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American Academy News
New Extracurricular Activities at AA
Check out the new extracurricular activities at AA! For practice times and fees, visit the Extracurricular Activities page on the website.
Homework Club (K-5)
Back by popular demand, Ms. McKenzie and Ms. Lusk's 3:35-4:35 pm Homework Club offers students in Kindergarten through Grade 5 students some teacher-supervised quiet time at the end of the day to get homework done. And parents get to skip the 3:35 pm carpool line for a quieter 4:35 pm pick-up--quite a bargain at $5.00 a day! Please be advised that late pick-ups can cost you up to $25.00 (the cost goes up the later you are)! K-5 Homework Club will start on Monday, August 30 and run through Friday, May 20, 2011. Contact Ms. Lusk if you're interested!
Homework Club (6-8)
New this year, many thanks to Ms. Pieseski and Ms. Neil, is the Middle School Homework Club! Offering middle school students an opportunity to get some homework done in a quiet, teacher-supervised environment, Middle School Homework Club will run from August 30, 2010, through May 20, 2011, for $7.00 a day. It's another hour for busy parents and busy kids, so when everyone's home, the work is (hopefully) done and you can all relax. Just like the K-5 Homework Club, there will be fees for late pick-ups (up to $25.00!) and students will not be allowed back until late fees are paid in full. Please contact Ms. Pieseski if you'd like to sign your student up!
Broadway Revue "Let's Make a Scene!" (K-8)
The first big AA show of the year, the Broadway Revue has students choosing their own Broadway tunes and choreographing dances and singing songs. All ages are welcome to audition for participation! Students (K-8) will put together a "rough" presentation, with music and choreography and stage ideas, for the auditions in early September. Though the creativity and the ideas come from the students themselves, Mr. Middlebrooks works with every group to assist with vocals and choreography as they prepare for their big night on stage. Regular rehearsal schedule will be announced once auditions are complete. The performance is scheduled to take place on December 3, 2010 with after-school rehearsals during the week of November 29. Email Mr. Middlebrooks if you'd like to sign up to audition!
After Care by SpringBoard After School
If you are a working parent who needs longer and more regular care for your students after school, we are very proud to be host to the SpringBoard After School program, an education-focused set-up offering one-on-one homework guidance with a certified teacher, along with structured play-time and access to extracurricular activites offered both by SpringBoard or AA. Students may stay as late as 6:00 pm each school day with SpringBoard. If you think you might be interested in this program, visit the SpringBoard website to find out how you can sign up! After care is scheduled to start on the first day of Elementary School, August 23.
Piano Marvel Lessons (K-8)
Students of all ages are invited to join Mr. Middlebrooks for Piano Marvel piano lessons on Thursdays from 3:35 pm -  4:35 pm. Brush up on your finger skills and learn some new music and techniques! Email Mr. Middlebrooks if you'd like to sign up.
Band (4-8)
Start warming up for American Academy Band! Intended for 4th –8th graders with one year or less prior instrumental experience, this twice weekly class will help the new music student on their way as they learn their instrument of choice, how to care for the instrument, how to read music, and the fun of playing in a group! Instrument choices vary but may include: flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone and drums. Whether you have one of these at home or need to rent one, Mr. Curran will assist with rental service and the instruction of student maintenance for instruments. Email Mr. Curran for details and sign-up!
Guitar (3-8)
Learn how to play the guitar! Our guitar teacher, Mr. Cantu, is pursuing his doctorate from CU Boulder in guitar studies and we are proud and fortunate to have him working with our guitar students. He will be in Mr. Middlebrooks room (Room 331) on Wednesday mornings from 7:00 am - 7:55 am from September 1 - November 10. Please contact Mr. Middlebrooks if you're interested in participating!
Girls Dance Team (6-8)
Now girls can step out of line in time with the AA Girls Dance Team! Participation is by audition only, and with 15 spots for 15 girls. Audition practice will be on August 31 and September 2, where girls will learn the audition routine and auditions will be on September 7 and 9. Girls will work with Ms. Donohoe to learn specific dance routines and ultimately, put on a performance for everyone with the Broadway Revue. Practices are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:35 pm - 4:35 pm in the cafeteria (no practice on September 30 due to conferences). Girls will need to supply their own jazz pants and shoes, but t-shirts for the performance are covered by the fee. Email Ms. Donohoe for sign-up and other details.
Book Club (K-1)
Come share a book with your friends! Kindergartners and First Graders are invited to join Mrs. Quimby in her classroom on Mondays, September 13 through December 6, from 3:35 - 4:35 pm, to read books and talk about them with each other. It's a great way to get kids reading and thinking about what they've read! Contact Mrs. Quimby for details and sign-up.
Continued Spanish
This is the next level of Spanish language instruction for Grade 1 or 2 students who completed the first level of Spanish in 2009-2010. Contact Ms. Glanville to sign up and move to the next level!
Service Club
Students will join Ms. Williams, Ms. Pieseski and Ms. Stanley to plan and carry out service missions in our community! There is no charge to participate, and both the school and the teachers will be donating their resources and time. We will meet in Ms. Williams' room, Rm. 323, each Thursday, 3:35 - 4:35 pm. Projects will be determined by students, and may require some parent driving. Email Ms. Williams to get more information.
Spanish for Kindies and Grades 1-4 by Spanish Enrichment Inc.
We're proud to host local group Spanish Enrichment Inc. in support of language opportunitites at AA. Classes for Kindies will be held on Thursdays in Art Room 219 from 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm. Classes for Grades 1-4 will be held on Wednesdays in the cafeteria from 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm. Contact Norma McKnight for more information. Download and complete the registration formto apply.
Drama Club (2-5)
For our youngest thespians, singers and dancers all! Join Ms. Merkling on Tuesdays, 3:35 - 4:50 pm, to put together a performance for the Broadway Revue like no other! Students will meet and rehearse in Ms. Merkling's room (221). Contact Ms. Merkling for more information!
Bag Lunches on the Menu Through September 16!
Parents, please remember to pack your students a bag lunch for the first few Tuesdays and Thursdays! Pizza Tuesdays and Sandwich Thursdays do not begin until September 14 and 16, respectively.
Sign Up to Volunteer at Lunch and Recess
Volunteering for your child's lunch and recess time is a great way to get involved at American Academy and a great way to check in and see your child during their busy school day.
This year we are asking that you sign up to volunteer in shifts by grade level. Please note that when you sign up, you will be covering each grade level that you sign up for throughout the entire lunch AND recess period (45 min). Feel free to sign up for more than one grade level at a time.

SIGN UP HERE and thank you for volunteering!

Kindergarten: 10:45 - 11:29 Recess/Lunch
1st grade: 10:45 - 11:29 Lunch/Recess
2nd grade: 12:20 - 1:05 Lunch/Recess
3rd grade: 11:32 - 12:17 Lunch/Recess
4th grade: 12:20 - 1:05 Recess/Lunch
5th grade: 11:32 - 12:17 Recess/Lunch
6th grade: 1:08 - 1:53 Lunch/Recess
7th/8th grade: 1:08 - 1:53 Recess/Lunch
New Trees in Loving Memory
When you drive up to the school for carpool in the morning, please take a moment to notice the young trees recently planted in front of the cafeteria. These beautiful ornamental pear trees, donated by Alameda Wholesale (owned by AA parents Steve and Jackie Brown) and planted by AA parent John Gibson (of Swingle Tree, Lawn and Landscape Care), were in bloom last spring when one of our AA parents, Todd Swift, died very suddenly.
The trees were selected beacuse of their spring beauty, and to memorialize his strong spirit for his three children, all AA students. We hope that when they arrive at school in the morning every day, they are reminded of his love and his life, and know that we, too, remember.
Thank you to Steve and Jackie and John for their generous gifts of trees and time. And to Todd's wife, Pam, for this beautiful and meaningful addition to the school.
Sea Change for Sea Camp
If you are planning on sending your 7th grader to Sea Camp in San Diego this fall, you've probably already heard there's been a schedule change for the second week. We've worked hard to schedule two back-to-back weeks for Sea Camp because we feel that it's the best scenario for our curriculum and our students. What does this mean for parents?

- Week 1 is still September 13-17, but Week 2 Sea Camp is now September 20-24.
- The weather in September is warmer as is the water temperature. - Curriculum will be more consistent within the whole 7th grade. - Airfare cost will not exceed $250.00. Tickets will be purchased on August 12. - Final payment will not be due until August 25 (more details to follow-stay tuned!)

For questions about Sea Camp, please contact Kristi Doke.
Carpool Reminders
All in all, carpool is going pretty well, so just a few reminders. Please go to the END of the line, rather than trying to merge with the line at Lagae and Mira Vista or at King Soopers. Many drivers that are waiting in line are getting frustrated as people merge in front of them. If we are all considerate of each other, carpool will continue to get better.

Carpool will get better as:

(1) After school activities get into full swing

(2) People start to carpool more (everyone likes to drive their own kids the first week)

(3) Arrival times spread out (everyone tends to arrive at the same time the first week – soon they will settle into a pattern of early-birds, on-timers, and squeaking in at the tail end – you know who you are! J)

Thanks for all of your cooperation this week – the attendants really appreciate your help!
Construction Under Way
Starting this week (8/31/2010 - 9/3/2010), there will be trucks crossing Mira Vista during the day (not during carpool, thankfully!). They will be building a ramp so they can go across the street, which will mean a bump in the road for us (no worse than a speed bump). Please be aware and be careful. This should only go on for a couple of weeks.
BrainPop is Back
We love brainpop.com at AA, and we've renewed our subscription for this year so our parents and kids can access it any time. Log in to www.brainpop.com, www.brainpopjr.com (for K-2), or
www.esp.brainpop.com (BrainPop in Spanish) with the following information:

UID: american
PWD: academy

Enjoy!
Scouting for Scouts
First to fifth grade boys are invited to join the active, established Castle Pines North Cub Scouts Pack 826! New scouts and parents can come and learn about cub scouting at the "Round Up" in the Castle Pines North Community Center at Castle Pines Parkway & Yorkshire Drive on Thursday, August 26, or Tuesday, August 31, from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. Pack 826 is also planning a Rocket Shoot for Saturday, Sept 11, 1:00-3:00 pm at Coyote Ridge Park--kids of all ages are welcome! For more information about joining the pack and all the fun, please contact Cubmaster, Bob Vick.
Rev Foods Lunch Bar Allergen Report
For those of you interested in purchasing Rev Foods lunch bars, but uncertain because of food allergies, the Rev Foods Allergen Report should have all the information you need to make an informed decision. Rev Foods ingredients follow Whole Foods standards, and their milk, purchased from local Horizon Dairy, is rBst- and hormone-free. Please email Sonia Sisneros for more questions about Revolution Foods mission and practices, or you can visit the Revolution Foods website anytime!
Cub Scout Pack 781 Open to New Members!
Cub Scout Pack 781 is now open to new members!  If your son loves to have fun and spend time outdoors then Cub Scouts is just the ticket! Scouting provides your son with an opportunity to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence, and reinforce ethical standards. These opportunities not only help them when they are young but also carry forward into their adult lives.
Our Cub Scout Pack participates in lots of fun activities throughout the year, including RocketBlast, Pinewood Derby, Winter Camp-in and Summer Camp-out. Check out the flyer, and make plans to join us at our Membership meeting for complete information and to join our Pack: Thursday, August 19th at 6:30pm at Soaring Hawk Elementary School in The Meadows, Castle Rock, or contact Tracie Pollet, Membership Chair.
Quick Clicks
2010-2011 School Calendar
DCSD Parent Portal
Pizza Tuesday
Shop with Script (use enrollment code E854CFF5152LL)
Sandwich Thursday
AA Parent Teacher Organization
Enter AA Volunteer Hours
Parent Portal
Revolution Foods
Milk Order Form
Kids Links
Homework Help
Event Calendar
Aug 23 - Sept 10
6th Grade STEM: JSS
Aug 30 - Sept 10
2nd Grade STEM: Agricultural Engineering
Sept 3
Revolution Foods: Burger Bar
Sept 3
Elementary Homework Club (Rm 242 or 249), 3:35 - 4:35 pm
Sept 3
NO FRIDAY AFTER CARPOOL COFFEE TODAY
Sept. 7 - 10
Kindergarten STEM: Animals
Sept 10
Friday After Carpool Coffee w/Erin Kane, 8am, Dazbog
Sept 10
2nd Grade STEM Field Trip: Miller Farms
Sept 13 - 17
SEACAMP San Diego, 7th Grade, Week 1 SEACAMP SAN DIEGO Website
Sept 14
First day of Pizza Tuesday
Sept 16
First Day of Sandwich Thursday
Sept17
Friday After Carpool Coffee w/Krystal Kroeker, 8am, Dazbog
Sept 20 - 24
SEACAMP San Diego, 7th Grade, Week 2 SEACAMP SAN DIEGO Website
Sept 21
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Sept 24
Friday After Carpool Coffee w/Erin Kane, 8am, Dazbog
Sept 27- Oct 14
5th Grade STEM: Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) Vehicles
Oct 1
Friday After Carpool Coffee w/Ron Smith, 8am, Dazbog
Oct 4 - 14
4th Grade STEM: Electrical Engineering
Oct 8
NO FRIDAY AFTER CARPOOL COFFEE
Oct 15
NO FRIDAY AFTER CARPOOL COFFEE
Oct 19
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Oct 25 - 29
8th Grade STEM: Computer Aided Design: Google Sketch-Up/CAD
Oct 29
Friday After Carpool Coffee w/Erin Kane, 8am, Dazbog
Nov 2 - 4
1st Grade STEM: Marine Biology
Nov 8 - 19
3rd Grade STEM: Environmental Engineering
Nov 8 - 12
5th Grade STEM: Robotics
Nov 16
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Nov 29 - Dec 10
5th Grade STEM: Bioengineering
Dec 6 - 10
6th Grade STEM: Robotics
Dec 6 - 16
2nd Grade STEM: Robotics WEDO
Dec 14
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Jan 3 -11
3rd Grade STEM: Robotics
Jan 13 - 21
7th Grade STEM: Forensics
Jan 18
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Jan 18 - Feb 4
6th Grade STEM: Challenger Learning Center: Operation Montserrat eMission
Jan 23 - 28
8th Grade Trip to Yosemite Institute Yosemite Institute Website
Jan 24 - Feb 4
Kindergarten STEM: Geometry and Architecture
Jan 24 - Feb 4
1st Grade STEM: Materials Engineering
Feb 15
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Feb 28 - March 4
4th Grade STEM: Robotics
March 7 - 18
2nd Grade STEM: Industrial Engineering
Mar 15
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
March 28 - April 1
7th Grade STEM: Robotics
March 28 - April 8
5th Grade STEM: Packaging
Apr 4 - 15
4th Grade STEM: Geotechnical Engineering
Apr 11 - 22
7th Grade STEM: Save the Biosphere: “Biopshere 3”
April 11 - 21
5th Grade STEM: Rocketry
Apr 19
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
April 25 - May 6
8th Grade STEM: Rocketry
May 2 - 13
1st Grade STEM: Chemical Engineering
May 9 - 13
Kindergarten STEM: Ecology
May 15 - 21
6th Grade STEM: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Website
May 16 - 26
3rd Grade STEM: Wings' Aviation Science Program (WASP)
May 17
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Jun 21
BOD Meeting (Agenda)
Jul 19
BOD Meeting (Agenda)