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Writer's pictureShelly Smith

Director's Letter October 18, 2024

Dear ACA Community,


It’s hard to believe that we are nearing the end of the first quarter of our school year! From our most veteran ES and teaching staff, to our newest class of Kindergarteners, everyone is settling into the ACA rhythm and learning together. The bulletin boards in the hallways are filling up with beautiful art pieces, brilliant work samples, and fun displays. The sounds coming from the music classes are joyful. The cafeteria and playground are full of happy chatter and smiles at lunchtime. One of our new staff members told me yesterday, ‘This school has really great kids!’ Thank you to all of the really great kids and their parents for choosing ACA!


We are honored to be hosting representatives from the Oregon Department of Education at ACA on October 30. ODE’s new Charter School Specialist, Christen Kelly, and her assistant, Emily Griffith, will be spending the day with us. Christen heard that ‘ACA is doing fabulous things’ and wanted to come see for herself!


The visitors will be in for a treat because they’re coming during School Spirit Week, brought to you by our new Student Government Club. Here are the themes for each day:


Monday, October 28 - Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 29 - Crazy Hair and Hat Day

Wednesday, October 30 - Dress Like a Student/Dress Like Staff Day

Thursday, October 31 - Costume Day (no full masks or scary/gory costumes)


Academic Support Day, open to all Middle and High School students, will be next Friday, October 25th, 2024 from 9)00 AM to 12:00 PM. This will be a good opportunity for students to have some dedicated time to work on schoolwork and focus on getting caught up on missing assignments. Mrs. Pen (Science), Mrs. Best (Math), and Ms. McNeil (LA) will be the supervising teachers for this day. Reach out to your ES for more information and to get signed up to attend.


Thank you to our phenomenal photographer, Stephanie Young, for bringing her creativity and going above and beyond to capture ACA’s smiles this past week! Photo galleries for purchasing will be created upon request by clicking here GALLERY REQUEST If you need to make a change, email Stephanie at syoungphoto@gmail.com The process was smooth thanks to a great group of parent and student volunteers who helped with sign-ins!


Ms. Castellano’s 9-11 Language Arts class is hosting a Six-Word Story Contest open to all students! I highly recommend that you check out the bulletin board by Room 207 for background, stories the class wrote, and more details. Six words can tell a story! To enter, email your six word story to amandacastellano@aca.k12.or.us (Deadline extended to Nov. 1)

Congratulations, once again, to our Orchestra students for being invited as guests of the Oregon Symphony to play at the Schnitzer next Saturday night! The Sinfonietta and Concert groups will be playing in the Atrium area before the Symphony. There’s not a better venue or more appreciative audience in the state! Thank you, Mrs. Trobaugh, for leading this opportunity for our dedicated music students to shine in the community!


ACA is on Instagram! Go follow AllianceCharterAcademyK12 to Like and Comment in support of ACA. And many thanks to Jana Holland for all the help launching the new account!


PTO Happenings: It's almost Trunk or Treat time!! We are excited to share that a record breaking 23 trunks signed up this year!! For anyone able to lend a hand- please consider our signup and help behind the scenes! Responsible, older students are welcome to sign up as well. 

We look forward to seeing you 10/24, from 3:30-4:30 in the lower parking lot!


Our Cards For A Cause FUNdraiser is in full swing! You can find sample box displays and order info in the front entryway and the PTO desk in the cafeteria. 

Orders go through 11/7, and can be picked up at ACA beginning on 11/18. 

HERE is a link to the order form, and HERE is a link to view a video showing the different options. Thank you for your support!!


Quick note about Pizza Thursdays- Please make sure to Pre-Order no later than the Tuesday before. We do order a small amount of extra slices, and really hate to turn folks away once it runs out! Thank you to all of the volunteers who make this happen, we are so grateful to have your consistent help!


Gentle Rule Reminder: Please keep the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up car lines moving. There are times when cars get backed up onto the blind curves of Forsythe Road. Safe and efficient drop-off and pick-up is the goal!


Remember to check the calendar on our website often! AllianceCharterAcademy.org


Thank you for being part of the ACA family, and have a wonderful weekend!


Go Eagles, 


Shelly Smith

24-25 Executive Director


“Our mission is to personalize learning through a collaboration of family, community and school; to nurture the innate curiosity of all our students; to ignite their passion for learning; and to prepare them for lifelong success.”



Cards for a Cause Fundraiser

Monday, October 14 through Thursday, November 7

Orders arrive November 18 


PSAT for Juniors

Wednesday, October 23, 2024


Governing Board Work Session

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Virtual at 6:00pm


Trunk or Treat

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Lower Parking Log

3:30pm - 4:45pm


Spooky Science Night

Thursday, October 24, 2024

3:45pm - 5:15pm


Liepold Farms Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

$12 per person, cash only

Friday, October 25, 2024 

12:15pm - 2:30pm


Oregon Symphony Prelude Concert:

Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 

Saturday, October 26, 2024

7:00pm


Spirit Week

Monday, October 28 - Pajama Day

Tuesday, October 29 - Crazy Hair and Hat Day

Wednesday, October 30 - Dress Like a Student/Dress Like Staff Day

Thursday, October 31 - Costume Day


Dept of Education Visit

Wednesday, October 30, 2024


ACA Enrollment Info Meeting

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

1:00pm Room 220


PTO Meeting

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

3:30pm Cafeteria


Governing Board Meeting

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Virtual at 6:00pm


The Science of Reading Seminar

Friday, November 15, 2024

FLIER and registration LINK

8:30am to 12:30pm


ACA Bazaar Vendor Registration Deadline:

Wednesday, November 27, 2024


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