NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Aug 18-20 Minimum Days – dismissal at 12pm
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 26, Issue 1, August 16, 2021
Dear ACA Families,
Welcome back to school for the 2021-22 school year! The first day of school is this Wednesday, August 18th! We want to welcome our new Elementary teacher, Mrs. Klotz. Our Elementary team consists of Miss McLean, Mrs. Beaver and Mrs. Klotz. Mrs. Nakayama is sharing a position with Mrs. Zaccardi in our Primary classroom for the 2021-22 school year. Mrs. Klotz will tell you about herself in next week’s newsletter.
As we prepare for our first day of the new school year, here are some important key points and reminders:
With requirements and recommendations from the governor, the California Department of Public Health, and the CDC, we have put together ACA/ACAII specific 2021-2022 COVID-19 Safety Guidelines.
Here are a few key points:
All students, staff, and visitors to our school must wear masks indoors.
We will require masks to be worn outdoors for recess and PE. There will be designated outdoor areas for students to take a “mask break” while at least 6 feet away from other students.
Staff and volunteers who work with children must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated, or submit proof of negative COVID-19 tests weekly.
There will be staff members to conduct symptom screening and temperature checks as students arrive at school.
If your child has known allergies, please bring in a note from your doctor listing the symptoms.
Students will be at least 6 feet apart when eating lunch or snack.
Wednesday music will focus on rhythm and percussion, at least at first, to limit the amount of singing. If there is singing it will be outdoors, with students spaced apart and wearing masks.
We continue to have small class sizes, especially compared to district schools
We ask that families not enter the campus to hang out and play after school, at least at the beginning of the year.
Drop Off 7:50 am-8:15am
We will continue to symptom screencheck and temperature check each student upon arrival. Parents/drivers may not enter the campus during carpool dropoff time.
If students arrive late, after staff has left the drop off area, a parent/driver must walk the student(s) into the office for a symptom screen and temperature check. Both the student(s) and the adult must wear a mask.
Pick Up – 3pm (12 pm on minimum days and 2pm on Wonderful Wednesdays). During carpool time, parents may use the drive through pick up line where students will walk to the car. Or, parents may park in designated parking spots to walk to pick up their child(ren) from the carpool pickup area. Parents/drivers may not enter the campus during carpool pickup time.
If students depart early, the person picking up the child must call the office at (925) 755-7311 so the office can retrieve the student prior to walking into the office to sign out their student. All visitors coming onto campus must wear a mask.
Primary students (TK and K) may have different drop off and pick up times and procedures for the beginning of the school year. Please refer to the emails and information directly from Mrs. Zaccardi and Mrs. Nakayama.
Remember to check your emails for information about Back To School Night, next week. Each level will be holding their Back to School Night and New Parent Orientations on Zoom. The night is a must for all parents who have children at that level. We have a lot to share with you.
Cheers,
Edna Heller
Sarah McLean
Co-Administrators
GENERAL NOTES
Reminder: Students, employees, parents/guardians, and visitors will need to wear a mask while on campus. Masks are available in the office for children and adults.
New Policy This Trimester: We will not be able to offer students the use of microwaves this trimester to heat up their lunches. We are sorry for any inconvenience, and will let you know if this policy changes.
NEW Ordering Lunch: You can now order your lunch in advance! Order forms are due every Friday by 9am (email or drop off in the office). August menu and order form is attached. If you forget to submit your order form, your student will still be able to order the “Offered Daily” items on the morning of. Also, please let us know if you would like to receive Free Breakfast, Snack, and Dinner.
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/
Pastries for Parents is Back!!! The Family Network will be hosting our annual Pastries for Parents starting at 8:15 up at Mira Vista Park.
During Pastries for Parents you will be able to hear about how you can support ACA students and teachers, volunteer for activities, and vote on this year’s budget.
Family Network Meetings are usually the second Thursday of each month. 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: Would you like to support whole school activities, all the classrooms, and have less fundraisers??!!! Then make a tax deductible donation…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
Drop Off & Pick Up Reminders: We will continue to symptom screencheck and temperature check each student upon arrival.
Parents/drivers may not enter the gates during carpool dropoff time.
If students arrive late, after staff has left the drop off area, a parent/driver must walk the student(s) into the office for a symptom screen and temperature check. Both the student(s) and the adult must wear a mask.
For Pick up during carpool time, parents may use the drive through pick up line where students will walk to the car. Or, parents may park in designated parking spots to walk to pick up their child(ren) from the carpool pickup area. Parents/drivers may not enter the campus during carpool pickup time.
If your student needs to depart early, the person picking up the child must call the office at (925) 755-7311 so the office can retrieve the student prior to walking into the office to sign out their student. All visitors coming onto campus must wear a mask.
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 the calendar for the next school 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.
Resources:
During times of uncertainty, it is important to concentrate on the physical and emotional health of students, staff, and families. We have created this COVID-19 resource page with various resources, activities and hotlines to reach out for assistance.
In the event that this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1 for immediate help.
Contra Costa Health Services:
Mental Health Wellness & Education on how to address “Disappointment,” reduce “Stress” and maintain a “Positive Attitude”
888-678-7277 [available 24/7]
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Coping with Stress During a Pandemic
Contra Costa Crisis Center: Services and Resources for Teens
800-833-2900 (24/7)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
Fact Sheet on COVID-19 along with Age Appropriate Coping Strategies
The Child Mind Institute:
How to speak to kids about the Coronavirus
The National Association of School Psychologists & the National Association of School Nurses:
Talking to Children About COVID-19
(English and en español)
The Trevor Project:
LGTBQ Youth Support During COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Stress and Coping [multiple languages]
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI):
COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Parent Anonymous:
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Have multiple students…then get a code for each one.
Calendar
Aug 18 First Day of School @ 8:15AM
Aug 18 Family Network’s Pastries for Parents @ 8:15AM
Aug 18-20 Minimum Days – dismissal at 12pm
Aug 23 First Trimester Elective begins (4-8th)
Aug 24 Back to School Night (Middle School) from 6~8pm (Zoom)
Aug 25 Back to School Night (Intermediate) from 6~8pm (Zoom)
Aug 25 First Wonderful Wednesday (Enrichment Day)
Aug 26 Back to School Night (Primary/Elementary) from 6~8pm (Zoom)
Sept 6 No School – Labor Day
Sept 8 2nd Cup of Coffee 8:15 (Every 2nd Wednesday of the month)
Sept 16-17 Minimum Days (Conferences) – dismissal at 12pm
CONTACT INFORMATION
School Phone – 925-755-7311
School 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@
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: open…can you help???
Fundraising Chair: open…can you help???
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