TCA Bear Buzz
December 14, 2020
December
Dec 14-16 - NO Live C'lectives Zoom classes
December 17 - January 3 - Winter Break - NO SCHOOL
January
January 4 - Back to School!
Jan 5-8 - C'lectives LIVE Zoom classes - all classes
January 11 - Unit 3 Field Trip Day
Jan 12-15 - C'lectives LIVE Zoom classes - all classes (except Computers)
January 18 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL
Jan 25-29 - Unit 3 Report Card Conferences - No LIVE Zoom classes (all tracks)
Parent Square Health Screening App
When students or employees come on campus for any reason, they will be asked to complete a health screening on their mobile device via the Parent Square app. This will help us save time when checking students in to ensure that all individuals are free of COVID symptoms while at school.
To view instructions on how to download the app, CLICK HERE.
Want to Lend a Hand?
Our staff is currently busy preparing for our students to return to campus. CLICK HERE to see our current campus needs. Once completed, please CLICK HERE to fill out the Parent Volunteer Hours Form to indicate you have dropped off such items.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Christina Mitchell. We are so thankful for your help!
TCA Bears Serving their Community
Is your family looking for a way to brighten the holidays for others? For years TCA has enjoyed a special relationship with our senior neighbor across the street at Oakmont. You might consider sending notes of well wishes and encouragements to the residents for Christmas. You may send those to:
Oakmont Senior Living
3012 Bear Valley Pkwy S
Escondido, CA 92025
United States
Attention: Diane Tustin
The Bee Kind! Corner
Throughout this school year, students will be featured in the Bee Kind! Corner for above and beyond acts of kindness. We choose kindness every day here at TCA!
Has your student demonstrated extra kindness? We want to celebrate our students as they go above and beyond to be kind to others!
Please complete THIS FORM to nominate your child.
Sign-Up NOW for Lion King Jr.
Information for auditions, updates on parent meeting as well as sign-ups will be posted in a Schoology course that you must be added to.
If your child was registered and attended the Best Of Musical Theater Class this fall, your child was automatically added to the course. If your child did not attend the class and you would like to be added to this course, please contact Kara Howard at khoward@classicalacademy.com.
ALL INFORMATION REGARDING LION KING AS WELL AS UPDATES WILL BE ADDED TO THE SCHOOLOGY COURSE! Please contact Mrs. Howard with any questions.
PARENT MEETING: TBD (Most likely the end of January 2021) Please note: Your child is not 'signed up' until you have paid the production fee and have attended the parent meeting.
AUDITIONS: Monday, February 1, 2021, 9:30am-6:00pm
CALLBACKS: By invitation only: Thursday, February 4th, 3:30pm-9:00pm
FIRST REHEARSAL: Monday, February 8th, 2021
PERFORMANCES: This year we will be doing things differently. We will be doing some form of our Lion King Production. Information will be updated in the Schoology course in January. Due to the ever changing guidelines, we all need to be flexible with the process.
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:
Mondays 10:00am-5:00pm (groups TBD)
Tuesdays 3:15pm-5:30pm (cast A)
Wednesdays 3:15pm-5:30pm (cast B)
Some Thursdays 3:15pm-5:30pm (TBD)
REQUIREMENTS (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING UP):
6th-8th graders only
Limited to approximately 80 students. (This year, we will have 2 completely separate casts of 40 each to minimize large groups.)
25 hours of parent volunteer time per child in production
$160 fee per child which includes: script, costume (to wear for production only), Lion King t-shirt. (Please note: shoes and costume undergarments are not provided.)
A production DVD download will need to be purchased at sign-ups as well (It will NO LONGER BE INCLUDED.)
Sell/buy 12 tickets per child, $16 each
Students must have a C or higher in each of their classes prior to enrollment as well as maintain a C or higher in each class during these following checkpoints: January 22, 2021, March 5, 2021
Failure to not maintain a C or higher in each class, we will have no choice but to drop you from the production.
Attendance at all rehearsals (one excused absence allowed prior to March 18, 2021)
Virtual Calm Room
The counseling team has developed a Virtual Calm Room as a resource for our school community. Sometimes life is challenging and we experience distress. This Virtual Calm Room was created to serve as a break and to help you find new ways to identify & manage strong emotions and build your resilience. These resources will hopefully allow you to reset back to a calm state of mind and body.
We encourage you to make it a priority to care for yourself in healthy ways. Not all coping strategies will feel right so we encourage you to explore some and find what works for YOU!
Challenge Awards
Congratulations to our RAVENOUS READERS and MARVELOUS MATHEMETICIANS who have reached the halfway or completion point for the Bear Book and Bear Math Challenges!
CLICK HERE to view the virtual awards board.
Art Playground
Looking for a little more art in your child’s life? Each week you will find a new lesson in the Art Playground. Lessons for K-8 will include videos that will introduce your student to a famous artist, followed by a step-by-step art project using commonly found art supplies.
Dear TCA Families,
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. If you must come inside the building, 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 on the porch or 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.
Need a book?
Great news! Our Bear Book Den is now portable!
The rolling library cart is outside of the Front Office where you can borrow books of various genres for your students to enjoy reading! The cart will be accessible from Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. We will be doing an honor system, therefore there are no barcodes or a formal check out system when borrowing the books. You may simply take a book and return it to the bin next to the cart once you are done.
Morning Assemblies
With our current distance learning, we have been exploring options to continue our daily Morning Assemblies via Schoology and Instagram.
Do you have a student in 6th, 7th, or 8th Grade who would be interested in leading one of our morning announcements? We would love your help! Please contact Christina Mitchell for more information.
Medication Policy for 2020-21 School Year
The California Department of Education has modified requirements for the way schools handle student medications which are kept on campus or carried by students while on campus.
CLICK HERE to read the updated medication policy TCA schools will put into effect for the 2020-2021 school year. Please note that ANY medication, including over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol and cough drops, MUST have a signed doctor's note to be allowed on campus.
CLICK HERE to print the required medication form.
Breakfast Program 2020-21
The Classical Academies participates in a school meal program by offering a nutritious breakfast meal every school day. Our breakfast program is available to all students that are on campus longer than two hours for an educational purpose.
Prepackaged Breakfast Kits are available on campus at various times throughout the day to allow for flexible schedules. The Breakfast Kits must be ordered online at https://classicalacademies.boonli.com by noon the day before your student is on campus.
When students arrive on campus, they will be able to choose from the available prepackaged Breakfast Kits. Each Breakfast Kit includes a breakfast cereal, dried fruit, unsweetened regular or flavored applesauce, graham crackers, and low-fat milk. All Breakfast Kits include a spoon and napkin.
The cost is $3.00 per Breakfast Kit. Eligible students may receive meals free of charge if qualified.
For more information, click HERE to be directed to our Classical Academies Meal Program website or HERE to download the online ordering and registration instructions for your site.
School Meals Available at Community Locations
On October 9, 2020, the USDA extended the summer grab-and-go school meal program to encompass the entire school year. Children are eligible to receive meals regardless of school or district of attendance. School districts are working hard to implement the new guidelines and meet local needs. Locally, we are aware of meal services in Escondido, Oceanside, and Vista. Please visit their websites for more information. To find out when your neighborhood school will be ready to participate in this program, please visit 20/21 Meal Sites for Students.
Please also visit these other community resources:
Mr. C's Corner
CLICK HERE to visit Mr. C's Corner! You'll find information about the Key of the Unit and other useful 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!
Affordable Internet and Computers
During this time of required in-home learning, internet companies are committed to helping families in need to receive affordable home internet access.
Qualifying families with children in grades K-12 are eligible for discounted high speed home internet. Visit Cox Connect2Compete or AT&T Stay Connected.
If your family is in need of a home computer, Computers for Kids is offering refurbished computers to those in need. Visit Computers for Kids for more information.
Please note that due to COVID-19, Performing Arts extracurricular activities have been paused. We will post here when we are able to offer activities again for our school community.
1-6 Choir
Watch here for more information!
7-8 Choir
Watch here for more information!
7-8 Vocal Ensemble
Watch here for more information!
Band
Watch here for more information!
CAMS Dance
Watch here for more information!
Handbells
Unfortunately the handbell choir will not meet during the 2020-21 school year. We are hoping to see it return in fall 2021!
7th Grade Catalina Trip - UPDATE
We are sure you have seen in the news lately that Los Angeles County has fallen deeper into the Purple Tier and has been given a stay-at-home order, issued by the Governor. Catalina Island is located in LA County, meaning that they have not been given any instructions on how or even when they would be able to open up to have students attend camps.
We have been keeping close contact with the camp administrators and have tried our best to hold out as long as we can. We want our students to attend this awesome trip, but we also want everyone to be safe and healthy. Without knowing the guidelines, protocols, and procedures that will be in place for our February trip, we do not feel comfortable sending our students to camp this year. Therefore, it is with heavy hearts, that we cancel the 7th Grade Catalina Trip for the 2020/2021 school year. Our teachers are planning other ways for our 7th graders to engage in marine science activities and look forward to sharing those soon.
We thank you for your support and understanding in making these difficult decisions. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your site’s front office.
COVID-19 Cancels 4th-6th Grade Class Trips
The 4th, 5th and 6th grade class trips will be canceled this year due to COVID-19.
With shifting health updates, and the unpredictability of just how the school year will unfold, we have made the tough decision to cancel these class trips for this year.
Our 7th grade class trip has been moved from September 2020 to February 2021 and our 8th grade class trip has been moved from November 2020 to March 2021. We are sincerely hoping that these trips will still happen. Obviously, as the dates get closer for these trips, we will keep our travelers updated if changes arise or a cancellation is needed.
We regret this is happening and hope to see these educational adventures return next year.
4th Grade: Northern CA
Canceled for 2020-21
5th Grade: Pathfinder Ranch
Canceled for 2020-21
6th Grade: Astro Camp
Canceled for 2020-21
7th Grade: Catalina
Feb 24-26, 2021
Watch here for info on trip meeting.
Contact Chandler Payne cpayne@classicalacademy.com for info.
8th Grade: East Coast
Mar 18-25, 2021
Our trip has been rescheduled and there's still time to register to go!
8th Grade: East Coast
Mar 18-25, 2021
CLICK HERE to see a video from the 2019 east coast trip!
CLICK HERE for more information.
The information in this section is provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. It is independent of The Classical Academy and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by The Classical Academies. Please contact the service provider directly with all questions or concerns.
Art & Poetry Contest
California students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the Coastal Art & Poetry Contest, presented by the California Coastal Commission.
Entries can be submitted online until midnight January 31st. For rules, contest flyer, and entry form, please visit www.coastal.ca.gov/art-poetry.
Up to ten winners will be selected to win $100 gift certificates to an art supply store (for artists) or book store (for poets). Each winner's sponsoring teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate for educational supplies, courtesy of Acorn Naturalists. Students may have their work featured on Commission web pages and materials, and winners and honorable mentions will be exhibited throughout the state, as conditions allow.
Comments, Suggestions, Great Ideas?
Do you have a comment, suggestion, idea to share?
We have a special email address just for you, comments@classicalacademy.com.
Your partnership is valued. Your ideas strengthen our programs. We look forward to hearing from you soon.