NETWORKings
Antioch Charter Academy
Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Stakeholders
Volume 30, Issue 17, January 5, 2026
Welcome Back!
We hope your break was full of rest and quality family time. This time is much needed for all of us to reset.
We recognize that being away from school and daily routine can be hard for many students and families. The January slump is real. At home and school it’s important to normalize big feelings after a long break. Students have had changes to their sleep, energy and emotion. You might notice your student feeling excited, tired, anxious or all of the above. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and ease back into routines with the mindset of a fresh start.
Families play an important role in this transition. Simple routines at home can help – consistent bedtimes, morning check ins and open conversations can make students feel grounded and supported. Returning to school in January can be one of the hardest transitions of the year. After all of the warmth, flexibility and togetherness– jumping back in can be overwhelming.
Here at school we approach January with patience and care. We take time to reconnect with our students leaning into our classroom meetings for sharing out and supporting students while they find their rhythm.
The school/family partnership is so important during the school year but especially during the big transitions.
It’s always important to let your student’s teacher know if you are seeing anything different at home so we can be on the same page when helping your student be successful.
How can I support my student at home?
-Expect big emotions
-Keep steady routines
-Talk openly about how hard transitions can be
-Celebrate effort and not outcome
Thank you for your continued support as we ease back into our school routine together.
Mrs. Romo
HIGHLIGHTS
ACA New Student Lottery 2026-27 FAQ’s:
Lottery applications are filled out online https://antiochcharteracademy.
org/applications/ Admission preference goes in the order that follows: children of staff or faculty, siblings of students currently at ACA, residents of the district.
Lottery for ACA I will be conducted Tuesday March 3, 2026
The Charter School will conduct the annual lottery within the first week of March, a computer program will generate random numbers for each applicant.
After all openings have been filled, the remaining applicants will be placed on the current waitlist based on the lottery number assigned and can be admitted if spaces open up during the school year.
See “FUNdraiser Section” For Current Fundraisers, Dates, and Details!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Lots Happening!!!
Jan 5 Back to School
Jan 9 Family Network Meeting (all welcome) @ 3:15pm
Jan 15 Charter Council Meeting (all welcome) @ 4pm
Jan 19 Dining for Dollars – Panda Express
Jan 19 MLK Day – no school
Jan 26-30 School Choice & Kindness Week
Feb 5-6 Minimum Days – dismiss at 12pm
Feb 6 FN Parent’s Night Out
UPCOMING & ONGOING SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
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. See attached document for this school’s year schedule
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!
FUNdraisers – Ways to Support!
*Dining for Dollars: Join us for dinner on Monday, January 19th at ANY Panda Express restaurant nationwide. This makes it very easy for family and friends to support our school. You may place a pre-order. The code is valid 7 days prior to the event date. Just make sure to enter the event code 9007155 in the Fundraiser Code box during online checkout at at www.pandaexpress.com or via App. Please share the fundraising link or the attached flyer with anyone and everyone who might like to participate.
Thank you for your support!
*The SchoolStore Program is 100% online so there is NO face-to-face selling, handling money, or delivering products. You can help our school raise money when you shop online through schoolstore.com, and a percentage of your total purchase will go directly to the school!
Here’s how to make it happen:
* When you’re ready to shop online, just click here: https://www.schoolstore.com/
* Click on the Shop 300+ Merchants tab toward the bottom of the page to find your favorite store. .
* Click on the merchant, and you’ll be directed to their official website.
* Shop as usual, and a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to the school.
*Please remember that this only works when you go through the link above, not through the store’s app.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION!
*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
*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/
Family Network (FN) – Get Involved!
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/
**If you have any questions, Family Network will be on campus every Friday selling Popcorn!**
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
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.
Contact the ACA Family Network if you have any questions on who they are, and how you can help!
Acafamilynetwork@
REMINDERS
School Lunch Order Form – https://forms.gle/
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. No 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!
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
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 Yearbook – ACAMemories@
Social Media – Accounts are set to private; you need to request to join our groups.
Instagram Antioch Charter – https://www.instagram.com/
Facebook ACA Family & Friends – https://www.facebook.com/
Parent Network Board & Contact Info
Chair: Yessika Berrios
Co-Chair: Pedro Ramos
Secretary: Brooke Farrington
Treasurer: Salena Killion
School Volunteer Coordinator: OPEN
Social Chair: Zaren Reed/LaShamn Sanders
Fundraising Chair: Marissa Hernandez
Members at Large: Everyone!
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 meals, and/or need to talk with someone regarding any struggles your student(s) may be facing.
Resources For Families: Parent Resources
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
Antioch Charter Academy
Boletín informativo para las partes interesadas de Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS
Volumen 30, Número 17, 5 de enero de 2026
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo!
Esperamos que sus vacaciones hayan estado llenas de descanso y tiempo de calidad en familia. Este tiempo es muy necesario para que todos podamos recargar energías.
Reconocemos que estar lejos de la escuela y de la rutina diaria puede ser difícil para muchos estudiantes y familias. La apatía de enero es real. Tanto en casa como en la escuela, es importante normalizar las emociones intensas después de un largo descanso. Los estudiantes han experimentado cambios en su sueño, energía y emociones. Es posible que noten que su hijo/a se siente emocionado/a, cansado/a, ansioso/a o todo lo anterior. Es importante reconocer estos sentimientos y retomar las rutinas con la mentalidad de un nuevo comienzo.
Las familias desempeñan un papel importante en esta transición. Las rutinas sencillas en casa pueden ayudar: horarios de acostarse constantes, conversaciones matutinas y comunicación abierta pueden hacer que los estudiantes se sientan seguros y apoyados. Regresar a la escuela en enero puede ser una de las transiciones más difíciles del año. Después de toda la calidez, la flexibilidad y la convivencia, volver a la rutina puede ser abrumador.
Aquí en la escuela, abordamos enero con paciencia y cuidado. Nos tomamos el tiempo para reconectarnos con nuestros estudiantes, aprovechando las reuniones en el aula para compartir experiencias y apoyar a los estudiantes mientras encuentran su ritmo.
La colaboración entre la escuela y la familia es muy importante durante el año escolar, pero especialmente durante las grandes transiciones.
Siempre es importante informar al maestro/a de su hijo/a si nota algo diferente en casa para que podamos estar en sintonía al ayudar a su hijo/a a tener éxito.
¿Cómo puedo apoyar a mi hijo/a en casa?
-Espere emociones intensas
-Mantenga rutinas constantes
-Hable abiertamente sobre lo difíciles que pueden ser las transiciones
-Celebre el esfuerzo y no el resultado
Gracias por su continuo apoyo mientras retomamos juntos nuestra rutina escolar.
Sra. Romo
DESTACADOS
Preguntas frecuentes sobre el sorteo de nuevos estudiantes de ACA 2026-27:
Las solicitudes para el sorteo se completan en línea: https://antiochcharteracademy.
La preferencia de admisión se otorga en el siguiente orden: hijos de personal o profesores, hermanos de estudiantes que actualmente asisten a ACA, residentes del distrito. El sorteo para ACA se realizará el martes 3 de marzo de 2026.
La escuela chárter realizará el sorteo anual durante la primera semana de marzo; un programa informático generará números aleatorios para cada solicitante.
Una vez cubiertas todas las plazas, los solicitantes restantes se incluirán en la lista de espera actual según el número de sorteo asignado y podrán ser admitidos si se liberan plazas durante el año escolar.
¡Consulte la sección “Recaudación de fondos” para conocer las actividades de recaudación de fondos, fechas y detalles!
¡ANOTE EN SU CALENDARIO: Muchas actividades!
5 de enero: Regreso a clases
9 de enero: Reunión de la Red Familiar (todos bienvenidos) a las 3:15 p. m.
15 de enero: Reunión del Consejo Escolar (todos bienvenidos) a las 4 p. m.
19 de enero: Cena benéfica en Panda Express
19 de enero: Día de Martin Luther King Jr. – no hay clases
26-30 de enero: Semana de la Elección Escolar y la Amabilidad
5-6 de febrero: Días con horario reducido – salida a las 12 p. m.
6 de febrero: Noche de padres de la Red Familiar
ANUNCIOS ESCOLARES PRÓXIMOS Y EN CURSO
Las reuniones de la Red Familiar se llevan a cabo el segundo viernes de cada mes a las 3 p. m. La junta directiva da la bienvenida y anima a todas las familias de ACA a asistir a las reuniones. Consulte el calendario a continuación para conocer la próxima reunión. Consulte el documento adjunto para ver el calendario escolar de este año.
Consejo Escolar: El Consejo Escolar es nuestra junta directiva. La junta se reúne generalmente el segundo jueves del mes a las 4 p. m. Consulte el calendario para conocer la fecha y hora de la próxima reunión, o llame a la oficina al 925-755-7311 para confirmar. Estas reuniones están abiertas al público: ¡todos son bienvenidos!
Recaudación de fondos: ¡Formas de apoyar!
*Cena benéfica: Únase a nosotros para cenar el lunes 19 de enero en CUALQUIER restaurante Panda Express en todo el país. Esto facilita que familiares y amigos apoyen a nuestra escuela. Puede realizar un pedido anticipado. El código es válido 7 días antes de la fecha del evento. Asegúrese de ingresar el código de evento 9007155 en la casilla de Código de recaudación de fondos durante el pago en línea en www.pandaexpress.com o a través de la aplicación. Comparta el enlace de recaudación de fondos o el folleto adjunto con cualquier persona que desee participar. https://www.community-
¡Gracias por su apoyo!
*El programa SchoolStore es 100% en línea, por lo que NO hay ventas presenciales, manejo de dinero ni entrega de productos. ¡Puede ayudar a nuestra escuela a recaudar fondos comprando en línea a través de schoolstore.com, y un porcentaje de su compra total se destinará directamente a la escuela!
Así es como funciona:
* Cuando esté listo para comprar en línea, simplemente haga clic aquí: https://www.schoolstore.com/
* Haga clic en la pestaña “Comprar en más de 300 comercios” en la parte inferior de la página para encontrar su tienda favorita.
* Haga clic en el comercio y será redirigido a su sitio web oficial.
* Compre como de costumbre y un porcentaje de su compra se destinará automáticamente a la escuela.