Check out the article in today’s Arizona’s republic (I hear we are on the front page) regarding classroom sponsorships – great picture of some of our 5^th grade students:

http://www.azcentral.com/news/20120516phoenix-area-companies-role-class-sponsors

 Go to www.azcharteracademy.com and nominate the teacher of the year. You can download the nomination PDF from the front page of the website. 

 Program Connects School to the West Valley Community, Allows for Mutually-Beneficial Relationships

 

SURPRISE, Arizona--Hanging outside the fifth grade classroom door at Arizona Charter Academy is a plaque that reads "Total Transit." A few hallways over, a similar plaque reading "National Bank of Arizona" is on the wall outside of the second grade classroom.

 

The two plaques do more than advertise the local businesses. They represent a unique and special partnership between the Surprise school and the community—one that benefits both the students and staff at the school and the employees of the company by allowing the businesses to sponsor classrooms.

 

Jerry Mullen is the area manager of Total Transit, the parent company of Discount Cab. He said that sponsoring the fifth grade class fits in well with the company's desire to be involved with the community.

 

"I took a tour of the school and I was really impressed by what they do," he said. "The staff is very involved with all of the students, and it just seemed like an amazing place. When I was told our company could sponsor a class or a grade, I decided to take advantage of it."

 

Melissa Holdaway, chief operating officer for Arizona Charter Academy, said Mullen arranged for a $2,000 donation from his company to the fifth grade classroom, which the teachers used to buy additional learning resources not included in the curriculum budget.

 

For example, the students are now using Kindles, dramatically expanding the number of novels available.  Students are excited to read on their new “technology” as the result of Total Transit's generosity.

 

In addition, Mullen said he and some of his employees make it a point to volunteer in the classroom at least once a month, spending time helping the students with their work and projects. He and his coworkers look forward to visiting the school and helping out where needed.

 

National Bank of Arizona stepped up to sponsor the second grade classroom. Employees from the bank have come in to teach math lessons using real money, while advising students on the value of saving.  Their contribution has enabled teachers to purchase additional science resources, such as the butterfly farm they currently have in their classroom. Students can watch the life cycle and will be taking a field trip later this school year to release the butterflies at a local butterfly farm. 

 

Holdaway said she is thrilled with the class sponsorship program. It's a win-win situation that benefits the students immensely. She hopes that more local businesses will step forward and sponsor other classrooms at the school.

 

"The program is really showing positive results as, not only does it bring additional resources to the school, but enables the students to learn from community members, which is the real benefit," she said.

Good morning,

 I wanted to let you know that one of our parents, Ms. Hunt, came by this morning and gave a gift card for $300.00 to add to our classroom and school library.  Ms. Hunt told me that she is so thankful for what ACA has done for her kids and wanted to give back.  One of those moments that reminds you why you are in education!!

 Thank you to the staff for making such a positive impact on our parents and students!

 Arizona Charter Academy Joins Forces with City of Surprise for Free Basketball and Volleyball Camps

My students are bringing hope to families in need one house at a time! For the past 4 years, 30 staff members and high school students have gone to Mexico or more recently the San Carlos Indian reservation to build a home for a family in need. We camp in tents, work long days and change lives Our school is a innovative charter school that defies the norms of most schools in the area. We are located on the border of a rural farming community and a fast growing suburb. Both areas were hit hard by the mortgage bust in Arizona and our Title 1 school is at 87% for Free and Reduced Lunch. Our community unusually mirrors a national diversity demographic in both student and staff. We have a family type atmosphere but do not use that as an excuse for high academic expectations. It is expected that our kids give back to their communities locally and globally. We are involved in service learning projects in our neighborhood as well as in the San Carlos Indian reservation. We also support efforts to build schools in Uganda. The students participating write an essay explaining what they can contribute to the trip and what impact they can have on their community. Participants come back with increased appreciation of their own lives and a desire to serve others less fortunate. You can help this project by donating here. Click this link. http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=707703&pma=true&pmaId=1242046&pmaHash=M5zh41udidbNCTC3%2FZIniw%3D%3D&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=feedback_donationmessage_teacher

 I am proud to announce that Arizona Charter Academy has been selected as one of Arizona's "100 Best" Companies!

 

 

The "100 Best" were selected by BestCompaniesAZ and community business leaders, based on proprietary research of award winning companies over the past ten years. The "100 Best" have been divided into six categories:

 

·         Best Trailblazers:  Pioneer organizations that sustained exceptional workplaces over the last decade. They represent the best of the best!

·         Best of Heart:  Top companies that prospered through building sustainable relationships with employees, customers, and the community.

·         Best of the Stars:  Companies that demonstrate mastery in their industry, consistently showcasing strength, and setting the standard for best practices.

·         Best of Wings:  Innovation, empowerment, and creativity characterize these top organizations' engagement with their stakeholders.

·         Best of Cool:  These companies have a strong, unique workplace culture. They are known for mixing success with fun.

·         Best of the Future:  The organizations have the potential to lead the charge into Arizona's future.

 

Arizona Charter Academy has been honored with a "Best of Heart" award for building sustainable relationships with employees, customers, and the community, and culmination of previous workplace awards. We will be featured in a Centennial commemorative magazine that will be published in May by BestCompaniesAZ and Republic Media. Over 10,000 copies of the publication will be distributed across the state, to business leaders, universities, economic development organizations, and business associations.

 

MORE GOOD NEWS….Based on our Predictive C Acuity results, we are showing significant student achievement gains from last school year  - students are learning and your hard work is paying off!

 Thank you for making ACA an amazing place – you are the HEART of our organization and together we are going to make a HUGE impact on our students and will be an excelling school! 

Mrs. Holdaway

 

Once again, ACA has demonstrated a spirit of true caring to its community through our Thanksgiving Food Drive. 20+ families were provided with an entire Thanksgiving meal! Thanks to all the classroom support and staff donations. Finally, a big shout out to Shawn Garrelts who organizes this project along with our High School Rotary Club. Shawn you are amazing!

 Arizona Charter Academy eighth-grade history teacher Minette Klenner is in the process of planning and organizing a four-day educational trip to Washington, D.C., next spring with about 30 of her students.

The trip, which will be through a travel program offered by the Smithsonian Institution, will allow students to see in person many of the subjects they are learning in school this year. This is the second time Klenner has traveled to the nation’s capital with students.

In order to help raise money for the trip, which Klenner said will cost about $1,400 per student including airfare, hotels and meals, the students have organized a car wash from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Discount Tire, 13742 W. Bell Road, in Surprise.

“Everything we will do in Washington, D.C., is something we’ve done in class,” Klenner said. “For example, we’re learning about democracy, the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and so we’ll go to Capitol Hill.