January 13, 2016

Dear Parents & Caregivers,

Happy New Year!! We hope you got lots of rest and blessings during your winter break and are ready to start 2016 with a bang!! Here at AFPCS we are continuing to put our best foot forward and strive for excellence as we go through trimester #2 and as grades 3-8 prepare for the PSSA exams in April. In addition, we have started our annual Spirit of Alliance Campaign to raise $46,500 to purchase 100 NOTEBOOK LAPTOPS for our Upper School. With the partnership of our Parent Advisory Board, we will be hosting a series of fundraising events, raffles, sales, drives and more to make this NEED a REALITY for OUR CHILDREN. AFPCS parents always show up and show out when it comes to what is best for their children! This is the time to show our kids that they deserve nothing short of the best when it comes to their education. We hope that within the next 3 months, every AFPCS family can commit to participating in donating/supporting or raising at least $100 per child that they have at the school. If we did that we would have $45,000 instantly!!! We have also prepared a Sponsor/Donor Proposal Packet that is available at www.afpcs.org to assist with soliciting support from our jobs or businesses we are associated with. We ask that you check it out and share it with folks that can make a difference for our children. Let’s join together in the TRUE SPIRIT OF ALLIANCE .

Parents it is imperative that you sign up for our text alerts or like us on Facebook, when we experience inclement weather or any emergency as we did this week this is the only way we can notify you of any changes. To sign up:

Send a text for LS messages to: 81010 With the message: @9fw

Send a text for US messages to: 81010 With the message: @afpc

Cold

Weather

Dress Please remember the dress requirements

during the winter months. All students are still required to wear the correct uniform daily including solid black shoes/sneakers.

If they are wearing clothing under their uniform that can be seen (turtle necks, long

johns, thermals, etc.) they should also be solid navy blue. Students can wear solid

navy sweaters (no hoodies) in school as well.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

DRESS DOWN

Friday, January 15th. $2 to participate

(Students should wear clothing representing their favorite college or

university)

(ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT FAMILY UNITY NIGHT)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat JAN 10 11 B-Day

BBall Game @ KIPP North @5pm

WIN 1-0

12 C-Day

13 D-Day *Kindergarten Parent Meeting 3:35pm LS *5th Grade Parent Meeting 5pm US *8th Grade Parent Meeting 6:15pm US

14 E-Day BBall Game @ KIPP

West @5pm

15 F-Day *Pretzel Sale $0.50 *Dress Down $2—COLLEGE DAY *Dads & Donuts Event Team Meeting –8:15 LS

16

17 18 NO SCHOOL

*8th grade Comm Serv @AFPCS-10am

19 A-Day *US Clubs Resume *Music Begins at LS *PE/Health Begins at US

20 B-Day *PAB Meeting @5:30pm—LS Cafeteria *B-Ball Game @Belmont—5pm

21 C-Day *Trimester 2 -Progress Reports Sent Home *B-Ball Game @BELMONT—5pm

22 D-Day *Pretzel Sale $0.50 *Dress Down Day $2 “Freestyle”

23

24 25 E-Day B-Ball Game @DISCOVERY—5pm

26 F-Day *Board Meeting @6:00pm—LS *BBall Game @ Bel-mont @5pm

27 A-Day *WED. FOLDER-Pls Sign *2016-17 Intent to Re-turn/Sibling Forms *BBall Game @5pm

28 B-Day

29 NO SCHOOL

STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

30

31 FEB 1 C-Day *LS– 100th Day of School Celebration *BBall Game @ KIPP

2 D-Day *PAB Claire's Gourmet Fundraiser Sale Begins

3 E-Day *US PBIS Party *Sixers Family Night $20

4 F-Day B-Ball Game @West Oak Lane —5:15pm

5 A-Day *Pretzel Sale $0.50 *Dads & Donuts Event Team Meeting –8:15 LS

6

7 8 B-Day

9 C-Day

10 D-Day *WED. FOLDER-Pls Sign B-Ball Game @BELMONT —5pm

11 E-Day

12 F-Day *Dads & Donuts @9am—Columbia North YMCA

13

JAN & FEB 2016

“ A Caring Community of Learners, Thinkers & Achievers! ”

The Lower School

LOWER SCHOOL SUPER STARS!

11.30 – 12.11

K: Jaisa G. Zion H.C. Persias B. Nyla D. 1ST: Zaniyah G. Aminah B. Oriyona H.A.

2ND: Samira A. Cianni M. Jameer B. Najee M. 3RD: James L. Tahir J. Marissa B. Isa M.

MUSIC BEGINS IN THE LOWER SCHOOL ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 19TH!!!

LAST DAY FOR PE UNIFORMS IS FRIDAY, 1/15!

******* Lower School Safety Patrol ******* CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 1ST MEMBERS OF OUR SAFETY PATROL!

Zabria B. - Amia G. - Zainiah S.H. - Raquiah R.

Minyan W. - Laniyah W.

Each month, six 3rd graders will be chosen to serve on the

LS Safety Patrol to promote

RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY & SAFETY in our school.

Safety Patrol qualifications include:

­ Being on blue or green for 1 month ­ No lateness for 1 month

­ Passing grades in all subjects

Students who meet these requirements will have the chance to be chosen randomly to serve on Safety Patrol the following month.

PROGRESS REPORTS COMING HOME THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST!

Upper School News (Grades 4 – 8)

A

February PBIS Party

Wednesday, February 3rd

Temple Owls

Basketball Game

@ The Liacouras Center

Details to follow

Party Eligibility:

-no more than 2 late nesses or absences (2 of each)

-no more than 17 demerits

-no Level 2/3 referrals/infractions

-no suspensions (ISS or OSS)

-no bus violations

-teacher/PBIS team discretion

4th Grade

Field Trip:

When? Thurs., Jan. 28th

Where? Camden Aquarium

Permission slips were sent home

by Ms. Louis and Ms. Hall. All

slips are due by Fri., Jan. 22nd.

Health & Phys. Ed

On Tuesday, January 19th all upper school students

will begin taking health & PE with Mr. Dickson.

Students are required to stay in regular school

uniform until warmer months (we will keep you

posted).

Schedule:

A, C, & E Days: Ms. Louis, Ms. Guistwite, Mr.

Chestnut, Mr. Kern, & Mr. Kannengieszer

B, D, & F Days: Ms. Hall, Ms. McGarry, Mr. Miller,

Ms. Kessler, and Ms. Maicher

8th Grade Parents

Please send in a baby picture of your child

for this year’s yearbook! Please make sure

to write the students name and year the

picture was taken on the back.

December Recognition:

4th – Sionne M. & Asiyah J.C.

5th – Patience S. & Iyonna R.

6th – Kesli J. & Quadir T.

7th – Danasia P. & Noel G.

8th – Carleton P. & Khalil R.

All Upper School Clubs will begin on

Tuesday, January 19th.

Please reach out to Ms. Lloyd with any questions!

AFPCS-PAB looking for:

Pretzel Sales Help: Every Friday morning from 7:45-8:45 am at the LS & US

Classroom Representatives (2 parents with all Clearances)

Committees

PAB Parent Attendees and Members so that your voice can be heard

For more info contact the school office at 215-232-4892 or the PAB

President at: Afpcspab.president@gmail.com

Please continue collecting and sending in Box Tops to the school office. Any questions? Contact Shantelle Thomas (President) at 267-581-9795.

"Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself" ~John Dewey

We are rescheduling the meeting dates back to Tuesday evenings. Learn more

about PAB and share your suggestions at our next meeting scheduled for

January 19th at 5:30pm. Location: Lower School Lunchroom. Each one Bring One!

Tell another parent to attend PAB meetings with you.

Thank you!

PAB Newsletter

Jan. 2016

Edition

Welcome Back Parents and Students to a New Year!!

The PAB members hopes everyone had a safe and enjoyable winter break. Here

are some things going on with the PAB:

The Skating Party that took place on Saturday, 12/26/15 was a lot of fun. Thank

you to everyone who supported and came out to skate! We are looking to have

another one during our Spring Break at the end of March. Please be on the

lookout for date and time.

Our Claire’s Gourmet fundraiser is set to start on Tuesday, February 2, 2016.

Please sell as much as you are able to in order to support the school. Prizes

including cash and gift cards can be earned for the top sellers. We will be looking

for volunteers to help sort delivered items in March; details to follow.

The PAB Board Members received feedback regarding our meeting date on

Wednesday evenings. We have decided to change the meeting date back to

Tuesday evenings to accommodate more parent members. Please email our

President Shantelle Thomas at afpcs.president@gmail.com or VP Roma Warner at

roma-27@msn.com for any concerns.

During prior PAB meetings you’ve shared views on

how to keep our children’s school stay progressive.

The PAB Board is currently working with school

leaders on parent suggestions:

Friday, February 1

Columbia North YMCA Dear AFPCS Families, Our annual Dads & Donuts event is on its way and we are kindly welcoming donations of items that

would assist us in making the event possible.

meats, etc) that are not listed. These donations are needed by

Lower School

Small Bottles of Assorted Juices

Butter/Margerine

White or Blue Plastic ROUND

RECTANGLE Tablecloths

Aluminum Foil

We thank you in advance for your support! Sincerely,

the Dads of the Event Team

Friday, February 12, 2016 @8:45am

Columbia North YMCA – Broad & Master Streets

Our annual Dads & Donuts event is on its way and we are kindly welcoming donations of items that

would assist us in making the event possible. We also welcome monetary donations to purchase other items

These donations are needed by THURSDAY, JANUARY 28th.

Lower School – K-3 Upper School – 4-8

Small Bottles of Assorted Juices Bottles of Water

/Margerine Quaker Grits “Quick 5 Minute”

White or Blue Plastic ROUND and

ablecloths

Plates

Forks/Knives/Napkins

Serving Spoons/Forks/Tongs

Aluminum Foil Large Aluminum Pans

We thank you in advance for your support! Sincerely,

the Dads of the Event Team

Broad & Master Streets Our annual Dads & Donuts event is on its way and we are kindly welcoming donations of items that

to purchase other items (eggs,

Quaker Grits “Quick 5 Minute”

/Forks/Tongs

We thank you in advance for your support! Sincerely,

US After School Clubs Session #2 –January 19th –April 7th

3:35-4:30pm

Below are the after school clubs that will be available for Session #1 for students in grades 4-8. Students must sign up using the permission slip and return it to their teacher as soon as possible. Clubs have a max

number of participants, so they will be filled on a first come first serve basis.

Club Name: Mad Science Day: Wednesdays Club Advisor: Ms. DiBona Club Description: Do you want to become a scientist or dare I say a MAD Scientist? In this exciting club you can unleash your mad scientist

through interactive experiments. These hands-on experiments will open your eyes to different areas of science that you encounter every day. Come be a part of the Science Gone Mad club today!

Club Name: Middle School Step Team Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays Club Advisor: Miss Louis

Club Description: Those students interested in or have a background in stepping. Learn how to make beats with your hands and feet using props. This traditional step dates back to Africa in which beats were used as a form of communication. The step team here will learn to make beats and incorporate beats into modern day music. This tradition of steeping has been infused in sororities and fraternities for over 100 years.

Club Name: AFPCS Dance, Dance and Mo Dance!

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays Club Advisor: Mr. Kenny Club Description: Are you a kid that suddenly feels the urge to move when you hear a pulsing beat? So much that you don't care how you look or who's around you just have to get up and move? If that's you, come and take a dance class with us! Why not take all of that energy and put it to both great and positive use? Here students will learn such genres as ballet, jazz, hip hop,

and modern. Many feel as though dance is only for girls which is definitely FALSE! I strongly encourage EVERYONE to come out and take class and have a great time!

Club Name: Improv Club Days: Wednesdays Club Advisor: Mr. Kannengeiszer Club Description: Are you someone who has a natural talent at making people laugh? Can you think on your feet? Do you have a talent or passion for acting? …then check out the Improv Comedy Club! Improv comedy is acting without a script. You have to be able to think of your lines as the scene develops. We will have acting workshops, meet local improv actors, and put on performances that are sure to make your friends laugh.

Students must sign up using the permission slip and

return it to their teacher as soon as possible. Clubs have a max number of participants, so they will be filled on a

first come first serve basis.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upper School Clubs Program

I allow _______________________________ to participate in the Upper School Clubs program at AFPCS on the selected days (see above) from 3:35-4:30pm for session #2. I would like to enroll in: (choose 1-only) ______ Mad Science (Wed) ______ Dance (Tues & Thurs) ______ Improv Club (Wed)

_______ Step Team (Tues & Thurs)

I understand that my child’s academic performance and behavior could make my child ineligible to participate. The program is over at 4:30pm, please choose how your child will be going home. Please note that any child not picked up by 4:40pm will be assessed a $1 a min late fee. My child will be: _______ Picked up by a parent or guardian at 4:30pm

_______ Walking or on public transportation Parent Signature ___________________________________ Date:_____________________ In the event of an emergency, I can be contacted at: # _______________________________

8th Graders & Temple University- Community Service /MLK DAY @Alliance

Your child’s class will be attending a field trip to: AFPCS- Non school day

Date Monday, January 18, 2016 Time 10am-1pm (Dismissal starts at 12:45PM)

Purpose To complete 2016 vision boards with students from Temple University

Cost $ 0 /student $ N/A /chaperone (cost includes admission and transportation)

Means of Transportation Students will use weekly transpasses to commute to school and back

Dress Dress in comfortable clothing

Lunch Will be provided by Temple University

.

Other

Notes

Students who are more than 10 minutes late will not be allowed to participate in this event and will be sent back home. Students must enter through the front entrance of the Upper School

Have questions or concerns? Phone us: 215-232-4892 Fax us: 215-232-4894 Visit us: www.afpcs.org

Please return this permission slip by this date: Friday, January 15, 2016 No child will be able to attend without a permission slip. All school rules are in effect. Field trips make us a school on wheels. Any student who violates school rules will be eliminated from future trips. In addition, students may be excluded from any field trip for one or more of the following reasons prior to any field trip: Inappropriate Behavior Excessive Absences/Tardiness Lack of Academic Effort Detentions/Suspensions

Save this portion for your reference

Cut this portion and return to school

Alliance For Progress Charter School

I give permission for my child child’s name in class

to attend the field trip to

AFPCS- Non school day

location on

Monday, January 18. 2016

date

From

10:00AM

time to

1:00 PM

time

Enclosed is $ 0 to cover the cost of the trip. (Exact cash please)

I further consent to the conditions stated above on participation in this event, including the method of transportation. Alliance for Progress Charter School will make every effort to ensure the safety of all children on this trip. In consideration of my child being allowed to participate in this field trip, I hereby agree on behalf of myself and my child, to release Alliance for Progress Charter School, their employees, trustees, agents and representatives, including volunteers, collectively “Releasees’, from any and all claims, including negligence, which may be asserted by me or my child, or on behalf of my child, arising from or relating to my child’s participation in the field trip. I have instructed my child to follow the rules of conduct as directed by the Chaperones. In case of an emergency, I give permission for my child to receive medical treatment. In case of such an emergency, please contact:

Name

Phone

Parent/Guardian

Signature X Date