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:

 

  1. 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/

  2. 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@antiochcharteracademy.org so that the yearbook staff can use them! Thank You!

 

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/etc. at ACA, then come join us & help make a difference!

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.net/nutrition-services for the list of sites and menus.

 

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.org/policies/  There is a lot of information on our website, so please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions.  Please be aware we are looking to the CDC for guidelines, which means our guidelines will change as their guidelines change.

 

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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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

  • 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@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Family Network – ACAFamilyNetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Elementary – ACAElementary@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Intermediate – ACAIntermediate@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Primary – ACAPrimary@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Middle School – ACAMiddleSchool@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA I & II Special Education – SPED@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Newsletter – ACANewsletter@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Memories – ACAMemories@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Hot Lunch Program – ACALunchProgram@antiochcharteracademy.org

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@antiochcharteracademy.org

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/acafamilynetwork/

Email: ACAFamilyNetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

 

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