Dear Family and Friends of ACS,

I can’t believe Fall Break is here already! When we return from Fall Break, and throughout the rest of second quarter, things here at school get very busy. We have Winter Programs, Band and Orchestra Programs Basketball games to name just a few things. Please check the ‘Event Calendar’ on the website, as all these programs and games are scheduled already and marked on this calendar for your convenience.

This year, during Parent/Teacher Conferences, the link for our first Parent Survey will be on all computers in the Elementary Computer Lab. If you would like to drop into the lab to complete the survey on Thursday or Friday during conferences, we would appreciate it! This survey gives me the information I need from parents to improve different areas of the school. If you cannot or choose not to fill out the survey during Parent/Teacher Conferences, the link will be sent home to you after Fall Break to fill it out at home. Thanks in advance for your participation in the survey!

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 until October 27th at 4:00
• 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 chose, one elementary and one secondary.

All Parents- I know we have all encountered frustration because our students lunch count is low or out of money, but we do not remember seeing the Lunch Account Reminder sheet! Recently we have decided that these will be sent home through email, if you have provided us with an email address for Newsletters and other communication. If you do not have email, then the sheet will be sent home with your student, as it has always been.

MS Parents- I will also be sending home a ‘Detention Notification’ email if your student has or will be serving a lunch detention with me. Last year I sent home letters if your student received a lunch detention, but did receive some feedback because a letter home is not as timely as an email. So, these notifications will be emailed home also. The parent copy of the detention slip will be given to your child when the detention has been assigned, so if you receive a ‘Detention Notification’ email, you can discuss the parent copy with your student. I hope this helps with more timely communication.

Dates to Remember:

• 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!
• Tuesday, November 28- Girl’s Basketball Game- away- 4:30 (B Team Only)
• Tuesday, November 28- Boy’s Basketball Game- home- 4:30 (A Team Only)
• Wednesday, November 29- Third Rotation for Second Quarter- MS Specials Only!
• Thursday, November 30- Girl’s Basketball Game- away- 4:00 (A Team Only)
• Thursday, November 30- Boy’s Basketball Game- away- 4:00 & 5:00
• Thursday, November 30- 4-8 Band Program, 6:30, Gym

Please have a safe and relaxing week with your children!

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

Dear Families and Friends of ACS,

I can’t believe that Fall Break is almost here! I have a few reminders for you before we head out!

Remember that the “Believe” orders are due this Friday, October 20th as well as the Wreath orders.

Our next Virtue Assembly will be held this 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 is here! Don’t forget to stop by during parent teacher conferences as there are many neat items this year!

Remember that we have early release days on Thursday, October 19th and Friday, October 20th. Students will be dismissed at 12:40. Parent teacher conferences will then run from 1:40-6:00pm each of those days. Elementary teachers have their schedules posted outside of their doors. Parents of middle school students you can pick up your student(s) report card out in the front lobby at 1:40 when conferences begin on either Thursday or Friday. Remember that in middle school, we have our set day for “scheduled appointments” on Thursday, October 19th and Friday, October 20th will be a “drop-in” day when parents can come by the middle school and visit with their students teacher(s).

Harvest Parties will be held this year on Tuesday, October 31st. Elementary teachers have sent out information regarding what time their class party will be held, as well as how parents can help. Middle School has worked out their details and each grade level coordinator has contacted their grade level parents with information regarding the middle school Harvest Parties and where we need assistance!

Eighth grade Parents and Students:
I have just received information from the DSCD 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.

I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Fall Break!

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

Is everyone ready to take a break?? We are almost there! I still need 3 more volunteers to help with Vision and Hearing Screening on Wednesday afternoon, November 1st, from 12:15 until 3:30. I also need 4 more volunteers to help on Thursday, November 2nd, from 8:30 until 12:30. Please let me know if you can lend a hand with this important screening for our students.

Thanks to all the volunteers who made the wonderful lunches for Parent-Teacher conferences. It really helps all of the staff to look forward to this nice lunch when we have two long days at the school. Please remember to log your hours for preparing the food or purchasing the food.

If you have logged any volunteer hours, your name will go in the drawing for a free dinner! I will send home the winner’s certificate with your student tomorrow.

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

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.

IB Program Enrollment

If your 8th grade student is interested in enrolling in the IB program at Douglas County High School, you can download the application form from the Douglas County High School website. The deadline for submitting these applications is December 1, 2006. For more information about the IB program and informational meetings that are scheduled, please click on this link.

Deborah Wick, Admin. Asst.
303-387-1109

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.