Good News - Salem Campus

Salem Campus

An American Preparatory Academy School

Good News

Salem Newsletter 10.30.23

Calendar

  • November 1 Picture Retake Day
  • November 2 Land Trust Meeting, 11:30 am
  • November 2 Flu Shot Clinic, 3pm- 7pm
  • November 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4-8pm
  • November 2 JH Winterim Registration Forms Due
  • November 3 NO SCHOOL, Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • November 7 Elementary Mid-Term Missing Work Deadline
  • November 8 Veterans Day Assembly
  • November 10 Spirit Wear Day

October Builders Theme: I am a builder when I am perfectly honest.

Our students are focused on being perfectly honest this month. When your child comes to you to confess a mistake, they are practicing being perfectly honest. Please acknowledge their honesty. You can use the opportunity to discuss how much you value integrity in your family. 

Picture Retake Day- November 1 

School picture retakes will be taken on November 1st.  Students will need to be in full uniform.  As stated in the uniform guide, hair accessories should be black, navy, red, or white; and they must be solid in color or the school plaid.  Also, large earrings are not appropriate.

Flu Shot Clinic- November 2

There will be a flu shot clinic at our campus on November 2nd from 3pm- 7pm. This is available for all students, staff, and families. No appointment is necessary. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences- November 2 and 3

Parent- Teacher conferences are mandatory for our students according to the school handbook. Elementary conferences are scheduled by SignUpGenius. You should have received an email from your child’s homeroom teacher to schedule this conference. Please arrive on time as conferences are scheduled every 15 minutes. 

Secondary staff will be available Thursday from 4-8pm and Friday from 8-12 pm; no appointment is necessary for a 4-7 minute conference with a teacher. If you anticipate needing more time, please email the teacher to schedule a separate time. 

Land Trust Meeting- November 2 

Parents and public are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit the following link: https://salem.americanprep.org/2023/08/01/salem-land-trust-meetings/

Veterans Day Assembly- November 8 

We are very excited for our Veterans Day celebration which will take place on November 8th!  This assembly is an opportunity for students and families to invite a veteran friend or family member to come and be honored by our student body.  Due to the space constraints in our gymnasium, only parents who are accompanying veteran guests, who have students performing solos, or who are volunteering at the event are able to attend in person.  More information regarding this event and a link to watch the event live can be found at the following link: https://blog.americanprep.org/blog/veterans-day. If you would like to RSVP for a veteran that you know, you can use the following link: Online RSVP for Veteran Guests

Halloween

We do not celebrate Halloween at school.  Costumes are not allowed on this day.  Normal uniforms should be worn on this day.

After-School Clubs

Term 2 after-school activities will include the play and volleyball. All students participating in activities must have this waiver signed: https://forms.gle/NwTCscKBZsB927tL8 

Co-Ed Club Volleyball

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME! Come with athletic shoes. 

Starting Monday November 6th – Thursday January 11th; Monday, Tuesday from 3:30-5:00, Thursday from 2:30-4:00. No volleyball will be held during the holiday breaks or on half days.

Lunch Menu

Our school lunch menu for the month of November and nutritional information can be found at the following link: https://www.americanprep.org/school-lunch-program/menu/

Secondary – Welcome Ms. Gates!

American Preparatory Academy is thrilled to introduce its newest addition to the faculty, Desiree Gates, who will be joining us as the secondary science teacher. With an impressive background and a wealth of knowledge in biotechnology, Desiree brings over a decade of experience as a molecular biologist to our school community. Her expertise in the field promises to enrich our science curriculum and provide our students with a unique perspective on the wonders of the natural world.

Desiree’s recent work is particularly noteworthy, as she has spent the majority of the past three years actively involved in COVID testing. Her dedication to public health during the pandemic has not only demonstrated her commitment to science but also her passion for making a positive impact on the community. This real-world experience will undoubtedly inspire our students, encouraging them to see the practical applications of scientific knowledge.

Outside of her professional life, Desiree is a loving mother to a young daughter who is the light of her life. Family values and a nurturing spirit are at the core of who she is, making her an excellent addition to the American Preparatory Academy community. She also shares her home with two charming chihuahua beagles named Vanellope and Taffyta, affectionately named after characters from the beloved Disney movie Wreck-it-Ralph. We are excited to welcome Desiree Gates to our school and look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly have on our students’ educational journey.



Secondary Update

Winterim Update

We have a few changes to the Winterim schedule:

  • American Melting Pot Cooking (periods 1&2) – cost is $80, and all students will get a food handler permit.
  • My Fair Lady – will now be period 3 (instead of 4).
  • Dance! Dance! Dance! – new course, offered period 4.
  • Cultural Anthropology (period 4) – canceled

The due date for registration forms has been moved to Thursday, November 2 (there is no school on Friday, November 3 due to Parent/Teacher Conferences).

Information about Winterim along with the catalog and registration form can be found here:

https://salem.americanprep.org/2023/10/29/winterim-2024/ 

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Secondary staff will be available Thursday November 2 from 4-8pm and Friday November 3 from 8-12 pm; no appointment is necessary for a 4-7 minute conference with a teacher. If you anticipate needing more time, please email the teacher to schedule a separate time.

For each conference attended we will remove one tardy from the student’s attendance record. We will begin hosting attendance school at the end of term 2. You can review your student’s tardies in Skyward. 

Winterim 2024

Overview

During the first few weeks of January, secondary students participate in enrichment classes during Winterim. The Winterim term runs from January 3rd through January 19th during normal school hours. The daily start and end times will not change during Winterim. However there will only be 4 periods per day (plus Academic Extended Day). Students will choose up to 4 winterim courses and attend those each day.

Winterim courses are designed to take students deeper into subject areas that they may be covered during the normal scope of the school year, and to explore areas that are not covered in our daily curriculum. 

Registration and Scheduling

We distributed the Winterim Catalog and schedule to students yesterday, and all registration forms must be submitted to Mrs. Hall at the secondary office by Thursday November 2nd. Students will be given priority scheduling depending on their grades, attendance, and behavior at the end of term 1. 

  • Decoding/Novels – All students who are enrolled in Decoding or Novels are required to take that class during first period. They will get to choose three other Winterim classes.
  • 8th grade – All 8th grade students are required to take a Digital Literacy course. They will get to choose three other Winterim classes. 7th and 9th grade students are welcome to register for this class if they are interested.

Not all students will get their first and second requests, so please make sure the third and fourth requests are classes the student is interested in. Students who do not choose a 3rd or 4th choice will be assigned to a class of the administration’s choice and according to class size. 

Fee Payment and Permissions

Some Winterim options require additional disclosures/permission slips. These will be sent home and emailed to parents once the students are scheduled into classes.

Some Winterim options have a cost associated with the course. These fees are kept as minimal as possible while still covering expenses like field trips, supplies, or other items necessary for the course.  Without these fees, we would be unable to offer many of the exciting opportunities available during Winterim.

If your student is scheduled for any Winterim courses with a fee, you must pay the fee before December 8 to remain in that course and all regular school fees should be paid. Any student who doesn’t pay the required fee will be dropped from the course and rescheduled. Please see Mrs. Peery for information regarding fees or fee waivers.

Change Requests

Once class assignments have been made, parents can request a change by completing the following form: https://forms.gle/2GqDKqpJ5sC7NL69A 

Timeline and Deadlines

  • October 27            Catalogs distributed to students
  • November 2          Registration forms due
  • November 6-21   Schedules created, Permission slips sent home, Fees assessed
  • December 8          Permission slips due, Fees due
  • January 3              Winterim begins
  • January 19            Winterim ends
  • January 22           Term 3 begins

Print 2024 Winterim Registration Form

10.28.23 Secondary Update

Book Basket Rewards

We appreciate your support of our Fall Festival. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to raise $3,840 from the Book Basket auction! Our 9th graders won the contest to bring in the most items, and they had a pizza party yesterday. 

All 9th graders and all students who donated to the Book Baskets are eligible for a free shoe day. We made an announcement, but many students didn’t participate yesterday. So, we are extending the free shoe day until Monday for those who didn’t get it on Friday.

Report Cards

Report Cards have been posted to Skyward. Login and go to PORTFOLIO to see your student’s 7th/8th grade report card or 9th grade transcript.

Winterim

Overview

During the first few weeks of January, secondary students participate in enrichment classes during Winterim. The Winterim term runs from January 3rd through January 19th during normal school hours. The daily start and end times will not change during Winterim. However there will only be 4 periods per day (plus Academic Extended Day). Students will choose up to 4 winterim courses and attend those each day.

Winterim courses are designed to take students deeper into subject areas that they may be covered during the normal scope of the school year, and to explore areas that are not covered in our daily curriculum. 

Registration and Scheduling

We distributed the Winterim Catalog and schedule to students yesterday, and all registration forms must be submitted to Mrs. Hall at the secondary office by Friday November 3rd. Students will be given priority scheduling depending on their grades, attendance, and behavior at the end of term 1. 

Decoding/Novels – All students who are enrolled in Decoding or Novels are required to take that class during first period. They will get to choose three other Winterim classes.

8th grade – All 8th grade students are required to take a Digital Literacy course. They will get to choose three other Winterim classes. 7th and 9th grade students are welcome to register for this class if they are interested.

Not all students will get their first and second requests, so please make sure the third and fourth requests are classes the student is interested in. Students who do not choose a 3rd or 4th choice will be assigned to a class of the administration’s choice and according to class size. 

Fee Payment and Permissions

Some Winterim options require additional disclosures/permission slips. These will be sent home and emailed to parents once the students are scheduled into classes.

Some Winterim options have a cost associated with the course. These fees are kept as minimal as possible while still covering expenses like field trips, supplies, or other items necessary for the course.  Without these fees, we would be unable to offer many of the exciting opportunities available during Winterim.

If your student is scheduled for any Winterim courses with a fee, you must pay the fee before December 8 to remain in that course and all regular school fees should be paid. Any student who doesn’t pay the required fee will be dropped from the course and rescheduled. Please see Mrs. Peery for information regarding fees or fee waivers.

Timeline and Deadlines

  • October 27            Catalogs distributed to students
  • November 3          Registration forms due
  • November 6-21    Schedules created, Permission slips sent home, Fees assessed
  • December 8          Permission slips due, Fees due
  • January 3              Winterim begins
  • January 19            Winterim ends
  • January 22            Term 3 begins

2024 Winterim Catalog

Salem Newsletter 10.23.23

Calendar

  • October 24 NOON DISMISSAL, No Extended Day
  • October 24 PSAT for 8th and 9th grade
  • October 25 No Extended Day
  • October 27 Spirit Wear Day (except 4th-6th grades)
  • October 27 4th-6th Grade Field Trips
  • November 1 Picture Retake Day
  • November 2 Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4-8pm
  • November 2 Flu Shot Clinic- 3pm- 7pm
  • November 3 NO SCHOOL, Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • November 7 Elementary Mid-Term Missing Work Deadline
  • November 8 Veterans Day Assembly

October Builders Theme: I am a builder when I am perfectly honest.

Honesty is a life-long quest and something we have to work on all of the time, not just when we are children. Please use this week to discuss how much you value integrity in your family. Tell your children  how proud you are when they demonstrate perfect  honesty.

Grades 4-6 Spirit Wear Day – October 26

4th-6th  grades have a field trip on Friday, so they can wear spirit wear on Thursday.

Grades K-3, 7-9 Spirit Wear Day – October 27 

October 27th is a spirit wear day. However, 4th-6th grades should come to school in full uniform because they have a field trip.

Picture Retake Day- November 1 

School picture retakes  will be taken on November 1st.  Students will need to be in full uniform.  As stated in the uniform guide, hair accessories should be black, navy, red, or white; and they must be solid in color or the school plaid.  Also, large earrings are not appropriate.

Flu Shot Clinic- November 2

There will be a flu shot clinic at our campus on November 2nd from 3pm- 7pm. This is available for all students, staff, and families. No appointment is necessary. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences- November 2 and 3

Parent- Teacher conferences are mandatory for our students according to the school handbook. Elementary conferences are scheduled by SignUpGenius. You will be receiving an email by 4:30 pm on Wednesday from your child’s homeroom teacher to schedule this conference. Please arrive on time as conferences are scheduled every 15 minutes. 

Secondary staff will be available Thursday from 4-8pm and Friday from 8-12 pm; no appointment is necessary for a 4-7 minute conference with a teacher. If you anticipate needing more time, please email the teacher to schedule a separate time.

Veterans Day Assembly- November 8 

We are very excited for our Veterans Day celebration which will take place on November 8th!  This assembly is an opportunity for students and families to invite a veteran friend or family member to come and be honored by our student body.  These invitations will be sent home with students this week. Due to the space constraints in our gymnasium, only parents who are accompanying veteran guests,  who have students performing solos, or who are volunteering at the event are able to attend in person.  If you would like to RSVP for a veteran that you know, you can use the following link: Online RSVP for Veteran Guests

Halloween

We do not celebrate Halloween at school.  Costumes are not allowed on this day.  Normal uniforms should be worn on this day.

Secondary Builders of the Month

Congratulations to our Secondary Builders of the month for September: 

Grace Bradshaw    Porter Clark     Grace Holbrook    Emma Huber     Rajah Majeed     Oliver Ryan

Reading University Winners

Congratulations to our Reading University winners for the month of September:

Boyd Clare          Brielle Gallegos       Rebecca Huber          Hal Hutchings            Jacob Kellersberger

Hayzlie Lloyd     Raylie Lloyd             Krislynn Martinez     Hannah Raymond     Bowdrie Robles

Bhrox Roland      Scott Rumsey         Aksel Thatcher           Ezra Ure

After-School Clubs

All clubs/activities will run for one term at a time. Term 2 after- school activities will include the play and volleyball. The clubs that were hosted term 1 will not meet during term 2. 

Calling all photo and videographer parents! 

We are looking for some parents that would be willing to come in and help with a few projects that involve taking pictures, video, and editing. Please contact Mrs. Hillyard at whillyard@apamail.org if you are interested!  

10.09.23 Fall Festival Information

Pre-order Sales End on Today at 4:30 pm

Today is the last day to pre-order Fall Festival wristbands at a discount! You can purchase wristbands at the door, but they cost a little more. https://www.americanprepfoundation.org/salemfallfestival/ We can’t wait to see you all there!

We still need volunteers to help with various stations at the Fall Festival.  All time spent helping at the Fall Festival counts as volunteer hours.  Please sign up here:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080949AAA728A1F94-44773563-fall

Salem Newsletter 10.09.23

Calendar

  • October 10 Parent Empowerment Meeting, 7:00 pm
  • October 12 Fall Festival, 4:30-7:00 pm
  • October 13 Spirit Wear Day (except 1st-3rd grades)
  • October 13 1st-3rd Grade Field Trips
  • October 13 Play Parent Meeting, 3:30- 4:30 pm
  • Oct 16- Oct 20 NO SCHOOL, Fall Break
  • October 24 NOON DISMISSAL, No Extended Day
  • October 24 PSAT for 8th and 9th grade
  • October 27 Spirit Wear Day (except 4th-6th grades)
  • October 27 4th-6th Grade Field Trips

October Builders Theme: I am a builder when I am perfectly honest.

As part of our virtuous Character Development component in our Mission Statement, our students are instructed that ‘perfect’ means ‘precisely accurate, exact,’ and ‘perfectly’ is ‘in a manner or way that could not be better.’ To be honest means ‘to be free of deceit and untruthfulness; sincere.’ We are encouraging our students to recognize that we should be perfectly honest in the “big” things as well as the “small.” Ask your child what that means to them. You may be surprised at their answers.

Parent Empowerment Meeting – October 10 

What if you knew how to prevent death for your child? What would that be worth to you? Suicide is the #1 killer for our kids 10-24. Adults are also plagued by suicide with middle-aged men having the highest rate. However, there is something we can do,  and it’s proven effective. Join us on Tuesday, October 10th at 7 pm for a Virtual Parent Empowerment Workshop on Suicide Prevention. We will learn to recognize the signs of suicide, learn how to ask someone about suicide, and how to help get them to help. We will also look at ways to improve mental health and prevent suicide ideation and attempts. Everyone really can make a difference! Feel free to invite family and friends over and participate together.  Secondary students can have a tardy excused for every member of the family that participates in the meeting, up to three tardies.  You can join this meeting by using the following zoom link: https://uetn-org.zoom.us/j/84548403459

Fall Festival – October 12 

Our fall festival will be on October 12th from 4:30 pm-7:00 pm. Information regarding tickets and meals is at the following link: https://www.americanprepfoundation.org/salemfallfestival/.  Discounted wristbands and meals can be purchased using a debit or credit card until Tuesday, October 10th at 4:30 pm.

Grades 1-3 Spirit Wear Day – October 12

1st-3rd grades have a field trip on Friday, so they can wear spirit wear on Thursday.

Grades K, 4-9 Spirit Wear Day – October 13 

October 13th is a spirit wear day. However, 1st-3rd grades should come to school in full uniform because they have a field trip.

Play Auditions- Parent Meeting- October 13

Anyone interested in auditioning for the musical needs to be at the parent meeting this Friday at 3:30 pm.. Contact Mrs. Short at eshort@apamail.org with any questions.

Grades 4-6 Spirit Wear Day – October 26

4th-6th  grades have a field trip on Friday, so they can wear spirit wear on Thursday.

Grades K-3, 7-9 Spirit Wear Day – October 27 

October 27th is a spirit wear day. However, 4th-6th grades should come to school in full uniform because they have a field trip.

Elementary Builders of the Month

Congratulations to our Elementary Builders of the Month for September: 

Anna Baschke          Julia Cranford                Tytus Gallegos      Cliff Harris    

Chevelle Johnson    Matthew Jones               Reagan Lemley    Tayves Martinez

Greta Nielson           Gwendolyn Nielson        Gage Pierce           Ellison Stewart-Johnson

Paxon Swallow          Yoshiya Vega

Calling all photo and videographer parents! 

We are looking for some parents that would be willing to come in and help with a few projects that involve taking pictures, video, and editing. Please contact Mrs. Hillyard at whillyard@apamail.org  if you are interested!  

Lost and Found

Our Lost and Found will be cleaned out the Friday before Fall Break.  It is located in the vestibule in front of the elementary office.  Please make sure your students check for any lost items. Any remaining items will be donated at this time. 

10.5.23 Secondary Update

We are almost done with term 1! A couple of reminders:

  • Tomorrow is an early dismissal – no Academic Extended Day. All students should be picked up at 12 noon. Lunch will be from 11:50 am to 12:00 pm.
  • Tomorrow is Polo Friday (no spirit wear).
  • We extended the Book Basket donations until Monday – help your student earn rewards by donating items for the Fall Festival!
  • Monday is the missing work deadline for term 1.

Optional Parent/Teacher Conferences

We will have Parent/Teacher conferences for all students on November 2-3. However, if you have concerns and would like to meet with teachers they will be available tomorrow from 1pm – 4pm. You can reach out to schedule a time, or just come and wait until they are available.

10.02.23 Events Update

Fall Festival Help Needed

Our Fall Festival is quickly approaching, and we are looking for some help in running booths and other ways to support the carnival. Please use the signup below to find a job that you could help with. This counts towards volunteer hours!

Family Dance Night

Come to the family dance night tonight!  Refreshments will be offered at 6:30 pm in the multi-purpose room, and dancing will begin around 7 pm in the gym.  We hope to see you there!