HERE - Acacia Elementary School

May 2016
Acacia Elementary School
Home of the Cowboys
Upcoming Events
May 6
Skate County Night
5:00pm
May 8
Mother’s Day
May 10
Site Council Meeting
4:30pm
PTA Meeting
6:00pm
Title 1 Family Night
6:00pm
Choir & Band Concert
7:00pm at Vail Theatre of the Arts
May 16
Caught in the ACT Assembly
8:30am K-2
9:00am 3-5
May 18
Starbase Graduation
9:00am
May 19
Caught in the Act Lunch
Last Blast
5:30pm
May 20
Accelerated Reader Party
May 25
5th Grade Promotion
9:00am
May 26
Kindergarten Graduation
9:00am
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
Dismissal at 12:00pm
Principal
Terri Brooks
brookst@vailschooldistrict.org
Office
(520) 879-2202
Attendance
(520) 879-2202
acaattend@vailschooldistrict.org
Fax
(520) 879-2201
Transportation
(520) 879-2475
Acacia Website:
http://aca.vail.k12.az.us
Powerschool:
http://ps.vail.k12.az.us
Office Hours:
7:30am – 4:00pm
Acacia Round Up
A Note from the Principal
Good Morning Acacia Families,
As we finish up our current school year we are making plans for the
next one. Included in these plans are teacher, staff, and student
placement decisions.
We truly view the education of your children as a partnership between
family and school. In order for the educational experience to be
successful, we must work closely together to ensure that success.
I want you to have the opportunity to provide input regarding the
placement of your student for the upcoming school year. All of the
teachers at Acacia are outstanding and will provide excellent
instruction. There are occasions where a child may find a more
desirable placement with a specific teacher due to teaching style. Keep
in mind that it is our goal to ensure that classes are balanced with
regards to gender, academic achievement, and behavior.
Acacia
Site Council
Allison Bain
Parent
Jessica Boule
Parent
Terri Brooks
Principal
Jennifer Bury
Parent
Sue Lakosky
Classified Staff
Ana McGrew
Office Manager
John Walston
Parent
Linda Valencia
Certified Staff
Juanita Woodruff
Certified Staff
Your student’s current teacher, as well as other staff who work with
your child will provide valuable input on class placement. If you wish to
make a teacher request, please submit a letter to the front office. You
letter must include:
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•
•
•
your child's name
your child’s grade for the 16/17 school year
the teacher you would like to request
the reason you are requesting that teacher
Requests will be accepted from Wednesday, May 4, at 7:30 a.m. to
Wednesday, May 11, until 3:30 p.m. We will do our best to honor
parent requests while considering all of the above-mentioned
factors to balance classrooms.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 879-2204.
Thank you for your partnership in your children’s education.
Your partner in education,
Mrs. Terri Brooks, M.Ed
Principal
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2016-2017 Acacia Elementary
TENTATIVE
First Grade
Jennifer Berry
Mishelle Jackson
Carrie Peffers
Heather Stevens
NEW
!
Second Grade
Marie Gabrielsen
Susan Marko
Juanita Woodruff
TBA
!
Third Grade
Angel Ali
Kathleen Hood
April Pierce
Linda Valencia
!
Fifth Grade
Cassidy Addison
Nicole Crowder
Rachel Hink
Scott Pepple
Kelli Rush
TENTATIVE
Fourth Grade
Stephanie Morse
Maureen Promis
Nicole de Gennaro
Alexis Edwards
TENTATIVE
TENTATIVE
!
TENTATIVE
TENTATIVE
Kindergarten
Amy Hunter
TBA
TBA
TENTATIVE
TENTATIVE
TENTATIVE
Teacher List
Acacia Round Up
MUSIC
Mrs. Lang
langt@vailschooldistrict.org
879-2271
Talent Show – Acacia is having a talent show. As
part of our Last Blast celebration on Thursday, May
19th, selected students will present and showcase
their talents. The show will be in the MPR and is
FREE. Please look for more information in our
weekly newsletter (In the Loop).
Band and Choir Spring Concert – Our Acacia
Band and Choir will have their very own Spring
Concert at the Vail Theater of the Arts (Empire High
School) in May. The concert will be held on
Tuesday, May 10th beginning at 6:30pm. The
concert will feature all of our musicians that have
participated in our after school band and choir
program. It promises to be a great night of
entertainment.
Instrument introduction – Our 2nd, 3rd and 4th
graders are being introduced to the instruments of
the orchestra this last quarter. In May information
will be sent home with 3rd and 4th graders about the
band program offered here at Acacia. Band is an
extra-curricular after school activity that is open to
interested 4th and 5th graders. Instrument rental
information and rehearsal information and
expectations will be shared with all 3rd and 4th grade
students at the conclusion of the unit.
Thank you - Thank you for all your support this
year. We finished a busy year of performing,
practicing and progressing in music. Acacia students
and parents should be proud of their
accomplishments in the music room this year.
Congratulations and let’s finish strong.
ART
Ms. Keating, M.Ed
keatingb@vailschooldistrict.org
879-2223
Happy May! Our year has been fruitful and I have truly
enjoyed getting to know our kids. What a joy it is to be
here with everyone. We are getting ready for our
watercolor study and creating preliminary landscape
drawings for this project.
Thank you to Sharon Englert’s sister for the foam core,
we will definitely be using it next year!!!! We are still in
need of any size white construction paper, tin foil, kleenex,
wet ones. If your spring cleaning and find any interesting
bulk of material, i.e. paper, yarn, greeting cards, egg
cartons etc., we will put it to good use!!
We appreciate all contributions to our Art class. Thank
you so much! :) Have a wonderful May!
Healthy Heart Newsletter
Mrs. Chesebrough
chesebroughe@vailschooldistrict.org
http://class.vail.k12.az.us/chesebroughe
520.879.2257
K-5 PE Activities
3rd-5th grade: We will be staying busy these next four
weeks. We will be focusing on cooperative games and
teamwork. We will be playing lots of team games.
K-2nd grade: Will be learning manipulative skills using
deck rings and ending the year with many cooperative
games.
All grades will be learning some Summer Safety Tips. These
will include sun protection tips and water safety tips.
Jump Rope for Heart
Catherine Smith Grateful Heart Award goes to Garrett Tews for donating the most money to the America Heart
Association. The Grateful Heart Award is in honor of her late father, William Smith. Who passed away in December
2012 while Catherine was a student here at Acacia.
Save the Date
Family Skate Night
Field Day
Date: Friday, May 6
Time: 5-7pm
Date: May 16 during the student’s Specials time.
Volunteers need. Please call the school office and talk to Kristin Espinoza (879-2203) if you would like help.
This has been a wonderful year I have enjoyed getting to know the amazing children and their
families here at Acacia. I look forward to seeing everyone next year. I will miss our fabulous 5th
graders. They will do extraordinary things in life.
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25th Anniversary Brick Fundraising Program
____________________
____________________
____________________
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Please Print Legibly.
Name:___________________________
Phone Number:____________________
E-mail:___________________________
Address:__________________________
City:_____________ State:_____Zip:________
$35 Donor Brick paid via:
Cash
Check number:______
Credit Card:_______________exp.____code___
For Questions: Lora Irby irbyl@vailschooldistrict.org
Carved in Stone of Arizona
520-405-6688
520.879.2240
WWW.CarvedinStoneAZ.com
Acacia Round Up
Preparing your child for school transitions:
Whether it be a transition to Kindergarten, Middle school or just the next grade, transitions can be difficult. As the
school year nears to an end consider these tips to help your child through the summer and to a new school year.
•
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Talk about the upside of going into a new school or new grade such as new friends, teachers and
experiences
Address your child’s fears: listen to them and encourage them to talk about what they are feeling. Discuss
the fears you had at their age and let them know that their feelings are normal
If possible, take a tour with your child of their new classroom or school. During the tour discuss with them
the morning and afternoon routines so they know what to expect on the first day of school. Always ask staff
any questions about arrival and dismissals to help ease your level of stress and your child’s.
If you feel your child is experiencing very high levels of stress over the transition consider seeking other
resources such as books, the Internet (using reliable sources), school counselor or pediatrician.
Fun And Free!
Below are a few ideas that you can do with your child this summer
Ø Go to the park and pack a picnic
Ø Going fishing is a great idea to help bond with your child and teach them about various types of fish they
could catch. If you’re concerned about keeping the fish you can always do catch and release!
Ø Go hiking at one of our local national monuments or go biking or walking around your neighborhood
Ø Go to the public library. They often have fun summer story times and other activities.
Ø Do community service such as working in an animal shelter, serving food to a family in need or helping
pick up litter
Ø Have fun teaching your child to bake. Measuring and following a recipe is a great math and science lesson
for a child that ends in a yummy treat!
Spending quality time with your children does not have to cost money. What is important is that you are spending
time together regardless of what it is you are doing.
As summer draws to an end remember some of these changes in routine that can help prepare them for the first
day back to school!
Morning routine: Children who come to school happy, relaxed and organized tend to do better and settle better.
Ensure that there isn’t a big rush every morning to get ready for school. Prepare clothes, lunches, bags etc the
night before and involve the children in this. Get up a little earlier and try and slow your morning down if
possible. This will help reduce any anxiety your child may have about starting school and will keep everyone
calmer and happier – parents included. Set up a simple picture schedule for your children with a list of what they
need to do to be ready for school that they can check each day.
Early to bed: Children need lots of sleep, especially in the early days of a new school year, they will be more
tired than usual. Before school begins, start to bring bedtime back a little earlier if possible. A good night’s sleep
is essential for learning.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day: Children need fuel to learn. Breakfast is so
important. Encourage your child to eat a good, healthy breakfast in preparation for their day of fun and learning
ahead.
Encourage outdoor play and reduce screen
time: For a huge portion of their school day
your child will be indoors (usually), encourage
as much outdoor activity and play in general in
the evenings and reduce the amount of screen
time on week days. Children need to be
children and need to play, run, jump, cycle etc
in order to grow and learn.
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SUMMER VAIL DISCOVERY CAMP
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Our goal is to create a fun, hands-on atmosphere for
each of our campers. We will be offering sessions at the
elementary school sites in your community. Daily
activities will include the areas of Innovation &
Discovery, Creative Arts, In a Word (discovering the
power of the written and spoken word), and getting
physical with Fun with Fitness. Children will also
participate in a number of captivating events including
water days, field trips and live performances.
Choose from: Monday through Friday,
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Tuesday/Thursday
Current or existing families sign-up online at:
https://family.daycareworks.com/login.jsp
New Families can register at vailkids.org
Dates: MAY 30TH – JULY 8TH, 2016
Cost: $30.00 full day and $30.00 Summer Registration Fee if not
currently registered with Community Programs.
Times: Available from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
*The deadline for on-time registration is Sunday, May 22nd. A late
fee of $20 will be incurred for forms turned in after May 22nd.
Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served
basis. A confirmation letter will be sent to you to confirm your
childʼs enrollment.
Please contact Annette Coley (520) 879-2268
or email coleya@vailschooldistrict.org for more information.
Acacia Round Up
Acacia Enrichment Center
Community programs at Acacia Elementary offers programs for
children ages 3 years to 5th grade. We are open throughout the entire
school year including intersessions. Please take a moment to learn
more about each of our programs.
• Early Childhood Enrichment Program is for children ages three
and four. We offer an emergent curriculum (based on the children’s
interests and developmental needs) which adheres to Arizona State Early
Childhood Education Standards. Children will experience a broad
variety of topics of interest and within these topics explore ways to
develop necessary skills for pre-reading, pre-writing, and other learning
goals.
• KinderPlus Enrichment Program compliments your child’s
school experience by expanding the Kindergarten curriculum to include more time
for developing critical thinking skills and hands-on explorations in all areas of study.
The program extends your Kindergartner’s school day by 3.5 hours (including
lunchtime) so that K students get used to an all day school setting, which helps in the
transition to first grade.
•
Before & After School Age Enrichment Programs provides a safe and supportive
environment for children to explore and develop their own interests. Personal
responsibility and positive peer interactions will be stressed. A variety of activities
such as art, wood working, games, music, physical activity, science, computers,
homework time, clubs, cooking and community service projects will be introduced
throughout the year. Our Before Care program begins at 7a.m. and AfterSchool Care
program is open until 6p.m.
•
Intersessions/Vail Discovery Camp
The VUSD calendar provides four school breaks during the year (Fall, Winter, Spring
and Summer). During these breaks, Community Programs will offer an exciting array of
classes, theme-based camps and extended day opportunities for children in K-5th
grade. Families will be required to register on-line through the family portal for each
intersession.
Enrollment has begun for the 2016/2017 School Year!
If you are interested in enrolling or for more information, please contact
Annette Coley- Site Director
879-2268
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Last Day of
School
May 26, 2016
5th Grade Promotion
Wednesday
May 25
Dismissal at
12:00 noon
Thursday, May 26
9:00 am
in the MPR
Congratulations to all of our 5th grade
Wright Flight members who passed all of
their goals and tests. They took over the
controls and flew on Saturday, April 30.
Roman Ruiz
Libby Raley
Ezrah Fontes
Gabriel Boudreau
Elizabeth John
Taylor Guinane
Alexander Lopez
Ethan Grenat
Lysa Peed
Isaac Parks
Dominic Perno
Rylee Green
Anna Bingham
Jacquelene Arnold
Colby Voveris
Emi Herrera
Corbin Loveland
Rebeca Earl
4th graders:
Nick Johnson get ready,….
Joshua Beans you can do
Ava Campos this next year!
Sofia Jaramillo
Miguel Villalpando
9:00 am
in the
MPR
FIRST DAY of
2016-2017
School Year
July 18, 2016
Acacia Wellness
The Acacia Wellness committee is excited
to announce Fuel Up Fridays. Smoothies
will be given out on Friday mornings in the
MPR until they run out. This isn’t meant to
replace breakfast, but rather to be a
healthy boost to our busy Friday testing
mornings. Check your In the Loop each
week for the next week’s flavor!
Each Friday the following week’s Fuel Up
Friday Menu will be announced IN THE
LOOP!
Acacia Round Up
Acacia’s
Last Blast
Signing off 2015-2016
Thursday, May 19
5:00pm – 7:00pm
Talent Show
6:00pm
$20.00
if ordered through the office
$17.00
if ordered online at
www.jostensyearbook.com
by May 14, 2016
11
Acacia’s PTA PAGE
Acacia PTA
Parent Teacher
Association
email:
acapta@vailschooldistrict.org
President
Valerie Friend
Vice-President
Jessica Boule
May10:GeneralMeetingat6:00pmintheLibrary
May16:FieldDay–pleasevolunteertohelp
May19:Acacia’sLastBlastat5:30pm
May19:DairyQueenFundraiser4:30pm-7:30pm
Box Tops and Labels for
Education 2015-2016
by saving labels we raised
Treasurer
Ana Morales
over $1,000 cash
Secretary
Nicole Harvey
Membership Chair
Anita Cooke
Collect Box Tops for Education and Campbell's Labels for Education
labels over the summer
Ask your grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends.
We will have another contest in the Fall!
You can learn something new
every day if you listen
1
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Acacia Round Up
If you need to change your child’s transportation home,
you must call the office before 2:00pm.
Changes cannot be made after 2:00pm.
Remember to leave your
house early enough to get
to school on time!
Trains, construction, and traffic
are unexcused tardies
If a student arrives
after the gate is closed in the morning,
the parent MUST
sign in the child through the school office.
Attendance Information
Please call or email the
attendance line EACH DAY
you student will be missing
school BEFORE 9:00am. If
you do not call or email, the
absence is automatically
unexcused.
(520) 879-2203
acaattend@vailschooldistrict.org
Please help us by making sure
your students are at school
and on time. Excessive
unexcused
absences
and
tardies will be referred to the
Acacia’s School Resource
Officer.
Students are not
allowed on campus
Transportation
(520) 879-2475
Know your child’s
bus route and stop!
before 7:45am
(students may arrive after
7:30am to eat breakfast in
the MPR)
OR
after 2:45pm
(unless they are involved in
an after school activity)
Reminder:
Three (3) tardies are
considered equivalent to
one unexcused absence.
Visit Acacia’s website:
http://aca.vail.k12.az.us
and click on the link under the
school bus.
InfoFinderi can help you locate
your child’s bus route, bus
stop, and arrival times on half
days, and activity routes.