News & Notes February 9, 2018
What's Happening at The Academies? 

Feb 12 -- Poetry & Prose Auditions

Feb 12 -- PTO Meetings

Feb 13 -- Info Meeting @ Annie R. Mitchell

Feb 13 -- SVA Basketball @ Three Rivers

Feb 21 -- Admissions Lotteries






A Message from Principal Stinson

One of the unique attributes of the Academies is our celebration of students who exemplify the Habits of a Scholar. At the conclusion of each month, the students gather to learn about a new habit to focus on over the next month. Our teachers will reinforce the habit as they look for and give positive reinforcement when they see these traits in action. Ultimately one student will be honored in each class with an award in front of their peers and family. For example, the targeted habit of February is Excellence . Students were taught that we are defined by the sum of our actions,not the single actions we take. Excellence is the sum of repeated right actions. We learn that we are not just born excellent, we have to work at it over time. We must persevere, set goals and work toward them, and aim for personal bests over and over again in order to be excellent.

As parents, look for opportunities to reinforce these behaviors at home. Are they learning how to be excellent readers? Are they practicing over and over their sight words? Are they working on excellence at basketball, never giving up as they continue to refine their skills? Are they continuing to learn how to be a good friend? Control themselves? Praise the efforts and point out how this directly is impacting their improved success. Here is a list of our habits for the second half of the year. Help your child learn to develop these into lifelong habits!

March: Saving Ideas (holding on to what they learn)
April: Using Varied Resources and Valuing Multiple Perspectives
May: Curiosity

With gratitude, 

Dana

Apply NOW for 2018-19! 

Spread the word! The admissions window for 2018-19 is now open! 

Now is the time for you to share our fabulous school with your friends and neighbors. Applying is easy! Just turn in our one-page application by noon on February 21. 

Would you like a sign for your yard? A poster for your business window or favorite local hangout? Contact Claudia Van Groningen by replying to this email. 

Spread the word. Share, share, share! 

Changemakers in the News

Blue Oak Academy PTO board member Rodney Blaco started the first all-girls Cub Scout troop in California and Blue Oak kindergartener, Maeve Blaco is one of the troops founding scouts. Read the whole story in the Visalia Times Delta. 

We are proud to celebrate the changemakers in our community. Way to go!
Cesar Chavez Legacy Celebration

This community event is the SVA 3rd and 4th grade annual Service Learning Project.  The 3rd and 4th grade students and current 5th graders (who participated last year) will be singing de Colores at COS to start the march and celebration.

Proteus is sponsoring an essay contest for K-2, 3-6, and 7-12.  Download the flyer here.  Essay contest winners will be announced at the Wittman Center at the conclusion of the march.  All are welcome. 

 
Camp Invention Returns to SVA

This fun day camp will be back again this summer. Camp Invention will take place July 16-20 at SVA. Registration is open to all students of The Academies as well the public, so bring a friend!


Birthday Celebrations!

at The Academies, we love celebrating each other. What better way is there to celebrate than to make a lasting contribution to your school? 

It's been a long-standing tradition to donate a book to your child's classroom library in lieu of sweet treats which are not allowed.  Our students love to celebrate this way! 




SVA PTO Party Train

These " Party  Train" events are coming soon. Tickets will be up for sale on  https://squareup.com/store/SVAPTO/

  • PTO Ladies Night Against Humanity 
  • PTO Middle School Bros Night with Mr. Padilla
  • PTO Pew Pew and BBQ II 
  • PTO K-4 Lunch with the principal

Jog-a-Thon Sponsorship Opportunity 

Are you a local business owner who supports children?  Do you know one?   Please help by spreading the word and consider becoming an event sponsor.  Business sponsorships are due 2/16.  

Sycamore Valley's Jog-a-Thon will be held on March 7 .  
Click here to download the SVA PTO Jog-a-Thon sponsor letter and form. 

Blue Oak's Jog-a-Thon info is coming soon!


SVA Basketball

The Girls and Boys Basketball season has begun!
Next game: Tuesday, February 13 @ Three Rivers
View the team calendar for the complete schedule. 


School Breakfast and Lunch 

Did you know that breakfast is available each school morning beginning at  7:45? It is!

You can pay for meals with cash or check (get an envelope in the school office) or online with our payment service  myschoolbucks.com. You will need to register, create an account and provide an ID number for every student you're including. An app is available so you can easily use this service on your smartphone. If you need to access your student's ID number, please call your school's front office. 

School breakfast will be available at both schools before the school day begins. The cost for breakfast is $1.25.  The cost for lunch is $2.00. Applications for free or reduced price lunch will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. 

Menus are always available on our website.  Click here for the February menu. 


Substitute Custodian Needed  
The Academies Charters is seeking a backup daytime custodian. F ingerprint clearance is required. 

Substitute Teachers Needed  
The Academies Charters have an experienced and dedicated teaching staff, but we are always looking to expand our sub list. 

If you or someone you know has the desire to be a substitute teacher at our amazing school, has a bachelor's degree, has passed the CBEST, and is willing to get a substitute credential and fingerprint clearance we would love to grow our team. 

Substitute Instructional Aides Needed 
The Academies Aide Subs minimum requirements are a high school diploma and fingerprint clearance. 

If you are interested please email Shauna Dolin at  [email protected]. 












Next SVA PTO Meeting
 Next BOA PTO Meeting
February 12 February 12
6:00PM
 6:00PM
Round Table Pizza
 Round Table Pizza
Packwood Creek Center
 Mary's Vineyard
4035 S. Mooney Blvd.
 1691 E. Noble Ave.

If you would like to share any ideas or add an agenda item for discussion at the  PTO  meeting please  email  it to [email protected] at least one week prior to the meeting. 

NEW: Spanish translation available at meetings
Community Events

UPHS Enrollment Information Nights

Spring info meetings for University Prep High School will be held on the COS campus in room Yokut 9 on the following dates: 
  • Thursday, February 22, 6pm-7pm
  • Thursday, March 8, 6pm-7pm
  • Thursday, March 22, 6pm-7pm

UPHS PSO FAMILY GAME NIGHT

Friday February 9th,  6-9 pm
Gateway Church 
1100 S. Sowell Avenue Visalia

Please join UPHS for the PSO Family Game Night on Friday, February 9th! 

UPHS is raising money to provide additional monetary support for school activities, purchase items beyond the school budget, and provide college scholarships for graduating seniors. 

Entertainment will be provided by UPHS Choir, Hand Bells, Folkloric Dancers, and Drama. 

The night will include:
  • Various game tables (family board games, cards, carnival games, etc... for prizes)
  • Panda Packs (gift baskets)
  • Silent Auction
  • Dinner, Drinks, Desserts, and Snacks

Dinner is $10
Game tokens are $1.00/game or $20.00/25 games
Panda Pack Tickets are $1.00 each or $20.00/25

Questions, please contact Susy Ceja, UPHS PSO President, by phone (559) 303-9777 or by email [email protected].


Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age

Don't miss the screening of the documentary film followed by discussion of the issues of families and the internet, sponsored by the Fresno Pacific University School of Education and including faculty members. 

Free
Seating is limited, click here to register.
February 24
Fresno Pacific University -Visalia Campus
245 N. Plaza Dr. 
Visalia, CA 93291
559-302-4100
Know of a community event you'd like to share? Email information and images to Claudia Van Groningen [email protected]
The Academies CMO| 559.622-3236 | theacademiescharters.org
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