As we prepare for the week ahead, we go into it with our buckets full! So many smiles, and such encouragement around the awards for students who are working hard in reading, writing, math, music, PE, art, and other academic areas as well as thriving in the way they demonstrate SOAR values. So much recognition for all of the wonderful efforts and accomplishments. The best part of the day was watching students cheer for one another and seeing happy faces. Huge thanks to Cate Vermeer, Alana Mace, and the volunteers who supported the decorations and preparations. We appreciate you all coming together to make the event special.

As we think about things that make us special, our staff is at the top of that list. We want to welcome and introduce two amazing educators in our middle school. Mr. Dan Ainson, a masterful MS ELA teacher, and Ms. Barbara Copeland, an amazing MS Math teacher. See below for some information about each of them.

As we head into spring break, we hope that you and your student find time to connect with things that bring you joy. When we return, we will head into the CMAS season and we have some big overnight and some out-of-state trips happening for different groups. Lots left to do this year, and lots still to accomplish....after the break. Enjoy!

With deep appreciation for this place, our students and families, and this work,

Dr. Susan-Marie Farmen

Exciting News! We have been granted Carrier room air purifiers for all of our classrooms and rooms in our school for next school year through the Colorado Clean Air for Schools Program. The goal is to continue to increase indoor air quality in schools.

Our school will receive:

78 HEPA air cleaners - one for each classroom and office space

156 filters and replacement filters (a 3 year supply of filters)

78 extension cords and surge protectors

78 floor cord covers

More information can be found here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/clean-air-for-schools

While the CMAS testing window in Jeffco is open from March 27th through April 28th, we at Excel Academy decided to focus on one content area per week, one test per day, in order to minimize the impact of testing on students and learning. We will be testing as follows:

• English Language Arts (3rd - 8th grade) April 4th, 5th and 6th
• Math (3rd - 8th grade) April 11th, 12th and 13th.
• Science (5th and 8th grade only) April 18th, 19th and 20th.

Because students use their school-issued Chromebooks for testing, we ask that all Chromeboks and power cords be sent to school on March 27th following spring break so that we can assure they are ready for testing starting on April 4th.

We encourage all students to get plenty of rest and eat a nutritious breakfast each morning.

We do not have scheduled sessions on Mondays or Fridays or during the week of April 24th, though we will use these days and times as well as afternoons for makeup testing for those who are absent during the scheduled testing sessions above. Please see this document for more information and contact Kresta Vuolo if you have questions regarding CMAS.

Required and recommended vaccines

Family exercise tips

If you are not sure if you have purchased the yearbook then you can log into your Infinite Campus account and view things you have paid for this year. After the deadline to order we will remove the charge from your account.

Deadline to order is Friday, March 17th.

Support an Excel student and Gigi's Playhouse, an amazing resource center for people with Down Syndrome in our community!

Come GLOW with us at Belmar Park on April 29th!

Check out event details and register to join Team "Blake Cooper" here:

https://gigisplayhouse.org/denver/acceptance-challenge/

Save the Date: 4/5 Music Program

Thursday, April 20th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Theme: Big Dreams

I encourage students to dress up for the occasion. It makes it special and fun.

Students should arrive at 5:45 to their classroom. Teachers will bring students onto risers at 5:55. The performance will start promptly at 6:00 and run approximately 45 minutes. Students will be dismissed to their classroom after the performance where parents can pick them up.

Many students will receive assignments in their Friday folders on 3/3/23. All assignments need to be memorized by 3/27/23.

Thank you, parents and students, for your support.

Middle School English Language Arts

Dan grew up in coastal Connecticut, exploring the natural world with his family. It was this curiosity that led him to explore other parts of the country, specifically the west coast. After attending James Madison University in Virginia, Dan moved to Portland, Oregon to work at Trackers Earth, where he taught wilderness survival skills and wooden boat building to children and adults. In his early 20's, he already knew that education was the path for him. Shortly thereafter, he attended Concordia University where he earned his Masters of Arts in Education, and began teaching. Dan worked at an Environmental Science Charter School in Oregon City where he combined his passion for exploring the natural world with his skills in the classroom. Before moving to Colorado, Dan put his woodworking skills to the test and renovated his home in Portland, Oregon. When that sold, he moved to Denver, Colorado to join his long-time friends, and explore a new city. When he is not teaching, Dan loves to play disc golf and guitar, attends live music shows, and spends time with his friends and family.

Barbara Copeland is in her 19th year working as an educator.She taught pre-K to high school seniors in the public school system. She holds a BA in History, an MAT in Education, an Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction, and is working on a BS in Mathematics. She is a Colorado native, attended Denver Public Schools and completed her education at The Colorado College in Colorado Springs. She lives with her husband of 4 years and their cocker spaniel, Wheelie. They enjoy live sports like the Avalanche and Rockies, exploring the outdoors, movies, and reading.

• "Ink Think" on Appreciation Week
• Laps 4 Learning planning session
• New Member/Officer election announcements
• End of the Year party outline
• Open forum for questions and ideas

You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!

Get out your poster making skills, practice shaking those pom-poms and warm up those cheering voices, it is almost time to cheer on the students at Laps for Learning! Laps for Learning is an all-school event, in which every student participates. This fun marathon-style race promotes health and wellness while raising money that will go directly to the classroom by purchasing new educational tools and classroom materials. The Kinder and 1st will be running a 1/4 mile, 2nd and 3rd are running a 1/2 mile and 4th through 8th are running a whole mile! We will have an exciting inflatable arch starting line, chipped bibs, and a marked course! Get your whole "team" involved in supporting your student's health and wellness lifestyle by helping them meet fundraising goals which can be done online or in person.

I can feel the wind go by when I run. It feels good. It feels fast. ~Evelyn Ashford

The Excel Academy Board of Directors invites you to participate in our upcoming Excel Academy Board of Director Election process.

We have 3 terms open for the 2023-2024 school year. Please click on the attachment for details.

2023 Election Announcement.docx.pdf

Thank you in advance for your consideration in filling these critical roles that greatly impact our school!

The next BOD meeting will be on March 14, 2023 Here is the link to the Board tab on the website with additional meeting information. Please join us! Also, please keep an eye out for upcoming Board elections information in the next few weeks.

CU Wizards Schedule

Talk to the Camera Summer Camps

Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities Summer Camps

Summer Day Camps in Jefferson County