NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Sept 16-17 Minimum Days (Conferences) – dismissal at 12pm
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 26, Issue 5, September 13, 2021
Dear ACA families,
We have finished our 3rd full week of school and things are moving quickly. The intermediate and middle school students have started electives and the Wednesday enrichment program has also begun. Our weather continues to be warm so this is a good time to remind everyone of the dress code. In addition to the official dress code (see attached document), please remember to send your student to school every Wednesday in tennis shoes or other outdoor appropriate footwear. Also, if you have an intermediate or middle school student, take note of the days he/she has an outdoor elective and again, wear appropriate shoes for the activity.
Thank you,
Mrs. Arnst
Intermediate Teacher
GENERAL NOTES
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). 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@
Second Cup of Coffee: The Family Network host’s a monthly event called the Second Cup of Coffee. This is a chance to find out more about what is happening at school and to connect with other families at ACA. Come, enjoy a second cup of coffee! 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.
Family Network Volunteer Opportunities
Popcorn Fridays Volunteers Needed 
We need volunteers to help out with popcorn sales each Friday 2:30pm – 3:30pm
Help set up, make popcorn, sell candy/popcorn and clean-up
Restaurant Fundraiser
Hey there Parents! Do you know of, or work for, a restaurant that would like to participate in an ACA fundraiser? Please email acafamilynetwork@
restaurant information or for more details.
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.
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.
Parent 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”
Mental Health Wellness & Education :: Behavioral Health
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
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks – What You Should Know
Services and Resources for Teens :: Behavioral Health
800-833-2900 (24/7)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network:
Fact Sheet on COVID-19 along with Age Appropriate Coping Strategies
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019
The Child Mind Institute:
How to speak to kids about the Coronavirus
Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus Crisis
The National Association of School Psychologists & the National Association of School Nurses:
Talking to Children About COVID-19
(English and en español)
Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19
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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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 13 Vision Testing – certain grades
Sept 16-17 Minimum Days (Conferences) – dismissal at 12pm
Oct 1 MS Medieval Banquet & Joust
Oct 4-8 October Break – no school
Oct 11 No School – Teacher inservice day
Oct 13 Second Cup of Coffee (Everyone Welcomed) – 8:15AM
Oct 28-29 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