NETWORKings

Antioch Charter Academy

Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Stakeholders

 Volume 29, Issue 23, February 24, 2025

Hello ACA Families,

As a Math Teacher at ACA, of course I have to push for more Math in our lives. The reality is that Math is everywhere, from measuring ingredients in a recipe, to budgeting and making large financial decisions.

Most people understand the importance of reading everyday at a young age to develop crucial linguistic skills, but people do not always think of Math the same way. Just like reading, playing an instrument, or sport, regular practice strengthens mathematical thinking and builds confidence. When students engage with math at home, whether through puzzles, budgeting, or recognizing patterns, they reinforce classroom learning and develop problem-solving skills that last a lifetime.

Encouraging small, everyday math activities can make a big difference. Simple activities like reviewing schoolwork, playing card/board games, using physical currency, estimating grocery costs, doing cost comparisons, following recipes, measuring during home projects, or managing time can help students see math as a useful and enjoyable part of life. By making math a regular part of home routines, families can support students in becoming more fluent, flexible thinkers that use Mathematical thinking confidently to tackle life’s problems.

Thank you for your continued support as we all work together to support our students!

Thanks again,

Allen Stahler

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Join Us in Inspiring the Next Generation – Volunteer for Our Elective Program!  We want to take this opportunity to give a “Shout Out” to our wonderful 2nd trimester elective volunteer: Mr. Ferguson & Ms. Richardson. One of the reasons our school is successful is because of people like you who are willing to invest in our students!

Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for our 3rd trimester. Third trimester afternoon electives for our 4-8th grade students runs March 17–June 6, from 2:05-3pm on Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fridays (Fridays are for Middle School students only).

Our elective program plays a vital role in shaping well-rounded, creative, and confident students. These classes offer students the chance to discover new interests, develop skills, and explore possibilities they may never have considered. Whether it’s through arts & crafts, sports, language classes, or cooking, the elective program is a cornerstone of our curriculum.

We’re looking for enthusiastic adults in our community to volunteer and teach or supervise an array of exciting activities. We aim to offer at least 9 different classes each day, but this can only happen with your support!

Some of the classes we’re hoping to offer include:

• Arts or Crafts

• Sewing, Knitting, or Crochet

• Language Classes (ASL, Spanish, etc.)

• Sports (Basketball, Kickball, Soccer, Volleyball, etc.)

• Cooking or Baking

• Gardening

• Yoga, Movement or Fitness

• Photography

• Board Games or Strategy Games like Chess

• Woodworking

• And much more!

If you have a skill, passion, or hobby you’d like to share, we’d love to have you help! Your time and expertise will open up exciting new possibilities for our students.

If you can donate an hour of your time, once a week for the next trimester, to help teach or supervise a class, please let us know ASAP!!!  You can also team up with a friend to teach a class, and you do not need to have a student in the 4-8th grade classes to help!!

If you are interested in teaching a 3rd trimester elective, respond to this email, or let the office know by Monday, February 24th! Help us make this program a success – volunteer today!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Lots Happening!!! 

Feb 24  School resumes

Feb 28  MS to Farm (⅓ class)

March 3  FN Coin Wars Begins

March 4  ACA Lottery for 2025-26 potential students (must submit application online)

March 5  Shakespeare on Tour (on campus experience)

March 7  AUSD 8th Grade Boys in Action Event (Dallas Middle School)

March 10-14  Minimum Days – dismiss at 12pm

March 17-19  MS Internships

UPCOMING & ONGOING SCHOOL EVENTS

ACA Lottery 2025-26: Lottery for ACA I will be conducted Tuesday March 4th, 2025. All new students, including siblings of current students, must complete an application for the lottery if they are interested in enrolling in the 2025-26 school year. Students turning 5 years old by September 1, 2025 are eligible for Kindergarten. Students turning 4 years old by September 1, 2025 are eligible for TK.  Applications for both campuses are on our website: Applications | Antioch Charter Academies

See’s Candy Yum-RaisingOnline Orders: Our virtual candy store is officially OPEN! Order online now through April 4th! All orders will be shipped directly to the purchaser! Please click the link below, you will be able to share with family and friends. It makes a wonderful gift for the spring season for anyone local or in other cities or states. https://www.yumraising.com/secure/antiochca_aca_spring_23/YesBer3685/

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!

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

Family Network Meetings are the second Friday of each month at 3pm. The board welcomes and encourages all ACA families to attend the meetings.  Check with the calendar. below to find out the next meeting.

Family Network Wish List: We have created a Family Network wish list on Amazon. If you’d like to donate any of these “Wish List” items we would greatly appreciate it. These items are needed throughout the school year. Pick the items and pay for them and Amazon will ship directly to the school.

*ALL DONATIONS COUNT TOWARD YOUR FAMILY SERVICE HOURS AS WELL!

*ANY DONATION YOU ARE ABLE TO MAKE IS FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

ACA I Family Network – Amazon Gift List – Amazon Gift List

Thank you for your support!

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 → https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2235031 or give cash/check to the school office!

Spiritwear: Antioch Charter spirit wear! With hundreds of designs waiting for you, shop now and get your order in just 10-12 business days! Shop at https://1stplace.sale/14399

Family Network Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers Needed

Want to help, but not sure where to start???  Sign up on TrackItForward to find out how you can help!!!  https://www.trackitforward.com/user

Contact the ACA Family Network if you have any questions!

Acafamilynetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

  Popcorn Fridays Volunteers Always 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. Sign up on https://www.trackitforward.com/user

REMINDERS 

School Lunch Order Form – https://forms.gle/H6SmPkjfZzNscVaeA

You MUST order meals in advance in order to receive them or else we may not have a meal available for your student. Breakfast and Supper will be the same for all students, while lunch has a menu that you can choose one entree from. Reminder – no outside food delivery services are allowed on campus.

Absences, Tardies, Leaving Early: 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. Please make sure to check into the office if your student arrives late. 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. Please remember to request an “Independent Study” or “IS” every time you email/call to report an absence.  This helps the school, which helps your student!

REMIND: This APP 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 (example from last year: a power outage that required early dismissal!).  You can receive messages through email or through texting (recommended) – you decide!  Ask your student’s teacher for their classcode!

Clothes Donation Bin: is a great way to have our unclaimed lost and found items find a new home, and it is actually a form of fund raising for the school. When people donate clothes, the owners of the bin, Tree Machine, will give money to the school. The bin is for clothes only.  Please make sure to bag the clothes before you put them in the bin.  Thank You.

Parking Lot/Carpool