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Greetings, Coyote Families.
As you might guess, ACS is brimming with energy and excitement as we close out 2024 and ready for Winter Break! Make sure to read the entire newsletter for updates and reminders, and check out the week's highlights below.
MIDDLE SCHOOL GYM RIBBON CUTTING!
We are excited to announce our Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for our Middle School Gym! This will take place on Friday, December 13th, 2024 at 1pm.
2025-2026 SCHOOL CALENDAR
*The Board approved the 2025-2026 calendar in November. It can be found on our website and is included here as well.
HOT LUNCH ORDERING UPDATE
We partner with My Hot Lunchbox as our hot lunch program. Order lunch from various options provided by your student’s favorite local restaurants. Friday’s option will now be HWY55 Diner, instead of Smithfield’s. Our lineup of vendors is now:
Monday - La Fiesta
Tuesday - Subway
Wednesday – Americana Cafe
Thursday - CiCi's Pizza
Friday - HWY55 Diner
To begin ordering lunches, click the link below and follow the instructions on the attached registration letter to create your free account. https://ordernow.myhotlunchbox.com/login
If you have any questions, please get in touch with My Hot Lunchbox at (888) 894-8295 or email: info@myhotlunchbox.com
Just a reminder, the deadline for ordering is 12:00 noon the day before each lunch delivery.
ACS WINTER SPORTS UPDATE!
Congrats to our winter sports athletes for kicking off their season! We have one game scheduled before the winter break hits. The Coyotes will be hosted by Triangle Day School on December 17th. Please come out to support!
2024-25 Alamance Community School Basketball Schedule
“PROTECT OUR DEN”
12/17 Away vs. Triangle Day School 4:00 pm/5:00 pm Haw River, NC
1/7 Home vs. Discovery Charter 4:15 pm Girls/5:15 pm Boys* Haw River, NC
1/9 Away vs. Haw River Christian 4:00 pm Girls/ 5:15 pm Boys Pittsboro, NC
1/13 Home vs. Alamance Christian School 4:15 pm Girls Only* Haw River, NC
1/14 Home vs. The Burlington School 4:15 pm Girls/5:15 pm* Boys Haw River, NC
1/16 Away vs. Triangle Day School 4:00 pm/5:00 pm Durham, NC
1/21 Home vs. Grace Christian Academy 4:30 pm/5:30 Boys* Haw River, NC
1/23 Away vs. Grace Christian Academy 4:00 pm Girls/5:15 pm Boys Haw River, NC
1/27 Away vs. River Mill Academy 4:30 pm Girls/5:45 pm Boys Graham, NC
1/30 Away vs. Discovery Charter School 4:30 pm Girls/5:30 pm Boys Bahama, NC
2//3 Home vs. Haw River Christian Academy 4:15 Girls/ 5:15 pm Boys Haw River, NC
2/4 Home vs. The Hawbridge School 4:30* pm Boys Only* Haw River, NC
2/8 Away 4th Annual Coach Kirkling Classic (MS Tournament) TBD Durham, NC
2/11 Student vs. ACS Staff Basketball Game (Jamboree Event) 4:30 pm Haw River, NC
*Home Basketball Games: 195 Kronbergs Ct, Haw River, NC 27258 (ACS MS Gym)
Admission: $5 Adults $3 Students K-12th
*Coyote Pack Deal (2 adults & 2 students $14)
Athletic Questions:
Contact AD: Darius Long
MORNING CARLINE UPDATES AND REMINDERS (DROP-OFF)
We are noticing an increase in congestion and delays during morning carline, which is impacting students' arrival times. Please help us ensure a smooth drop-off by arriving early, ideally before 8:00 AM. Arriving by this time allows your student to be in line and on their way to class promptly.
Here are some tips to make drop-off smoother:
Prime Arrival Time: Between 7:50 - 8:05, Carline tends to be less crowded, making it the ideal time to arrive.
Prompt Line Movement: Though the line may appear long, it moves steadily, especially early in the morning before larger groups arrive.
Avoid the Late-Front Drop-Off: The front area takes longer, so using the carline is typically faster and more efficient.
Please note that students arriving after 8:15 will be marked tardy. Families with excessive tardies will need to meet with Mr. Miller and our social worker, Mrs. Gittens, to address attendance issues.
To ensure an efficient and safe dismissal process, we will begin a few minutes early to accommodate the longer carline. Please note that starting in the coming days, the carline will close promptly at 3:45 PM. This adjustment is necessary to prioritize the well-being of our staff, who have been outside in the cold for extended periods.
Families arriving after 3:45 PM will be subject to afterschool late fees. We appreciate your understanding and collaboration in helping us maintain a smooth dismissal process.
As a reminder: Late Pick Up from School
For students not picked up in the afternoon carline by 1:45 on Wednesdays and 3:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday will be taken to the ACS/Genesis Athletics aftercare program. There will be no charge for the first late pickup. For the second late pick-up, there will be a $5.00 charge. For the third late pick up there will be a $10.00 fee. Subsequent late pickups, parents/guardians will be charged an after care fee to be determined by how often this occurs and how late the student is picked up.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring all students arrive at school on time and ready to learn.
“COYOTE PACK” FACEBOOK GROUP
Current & NEW families, join our Official ACS "Coyote Pack" Facebook Group. In addition to our newsletters and teacher communications, we use this page to communicate important information during the school year. The ACS Coyote Pack FB group is a positive way to connect staff and parents/caregivers to foster good communication so we can continue to build the caring and inclusive community that so many of us want for our students, staff, and families. The ACS Coyote Pack FB group is where you can ask questions, and our staff & involved families can answer questions and provide correct information. Families NEW to ACS are welcome to join as soon as they complete their registration in SchoolMint. Request to join today:
While everyone is invited to join, please be mindful of what is posted. The goal is to increase information and positivity.
VISA GIFT CARD RAFFLE
Would you like the chance to win a Visa gift card? I'm talking $300, $200, and $100. These gift Visa cards could be yours. ACS 5th graders are doing a gift card raffle to prepare for the Washington D.C. field trip.
To be entered, we are selling tickets through Charter Pay. Tickets are 5 dollars each, or bundle and save, 20 dollars, for 5 tickets. Every ticket purchased increases your chances of winning!
The raffle will end on December 18, and the winners will be announced. Gift cards will be given out to the winners on Thursday, the 19th of December.
Pack Leaders of the Month
Congratulations to our December pack leaders of the month. Our student Coyotes of the month were selected this week and pictures will be shared soon!
ACS’ STUDENT WELLNESS REMINDERS
ACS staff makes every effort to reduce the prevalence of disease-causing organisms by ensuring the cleanliness of the environment, emphasizing frequent hand washing of students and staff, and following proper decontamination procedures of items used in mealtime and other activities. Despite those actions, the school-age child is often the source and conduit for communicable diseases ranging from the “common cold” to ringworm, among many. The majority of such illnesses are not among the diseases for which the state Division of Public Health, following guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued mandatory isolation rules. However, the following isolation guidelines must be followed:
Fever: The parent/guardian of any student with an oral temperature of 100 degrees will be notified and asked to pick up their child. The student should remain at home until fever-free for 36 hours without medication.
Chickenpox (Varicella): Students are excluded until all blisters have formed scabs.
Head Lice (Pediculosis): The parents/guardians of any student found with lice will be notified and asked to pick up their student. The parent/guardian may consult their medical provider or treat with an over-the-counter product. The student may return to school after receiving treatment for lice and removing nits.
Impetigo: Student is excluded from school if he/she has more than three to four sores until seen by a medical provider and treated with a prescription antibiotic for a minimum of 24 hours.
Measles (Rubeola/Rubella): Student is excluded until physician’s approval is given and student is no longer contagious.
MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus): All suspected cases should be referred to their healthcare provider and if possible, lesions should be kept covered while at school. Exclusion from school and sports activities should be reserved for those with wound drainage that cannot be covered and contained with a clean, dry bandage and for those who cannot maintain good personal hygiene.
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea: The parent/guardian of any student experiencing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea will be notified and asked to pick up their child. The student may return to school 36 hours after the symptoms have abated.
Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): A student who is exhibiting symptoms of pink eye should be evaluated by their medical provider. Students are allowed to return to school on approval of the physician. The student may return when treatment has begun, has minimal drainage, and the student is able to keep hands away from eyes.
Scabies: Students are excluded until one (1) treatment with prescription medication has been completed for at least 24 hours.
Strep Throat (Streptococcal and Staphylococcal Infections): Students are excluded from school until treated with a prescription antibiotic for 24 hours and have been fever-free for 36 hours.
For the full details of our policies regarding Student Health and Wellness, please refer to the parent/student handbook posted on the ACS Website and linked here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bnddkufZDW4nqnRkbtVzW736ssPfVgHlLZlJfaUAbGs/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you!
GENESIS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL UPDATES
Day of Giving; December 14th
Late Pick Up from School
For students not picked up in the afternoon carline by 1:45 on Wednesdays and 3:45 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday will be taken to the ACS/Genesis Athletics aftercare program. There will be no charge for the first late pickup. For the second late pick-up, there will be a $5.00 charge. For the third late pick up there will be a $10.00 fee. Subsequent late pickups, parents/guardians will be charged an after care fee to be determined by how often this occurs and how late the student is picked up.
Alamance Community Extracurriculars & 4-H Register Here
Loom and Crafting Grades 2-7
Classes listed on Sawyer
Upcoming Middle School Enrichment Opportunities
Animal Science 101
Karate
Strength and Conditioning
FIRST Lego
NBA Math Hoops
Project Brainy
Environmental Programs
The Swifties
Look for information about these programs on our FB page and 4-H webpage
VOLUNTEERING
We have loved having so many volunteers in the classroom! Thank you for supporting our students and staff!
Volunteerism at our school is a way for you, parents and guardians, to learn more about ACS, engage in a positive way with your child’s teachers, and witness firsthand the hard work and dedication that all our staff - teachers, assistants, support staff, and administrators demonstrate each and every day.
It is also a way to support your student and other students by assisting with workstations or a small group, helping with clerical tasks or lunch, and/or something as simple as reading a book to the class. You do not have to be an educator to volunteer, and everyone is welcome! Please click on the ACS Volunteer Form Link below to find ways that you can volunteer to help support our school! https://forms.gle/6iPiTAYNhm14BezV6
WE ARE HIRING! Looking to build the team!
We are in search of an EC Team member for ACS! If you or someone you know would be a good fit for ACS, please apply through our website under the ‘Employment’ tab (see link below) and email a resume to Mr. Miller at jmarqmiller@alamancecommunityschool.net
IMPORTANT DATES
12/13 | Middle School Gym Ribbon Cutting |
12/13 | Middle School Dance |
12/16 | Giving Tree Gifts Due |
12/17 | Basketball game at Triangle Day School |
12/18 | Raffle for VISA gift Card Due |
12/20 | Last day before Winter Break |
1/6 | Students return from Winter Break |
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
If you have missed any of the previous newsletters, here are the links for the PDF versions.