NETWORKings

Antioch Charter Academy

Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Stakeholders

 Volume 30, Issue 20,  January 26, 2026

Hello ACA Families,

The International Dyslexia Association has just updated their definition of dyslexia in 2025. It is as follows:

“Dyslexia is a specific learning disability characterized by difficulties in word reading and/or spelling that involve accuracy, speed, or both and vary depending on the orthography. These difficulties occur along a continuum of severity and persist even with instruction that is effective for the individual’s peers. The causes of dyslexia are complex and involve combinations of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental influences that interact throughout development. Underlying difficulties with phonological and morphological processing are common but not universal, and early oral language weaknesses often foreshadow literacy challenges. Secondary consequences include reading comprehension problems and reduced reading and writing experience that can impede growth in language, knowledge, written expression, and overall academic achievement. Psychological well-being and employment opportunities also may be affected. Although identification and targeted instruction are important at any age, language and literacy support before and during the early years of education is particularly effective.”

This is a more comprehensive definition, as it now includes causes that go beyond neurobiological origins to encompass genetic and environmental factors; expands the scope to include both phonological (sound) processing and morphological (small units of meaning) processing deficits; focuses on core difficulties in word reading and spelling; highlights persistent difficulties in reading and spelling despite evidence-aligned instruction; broadens the consequences to include reading comprehension, writing, overall achievement, emotional well-being, and later employment; and emphasizes the importance of early identification and supports.

If you have any more questions about dyslexia please reach out to me via email: adriennecerecedess@antiochcharteracademy.org

Regards,

Mrs. Cerecedes

HIGHLIGHTS

The Great Kindness Challenge & School Choice Celebration: Come to school dressed up to show your school spirit for The Great Kindness Challenge and National School Choice Week.

SPIRIT DAYS!

Monday, January 26- CREATIVE KINDNESS (Anything But A Backpack Day)

Tuesday, January 27- CRAZY FOR KINDNESS (Crazy Hair,Clothes, Socks Day)

Wednesday, January 28- SCHOOL SPIRIT (Wednesday Shirt Day)

Thursday, January 29-DREAM OF KINDNESS (Pajama Day)

Friday, January 30- SHARE THE KINDNESS (Twin/Group Match Day)

Yearbook Elective is having a candy grams fundraiser. Money raised goes to help offset the cost of this year’s yearbook. Fliers are available in the office. Cost is $3 per gram.  Delivery date is Tuesday, Feb. 3rd.  Get your orders in soon, for the last day to order is Jan. 29th!

Parent’s Night Out: Drop the kids off for a fun night while you enjoy a well-deserved break! Join us for 3 hours of supervised fun! Children will rotate through Valentine craft stations, enjoy themed activities, and end the evening in one of our movie rooms and dinner provided.

When: Friday, February 6th

Time: 6:00-9:00 pm

Ages: 4 to 14

Cost: $20/first child, $10/each additional child

Registration is required: Sign-Up Form

Payment: Cash or Check (payable to ACA) at the office.

QUESTIONS: Please feel free to contact us at:  acafamilynetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION! See attached document for more information.

See “FUNdraiser Section” For Current Fundraisers, Dates, and Details!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Lots Happening!!! 

Jan 26-30  School Choice & Kindness Week

Jan 30   ⅓ MS Class to Farm – EE

Feb 5-6   Minimum Days – dismiss at 12pm

Feb 6     ⅓ MS Class to Farm – EE

Feb 6     FN Parent’s Night Out – Details are above

Feb 11-13  Outdoor Ed (Yosemite) – MS Class

Feb 12   Charter Council Meeting (all welcome) @ 4pm

Feb 13   Family Network Meeting (all welcome) @ 3pm

Feb 16-20  February Break – no school

March 3 ACA Lottery for 2026-27 potential students (must submit application online)

March 9-13  Minimum Days – dismiss at 12pm

UPCOMING & ONGOING SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Flag Football Has Begun: Games are on Thursdays. Boys game time is 3:30 and girls 4:30. All games are played at our opponents’ home field. Come out and cheer for our teams! See attached schedule.

ACA Lottery 2026-27: Lottery for ACA I will be conducted Tuesday March 3, 2026. All new students, including siblings of current students, must complete an application for the lottery if they are interested in enrolling in the 2026-27 school year. Students turning 5 years old by September 1, 2026 are eligible for Kindergarten. Students turning 4 years old by September 1, 2026 are eligible for TK.  Applications for both campuses are on our website: Applications | Antioch Charter Academies

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! 

*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/cgi/SSCHomePage?asd_number=0000369860&orderid=SS496138720250912

* 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/fundraiser/charity/2235031 or give cash/check to the school office!

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

**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.com/user

Contact the ACA Family Network if you have any questions on who they are, and how you can help!

Acafamilynetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

REMINDERS 

School Lunch Order Form – https://forms.gle/rZ1t5W7mzwJnxkXY8

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/1xKTfsaUxC3WSFva7

ACA Office – ACAOffice@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Family Network – ACAFamilyNetwork@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Elementary – ACAElementary@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Intermediate – ACAIntermediate@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Primary – ACAPrimary@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Middle School – ACAMiddleSchool@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA I & II Special Education – SPED@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Newsletter – ACANewsletter@antiochcharteracademy.org

ACA Yearbook – ACAMemories@antiochcharteracademy.org

Social Media – Accounts are set to private; you need to request to join our groups.

Instagram Antioch Charter – https://www.instagram.com/antiochcharter/

Facebook ACA Family & Friends – https://www.facebook.com/groups/159016220828912

Parent Network Board

Chair: Yessika Berrios

Co-Chair: Pedro Ramos

Secretary: Brooke Farrington

Treasurer: Salena Killion

School Volunteer Coordinator: Maddie Alejandro/Milan Scott-Dunham

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