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Greetings, Coyote Families!
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for a wonderful first Principal Appreciation Month at ACS! Aside form the gifts, snacks, and coffee (My favorite!) The school community shows its appreciation daily and you are all easy to lead. Thank you for a great initial year so far, as Principal at Alamance Community School!
Mr. Miller
Important Dates
Veteran’s Day | November 11th |
Make up Picture Day | November 13th |
Middle School Gym Ribbon Cutting | November 21st |
BOOSTERTHON!
Not only have we had a fantastic & fun two weeks with our Boosterthon Fundraiser, the Fun Run, and Spirit Week, but we have also surpassed our fundraising goal of $25,000! With your help and support, we have raised over $37,000 and have 33 states represented for Athletics and the Arts! Thank you!! We now have an EXTENDED Goal. We are calling it the 40/40. WE are looking to push to $40,000 and have 40 states represented. There are prizes left in the tank so lets get it. We will be taking donations through Tuesday, 11/5. Also, please read a special message below from our Managing Director.
Dear ACS Families and Staff,
The State Board of Education has released the accountability report for the 2023 - 2024 school year that features all components of the state’s accountability framework, including the calculation of A-F School Performance Grades and growth designations. The A-F school performance grades that all NC Public Schools continue to receive are determined by the formula that was used pre-Covid, in addition to many grade level standards that have not changed since 2018. 80% of the school performance grade is based on the End-of-Grade test scores/proficiency and 20% is for growth.
As many of you know, the 2023 - 2024 school year was a difficult one with staff turnover and several classroom teacher vacancies. We also experienced lengthy construction delays with Cottage #1 which meant that for half of the year our 5th and 6th grade classrooms were located in our elective/special classrooms.
In February, I began meeting with every staff member individually to begin rebuilding trust, determining student and staff needs, and re-establishing processes and accountability. Next, the Board of Directors asked me to resume some of the Principal duties which included developing a comprehensive search and vetting process for recruiting and hiring a new Principal and Assistant Principal, in addition to hiring all staff for the 2024 - 2025 school year. I am incredibly pleased that our search for a Principal and Assistant Principal who are strong instructional leaders was a huge success and we began the school year fully staffed.
For the 2023 - 2024 school year, our overall school performance grade is a D and we met expected growth. We were low performing by only meeting expected growth and receiving a D school performance grade.
Given the deficits that were revealed with our End-of Year and End-of-Grade data, we recognized that we needed to focus on strengthening our core reading, specifically phonemic awareness, in addition to improving our math instruction by effectively implementing our Zearn math curriculum instruction. Since last spring, we have made significant changes to ensure our students grow and thrive academically by:
hiring a new Principal and Assistant Principal who are instructional leaders and are in classrooms conducting daily informal teacher observations, in addition to scheduled formal observations
purchasing the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness and Phonics curriculum to strengthen our reading core curriculum
implementing the Zearn Math curriculum, Kindergarten - 7th Grade with consistency and fidelity to strengthen our math core instruction
supporting our teachers to use assessment data to drive their instruction, in addition to reviewing their lesson plans each week
conducting individual teacher and grade level/team discussions about data and next steps with the administrative team
providing ongoing professional development in reading and math
continuing to have bi-monthly grade level teams & specialists/support staff Data and Curriculum meetings with the Curriculum Director and MTSS Coordinator
implementing differentiated literacy and math workstations that target specific concepts and needs
hiring a Literacy Coach and a Math Coach that have demonstrated high quality instruction and have consistently exceeded growth on State assessments to provide ongoing support, coaching, and modeling of the whole group and small group lessons, in addition to helping teachers analyze their assessment data to determine their small groups and next steps for instruction
having targeted small group instruction and interventions 2 to 3 times per week in phonemic awareness and reading comprehension for our lowest 2nd and 3rd grade students provided by the literacy intervention specialist
ensuring that teachers follow our Curriculum Scope, Sequence, & Pacing and utilize the given resources and lessons that are aligned to the standards are implemented with fidelity and consistency
We believe by implementing all of these changes, providing all of the additional teacher support in reading and math, ensuring that all teachers implement our core curriculum, and holding all staff accountable to provide high quality instruction for all our students, these measures will significantly impact our students' academic growth and proficiency.
I want to assure you that every ACS employee from teachers, support staff, and administrators are committed to your student’s growth and are working tirelessly each and every day to meet the needs of all our students. I know that all of us, educators and caregivers, want the very best for our children and when we support and work together, as a team, academic and social-emotional growth and success is attainable for our students.
We have a lot of work to do and we truly need your support! As parents, guardians, and caregivers, only you can ensure:
your students come ready to learn
your students are respectful and follow the school rules
your students are at school every day unless they are sick and
your students arrive on time to school and are not picked up early
Teachers are providing instruction from the time school begins at 8:15 right up until dismissal, so each and every minute of our school day is essential.
Volunteerism is another way to not only support your student, but many students. One of the ways we work to meet the needs of all our students is through our small reading and math groups and work stations that target specific skills and concepts that students are working on mastering. If you are interested in volunteering to help with reading buddies, small groups, work stations, etc., please reach out to your child’s teacher. Remember, you do not have to be an educator to volunteer. I know that all of us are busy and often finding the time to volunteer can be challenging. My sons are now adults, but some of my fondest memories and most rewarding moments were when I made the time to volunteer in their classrooms. Even 30 minutes per week can make a huge impact.
Attending parent-teacher conferences is another way for you to become involved in your student’s education. Having respectful, open, and honest communication with your student’s teachers to learn more about how to support them at home and areas where they are excelling is essential to your student’s success. As educators, we want the very best for our students and we remain dedicated to decreasing achievement gaps and growing our students, both academically and socially-emotionally.
I am thankful for your support as we continue our educational journey together and am confident that we are going to see tremendous growth from our students and staff this year.
Best,
Leslie Hall Paynter, M. Ed.
Managing Director
Alamance Community School
Middle School Music Team Vocal and Ukulele Concert!
Congrats to Ms. Alex and Ms. M on a SUCCESSFUL and INAUGURAL Music Recital for our middle school music students. There was singing, Ukulele, and an all around good time! Pictures will be posted on Social Media.
New Carline App:
We will be launching a new carline app soon to streamline our drop-off and pick-up processes. Staff will be trained this week to ensure a smooth transition. Thank you for your patience as we make these improvements.
We appreciate your attention to these details and your continued support in making our school environment safe and efficient. Have a great week ahead!
WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM!
I want to emphasize the importance of maintaining a respectful and collaborative environment at ACS. Our shared goal is to create a safe and supportive space for all students, staff, and families. To achieve this, it is essential that we all treat one another with kindness and respect in all communications—whether by phone, email or in person.
Please understand that aggressive behavior, in any form, will not be tolerated. We are all on the same team, working to benefit our students. By maintaining open and respectful communication, we can effectively address any concerns and continue to make ACS a positive place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Carline Updates:
We want to bring to your attention a serious safety concern regarding our car line procedures. Recently, we have observed several instances where children have been seen hanging out of windows and sunroofs during drop-off and pick-up times. This unsafe behavior poses a significant risk to our students and others in the car line.
Just this past week, one student was nearly hit by a vehicle, and another car had to slam on its brakes to avoid an accident. This type of behavior is extremely dangerous and cannot continue.
To address this issue and ensure the safety of all our students, the School Resource Officer (SRO) team will begin issuing tickets and citations for unsafe practices. We understand that everyone wants to make drop-off and pick-up times as efficient and pleasant as possible, but the safety of our children is our top priority.
Please take this opportunity to remind your children about the importance of remaining safely inside the vehicle while in the car line. We are committed to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all students, and your cooperation is crucial in achieving this goal.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your ongoing support.
MORE CARLINE UPDATES (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.
Let’s work together to get all students to school on time and ready to learn. Thank you for your cooperation!
“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 increased information and positivity.
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
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