NETWORKings

Antioch Charter Academy

Newsletter for Antioch Charter Academy/TLCS Stakeholders

 Volume 29, Issue 34, May 27, 2025

Dear ACA families,

After 38 years in the classroom, it is time for me to start a new phase of my life.  As I prepare to retire, I find myself reflecting on the countless memories, lessons and relationships that have shaped my journey as an educator. It has been an incredible blessing and privilege to teach here at ACA with so many dedicated teachers, supportive families and wonderful students.  While I will miss the daily interactions with my fellow teachers and students, I look forward to sleeping in, traveling and lots of Giants, Warriors and 49er games!

I want to thank the entire school community for your trust, collaboration, and friendship over the years.  I’m proud to have been part of this wonderful place, and I leave with a full heart and lasting gratitude.

Shellie Arnst

Intermediate Teacher

ANNOUNCEMENTS

You’re Flippin’ Awesome!

On Wednesday, May 28th, we’re celebrating YOU, our amazing parents, with a special Parent Appreciation Pancake Drive!  As a small token of our gratitude for all you do for our school and students, our staff will be handing out To-Go pancake packages just for you from 7:45am-8:15am on Wednesday.

Swing by, grab a treat, and let us show our appreciation — one pancake at a time!

Thank You Elective Volunteers:  We want to take this opportunity to give a “Shout Out” to our wonderful 3rd trimester elective volunteers: Mr. Ferguson (Pathfinder), Mrs. Farrington (Creative Jump Roping Tricks & Wingfeather Book Club) , and Ms. Richardson (Learn Russian). One of the reasons our school is successful is because of people like you who are willing to invest in our students!  We also want to thank the staff for going the extra mile to offer creative & informative electives for the students!

The elective program at our school is vitally important part of our curriculum.  These classes offer students the opportunities to explore new areas of interest.  Our hope is to offer at least 9 different options for students to choose from on each day. This is only possible if our wonderful ACA community volunteers to help!!

Next school year, if you can donate an hour of your time, once a week for a trimester, to help teach or supervise a class, please let us know when we send out the request!!!  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!!

Costco Fundraiser! You must turn in the slip with the money attached to the office by Monday, June 9th.  The slip is attached to this email, or you can use the paper copy coming home with your student. On Wednesday, June 11th, the food you prepaid will be delivered at the end-of-year school party, which will be held at Mira Vista Park from 12 to 2 pm.

The Family Network Team!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – Lots Happening!!! 

May 28    Volunteer/Parent Appreciation Day

May 28    Whole School Assembly (morning)

May 30    ⅓ MS class to FHF (EE)

June 4     Showcase of the Arts (Wednesday Enrichment Celebration)

June 5     MS class to FHF (EE)

June 6     Last day of Electives

June 6     8th grade trip to Santa Cruz

June 10   8th grade graduation (Antioch Community Center) @ 4:30pm

June 11   Last Day of School – minimum day (dismiss at 12pm)

June 11   Picnic in the Park End of School Celebration (Mira Vista) from 12-2pm

              Steam Summer Camps

Aug 20    2025-26 School Year Begins

UPCOMING & ONGOING SCHOOL EVENTS

Hello ACA Families,

We are excited to announce that we will be offering Basketball for our 6th through 8th grade students this coming August! Attached is a permission slip that interested students must complete and return by 6/2.

Additionally, we want to emphasize that we cannot form teams without the help of parent volunteers. We are in need of coaches, assistant coaches, and team parents to ensure the success of our Basketball program. If you are available to volunteer in any capacity, please reach out to us—we truly appreciate your support!

Attached, you will find the permission slip which has practice times and locations.

Please consider volunteering in some capacity this year! We really appreciate all the parent support as we try to bring exciting new programs to the Antioch Charter Academies!

STEAM Camp: Please join us this summer for our STEAM Camp! We will be hosting 6 free sessions this year, with the last session hosted at ACAII. This is a free summer camp, focusing on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) with project based learning. Camp is for our currently enrolled students. Our goal is to get students inspired to learn through fun, hands-on activities!

The Camp’s main programming will take place from 8a-12p and from 12 – 4:30pm, the camp will be focused on recreation participation, not competition, with an emphasis on learning, fun, teamwork, being involved, and having new experiences.

Campus and Breakfast will open at 7:30am. Half Days are from 8am-12pm and Full Days are from 8am-4:30pm.

• Session 1 Sports Around the World = 6/16 – 6/20  Full – waitlist started

• Session 2 Disney week = 6/24 – 6/28

• Session 3 US State Parks week = 7/7 – 7/11

• Session 4 Silver Screen Week = 7/14 – 7/18

• Session 5 Beach Week = 7/21 – 7/25

• Session 6 offered at ACAII (1201 W. 10th St.) = 7/28 – 8/1

Spaces are limited, so please indicate the week(s) you are interested in, and either half or full day options. We will send out a confirmation to you in May, letting you know if you got in! Be sure to complete the registration paperwork that will be emailed to you prior to your session.

****Cancellations: Please let us know IMMEDIATELY if you need to cancel, so we can offer your spot to the students on the waiting list. ****

Parents – if you would like to come out to camp and volunteer during these weeks, please let us know! You guys are always a great addition!!

Sign Up here – https://forms.gle/U2ukaMWyJZXXMMWF6

We look forward to another awesome summer with our ACA students this summer!!

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- AUSD has decided to remove the Middle School lunch menu from our options. They will now only offer three items daily to all students: Entree of the Day, Burritos, and SunButter and Jelly Sandwiches.

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