Excel Academy Eagle Update
April 4, 2024
UPDATES FROM THE SCHOOL
Grace Enck Wins NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award
Each year the National Junior Honor Society encourages students from NJHS Chapters to apply for the Outstanding Achievement Award. Of all of the applicants, only 500 in the nation are selected for this award. We are so proud of Grace Enck and Ruby Yanez for taking the time to apply for this achievement.
We’re overjoyed to announce that Grace Enck, 8th grade student and President of the Excel Academy NJHS Chapter, has been selected as an NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. Grace will receive $500 in a 529 college savings account to be applied toward her higher education. Grace is one of 500 recipients nationwide and 17 in Colorado. Recipients are chosen based on their demonstrated work to support the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award recipients:
Demonstrate a service mindset by seeking out and voluntarily fulfilling needs to help others.
Commit to learning, growing, and making the most of educational opportunities.
Take ownership and responsibility as a leader, in title or in action, in school and community.
Display perseverance, honesty, integrity, and ethical and compassionate decision-making.
Exemplify good citizenship through a demonstrated commitment to supporting and bettering the local community.
Join us in congratulating Grace and her accomplishments!
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 8th .
https://www.trackitforward.com/site/822652/event/924515
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
Whole Grain Goldfish - individually packaged
Thank you for your support!
Talent Show Extravaganza!
Announcing Excel's 20th Annual School Wide Talent Show Extravaganza
Join us: Friday, April 19, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Field Day Schedule
Join Us for Field Day
Wednesday, May 22nd
Kinder, 1st, & 2nd: 8:30-10:00
6th Grade: 10:40-11:30
7th & 8th Grade: 11:15-12:10
3rd, 4th, & 5th Grade: 1:30-3:00
All visitors will need to sign in with the front office and get a badge. Be sure to bring your drivers license.
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. **NEW ITEMS ADDED** 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!
Excel Athletic Update from Coach Miller
Hello Sports Fans, Here is this week's update. The Eagles kicked off their soccer season with a game against the WWA Wildcats. Defense was the name of the game for both teams as the scoring opportunities were few and far between. The Wildcats opened the scoring when Grace Enck stopped a shot which knocked her off balance, into the goal support with the ball right in front of the goal. With no one close to sweep the ball out of harm's way the Wildcats simply tapped the ball into the goal. That was the extent of the scoring for the entire first half for both teams. The second half was much like the first with the Eagles thwarting any attempts by the Wildcats to generate any offensive fireworks. Amazingly, a seeing eye shot that went past several Eagle players found its way to the back of the net, giving the Wildcats a 2-0 advantage. Given the fact that Excel has no players to substitute, the girls hung tough. The Eagle defense held the Wildcats to four shots on goal, while they generated three of their own. Soccer continues on April 8th at Lincoln Academy at 4:15.
Boys' volleyball also started their season with a triangular vs WWA and Lincoln. Behind the strong play of Zach Behrends and serving prowess of Hagen Heintz the Eagles beat WWA in straight games 2-0. The Lincoln Leopards were too much for the Eagles in the second game prevailing 2-0. Despite only five practices and having only two players out of seven with prior volleyball experience, Coach Riley was very impressed with the play of his crew. He made it clear that he expects to beat Lincoln next time, once the players get a few more practices under their belts. Volleyball plays again on April 18th against WWA and Lincoln at Excel starting at 4:15 pm.
Kindergarten Field Study at The Butterfly Pavilion
SOAR Winners
Congratulations to this week's SOAR drawing winners!
Self-Discipline
Outstanding Effort
Acceptance of Others
Resilience
Kinder-L Watson, 1st-S.Taylor, 2nd T.Huerta, 3rd -G. Lovell,
4th-B.Ratcliffe, 5th-E.Martinez, 6th-E.Stilling, 7th-E.Edwards.
8th Gr- None turned in.
Classroom: Mrs. Mackey's for Outstanding Effort
UPDATES FROM THE EXCEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Excel Academy Board of Directors Election Ahead
JOIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to contribute to Excel, this is an outstanding opportunity that will allow you to have a direct impact on our school’s short-term and long-term strategy and viability.
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 is beneficial, but not required.
WHAT DOES THE BOARD DO?
Some of our primary roles include financial oversight and decision-making relative to Excel’s annual budget, establishing policies and procedures consistent with the schools mission and vision, long-term strategic planning, hiring and oversight of the school's Executive Director, school facilities development, and oversight and participation on school committees. Click here to learn more about charter schools and board governance.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT?
Board members are asked to prepare for and join the monthly board meetings and participate on one of the school committees. Additional commitments may include meeting with the PTO or education team and representing the board within our community. The time commitment is about 4-6 hours per month throughout the school year. Board terms are three years. If elected, the term would extend from Fall 2024-Spring 2027.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
See the board in action. Join our next board meeting via zoom on April 16, 2024 at 6pm. Candidates are required to join at least one board meeting before applying.
Join our board virtual open house on April 23, 2024 from 6-7pm. The current board will be hosting an informal discussion with interested candidates to learn more about joining the board and the process for applying. Link to join is included in the Election Calendar.
READY TO APPLY, NOW WHAT?
Details on the process and next steps can be found in the following links.
- Next steps are detailed in the 2024 Board Election Calendar of Events document linked.
- Apply by completing this application form by 4pm on Friday, April 26, 2024.
UPDATES FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
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.
UPDATES FROM THE PTO
S.O.A.R. Sprint Fun Run!
Save The Date
On May 7th students will run in the annual PTO Fun Run. More Information to come.
PTO Links
Track it Forward Volunteer Opportunities & Hours Tracking Site
RaiseRight online gift card fundraising site
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
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. Wednesday, April 10th 6:00 PM
New Music Classes with Mrs. Boyd & Rising Stars
Click HERE to see all the fun Summer Music Classes.
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.
Helpful Links & Resources
Order Breakfast or Lunch: (due a week before the week of meals)
Excel Academy Standards-Based Grading Scale
Infinite Campus Parent Portal (Check grades, missing assignments, attendance, pay fees)Infinite Campus Parent Directions
Log Volunteer Hours and sign-up for volunteer opportunities
2023-24 Excel Academy School Year Calendar
2024-25 Excel Academy School Year Calendar
Ideas for thanking a staff member: Treats and Deets
Yearbook Photo Submission Folders: Kindergarten Pictures | 1st Grade Pictures | 2nd Grade Pictures | 3rd Grade Pictures | 4th Grade pictures | 5th Grade photos | 6th Grade photos | 7th Grade Photos | 8th Grade Photos | All Sports | School Events & Activities | Candid Pictures | Excel Families & Community | Electives | 8th Grade Then and Now (kinder & recent) Pictures
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