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The Acorn
Message from Academy of the Canyons' Principal, Dr. Fine
Week of 8/21-8/25
Tomorrow, 8/21, our students begin their COC classes. This last week, they received tours of the COC campus and in Freshman Seminar, they were shown the locker rooms to change for PE classes and where their CAWT classes are located. Freshman also participated in our ROOTED event facilitated by our Senior students in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) class taught by our Wellness Liaison, Mr. Jason Wilhelm. It was an outstanding event!
As a reminder for attendance, please make sure that you check your student out of school with our front office. The office will send an exit slip to their class after the parent has authorized the student's dismissal. We appreciate your cooperation. This is to ensure that we can account for all students.
Upcoming Events
- Monday, 8/21- First day of COC classes
- Wednesday 8/23- ROOTS PTA Meeting on Zoom (see invite below) at 6:00pm
- Friday, 8/25- Coffee with the Principal in UCEN 107 at 9:00am
- Tuesday, 8/29- Back to School Night
- Friday, 9/22- All School Dance for AOC Students at Rancho Pico (FREE) from 6-9pm
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
661-362-3056
Updated Message as of 8/20 at 8:00pm about COC and AOC Classes
COC Classes Still in Session BUT AOC Students Not Required to Attend, Message from Dr. Omar Torres, the Chief Instructional Officer at the College of the Canyons
While Hart District schools will be closed on Monday; at this time, the College of the Canyons still plans to hold its classes. I have been in touch with Dr. Omar Torres, the Chief Instructional Officer at the College of the Canyons. He has let me know that for AOC students, it is best to wait until Tuesday to return to school. Dr. Omar Torres has asked that all students email their instructors. They should let them know the circumstances. In fact, they are welcome to attach this message to their email communication. And, COC has informed me that they will do their best to notify the COC instructors of the following: 1) Hart District schools are closed for Monday, 2) AOC students have been advised to stay home for their safety, AND 3) They will resume classes starting Tuesday, 8/22.
Please reach out to me with any questions.
Thank you,
Dr. Juliet Fine
jfine@hartdistrict.org
AOC Students-Please note that you must sign into your synchronous and asynchronous online classes. You are not excused from attending these classes online. You must log on to receive attendance credit.
COC Has Taken Great Precautions for Storm Preparations... Message from COC
COC plans to open the semester tomorrow and hold classes. And, similar to the WSHUHSD, this will only change if conditions become unsafe. Please see this message that was sent to faculty and students from James Temple, Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Information Technology & University Center Operations College of the Canyons-
As you may have heard by now, Southern California is expecting for Hurricane Hilary to pass through beginning this Sunday, 8/20 and through the first day of class. Please be careful, as forecasters are warning of catastrophic flooding as the Category 4 storm makes it way toward California. I appreciate your help in exercising patience and grace during the first day of classes, as circumstances are predicted to be less than ideal as we try to settle into the first day of the semester, both in-person and remote, as the storm may also impact access to power, internet, phones, Canvas, etc. I am confident that we will pull together to best support one another and our students, but I did want to send this warning in advance of the anticipated storm.
Monday, 8/21 COC Fall Classes Begin- Rain, Construction, & Traffic Warning
On Monday, 8/21, COC starts Fall session. Please be aware that there may be more traffic and the parking lot will be full of cars and college student drivers. The weather forecast anticipates rain, and, COC has let us know that Stadium Way will be closed for construction. Students will be required to walk down the stairwell in order to access COC's campus. Foot traffic and vehicle traffic will cause delays. Please give yourself plenty of time. We want everyone to be safe and on time.
Message from Superintendent Mike Kuhlman -Storm Preparation for WSHUHSD Schools
Good afternoon Hart District Community,
With the potential for a severe storm on the horizon, we are monitoring weather conditions closely. As of today, we anticipate that classes will be in session normally on Monday. However, with the potential arrival of heavy rain tomorrow, we are preparing for any possible impacts to our campuses.
As always, we will collaborate closely with local law-enforcement and the City of Santa Clarita if any issues arise. Please check your email tomorrow in the event that we need to send updates.
Thank you,
Mike Kuhlman
Superintendent
You are Invited to our ROOTS PTA Meeting this Wednesday at 6:00pm
AOC Families,
ROOTS is the PTA of AOC. We welcome parents, students, teachers and staff to join.
ROOTS will hold its first General Membership meeting of the 2023-2024 school year on Wednesday, August 23 at 6 p.m. on zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
Topic: ROOTS PTA Meeting-5:00pm Executive Board 6:00pm Public General Meeting
Time: Aug 23, 2023 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://hartdistrict-org.zoom.us/j/88101359254?pwd=TU9WdTlXRWY0SHZkV2p5MmNwTVBEdz09
Meeting ID: 881 0135 9254
Passcode: 318758
Counseling Corner from Ms. Grijalva for 8/21
All Students
- COC Classes begin this week! Check your MyCanyons account to see your COC class schedule. Make sure to attend your first class or you will be dropped.
- If you are enrolled in an online live course (OLCLV) and need a quiet space to take the course, there are several places on the COC campus that are available to students. Please make sure to bring a laptop or tablet as we do not have computers available. COC Library's second floor is very quiet and has an entire "Zoom" floor for students to take a class. Make sure to have your COC ID.
11th and 12th Grade Students
- If you have not scheduled your "Grijalva Appointment" make sure to book an appointment via calendly. The link is available on Google Classroom. This is a mandatory meeting for us to discuss your AOC/COC classes as well as college questions.
College of the Canyons ID Cards
COC ID Cards are issued at the Campus Life & Student Engagement room 102 (across from the Bookstore).
Your first ID card is free of charge. Replacement ID cards are $5. 10th, 11th and 12th graders will use their ID card from the previous year. New ID cards will not be issued.
COC Online Live and Online Classes-Rooms at COC for Classes
Some of our students are wondering where they can go for COC online classes that are online-live and online while they are here during the day at AOC.
Here is the response from COC:
At the Valencia Campus, both TLC and the Library have Study Rooms available on a first-come, first-serve basis that can accommodate 2-6 people at a time. Students are limited to two hours in the study room per day.
For TLC, please check-in at the front reception desk and let the receptionist know that you'd like to use a study room. For Library, please go to the service desk on the 2nd floor to request a study room. In both cases, please have your COC student ID ready.
Rooms are equipped with white boards, laptop docking cable, computer and HDMI video capability, and a conference table with seating for up to six. Study rooms are excellent options for students working on group projects, practicing speeches, and for ESL students practicing with Native Speakers of English.
In addition, the Library provides a Zoom room on the 2nd floor. This is a computer lab with a dozen computer stations that have headphones and cameras. No ID is required.
TLC hours and more are at: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/tlc/
Library hours and more are at: https://www.canyons.edu/academics/library/
Announcements from ASB-Class of 2024 Photos, Online Spirit wear Store, Welcome Dance and Senior Sunrise
Class of 2024 Photograph Submission Guidelines
Hey, seniors!! This year ASB is trying something different. Rather than ask you to submit a picture of yourself as a baby or toddler, you will have three options for your submission. Additionally, we are asking you to submit a jpeg link instead of an actual physical photograph, unless, of course, you only have a physical photo that you want to submit in which case you will be allowed to do so.
For this year, please use the Google form link below to submit a photograph of yourself. The photo can be ONE of the following.
You can submit an image of yourself as a baby or toddler. Until now, this has been the picture traditionally requested.
You can submit an image of yourself taking part in a favorite hobby or activity (for example, playing soccer or going on a hike). This photo can show you at any age.
You can submit an image of yourself in a favorite location (for instance, visiting the Grand Canyon or at the Lincoln Memorial). This photo can show you at any age.
If you wish to submit a physical photograph, please put it in an envelope with your first and last name on the envelope and give it to Dr. Shapiro. Additionally, if you have any questions about this, please feel free to contact Dr. Shapiro or speak with him in person. Thank you!
Senior Sunrise on 9/1
Senior Sunrise will take place on the morning of Friday, September 1st. Seniors who plan to attend should arrive no earlier than 5:45 a.m. The event will run from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. Seniors will need to leave campus after the event concludes and may return as early as 8:00 a.m. for the school day.
The Online Spiritwear Store is Open!
The AOC online spiritwear store is now up and running. You can purchase spirit wear items from now through TOMORROW (MONDAY, AUGUST 21st) by using the link that follows this announcement. Please remember that your credit card statement will show “Idea Factory” as the business name for your purchase, but please note that the proceeds go to AOC. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Shapiro via email at wshapiro@hartdistrict.org. Thank you.
Graduation for the Class of 2024 will be held on 5/30 at 6:00pm in COC's Performing Arts Center, the PAC.
All AOC Students are Invited to Attend AOC ASB School-Wide Dance on 9/22
AOC School-Wide Dance on 9/22-All students are invited and it's FREE! It will be held on Friday, September 22nd from 6 to 9 PM at Rancho Pico Junior High. Students must bring their student ID with them.
COC Food Options for Lunch and Snacks- Cougar Cafe and UCEN Cafe is OPEN
COC has many options for purchasing food on their campus. There is the COC Cougar Cafe located in the cafeteria which also includes the Coffee Kiosk. There is also the UCEN Cafe right next door to AOC located in the University Center. This cute little cafe is open for the first time since covid. They sell smoothies, sandwiches, hot dogs, snacks and drinks. It is open for business.
A Message from your Mock Trial Team for Freshman and Sophomores
Hello AOC Students!
Welcome back to AOC for this 2023-2024 school year. The AOC Mock Trial Team currently has open spots and is looking for new members to fill them! We competed last year in 2 competitions (the Constitutional Rights Foundation competition (1-1) and the Antelope Valley Competition (4-0, receiving first place). We are going to be competing in the same competitions this year. If you are interested in law, public speaking, advanced argument formation skills, acting or just want to be part of a team, Mock Trial is the place for you! If you are interested in joining please contact Ben Kayne at 99056722@my.hartdistrict.org and/or come to our next meeting on Thursday, August 24th. We will be meeting every Monday and Thursday starting on the 24th. We look forward to seeing all of our new members!
Sincerely,
The AOC Mock Trial Team
Students with Evening COC Classes- Evening Campus Security Escorts on Campus
Does your student have a late COC class that ends after 7:00pm in the dark? They can contact the COC Escort service to help them be safely taken to their vehicle.
Here is the info for the COC Campus Escort program-https://www.canyons.edu/studentservices/campussafety/services/campusescort.php
Campus Safety on the Valencia campus and here are the updated hours of operation: Mon - Thurs 5-10pm
From any COC classroom phone, students can dial "0" or, they can call the main line of campus safety at 661-362-3229. If no one is available, they can call the Officer on Duty cell 661-510-3882.
The phone numbers for both Valencia and CCC campus Safety are at this link:
All Parents/ Guardians are Invited to "Coffee with the Principal" on August 25th at 9:00am UCEN 107
AOC Staff Development Focus on RULER and Social Emotional Wellness
AOC Staff Join Our ROOTED Event
Parvathi Nair (Paru) Hosts ROOTED
Pictures from AOC Social Emotional Learning (SEL) ROOTED Event
Seniors Answer Questions about AOC at ROOTED
Academic Counselor, Ms. Grijalva and Social Worker/Therapist, Ms. Alex
Freshman Participate in ROOTED
Wellness Reminders- Let's Keep Everyone Healthy!
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. Also, stay home and rest. We want all of our students, staff and community members to remain safe and well.
Back to School Night will be held on August 29th at Academy of the Canyons.
AOC Back-to-School-Night on 8/29 University Center Room 258
AOC Back-to School Night will be held on August 29th 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) Room 258. The University Center and is located right next door to Academy of the Canyons. More details to be sent out this week.
Bake Sale Volunteers Needed
Please consider donating your time or baked goods for the ROOTS PTA Bake Sale held at Back-to-School Night. Baked good are always appreciated.
Please reach out to Dr. Shapiro if you have any questions about this trip.
Academy of the Canyons
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