Dear Family and Friends of ACS,

By now you should have received your Education Expo invitation and registration form in the mail. Please fill them out and turn the registration form back to the office or put it in the mail as soon as possible, as it gives you a chance to be in a drawing for Crush Tickets. Our PTO is going to draw a registration form from the Early-bird Registrations and give the lucky winner four tickets to the April 21st Crush Game. This is a value of approximately $140.00; so, get your registration in and good luck!

If you are new to our school or just need a review of our Carpool Procedure when there is lightning, please read the following:

If there is a ‘Delayed Dismissal’ due to lightning before carpool starts, our educational assistants and students are required to stay in the building, and carpool will not start until the lightning ends. If you see lightning in the sky while waiting for carpool to start, please understand that for safety reasons, carpool will not be starting until the lightning has ceased. We will not allow staff or students to exit the building when lightning is present. In this case, it is your choice whether you would enter the building to retrieve your student(s), or wait safely in your car until the lightning stops. If lightning starts after carpool has already started, then you will be notified that carpool will stop until the lightning ends. Again, it would be your choice whether you would want to come and retrieve your student(s) or wait until the lightning ends. ACS encourages all parents to wait safely in their car until the lightning has ended, and please understand that we do not penalize parents or students for waiting to pick up students and retrieving them late due to lightning.

A few months ago I was able to announce that our Elementary Computer Lab had been updated with new computers that our wonderful PTO had raised money for and funded. I am able to now announce that Robert Fortelka, our Network Administrator, and Mike Hall, our MS Technology Teacher, were able to also update our Middle School Computer Lab. We are so appreciative of our PTO and all the hard work they put in to raise the funds for this technology update. Our students will benefit greatly with this new technology!

There are a lot of new dates below, so please mark these on your calendar and have a terrific weekend!

A Look Ahead:

• Tuesday, April 18- Girls Soccer Game- home- 4:00
• Thursday, April 20- Girls Soccer Game- home- 4:30
• Friday, April 21- PTO Breakfast
• Friday, April 21- 2-5 Charlotte’s Web Book Club, 3:45, Library
• Friday, April 21- 3-8 Progress Reports go home
• Friday, April 21- MS and Specials Newsletter goes home
• Week of April 24- Read, Write, Now Week!
• Monday, April 24- Thursday, April 28- Office Appreciation!
• Tuesday, April 25- Author Visit for Read, Write Now Week, Ann Nagda
• Tuesday, April 25- Girls Soccer Game- away- 4:30
• Tuesday, April 25- Orchestra Ensemble, Library, 6:30
• Thursday, April 27- Bring your Son/Daughter to Work Day
• Thursday, April 27- Extra Dress Down Day for 8th Grade Graduation- asking for a $2.00 donation for Graduation Committee, but it is not required!)
• Thursday, April 27- Scholastic Book Fair starts- Buy one get one free!
• Thursday, April 27- Elementary Virtue Assembly, 8:50, Cafeteria
• Thursday, April 27- MS Virtue Assembly, 2:50, Cafeteria
• Thursday, April 27- Girls Soccer Game- home- 4:00
• Thursday, April 27- 3-5 Talent Show, 5:30, Gym
• Friday, April 28- Testing Day- Students by appt- regular hours and professional dress by all staff!

A Look Way Ahead:

• Tuesday, May 2- Scholastic Book Fair Ends!
• Tuesday, May 2- Girls Soccer Game- home- 4:00
• Tuesday, May 2- K-1 Spring Program, Gym, 6:30 pm
• Monday, May 8- Friday, May 12- Teacher Appreciation Week!
• Tuesday, May 9- Band Program, Gym, 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, May 16- 2-3 Spring Program, Gym, 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, May 23- 4-5 Spring Program, Gym, 6:30 pm
• Thursday, May 25- Extra Dress Down Day- for the proposal to the Board
• Thursday, May 25- 8th Grade Graduation, Gym, 6:30
• Friday, May 26- Kindergarten Graduation, Gym, 9:00

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

Dear ACS Families and Friends,

Don’t forget, Parents and Students in grades 3-5: Please mark in your calendars as Mrs. Runyan will be hosting a Talent Show for grades 3-5 on Thursday, April 27th, from 5:30-7:30 in the ACS gym.

Our next Book Fair will be held from Thursday, April 27th, through Monday, May 1st, in the ACS library. Mrs. Zoetewey has information regarding this under the banner, “Book Fair” later in the newsletter.

Parents of 8th Graders: We need your help! Mr. Hall is preparing the 8th grade graduation video and he needs some “baby” pictures of each of our 8th grade students. These pictures can be anywhere from infant to 3-4 years of age! Please send the pictures in a marked, sealed envelope and turn them into the office. We want to be sure ALL of our 8th graders are included, so please send those photos in! Your pictures will be returned once the video is completed! Thank you to those who have already sent your photos in and we’re anxiously waiting to see the rest of our 8th grade graduates!

The Middle School Student Council is in full swing with their fundraising campaign which will help support the battle against Leukemia and Lymphoma. Each ACS classroom will be having a special container where students will be collecting their loose ‘”change.” The class with the most money collected will be honored with a special luncheon sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. More details are outlined under the “Student Council” banner later in the newsletter.

The next middle school dance will be held on Friday, April 21st. It will be an 80’s theme; more information regarding prices and times will be listed under the Student Council Banner.

Our next musical event will be the Orchestra concert on Tuesday, April 25th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elementary Spanish room. The rest of our musical performances for the spring are listed below:

• Tuesday, May 2nd, K-1 spring program, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 9th, Band Spring Concert, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 16th, 2-3 spring program, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 23rd, 4-5 spring program, 6:30 p.m.

Please mark your calendars as our last testing day for the school year will be held on Friday, April 28th. Thank you to those parents who have already signed up for a testing time!

• Elementary Parents: The elementary teachers have their sign up sheets outside their classrooms, so be sure to stop by and reserve your testing spot.
• Middle School parents: Middle School testing will be similar to the testing at the beginning of this year. Some of our students will be individually tested, while others will be tested in a group. Please call our office to schedule a time for your student to come in for testing. The office will let you know if your student will be tested individually or in a group, the times available and how long the testing will take.

Last but not least, Six Flags-Elitch Gardens in conjunction with Mix 100 is offering an incentive for students who have straight A’s. On Friday, June 9th, 2006 bring your report card or proof of grades to Six Flags Elitch Gardens before noon and you’ll get in that day for FREE! Call Elitches for more information and details at 303-595-4386.

Enjoy this wonderful spring weather and I hope you have a great weekend!

Kendra Peters
Assistant Dean of Academy Charter School
email: petersk@academycharter.org

The Education Expo that the PTO is putting on still has some needs. The Expo is on May 13th and they still need volunteers who will serve as monitors for classrooms and hallways. Since the Expo is on a Saturday, this is a great way for working parents to log in some volunteer hours. Please contact Wendy Walker at 303-814-9192 and let her know how you would like to help out.

The 8th grade graduation is coming up and they need volunteers to help with the decorations and set up for graduation and the clean up after the ceremony on the night of May 25th. If you can help, please contact Angela McCombs at abovetherock@msn.com or contact me here in the school office.

Diane Bodiford cleaned up our Lost and Found over Spring Break. She pulled out all the items that had names on them and they will be sent home with your student today. If you are missing an item, you may call Diane at 303-663-5072. Thanks, Diane, for doing a great job with our Lost and Found!

The following families have completed at least 20 hours: Lisa & Elliot Arnell, Alisha & Frank Cambria, Kris Kuchenbrod & Chris Ciafone, Janis & Jon Dirks, Christi & Jim Fuller, Kim & Jeff Gentry, Lisa & Ronald Kautz, Paulette & Michael Mestas, Gala & Todd Meyer, Krissy & Nelson Moore, Sally & Lambert Rehmann, Pamela & Phil Schanuel, Staci & Sean Searle.

If you haven’t picked up your license plate holder for completing you 20 hours, please stop by the office and I would be very glad to give you one. Thanks for “Making a Difference” here at ACS!

Anne Belfrage
Volunteer Coordinator
belfragea@academycharter.org

FREE CAR WASH

The 8th graders going to Washington, D.C. will be having a car wash this Saturday, April 15th, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Castle Rock Wal-Mart on the automotive side of the building...

This is their final fundraiser for the year. Bring your cars by and get them all shiny clean for Easter! Of course, your donations will be gladly accepted!

Thank you for all your support you’ve given this year to their fundraising efforts!

WHAT’S THE BUZZZZ??

READ WRITE NOW WEEK
APRIL 24TH-MAY 1ST

It’s time again for our annual Read, Write Now Week! We will be celebrating reading and writing with the various activities listed below:

Monday, April 24 – Read Around the Clock.

• Classes will be choosing a time to drop everything and read so that the whole school will be reading around the clock. Be sure to wear your 50’s outfits!

• “ Journey into Writing.” Ann has traveled to all 7 continents doing research on her books about animals. She has also worked with animals at the Denver Zoo. She incorporates math into many of her books, showing everyday uses of math, no matter what your career. Ann has written both fiction and non-fiction books and has a wonderful presentation for all ages. All presentations will be in the gym and parents are welcome to attend!
• 9:00-10:00 K-1st (p.m. K welcome)
• 10:00-11:00 2nd -3rd grades
• 11:00-11:30 Book signing
• 11:30-12:30 Author/staff luncheon in library
• 1:00- 2:00 4th -5th grades
• 2:00- 3:00 6th -8th grades
• 3:00- 3:30 Book signing

• Share with your class why this is one of your favorite characters/books.
• Also the Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair begins!

Monday, May 1 – Last day of Book Fair

Charlotte's Web Book Club

Charlotte's Web Book Club for 2nd-5th graders on Friday, April 21st from 3:45-4:45 in the library. Students must sign up for the book club on my Library News bulletin board.

Two candidates – two positions – you do the math

At this month’s Governing Board meeting on Monday evening, it was noted that there were only two applicants for the two open positions on the school’s Governing Board. Those applying were current member Clayton Watson, looking to serve a second three- year term, and new ACS parent and former teacher Ellen Neal-Eakin, also applying for a three-year term.

According to GB by-laws, if the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of open positions, new members can be appointed to the board and no election will have to be held. That is the case this year and these members will be appointed to the board at the next GB meeting on Monday, May 8th. Thanks go to both candidates for their interest in serving on the board.

Dean Nelson submitted proposals regarding the purchase of six security cameras for the school to thwart vandalism during non-school hours. Video from these cameras can be viewed at the school, or from an off-site location. Additional cameras could be added to the system in the future as funding allows. The board voted to proceed with the purchase.

Discussed at the board’s earlier working session was the refinancing/restructuring of the school’s 30-year bonds. To refinance the bonds at this time would allow ACS to have access to much-needed funds, with the ability to refinance differently in the years to come. Board approval was unanimous to move forward on this issue.

Time is running out to attend a Governing Board meeting this year . . .

That’s right! Only two monthly GB meetings remain in the 2005/2006 school year - Monday, May 8, and Monday, June 12. ACS parents are asked to attend one meeting per school year, but may come to more than one meeting, or even every one if they like! Because we are a parent-governed school, parental involvement is crucial and necessary for the success of our school. Want to find out what’s going on at ACS? Make plans to go to a board meeting. Attendance has been sparse at the last couple of meetings – we’d love to see more ACS parents at the May and June meetings!

Remember – next month’s Governing Board meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on May 8th at the school!

EDUCATION EXPO

REMEMBER, discounted “Early Bird” registration deadline is Monday, April 17th. All registration forms were mailed Friday, April 7th, but IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF AN EXTRA REGISTRATION FORM, PLEASE STOP BY THE OFFICE AND PICK ONE UP.

A great big “thank you” to the Student Council and Mrs. Been for performing the skit advertising the Expo that was shown over the classroom TV’s. You all did a wonderful job advertising this exciting fundraiser!

If you have any questions, please contact Misty O'Leary @ 303-688-6631 or jimandmisty@comcast.net.

The Expo is still in need of volunteers…PLEASE CONTACT WENDY WALKER @ dwwalker1990@msn.com if you can help in any way!!!

Our emergency uniform closet in the school office is very low. Many of the students have “borrowed” clothing and not returned the items. We are very low on middle school sizes. Please return any uniform items that you have borrowed and we will also accept donations of larger sizes. Thanks for your help!

Pennies For Patients

Don’t Forget the Pennies For Patients Change Drive, April 10th-24th.

A Student Council change drive benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. All money raised will go toward blood cancer research and support of patients! Bring your spare change into your classroom or homeroom to help support this wonderful cause!

Middle School 80's Dance

Click here for more information regarding the dance.

Mrs. Solita’s 6th grade Language Arts classes will be performing The Prince and the Pauper, one of their core literature pieces. Performance will be held at three different times on Wednesday, May 3rd. The first block will perform at 9:15; the second block will perform at 11:30; and the third block will perform at 1:45. Parents of 6th graders are cordially invited to come and enjoy their budding actors and actresses perform this touching story which explores “walking a mile in someone else’s shoes”.

Spring Picture Day Coming

Skow Photography will be here on Wednesday, April 26th, to take our class pictures and individual student pictures should you want a special spring portrait (students may wear their choice of clothing for these spring individual pictures). Everyone will be included in the class group pictures. They are also offering a Secure Kids option that includes your student’s fingerprint image and an individual portrait image on a 10” x 5” Secure Kids Security Form.

We will be sending home the ordering information in this week’s Friday folders. Please mark this date on your calendars.

Six Flags Elitch Gardens Night

Douglas County School District is having a special night at Six Flags again this year on Friday, May 5th, 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. The Douglas County Educational Federation sets up this private night for our school district to go and enjoy all the fun at Elitch’s when it is not so crowded. Tickets are only $20.00 (regular admission is $44.99)—what a deal! Please come to the school office to purchase your tickets. Academy Charter does receive a portion of the proceeds from this event.

Chick-fil-A Monthly Restaurant Day

Mark your calendars for the Thursday, April 20th, for Chick-fil-A Restaurant Days. You can stop by the Chick-fil-A on Founders Parkway ANY TIME (breakfast, lunch or dinner) and tell them you are with Academy Charter School. Drive-thru is fine too. Best of all, this year they are offering more generous splits above the standard 10% based on the ACS generated sales that day. Please take advantage of this easy fundraiser to help the school, enjoy some good food and friends, and hopefully make your life easier as well.

Reminders will be sent home in the Friday folder the week before and in the various newsletters and emails. There will be one more big Restaurant Night before the end of the year as well.