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An Update From Mr. Castonguay...

October 2023

An Update FromMr. Castonguay...October 2023

*Please note that this month's font choice creates automatic caps! :)

Administrative Contact Information:

Superintendent/Executive Director Mr. Castonguay's Email:

matt.castonguay@windhamacademy.org

Main Office Email: office@windhamacademy.org

Director for Student Services Mrs. Amacio's Email: sara.amacio@windhamacademy.org

Student Services Coordinator & RTI Specialist's Email: rosemary.coughlan@windhamacademy.org

Administrative Assistant Mrs. Laham's Email: bethany.laham@windhamacademy.org

Teacher Contact Information:

We are closely adhering to our school's attendance policy this year. Please be familiar with this policy which is located in our parent-student handbook. We've seen a huge reduction in tardiness and overall absences this year! Thanks to all who work very hard to get your child(ren) here on time each day. It is so important and we THANK YOU!!!

The hard work continues in our expansion. Utilities are currently being run and insulation and drywall is coming soon!!!

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"Like" the Windham Academy Facebook Page!

*Our public page


https://www.facebook.com/windhamacademy
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Join the Friends of Windham Academy Facebook Page!

*Our private page just for Windham Academy Families & Staff


https://www.facebook.com/groups/394563144414619

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Join our Windham Academy PTO Page!

*PTO run private group for Windham Academy Families & Staff


https://www.facebook.com/groups/windhamacademypto

Volunteer Requirements:

As you know, we highly welcome parent volunteers here at Windham Academy! To be able to volunteer, you must have your fingerprints (FBI Criminal History Record) completed through a LiveScan site in NH. The cost is $21.25. If you plan on being a volunteer at any time during the school year, it is suggested that you have this done as soon as possible. Here is the link with all of the information including how to register for an appointment: https://www.nhsp.dos.nh.gov/our-services/criminal-records/criminal-history-record-requests


*This is valid for three years. If you have previously volunteered at Windham Academy, please confirm that we still have your fingerprinting results on file by contacting the school at 603-236-7900 or Mrs. Laham at bethany.laham@windhamacademy.org. We MUST have your results on file in order for anyone to volunteer.

Parent Letters will be going home on Friday, October 13th

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Next PTO Meeting: October 16th at 5:30pm

Please come and get involved!!! We need your support!!!
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Join Our Families of Windham Academy Facebook Page!
*Be sure to answer all of the questions or your request will be denied.

*If your child has an IEP, here is your direct WA contact:

If you reside in the following districts, Mrs. Amacio is your main WA contact:


Derry

Freemont

Hudson

Londonderry

Pelham

Timberlane (Atkinson, Danville, Plaistow, Sandown)

Windham


If you reside in the following districts, Mrs. Coughlan is your main WA contact:


Auburn

Chester

East Kingston

Hampstead

Manchester

Salem

Sanborn (Kingston, Newton)

*All 504's go through Mrs. Amacio

*All SST students go through Mrs. Coughlan

Before School Care

Offered Daily on a Drop-In Basis Starting at 7:15am!

Windham Academy offers "Before School Care" each school day starting at 7:15am this year. It is available on a drop-in basis so there is no registration required. To utilize this service at all this year, YOU MUST complete an ACH Payment Form so payment can be made directly to the school every month. The charge is $12 each day for your first child and $9 each day for any additional child with a family daily maximum of $30. Payment MUST BE MADE MONTHLY THROUGH ACH PAYMENT OR YOUR CHILD WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND.

**NEW THIS YEAR: ON THE FIRST DAY YOUR CHILD ATTENDS MORNING CARE, YOU MUST COMPLETE AN ACH PAYMENT FORM AND GIVE PERMISSION FOR AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS EACH MONTH.

Windham Academy will again be utilizing Boonli to order our hot lunch program starting on the first day of school!

We will be using Boonli as our Ordering System! Please click the logo below to create an account once we are live!

*Menu options will be posted in Boonli as well as on our web site for each month. You can order for a whole month or by the week. Orders are due NO LATER than Wednesdays at 9:00am for the following week's lunch.


*Vegetarian options are available daily.


*If your child requires a special diet such as Gluten Free or Dairy Free, we must receive a letter from his/her doctor before we can allow ordering off of these special menus.


*All food is freshly prepared and delivered daily from Cravings of Nashua.


*There is a ONE time Registration Fee.

Pricing:

School Safety

ALL Visitors MUST go through "Door A" which is our main entrance and is located on the left side of the front of Windham Academy

*All doors will be locked throughout the school day for student and staff safety.

*Any visitor must sign in at the main office and state the purpose for being at Windham Academy.

*All exterior doors now have alarms so if opened during the school day, an alarm will sound.

*Last school year, we upgraded our security equipment including cameras, alarms, panic buttons, etc.

ALICE Training

All of our students and staff are trained in ALICE Active Shooter Training. It is very important that our students and staff are prepared for all different kinds of emergencies. We will have fire, shelter in place, lockdown, evacuation, and active shooter drills (now a law in NH) this year. https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt336/files/documents/20180705-school-safety-report.pdf. With our K-5 students, we will be using the picture book, "I'm Not Scared... I'm Prepared!" to help teach them about a scary subject - but not in a scary way. As a parent myself, it's very tough that we need to even think about this, but it is so very important that our students and staff are trained for this type of scenario. If you would like more information about ALICE, please visit: https://www.alicetraining.com/alice-training-for-schools/

Please read!

It is the student's and parent's responsibility to know and follow our student handbook. There is a mandatory electronic form to complete to tell us that you and your child have reviewed the Student Handbook for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Exclusive Uniform Providers

*Friendly reminder that WA "uniforms" may only be purchased from the following two retailers:

**Students can wear regular clothing on Friday for picture day. If you would like sibling pictures, they will take place from 8am-8:45am

Liquidation Sale for Windham Academy!

Saturday, October 21st

STEM BOWL COMPETITION FOR GRADES 4+!

*Qualification Rounds will take place in school with those students who are interested the week of October 10th and 16th.

STEM BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP - MONDAY, OCTOBER 30th at 5:30pm at Windham High School Auditorium

We are in the process of designing innovative programming here at Windham Academy!

*At the beginning of the school year, we started an accelerated math program in Grade 7 and enrichment programming in Grade 6.

*We will be starting an accelerated math program for Grades 3-5 in October.

*We are currently planning an accelerated reading/writing program and STEM program. Look for more details coming soon!

Our PTO's Holiday Catalog Fundraiser COMING SOON!

Friday, October 27th at 2:15pm - Parents/Guardians are invited. Must remain in your car and keep your car in motion during the costume parade. Thank you!

*Students may wear costumes to school on Friday, October 27th only. Students may not wear any face coverings, including masks. Students also may not bring any costume accessories. Students may come to school wearing face paint. All classroom celebrations will also take place on October 27th.

*Students may dress down for $1 on Halloween Day (Tuesday, 10/31) and wear orange and/or black. No costumes and accessories. Students must wear regular clothing.

Please join us for an adult night of fun! Please join us and help raise money for Windham Academy!

"Parent Coffees" Throughout the School Year

Visit with Mrs. Amacio and Me!

This is an opportunity for parents to hear updates about our school community, provide input if needed, and ask questions directly to us. Please join Mrs. Amacio and me at our second in person Parent Coffee (this time in the evening) on Wednesday, November 15th at 5:30pm here at school. We will be alternating between day and evening meetings throughout the school year so hopefully all parents have the opportunity to attend during the year!
Event Information

Second Parent Coffee with Mr. Castonguay and Mrs. Amacio

All parents/guardians are welcome!

When?

Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023, 05:30 PM

Where?

Windham Academy Public Charter School, Industrial Drive, Windham, NH, USA

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