Hello APA Staff Members and Families!

A few items we wanted to remind you of:

• Due to the new guidelines from the health department, we have very few students in quarantine. Students do not need to take any extra books home.
• Monday January 18 – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
• Tuesday January 19 – EARLY DISMISSAL
  • PM Kindergarten students attend
  • Yellow 12:15 pm
  • Blue 12:30 pm
  • Red 12:45 pm
  • Buses will leave at 12:25 pm and arrive 3 hours earlier than usual

Spirit Wear Friday is tomorrow!
On the first Friday of every month, students and staff can show their American Prep spirit by wearing Spirit Wear items on top, and regular Friday dress on bottom.  Items can be from previous fundraising events or can be purchased through our Spirit Store.
https://www.americanprep.org/product-category/spirit-wear/

Sibling Enrollment – Incoming Kindergarteners
Here is the link: https://www.americanprep.org/enrollment/utah-application/
Code: Sibling2021
This is separate from re-enrollment (when you indicate whether current students will return). That will happen in February or March.

Drop Off and Pick Up
We are so excited to have over 100 new students back on campus. However, many of our families are new to the drop off and pick up process. Here are the top 3 things you can do to help traffic flow smoothly:

1. NO LEFT TURNS – in or out of the driveway onto Lone Peak Parkway. Hours: 7:30 am – 8:05 am, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (M, T, F) or 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (W, Th)
2. FOLLOW YOUR PATH – if you are dropping off on C or D curbs, you MUST drive behind Draper 3 campus. Please go ALL THE WAY AROUND. If you drive in front of Draper 3 campus, you must use the A/B lanes to exit. You can see how complicated the traffic flow is – but if you follow your path everything will work out!
3. DON’T COME TOO EARLY – We welcome all Draper 2 students at 7:30 am. Those with siblings at Draper 3 can be dropped off as early as 7:15 am. However, we don’t have staff to supervise them before that time, so they will be locked out in the cold. Please let them stay with you in your car until at least 7:15 am when the doors unlock. In the afternoon, you should NOT come before your posted time. You can come later, but not earlier.

Dear Wonderful APA Parents!

We are so excited to start the new year!!

We find ourselves in need of Elementary Instructors. With unemployment at historically low levels, we are finding it very challenging to staff our instructor positions. It occurred to us that our Instructor Position is quite unique, and most people don’t know really what it is, or what a great position it is.

I was an Instructor in the 4th grade at the school that American Prep is modeled after. It was during that wonderful year, working as an instructor that I learned all about what an excellent school “looked like”, and when I moved to Utah the next year, decided to try to create an excellent school here.

Instructors are assistants to the classroom teachers for much of the school day, and they get to be with the students at recess and lunch. Instructors teach their own reading, math and spelling classes, so they get to know the curriculum and learn to teach. We provide all training needed! There are no degree requirements for instructors. We are looking for people who can be positive and energetic and kind!

Instructors earn $12-14 per hour depending upon their education and experience. They work 36 hours per week and so are considered “full-time” and receive health benefits.

We find that the following people make GREAT instructors!

Parents!!! Any parents who are positive, enthusiastic and willing to learn make great instructors!
Young people who have graduated from high school and aren’t sure what they want to study in college yet.
Young people who are in online college.
People of any age who are in online college!
Teachers who have been out of teaching for some time, and would like to come back – this is a nice, gradual way for re-entry into education
People who think they may want to change careers to teaching, but need a chance to see what it would be like
People who are looking to make a difference in the world!

If you are interested, please go to our website and apply! https://www.americanprep.org/careers/
Scroll down to “Instructors”.

If you have friends, neighbors, nieces, nephews, or anyone else you think might be a great instructor – please send them this link and encourage them to apply!

Thank you!!!

Carolyn Sharette
Executive Director
Cell: 801-808-3933
csharette@apamail.org

Dear Draper 2 Off Campus Parents,

American Preparatory Academy firmly believes that it is our obligation and duty to do what is best for students. This year has been challenging for everyone within our community, and we have been amazed to see how our students, families, and staff have adapted to these new conditions. We knew there would be challenges during this school year, and we have approached the many changes with the data-driven approach we know is required for us to make sound decisions. Throughout the school year, APA has collected in-depth data about student achievement and progress, both in our in-person and off-campus students, and we’ve learned a lot about the pros and cons of each approach.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved, national and international data demonstrates that the serious, detrimental effects on our children from wide-scale remote learning are greater than the health benefit received from isolation. The virus’ impact on K-12 students simply has not been shown to be of sufficient concern to justify the harm done to children by not attending school. 

Based on this data, APA believes that an in-person education in front of an expert teacher is critical to students achieving their best academic and mental health results. The current research is compelling and indicates that disruptions to in-person schooling have long-lasting effects, permanently reducing students’ future earnings and quality of life. As a classical education academy, we believe it is our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure our students flourish and grow to their full potential. Accordingly, APA is encouraging all students without extenuating medical circumstances to begin attending in-person classes starting January 4th, 2021. Families who believe they have extenuating circumstances are asked to complete the exemption application, found here. 

To help you understand our sense of urgency in bringing students back to campus, we want you to know that we have engaged in a lengthy process of research, discussion, and collaboration with parents, staff members, and administrators regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our students. We have considered hundreds of parent comments and have solicited and received a great deal of input from teachers and staff members. Additionally, the Utah State Board of Education and staff, as well as the Governor’s office, have provided requirements and recommendations to schools that we have considered as we created and evolved our plan. New information has been made available recently that has prompted us to bring as many students as possible back to campus.

As we approach the third term of the 2020-2021 School Year, our internal data demonstrates that, almost without exception, our Off-Campus students are at academic risk, and a large majority are at critical academic risk and unlikely to be promoted to the next grade level if they continue in off-campus learning. Even students whose elementary grades appear to be healthy are missing large amounts of information and skills development that simply cannot be provided remotely. What we are seeing is not unique or unexpected, and the effects are not limited to academics. Our experience has been confirmed by national data collections and research that have shown this to be the case nearly universally – the following studies and articles provide more insight as to the urgency of bringing students back to schools:

• Failure in Fairfax, VA and Montgomery, MD 
• The Learning Slide by Grade
• Child Mistreatment
• Social Emotional Learning Costs, “Parents’ top concern about school building closures has been the lack of social interactions with peers and with the school.”
• Years of Life Lost
• NWEA Simulated Scenarios Learning Loss and Future Earning Lost

Thank you for your commitment to your child’s education and all your efforts during this time of change and growth. We understand that there are many difficult decisions facing our families and we hope that the information and data provided will assist you in understanding APA’s sense of urgency in having students at school. As always, we endeavor to do what is best for our students and hope that you see our teachers and administrators as partners who are striving to make the best decisions we can.

In light of all of the data and information, we expect to see many of our students back on campus for Term 3. We have prepared our teachers and staff for their return and they are thrilled to see them on January 4th. Attached is the information you will need in order to be prepared for school including uniform information, start and end times, school lunches, and other details. Please read through the information carefully.

Parents may apply for an exemption with a qualifying medical need, or an exemption for an extenuating circumstance. If you believe your child or your family qualifies for an exemption, please fill one of the forms below before December 12:

• Medical Exemption – https://forms.gle/aggVhiyjzZvphnuw6
• Non-Medical Exemption – https://forms.gle/WTd4DVDzAk4w86q3A

As always, please feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Emily Peery

Draper 2 Administrative Director

• School Lunches –  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GMcgX47l7uCCpuzodqJFvsqAnPLzEBiHZtE2FHbgcLQ
• Uniform Guide – https://www.americanprep.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Draper-1-Draper-2-West-Valley-1-.pdf 
• Skyward Resources – https://draper2.americanprep.org/skyward-for-parents/
• Bus Program – https://www.americanprep.org/bus-program/

 Estimados estudiantes y familias,

American Preparatory Academy cree firmemente que es nuestra obligación y deber hacer lo que es mejor para los estudiantes. Este año ha sido un desafío para todos dentro de nuestra comunidad, y nos ha sorprendido ver cómo nuestros estudiantes, familias y personal se han adaptado a estas nuevas condiciones. Sabíamos que habría desafíos durante este año escolar y nos hemos acercado a los muchos cambios con el enfoque basado en datos que sabemos que es necesario para que podamos tomar decisiones acertadas. A lo largo del año escolar, APA ha recopilado datos detallados sobre el rendimiento y el progreso de los estudiantes, tanto en nuestros estudiantes dentro en persona como fuera del campus, y hemos aprendido mucho sobre los pros y los contras de cada enfoque.

A medida que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha evolucionado, los datos nacionales e internacionales demuestran que los efectos graves y perjudiciales para nuestros niños del aprendizaje remoto a gran escala son mayores que los beneficios para la salud que se obtienen del aislamiento. El impacto del virus en los estudiantes K-12 simplemente no ha demostrado ser lo suficientemente preocupante como para justificar el daño causado a los niños al no asistir a la escuela.

Con base en estos datos, APA cree que una educación en persona frente a un maestro experto es fundamental para que los estudiantes logren sus mejores resultados académicos y de salud mental. La investigación actual es convincente e indica que las interrupciones en la educación presencial tienen efectos duraderos, reduciendo permanentemente los ingresos futuros y la calidad de vida de los estudiantes. Como una academia de educación clásica, creemos que es nuestra responsabilidad hacer todo lo posible para asegurarnos que nuestros estudiantes prosperen y crezcan a su máximo potencial. En consecuencia, APA está animando a todos los estudiantes sin circunstancias médicas atenuantes a comenzar a asistir a clases en persona a partir del 4 de enero de 2021. Las familias que creen que tienen circunstancias atenuantes le estamos pidiendo que completen la solicitud de exención, que se encuentra aquí.

Para ayudarle a comprender nuestro sentido de urgencia al traer a los estudiantes de regreso al campus, queremos que sepa que nos hemos involucrado en un largo proceso de investigación, discusión y colaboración con los padres, miembros del personal y administradores con respecto a COVID-19 y su impacto en nuestros estudiantes. Hemos considerado cientos de comentarios de los padres y hemos solicitado y recibido una gran cantidad de opiniones de los maestros y miembros del personal. Adicionalmente, la Junta de Educación del Estado de Utah y el personal, así como la oficina del Gobernador, han proporcionado requisitos y recomendaciones a las escuelas que hemos considerado al crear y desarrollar nuestro plan. Recientemente se ha puesto a disposición nueva información que nos ha llevado a traer tantos estudiantes como sea posible de regreso al campus. 

A medida que nos acercamos al tercer trimestre del año escolar 2020-2021, nuestros datos internos demuestran que, casi sin excepción, nuestros estudiantes de Off-Campus están en riesgo académico, y una gran mayoría tienen un riesgo académico crítico y es poco probable que sean promovidos a la siguiente nivel de grado si continúan en el aprendizaje fuera del campus. Incluso los estudiantes cuyas calificaciones de primaria parecen saludables carecen de una gran cantidad de información y desarrollo de habilidades que simplemente no se pueden proporcionar de forma remota. Lo que estamos viendo no es único ni inesperado, y los efectos no están limitados a lo académico. Nuestra experiencia ha sido confirmada por recopilaciones de datos e investigaciones nacionales que han demostrado que este es el caso casi universalmente –  los siguientes estudios y artículos brindan más información sobre la urgencia de traer a los estudiantes de regreso a las escuelas:

• Failure in Fairfax, VA and Montgomery, MD 
• The Learning Slide by Grade
• Child Mistreatment
• Social Emotional Learning Costs, “Parents’ top concern about school building closures has been the lack of social interactions with peers and with the school.”
• Years of Life Lost
• NWEA Simulated Scenarios Learning Loss and Future Earning Lost

Gracias por su compromiso con la educación de su hijo y todos sus esfuerzos durante este tiempo de cambio y crecimiento. Entendemos que nuestras familias enfrentan muchas decisiones difíciles y esperamos que la información y los datos proporcionados le ayuden a comprender el sentido de urgencia de APA de tener a los estudiantes en la escuela. Como siempre, nos esforzamos por hacer lo mejor para nuestros estudiantes y esperamos que vea a nuestros maestros y administradores como compañeros que se esfuerzan por tomar las mejores decisiones que podamos.

A la luz de todos los datos e información, esperamos ver a muchos de nuestros estudiantes de regreso en el campus para el tercer trimestre. Hemos preparado a nuestros maestros y personal para su regreso y están emocionados de verlos el 4 de enero. Se adjunta la información que necesitará para estar preparado para la escuela, incluyendo la información de los uniformes, las las horas que empieza y termina la escuela, los almuerzos escolares y otros detalles. Lea atentamente la información. También encontrará el último boletín escolar adjunto a este correo electrónico.

Los padres pueden solicitar una exención con una necesidad médica que califique, o una exención por una circunstancia atenuante. Si cree que su hijo o su familia califican para una exención, complete uno de los formularios a continuación antes del 12 de diciembre:

• Exención médica – https://forms.gle/aggVhiyjzZvphnuw6 
• Exención no médica: https://forms.gle/WTd4DVDzAk4w86q3A 

Como siempre, no dude en comunicarse conmigo si tiene preguntas o inquietudes.

Sinceramente,

Emily Peery

Draper 2 Administrative Director

• Almuerzos escolares: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GMcgX47l7uCCpuzodqJFvsqAnPLzEBiHZtE2FHbgcLQ 
• Guía de uniformes: https://www.americanprep.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Draper-1-Draper-2-West-Valley-1-.pdf 
• Recursos de Skyward: https://draper2.americanprep.org/skyward-for-parents/
• Programa de autobuses: https://www.americanprep.org/bus-program/

Dear APA Families,

You will probably hear news that tonight the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) voted to impose a 2.8 million dollar penalty against APA due to its belief that our spending of these dollars on our Paraeducators was not an allowable use of special education funds.

We strongly disagree with the USBE on this.  Our special education program is innovative and successful.  Our students score, on average, above other special education students in the state.  Our parents love our program because we don’t stigmatize students by pushing them into special education “rooms” where they are separated out from their peers.  We know this is best for our students and we are committed to doing what is best for them.

I believe our governing board will decide to appeal this decision and we will have a period of time to put together our opposition to this decision.  We hope many of you will be willing to help us as we find ways that parents can use their voices to object to this governmental overreach that will harm kids.

It is important to tell you that we have an agreement with the USBE that we can pay back the funds over 10 years.  This means we would pay a maximum of $280,000 per year.  Our schools’ annual budget is about 45 million dollars, so we are not overly concerned about the payments from a financial perspective.

But we are VERY concerned about them from a principled perspective.  These funds were spent to serve special education students.  Even the state auditors do not claim that they were not.  So , we should not be “paying them back”.  Requiring us to do so will make less resources available to current students at APA.  What possible good can come from that?

We have great concerns that our state education leaders are behind the times, out of touch, and SOME ARE prejudiced against our school (and all charter schools).  This is something we have ample evidence of, and this penalty just makes it more clear.   We will continue to fight for our school, and for all charter schools, to be able to innovate and be different without being punished.

Thank you for all your support.  Please reach out to me if you would like to help in our appeal, and/or if you have insights or thoughts that may help us in this fight.

Cordially,

Carolyn Sharette

Executive Director

Cell: 801-808-3933

csharette@apamail.org