The Acorn
A Message from the Principal of AOC, Dr. Fine
Week of 1/17-1/21
Greetings AOC Families,
AOC faculty and staff were very happy to see our students last week! And, our teachers did an outstanding job supporting students with the transition back to school. As principal, I visited classrooms throughout the week and was very excited to see students beginning new projects including research for a Socratic seminar and science labs. Seniors are continuing their work on their Senior Capstone Projects. This last week revealed the energy and enthusiasm that our teachers have in facilitating meaningful projects and lessons for our students. Our teachers and staff returned to campus rejuvenated and excited to start the new semester!
Thank you to all of our AOC students and parents who have followed our LA County guidelines, COC Board policies for Covid-19, and WSHUHSD protocols. We appreciate how everyone is doing their part, including getting tested, wearing masks, staying socially distanced, and taking all precautions to stay safe. It is a collective effort that keeps our students and school community safe. And, a special thank you to our office staff who took the time to answer all of our parent questions about covid protocols. We appreciate our parents' patience and our staff's diligence in obtaining accurate answers.
Please reach out to us with any questions. Have a wonderful week, AOC!
Sincerely,
Dr. Juliet Fine
Principal of AOC
661-362-3056
Covid Related Guidance for our AOC Families
The message copied below was sent to everyone's email inbox on Friday. Please read through this information very carefully. This will provide you guidance on the take-home tests, pick-up information, and what to do in various scenarios where you have been exposed or have tested positive with covid.
As you have already been informed by previous messages from the Hart District, we will be deploying the State/County-supplied at-home rapid test kits in a manner that is consistent with guidance from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). These tests will be used:
“. . . as part of test-to-stay activities or sent home with students for close contacts and positive cases who are required to isolate and quarantine for use in a potential release from quarantine and isolation per the updated LACDPH School Exposure Management requirements.” (LACOE FYI Bulletin, Jan. 7, 2022)
Using the tests in this fashion will help the Hart District meet the new “test-to-stay” protocols recently implemented by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). The County’s latest COVID protocols now require students determined to be close contacts to test negative to remain in class. While the new protocols shorten the period of isolation for COVID positive students from 10 to 5 days, this is only possible if they test negative on or after day 5.
Therefore, these tests can be sent home with students identified as close contacts and/or COVID positive students and used as tools to help expedite and prioritize their return to the classroom.
Using these tests to support the “test to stay” protocols means that Valencia High School will not be distributing testing kits to every household at one time. However, we recognize that some families may want access to an at-home test to complete their COVID screening.
Parents interested in obtaining a free at-home test can pick it up at the front drop-off loop at Academy of the Canyons on Wednesday, 1/19/22 or Thursday, 1/20/22, between the hours of 7:30 and 8:30 AM and 2:30 and 3:30 PM.
Details about the process:
· Only one kit per student is allowed at this time.
· Tests are rapid, antigen tests, with results in approximately 15 minutes.
· Kits must be picked up by a parent (or someone designated by the parent on your contact list).
· Each test kit has two tests---intended for when you have a known exposure and (if unvaccinated) need to test twice (once immediately upon exposure, and once on Day #5 from the exposure).
· If your child is vaccinated and exposed, they need to test only on Day #5 (saving the additional test for another possible exposure in the future).
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Please reach out to us at AOC if you have any questions. You can email Christopher Welch, Office Manager and Registrar- cwelch@hartdistrict.org or Juliet Fine, Principal- jfine@hartdistrict.org
Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley Young Women in Public Affairs Award
On behalf of the Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley it is my pleasure to inform you that Zonta will once again provide the Young Women in Public Affairs Award to a young woman of age 16 to 19, who demonstrates evidence of the following:
- Active commitment to volunteerism.
- Experience in local government, student government, or workplace leadership (paid or unpaid).
- Volunteer leadership achievements.
- Knowledge of Zonta International and its programs.
- Advocating for Zonta International’s mission of advancing the status of women worldwide.
The Zonta Club of SCV, Young Women in Public Affairs will be presenting up to $1,000 awards. Recipients of the club award are also eligible to receive a higher award from Zonta International. Please see the enclosed application.
Our goal is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs, volunteerism and civic causes. We would appreciate your assistance by posting this information and distributing applications to potential candidates. Applications may also be accessed on-line at https://www.scvzonta.org/young-women-in-public-affairs-scholarship/.
The deadline for submittal is February 25, 2022
For further information, please contact Gloria Mercado-Fortine and/or Mary Ann Dortch
Sincerely,
Gloria Mercado-Fortine and Mary Ann Dortch
Young Women in Public Affairs, Co-Chairs,
Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley
Ideas on How to Honor Martin Luther King Junior
Important Dates February to March
- January 17th-Martin Luther King Day, No School
- February 5th- Last day of COC Winter Intercession
- February 7th- Spring 2022 Semester Begins
- February 11th-COC Winter Grades Available and AOC 3rd Progress Report
- February 18th-21st-COC President's Day, Holiday, No School
- February 18th- Non-Student Day at AOC
- February 21st- President Day/ Holiday, No School for AOC
- March 18th- End of 3rd Quarter
COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Available
Dear Hart District Families:
THE FDA & CDC HAS NOW APPROVED BOOSTERS FOR 12+!!!
COVID-19 and Flu vaccines will be available:
January 22 9-3pm
All 1st, 2nd doses will be available for anyone 5+ years of age.
**Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines available.
Pfizer boosters are NOW AVAILABLE for 12+ (eligible 5 months after 2nd dose)
Moderna boosters available for 18+ (eligible 5 months after 2nd dose)
J&J available for 18+ (eligible 2 months after dose)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
Be sure to bring:
- Proof of age and a copy of insurance information (COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone; medical insurance is not required).
- 5-15 years old must be accompanied by an adult and attached consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- 16-17 year olds must have attached consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian.
- For 2nd or booster doses, bring your white vaccination card or other proof of previous COVID vaccine.
This is an optional opportunity for parents. For more information about CDC guidelines on vaccines for children aged 5 and up, click HERE
**Vaccines are also available at any local Albertsons/Vons Pharmacy, or wherever the COVID-19 vaccines are offered. (VaccinateLACounty.com)
Last Week in Pictures at AOC 1/10-1/14
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Class Organizes Student Alumni Talks
Mrs. Siner's Chemistry Class Conducts a Lab
ROOTS Hot Chocolate Success!
ROOTS and Chick-Fil-A Provide Staff with a Welcome Back Luncheon
ROOTS Welcomes Students Back to School with Hot Chocolate and Snacks
Mr. Koegle's Students Have Access to Creative Materials for Makerspace, Building and Imagining the Future Club
Testing on COC's Campus
Mr. Welch Stands in the Covid Testing Line
COC's Health and Wellness Center
Hot Chocolate Bar was a Hit!
9th Graders Start Socratic Seminar
Mrs. Hoover Interviews Students
Alumni Presents Virtually about his Experience in Tech Start-Ups
Chemistry Creates a Creative Take on the Table of Elements
Student Alumni Presents their Timeline on Earning their PhD
Academy of the Canyons
Email: jfine@hartdistrict.org
Website: https://www.academyofthecanyons.com/
Location: Academy of the Canyons, Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Phone: 661-362-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Academy-of-the-Canyons-Middle-College-High-School-330158873741614
Twitter: @Academy_Canyons