Around the Realm Knightly News

ACP MIDDLE SCHOOL - November 4th, 2022

*DEDICATION*GROWTH*COMMUNITY*

Message from the Principal

Dear Knights,


It is with immense pleasure that I announce to you that ACP has been rated as an 'A' school by the state of Arizona based on AASA and AZ Science scores. This is the result of the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. Parents - Thank you for partnering and collaborating with us each and every time to do what is best for our students. Some of the highlights of the rating for me is the number of students that showed growth - 87.06% in comparison to 85.48% showing growth in 2018-2019 year (pre COVID). I am so proud of our Knights for the hard work they put in daily.


We knighted some of our students today during Celebration Assemblies on their adaptability. The individuals knighted truly exemplify adaptability. Way to go, Knights!


We asked for your interest in possibly utilizing the Power Hour on Mondays & Fridays and it looks like we don't have enough interest so we will keep it to just Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Thank you to those of you that completed the interest form.


8th grade parent survey that was sent home on October 18th is due back to AC Lab teachers on Thursday, Nov. 10. Please make sure this has been completed and returned to the AC Lab teachers.


I hope you have been noticing some beautification changes to our campus. These projects started last year and these projects are starting to bear fruit. Front office has a name plate now and the Gymnasium has a few doors that have been wrapped with our logos. In the next few weeks, we will complete the door wrapping projects and move to banners and such. Keep an eye out and let us know if you have any ideas.


We have been approved for the free after school snack grant and we will begin to hand out after school snacks to any students staying after school for tutoring or any activity. They will be handed out daily in the Courtyard at 3:00pm.


I need a parent & student volunteer willing to be video interviewed for our website. Please email me of your interest.


Thank you,


Manjula K Reddy

Principal

ACP Middle School

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STUDENT FEES ARE ONLINE

Please check for any outstanding fees for your student(s) online through the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Fees assigned may include class fees, club fees, field trip fees, sports fees, fees for tests, and more. All fees are only viewable through the Intouch Fee Payment System and are not visible under the portals Fee tab. Please see the instructions below to ensure fees are being checked under the correct link. We still have a large number of outstanding fees. Thank you!
Parent Portal Login Intructions for InTouch Fee Pmts

Please note: the FEE button in the parent portal is inactive. You must go to the InTouch Fee Payments to see outstanding fees/fines.

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ACP UPCOMING EVENTS

We will be celebration 'Hope' all week

Monday - November 7

6th Grade Specials - Special 2

AC Pen meeting in M2


Tuesday - November 8

Regular Schedule - Periods 0-6

6th Grade Specials - Special 1

Power Hour w/ Mitchel Room B104 - Ends @ 3:50 pm


Wednesday - November 9

Odd Block Schedule - Periods 0, 1, 3, 5

6th Grade Specials - Special 1 & Special 2

Power Hour w/ Tatar Room M5 - Ends @ 3:50 pm

CEF grant awards


Thursday - November 10

Even Block Schedule - Periods 0, 2, 4, 6

No 6th Grade Specials

NO POWER HOUR AFTER SCHOOL DUE TO HOLIDAY


Friday - November 11

No School (Observance of Veterans Day Holiday)


On the Horizon:

November 17 - Parent Roundtable

November 23 - 25 - No School (Observance of Thanksgiving Holiday)

December 9 - Club Group Photos

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Parent Roundtables

I host monthly-ish parent Q & A sessions or roundtables where we collaborate on a number of topics. I host these meetings virtually for your convenience. Hope to 'see' everyone at these meetings. See below for dates and times:


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Athletics

Monday-November 7

Softball - Away @ 3:45pm (AJHS)

Boys Basketball - Away @ 4:30pm (7th) 5:30pm (8th) (AJHS)


Tuesday - November 8

Softball - Away @ 3:45pm (Casteel)

Boys Basketball - Away @ 4:30pm (7th) 5:30pm (8th) (Casteel)

Cross Country - Away @ 4:30pm (Willis)

Tennis - Away @ 3pm (Bogle)


It is amazing when we have students stay after school to cheer on our teams during home games. To make it easier, we will allow students to stay on campus in Power Hour (study hall) on home game days and then release them to the Gym for the game.


CLICK HERE TO SEE A FULL LIST OF SITE ADDRESSES FOR ATHLETIC GAMES

ACP Youth Baseball Camp

Learn from ACP coaches and players about our throwing program, defense, offense, and baserunning.

Who: Any student Grades 2nd-8th

When: November 11, 12 and 19

Where: ACP JV Baseball Field

Time: 8:00 am – 9:30am (2nd-5th Grades)

10:00am – 11:30 am (6th-8th Grades)

Cost: $40.00

Questions? Please contact Andrew Pollak at pollak.andrew@cusd80.com

cusd80.ce.eleyo.com

ACP-MS Mountain Biking Team Race Dates

The ACP-MS Mountain Biking Team is having a great time! Check out the link for their upcoming race dates. (ACP-MS is in the south conference.)

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Knight in the Spotlight

Congratulations for Austin Gheen for winning the Gold Medal at the Taekwondo Championships!!
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POWER HOUR REGISTRATION - NOVEMBER

Power Hour is an academic support we provide at ACP Middle School on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Power Hour runs from 2:50 pm - 3:50 pm Tuesday-Thursdays. Students must be pre-registered for attendance and must be picked up promptly at 3:50 pm at parent pick-up. We will be enforcing i.e., losing power hour privileges if students are consistently picked up late or are signed up but do not show up 2 or more times.


Notes:

  • These are not instructor led sessions and parents must provide student transportation.
  • In order to attend, all students must signup weekly through signup genius. Students may only be signed-up for 1 week at a time.


CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE POWER HOUR SIGNUP REGISTRATION FOR NOVEMBER


Please make note that there will be no Power Hour on Thursday, November 10th and no Power Hour the week of Thanksgiving, November 21-25 due to the holidays.


NOTE: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PICKUP YOUR STUDENT PROMPTLY AT 3:50 PM.

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ACP MIDDLE SCHOOL- BOOSTER CLUB MESSAGE

Connect with Us!

Recent Booster Updates:

  • Thank you for your donations! We collected $5,200 to support student activities as well as the teachers and staff of ACP Middle School.
  • Otter Pops are on their way to students! We are coordinating with the administration for distribution soon!
  • FRIDAY SHIRTS and Chromebook sleeves are still available. See our store on our website to purchase. Reach out if you have any questions.

Ongoing and Upcoming events:

  • School Cents
  • Restaurant Fundraisers
    • Wednesday, November 2nd 11am-10pm: Zeeks Pizza (Warner & McClintock; Warner & McQueen locations ONLY)
    • Saturday, December 7th 4pm-8pm: Chipotle at the Chandler Mall location ONLY
  • Help Out Teachers in the Copy Room - NEW signup for this quarter!

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Counseling & Social Work Department Update

The Counseling and Social Services department has a monthly wellness newsletter for caregivers and families called Medieval Monthly. The newsletter will provide ideas, tips, tricks, and resources on how to best support your ACP Middle School student. You can find ACP’s most current Medieval Monthly by visiting the ACP Middle School website and looking under “Our Staff” and “Counseling and Social Services.”


CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE COUNSELING & SOCIAL SERVICES WEBPAGE

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Opportunities

2022-2023 American Essay Contest (attached below is the form to complete if taking part):


The ambition and goal of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Americanism Program is to raise the spirit of American patriotism and to increase an awareness — a genuine feeling of pride and respect toward patriotism. Therefore, Chandler Elks Lodge #2429 would like to provide a special opportunity for 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grade teachers and students to participate in our Annual Americanism Essay Contest. This year’s theme is “What is Your American Dream?”

New this year, there are four divisions (not two) for judging essays:

  • Division 1 (fifth grade)
  • Division 2 (sixth grade).
  • Division 3 (seventh grade)
  • Division 4 (eighth grade)

The local lodge will select a 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winner from each Division. Local lodge essay winners and sponsoring teachers will receive an invitation to an Awards Dinner in their honor at the Chandler Elks Lodge in late May 2023. Each winner will also receive an award certificate and a gift certificate.

Local winning essays will be also forwarded on to District, State and National competitions respectively. Awards and/or plaques will be awarded at each level. National Winners will be announced at the Grand Lodge Session in July 2023. National Winners will receive monetary awards of 1st Place: $1,000, 2nd Place: $500 and 3rd Place: $250.


Entry Rules:

1. Eligible participants must be students enrolled in 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th Grades during the normal 2022-2023 school year preceding June 30, 2023.

2. Essay length is not to exceed 300 words.

3. Essay must be typed.

4. Essay must be submitted for judging to the Chandler Elks Lodge Essay Chairman, Sandy Theobald, by mail to: 1775 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85224.

5. Entrants must attach a completed 2022-2023 Americanism Essay Contest Cover Sheet (complete Section I Only) with the essay.

6. Deadline: must be submitted to Local Lodge by December 15, 2022.

7. Judging Criteria:

  • Originality: avoids the use of trite or worn out words and phrases.
  • Development of theme: stays focused on ideas and thoughts don’t ramble.
  • Mechanics and neatness: uses proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. (1 or 2 grammatical errors can disqualify a student from moving on to Divisional, State and National levels.)

Behind the Vision Writing Contest

­The students of today are the great authors of the future. We are excited to announce our second annual The Next Generation writing contest, created to inspire a love for writing in the next generation of great authors.


This contest offers 4 Poetry and 4 Short Story prompts for students to choose from to explore their writing skills and creative spirit.

Last year we received 1,700+ submissions and published 300+ students nationwide


Contest submission window: September 1st - December 1st 2022­

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ACP Middle School Site Council Meeting

Last Site Council meeting was on 09/13/2022. We approved tax credit expenditure and discussed school expansion, upcoming projects and updates from Booster Club and StuCo.

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24/7 TUTORING AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS

Chandler Unified School District is pleased to partner with NetTutor to offer free online, on demand 24/7 tutoring.


NetTutor offers K-12 CUSD students live tutoring on-demand, question drop-off, and writing feedback. Tutors are subject matter experts trained in how to translate tutoring best practices and learning strategies to support students online.


FOR ACCESS TO FREE ONLINE TUTORING:


  • Click here to access Clever
  • Log into your student’s GSE account
  • Click on the NetTutor Icon (you may have to scroll down)
  • Click “I Agree” after reading the terms and conditions to continue (first time only)
  • Click on the course or subject area in which you need a tutor and follow the prompts

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YEARBOOK SALES BY PREORDER ONLY - JOSTENS

Early is good! Get ahead-of-the-game and check "order yearbook" off your list. In order for a student to get a yearbook the last week of school, parents/students must order on-line.

Online orders will start in August.


Cost: For those that preorder early, the cost of the yearbook will start at $42.00 for a limited time. (Payment Plan Avail.)


When: Yearbooks will go on sale August 2nd through December 31st through Jostens website.


How: Students/Parents can go online to www.jostensyearbooks.com

to order a yearbook. Be sure to maintain a copy of your emailed receipt as proof of purchase. Order now to ensure that your student receives a yearbook. Families may pay with a debit or credit card by going online to Jostens’ and selecting Arizona College Prep—MIDDLE SCHOOL.


Delivery: Yearbooks will be distributed the last week of school ONLY to those students who pre-ordered their book.


Order your yearbook early for the best deals!

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FOOD & NUTRITION MEALS

Due to changes in USDA regulations, Universal Free meals have not been extended to the 2022-23 school year. As of July 20th, the below meal prices will be in effect*


Breakfast Pricing: Meal Cost

All Grades (K-12) $2.00


Lunch Pricing: Meal Cost

Middle School Combo $3.25


Families may view the ala carte menu items with prices and view the daily lunch menu using the link below. Should you have any additional questions, you may contact ACP Middle School's cafeteria manager at: martinezcorona.maira@cusd80.com


Please click on the link below for more information on the school nutritional program and frequently asked questions.

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PLEASE MAKE A TAX CREDIT DONATION TO ACP MIDDLE SCHOOL

Arizona tax law allows individual taxpayers to claim a nonrefundable tax credit for making contributions or paying fees directly to a public school in AZ for support of eligible activities and programs.


At the junior high level, the school office is unable to reallocate / redirect funds without parent and district approval. Be sure to select the specific fee for the activity where you want your payment applied. Sports fees are assigned quarterly and club fees are assigned once established.


When paying fees online (band/ orchestra, club or athletics fees, etc.), please consider making an additional contribution to our general fund in December to reach the maximum credit allowable.

http://az01001175.schoolwires.net/page/1131


Once you have paid all outstanding fees for ACP Middle School or if you have a family member that resides in AZ, please consider making an additional tax credit contribution to ACP's general fund before December 31st. If you are able to make your tax contributions prior to the end of the calendar year, your donation would be greatly appreciated. It will help give us a jump start on some of our essential extracurricular activities. We have set a goal to collect approximately $50,000.00 this school year and hope that you will be willing to help us meet our goal. Thank you for supporting your child and ACP Middle School!


Tax Credit Basics…

A tax credit donation is a full refund, not a deduction. Contributions eligible for a tax credit are donated directly to schools, not to the state or school district. To participate or learn more, follow the link listed below to donate online or you can complete the enclosed form and submit your contribution at your convenience.


http://www.cusd80.com/taxcredit


Arizona Law ARS 43-1089.01 enables taxpayers a tax credit contribution of up to $400.00 per year if filing status is “Married, filing Joint Return;” $200.00 per calendar year if filing status is “Single of Head of Household;” and $200 per calendar year if filing status is “Married filing separate returns.” These contributions fund extracurricular activities in public schools and greatly impact our school community and our students.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

CUSD Virtual Calming Room


Our counselors are here to support all ACP students.

Margot O'Donnal

Kerry Grimes

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