Dear Eagle Families
On Monday, April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will be visible (weather permitting) across all of North America. The whole continent will experience a partial eclipse lasting 2 to 3 hours. Halfway through the event, anyone within a roughly 70-mile-wide path from Texas to Maine will experience a brief total eclipse, when the moon completely blocks the sun’s bright face for up to 3 minutes, turning day into night and making visible the otherwise hidden solar corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere — one of nature’s most awesome sights. Bright stars and planets will become visible as well. Here in Arvada, we will experience a 65% partial eclipse with maximum eclipse at 12:40 p.m. It will be more than 20 years until there's another total solar eclipse viewable in the contiguous United States, which will happen on August 23, 2044.
During an eclipse, eye safety is very important. Partial eclipses, annular eclipses, and the partial phases of total eclipses are never safe to watch without taking special precautions. Even when 99% of the Sun's surface is obscured during the partial phases of a total eclipse, the remaining crescent is intensely bright and cannot be viewed safely without eye protection.
Under normal conditions, the Sun is so bright that it is difficult to stare at it directly. However, during an eclipse, with so much of the Sun covered, it is easier and more tempting to stare at it. Looking at the Sun during an eclipse is as dangerous as looking at it outside an eclipse, except during the brief period of totality, when the Sun's disk is completely covered (totality occurs only during a total eclipse and only very briefly; it does not occur during a partial or annular eclipse). Viewing the Sun's disk through any kind of optical aid (binoculars, a telescope, or even an optical camera viewfinder) is extremely hazardous and can cause irreversible eye damage within a fraction of a second.
We are pleased that Mrs. Haberman, our 8th Grade Science Teacher and School Science Coordinator, worked with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, which provided eclipse viewing glasses from the National Science Foundation that comply with ISO 12312-2. We will be providing an opportunity for students to view the eclipse using the specialized eclipse viewing glasses while supervised in a small group if we receive a signed paper permission slip, which will be sent home with students on Monday, April 1st. Permission slips should be returned to your child's homeroom teacher no later than Thursday, April 4th so that we can finalize our groups and schedule for safe eclipse viewing. Note that we are unable to accept phone or email permission forms for this opportunity.
Because of the temptation to look at the eclipse and the potential for eye damage, we will be closing blinds and holding indoor recess on Monday, April 8th as the eclipse process timing coincides with our regularly scheduled playground times.
We look forward to sharing this special event with our students.
In Partnership,
Kresta Vuolo
Executive Director
S.O.A.R.ing in Different Spaces
First Annual "S.O.A.R.ing in Different Places" is a PTO sponsored event to celebrate the talents of our students while enjoying guest presenters.
Join us on Saturday, March 30th from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm.
Click HERE to see all the exciting events!
Students will need to be with an adult at all times.
Snack Donations
We are in need of snack donations for CMAS. Please click on the link below to sign-up. Drop all donations off at the office on Monday, April 1st.
https://www.trackitforward.com/site/822652/event/924514
If you're not already signed up for Track it Forward, you will need to follow this link to sign up first, then come back here to get the links to donate.
Don't forget, for every $10 you spend you get 1 volunteer hour towards your 40 hours of volunteer time.
Snack Donations
Unsweetened pouch applesauce
GoGo Squeeze Yogurt
Small individual apples
Bananas
Cutie oranges
Nature Valley Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bars
Individually packaged whole-grain Goldfish crackers
Thank you and we appreciate your support.
Talent Show Extravaganza!
Announcing Excel's 20th Annual School Wide Talent Show Extravaganza
Friday, April 19, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.
It’s time for Auditions! Two different ways to Audition
- Auditioning acts may choose to send in a video instead of a live audition by Friday, April 5th for consideration. Send it to Lori.Boyd@jeffco.k12.co.us.
- Students can audition during their music specials class the week of March 25th-29th or April 1st - 5th.
Performances need to be 3 minutes or shorter.
If one of these times does not work for you, please reach out to Mrs. Boyd to set up an alternate time.
First annual clothing swap!
The PTO and Mrs. Dozbaba are hosting the first annual clothing swap! The success of this event depends on the participation of all of our wonderful Eagle families! This event is a FREE event and is a win win for everyone! Let's get our closets cleaned out and then restock it for FREE!
Starting Monday, March 25, 2024 bring in your gently used clothes and accessories in bags or boxes to the office! These items will be sorted by size then the day of the event (TBD) they will be laid out to get chosen from! Please note that we are accepting men's, women's, teens, and infant sizes of clothing, as well as jewelry, purses, coats, shoes, etc.
We will NOT be accepting toys/stuffed animals, or opened/used undergarments of any kind. However, socks and underwear in new, sealed condition will be accepted.
Spring Explorations
Our spring Explorations are under way and students are excited about the new topics they will be exploring. Students will be in need of supplies before we know it, so we are once again asking for donations. Please take a look at this Explorations Supplies Sign-Up Genius and send in any supplies that you can help with. Your donations count towards your volunteer hours and are greatly appreciated. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 24, when we will be holding our Spring Exploration Expo!
SOAR Winners
Congratulations to this week's SOAR drawing winners!
Self-Discipline
Outstanding Effort
Acceptance of Others
Resilience
Kinder - A. Bloshenko, 1st-M.Kohlhepp, 2nd-S.Fitzgerald, 3rd- A. Messener, 4th-E.Ward, 5th-E Martinez, 6th-B.Solomon, 7th- A.DeLeo, 8th- B.Hardy
Classroom- Malmgren's 3rd Grade Class for Self Discipline
March Board Update: JOIN THE BOARD - ELECTION APPLICATION
The Excel Academy Board of Directors held their monthly meeting on March 26, 2024. Ms. Vuolo shared her director's report, which reviewed mid-year testing results, facilities updates, and more. The Board welcomed Sherrie Lachance from JeffCo Public Schools for a discussion on district partnerships pertaining to school finances. School finances were a major topic of the March meeting; approving the 23/24 revised budget, the 24/25 proposed budget, and 24/25 student fees. Our newly appointed board member, Linda Liu, was sworn in. Welcome Linda!
The Excel Academy Board of Directors will be holding our Annual Election in April. The board will have one vacant seat this upcoming school year with a three year term - August 2024 through July 2027.
If you are interested in giving back to your local community and serving on Excel’s Board, please apply through this form by Friday, April 26. We are looking for a parent or community member who is passionate about the long term sustainability of Excel Academy. The board supports the “business” of the school and experience in law, finance, technology, facility planning, data analysis, strategic planning, human resources, or education would be particularly useful, but not required. Board members must be available to attend one monthly board meeting and participate on one board committee. The volunteer time commitment is approximately 4-6 hours a month.
If you have questions about board service, join current Board members for a virtual Board Open House on Tuesday, April 23 from 6-7 pm. MEETING ZOOM LINK You can also learn more about charter school boards by reading this introduction or visit the Board of Directors page on the Excel website.
See Board Election Calendar of Events for the full election timeline.
Clinic Needs Clothing
The Clinic is in need of clothes to provide for students who may need a change of clothes during the school day for various reasons. If you have any gently used or new clothing that your child has outgrown or no longer needs, we would greatly appreciate your donations for grades K-8. Donations can be dropped off at the front office. We kindly request that all items are clean and in good condition.
Here are the specific clothing items we are looking for:
Bottoms (Sweatpants, shorts, leggings) for all ages and sizes.
Socks - (New or gently used) for all ages and sizes.
Underwear - (New only) for all ages and sizes.
PTO Links
Track it Forward Volunteer Opportunities & Hours Tracking Site
RaiseRight online gift card fundraising site
African Drumming Circle: With Mrs. Boyd
Join Mrs. Boyd on Thursdays from 5:00-6:00 for African Drumming!
April 4th - May 23rd
Mountain Bike Club: 7th-11th
Are you currently in 7th - 11th grade and interested in learning more about the Ralston Valley & Arvada West HS Mountain Bike Teams? Bring your curiosity and learn about our practice schedule, race season, team philosophy, and about how much fun you can have! All rider levels welcome.
Click HERE for details.
Stanford Mentors Summer Program: 6th-12th Grade
Organized by Stanford University undergraduate and graduate students, Qualia Global Scholars is a selective pre-collegiate virtual summer mentorship program matching talented students in grades 6-12 with Stanford mentors. The program features personalized mentorship, interdisciplinary research, project-based learning, and guidance on college applications. The program aims to empower students to become future global leaders by teaching them about leadership & problem solving, emerging areas in STEM & liberal arts, critical thinking & communication skills, and real-world impact through research & innovation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Need-based financial aid is available for the program. Flyer
Arvada Center Summer Camp
The Arvada Center offers summer camp opportunities for children age 3-18. Check out all of their offerings on their website at https://arvadacenter.org/education/summer-camps.
YMCA Drop In Care & Summer Camp
AM and PM Drop-In Care is available with the YMCA OST program at Excel. For more information or to request a drop-in date, please email: LWolfe@denverymca.org.
YMCA Summer Day Camp! Registration now open for the Excel location!
Ages: 5-12
Cost: $230/week for members, $280/week for non-members
Hours: 8:00 AM- 5:30 PM
Summer Camp FLYER
Skate City: FREE Membership
Skate City is offering students and parents FREE membership to the Skate City Family Freebies Club! Click on the link below to see the amazing perks of our Family Freebies Club Membership. We currently have over 6000 families in our FFC and the free year of membership has a value of $5 for each guest.
Excel Academy K-8 Charter School
Email: Julie.Smith@jeffco.k12.co.us
Website: https://excel-academy.jeffcopublicschools.org/
Location: 11500 West 84th Avenue, Arvada, CO, USA
Phone: 303-467-2295
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExcelAcademyK8