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Writer's pictureJ. Marquice Miller

ACS Newsletter - January 5, 2025

Updated: Jan 6

Greetings, Coyote Families.

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful break and are excited for 2025! With this being our first newsletter in a while, there is a lot of information for the coming busy months, please read the Newsletter in its entirety. 


ANTICIPATION OF INCLEMENT WINTER WEATHER

In this upcoming winter season, know there is potential school delays and closures. While we are not a part of our surrounding larger districts, we will keep you informed as early as possible and base decisions on our community’s safety and the decisions made by neighboring districts and schools. 


3rd ANNUAL COYOTE CONNECTIONS

We are looking forward to our next Coyote Connections! It will be earlier this year to ensure we allow school access for open enrollment and staff and families have a moment to connect to prepare students for end-of-year testing.

A parent Panel will give background and insight and answer questions. There will be information sessions from each grade level and tours for prospective parents. There will also be apparel being sold.

This event will occur on January 23rd, 2025, from 4 pm to 7pm. The New family tours will take place at 5:30.


YEARBOOK SALES

Here is the ordering link:

Please reach out to Mrs. Hilfiger with any yearbook questions. lhilfiger@alamancecommunityschool.net





ACS WINTER SPORTS UPDATE

Below is the updated Basketball Schedule. 

2024-25 Alamance Community School Basketball Schedule 

“PROTECT OUR DEN” 

1/9 Away vs. Haw River Christian 4:00 pm Girls/ 5:15 pm Boys                 Pittsboro, NC

1/13 Away vs. The Burlington School 4:00 pm Girls/5:00 pm* Boys            Burlington, 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

2/10 Home vs. Discovery 4:15 pm Girls/5:15 pm Boys*                  Haw River, 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


SPORTS AND ATHLETE DISMISSALS

On game days, we will shift how we dismiss athletes. Students will go to Cottage 2 (This will be the Middle School Gym once it is fully completed). Parents will no longer go to the main office. Parents, please park in the Middle school Gym Parking lot, and Coach Long and/or the sports coaches will meet you to sign out. Sports will be dismissed to the Middle School gym when we have home games.

We are currently brainstorming what sports transportation will look like in the coming years. However, in the meantime, please consider carpooling with other team parents to get our students to the locations safely and quickly. 


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.



MORNING CARLINE 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.


AFTERSCHOOL CARLINE PROCEDURES

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.


DECEMBER COYOTES OF THE MONTH

Here are our December Coyotes of the Month and Pack Leaders (Staff). We will post January winners in the next few weeks!


GENESIS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL UPDATES

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!

We are in search of Elementary and EC Team members 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

1/6

Students return from Winter Break

1/9

Basketball vs. Haw River Christian (Away)

1/13

Basketball vs. The Burlington School (Away)

1/13 - 2/14

Testing Window #2

1/20

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL STUDENTS & STAFF

1/23

Coyote Connections 4-7

2/13

End of Trimester 2



PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS

If you have missed any of the previous newsletters, here are the links. 


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