Info Blast
SPARK Academy Newsletter - August 10, 2021
First Day of School - Wednesday, August 11
It is going to be a great year!
Beth McKinney
Team SPARK
Athens City Schools COVID Mitigation Plan
Based on guidance from the CDC, ADPH, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and most importantly from our local health professionals, the Athens City School board approved the recommendation requiring masks be worn while inside school buildings by employees, students, and visitors over the age of two. Based on the CDC’s order, passengers and drivers must wear masks at all times on school buses.
We will continue to monitor our local COVID data in hopes that conditions improve quickly and the mask requirement will become optional in the very near future. We have already seen how fast things can change, and we are prepared and ready to respond.
Our desire is for all students who have been in our traditional schools to return to in-person learning. Those who have a need for virtual learning can apply for Athens Renaissance School here. Please read the guidelines carefully as virtual learning is a semester commitment (unless you choose virtual learning for the year).
Remote learning will not be offered at our traditional schools. E-Learning will be utilized for students who need to isolate or quarantine. Here are some important things to note that are different from last year:
- Asymptomatic vaccinated close contacts do not need to quarantine but should monitor for symptoms and isolate if symptoms develop.
- Asymptomatic close contacts who have tested positive for and recovered from COVID-19 in the prior 3 months do not need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms.
- Unvaccinated individuals who are at a minimum of 3’ distancing from positive cases and are wearing masks do not need to quarantine.
For information concerning mask safety, click here.
For more information on the proposed ACS 2021-2022 COVID Mitigation plan, please visit https://www.acs-k12.org/domain/2198.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact beth.mckinney@acs-k12.org.
FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATIONS
Breakfast and lunch will be provided at no cost to students for the 2021-2022 school year. If your child qualifies for free/reduced meals, we still need you to apply. Most of our federal funding depends on the percentage of students who qualify.
To complete the 2021-2022 online application, visit: http://athenscitylunchapplication.schoollunchapp.com. For more information or to download/view the paper application, visit: https://www.acs-k12.org/Page/219.
School Supply Lists
The school supply lists for each grade level may be found at the following link:
Kindergarten Phase-In
Athens City Schools will use a “Phase-In” schedule for kindergarten students during the first four days of school. The schedule below is for students who have chosen the "traditional" option.
Wednesday, August 11 ― All Kindergarten students attend from 7:45 am to 11:00 am
Thursday, August 12 ― 1/3 of kindergarten students attend from 7:45 am to 2:45 pm
Friday, August 13 ― 1/3 of kindergarten students attend from 7:45 am to 2:45 pm
Monday, August 16 ― 1/3 of kindergarten students attend from 7:45 am to 2:45 pm
Tuesday, August 17 - All kindergarten students will begin attending school from 7:45 am to 2:45 pm
Kindergarten students will be emailed and mailed their phase-in letter during the first week in August. If you have not received notification about your kindergartener's phase-in schedule, please contact 256-233-6627.
Helpful Tips for Carline
- whenever possible , have student(s) exit from the driver's side of the car
- wait for an adult or student safety team member to open car door before student exits
- pay close attention to teacher directing traffic
Dismissal:
- make sure your child knows their carline number
- always approach campus from the south on Bullington Rd
- make sure carline number is clearly visible to teacher calling numbers via radio
- pay close attention to teacher directing traffic
Watch our carline video...
LatchKey is available this year
We are happy to announce that we will be offering a latchkey program this year after school. The cost of LatchKey is $6.00 per day. Students must be picked up by 5:00 pm. Please complete the form below and return it to school.
Latchkey will begin on the first day of school.
Join SPARK Academy PTO
Click here to join PTO or volunteer to be an officer/volunteer.
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SPARK Academy Front Office Staff
Dr. Beth McKinney, Principal
Darran Alexander, Assistant Principal
Stacey Hart, Counselor
Vicki Waldrep, Registrar
Cindy Sharp, Bookkeeper
Lori Vaughan, Nurse
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Important Dates
August 11: First Day of School
August 12-16: Kindergarten Phase-in (see info above)
August 17: First full day for Kindergarten students
September 6: Labor Day Holiday (no school)
SPARK Academy Uniform (Recommended not REQUIRED)
All students are recommended to wear uniforms for the 2021- 2022 school year.
The uniform will consist of:
- Collared or polo-style shirt - black, red or yellow
- Khaki or black pants, uniform shorts, skirt, or jumper
- Girls who wear skirts or jumpers MUST wear shorts underneath for PE.
- Rubber-soled shoes for PE
- Other shoes may be worn but must be changed for PE class.
- During the colder months, girls are allowed to wear leggings of any kind under their jumpers or skirts.
- Students are welcome to wear colorful socks with their uniforms.
2021-2022 School Calendar
Get the ACS app!
Get the Free App Now!
Never miss a weather alert, school closing or important update. Download the ACS mobile app to stay connected at all times. Use the app to can check calendars, lunch menus, and receive "push" notifications about school events and weather emergencies. Download the free app today at the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android devices. Search "Athens City School System."
Be sure to allow alerts, pushes and banners in your phone settings under "notifications" to properly receive notifications. In the app settings, please select the schools from which you wish to receive updates. Contact our office with any questions. 256.233.6600.
SPARK Academy at Cowart
Email: beth.mckinney@acs-k12.org
Website: www.acs-k12.org/CES
Location: 1701 West Hobbs Street, Athens, AL, United States
Phone: 256-233-6627
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SPARKAcademyCowart/
Twitter: @SPARK_STEM