ACS Connect
AUGUST 2023
Did you know that Athens City Schools offers free breakfast to all students each and every morning during the school week? Our Child Nutrition Program works to ensure every child is ready to start their day, well-fed and ready to learn. Visit acs-k12.org/nutrition to learn more about our CNP program.
An easy way to add lunch money to your student account is through MySchoolBucks. Create or log in to your student account at myschoolbucks.com and view immediate information about your student account balance and purchases. Need help? Funds can be added to your student's account at MSB on the web or download the MSB app. You may also submit a checkto the schoollunchroom. All checks must be made payable to Athens City Schools CNP or ACS CNP. Please write your child's name and homeroom on the check or envelope.
Mission 2030 begins with One Athens, the guiding light that fosters collaboration and unity within the district and the broader community. Under One Athens, partnerships and connections thrive, fostering an exchange of ideas and best practices for the benefit of all stakeholders. One Athens played a key role in creating the ACS Portrait of a Graduate, a shared vision representing our community's aspirations for all students.
Mission 2030 embraces the collective vision of the ACS Portrait of a Graduate, preparing students not only for academic achievement but also for success in their personal and professional lives beyond the classroom. It is a bold mission, driven by valuable insights from educators and stakeholders, dedicated to staying relevant in a constantly evolving educational landscape.
Mission 2030 consists of four interconnected, strategic goals with specific commitments that are aligned with our district's vision, mission, and values. Mission 2030 will serve as the guiding framework for our transformative journey toward 2030 to ensure we achieve our mission of empowering all students for lifelong success in a rapidly changing world.
Athens Intermediate School Expansion
As you drive by Athens Intermediate School, you will notice that our 20,000-square-foot construction project is well underway. This addition will include 6 standard classrooms, 2 special education classrooms, and a multi-use gymnasium with a storm shelter for our 4th and 5th grade students, faculty, and staff. We anticipate this project to be completed by January 2025. Check out the progress at acs-k12.org/progress.
Athens City Schools has recently been awarded Cognia ® Accreditation! Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. This achievement underscores our commitment to providing high-quality education and continuous improvement.
Cognia conducts a rigorous evaluation that includes a comprehensive review of educational practices, leadership, and performance standards. Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.
Athens City Schools is proud to be a progressive, high-quality school system that is committed to empowering all students for lifelong success in a rapidly changing world. This highly regarded accreditation is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the hard work of our students, and the support of our community.
Honor a graduate of the Class of 2024 with a special commemorative brick from the Athens City Schools Foundation Legacy Brick Project. Brick prices start at just $50. Order online at acsf.acs-k12.org/bricks. Thank you for supporting the Athens City Schools Foundation.
iAcademy at Athens Elementary School invites you to become a permanent part of their new campus by purchasing a commemorative brick to recognize students, teachers, family, and friends in the Athens community. The bricks are incorporated into the design and displayed at the entrance area to the beautiful new school. One hundred percent of the proceeds go to support our teachers and students at iAcademy at Athens Elementary School. Two brick options are available: 4” x 8” - $50 (includes up to three lines with 21 characters per line) and 8" x 8" - $100 (includes up to six lines with 21 characters per line).
- To place your iAcademy at Athens Elementary brick order, visit www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/athenses.
- To pay for your brick, you can either drop off payment at iAcademy at Athens Elementary School or visit website at aes.acs-k12.org and click the "Pay Fees" button.
Thank you for supporting iAcademy at Athens Elementary!
- Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition Shade Structure Grant. Applications are due August 9, 2024. Click HERE To learn more.
- Steelcase Foundation Grant geared toward the following areas: accessible, quality learning experiences, multi-generational support, advocacy, and engagement, removal of barriers and systemic impediments and/or arts + cultural experiences that enhance young people’s learning, engagement, and sense of belonging. Inquiries are due September 29, 2024. Click HERE to learn more.
- Daniel Foundation Education and Youth Grant - Letter of Intent due October 24. Click HERE to learn more.
- Dekko Grant for Early Childhood Development, Middle Childhood Development, Adolescent Development, and Community Development. Click HERE to learn more.
Athens City Schools has partnered with SecondLifeMac (SLM) to offer our one Athens family and community the opportunity to purchase refurbished iPads and Macbooks at a discounted rate. SecondLifeMac will fill orders on a first-come, first-served basis.... while supplies last. To access the SLM Community Sale, please visit go.secondlifemac.com/AthensCity. Use promo code ATHENS24 and receive $20 off and free shipping! All orders must be placed by August 2. If you have any questions or need assistance, please email SecondLifeMac at hello@secondlifemac.com.
August 24
Girls Scouts invites you to make plans to meet your local chapter for games and crafts on Saturday, August 24 at Big Spring Park in Athens. This special event will be held from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Families are welcome to bring their own picnic blankets and lunch if desired. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact patricia.elmore@athens.edu.
ACS Fundraisers and Crowdfunding Reminder
Friendly reminder that fundraiser requests and flyers should be submitted and approved before posting or sharing any information. Crowdfunding is considered a fundraiser as well and must follow the same ACS procedures. Approved choices for crowdfunding include Lean Stream and Donorschoose.org. Soliciting requests to purchase items from other sources, such as Amazon lists or GoFundMe, is not approved by ACS.
PowerSchool Parent Portal is a web-based platform and app that can be used to access information such as student grades, attendance, assignments, class announcements, class schedule and more. Parent Portal is accessible from any device with internet access (i.e. computer, tablet, smartphone) or download the app for free. Learn more about PowerSchool Parent portal at acs-k12.org/powerschool. If you have any questions, please contact your school.
Alabama State Department of Education Information System (IS) staff interrupted and stopped an intrusion on the ALSDE computer systems on June 17. ALSDE is working with state and federal law enforcement to determine if/which data was compromised. Learn more about the investigation and view updates at alabamaachieves.org/databreach. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information is released.
RSA would like to make you aware of their supplemental retirement plan RSA-1 Deferred Compensation. Whether you are a new employee or an employee who is getting ready to retire, it is to your advantage to participate in the RSA-1 Deferred Compensation Plan. Please watch the short video found here to find out more about the plan and how to enroll. Enrollment forms are located in the back of the RSA-1 Member Handbook. For additional information, contact RSA by email rsa1info@rsa-al.gov or toll-free 1.877.517.0020. RSA-1 representatives are available Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Members can also view this information on the RSA-1 page on the RSA’s website: https://www.rsa-al.gov/rsa-1/.
Reminder that ACS requires that all social media pages/accounts that represent ANY team, club, or organization affiliated with our school system be approved by the school principal AND registered with the Office of Communications. The purpose is to ensure that all school-associated social media is managed, monitored, and maintained while providing trusted and accurate information. Athens City Schools currently only authorizes the establishment and use of Facebook and Instagram accounts on behalf of the school system. To register an account, check on the registration status or create an account, please contact Christy at christy.hubbard@acs-k12.org or (256) 233-6602. Click here to learn more.
Athens City Schools is pleased to announce a Learning Partnership with Athens State University! This partnership applies to all ASU programs, including certificates, adult degree completion, and graduate degrees. Benefits include discounted tuition on all online and traditional classes, waiver of the application fee and complimentary evaluation of previously earned educational credits and training/professional certifications/portfolio for consideration of transfer credit. This special benefit is for Athens City Schools employees and their immediate family. If you have any questions or would like more information, contact Tammie Brand at tammie.brand@acs-k12.org. For more information about the ASU admission process, visit admissions@athens.edu. View the full list of learning partners at athens.edu/learningpartners.
We have recently updated our district website to a design that we hope will be more user friendly on all devices. We appreciate your patience as we continue to make updates and refinements to all pages. Take a look around and please let us know if you run across a broken link, missing information or if there is anything that you would like to see added or changed. Website feedback can be emailed to christy.hubbard@acs-k12.org.
We love sharing about all of the amazing things that are happening in our schools and in the lives of our outstanding students and employees! Do you have a story, event, award/ recognition or something cool going on in your classroom that you would like to share with our #oneAthens community? Please click here or email Christy.Hubbard@acs-k12.org.
