Principal Newsletter March 2020
Mrs. McCollum, Arts Academy Elementary Charter School
Upcoming Events. 🗓
MAR 02: Read Across America Week
MAR 12: Black History Month Showcase, 6 pm
MAR 13: No School for Students, Teacher In-Service
MAR 18: Power Up for PSSAs Parent Workshop, 6 pm
MAR 26: MSA Steering Committee, 4 pm
MAR 26: Board of Trustees Mtng, 6 pm
Black History Month Showcase!
Coronavirus and Flu Prevention
As part of our regular protocol, students who experience flu-like symptoms are sent home. Our school building is cleaned regularly, including bathrooms and water fountains. There are hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the building and in each classroom to help prevent the spread of germs. Teachers are provided with boxes of tissues as well as anti-bacterial wipes to clean surfaces more frequently if they wish. All staff and students are encouraged to practice good hygiene by following the same guidelines below that parents can support at home:
- Cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow. Do not use your hands!
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean surfaces frequently, including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes, and other frequently touched items.
- If your child is sick and running a fever, defined as a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, please keep them home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications.
We will continue to keep you posted if there are any updates or concerns at school. For more information about how to protect or support your child's health, see the links below:
Fact Sheet: The Flu and You
AAECS Reading Challenge! 📚
Our NEW Parent Portal is Here!
Building & School Improvements!
New Sign! We are excited to have our sign updated with our new logo!
New Technology! Over the past few weeks, we have purchased additional i-Pads and Chromebooks for our students. Each classroom in grades K-2 now has access to a full cart, or can share as five i-Pads each, to use for centers. Currently, all 5th grade students are using their new, sturdier and more secure Chromebooks. At this past board meeting, we were approved to purchase another set for our 4th grade students. Once they are distributed, we will pass along their current devices to 3rd grade, so all students in grades 3-5 will have 1:1 Chromebooks. All families are encouraged to visit Clever from home to access the many resources we have available! See the bottom of this newsletter for instructions.
February Showcase Assemblies
Middle States Accreditation (MSA)
This month, the teachers and I will be assembling a Principal's Round Table for students in grades 3-5. This group of students will hear from me about our MSA progress so they can report back to their classes and provide me with their ideas and feedback.
We are still in need of parent involvement for this process! Our MSA Steering Committee meetings are held afternoons of the 4th Thursday each month. Our next meeting is Thursday, March 26, from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. I will hold a special parent introduction session, starting at the conclusion of dismissal (3:30 pm) for any parents interested in joining. Please contact me to RSVP. Students are welcome to hang out in the cafeteria to work on homework and enjoy a snack after dismissal so parents can participate. Hope to see you there!
Reminders from Mrs. Shotwell, School Nurse 🩺
Medication:
Under no circumstances are students permitted to possess prescription medication or over-the-counter medication at any time during the school day or at school activities/functions. This includes inhalers, cough drops, over the counter cold medications, and pain medication.
Also as a reminder, medication prescribed by an authorized health care provider must be accompanied by an Authorization for Medication During School Hours form or equivalent form signed by the parent and the prescriber. Medication will not be dispensed by Nursing Services without an order from a provider.
Illness:
If a student becomes ill, he/she should stay home until fully recovered. Please do not send your child to school if any of the following symptoms are present:
Temperature of 100 degrees or higher. Students need to be fever free without the use of medication for 24 hours
Vomiting: The student should be able to eat without vomiting for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to school.
Diarrhea
Severe coughing
Suspicious skin rash
Influenza-like Illness: Any student exhibiting signs and symptoms of influenza will be sent home from school. This includes T>100°F, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue.
The above guidelines also apply if your student is sent home by the nurse.
Access Our Clever Portal from Home!
Our Mission, Vision and Beliefs
Our Mission
The mission of AAECS, a model for arts-integrated education, supports all students attaining high academic achievement and artistic expression by enriching their standards-based elementary experience using a palette of arts-infused curriculum, as a foundation for their future growth.
Our Vision
The vision of AAECS is to be a school where all children build confidence by discovering and showcasing their abilities through a diverse array of projects and performances, connecting 21st century skills within an integrated arts curriculum.
Our Belief Statements
A. We believe that a holistic approach helps children discover their unique talents while also providing an enriched instructional environment.
B. We believe that all students’ potential is maximized by addressing instructional needs and fostering artistic expression across an integrated curriculum.
C. We believe that arts integration improves learning across all academic areas.
D. We believe that teachers provide all students with equal access to high-quality, differentiated instruction, learning experiences and assessments.
E. We believe that cultivating a love for the arts in our students occurs by infusing the arts throughout the school.
F. We believe that an education enriched by the arts will serve to deepen the students’ understanding of themselves by creating a link to the past and a setting for growth in the future.
G. We believe that all students should have access to appropriate technology that supports a strong academic and arts infused program.
H. We believe that our community offers a unique opportunity to enrich our students’ learning experiences.
I. We believe that our relationship with parents is integral to our success in educating children.
Emergency Closing Information
Emergency closings or delayed openings are communicated the following ways:
- Channel WFMZ 69 News, Radio, TV or WFMZ website (sign up to receive text alerts)
- Remind App:
Download the Remind app: rmd.me/a
Create an account, then tap the + and enter the code @34kbcf3
You can choose to receive messages as texts to your phone
- Class Dojo:
Download the ClassDojo app
Enter your child’s classroom code OR
Click to Sign Up, then search for your child’s teacher and request to join.
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArtsAcademyElementary/ (Like and follow to receive notifications)
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsacademyelementary/
Keep in Touch!
Help us keep in touch by ensuring we can reach you!
Log in or create your AAECS Parent Portal account to update all guardian contact information by visiting the link below. Be sure to click on the bottom left, where it says Create a Web Portal Account. AAECS Parent Portal
Arts Academy Elementary Charter School
Email: cmccollum@artsacademyelementary.com
Website: https://www.artsacademyelementary.com/
Location: 601 Union Street, Allentown
Phone: (610) 841-4560
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtsAcademyElementary
Twitter: @ArtsElementary