Avon Grove Charter School Spotlight
January 2021
Forward Together - A note from Head of School, Kristen Bishop
The Learning Intentions form, published to the Parent Portal, is the instructional model choice for January 25, 2021, through April 5, 2021 (third quarter of the school year). If you selected a different instruction model for your child, they would start on Monday, January 25th.
Students who are currently hybrid students will retain their current cohort color (Blue/Gold/Green).
Suppose your child is coming to the school for the first time because they are new to the hybrid model. In that case, you will be getting a separate letter from your building Principal by January 15th to indicate your selected color cohort. (Blue/Gold) All families will still be assigned to the same cohort. Parents/students (K-12) who choose the online/remote learning model would remain online until April 6, 2021.
Please remember there will be another learning intentions form, released in March, for families to make an election for the final quarter of the school year.
As always, we will continue to evaluate state and local guidelines related to our instructional model.
Forward Together,
Kristen Bishop
New Student Enrollment for 2021-2022
Invite your friends and family to come be a part of the AGCS P.A.C.K.! Enrollment is open and we are currently accepting applications for new students in grades K-12 for the 2021-2022 school year.
Share this amazing school community where your child is experiencing a caring, nurturing and rigorous academic learning environment. Share our standards for academic excellence, positive learning environment, high behavioral expectations, and dedicated staff that will help your child reach their full potential.
Any prospective family seeking enrollment or looking to enroll a sibling of a current AGCS student for the upcoming school year, can complete an initial Enrollment Application.
National School Choice Week January 24th-30th
Department of Teaching and Learning Administration
School Board Working Session & Board Meeting
January 19th, 2021
6:15 PM - Working Session
7:30 PM - School Board Meeting
Access the live stream of the public meetings by visiting the AGCS YouTube Channel webpage.
AGCS COVID-19 Dashboard Data available 24/7
The COVID-19 Data Dashboard is available for you to review 24/7. On the dashboard, you will be able to find cumulative AGCS data, data attributed to the rolling 14-day period which will be used to inform our instructional model decision.
This dashboard will be updated daily as new information is received.
Intent to Return Process for 2021-2022 School Year
Each year AGCS requires its current families to complete an "Intent to Return" form indicating their academic intentions for the following school year.
This year, we will be embedding the "Intent to Return" questions in the fourth quarter "Learning Intentions" form which is set to be released during the first week of March.
Please note, the Intent to Return Process is only for currently enrolled students.
AGCS is in need of Daily Substitutes
Do you have a 4-year degree and are interested in becoming a daily substitute? AGCS has partnered with Substitute Teacher Services to offer a unique Guest Teacher Program to help attract daily building substitutes to our school. This program allows those who have a 4-year degree (does not have to be be in education!) to take an online training program that would prepare them for teaching in the classroom as a daily substitute.
Come be a part of the AGCS team and join our daily substitute pool!
For more information please visit: https://help.thesubservice.com/open-positions/sts-guest-teacher-program
Information Technology Update
Health Services Update
As the upcoming transition to hybrid from virtual learning for some students draws near, please remember the following:
- Daily temperature check and COVID symptom screening before school
- Nurse forms completed in PowerSchool
- Keep your child home if they are sick
- Contact the nurses if your child or someone in your household has been exposed to a COVID-19 case or has tested positive for further guidance.
- Contact Attendance and Nursing if you are traveling out of state for further guidance.
Questions: Nurse Sam at smillerhall@agcharter.org (ELC)
Nurse Holly at hverderame@agcharter.org (State Road)
AGCS Nurses among first to receive COVID-19 Vaccine in Chester County
Nurse Sam, Early Learning Center, & Nurse Holly, State Road Campus, proudly show off their
"I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine" stickers.
Reminders for getting your ZZZ's
Proper sleep is important for both children and adults. Proper sleep is essential for our immune systems (physical health), and our emotional wellness (mental health). Lifestyle changes imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted sleep for many, from sleeping in or staying up late, increased screen time, or lack of a proper sleep schedule due to working or schooling from home. Anxiety, worry, and depression due to the pandemic may also impact sleep schedules. Good sleep supports our immune systems and brain function, making us sharper during the day (think work and school), and enhances mood.
SleepFoundation.org https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-guidelines-covid-19-isolation
offers the following suggestions for maintaining proper sleep habits:
- Set your schedule and routine, including wake up and bed times.
- Reserve your bed for sleep. Avoid doing work from home in bed, or watching a movie in bed.
- Get enough daylight. Open curtains and blinds, go outside for walks, reduce screen time.
- Nap appropriately. Naps are beneficial if done properly.
- Stay active during the day. Take a walk, turn on a workout video, or just dance around!
- Practice kindness and stay connected. These activities reduce stress and improve mood.
- Relaxation techniques. Try yoga, mindfulness, deep breathing, and stretching. These are all ways to relax and improve sleep. Check out apps like Headspace and Calm to get started.
- Watch what you eat and drink. Maintain a healthy diet and avoid excess caffeine or
alcohol.
Sweet Dreams
Food Services Updates
The Food Services Department is offering new menu choices, and serving a variety of breakfast and lunch options at each campus. Please check the school website for the monthly menus and pre-ordering instructions. https://www.agcharter.org/domain/42
Grab-N-Go Meals Program continues at the State Road Campus (Monday & Wednesday, 10 am - 12 pm), serving meals to children 18 and under in our community.
Please note: On Monday, January 18th there will be no Grab-N-Go Service as the school will be closed in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Facilities Department
Raise Craze is coming to AGCS in February!
AGCS & the PTO are teaming up to promote kindness in our community and raise funds for the school, using Raise Craze, a kindness focused fundraiser. Students will be reaching out to friends and family to sponsor acts of kindness which will promote our students giving back to the community. The school has a goal to raise $30,000 - $50,000 during the month of February. We hope to inspire kindness and community service in our world! Additional details will be sent home via email in the coming weeks.
2020-2021 Picture Day & Picture Day Retakes Information
Student picture days here! Picture make-up/retake days will be on 2/23-2/25.
Parents interested in purchasing picture packages can do so via LifeTouch using the following codes:
K-3rd Grade: EVTDH7VQ6
4th-6th Grade: EVTCWRK6M
7th-12th Grade: EVTVWRH3T
Please contact the main office at either campus with questions.
Micro Farm Update
The Micro Farm animals would like to thank the staff who recycled their holiday trees at the farm. The sheep and goats are enjoying their coniferous tree buffet.
Athletic Update
To align with state restrictions and the uncertainty of COVID numbers, and many other factors, AGCS made the difficult decision to cancel the athletics season for cheer and basketball. While this was a tough decision, it was made with the safety of our students and school community in mind.
Mr. Jay McGehean, athletic director, is preparing for the spring season. The coaches are excited as this will be our first season of spring athletics after being cancelled only days after tryouts. AGCS will offer boys lacrosse for 8th-12th grade students and girls soccer for 8th-12th grade students. Spring 2021 tryouts are scheduled to take place on Monday March 8, 2021.
Questions can be directed to Jay McGehean at jmcgehean@agcharter.org.
Giving Tree - Thank you AGCS Community
During the month of December, the Early Learning Center continued the annual tradition of The Giving Tree. Many contributed to the success of this program. The staff, parents, PTO, and residents of The Hills of Sullivan rallied together to provide gifts to 21 families this holiday season! That is nearly triple the amount that was helped last year. What a positive and inspirational way to end a challenging year. Thank you AGCS community!
Look for a special Valentine's Day offer from the Micro Farm & the Wolf's Brew.
Community Support Resources
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Avon Grove Charter School
Early Learning Center
Grades K - 3rd
1769 New London Road
Landenberg, PA 19350
610-255-5325
State Road Campus
Grades 4th - 12th
110 E. State Road
West Grove, PA 19390
484-667-5000
Website: agcharter.org
Location: 110 East State Road, West Grove, PA, USA
Phone: 484-667-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvonGroveCharterSchool/
Twitter: @agcharter