TCA Bear Buzz

August 10, 2020

Welcome back, Bear Country!

August

August 12 - Welcome letter with book pick up information from A/B teachers and Educational Specialists

August 13 - VIRTUAL Jumpstart Conference

August 14, 17, 18 - A/B/C Book Pick Up - By appointment only

August 20 - First Day of School

August 25 - First day of LIVE teaching - A track

August 26 - First day of LIVE teaching - B track

August 31 - First Week of LIVE C’lectives teaching

September

September 7 - Labor Day holiday - NO SCHOOL

Dear Classical Academy Families,

I hope you’re enjoying your summer and have been taking a much earned break from the school routine. The staff here at The Classical Academy has been working hard this summer for you to prepare for the exciting and unprecedented year ahead. If you are new to our school, we look forward to welcoming you in person soon. If you are a returning family, welcome back!

I apologize in advance for the length of this email - we have a lot to communicate! “Dates At A Glance” will be found at the top of this page for quick reference. Please be sure to read to the end.

** If you have received this email and do not plan to attend The Classical Academy, please notify the office ASAP or email Bridgette Bakkela at bbakkela@classicalacademy.com.

The quote above, “Fear, uncertainty and discomfort are your compasses toward growth,” by Celestine Chua, seems fitting as we enter uncharted territory for the upcoming school year. Uncertainty is not a feeling that most of us enjoy, but it is our current reality. I am choosing to focus on the positive and find new opportunities for growth, despite the unsettled nature of our world right now! Please join me as we take on this challenge to have a great year and thrive not just survive. We promise to stand on the things that are certain: the Classical Academies’ history for the last 21 years of successfully Partnering with Parents, our commitment to high-quality, personalized education for all students, and excellent customer service and support from our staff. We are here for you!

Here is some basic back-to-school information that you may find helpful as you prepare for the start of the school year:

1. Our #1 Priority is Keeping Our Families Safe!

Our offices are open on an “as-needed” basis, and all health and safety guidelines must be followed. These guidelines include wearing a mask at all times while on campus, COVID pre-screening to enter (including taking your temperature), and 6 foot social distancing while on campus. If the front door is locked, please knock.

Many precautions are in place to prepare our campus for when we are able to welcome students back on campus. Once we receive confirmation from county and state health officials that we are able to reopen, more information will be provided to our families regarding the health and safety guidelines that will need to be followed for students to return to campus.

2. Be sure to read the Classical Academies Email and the TCA Buzz every week.

This email, which comes from the TCA Organization, goes out every Monday morning with organizational information and links to the TCA Buzz with important site-specific information. Please be sure to read this each week to stay informed about up-to-date school announcements and happenings.

3. Virtual Jumpstart Conference - Thursday, August 13 This is an exciting parent opportunity to attend a professional conference created by our organization to support YOU and your students. The 11th Annual JumpStart Parent Education Conference is designed to inspire, connect and motivate parents as they kick-off the school year. The conference will feature a keynote address, over 60 educational breakout sessions, and the opportunity to virtually network with other parents and team members. Be sure to sign up for the Jumpstart Conference!

4. To find out your child’s teacher/schedule, please log into your Household Portal in School Pathways.

Click HERE to go to a Video Tutorial on how to access your student schedule.

5. Book Pick Up: Your conference teacher will send an email at 12:00pm on Tuesday, 8/11 with information about book pick up.

A/B Tracks - You will pick up your books from your teacher’s classroom.

C Track - You will receive directions from your Educational Specialist (ES).

Parking for Book Pick Up

Both the front and rear parking lots on our campus will be available for use. There is ample parking on the street along Canyon as well. (Please avoid parking directly in front of our neighbors’ houses out of courtesy to them.) Additionally, the lower 2 lots at St. Timothy’s Church across the street are available for our use. Please use caution when driving near our campus.

6. First Day of Distance Learning ALL Tracks - Thursday, August 20th

- Live instruction on A/B starts Tuesday, August 25
- Live instruction on C’lectives starts Tuesday, September 1

7. If you have not watched the NEW Parent Orientation Video please CLICK HERE . If you have any additional questions join a LIVE Q & A every Wednesday at 1:30. CLICK HERE to sign up.

A/B Tracks Live Teaching "Bell Schedule” - You will hear from your A/B teacher with additional details!

C Track Live Teaching - Live student/teacher interaction will occur at the beginning of the scheduled C’lectives classes starting the week of August 31.

Link to TCA Schoology Resources Page

This page contains important information such as login links, parent-student handbook, A/B and C track resources and much more.

To support academic learning and complete assigned coursework, The Classical Academies will have Chromebooks available for students to check out for the duration of distance learning. These devices will need to be returned to the school at the end of the school year or whenever learning returns to the classroom.

To request a Chromebook for your student, please fill out the 2020-2021 Chromebook Request Form. Please submit your request as soon as possible. If your request is received by Wednesday, August 12, 2020, we will do our best to have your device available during Book Pick Up and/or Gear Up.

There will be a Chromebook pickup station on your campus which you can visit during Book Pickup and/or Gear Up days to receive the Chromebook. Please bring the signed Technology Checkout Form with you when you pick up the Chromebook.

If you complete the form after August 12, 2020, we will communicate with you when and where you will pick up your device.

We have had a flood of new enrollment for this school year and are very excited to share our program with our new families. New families, you have a special place in our hearts. We realize that this schooling route may not be your ideal choice and you may be filled with doubt and uncertainty, but you have our entire community behind you! We plan to take special care of our new families as you begin your adventure in school partnership. TCA veterans, we are so grateful that you are a part of our community. Over the coming weeks, we will need your help; please watch for support opportunities in our weekly TCA Buzz email.

Phew! You made it to the end of this email, which means you are ready to begin the 2020-21 school year adventure! We are so grateful for the patience and grace you’ve shown our staff and one another during the spring and for the way our veteran families have welcomed all of our new families with open arms and a wealth of knowledge during the summer months. I am confident that we will all find success during this challenging time by partnering together to encourage one another as we strive for success for all families. We are glad you are a part of our Bear family and can’t wait to support you on your educational journey. On behalf of the entire Bear team, welcome to Bear Country!

Kenna Molina, Principal

Whooo's New?

This summer, we had to say 'See you soon' to a few members of the Bear family. Mrs. Brush and her husband moved to Georgia, and both Mrs. Hall and Mrs. White moved into the world of retirement! We are sad to not be able to see them each day, but we are excited for their new adventures.

While they will be in our hearts forever, saying goodbye gives an opportunity for current teachers to embrace new challenges and to welcome new people into Bear Country! Please offer a warm TCA welcome to our newest staff and teachers!

Robin Boshaw, Kindergarten teacher

Marissa Carlos, 4th grade teacher

Megan Goyette, 4th grade teacher

Jacque Alvarado, 6th grade teacher

Jen Arend, Educational Specialist

Jana Beard, Educational Specialist

Capri Blelloch, Educational Specialist

Shona Broyles, Educational Specialist

Joanna Cheng, Educational Specialist

Ryan Long, Educational Specialist & C’lectives PE teacher

Anita Manata, Educational Specialist

Nonie Manker, Educational Specialist

Lois Newby, Educational Specialist

Lynette Ryker, Educational Specialist

Julie Vaughn, Educational Specialist

Heather Wong, School Psychologist Intern

Johannah Knieff, Speech and Language Pathologist

Kelly Adraiz, Specialized Academic Instructor

Erin Broek, SAI Assistant

JumpStart 2020

The Annual JumpStart Parent Education Conference is designed to inspire, connect, and motivate parents as they kick-off the school year! The conference features a keynote address, educational breakout sessions, sponsor expo, and the opportunity to network with other parents. Breakout sessions include a variety of topics to address the needs of TK-12 students, from learning to read to preparing seniors for college.

This year’s conference will be hosted virtually! We will provide the same great quality speakers and content that can be accessed from the comfort of your laptop or mobile device! CLICK HERE for more information.

Thursday, August 13, 2020, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

(registration will open August 3, 2020)

Dear TCA Families,

As we quickly approach the start of a new school year, staff and teachers will begin returning to campus. We've always had a policy of welcoming families onto the campus but given the current health order, we have to modify campus visit policies as per our Safe Reopening Plan following Social Distancing and Sanitation Protocols.

We ask that you try to handle any business with teachers and office staff via phone or email when possible. If you need to come to the front office, please understand the following:

1. The front door is locked. You will have to knock and wait for a staff member to come to the door.

2. Your temperature will be taken by a staff member. If your temperature is over 100 degrees, we are sorry to say that you will not be allowed into the building.

3. Face coverings must be worn while inside at all times.

4. Appropriate social distancing measures will be followed.

If you can avoid bringing children with you, please do so for their safety and ours. We want to hug, handshake and high-five every one of you and your kiddos because WE MISS YOU!

If you have a question, concern, or comment about our processes, please email the team at HealthAndSafety@classicalacademy.com. As changes happen, plans will be updated.

Mr. C's Corner

CLICK HERE to visit Mr. C's Corner for the Key of the Unit and information to motivate and inspire you!

Ever wonder HOW to get in touch with our school counselor Mr. C?

Contact Mr. C by email cchandler@classicalacademy.com. He will respond within 24 school hours!

Stay connected!

Do you have an Instagram account? Would you like to stay connected with other TCA Bear Country families?

CLICK HERE to visit our school's Instagram account and follow it!

For more information or any questions, please contact our Parent Volunteer and Event Coordinator, Christina Mitchell, at mmitchell@classicalacademy.com.

We hope to "see" you there!

2019-20 School Yearbook

Did you order a yearbook?

Did you pick up your yearbook?

Did you still want to purchase a yearbook?

Call the front office for more information!