Dear Family and Friends of ACS,

I recently received an email from one of our parents describing a terrifying incident that happened to her three year old son at Centennial Park on Gilbert Street. An unidentified man tried to lure her son into a car by stating that he needed help getting his kite out of a tree! Thank goodness the adult that the child was with quickly intervened. This is a good reminder to all of us that anything can happen in just minutes...seconds!

Incidents like the one above and the ones that have recently been in the news are very emotionally draining on parents! It also seems that everyone feels a heightened cautiousness after an incident occurs, but like all things, we get busy and forget. I don’t want to forget, I want to make ACS as safe as we possibly can, at all times, so I have asked the Governing Board to host a Parent Safety Meeting. I want to gain feedback from all parents, who would be willing to attend, as to whether they feel ACS is safe and when they feel it is not. I would also like to know if parents have witnessed unsafe or strange occurrences at ACS and I am hoping this will generate ideas regarding how we can improve the safety of ACS. Please look forward to the date and time of this meeting!

Academy Charter School does have several safety and security measures currently in place. All of our school exterior doors, except for the front doors, are to remain locked at all times. In past Newsletters I have asked parents to enter through our front doors to come into the building or go out of the building, no matter when you are coming, to volunteer, carpool, etc…When you go out a side door, you can potentially also let someone else in, and if you don’t know that person, how do you know they are not a safety threat! Please use our front doors when entering the building so our front office can watch who is coming in our school and leaving our school. ACS will be a much safer place because of this one safety measure. You are also required to sign-in at the front desk if you come into the building after morning carpool or before afternoon carpool. Exterior security cameras are being installed and you may notice Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and the Douglas County School District Safety and Security will be more visible presence in and around our schools. As parents you can also help us with safety and security. The more visibility we have in and around our schools, the better. We ask that you and your children stay alert and report any person or situation that appears to be out of the ordinary to our office, myself or law enforcement.

The deadline is almost up to nominate a teacher for the 2nd Annual Apple Awards! The purpose for this prestigious nomination process is to honor teachers who have demonstrated a superior ability to foster excellence in education while contributing to the continuous improvement of student learning and school environment. If you would like to nominate a teacher, please follow the key points below:

• Nominations will be accepted from September 18th through October 27th
• Nomination forms can be printed from our website or picked up in our office
• Please turn the nomination form back to our office when you have completed it adhering to the dates above

All schools will have a representative and these representatives will move to the feeder area level. From this level, two semi-finalists will be chosen, one elementary and one secondary.

Dates to Remember:

• Thursday, October 12- End of First Quarter
  October 12- Girls Volleyball Game- away- 4:00 & 5:00
  October 12- Boys Soccer Game- home- 4:00
• Friday, October 13- Staff Work Day- No Students
• Monday, October 16- MS Specials First Rotation for Second Quarter
  October 16- Beginning of Second Quarter
• Tuesday, October 17- Book Fair Preview Day
• Wednesday, October 18- Book Fair Preview Day
  October 18- Girls Volleyball Game- home- 4:00 & 5:00
• Thursday, October 19- Parent/Teacher Conferences-early dismissal @ 12:40; conferences from 1:40- 6:00
  October 19- Book Fair!
• Friday, October 20- Parent/Teacher Conferences-early dismissal @ 12:40; conferences from 1:40- 6:00
  October 20- Book Fair!
• October 23- 27- FALL BREAK!! School Closed!
• (Sunday, October 29- Daylight Savings Time)
• Monday, October 30- Girls Volleyball Game- away- 4:00 & 5:00
• Tuesday, October 31- Harvest Fest Parties
• Friday, November 3- Teacher In-service Day, hours for all staff are from 8:30- 3:30
• Wednesday, November 8- Second Rotation for Second Quarter- MS Specials Only!
• Friday, November 10- Bully Assemblies- K-2, 9:00- 9:20; 3-5, 9:40- 10:00; 6-8, 2:50- 3:20
• (Saturday, November 11- Veteran’s Day!)
• Friday, November 17- Elementary Virtue Assembly, 8:50, Cafeteria
  November 17- MS Virtue Assembly, 2:50, Cafeteria
  November 17- 3-8 Progress Reports go home
  November 17- MS and Specials Newsletter goes home
• Tuesday, November 21- Dress Down Day!
• Wednesday, November 22- Teacher Comp Day for P/T Conferences- School Closed!
• Thursday, November 23 & Friday, November 24- Thanksgiving Break- School Closed!
• Wednesday, November 29- Third Rotation for Second Quarter- MS Specials Only!
• Thursday, November 30- 4-8 Band Program, 6:30, Gym

Have a great weekend!

Kindra Whitmyre-Nelson
Dean of Academy Charter School
email: nelsonk@academycharter.org

Dear Families and Friends of ACS,

We’re coming down to the home stretch before Fall Break and I’d like to share with you what’s going on in the weeks before and after the break!

PTO had their kick-off assembly for the “Believe” campaign last Friday, October 6th, and packets were sent home in the Friday folders. The “Believe” orders are due next Friday, October 20th. There are many cool prizes students can win and they are very excited!

Our next Virtue Assembly will be held next Friday, October 20th, at 8:50 in the cafeteria for elementary students and at 11:50 in the gym for middle school students.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be here next week so don’t forget to stop by and see the great collection of books that will be there! Our librarians sent home information last week in Friday folders and they have provided additional information in last week’s newsletter and we will include it again this week.

Eighth grade Parents and Students:
I have just received information from the DCSD regarding their upcoming freshman informational meetings for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Douglas County High School. If you think that you might be interested in the IB program, please attend one of the three informational meetings they are offering. They will be held on:
Thursday, October 19th, at Cresthill Middle School, at Douglas County High School on November 2nd; or on November 30th. All meetings will be at 7 P.M. If you are unable to attend or have further questions, please call (303)387-1109.

Thank you for sending in your parent teacher conference slips last week for our teachers in grades K-5. As a reminder, during these conferences, teachers will be going over the SSLP’s, Report Card, and ILP’s (if applicable). If you have more to discuss with your teacher than what can be covered in the 20 minute time frame, please be sure to set up another time to meet with your teacher while you’re at conferences.

In middle school, we have a set day for “scheduled appointments” which will be on Thursday, October 19th, and on Friday, October 20th, will be a “drop-in” day when parents can come by the middle school and visit with their students teacher(s). We had several reasons for this change and I would welcome any feedback after conferences regarding this change. Parents have been called for “scheduled appointments” to meet with middle school teachers. We tried very hard to align scheduled middle school conferences near their elementary sibling time frame as best as possible. If you are not called for a “scheduled appointment you can always come on Friday during the drop-in times of 1:40-6:00 or you can always request to meet with your middle school student’s teacher on Thursday when we have scheduled appointments. Please let your teacher know!

Remember that parent/teacher conference days are early release days and students are released at 12:40 on Thursday, October 19th and Friday, October 20th. Conferences run from 1:40-6:00 p.m. each of those days.

Harvest Parties will be held this year on Tuesday, October 31st. Elementary teachers will be sending out information regarding what time their class party will be held, as well as how to help in either this week’s newsletter or in next week’s letter. Middle School is still working out the details for their Harvest Parties. If you are a grade level coordinator for middle school, Angie Hotzfield will be contacting you very soon with information regarding food, drinks, and other party items so you can find other parents to assist you with the planning!

Thank you for all your support of ACS, its staff, and of course, our students!

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

Our volunteers are awesome! We have had so many things going on around here! I would like to thank Melissa Cote for working on a project for Mrs. Spangler’s math class and completing it so quickly. Cindy Hazlehurst has been practically living at the school as she is orchestrating the Original Works Art project. We really appreciate all you do, Cindy! Kristen Bushlack has also been residing here the past month working on the Entertainment Book fundraiser—thanks, Kristen!

I would also like to recognize all the work the folks involved with PTO do all the time and the members of the Governing Board. Please thank them personally when you see them as they give so much volunteer time to our school—we appreciate all the work you do for us!

I still need some help for our Vision and Hearing screening on November 1st and 2nd. There is a morning shift and an afternoon shift and I need 14 volunteers! We will start at 8:30 and finish at 11:30 in the morning and begin in the afternoon at 12:15 and finish at 3:30. Please let me know if you can help with this important screening for our students.

Hopefully, you have been logging your volunteer hours. I will be drawing a name for a free dinner for someone next week.

Thanks again for being on our “Volunteer Team!”

Anne Belfrage
Volunteer Coordinator
belfragea@academycharter.org

Helping Children Cope with Traumatic Events

Tips for Parents

WHAT CAN PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS DO AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT?

• Reassure children that they are safe and that trustworthy people are in control. As in all things, parents and caregivers are important role models. Your reactions and responses to traumatic events will affect how your children deal with those same events. It is okay to let children know that you are sad or hurt by an event, but, it is important that they see you in control and feel your sense of security and resolve to protect them.
• Spend extra time with the children and help them return to their normal routines as quickly as possible. To help increase a sense of security, try to maintain family schedules for daily activities such as eating, playing, and sleeping. If a child needs more physical contact with you for a period of time, be available. Physical affection is very comforting to children who have experienced trauma. If possible, avoid unnecessary separations from your children immediately following a traumatic event. Build extra family time into your daily schedule and delay extended time away, such as travel, if at all possible.
• Talk to the children, answer their questions. They may ask— or may be wondering—”Is that going to happen to me?” Or “Is that going to happen to Mommy or Daddy?” These children should be reassured with information about the steps that the adults in their lives are taking to keep them safe. Children may also have questions about death and dying. You should answer their questions as truthfully as possible at a level they can understand.
• Give children the amount of information that you believe they can understand. This often involves turning off news reports of the event and significantly controlling or limiting their exposure to threatening images on TV. In the days after September 11, many families appropriately turned off the television news because the repeated videos of airplanes flying into the World Trade Center towers and horrific scenes around plane crashes were too upsetting for their children. Furthermore, children may not understand what they are viewing. For example, very young children believe re-runs of the event are more events happening around them. In addition to monitoring media images, monitor your conversations about the event, as conversations; too, may be troubling for your children.
• Help children express their feelings. Immediately after a traumatic event, help your child calm down by showing that you can calm yourself. Suggest that the child draw a picture of his or her feelings or use a doll or stuffed animal to talk to, with you, about the event. Listen to the child’s description of events and talk to him or her in a calm, loving way. Sometimes helping your children find a positive way to cope with what has happened can help in the healing process. Examples include sending a special picture to a helper (police, fire, and rescue), sending a card or drawing to a child touched by the event, or making something special for the daycare center/classroom.

SHOULD I SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP?

Try to be sensitive to your child’s emotional state, even if he or she cannot talk effectively about feelings. Changes in behavior, appetite, and sleep patterns can be signs of a child’s grief, fear, or discomfort. Many children who witness or experience a traumatic event show short-term changes in behavior and emotional control, and, with your reassurance and support, most will cope well and resume their usual activities. Others, however, may show long-lasting psychological difficulties. You should seek professional help if your child continues to be depressed or angry, seems “numb,” avoids particular situations or places, or remains focused on the event for over 1 month. Immediate help may be needed if your child’s reactions are significantly interfering with daily functioning.

WHEN WILL THINGS GET BACK TO NORMAL?

It is important to realize that there is no one standard response to traumatic events. Children will react to and recover from such events on their own timetables. The same is true for the adults in the children’s lives who may also be suffering from the aftereffects of violence or some other traumatic event.

Remember, traumatic events are difficult for all of us, especially for children. They can have a lasting emotional impact. If you or your children have experienced a recent trauma, try to understand these strong yet normal reactions and allow time for healing. It is a time when you need extra patience with yourself and with your children. Find ways to emphasize how you keep your children safe and secure. Most importantly, show them they are loved.

Adapted from: American Psychological Association

Calendar

Special Message

ACS needs any parents with their own businesses or parents working for companies that have the ability to donate to their school, to look into donating in any capacity they can, whether monetarily or with physical items the school could utilize.

The PTO fully supports ACS parents’ business contributions to our school, however the PTO cannot advertise for you. The PTO will advertise for businesses only if it is part of a fundraiser that is being managed and sponsored by the PTO. The PTO is not permitted to represent your advertising, unless you are part of a sponsored PTO fundraiser.

Enrichment

The PTO brings Mad Science back by popular demand! Last week, a flyer was sent home in Friday Folders promoting our fall classes entitled Showers, Towers and Powers! Registration deadline is October 20 for classes running from October 31 through December 12 (with a skip date on November 21.) The cost is $75/class and there is a discount for early registration. To learn more about this spectacular opportunity, contact Sherry Hill at s.hill@beef.org or 303-814-2115.

October Teacher Luncheon

The next event will be the teacher luncheon for the conferences the 19th and 20th. This is a great and easy way to not only show support for our outstanding staff; it is also an easy way to help satisfy part of your time commitment to the school. To learn how you can help, contact Allyson Ford, PTO Social Chair - allyson4d@hotmail.com, or 720-344-0105
Fundraising

The Entertainment/Gold C Fundraiser ended September 13th. We are still missing books, so please return them or appropriate funds in lieu of.

Winter Festival Planning Meeting!

We are excited about our new fundraisers this year, starting with the Winter Festival in December. If you would like to participate in our Winter Festival Fundraiser please join us on Wednesday, October 18th, at 6:00 p.m. in the ACS cafeteria. There is a lot to do and many different ways to help. If you would like to be a part of this exciting fundraiser but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact us!

Thank you for your support,
Kristen Bushlack & Brandi Essegian
PTO VP's of Fundraising
bradbushlack@msn.com BEssegian@aol.com

Recently, you should have received materials for the pre-selling of wreaths and garlands, along with the Believe Catalog. These helpful products will help you to gear up for the holiday season. The deadline for this wonderful fundraiser is October 20.

Restaurant Nights

Restaurant Nights this school year will be for the benefit of specific grades and departments. Any funds generated above the $150 allocated by the PTO will be disbursed for the benefit of that grade/department. October’s Chick-Fil-A Restaurant Night (10/19) will be for the benefit of our First Grade classes. Everyone is welcome to participate and, First Grade Families, this is a great chance to show your school spirit by literally putting your money where your mouth is!

August's Chick-Fil-A Restaurant Night raised $120, originally slated for the 8th Grade. The 8th Grade will be given another chance during December, since their August night occurred so early in the new school year and wasn't advertised as well as we would have hoped. For this reason, the PTO Board has decided to allocate August’s Restaurant Night proceeds to any future shortfalls that may occur.

Thank you for your continued support of this fun-alicious fundraiser that directly impacts the grades and departments at ACS!

Budget Requests

Budget Request deadline for the Nov. 9 meeting is October 26. Please remember, all budget requests must have completed its process and be in the PTO Board’s possession two weeks prior to a budget meeting. For more information, contact a PTO Board Member.

Dear parents—

here is a FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY! This event promises to be a life-enriching, academic-enriching experience for all who attend. By the way, this event holds particular interest for 2nd and 6th graders, who both have Bach in their curricula. But you don’t have to be a 2nd or 6th grader to attend, enjoy, or benefit from the event. Be sure to call and order your tickets early, as the event is noted to fill up quick

Click Here for more details!

Possible additional Flu Clinic

Thanks to everyone for a great turnout at our October 5th Flu Shot Clinic. There is a possibility that we could have another Clinic at ACS on November 1 or another date if there is enough interest. If you or your friends or family members would be interested in attending a flu clinic, would you contact Jaynee Hodgkins ASAP? If there is not enough interest we will direct interested parties to other clinics in the area.

Jaynee Hodgkins
JMHodgkins@msn.com
Home 303-660-5110

We are preparing a display of ACS T-shirts that students have designed here at the school. If you have a T-shirt other than the ones that are pictured in this link, please contact Brenda Knight regarding the T-shirt you have.

We are also in need of more florescent orange vests for carpool and recess time. I would like to add 6-8 more vests at this time.

Thanks for your help!

Brenda Knight
Supervisor, Instr. Assts.
knightb@academycharter.org

• Middle School Initiative Committee – Kickoff Meeting
• Friday, October 13 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
• ACS Conference Room
• Advanced/Gifted Program Strategic Committee –
  Kickoff Meeting
  • Thursday, October 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • ACS Conference Room
• Life-Long Learning Strategic Initiative Committee – Kickoff Meeting
• Wednesday, October 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
• ACS Conference Room

• Thursday, October 12 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
• Philip S. Miller Small Study Room #1

Here at ACS, we offer boys and girls basketball for 6th-8th graders. There is a parent information meeting on Thursday, November 2 at 6:15 in the cafeteria. If your child is interested in playing, please plan on attending.

Practice will begin on Monday, November 6, in order to be ready for the first games, which are on November 28. If your child is planning on playing basketball, he/she must have a physical form signed by your doctor in order to practice. Forms are available in the office.

We are in need of assistant coaches for our boy’s basketball teams. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Arnell at arnelll@academycharter.org.

PTO will be providing lunch for the staff on Parent-Teacher Conference days on Thursday, October 19th, and Friday, October 20th. This is an easy way to get some volunteer time logged and to show your appreciation to the teachers and other staff members at Academy Charter. There are sign up sheets posted on the PTO bulletin board in the lobby of the school. If you have questions or concerns, please call Allyson Ford at 720-344-0105 or contact her at allyson4D@hotmail.com. Thanks for making this a special lunch!

On September 14, 2006, sixty-nine members of the Class of 2008 were inducted into the IB program at the annual IB Induction Reception. We congratulate each one for the decision and commitment they have made for their high school education.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Dec. 1, 2006

The deadline for the completed application to be submitted to participate in the IB program for the 2007-2008 school year is DECEMBER 1, 2006. Any 8th, 9th or 10th grade student may download an application from the Douglas County High School IB website in November and submit it to the IB office for consideration. (If you are currently in the IB program you do NOT need to submit another application to continue).

Three informational meetings are offered: October 19th at Cresthill Middle School in the Commons; November 2nd and November 30th at Douglas County High School (North Commons). All meetings will be at 7 P.M. These meetings are a wonderful opportunity for parents and students to get an overview on the program and hear from students who are currently navigating their way through IB. Often we have guests on the student panel who have graduated with the IB diploma and are currently participating in college.

Feel free to call Steven J. Fleet, IB Coordinator at 303-387-1131 or Deborah Wick, IB Secretary at 303-387-1109 for further information.

On October 21, at the Douglas County Events Center, you are invited to come and get to know our Special Olympic athletes, families, and friends, as well as the Douglas County Community. Click here for a flyer with more information on this event.

Scholastic Book Fair Coming!

Go wild about reading and come to the Reading Rain Forest Scholastic Book Fair October 18-20! From award-winners and bestsellers to picture books and favorite series, the Book Fair is filled with hundreds of books that will take you on new adventures. We will have an exciting selection for all ages. Students will come to the Book Fair for a preview time (where they will make out a “wish list”) and can make purchases during school hours or during parent/teacher conferences. This is also a great time to grant teachers’ wish lists and stock up on books for the holidays. The book fair will be open the following hours:

• Wednesday, October 18 8:30-4:30
• Thursday, October 19 8:30-6:00
• Friday, October 20 8:30-6:00

For added fun, students may dress as a favorite jungle animal or a book character on Friday, October 20th. Come join the fun! We welcome volunteers who would like to help. Please sign up outside the library or call Janet or Alice.