At our first parent/teacher conference meetings last week, our Middle School Teachers had several parents question the lack of papers coming home. They were also questions about student grade communication procedures. Please remember that student papers come home every Friday in a packet that is given to your student in their homeroom. If your student is not bringing the papers home, please discuss this with them. You will also receive written notification attached to this packet of papers if your student’s grade has dropped below a C.

Our website is in the process of being updated with some improvements. For example, a new look with teacher web pages updated and a Teacher Wish list. The Teacher Wish list is a link to a page that teachers will update with items they need and would like to have donated. A School Survival Items link has also been added to the chalkboard. This link will show items that our school always needs like plates, utensils, dry erase markers, etc. throughout our school year. Please look for this link on the home page of our website and remember that donated items are tax-deductible.

I understand the Fall Festival was a huge success and lots of fun was had by all! Thanks to the PTO and all their volunteers for working so hard to make this a great fundraiser for ACS. We are so fortunate to have parents that are dedicated to helping our school and being involved with their students—I appreciate all of you.

The Governing Board mailed a letter home concerning carpool procedures regarding safety issues and it was also in last week’s newsletter. Thanks for adhering to these rules and procedures to protect the safety of our students.

Dates to remember:

• Friday, November 4- Teacher In-service Day- No students
• Friday, November 11- Teacher In-service Day- No students
• Monday, November 14- Governing Board Meeting, 6:00
• Tuesday, November 22- Dress Down Day
• Wednesday, November 23- Teacher Comp Day for Parent/Teacher Conferences- School Closed
• Thursday, November 24- Friday, November 25- Thanksgiving Break- School Closed

Have a great weekend!

Kindra Whitmyre-Nelson
Dean of Academy Charter School
email: nelsonk@academycharter.org
web: http://www.academycharter.org/deannelson

Thanks to everyone who worked to make the Fall Festival a success!!! It took many folks working together to make this Festival the fun event that it was---many thanks to all who came and participated with their families and friends. Please remember to record your volunteer hours that you contributed for this event.

I have received enough volunteers for the Vision and Hearing Screening on November 17th and 18th—thanks. I will be sending out information regarding the schedule, etc. next week.

Jaynee Hodgkins did a great job and overcame many frustrations to set up our flu clinic this year—thanks, Jaynee. Jaynee Hodgkins also helped me out in the office last week for a few hours sorting through tons of mail from Fall Break—thanks again, Jaynee, for helping us out!

As of October 31st we have a total of 2,873 hours logged. The following families have completed at least 20 hours:

Mary & Jimmie Acosta, Cheryl & A. J. Amaya, Nancy & Dan Connolly, Jeanne & Dean Hargrave, Julie & Todd Harkin, Donna & Kirk Huffstater, Leslie & Doug Farmer, Wanda & Kevin Hertz, Leticia & Ron Lee, Amy & David Martinez, Regina & David Ordunez, Bonnie & Scott Padios, Sue & Randy Parks, Victoria Richmond, Cynthia & Scott Russell, Patricia & Kevin Bennick, Michele & Robert Scheibe, Shelly Silla, Jena & Matt Stucky, Katherine & Michael Titus, Michelle & Clayton Watson.

Special Recognition goes to the following families for continuing to “Make a Difference”:

• Kate & Ken Fischer –50+ hours
• Brenda Knight—100+ hours
• Misty and James O’Leary—50+ hours
• Mary & Michael Anderson—220+ hours

I would like to request that you come in and get a quick snapshot taken if you have completed 20 hours or more so we can decorate our Castle Rock sky with our “volunteer” stars! Thanks again for “Making a Difference” at ACS.

Anne Belfrage
Volunteer Coordinator
belfragea@academycharter.org

The ACS Governing Board met this past Monday evening, October 24th. In addition to the Dean’s and committee reports, a few other topics were discussed.

A letter concerning carpool and student safety has been drafted and distributed to parents. Also, weed control on the eastern part of our grounds near Prairie Hawk Drive has become a concern and will need to be addressed in the future. A parent workday next spring may be set up to help manage this problem.

Due to ACS’ budget situation, additional funding is needed to keep our computers and technology at the school up to date. A request has been made to the PTO for monetary assistance in purchasing new computers. This issue will be voted on at the next PTO general meeting on Tuesday, November 15, at 6 p.m. at the school. Please show your support for keeping ACS current and competitive in computer technology by attending the meeting and voting “Yes.”

A short executive session followed the meeting. The next regular monthly Governing Board meeting has been scheduled for Monday, November 14 at 6 p.m.

ACS Governing Board