NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
March 15-19 Minimum Days – school ends at 12pm
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 25, Issue 25, March 15, 2021
Dear ACA Families,
Did you know that one of the most unique aspects of the Antioch Charter Academy is its method of governance? ACA is governed in a democratic manner by teachers and staff, and is overseen by our Charter Council. There is not a principal at the school as may be found at a more traditional school. Select staff members double as ‘Co-Administrators’ in addition to their teaching position in order to complete the numerous duties and tasks that may be required of a principal.
Furthermore, one teacher in each level is designated as that level’s School Representative to assist in continuity of information and decisions, as well as provide whole school parent support. The daily operations of the school are the responsibility of the Co-Administrators, along with ALL staff.
Our staff makes the most important decisions through a consensus model by all staff members of both schools (ACA and ACAII).
The Charter Council’s primary role is monitoring and maintaining the Vision and Mission of the Antioch Charter Academy as well as overseeing academic and financial accountability. It is integral to maintaining effective leadership for the school. Decisions made by the staff are brought to the Charter Council for discussions and approval.
The Charter Council is composed of five stakeholders from both our community at large and our school families. Charter Council members serve a term of two years. Appointments to the Charter Council follow the nomination and election process outlined in the Bylaws. The Charter Council usually meets once a month. Meetings are currently held over Zoom, and are open to you!
GENERAL NOTES
Spring Picture Day: On Tuesday, March 23rd, Lifetouch will be on campus to take Spring Pictures (see attached document for ordering details). Students will need to wear a mask on campus, but will remove it for their picture. We ask that only students come on campus, and parents remain in their vehicles. We will have staff to help shepherd the students through the process. To help reduce long lines, please try to come during your allotted time frame. If you have any questions, please contact the office. Thank you!
4-4:30pm Last name: A – E
4:30-5pm Last name: F -J
5-5:30pm Last name: K – O
5:30-6pm Last name: P – T
6-6:45pm Last name: U – Z
Middle School News (Community Challenge Groups): Thank you for all your support for our Middle School Cause groups. Here are the activities that are currently being held:
FAM: Hello ACA Families! The student led group FAM will be having a donation drive. The drive will start on Monday 3/29 and go until 4/2. We will be having a drive for the local organization Shelters Inc. They are an organization helping the homeless and less fortunate in Contra Costa County. There will be a box in the Cafeteria for donations. Listed below are donation items: Full-size shampoo & conditioner, Full-size bar soap, body wash, Toothbrushes, toothpaste, Full-size body lotion, sunscreen, mouthwash, Full-size deodorant, Diapers Size 4, 5 & 6, Pull-ups, Wipes, New twin size sheets, New queen size sheets, New blankets, New pillows, Bath towels, Hand towels, Dish towels, Windex, Pine-Sol, Sponges, Laundry detergent, Dish soap, Clorox wipes, Toilet cleaners, Brooms, Swiffer mops & refills, Air fresheners, 13-gallon trash bags. For more information you can visit their website https://shelterinc.org/
C.A.R.E.S.: Our student-led group, C.A.R.E.S. Community is focused on helping the homeless of California. They’re selling candy grams (masquerading as “Easter,” grams, of course!), and they’re going to donate the money they earn to S.H.A.R.E. Community! Click the link below to check out S.H.A.R.E. Community’s Website: https://www.thesharecommunity.
com/
You can order using the Google Form below: https://forms.gle/
Parent Education Program: Our sister school, ACA II, has invited us to join them in their first Parent Education Program (PEP) meeting on supporting both of our students’ mental health at home on March 18th at 6pm. The guest speaker will be Stacy Heiser, who provides counseling services for ACA II students. Stacy is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Contra Costa County. She has 6 years of working with children, teens, and families. Most of her experience is in acute adolescent mental health.
In order to better understand your interests for this PEP meeting, please fill out a short survey: Click here to take the survey
You can join the meeting at this link:
Topic: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health PEP Meeting
Time: Mar 18, 2021 06:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93581121032?
Meeting ID: 935 8112 1032
Passcode: 951283
If you have any questions, please email Miss Dubitsky at mdubitsky@
2020-21 Yearbook: Thank you to everyone who has sent in pictures!!! The Yearbook Elective continues to need your help! We need pictures of your students doing school activities so we will be able to create a yearbook that is full of amazing school memories! If you have any pictures of students participating in school related activities please send them to ACAMemories@
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, assemblies, and classroom supplies. If you have a child/grandchild/niece/nephew/
Family Network Meetings are usually the first Thursday of each month. Meetings will be held by Zoom until we can go back to campus. The board welcomes and encourages all ACA families to attend the meetings. Check with the calendar below to find out the next meeting.
Annual Give: Thank you to everyone that has donated! Let’s keep it up! donate here via PayPal → paypal.me/ACAfamilynetwork
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.
REMINDERS & ONGOING INFORMATION
School Campus Open: The campus is open Monday through Fridays (except holidays) from 8-12pm. Call the office, or check with your student’s classroom if arrangements need to be made to come after open hours.
Grab & Go Meals: Students from ACA I & II (and any siblings 18 and under) may pick up a bag containing FREE breakfast, lunch, supper and a snack M-F from any one of our 12 feeding sites. The waiver is good through the 2020-21 school year. Please visit https://www.antiochschools.
Charter Council: the Charter Council is our governing board. The board meets usually on the second 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 currently on Zoom, and open to the public – all are welcomed! Check with the calendar below to find out the next meeting.
Absences and Tardies – Daily Attendance is expected: If your student will be absent, or tardy, please call the office at 925-755-7311, or email your student’s classroom, before 8:00am. Even though we are currently doing Distance Learning, roll is still taken EVERY DAY.
Updates on Distance Learning and Reopening: Distance Learning for most levels will continue until further notice. We continue to evaluate the situation and are working to prepare the site and staff for in person learning, with the introduction of phased in student cohorts in a safe manner.
Need Assistance – it is OK to ask!
Antioch Charter Academy: call the school office (925-755-7311) if you need help finding school supplies, figuring out how to get school lunches, and/or need to talk with someone regarding any struggles your student(s) may be facing.
Shelter Inc. COVID 19 and Eviction Prevention Hotlines: COVID 19 hotline for those affected by the COVID-19 virus: rental assistance, payment of utility bills, funds for food or necessities; Eviction Prevention – due to crisis. Call 211 or go to https://shelterinc.org/
programs/covid-19-hotline.html Contra Costa County Office of Education (Supplies available upon request for students in unstable housing):Headphones for distance learning, Hygiene kits, School supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, glue sticks, construction paper, pencils, lined paper), Reusable cloth mask (plain white, or Crayola colors for elementary)
Contra Costa Crisis Center (call 211): https://cccc.
myresourcedirectory.com/
Want an easier school-parent-teacher communication?
Make it happen with Classtag!
Simple communication that just works…for everyone.
Get Started Free!
One Simple Source of Info
Choose your method of delivery (please choose text so you can get instant messages) & your choice of language (over 70 to choose from!)
Secure site!
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.
Calendar
March 15 3rd Trimester Begins
March 15-19 Minimum Days – school ends at 12pm (Conference Week)
March 23 Spring Pictures from 4-6:45pm
April 1 Family Network Zoom Meeting at 3:30
April 8 Charter Council Zoom Meeting @ 4pm
April 12-16 Spring Break – no school
April 26-30 Book Fair
April 28 Young Author’s Night
April 30 Minimum Day – school day ends at 12pm
CONTACT INFORMATION
School Phone – 925-755-7311School Address – 3325 Hacienda Way, Antioch 94509
School Website – www.AntiochCharterAcademy.org
ACA Office – ACAOffice@
ACA Family Network – ACAFamilyNetwork@
ACA Elementary – ACAElementary@
ACA Intermediate – ACAIntermediate@
ACA Primary – ACAPrimary@
ACA Middle School – ACAMiddleSchool@
ACA I & II Special Education – SPED@antiochcharteracademy.org
ACA Newsletter – ACANewsletter@
ACA Memories – ACAMemories@
ACA Hot Lunch Program – ACALunchProgram@
Twitter & Instagram Accounts – #AntiochCharter; @AntiochCharter
Parent Network Board & Contact Info
Co-Chairs: Lydia Moon and Kelly MacCallister
Secretary: Brooke Farrington
Treasurer: Beth Rottier
School Volunteer Coordinator: Salena Killion
Social Chair: Janika Barnes
Fundraising Chair: open
If you’re interested in an open position please email ACAFamilyNetwork@
We need help to make this year amazing for OUR KIDS, the school families, teachers and staff
Members at Large: Everyone!
Private Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/
Email: ACAFamilyNetwork@
VISION AND MISSION STATEMENTS
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.
Antioch Charter Academy is Fully Accredited for Grades K-8 by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges