Griffin Grapevine

Strives to build strong positive relationships with our #GriffinTribe and provide rigor and relevance that will inspire all students to become lifelong learners. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns, and how we can better support you and your Griffin.

Thank you for partnering with us,

Mrs. Rodgers, ACA Intermediate Principal

teri.rodgers@acaedu.net

817-303-1553

• 7:30-8AM / Breakfast

• 7:45-8AM / Griffins write in planners/prep for their day

• 8AM / Campus announcements

• 8:05AM / Instruction begins

• 8:06AM / Griffins are tardy

• 10AM / Attendance Time

• 2:45PM / No early pick up after 2:45PM

• 3:30PM / Dismissal begins ...see maps below

• 4PM / All students are to be picked up

• 4-6PM / Homework & Health

• Dec 16 - 5th grade PICASSO Art group, 4-5PM, pick up in the front office

• Dec 17 - 4th grade Winter Fine Arts Program

• 545PM - Line Up / 6PM - Aguirre, Langfore, Fish, Quan
• 630PM - Line Up / 645PM - Cook, Thomasson, Crow, Robbins

• Dec 18 - Deadline to preregister for Winter Parties @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D4vgviH0adhpIuertlgz8mWY9upqKF5EEtDZaA2Qakc/edit?ts=6733b936

• Dec 20 - Winter Parties & SNOW @ Morning Drop Off (in the east drive)

• Griffins may wear Lucky Buck denim & a spirit shirt or "winter cheer" for winter parties :)
• 9:30AM - 3rd grade
• 11AM - 5th grade
• 12:30PM - 4th grade
• If you are interested in helping with your child's party, please contact your child's homeroom teacher. Thank you for your contributions & partnership!

• Dec 23-Jan 7 / Winter Holiday & No school for students

• January meal menus available @ rmd.me/mBuOUa05AwO

• Wednesday, Jan 8 - Students return to campus

• Jan 9 - 5th grade Field Trip meeting . . . more TBA

• Jan 10 - Report Cards / College Day

• Jan 10 - Campus Spelling Bee @ the Dwelling Place Church

• Jan 13 - PTO Meeting @ 6:30PM in INT cafe

• Jan 16 - Picture Retakes

• Jan 20 - NO School / Student & Staff Holiday

• Jan 22 & 23 - Math MAP testing

• Jan 27 - Science MAP testing

• Jan 28 & 29 - Reading MAP testing

• Feb 7 - Middle School Band visiting 5th graders during Fine Arts

• Feb 8 - PTO "Let's Glow Girls" event ....see below

• Feb 13 - Parent Conference Day / NO school for students

• Feb 14 - Staff Development Day / NO school for students

• Feb 19 - Class Pictures

• March 6 - ACA Art Showcase @ Arlington Museum of Art . . .more TBA

• ACA will showcase a total of 17 artworks, K-8.
• The opening reception is from 5:30 - 7 PM

• March 14 - Spring Fling Parties

• 9:30AM - 4th grade
• 11AM - 3rd grade
• 12:30PM - 5th grade

• March 28 - Report Cards / College Day

• April 4 - 5th grade Field Trip / https://educationinaction.org/discover-texas-field-trips-on-a-bus/water-rocks

• May 9 - 4th grade Field Trip / https://www.medievaltimes.com/

• May 19 - Field Day @ UTA Stadium ...more TBA

• May 22 - End of Year Awards ...more TBA

• May 23 - End of Year Parties ...more TBA

• Valerie Fish / Dec 15
• Elena Moore/ Dec 23
• Brenda Padilla / Dec 29
• Jenna Thrift / Jan 2
• Mr. Nguyen / Jan 19

Looking for a way to encourage or affirm your favorite staff member's efforts? Every year PTO has every staff member complete a "favorite's list" with all their favorite treats, drinks, smells, gift ideas, etc. Thank you @acapto for taking the time to get to know each one of us personally & spoiling our #GriffinTribe! #threeleggedstool #simulnosfortes

• All "Favorite's Lists" can be found @ https://acapto.ptboard.com/school/cm?mid=338

Instructional minutes are priceless & we need your help keeping your Griffin @ school all day, every day. We understand there are times when kiddos get sick or have outstanding appointments, but we are seeing an increase in students being picked up before 3:30pm & missing valuable instructional time...in core classes, fine arts, & PE.

Everytime a student is picked up early a phone call is made to the classroom & it interrupts instruction for ALL students in the class. Please help us decrease interruptions to classroom instruction & decrease early dismissal pick ups as much as possible. Thank you in advance! #bettertogether

Below are the # of students picked up before 3:30PM . . .

• Week of Oct 21st / 29 students
• Week of Oct 28 / 41 students
• Week of Nov 4 / 35 students
• Week of Nov 11 / 32 students
• Week of Nov 18 / 29 students
• Week of Dec 2 / 28 students
• Week of Dec 13 . . . ?

Please join us Tuesday, December 17th for our annual 4th grade Winter Fine Arts program. Please see program times below . . .

• Aguirre, Fish, Langford, & Quan
• Line up @ 5:45 & Perform @ 6:00
• Cook, Crow, Robbins, & Thomasson
• Line up @ 6:30 & Perform at 6:45

Performance dress:

• Semi-casual or slightly dressy is most appropriate. Festive wear is okay, but no Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or clothes that light up.
• Do not wear: shorts, short skirts without leggings, ripped/torn jeans, logo t-shirts (like sports teams or brand names), open-toed shoes, or high heels. Again, no Santa hats, reindeer antlers, or clothes/shoes that light up as this would pull attention away from the group.

• Winter party pre-registration is OPEN!
• Please complete the following Google Form & let us know if you will attending Intermediate Winter Parties on Friday, Dec 20th.
• Register by Dec 18th & we'll have your visitor badge checked & pre-printed upon your arrival.
• Please register @ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1D4vgviH0adhpIuertlgz8mWY9upqKF5EEtDZaA2Qakc/edit?ts=6733b936
• If you are interested in volunteering/contributing to your child's homeroom Winter Party, please email your child's homeroom teacher.

Join us Friday, December 20th for our campus Winter Parties!

• 9:30AM - 3rd grade
• 11AM - 5th grade
• 12:30PM - 4th grade

Griffins are welcome to sign out & leave after their Winter Party, however it is not mandatory.

In efforts to protect our learning environment & minimize distractions, please have your child keep any and all Pokemon cards, crafts, journals/diaries, bracelet making kits, etc @ home. Thank you for your cooperation & understanding. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Rodgers at trodgers@acaedu.net.

Memorization is a cornerstone of classical education!

• Building knowledge: Memorization helps students build a foundation of knowledge that they can use to write, speak, problem solve, & think clearly.
• Learning process: Memorization can help students learn in many ways, including language use, foundational facts, patterns in history, academic vocabulary, and creativity.
• Basic knowledge: Memorization is an important skill for mastering any new subject.
• Repetition: Repetition is a complement to memorization, and is often used as preparation.

How can students strengthen their memorization skills? How can you partner with us to help your Griffin be successful?

• 3rd graders are expected to memorize & KNOW their 0-12 addition, subtraction, & multiplication facts with automaticity.
• 4th graders are expected to memorize & KNOW their 0-12 addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division facts with automaticity.
• 5th graders are expected to memorize all 50 states & capitals by the end of 5th grade.

Each grade level has a website FULL of information to better partner with you to help your Griffin be successful. Below are the links to each grade level . . .

• 3rd Grade / https://3aca.weebly.com/
  
• 4th Grade / http://aca4.weebly.com/
• 5th Grade / https://aca5th2024.weebly.com/
• Fine Arts / https://sites.google.com/acaedu.net/acaintermediatespecials/home?authuser=0
• Library / https://intermediate.acaedu.net/grade-level-staff-pages/library-primary-intermediate

ACA recognizes two kinds of absences: excused and unexcused. Students and parents should read this section carefully to understand the school’s expectations. The following are excused absences.

• Illness - resulting in fever, throw up, or diarrhea
• Appointment w/ healthcare professional NOTE: ACA requests that parents make every effort to schedule doctors’ appointments outside normal school hours; otherwise, appointments should be scheduled with the goal of minimizing lost instructional time.
• Death in the immediate family - Immediate family includes only the grandparents of the student and the descendants of a grandparent of the student...
• Attendance or observance of religious holy days - Advance written notice of absences because of religious observance is requested in advance of the absence. This provision applies to holy days which are tenets of the religion. This provision does not apply to retreats, conventions, youth group activities, etc.
• Required court appearances
• Activities related to obtaining United States citizenship.

Per page 7 of Student Handbook / https://www.acaedu.net/families/student-handbook-code-of-conduct

Menus for each month are available on the district website @ https://www.acaedu.net/families/child-nutrition/breakfast-and-lunch-menus-clone

Thank you to all our lunch visitors & volunteers...we so appreciate your partnership! However, we ask that when you are visiting your Griffin that your cell phone is put away & not used to entertain your Griffin. We understand that there are work demands & you may be called for work, but please refrain from showing videos or social media while visiting your Griffin. Thank you for cooperation!

Free & Reduced Lunch Application Forms can be found in the front office foyer. Once completed, you may return it to the front office and/or the Bowen office & we will get it processed as quickly as possible. If your child has received free or reduced meals in the past, Free & Reduced Applications must be renewed every year. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Rodgers @ teri.rodgers@acaedu.net.

http://www.ezschoolpay.com

• It allows you to create one account for all the students in your family or for individual students.
• Allows you to check the account balance and purchase activity.
• It allows you to set up alerts to notify you when your student account balance falls below a certain amount.
• Please contact Susan Stewart at 817-987-1819 if you have any questions or concerns.

We want to thank you for your interest in volunteering at ACA; volunteers are the heart of ACA. Volunteers make so many things possible that would either go undone or have a great budgetary impact. The volunteer’s efforts directly enrich our children’s educational experience at ACA. Scan the QR code for the full Volunteer Application packet

• Volunteer applications are accepted during regular ACA business hours, twice per school year:

• July 15 through September 15 of each school year

• January 15 through February 15 of each school year

• If either September 15th or February 15th occurs on a day the administrative offices are closed, the deadline for submitting applications will be the prior business day.

If you are willing/able to volunteer on campus to help make copies, cut out laminating, sort/file, shelve library books, etc we welcome your contributions! Please see our volunteer sign up link @ https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AA5AA2FABFFC25-50863224-acaintermediate#/.Thank you for being an active part of the "3 legged stool"!

Your Griffin will have a daily snack in which they will be able to eat a healthy snack during class time. Sending a snack with your Griffin is optional, however if you choose to send a snack we encourage you to send a small, healthy snack that can be eaten within 5-10 minutes. Please keep in mind that we will be eating in the classroom, therefore, healthy snacks that have minimal clean up are best.

Acceptable snacks may include:

• Crackers, pretzels, dry cereal, animal crackers, string cheese, raisins, dried fruit

Things to consider when sending a healthy snack:

• No utensils should be necessary

• Easy to open by the student, no adult assistance needed

• Pre-peeled, if applicable

Unacceptable snacks include:

• Candy, brownies/cakes, cookies, Fruit Roll-Ups, chips, or anything greasy that may leave a residue on keyboards or finger coloring (Takis, Cheetos, etc)

Dear Griffin Tribe Families,

Greetings from the K-5th Griffin Library! It is my pleasure to share some important

information about our school library and the reading opportunities available to the Griffins.

• Library visits occur every two weeks, and during that time we have a lot of fun reading and learning about libraries and different genres.
• 3rd-5th Grade: Students may check out up to two books and take them home.
• We greatly value your partnership in fostering a love of reading and ensuring that our library resources are well cared for. In the unlikely event that a book is lost or damaged, the student may either pay for the book or order a replacement. Your understanding and support in maintaining our library collection are deeply appreciated.

I am gearing up for an amazing year filled with exciting and interactive activities designed

to ignite a passion for reading and learning. I’m thrilled to have so many fun experiences

planned for our students and look forward to a fantastic year ahead. If you are interested in

volunteering in the library, please let me know! We will have some opportunities throughout

the year.

Thank you so much for your continued support and involvement. It is truly a pleasure to be

part of your child's educational journey! This role brings me so much joy! Please feel free to

reach out with any questions.

Mrs. Huntley

ACA Intermediate Library

Please do not allow your Griffin to hang out of car windows or the sun roof during morning drop off or dismissal. Thank you for your cooperation & understanding. #bettertogether

Please do not pull around to the east drive until 7:30AM and please leave the inside lane open so staff can pull through to park. If cars are waiting in both lanes our staff can not get through to park. Thank you for your cooperation & understanding.

• 7-7:30AM / Early drop off available for Intermediate Only families...email Mrs. Rodgers if there is a need to drop off before 7:30AM @ trodgers@acaedu.net

• 7:30-8AM / Drop off begins in the EAST drive ...see maps below

• You may drop off in either lane, however if your child is sitting on the right side of the car, please drop off in the right lane....and if they are sitting on the left side, drop off in the left lane. This keeps everyone safe & students are not getting out in moving traffic. #safetyfirst

• Intermediate only families enter the drive way in the RIGHT lane & drive behind both playgrounds & drop off students in the EAST drive. For safety reasons, please do not switch lanes.

• Mixed Multiples (students @ Primary & Intermediate) enter the drive way in the LEFT lane & turn into the pecan lot & drop off students in between the Primary & Intermediate campus.

DWG police has requested that you have your DISMISSAL placard on your dash BEFORE entering into the campus driveway. Police officers are monitoring who's entering the driveway, which color, what time cars are entering, & managing non-ACA traffic. Having the colored placards visible helps the officers to run dismissal efficiently & quickly. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

• Blue placard = Singles (Intermediate only students)
• Green placard = Mixed Multiples (Intermediate & Primary students)

Please be a "good neighbor" & do not park in business parking lots or block entrances for their customers. Thank you in advance!

• Intermediate only families enter the drive way in the RIGHT lane & drive behind both playgrounds & pick up students in the EAST drive.
  
• Mixed Multiples (students @ Primary & Intermediate) enter the drive way in the LEFT lane & turn into the pecan lot & pick up students in between the Primary & Intermediate campus.
  

• No early pick up past 2:45PM (to avoid traffic & missed instruction @ the end of the day)

• 4PM / All students are to be picked up

• 4-6PM / Homework & Health

• Parent Portal / https://www.acaedu.net/families/parent-portal
• 24-25 School Supply Lists / https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vfzVSzX6NrnAE4Qdj9J-1cE5099FT6CGWDQvPQqcvF4/edit
• ACA Dress Code / https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SmNGp7aPGJ9HTopPGjTEzwYZqAeTyC4z/view
• Child Nutrition, Menus, Birthday Packages / https://www.acaedu.net/families/child-nutrition
• Technology Usage Form / https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G72cJq1_nGXQGZ9ZsWB8Mvqe0jRBf27S/view

• Student Handbook & Code of Conduct / https://www.acaedu.net/families/student-handbook-code-of-conduct

As you know, most all people LOVE their coffee & our staff do too! Any and all Keurig pod donations are welcomed for our teacher's lounge. Please drop off any donations in the front office & we will share with our staff. Thank you in advance! :)

We keep a small candy dish by teacher mailboxes in the front office & our teachers love their bite sized chocolate snack each day. Any and all chocolate donations are welcomed...thank you in advance!

2024-2025 Registration for our after school program, Homework & Health, is now open. Here's the link: https://www.acaedu.net/families/homework-health-after-school/homework-and-health-registration.

The spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. If you have any questions feel free to email Jennifer.robles@acaedu.net or Susan.stewart@acaedu.net

📣 You still have time to join the ACA PTO Family Membership at either level to EARLY ENTRY shop the 2024 Resale between 8:00am and 10:00am.
➡️ Either the $20 ACA PTO Basic Family Membership or

➡️ $35 ACA PTO Griffin Family Membership w/”Raising Griffins” 👕 t-shirt can be purchased at:

• 24-25 School Supply lists can be found @ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vfzVSzX6NrnAE4Qdj9J-1cE5099FT6CGWDQvPQqcvF4/edit?usp=sharing.
• If you pre-purchased school supplies, your child's purchase will be delivered to their homeroom & on their desk for Meet the Teacher/School Supply Drop Off on Monday, August 5th.

ACA has recently updated their clinic policies across all three campuses. Please see below & email Nurse Everett if you have any questions at emily.everett@acaedu.net .

*The clinic will no longer supply/administer discretionary medications at school. Parents will need to supply any medications if they are needed.

*Students are not allowed to carry any medication to or from home to the nurses' clinic. If a student brings a medication from home, to the clinic/school, the medication will not be given. All medication needs to be delivered to the clinic by a parent and/or guardian.

*The clinic cannot administer any medication that is not FDA approved

*The clinic cannot administer any herbal supplements or vitamins

*The clinic cannot administer any OTC pain medication (topical or oral) unless provided with a physician's order.

*Students may not self carry an inhaler unless paperwork has been filled out by parent AND prescribing physician. Students must also demonstrate proper use of the inhaler to nurse before the student is allowed to self carry.

*All medications must be in their original container with prescription label attached

*Expired meds cannot be given and will not be administered @ school.

Be sure to share www.tryaca.com so we can contact them & tell them all about us! :)

According to our student handbook, "family trips are unexcused absences" & affect our attendance funding & academic report card rating. If students are absent, they have one day plus one additional day, to complete missed work for every day that they are absent (excused & unexcused absences).

Student class work can be obtained prior to leaving town, with campus administration permission (trodgers@acaedu.net), however if new concepts are being taught or tests are being administered, students will receive instruction from their classroom teachers, when they return.

Be sure to notify our attendance clerk, Mrs. Carrillo at 3-5absences@acaedu.net for any absences. Thank you for your cooperation.

Students are to have all cell phones/smart watches turned OFF & out of sight during the school day. Students are to use classroom or front office phones to communicate home. Please do not text or call your child during the school day on their personal devices.

Per ACA District Student Handbook ...

"ACA permits students to possess personal cell phones for safety purposes; however, these devices must remain turned off during the instructional day, including during all testing. Students are not permitted to possess or use personal electronic devices (such as MP3 players, video or audio records, DVD players, cameras, games, smart watches, or similar electronic devices) at school unless prior permission has been obtained." page 26

Please continue to partner with us & teach your Griffin

the "4 Pillars of ACA" . . .STRENGTH, COURAGE, WISDOM, & VIGILANCE. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a "healthy struggle" & that students learn by making mistakes. Help them learn from the obstacles they face now, to build resilience & perseverance for future challenges.#growthmindset #grit #simulnosfortes

You have FULL ACCESS to view everything in our library. Not only that, but you can see what your child has recently checked in and out. As a Griffin Tribe, we truly believe in the 3-Legged Stool and to offer complete transparency. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Jenni Huntley @ jennifer.huntley@acaedu.net

Check it out @ https://www.acaedu.net/domain/760 & the Destiny Database @ https://search.follettsoftware.com/metasearch/ui/30398

School report cards are now available @ https://www.acaedu.net/about-aca/tea-reports-and-cips/tea-school-report-cards

• The school report card (SRC) combines accountability ratings, data from the Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR), and financial information to give a broad view of campus performance.
• SRC's may be viewed online or a printed copy can be picked up in the Intermediate front office foyer.
• SRC's are available for each campus in Texas, the SRC is intended specifically to inform parents and guardians about a school’s individual characteristics and its academic performance.
• As a resource, you may use the glossaries to assist you with information in the report cards. ENGLISH / SPANISH
• For more information and details on these TEA School Report Cards, please visit TEA's website here.

STOPit! is an anonymous link that students can access to report bullying, inappropriate behavior, or self harm concerns. (see link below & on our campus website)

We teach & highly encourage all Griffins to "report" to an adult (at school or home) when someone is being hurt on purpose. Please help your child learn the skill of self advocating and "reporting" to help take care of one another and create a safe environment for our students.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Griffins safe!