receiving their student’s NWEA test results soon via email. Please be sure to periodically check your inboxes for your student’s test results.

Announcements

LAU Course Registration: LAU course registration opens for 2024-25 on Monday, February 5. Please review our informative enrollment page on our website to learn more about our application process. 

Some changes we have made to the registration process to take note of:

• Number of Required Courses: To better align our courses with state requirements, we have updated the number of required courses. High School Students will be required to take 6 courses. Middle School students will be required to take 5 courses. To help meet these requirements, we will still offer the same great flexibility of Online, Self-Paced, Independent Study, Funded Approved Vendor Electives (FAVE), Early College, and CTE courses.
• Course Name Changes: The name of Funded Independent Courses (FIC) has been changed to Funded Approved Vendor Electives (FAVE) to more accurately describe this program. This is a great way for your student to get funding from LAU to support their favorite extracurricular activity!

Please make sure to watch your email as we continue to send reminders and links. Watching out for these will allow you to officially start your child’s application!

Middle School Digital Safety course: In the upcoming weeks, students in 6,7, and 8 grades will notice new Digital Safety Course assignments in Homeroom. These assignments function similarly to last year’s High School Digital Safety assignments. Although these assignments do not count toward any grade, they are a valuable resource that creates a space for parents and students to discuss any challenges or concerns and set boundaries that will help with digital safety. We encourage parents to take the time to review and discuss these assignments with their students.

Full Registration for the LAU Jazz Game! The registration cap has been met for the LAU Jazz game. If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email Melissa Manning to be added.

• If you previously registered for this activity and are unable to attend, please let Melissa know so that another family can attend. 

Upcoming Events

January 10 - February 2: Junior Registration for ACT Boot Camp

January 22 - February 9: 2024-25 Open Enrollment

January 27: Sand Volleyball & Movie Night Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 10: LAU Snow Day Activity–10:30 AM-3:30 PM MT

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

February 22: Utah Jazz Game Activity–7:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

NWEA Assessment Deadline Extension: The NWEA assessment deadline has been extended to accommodate students who are enrolled in Math and/or Language Arts classes and have not yet completed their corresponding NWEA assessment assignment in Homeroom. Students who have not taken the assessment(s) by January 26 will be added to a Math and/or Language Arts intervention class. This intervention class evaluates if our students’ need additional support. We encourage parents to check in with their students about the status of their NWEA assessment. If they have not yet taken it, please have them schedule a time on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to complete this important assessment.

Announcements

2024-25 LAU Enrollment Updates:

Open Enrollment starts next week for the 2024-25 school year at Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU)! It will run from this Monday, January 22, through Friday, February 9. Please review this page for further Open Enrollment details.

LAU course registration is opening for 2024-25 on Monday, February 5. Applying for the 2024-25 school year is required whether your student is new or returning to LAU. Please review this page to learn more about the application process.

Some changes we have made to the registration process to take note of:

• Number of Required Courses: To better align our courses with state requirements, we have updated the number of required courses. High School Students will be required to take 6 courses, Middle School students will be required to take 5 courses. To help meet these requirements, we will still offer the same great flexibility of Online, Self-Paced, Independent Study, Funded Electives, Early College, and CTE courses.
• Course Name Changes: The name of Funded Independent Courses (FIC) has been changed to Funded Approved Vendor Electives (FAVE) to more accurately describe this program. This is a great way for your student to get funding from LAU to support their favorite extracurricular activity!

Please make sure to watch your email as we continue to send reminders and links. Watching out for these will allow you to officially start your child’s application!

In-Person Activities:

Sand Volleyball & Movie Night: There is still room to join us on January 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM MT at The Sandbar in North Salt Lake! We will be playing beach volleyball and watching a movie in the sand. There is also a fun outdoor hangout area with heat lamps and snacks to keep students warm, and satisfied! Registration closes on January 22 so make sure to sign up.

Utah Jazz Game Activity: Basketball and free treat? Yes, please! Come and join us as the Utah Jazz take on the Charlotte Hornets at the Delta Center on February 22, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM MT. LAU students get to attend for free, while friends and family can join us for $5 per person. Students can register for a maximum of 10 guests. Registration will close when maximum capacity is reached, so if you and others would like to come, please be sure to register soon!

Upcoming Events

January 8 - January 24: NWEA Progress Assessments (see Homeroom)

January 10 - February 2: Junior Registration for ACT Boot Camp

January 22 - February 9: 2024-25 Open Enrollment

January 27: Sand Volleyball & Movie Night Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 10: LAU Snow Day Activity–10:30 AM-3:30 PM MT

February 10: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

February 22: Utah Jazz Game Activity–7:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

NWEA Progress Assessment: All parents of 6-10 grade students should have received an email this week explaining the assessments from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®) for math and language arts. The purpose of NWEA testing is to help provide a thorough overview of how each student performs academically. These assessments help track your student’s growth throughout the year and identify any additional support needed. Students will access the NWEA assessment through an assignment in Homeroom on January 8-19. If a student does not complete the NWEA progress assessment, an LAU Student Support team member will reach out to them. We encourage you to help your student plan a time to complete the tests before January 19. Parents will receive an email with the student’s assessment results near the end of January.

Technology Reminder: LAU Laptops need to be shut down and restarted occasionally so they can function properly throughout the school year. If you have laptop problems, please contact LAU tech support.

Announcements

LAU Snow Day Activity: Join us for a day of fun in the snow on Saturday, February 10, at Swanson’s North Fork Environmental Center from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM MT. Participants will be able to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, igloo building, games in the lodge, and a lunch catered by Cafe Rio! All participants will need to wear warm clothes, including boots, a hat, a coat, gloves, and snow pants for playing in the snow. The Environmental Center will provide all other equipment for activities. See the event page on the LAU website for registration. Registration ends February 5 or when maximum capacity is reached.

SUMMIT Leadership Adventures Registration is Open: SUMMIT Leadership Adventures is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9-12 grade year. LAU will cover all camp costs. Parents can register students in SIS under the Elective tab in the Winter 2024 Semester. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration. 

• Please note: In an email sent on Tuesday about Summer Leadership Adventures, it stated that students could earn 0.5 PE credit. This is inaccurate. Students will earn 0.5 elective credit for participating.

January Counseling Update: Information from our school’s counselors about college courses, FAFSA help, and scholarships are available within our counseling update document.

ACT Boot Camp: Calling all LAU Juniors! Registration is now open for the ACT Boot Camp taught by Ann Meeks. All Juniors and their parents should have received an email via SIS on Wednesday with instructions and registration details. For more information on this event, please view this flier. If you have further questions about the ACT or the ACT Boot Camp registration, please reach out to Melanie Capener.

Upcoming Events

January 8 - January 19: NWEA Progress Assessments (see Homeroom)

January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day–Offices Closed

January 10 - February 2: Junior Registration for ACT Boot Camp

January 22 - February 9: 2024-25 Open Enrollment

January 27: Sand Volleyball & Movie Night Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 10: LAU Snow Day Activity–10:30 AM-3:30 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear LAU Families,

With the end of the semester upon us, I think it's fitting to turn this time into a celebration of ourselves, our children, and our families. Together, we have grown with the challenges of a new school year. Although they’ve proven to be difficult, these challenges are serendipitous as they can be the hinge points in our transformative learning journey. What an amazing thing to be able to go through together!

The LAU board is grateful for our LAU families. We are pleased with your student’s efforts to receive the foundational skill of how to think for themselves, rather than just knowing what to think. It is our intention, as the board, to create and nurture these critical thinking opportunities at LAU.

May your holiday season be filled with transformative Scrooge-like moments, changing from "bah-humbug" to "I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy, and I am as giddy as a drunken man! A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the world!"

Molly Foster

LAU Board Chair

Action Items

Finals Proctoring: Please watch this video from Adam Hailstone that contains some important information to help your student prepare for finals! This includes details on our new proctoring options for this year. You can view full details on how to secure a proctor for your student in their Canvas courses. (Note: Many courses do not require a proctor, but some do.)

Preparing for Winter Semester

Ordering Winter Semester Books: Parents must order their students books from Amazon for the winter semester. We encourage you to order your student’s books right away so they will be prepared to start the new semester after the holiday break. If you have questions about ordering books, please contact us.

Laptop Requests for the Winter Semester: If your student needs a school-issued laptop for the Winter Semester, please fill out the Laptop/Chromebook Equipment Request form before December 22. This allows delivery arrangements to be made before the new semester begins.

Announcements

Sand Volleyball & Movie Night Activity: Students, family members, and friends are invited to hang out together, play sand volleyball, and watch a movie on January 27, 2024, from 6:00-9:00 PM at the Sandbar in North Salt Lake. Team members from the University of Utah sand volleyball team will be on-site to teach students some tips and tricks. Registration closes on January 22, so make sure to sign up today!

SUMMIT Leadership Adventures Registration is Open: SUMMIT Leadership Adventures is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9-12 grade year. LAU will cover all camp costs, and students will be able to earn 0.5 of an elective credit for participating. Space is limited. Parents can register students in SIS under the Winter 2024 Semester.

Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest: The Annual Junior Duck Stamp Program and Art Contest is underway! This friendly competition is a creative and engaging way to teach wetland habitat and conservation to our students. The contest is open to K-12 public, private, and home-school Utah students. For more information on how the contest works, eligible bird species, and the recommended aesthetic criteria, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Junior Duck stamp website. Entries must be hand-delivered or postmarked by March 1, 2024, to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to remain eligible.

Upcoming Events

December 16: Winter Wonderland Activity–6:30-9:30 PM MT

December 21-22: Final Exams

December 25-January 5: Winter Break

January 8: First Day of Winter Semester Classes

January 27: Sand Volleyball & Movie Night Activity–6:00-9:00 PM MT

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

Finals Proctoring: Please watch this video from Adam Hailstone that contains some important information to help your student prepare for finals! This includes details on our new proctoring options for this year. You can view full details on how to secure a proctor for your student in their Canvas courses. (Note: Many courses do not require a proctor, but some do.)

Preparing for Winter Semester

Ordering Winter Semester Books: Parents can now order their student’s books from Amazon for Winter Semester. We encourage you to order your books early, so your student will be prepared to start the new semester after the holiday break. If you have questions about ordering books, please contact us.

Laptop Requests for the Winter Semester: If your student needs a school-issued laptop for the Winter Semester, please fill out the Laptop/Chromebook Equipment Request form before December 22 so delivery arrangements can be made before the new semester starts.

Announcements

Final Assignment Submission Deadline: As we are coming up on the end of the semester, students must submit all of their assignments by the following dates:

• Live Classes: All Assignments due by December 19 – 9pm MT
• Self-Paced Courses: All Assignments due by December 22 – 5pm MT

After these specific dates and times, assignments will lock, and submissions will not be possible. Please visit with your student(s) and help them make a plan to complete their assignments on time.

Self-Paced Course Reminder: Students who fail self-paced courses will lose the privilege of being able to take this course format in the future. If you have a student in a self-paced course, please ensure they are on track to meet their submission deadline and pass their class. If your student happens to be struggling, please contact their mentor for help.

SUMMIT Leadership Adventures Registration Open: We are excited to announce that registration is officially open for SUMMIT Leadership Adventure! This is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9-12 grade year. LAU will cover all camp costs, and students will earn 0.5 of an elective credit for participating. Space is limited. Make sure to register your student under the Winter 2024 Semester in SIS today!

High School Digital Safety Resource for Families: Our LAU high school students have recently reviewed Digital Safety - News & Media Literacy in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage families to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these topics with your family.

Upcoming Events

December 16: Winter Wonderland Activity–6:30-9:30 PM MT

December 21-22: Final Exams

December 25-January 5: Winter Break

January 8: First Day of Winter Semester Classes

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear Leadership Academy of Utah Families,

Our new website is here! Please take a moment to watch this video tour to see all the new changes that have been made to our website.

It is important to note that all previous website links will redirect to our current website, so all previous pages that you may have bookmarked will still take you where you want to go.

Sincerely,

John Tripp

Executive Director, Leadership Academy of Utah

Action Items

Ordering Winter Semester Books: Parents can now order their student's books from Amazon for Winter Semester. We encourage you to order your books early so your student will be prepared to start the new semester after the holiday break. If you have questions about ordering books, please contact us.

Announcements

SUMMIT Leadership Adventures Registration Open: We are excited to announce that registration is officially open for SUMMIT Leadership Adventure. This is exclusively an LAU 5-day high adventure experience for students completing their 9-12 grade year. There will be activities like sailing, climbing, kayaking, and more. LAU will cover all camp costs and students will earn 0.5 of an elective credit for participating. Space is limited. Make sure to register your student under the Winter 2024 semester in SIS today!

• Session 1: May 27 - May 31 (May 27 is Memorial Day)
• Session 2: June 3 - June 7

Credit Recovery Class: LAU has a newly available credit recovery program in place for students who have failed a class or are behind on their credits. Edgenuity, a high school credit recovery program, has partnered with LAU to offer these online high school credit recovery courses. Space is limited. If your student is behind on their credits, please reach out to your student’s counselor:

• Kate Chaney for students with last name A-L
• Shauna Larson for students with last names M-Z

Final Assignment Submission Deadline: As we are coming up on the end of the semester, students must submit all of their assignments by the following dates:

• Live Classes: All Assignments due by December 19 – 9pm MT
• Self-Paced Courses: All Assignments due by December 22 – 5pm MT

After these specific dates and times, assignments will lock, and submissions will not be possible. Please visit with your student(s) and help them make a plan to complete their assignments on time.

Self-Paced Course Reminder: Students who fail self-paced courses will lose the privilege of being able to take this course format in the future. If you have a student in a self-paced course, please ensure that they are on track to meet their submission deadline and pass their class. If your student happens to be struggling, please contact their mentor for help.

Upcoming Events

December 16: Winter Wonderland Activity–6:30-9:30 PM MT

December 21-22: Final Exams

December 25-January 5: Winter Break

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear Leadership Academy of Utah Families,

Our website is currently undergoing some exciting, fresh updates this weekend, which means our Communications Team is continuing their regularly scheduled programming via email this week!

Thanks to the hard work of our Marketing Team, our new website will be ready for viewing and use on Monday, November 20. All website URLs will remain the same, so no need to worry about links you had previously bookmarked.

We look forward to seeing you on our new website!

Sincerely,

John Tripp

Action Items

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Our LAU high school students have recently reviewed topics like cyberbullying, digital drama, and hate speech in their Digital Safety Course. We encourage families to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these topics with your family.

Announcements

Thanksgiving Week: As you know, next week is Thanksgiving! Wednesday, November 22, will be a study day. The actual Thanksgiving break will begin Thursday, November 23, and will go until Friday, November 24. All classes within these dates are canceled and offices will be closed. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving break! LAU is grateful for you.

Upcoming Events

November 17: Impact Ninja Gym Activity–5:30 PM-8:00 PM MT

November 23-24: Thanksgiving Break–No Classes, Offices Closed

December 16: Winter Wonderland Activity–6:30-9:30 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

Communication Survey: At LAU, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing!

Announcements

Winter Wonderland Activity: We are pleased to invite all LAU students, friends, and family to join us on December 16 from 6:30-9:30 PM MT for an enchanted evening at the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City! This event will consist of a catered dinner and outdoor skating, so if you’re planning on attending this event, you must register. Further details and registration are available on the Winter Wonderland event page.

Impact Ninja Gym Activity: Registration has been extended for LAU students, friends, and families to sign up for our Impact Ninja Gym event on November 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM MT! Make sure to register on our event page if your student would like to attend.

Upcoming Events

November 11: Arizona “Burger Meet”–11:00 AM-3:00 PM MT

November 17: Impact Ninja Gym Activity–5:30 PM-8:00 PM MT

November 22-23: Thanksgiving Break

December 16 Winter Wonderland Activity - 6:30-9:30 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear Leadership Academy of Utah Families,

Here is a brief video highlighting the amazing qualities of LAU students, as well as some words of encouragement this season.

Sincerely,

Rubeus Hagrid

John Tripp

Action Items

How are we doing with our communications? At LAU, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing.

Digital Safety Resources For Families: Recently, LAU high school students reviewed healthy relationships and communication strategies in their Digital Media Course. We encourage families to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these tips and topics with your family.

Announcements

Arizona Burger Meet Event 🍔: Williamsburg Academy is hosting a Burger Meet in Camp Verde, Arizona, on November 11, and all LAU students are encouraged to join! Tickets will sell out, so don’t wait to register using our Arizona Burger Meet event page!

Expanding Winter Semester Class Offerings: LAU is expanding its Winter semester class offerings for the following courses in January:

• Intro to High School Math
• High School Math 1
• High School Math 2
• World Literature
• Leadership 8

If your student is interested in a smaller class or different class time, please visit SIS to adjust your child’s schedule accordingly.

Daylight Saving Time: Daylight Saving Time occurs on November 5, 2023, causing clocks to go back an hour. As a Utah-based institution, class times and student devices may be impacted by this. Please double-check the impact the time change may have on your child’s class times and/or devices.

Early College Registration: Early College registration dates for the Winter 2024 semester are quickly approaching! If your student is interested in attending Utah Tech University (UTU), University of Utah (UofU), or Brigham Young University - Idaho (BYU-I) as an Early College student, please review the LAU Early College page and college specific websites for details regarding admission and registration dates.

CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarships and Tuition Awards are available for outstanding Utah students. Please see the Utah State Board of Education website for further details regarding specific scholarships and a helpful CTE Scholarship Application webinar, which will be held on Wednesday, November 1, at 11:00 AM MT.

CTE School Opportunities: Career and Technical Education (CTE) schools are a great way for 11th and 12th grade students to receive CTE/elective credits. All of Utah’s eight CTE schools are offering tuition-free training for future employment opportunities while students are still attending high school. If your student is interested in these CTE opportunities, see LAU’s CTE page for further steps to enroll and FAQs.

Celebrating our Students

Leadership Academy of Utah is grateful for the flexibility that we are able to provide our students. This flexibility enables them to pursue interests outside of school, and we love to celebrate our students and share their success stories with LAU families. If you have a student success story you would like to share, please email it to our Executive Director, John Tripp, or our Communications Team.

• Aria Graves: Aria, a 10th grader at LAU, has been selected to compete at the US Figure Skating's Pacific Coast Sectional Singles Final in Tacoma, WA. Top skaters from each of the three regions in the Pacific Section are selected to compete at the Pacific Coast Sectional, which occurs next week. Aria has and continues to train three hours daily for six days a week. In addition to her figure skating practices and routines, she persistently studies and completes her schoolwork. See Aria’s beautiful performance at the 2023 Broadmoor Fall Classic Competition. Congratulations Aria!

Upcoming Events

November 9: Alternative-to-College Fair–1:00 PM-2:00 PM MT

November 11: Arizona “Burger Meet”–11:00 AM-3:00 PM MT

November 17: Impact Ninja Gym Activity–5:30 PM-8:00 PM MT

November 22-23: Thanksgiving Break

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Action Items

Early College Courses Available: LAU is thrilled to announce that we have expanded our Early College opportunities for our students! We are partnering with Utah Tech University, the University of Utah, and Brigham Young University-Idaho to provide additional opportunities for LAU students to take Early College courses while simultaneously attending high school. Please review the Early College pages on our website and reach out to your student’s counselor to discuss next steps, if interested. Additionally, if students are interested in attending a local technical college while in high school, more information is also available on LAU’s Career and Technical Education page.

Announcements

Arizona Burger Meet-Up: Williamsburg Academy is hosting a Burger Meet in Arizona on November 11, and all LAU students are invited to join! For those living close to Camp Verde, Arizona, this exciting event will include food, great conversations, and fun games for all. Tickets will sell out, so don’t wait to register using our Arizona Burger Meet event page!

Course/Mentor Feedback Did you know that you or your student can give feedback about a course and/or mentor at any time during the year? Giving feedback is available through Canvas. All you need to do is click on the “Help” button on the left side of the screen and then select “WL Course/Mentor Feedback”. It really is that easy!

Changes to the LAU Board: LAU would like to give a special thanks to Jana Stout for her six years of dedicated service on our LAU board. Jana has been a great asset and will be greatly missed. Consequently, LAU is thrilled to welcome 2 new board members: Jeremiah Rogers and Tim Erickson! We look forward to working with them and are appreciative for their willingness to serve in these positions.

Women in Utah History Art Contest: All LAU students are invited to participate in this year’s “She Started It” Student Art Contest. All participants are invited to create an original piece of art inspired by a woman in Utah history who has made a difference in their community. Submissions are due January 22, 2024. Further details are available here.

Senior Opportunities: It’s senior season at LAU, meaning that there are many great scholarships opportunities and events coming up for our seniors!

• The LAU Sterling Scholarship Application is now open! The purpose of this scholarship is to publicly recognize and encourage excellence in scholarship, leadership and citizenship of high school seniors. Applications are due by November 24, by 5:00 PM MT. More information is available here.
• CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards: Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholarships and Tuition Awards are available for outstanding Utah students. Please see the Utah State Board of Education website for further details regarding specific scholarships and a helpful CTE Scholarship Application webinar, which will be held on Wednesday, November 1 at 11:00 AM MT.
• Alternative-to-College Fair: All high school students are invited to join the LAU school counselors at the Alternative-to-College Fair on November 9 at 1:00 PM MT. This fair acts as a space for students to explore professional options outside of college, such as entrepreneurship and military service. More information is available here.

Upcoming Events

October 28: “Burger Meet” Halloween Stomp–7:20-10:30 PM MT

November 9: Alternative-to-College Fair–2:00-3:00 PM MT

November 11: Arizona “Burger Meet”–11:00 AM-3:00 PM MT

November 17: Impact Ninja Gym Activity - 5:30-8:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

Pre-Midterm Assignments Due: We are quickly approaching the first half of the semester, meaning that students must submit their pre-midterm assignments by the following dates:

• Live Classes: Pre-Midterms Assignments due October 13

• Self-Paced Courses: Pre-Midterms Assignments due October 18

After these dates, the assignments will lock, and submissions will no longer be possible. Please note that if your student fails their self-paced classes, they may not be able to take self-paced classes in the future.

Ninja Gym activity: Registration is now open for LAU students, friends, and families to test their ninja skills with us at Impact Ninja Gym in Sandy, UT, on November 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM MT! Registration closes November 10 or when participant maximum is met, so make sure to register if your student would like to attend.

Digital Safety Resources For Families: The high school’s Digital Media Course has designed an online safety document that provides information on how to help students post, comment, and upload online content responsibly. Please take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these topics with your family.

WA Arizona In-Person Event: LAU students are invited to join Williamsburg Academy’s first in-person event for the 2023-2024 school year in Arizona on November 11! This will be a great opportunity for those living in or near Arizona to come together, mingle, eat, and engage in an assortment of activities. Further information and signups can be found on the “Arizona Burger Meet” event page. Spots are limited, so if you and your student would like to attend, make sure to sign up soon!

“Burger Meet” Halloween Stomp: Registration is open for our upcoming Halloween Stomp! At this in-person event, students can dance, eat, and hangout with their classmates. Guests of students are welcome to join for an extra $3 per person. If your student would like to attend, make sure to register by October 23.

Upcoming Events

October 13: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments

October 17-18: Midterms

October 19-20: Fall Break

October 26: Technical School Fair–2:00-3:00 PM MT

October 28: “Burger Meet” Halloween Stomp–7:20-10:30 PM MT

November 11: Arizona “Burger Meet”–11:00 AM-3:00 PM MT

November 17: Impact Ninja Gym Activity – 5:30 PM-8:00 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Dear Parents and Students,

It has been a pleasure meeting some of our students and parents from across the state of Utah. I hear great things about LAU and also ways our school can improve. Thank you for taking the time to communicate your thoughts and concerns with me.

For many students, this is a particularly challenging time of year. Although assignments continue to arrive and due dates creep closer, helping students persist in hard things is key to their future success. At LAU, we believe this struggle is a keystone to student growth and learning.

I encourage our parents to review our parent resource videos, specifically, the video about “Grit & Persistence.” I also recommend the “Three Step Parent Support” videos. These resources will help your student make the most of their academic journey at LAU.

We love our students and their families. Each of our mentors and staff care deeply about their success, which isn’t always measured by grades or GPA.

Thank you for your continued support and your outstanding efforts with your students!

Warm Regards,

John Tripp

Action Items

Evaluation surveys are live! Online Course/Mentor Evaluation Surveys are available in Homeroom. LAU counts on this feedback each year to improve mentoring in the classroom. Please remind your students to take the survey once for each of their courses. Surveys are due Monday, October 9, but will remain available until Friday, October 14.

Announcements

October Counseling Update: Important information from our school’s counselors about college applications, priority deadlines, and scholarships are available in our counseling update.

Counselor-Led Post-High School Planning Fairs: A few of our post-high school planning fairs are coming up, including:

• College Fair – Thursday, October 12, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM MT
• Technical School Fair – Thursday, October 26, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM MT

Zoom meeting links will be sent to students the morning of the events via Homeroom. Please come ready with questions revolving around college and trade school.

“Burger Meet” Halloween Stomp: Registration is now open for students to dance, eat, and hangout with their classmates at our Halloween Stomp! Costumes are encouraged, but not required. If costumes are worn, they need to be appropriate and contain no mask. Guests of students are welcome to join for an extra $3 per person. If your student would like to attend, make sure to register by October 23.

Upcoming Events

October 12: College Fair–2:00-3:00 PM MT

October 26: Technical School Fair–2:00-3:00 PM MT

October 28: “Burger Meet” Halloween Stomp–7:20-10:30 PM MT

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

Digital Safety Resource for Families: The high school students’ Digital Media course designed an online safety document for families. Since digital privacy and safety is applicable to everyone, it is important to take some time this week to read, review, and discuss these valuable tips and points with your student and family.

“Make Your Mark” Bookmark Contest: my529, Utah’s tax-advantaged savings program, is sponsoring a bookmark contest for Utah K-12 students. Eight winners will each receive a $1,000 my529 college savings scholarship account from my529 and the Utah System of Higher Education. Eligibility is determined by enrollment in a Utah school or home-school based in Utah. Entries must be submitted by October 2. Please see the official entry form for registration and further details.

Upcoming Events

September 30: Party at the Ranch

October 4: Around the World in 80 Days (Hale Centre Theatre)

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

“Around the World in 80 Days” Registration: Registration is now open for students and chaperones to attend Hale Centre Theatre’s performance of “Around the World in 80 Days” on October 4. Our school is allowed 1 chaperone for every 4 students. If you would like to chaperone, please indicate so on the guest sign-up form. Registration typically fills up very quickly, so make sure to sign up soon on our website!

LAU Counselor-Led Post-High School Planning Fairs: LAU counselors have organized multiple post-high school planning fairs, including:

• College Fair – Thursday, October 12, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM MT
• Technical School Fair – Thursday, October 26, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM MT
• Non-School Options Fair – Thursday, November 2, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM MT

Make sure to add these great events to your calendar and watch for more information—including what schools that will be joining us—in upcoming WPUs. If you have any questions, please direct them to Kate Chaney .

American Freedom Festival Contest: The American Freedom Festival is sponsoring an art, essay, film, and speech contest for all K-12 students. This year’s theme is “The First Amendment to the Constitution.” Several cash prizes of up to $600 are available in addition to the chance for students to show their entry publicly by participating in festival events! Further information can be found within this flier or the American Freedom Festival website .

Study Abroad Opportunity : There is a study abroad opportunity offered through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program. CBYX annually offers 350 young Americans the opportunity to live with a host family and attend high school in Germany for one academic year. More information about this opportunity is available on the CBYX website . Please note this is not sponsored by LAU.

Upcoming Events

September 18 – 22: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences

September 30: Party at the Ranch

October 4: Around the World in 80 Days (Hale Centre Theatre)

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.

Announcements

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and our LAU school counselors are sharing some tips with students in Homeroom that can help them combat negative emotions. We encourage you to discuss the importance of self-care and mental health with your students. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of our school’s counselors for additional support or resources. Students whose last names begin with A-L are assigned to reach out to Kate Chaney , while students whose last names begin with M-Z are assigned to reach out to Shauna Larson .

Digital Management Sessions: LAU is offering a counselor-led, 6-week small group session on digital detoxing and social media management skills. If you would like your student to participate, please email our school counselor, Kate Chaney , for additional details and signup.

NWEA Testing Participant Drawing: All students who enroll and participate in our Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) testing will be entered in a drawing for an LAU T-Shirt! Drawings will occur by grade and will be held after Fall, Winter, and Spring testing. Students who participate in all three testing sessions will receive a $5 Amazon gift card, as well! If you have any questions about NWEA testing or need to sign up, please contact our Student Success Coordinator, Michele Elliot .

Retiring Board Member: LAU would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to our retiring board member, Karsten Reed. We appreciate his service as a board member for our school and wish him all the best on his future adventures!

Upcoming Events

September 18 – 22: Parent Mentor Conferences

September 30: Party at the Ranch

Please check our Parent Resource Center to learn more and register for Activities.