NETWORKings

Antioch Charter Academy

Our Vision To provide a learning environment where students of all socio-economic levels and ethnic backgrounds embrace education, exhibit compassion, and accept personal responsibility

Our Mission The mission of the Antioch Charter Academies is to facilitate academic and personal growth of TK-8th grade students of all socio-economic levels and ethnic backgrounds. ACA enables 21st century students to become literate, self-motivated, innovative, lifelong learners, and compassionate, collaborative active citizens. We nurture and support a partnership of students, teachers, families and the community; embrace individual strengths; and build upon research informed educational best practices including Montessori, multiple intelligences, brain-compatible teaching, and multi-age groupings with small class sizes.

Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 24, Issue 8, October 15, 2019

Getting to know ACA

 History: The Antioch Charter Academy opened its doors in 1998 and renewed the charter in 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2018. Since approval of the ACA charter, the ACA has become the highest performing public school in the district as evidenced by its performance on the California Academic Performance Index.

The mission of ACA is to facilitate academic and personal growth of TK-8th grade students of all socio-economic levels and ethnic backgrounds. ACA enables 21st century students to become literate, self-motivated, innovative, lifelong learners, and compassionate, collaborative active citizens. We nurture and support a partnership of students, teachers, families and the community; embrace individual strengths; and build upon research informed educational best practices including Montessori, multiple intelligences, brain-compatible teaching, and multi-age groupings with small class sizes.

Our vision is to provide a learning environment where students of all socio-economic levels and ethnic backgrounds embrace education, exhibit compassion, and accept personal responsibility.

 Montessori: The Montessori Method stresses development of a child’s own initiative and natural abilities through interactive manipulatives, multi-age grouping, peer teaching, and independent discovery.

 Multiple Intelligences: The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:

• Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”)

• Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”)

• Spatial intelligence (“picture smart”)

• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”)

• Musical intelligence (“music smart”)

• Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”)

• Intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”)

• Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”)

GENERAL NOTES

Electives: We want to take this opportunity to give a “Shout Out” to our wonderful 1st trimester volunteer elective teachers: Mr. Ferguson, Mrs. Hearn, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. MacCallister, and Ms. Killion. One of the reasons our school is successful is because of people like you who are willing to invest in our students!

Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for our 2nd trimester (12/2-3/6). Afternoon electives for our 4-8th grade students start on Monday, December 2nd, and run from 2:05-3pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fridays (Fridays are for Middle School students only).

We are looking for adults who are willing to teach/supervise an assortment of activities. The elective program at our school is vitally important part of our curriculum. These classes offer students the opportunities to explore new areas of interest, opening their minds to new possibilities for themselves. Our hope is to offer at least 9 different options for students to choose from on each day. This is only possible if our wonderful ACA community volunteers to help!!

Ideas for classes are: arts & crafts, sewing, language classes (ASL, Spanish, Chinese, etc), sports (basketball, kickball, soccer, softball, ultimate frisbee, etc), cooking, assorted card/board/strategy games, yoga, photography, drama, extra work time, and the list can go on and on – teach what you enjoy!

If you can donate an hour of your time, once a week for the next trimester, to help teach or supervise a class, please let us know ASAP!!! You can also team up with a friend to teach a class, and you do not need to have a student in the 4-8th grade classes to help!!

If you are interested in teaching a 2nd trimester elective, respond to this email, or let the office know by October 25th!

Arrival Time & Dismissal Time: Gates open and supervision begins at 8am, the first bell rings at 8:10am, and class begins at 8:15am. It is important to make sure your student arrives on time for class. Please help us out by dropping your student off no earlier than 8am and exiting the carpool line by 8:15am. School ends at 3pm on M, T, Th, & F, and 2pm on W for 1^st-8^th grade. Minimum days end at 12pm. Please be punctual in picking up your student(s).

Absences and Tardies: If you student will be absent, or tardy, please call the office at 925-755-7311, or email you student’s classroom, before 8:30am. If you do not notify the school, the absence will go on your student’s permanent attendance record as unexcused.

CARPOOL and CROSSWALK Procedures REMINDERS: Please use the crosswalk if you are walking in or out of the school. You can also walk up the hill by the park and exit through the park. Please do not walk through the carpool lane. The carpool lane is for cars only. Please help teach your students safe procedures when walking in and out of school.

Charter Council: the Charter Council is our governing board. They meet on a monthly basis – usually the first Thursday of the month. Please check the calendar for the next meeting date/time, or call the office at 925-755-7311. These meetings are open to the public!

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Keep on top of key dates and deadlines, find messages like minimum day pick-ups, receive updates on whole school & classroom events, and much more!

If you have not already signed up, please contact your student’s classroom to get your student’s individual sign-up code!

Have multiple students…then get a code for each one.

FYI: This app will be replacing Remind

FAMILY NETWORK (FN) NEWS & INFORMATION

The ACA Family Network is made up of ACA adults who volunteer for fundraisers and social events for the enrichment of our children. The money we raise goes back to our school for study trips, family activities, and classroom supplies. If you have a child/grandchild/niece/nephew/etc. at ACA, then come join us & help make a difference!

Family Network Events:

Dine Out for Dollars: go out to eat and earn money for our school!

Oct 15 from 3-9pm: Panera – Pittsburg (flyer attached)

Nov 12 from 4-9pm: Mod Pizza (4301 Century Blvd. Pittsburg)

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT ACA-OCTOBER 25:

Movie: Disney’s Live Action “Aladdin”

Time: Doors open at 6:00; movie at 6:30

Cost: Movie is free! Bring your own dinner, or purchase food and drinks here (proceeds go back to your student’s school). Bring blankets and/or chairs. No child drop off – an adult must accompany your student (this is a family event!)

Dear ACA Families,

The Family Network is excited to announce a holiday wreath fundraiser this year. Students will collect orders from October 21 – November 1, 2019, or items can be ordered directly from the website below. Most items will be delivered to the school and distributed in early December. These are labelled “Local Distribution Items” on the website. Some items can be ordered for direct shipping, so out of town friends and family can support our fundraiser, too! These are labelled “Direct Delivery Gift Items” on the website.

If you would like a sneak peek at the website for this fundraiser, use the link below.

https://sffsalestrack.com/ACA

Your student’s information packet and order form will come home after October break. Please feel free to share the website with and/or collect orders from family and friends.

We look forward to a successful fundraiser! Thank you for supporting our school!

ACA Family Network Board

acafamilynetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

New & EASY Fundraising Opportunity – Benefit App https://www.benefit-mobile.com/

● Download the app

● Link a checking account or credit card to this secure site

● Purchase digital gift cards and use on the spot! Lots of options including Walmart!

● Earn money for our school!

Popcorn Fridays: On Fridays, after school, the FN will sell popcorn & candy for $1. All profits go back to the school! If you would like to help, please email ACAFamilyNetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

Keep Track of Your Volunteer Hours: Each ACA family is asked to volunteer 40 hours per year. Our Family Network Parent Volunteer Coordinator has already set up accounts for each family.

All you need to do is go to https://www.trackitforward.com and sign in using the email address you gave the school. Your temporary password is Aca01. After logging in, please change your password to a permanent one of your choosing.

If you can’t find an account created for you, you can contact the Family Network with questions at ACAFamilyNetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

Family Network Meetings are the first Thursday of each month. Meetings are held in Room 4 at 6:30 on the ACA campus. The board welcomes and encourages all ACA families to attend the meetings. The meetings are not just for board members, but for all ACA family members.

FREE child care can be provided by Middle School students, but parents must RSVP to the meeting in advance.

If you plan on coming to the meeting, email the Family Network Board at acafamilynetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org, and let them know you will need the Free Child Care services during the meeting.

Easy Ways to Earn Money for ACA!!

* AmazonSmiles: Shop at Amazon? Shop at Amazon’s fundraising site, smile.amazon.com and they will donate back to ACA. We are registered as The Learner Centered School, Inc.

* Box Tops for Education: Clip out those Box Tops for Education boxes found on General Mills, Hanes, Betty Crocker, Gold Medal, Ziploc, Progresso, Old El Paso, Kleenex, Fiber One, Hefty, etc. and drop off them in the collection box in the school office. You can also register at boxtopsforeducation.com and have more opportunities to raise funds. We are listed as The Learner Centered School, Inc.

* Good Search: Forget Google and Bing, use goodsearch.com for your web searches and they will donate a penny per search to ACA. They can add up! We are listed as Antioch Charter Academy. While there you can also sign up for GoodShop and GoodDining and others!

* Shoparoo…Upload this free app to your smartphone. Then take photos of your receipts from stores, restaurants, etc. and they will donate back to ACA. We are listed as Antioch Charter Academy. Info at shoparoo.com

*Escrip: Register your Safeway card with The Learner Centered School, Inc. Safeway cards need to be reregistered each year.

*Annual Give: This is a great opportunity to make a donation to our school, knowing that your money will go directly to benefit our students. Annual give donations are accepted any time throughout the school year, and they are tax deductible. Contact the office, or email the Family Network to find out more information. This year you can make your donation through check, cash or Pay Pall: https://PayPal.me/ACAFamilyNetwork

Calendar

· Oct 15 Dine Out for Dollars – Panera (see attached flyer for details)

· Oct 15 8^th Grade Girls Empowerment Project – CCC Fairgrounds

· Oct 16 MS Study Trip to UC Davis/Mondavi Center

· Oct 21 FN Holiday Wreath Fundraiser Begins

· Oct 22 Primary Being There Experience – Frog Hollow Farms

· Oct 25 FN Dinner & Movie Night (on campus) – 6pm

· Oct 29 Int Study Trip (on campus) – Walk Through the American Revolution

· Oct 31-Nov 1 Minimum Days – dismissal time at 12pm

· Nov 1 FN Holiday Wreath Fundraiser Ends

· Nov 7 Charter Council Meeting (all welcome) – 4pm

· Nov 7 FN Meeting (all welcome) – 6:30pm