NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Families and Staff Volume 26, Issue 31, April 11,2022
Spring break is right around the corner!
Your students have been working so hard these last seven weeks and to prevent burn out we all need to take time to relax and unplug during spring break. Some of us may be going on vacation- but if you are not, I found a great list of activities for a stay at home spring break:
S
- Backyard campout- grab a tent and sleeping bag and spend the night in your yard!
Game night- get some snacks and play your favorite family games
Planting- whether it’s in pots or in your yard- find something to beautify your home- or a fruit or veggie watch to grow and enjoy later!
Outdoor art- chalk, paint, pencils etc weather permitting get outside and get creative
PJ party- during the day or at night there is nothing wrong with a pajama day, with baking and books!
So many more ideas that get you to unplug and spend quality time with your children at home. I hope everyone has a restful break to get ready for the last 7 weeks of the school year!
Rebecca Zaccardi
Primary Teacher
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS 
Covid Policy Update: Thank you for being so patient as we continue to adapt to the COVID-19 related changes in our community. Here are several updates for families:
For now, ACA/ACA2 will continue to require masks to be worn by everyone indoors. COVID cases are currently rising in our community, and we would like to send you all into Spring Break healthy!
We will revisit the idea of allowing students to remove masks indoors after returning from Spring Break.
Each student will receive a take-home COVID 19 test kit by Thursday, April 14th before Spring Break. Please follow the directions and administer a COVID-19 test on Sunday, April 24th, to ensure that your student does not have COVID before sending them to school on Monday, the 25th. There are 2 tests in each box, so it is suggested to administer the second test on Thursday, April 28th.
ACA and ACA2 staff recently met and updated several parts of the COVID-19 safety guidelines.
In summary, several changes will be allowed effective immediately which relate to students being allowed to take their masks off outdoors.
Students will no longer be required to be socially distanced while eating OUTDOORS. When eating INDOORS, students will still be asked to sit socially distanced.
During OUTDOOR PE, recess, or other activities, students are no longer required to wear masks. They do not need to be socially distanced while OUTDOORS. During INDOOR PE, students will still be required to wear masks.
As a reminder, please keep students home if they have:
Fever of 100 or higher
New and different cough in addition to any other symptom
New and different shortness of breath in addition to any other symptom
Additional symptoms may include chills, fatigue, repeated shaking with chills, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, the new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Close exposure to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past five days.
2022-23 School Year Student Intent to Return Forms are due by May 2nd. Go to the following link to confirm your students’ place for next year! https://docs.google.com/forms/
ELO: ACA staff is considering expanding learning opportunities (ELO) for K-8 students. We would like to hear your thoughts about extending the school day–making school available from 8:00 am-5:00 pm (expand/change Math Shack), providing breakfast at ACA, and adding more calendar days to the school year through intersessions (week off breaks) and summer session (STEAM Camp).
Please take the time to fill out this important survey. Your survey answers should reflect what you anticipate your needs to be for the 2022-23 school year. And even if you do not want/need these services, please let us know! Your opinion matters to the direction we take, and we need to hear from each family! https://forms.gle/
First Fridays: First Fridays take place every 1st Friday of the month during the school year, at Skipolini’s in Antioch at 4pm. Come Friday, May 6th and have dinner with your family while making new friends from our ACA community!
Yearbooks are for sale online. Attached is a flyer. This year–students can create two of their own pages–they will need to purchase and complete their two pages before the deadline in April. If you take pictures of school events, please share them to www.treering.com/validate Passcode for our school is 101506720561403
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment: Our school plan is to test 3rd-8th grade students beginning in April through June. Students will test in grade level groups, and/or individually depending on their individual educational plans. It will be extremely important for students to arrive on time and well rested during these testing months. Please contact your student’s classroom to find out dates for their level.
FAMILY NETWORK (FN) HAPPENINGS
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/
Book Fair: The book fair is coming back! We will have our in-person book fair April 29 – May 6! This is such a fun event, which requires lots of volunteer participation. Please check Track It Forward to sign up to help. Volunteering at the book fair is so much fun! Email acafamilynetwork@
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.
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
REMINDERS & FYIs 
Mask & Temperature Reminders: Students, employees, parents/guardians, and visitors will need to wear a mask while indoors on campus. Masks are available in the office for children and adults.
We will continue to symptom screencheck and temperature check each student upon arrival. If students arrive late, a parent/driver must walk the student(s) into the office for a symptom screen and temperature check. Wearing masks outdoors on campus is now optional.
Early Departure: 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.
Parking Lot Safety – Let’s Keep ALL Our Students, Staff & Families SAFE!
Everyone needs to use crosswalks!
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.
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!!
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 open to the public – all are welcomed! Check the calendar for the next school meeting.
School Lunch Order Form – https://forms.gle/
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.
Remind: This is another way for the school to quickly inform you on what is happening on campus. Never miss another minimum day schedule, or a whole school event. You can receive messages through email or through texting – you decide! If you have not signed up yet, please contact your student’s classroom for the code!
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.
Contra Costa Crisis Center (call 211): https://cccc.
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]
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/
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
Parent Anonymous:
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
April 14 FN Meeting – Everyone Welcomed – 3:30
April 15 Minimum Day – dismissal at 12pm
April 18-22 Spring Break – no school
April 26 8th Grade Girls’ Empowerment Event at AHS
April 29-May 6 Scholastic Book Fair
April 29 MS at Family Harvest Farm (certain students)
May 4 Young Author’s Celebration Night ~ 6:30pm
May 6 ACA First Friday @ Skipolini’s 4~6pm
May 12 FN Meeting – Everyone Welcomed – 3:30
May 19 MS at Family Harvest Farm (certain students)
CONTACT INFORMATION
School Phone – 925-755-7311
School Address – 3325 Hacienda Way, Antioch 94509
School Website – www.AntiochCharterAcademy.org
School Lunch Order Form – https://forms.gle/
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
¡Las vacaciones de primavera están a la vuelta de la esquina!
Sus estudiantes han estado trabajando muy duro estas últimas siete semanas y para evitar el agotamiento, todos debemos tomarnos un tiempo para relajarnos y desconectarnos durante las vacaciones de primavera. Es posible que algunos de nosotros nos vayamos de vacaciones, pero si no es así, encontré una excelente lista de actividades para quedarse en casa durante las vacaciones de primavera:
¡Muchas más ideas que lo llevarán a desconectarse y acampar en el patio trasero: tome una tienda de campaña y un saco de dormir y pase la noche en su jardín!
Noche de juegos: compre algunos refrigerios y juegue sus juegos familiares favoritos
Plantar, ya sea en macetas o en su jardín, encuentre algo para embellecer su hogar, o un reloj de frutas o verduras para crecer y disfrutar más tarde.
Arte al aire libre: tiza, pintura, lápices, etc., si el clima lo permite, salga y sea creativo
Fiesta de pijamas: durante el día o la noche, ¡no hay nada de malo en un día de pijamas, con repostería y libros!
Muchas más ideas que te harán desconectar y pasar tiempo de calidad con tus hijos en casa. ¡Espero que todos tengan un descanso reparador para prepararse para las últimas 7 semanas del año escolar!
rebeca zaccardi
Profesor de primaria
ANUNCIOS GENERALES
Actualización de la política de Covid: Gracias por ser tan paciente mientras continuamos adaptándonos a los cambios relacionados con COVID-19 en nuestra comunidad. Aquí hay varias actualizaciones para las familias:
Por ahora, ACA/ACA2 continuará requiriendo que todos usen máscaras en interiores. Los casos de COVID están aumentando actualmente en nuestra comunidad, ¡y nos gustaría enviarlos a todos a las vacaciones de primavera saludables!
Revisaremos la idea de permitir que los estudiantes se quiten las máscaras en el interior después de regresar de las vacaciones de primavera.
Cada estudiante recibirá un kit de prueba COVID 19 para llevar a casa antes del jueves 14 de abril antes de las vacaciones de primavera. Siga las instrucciones y administre una prueba de COVID-19 el domingo 24 de abril para asegurarse de que su estudiante no tenga COVID antes de enviarlo a la escuela el lunes 25. Hay 2 pruebas en cada caja, por lo que se sugiere administrar la segunda prueba el jueves 28 de abril.
El personal de ACA y ACA2 se reunió recientemente y actualizó varias partes de las pautas de seguridad de COVID-19.
En resumen, se permitirán varios cambios con vigencia inmediata que se relacionan con que los estudiantes puedan quitarse las máscaras al aire libre.
Ya no se requerirá que los estudiantes estén socialmente distanciados mientras comen AL AIRE LIBRE. Al comer EN EL INTERIOR, se les pedirá a los estudiantes que se sienten socialmente distanciados.
Durante la educación física al aire libre, el recreo u otras actividades, ya no se requiere que los estudiantes usen máscaras. No necesitan estar socialmente distanciados mientras están AL AIRE LIBRE. Durante PE INTERIOR, los estudiantes aún deberán usar máscaras.
Como recordatorio, mantenga a los estudiantes en casa si tienen:
Fiebre de 100 o más
Tos nueva y diferente además de cualquier otro síntoma
Dificultad para respirar nueva y diferente además de cualquier otro síntoma.
Los síntomas adicionales pueden incluir escalofríos, fatiga, temblores repetidos con escalofríos, dolores musculares o corporales, dolor de cabeza, dolor de garganta, nueva pérdida del gusto o del olfato, congestión o secreción nasal, náuseas, vómitos y diarrea.
Exposición cercana a cualquier persona que haya dado positivo por COVID-19 en los últimos cinco días.
Los formularios de intención de devolución del estudiante del año escolar 2022-23 deben presentarse antes del 2 de mayo. ¡Ve al siguiente enlace para confirmar la plaza de tus alumnos para el próximo año! https://docs.google.com/forms/
ELO: El personal de ACA está considerando ampliar las oportunidades de aprendizaje (ELO) para los estudiantes de K-8. Nos gustaría escuchar sus opiniones acerca de extender el día escolar, hacer que la escuela esté disponible de 8:00 am a 5:00 pm (ampliar/cambiar Math Shack), brindar desayuno en ACA y agregar más días calendario al año escolar hasta intersesiones (semana libre) y sesión de verano (STEAM Camp).
Tómese el tiempo para completar esta importante encuesta. Las respuestas de su encuesta deben reflejar lo que anticipa que serán sus necesidades para el año escolar 2022-23. E incluso si no desea/necesita estos servicios, ¡háganoslo saber! ¡Su opinión es importante para la dirección que tomamos, y necesitamos saber de cada familia! https://forms.gle/
Primeros viernes: los primeros viernes se llevan a cabo cada primer viernes del mes durante el año escolar, en Skipolini’s en Antioch a las 4 p.m. ¡Ven el viernes 6 de mayo y cena con tu familia mientras haces nuevos amigos de nuestra comunidad ACA!
Los anuarios están a la venta en línea. Se adjunta un folleto. Este año, los estudiantes pueden crear dos de sus propias páginas, deberán comprar y completar sus dos páginas antes de la fecha límite en abril. Si toma fotografías de eventos escolares, compártalas en www.treering.com/validate El código de acceso de nuestra escuela es 101506720561403
Evaluación sumativa Smarter Balanced: Nuestro plan escolar es evaluar a los estudiantes de 3.º a 8.º grado a partir de abril hasta junio. Los estudiantes evaluarán en grupos de nivel de grado y/o individualmente dependiendo de sus planes educativos individuales. Será extremadamente importante para stu