NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 26, Issue 4, September 7, 2021
Dear ACA Families,
We have just finished our second FULL week of school and it brings me so much joy to see everyone’s faces in person here on campus! Since being back I have made a few observations and would like to share a couple of reminders:
The first reminder is regarding the weather. It may still feel like summer, but it is actually quite brisk in the mornings. I have noticed several students pulling arms and legs into t-shirts because they are cold out on the blacktop. So, it may be time to bust out those light sweatshirts or jackets! Labeling clothing with your student’s name is a good idea too.
Secondly, we are so happy to have Popcorn Fridays back after school, brought to us by our Family Network! Treats are around $1. If your student would like to purchase a snack that is great, but I would like to suggest if they do so, please come through the carpool a little bit later or park your car so the carpool doesn’t get backed up.
That is all I have this week! I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Regards,
Mrs. Cerecedes
GENERAL NOTES
School Picture Day has been postponed and will be rescheduled – TBD
Mask Reminder: Students, employees, parents/guardians, and visitors will need to wear a mask while on campus, which includes the parking lot. Masks are available in the office for children and adults.
Parking Lot Safety – Let’s Keep ALL Our Students & Families SAFE!
Everyone needs to use crosswalks!
Please do not move the cones or park in the parking lot area closest to the buildings. Students use that area to wait for their rides.
Listen to the staff’s instructions – they are trying to keep everyone safe, and to keep drop off/pick up running smoothly.
Do not tell your students to cut through the parking lot to reach you – cars that are backing up may not see your student. Students should be picked up using the carpool lane, or using the crosswalk, they can walk to their cars which are parked on the street/in front of the park.
When it is your turn to enter the carpool lane, pull all the way forward, so up to 6 vehicles can load/unload their charges at a time.
Do not move forward in the carpool lane until all children have entered/exited their vehicles in front of you – a fender bender could severely injure a child who is partially in a vehicle.
At the height of pick up/drop off, once you are done, we ask that you turn right out of the parking lot, so there will be less traffic in front of the school – this will actually save you a few minutes!
Thank you for keeping everyone safe – remember picking up/dropping off is only a few minutes out of your day, but an injury could last a lifetime!!
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/
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.
Popcorn Fridays Are BACK!!! This is not only a FUNdraiser for our students, but is also FUN for the students!! We are always in need of a couple volunteers to help sell the popcorn and candy after school. Come at 2:30 to set up and stay until about 3:30 to sell and clean up. This is an easy way to get your volunteer hours for the year! You can sign up on TrackItForward.com, or email acafamilynetwork@
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 gates 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:
Internet Safety
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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.
Calendar
Sept 8 2nd Cup of Coffee 8:15 (Every 2nd Wednesday of the month)
Sept 9 Family Network Meeting – 3pm
Sept 9 Charter Council Meeting – 4pm
Sept 13 Vision Testing – certain grades
Sept 16-17 Minimum Days (Conferences) – dismissal at 12pm
Oct 4-8 October Break – no school
Oct 11 No School – Teacher inservice day
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
¡Acabamos de terminar nuestra segunda semana COMPLETA de clases y me da mucha alegría ver las caras de todos en persona aquí en el campus! Desde que regresé, he hecho algunas observaciones y me gustaría compartir un par de recordatorios:
El primer recordatorio es sobre el clima. Puede que todavía parezca verano, pero en realidad es bastante fresco por las mañanas. He notado que varios estudiantes se ponen las camisetas con los brazos y las piernas porque tienen frío en el asfalto. Entonces, ¡puede que sea el momento de sacar esas sudaderas o chaquetas ligeras! Etiquetar la ropa con el nombre de su estudiante también es una buena idea.
En segundo lugar, ¡estamos muy felices de tener Popcorn Fridays de regreso después de la escuela, traídos por nuestra Family Network! Las golosinas cuestan alrededor de $ 1. Si su estudiante quisiera comprar un refrigerio que sea excelente, pero me gustaría sugerirle que lo haga, por favor pase por el carpool un poco más tarde o estacione su auto para que el carpool no se atasque.
¡Eso es todo lo que tengo esta semana! Espero que todos tengan una semana maravillosa.
Saludos,
Sra. Cerecedes
NOTAS GENERALES
El día de fotos en la escuela se pospuso y se reprogramará – TBD
Recordatorio de máscara: Los estudiantes, empleados, padres / tutores y visitantes deberán usar una máscara mientras estén en el campus, lo que incluye el estacionamiento. Las máscaras están disponibles en la oficina para niños y adultos.
Seguridad en el estacionamiento: ¡Mantengamos SEGUROS a TODOS nuestros estudiantes y familias!
¡Todos deben usar los cruces peatonales!
No mueva los conos ni se estacione en el área de estacionamiento más cercana a los edificios. Los estudiantes usan esa área para esperar sus paseos.
Escuche las instrucciones del personal: están tratando de mantener a todos a salvo y de que la entrega / recogida funcione sin problemas.
No les diga a sus estudiantes que atraviesen el estacionamiento para alcanzarlo – los autos que están retrocediendo pueden no ver a su estudiante. Los estudiantes deben ser recogidos usando el carril de carpool, o usando el cruce de peatones, pueden caminar hasta sus autos que están estacionados en la calle / frente al parque.
Cuando sea su turno de ingresar al carril para viajes compartidos, avance completamente para que hasta 6 vehículos puedan cargar / descargar sus cargas a la vez.
No avance en el carril para viajes compartidos hasta que todos los niños hayan entrado o salido de sus vehículos delante de usted; un golpe en el guardabarros podría lesionar gravemente a un niño que está parcialmente en un vehículo.
A la altura de la recogida / devolución, una vez que haya terminado, le pedimos que gire a la derecha fuera del estacionamiento, para que haya menos tráfico frente a la escuela, ¡esto realmente le ahorrará unos minutos!
Gracias por mantener a todos a salvo – recuerde que recoger / dejar es solo unos minutos de su día, ¡pero una lesión podría durar toda la vida!
NUEVO Pedido de almuerzo: ¡Ahora puede pedir su almuerzo con anticipación! Los formularios de pedido deben entregarse todos los viernes a las 9 a. M. (Correo electrónico o dejarlos en la oficina). Se adjunta el menú de agosto y el formulario de pedido. Si olvida enviar su formulario de pedido, su estudiante aún podrá ordenar los artículos “Diarios ofrecidos” en la mañana del. Además, háganos saber si desea recibir desayuno, refrigerio y cena gratis.