NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 25, Issue 27, March 29, 2021
Dear ACA Families,
I wanted to take an opportunity to brag about the amazing things that the students in the Middle School class are doing. One of our focuses since December has been on contributing to our communities. Our students have partnered with several organizations from around the Bay Area to help fight Pollution, Homelessness, and inadequate access to PPE. During this time, students have fundraised hundreds of dollars, donated many hours of their time, and helped spread awareness about their causes. It has been amazing to see their passion and perseverance during these last few months. If the opportunity arises for you to contribute in the future, please do because the students have been working very hard.
In addition to their Cause Groups, over the last month students have been working in smaller groups to address many other needs that Humans have in our “Human-Centered Design” unit. During this unit, students researched a variety of problems that humans face like water pollution, uncomfortable face coverings, posture problems, access to healthcare for homeless, Equal Rights for Women, Racial Injustice, Mental Illness, and multiple forms of disabilities. Then then designed and built a device that could help solve that problem. This week we get to see the results of the students’ hard work and I am very excited.
Next unit we will be turning their ideas into businesses and need parent volunteers to mentor the students, as well as judge their final pitch. If you have any interest in helpling or know of someone that you think would be interested, please let the Middle School class know.
Thank you,
Allen Stahler
GENERAL NOTES
2021-22 School Year Calendar: Attached is the school calendar for 2021-22.
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. If you purchased a Candy Gram to help support S.H.A.R.E., pick-up days for those are April 1st and 2nd!
2020-21 Yearbook:
Hello ACA Families,
The yearbook staff is having a Chipotle fundraiser April 21st from 5-9pm at the Chipotle on Lone Tree(5401 Lone Tree Way Ste 100, Brentwood) All proceeds made will go into buying yearbooks for the 8th grade students. Any support is greatly appreciated. If you go to the Chipotle either show them the flyer (attached below) or say that you are with ACA, if not the money won’t go to ACA.
Any support is greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much,
ACA yearbook staff
And remember…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. The next meeting is this Thursday, April 1, at 3:30pm
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 and On Campus Learning for students continues to evolve. We are constantly evaluating the situation, and are in the process of bringing in student cohorts in a safe manner. All parents and guardians are encouraged to read the various Safety Plans and Policies that are currently available on https://antiochcharteracademy.
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/
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Calendar
April 1 Family Network Zoom Meeting at 3:30
April 8 Charter Council Zoom Meeting @ 4pm
April 12-16 Spring Break – no school
April 21 Yearbook Elective Chipotle Fundraiser (see above for details)
April 26-30 Book Fair (Virtual)
April 28 Young Author’s Night (TBA)
April 30 Minimum Day – school day ends at 12pm
May 6 Family Network Zoom Meeting at 3:30
May 13 Charter Council Zoom Meeting @ 4pm
May 28 Minimum Day – school day ends at 12pm
May 31 No School – Memorial Day
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