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 15, December 9, 2019

Hi ACA Family!

I would like to review of our student Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures:

Your patience, understanding, and support are appreciated. The staff does everything they can to encourage parents to follow the parking lot rules and maximize the flow of traffic. The staff knows that your time is precious, but the safety of every student is their first priority. Please be a positive role model for all students.

Friendly reminders: USE COMMON SENSE

Please refrain from cell phone usage
Be aware of your surroundings, including traffic cones
Do not use the school dumpster area as a meeting spot for your student
Please follow the law; do not park illegally (red curbs, handicapped parking without a placard, etc).

Student Drop Off in the Mornings:

*** Students can be dropped off beginning at 8:00 a.m. when teachers begin morning duty.

Say your goodbyes before your turn to unload – this will help keep cars moving in line.
Please follow the directions of staff members/parent volunteers on duty.
Pull as far forward along the curb (carpool lane) as possible before stopping your vehicle. There should be very little room between your car and the car in front of you.
Students are to exit their vehicle only on the passenger side and they must be able to get themselves out of the car without any help from their parent.
Parents are to remain inside their cars – do not leave car unattended.
Children are to always walk on the sidewalks.
School starts at 8:15 a.m.

Student Pick Up in the Afternoons:

*** Students are dismissed at 3:00 p.m. (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri), at 2:00 p.m. (Wed), and 12:00 p.m. on minimum days

Pull as far forward along the curb (carpool lane) as possible before stopping your vehicle. There should be very little room between your car and the car in front of you.
Parents are to remain in their vehicles – do not leave vehicles unattended in the parking lot.
Please follow the directions of staff members/parent volunteers on duty.
Backpacks must go inside the passenger area of the car, not in the trunk. If you need to use your trunk space, then please use the parking lot to pick up your student.

If using the parking lot, or walking, always remember to follow these rules:

Always use the crosswalk (in the painted lines by the office).
Before crossing a street, stop at the curb or edge and wait for the crossing guard to stop traffic.
Keep looking while you cross the street.
Never walk or run between parked cars.

Remember, our first priority is to get the students, staff, and faculty to and from school safely and to get it done in the most efficient manner possible. There are many opportunities to volunteer with our carpool. If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Stahler, or if you see danger or have concern in this area, please contact me.

Mr. Fuller (Middle School Team)

GENERAL NOTES

Two All School Assemblies this week:

Monday, December 9^th: DVHS Divine Voices

Wednesday, December 12^th: Shakespeare on Tour performing “Macbeth”

MS Passion Action (SPA) Event: On December 13th, from 3:00-5:00, there will be a Christmas movie playing in the Cafeteria for TK-8^th grade students. We will be playing Christmas games, and pizza and drinks will be provided! All proceeds go towards our Passion Action – PETA, to help prevent animal testing (students choose their “Passion Action”, then plan events to support their cause). Admission is $5 per student. You must have a permission slip to the office no later than Wednesday 12/11/19 (attached).

Charter Council: the Charter Council is our governing board. They meet on a monthly basis – usually the first Thursday of the month @ 4PM. Please check the calendar for the next meeting date/time, or call the office at 925-755-7311 to confirm. These meetings are open to the public – all are welcomed!

REMINDERS

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 your 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: 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.

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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.

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:

Cookies & Crafts: This Thursday, December 12th the FN is hosting a FREE FAMILY FUN EVENT! From 6-7:30pm, come snack on cookies & hot cocoa/cider while you make simple crafts together with you & child(ren) and other ACA families! You MUST RSVP by today (12/9) for this event. Flyers went home with you student(s) last week, or you can call the office at 925-755-7311 to RSVP.

Wreaths for Sale: We have some extra items for sale from our wreath fundraiser! There are wreaths, door swags, and table centerpieces. See pictures and prices below. Come by after school today to claim yours before they are gone!

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 3pm 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

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 & Target (go to the website to see all the options)!
The business will then donate a percentage of your purchase to our school!

Dec 9 All School Assembly – DVHS Divine Voices
Dec 11 All School Assembly – Shakespeare on Tour performing “Macbeth”.
Dec 12 FN Cookies & Crafts – 6-7:30pm; must RSVP by Dec 9th
Dec 13 MS EE at Big Break – Group C
Dec 13 MS SPA Fundraiser – Christmas Movie & Food; 3-5pm. Must have permission slip.
Dec 20 MS Victorian Day – on campus event
Dec 20 Minimum Day – dismissal time at 12pm
Dec 23-Jan 3 Winter Break – no school
Jan 6 School Resumes – welcome back!
Jan 9 Family Network Meeting (all welcome) – 3pm
Jan 9 Charter Council (all welcome) – 4pm
Jan 14 (new date) Holiday Concert @ BDMS – 6:30pm (music students arrive at 5:30)
Jan 27-31 Great Kindness Challenge Week – daily activities