The Acorn

Dear AOC Families,

Last week was a great first week of the school year! Thank you to our students, staff and families who made it successful!

Week of 8/14 Events

• Wednesday, 8/17-Wellness Dogs on campus
• Friday, 8/19- Coffee with the Principal and ROOTED event for freshman on campus
• Monday, 8/22- First day of COC classes

Have a fantastic week! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me or our main office with any questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Juliet Fine

Principal of AOC

(661) 362-3056

jfine@hartdistrict.org

661-362-3056

• ID Cards-From our campus security, students must have their IDs visible at all times while on campus. This is a safety procedure that most schools in our district follow.
• Student Absences-For any absences, please contact us using the attendance phone line. It is: 661-362-5211.
• Student parking and parking passes-Students must purchase a COC parking pass and must park in the student area of the lot. If they are missing a parking pass or are parked in the incorrect parking area, they may be ticketed.
• Lunch- In order to receive a free lunch, students must sign up on the website or use the QR code. You will only be able to receive a lunch if you have signed up for one.
• Lockers- We do not have student lockers and we do not have the ability to store student items in the office. Please only bring what is needed the school day.
• Yearbooks and Sr. Dance Tickets- They can be purchased through Ms. Perkins in the Front Office ($75/each).

* I do apologize, but we do not accept credit cards or debit cards for payment for anything. Thank you for having your student bring exact cash or a check.

Welcome back to AOC! This fall the Counseling Department focuses on assisting students with college applications and meeting with 11th grade students to update their AOC/COC Education Plan. College application support will be offered during Advisement classes as well as college labs in mid-October.

• 11th and 12th grade counseling meetings will begin on August 18th and conclude October 7th. 11th and 12th grade students will receive a link to book their appointments via Google Classroom in the coming days.
• 12th grade parents, please save the date: Wednesday, September 7th (via Zoom 6-7:30pm) 12th grade parent meeting to review the AOC college application timeline.
• 9th grade parents, please save the date: Wednesday, September 28th (via Zoom 6-7:30pm) 9th grade parent meeting to review the AOC Academic Experience
• Reminder: COC classes being August 22 for all AOC students.

If you have any questions, Ms. Grijalva can be reached at dgrijalva@hartdistrict.org

Students can join the wellness center everyday for practices and fun events throughout the week. See posted bulletin for more details.

Lunch time -"Friends making Friends"

Join the wellness center during lunch where you can partake in fun events while making new friends.

Enjoy games, including mindful movement activities. We will have different games available for everyone to come and participate together

Mondays- 9:15-9:30am

Focused/Mindful Moments

Together we will participate in practices of breathwork and focused/mindful moments. You will learn self- regulation techniques to manage anxiety and stress.

Wednesdays – 8:30-8:45am

Focused/Mindful Moments

Together we will participate in practices of breathwork and focused/mindful moments. You will learn self- regulation techniques to manage anxiety and stress.

Thursdays starting 8/25/2022

Location UCEN 107

Lunch Time open conversation Presentation on Mental Health & Wellness –– 10:55 – 11:40am

Join together for open discussion on Mental Health & Wellness during lunch time.

Together we will share coping mechanisms, have activities and open discussion

Fridays - 9:15-9:30am

Focused/Mindful Moments

Together we will participate in practices of breathwork and focused/mindful moments. You will learn self- regulation techniques to manage anxiety and stress.

Senior Baby Pictures: Seniors, if you did not turn in a picture to Dr. Shapiro during Processing Day, please turn one by the end of this week. You may also email digital photos to Dr. Shapiro.

AOC Spiritwear and Senior T-Shirts: If you're looking to order spiritwear or Senior T-Shirts, you must use this link to do so: https://www.storessimple.com/ideafactory/groupproducts.php?prodgroup_id=12655&prodgroupbypass=true All spiritwear and Senior T-Shirt orders must be submitted by Friday, August 19th (this coming Friday). There is not another time to order scheduled for this school year, so please don't miss out.

COC Tours: Freshmen and sophomores are reminded that they will be taking tours of the COC campus on Monday, August 15th or Tuesday, August 16th during period 4, based on when their seminar or advisement classes are scheduled. Juniors who are new transfer students have also been invited to take part. Students will have a chance to see where their COC classes meet as well as get their COC student ID cards (if they don't already have one). Students are reminded to wear shoes meant for walking, and it is recommended that students bring water.

Please join the principal of AOC, Dr. Juliet Fine and guest staff for "Coffee with the Principal" on August 19th at 9:00am in the University Center. Please check in at AOC's campus." Coffee with the Principal" is an opportunity to have an informal conversation with the principal about any topic related to AOC. Learn about what is new and upcoming for our campus. All families and community members are welcome to this chat.

Greetings, freshman students and families.

I am Mr. Wilhelm, the S.E.L. teacher and Wellness Coordinator for Academy of the Canyons. This message is to notify you of an event this upcoming Friday, August 19. I want to make you aware of this event, its purpose, and the modification to Friday’s school day schedule.

The annual AOC Rooted Event is a program designed to increase relationships between upperclassmen and incoming students. The focus of the program will be on academic preparation and cultural development. Seniors will be paired with a group of freshmen with whom they can develop relationships and with the intention of easing the transition to the middle college environment. We are a unique school site with unique privileges and responsibilities. Seniors will be discussing the following topics with their 9th graders: communication and collaboration, professional relationships, AOC and COC facilities, AOC cultural characteristics, and other items of interest to new students.

Please note the schedule changes for this day:

• The event will be held Friday, 8/19, in the University Center from 9:30:-12:00.

• Students will be provided lunch and they will be dismissed for the day at the end of the event.

• No other 9th grade classes will be in session, including Math, Biology, English, Health, Seminar, and Human Geography. Students should speak to their teachers about assignments.

This information has been communicated to the 9th graders this past Thursday/Friday and their teachers will address any questions they have this week. You may also reach out to me with your questions through email: jwilhelm@hartdistrict.org.

Our student SEL leadership team and teachers are excited for this annual event, which helps our newest students take root and thrive in the Academy of the Canyons community.

Sincerely,

Mr. Jason Wilhelm

S.E.L. Teacher

Wellness Coordinator

As a reminder, DO NOT enter campus if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Congestion or runny nose
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches

If you are experiencing symptoms, please get tested right away. Free COVID-19 testing is available on both campuses, along with test kits that you can use to self-test at home.

Valencia

• Parking Structure
• 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday
• Lot 7, Valencia Boulevard and Rockwell Canyon Road
• Open to the public
• Appointment required – book here

Back to School Night will be held on August 30th at Academy of the Canyons.

AOC Back-to School Night will be held on August 30th from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Our ROOTS PTA will also have a table outside between sessions.

Grade 9 -5:30pm - 5:50pm

Grade 10-6:00pm- 6:20pm

Grade 11-6:30pm - 6:50pm

Grade 12-7:00pm - 7:20pm

We look forward to having you join us for this special evening. You will learn all about AOC's grade level specific academic program. To accommodate all of our families, Back to School Night will be located in the University Center (U-Cen). The University Center and is located right next door to Academy of the Canyons. More details to be sent out this week.

The theater production and Charles Dicken's Oliver is playing at our local theater, The Canyon Theater Guild. Support local theater and community art.

https://www.canyontheatre.org/oliver

Located on the campus of College of the Canyons, AOC is proud to be the middle college high school in the William S. Hart Union High School District serving students 9th-12th grades in the Santa Clarita Valley. Students have the opportunity to earn between 24 and 44 transferable college units, prior to receiving their high school diplomas. Upon graduation, the majority of Academy students pursue their post high school education by continuing at COC and completing their college transfer requirements in only one year after high school. Other AOC students go directly into a four-year university, bringing their community college units with them and placing themselves well into their freshman and sophomore years at the college level. While attending AOC as a high school student, community college tuition is waived for established California residents.

Email: jfine@hartdistrict.org
Website: https://www.academyofthecanyons.com/
Location: Academy of the Canyons, Rockwell Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA, USA
Phone: 661-362-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Academy-of-the-Canyons-Middle-College-High-School-330158873741614
Twitter: @Academy_Canyons