Good News - Draper 2 Campus

Draper 2 Campus

An American Preparatory Academy School

D2 Newsletter 1.19.21

I am a builder when I think positive thoughts about myself and others
“If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until it gets so ugly you can hardly bear to look at it.
A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” ~Roald Dahl
Enjoy watching our chew time video at home that introduced this theme to our students. https://youtu.be/YQ5-_1V1UfQ

Upcoming Events
January 19 – Jan. 22  –  Classroom Spelling Bee
January 22 – 6th Grade Ambassador Event
January 22 – Missing work deadline

Spelling Bees – January 19 to 22
It’s that time of year – time to get ready for the annual Spelling Bee! Off-campus students who want to participate will need to come on-campus to compete, for both the Class Bees and the School Bee. Please contact the on-campus teacher assigned to your student so they can notify you of the specific day and time for their Bee.  Teacher name and email is available in Skyward on the SCHEDULE tab.

Class Bees: January 19th – January 22nd 
Teachers will each have one winner to participate in the School Bee

School Bees: 
1-3 grades February 2nd, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
4-6 grades February 12th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Regional Bee: March 20th
Click here for list

Ambassador Event – January 22
We are so excited for our upcoming 6th Grade Ambassador Event, our “Western Round Up”.  This is taking place during school hours on Friday, January 22nd.  STUDENTS MAY BRING “WESTERN GEAR” to wear at the party, if desired.  This is NOT required!  They CANNOT wear the gear to school, but may change at lunch time right before our activity begins Hats, bandanas, Western style flannel shirts, “cowboy boots” are all okay!

School Lunch
Because of COVID, our menu is subject to change.
February 2021 Menu – https://www.americanprep.org/school-lunch-program/menu/
Click here to ORDER –https://apalunch.h1.hotlunchonline.net/

Drop Off Reminder
When you are dropping students off, pull all the way forward, allowing the maximum number of cars to use the curb at once. We encourage students to have learning plans signed, coats on, masks on, and goodbye’s said BEFORE you arrive at the curb. Thank you!
PLEASE do NOT make U-turns on Lone Peak Parkway, it is very dangerous!!  If you are coming from the south, PLEASE go to River Chapel Road and turn around there.  For those coming from the north, please allow parents to join the line at River Chapel Road. Thank you for being as safe as possible as you come to school each morning.

Math Kangaroo Competition – March 18
For those who would like to participate in the extracurricular Math Kangaroo Competition, it is being held online this year. Register here: http://www.mathkangaroo.us/mk/default.html

1.19.21 COVID Update

Hello APA Staff Members and Families!

Here are the COVID19 numbers for last week:
Elementary
ELC: Cases- 0, Quarantines- 0
Draper 1: Cases- 0, Quarantines- 5
Draper 2: Cases- 2, Quarantines- 15
West Valley 1: Cases- 5, Quarantines- 13
West Valley 2 Elem: Cases- 1, Quarantines- 14
Salem: Cases- 1, Quarantines- 12
Secondary
Draper 3: Cases- 1, Quarantines- 6
West Valley 2 Sec: Cases- 11, Quarantines- 12
We also want to announce that 19% of our staff have had COVID19 (about 140) and 101 staff members were immunized last week.  Our immunity is building!  Thank you for all your support.
Cordially,
Carolyn Sharette
Executive Director
Cell: 801-808-3933

Update on Special Education Penalty

Hello APA Staff and Parents!
I hope your winter break went well and that you enjoyed the change of pace.  We are very happy to be back in full swing at school and to have welcomed back many of our students.  Our teachers and staff members will begin immunizations this week, and so we are feeling optimistic that a brighter day is close ahead!
Several in our APA community have asked for an update on the special education penalty and appeal process that I mentioned in my last email update on this subject (December 4).
The APA Governing Board did choose to appeal the penalty, and the appeal would have been due January 7th, except that we believed the USBE had made an error when they discussed our audit in a closed meeting instead of in an open public meeting, and so we notified them of that error and they agreed that they should not have adjourned to a closed session for the discussion.
In Utah, there is a law for public agencies called the Open Public Meetings Act and this law dictates the rules for how meetings of public agencies are conducted.  Because of this mistake, the penalty they voted to impose at December’s meeting is removed.   The USBE will need to reconsider the audit in an open, public meeting and decide how much, if any, APA should repay.  We believe this will happen at the February board meeting of the USBE.
We feel it is important that we have a chance to speak to the USBE members about the audit before they decide upon a penalty, especially one of this potential size.  Thus far, we have only been given 2 minutes in a public comment part of their board meeting, twice.  Public comment is first thing in the morning of their meetings.  Our audit has been on their agenda to be discussed much later in the day, so our 2 minutes in the morning has understandably not been very effective.  When the USBE went into closed session,  we were effectively shut out and unable to speak to the issue at all during the portion of the meeting where the issue was on the agenda.  We also were unable to hear any of the information being said by the USBE staff about the audit to the USBE members.  It is important that we hear this discussion so we can know how to approach our appeal, and which areas need clarifying.
We are grateful that the USBE members realized their mistake and are willing to re-hear this issue at a later time.
We felt it important that you know that, at this point, there is no penalty in place since the violation of the open meetings act requires that any business conducted following an improper closed meeting is invalid.  We welcome another chance to educate board members and help them make a better decision.  Additionally, there are 8 new board members (of the 15 total members) that were recently elected or appointed to the USBE so there is a lot of work to be done in getting information out to them and bringing them up to speed on this issue.
We cannot tell you how grateful we have been for the words of encouragement and support we have received from parents and staff members.  Thank you for taking the time to let us know of your experiences and your support.  It is very helpful!  We anticipate there will come another time in the near future where we will need your help and support as we continue to fight this battle.  We appreciate your support and reconfirm our commitment to “do what’s best for kids” at APA.
Carolyn Sharette
Executive Director
Cell: 801-808-3933

D2 Email Update 1.12.21

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

D2 Newsletter 1.11.21

        

I am a builder when I think positive thoughts about myself and others

“See the positive side, the potential, and make an effort.” ~Dalai Lama

     Even though I’m a yoga teacher, I still find it’s easy to fall prey to negative thinking. Having negative thoughts play out like a movie can only bring you pain, something that I’ve experienced many times throughout my life.

      Negative thoughts drain you of energy and keep you from being in the present moment. The more you give in to your negative thoughts, the stronger they become. I like the imagery of a small ball rolling along the ground, and as it rolls, it becomes bigger and faster.

     That’s what one small negative thought can turn into: a huge, speeding ball of ugliness. On the contrary, a small positive thought can have the same effect blossoming into a beautiful outcome.

     When we start to have negative thoughts, it’s hard to stop them. And it’s much easier said than done to shift your focus to positive thoughts. But it’s the only way, especially if you want to avoid going down a path that is painful and unnecessary.

Credit – Michelle Uy

Upcoming Events

  • January 15 – Jeans Day for those students who earned it
  • January 18 – NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King Jr Holiday
  • January 19 – EARLY DISMISSAL – PM Kindergarten attends
  • Jan. 19 – Jan. 22 – Classroom Spelling Bees
  • January 22 – 6th Grade Ambassador Event

Jeans Day – January 15

Watch for a sticker coming home on Thursday so you know if your student qualifies to wear jeans! Here are the guidelines – https://draper2.americanprep.org/jeans-day/

Early Dismissal – January 19

  • Yellow – 12:15 pm
  • Blue – 12:30 pm
  • Red – 12:45 pm
  • Buses will leave at 12:25 pm and arrive 2 hours earlier than usual

Spelling Bees

It’s that time of year – to get ready for the annual spelling bees! Off-campus students who want to participate will need to come on-campus to compete in both Class Bees and the School Bee. Please contact the on campus teacher assigned to your student so they can notify you of the specific day and time. Teacher name and email is available in Skyward on the SCHEDULE tab.

  • Class Bees: January 19th – January 22nd (Teachers will each have one winner to participate in the School Bee)
  • School Bees: 
    • 1-3 grades February 2nd, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
    • 4-6 grades February 12th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Regional Bee: March 20th
  • Click here for list

Ambassador Event – January 22

We are so excited for our upcoming 6th Grade Ambassador Event, our “Western Round Up”.  This is taking place during school hours on Friday January 22nd.  Believe it or not, this is already our final event, so if you haven’t had a chance to volunteer in the past, this would be a GREAT time to come and see how awesome our Character Development activities are!  

STUDENTS MAY BRING “WESTERN GEAR” to wear at the party if desired.  This is NOT required!  They CANNOT wear the gear to school, but may change at lunch time right before our activity (hats, bandanas, Western style flannel shirts, “cowboy boots” are all okay).

We’d LOVE to have your help if you can make it!  Sign up here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0444AFAE29ABFC1-6thgrade

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.

COVID Update

Governor Herbert has announced that students exposed to COVID-19 at school while wearing masks do not need to quarantine. This will be so helpful for our students and teachers to avoid disruptions in learning! Watch for more updates as we return to school in January. 

We remind you to keep students home if they have ANY symptoms of COVID-19.

School Lunch

Because of COVID, our menu is subject to change.  Whenever possible we try to serve the specific lunch as listed on the menu, but there are occasions when your student will be presented with an alternative lunch that meets the nutritional requirements and your child’s specific dietary restrictions. If your student cannot eat the lunch presented, they should go to the lunch staff who will provide an adequate meal. We will continue to serve Regular (with meat) or Vegetarian (without meat), Gluten Free, or Dairy Free.  We CANNOT guarantee the specific item will match the menu.

Drop Off Reminder

When you are dropping students off, pull all the way forward, allowing the maximum number of cars to use the curb at once. We encourage students to have learning plans signed, coats on, masks on, and goodbye’s said BEFORE you arrive at the curb. Thank you!

COVID Update 1.8.21

Hello APA Families and Staff Members!
Following you will find this week’s COVID19 report.
We are very excited to begin the immunization process for our staff members, which should begin next week.
Have a great weekend!
 
 
Elementary
Draper 1: Cases- 0, Quarantined- 10
Draper 2: Cases- 2, Quarantined- 16
ELC: Cases- 0, Quarantined- 0
West Valley 1: Cases- 5, Quarantined- 11
West Valley 2 Elem: Cases- 2, Quarantined- 10
Salem: Cases- 0, Quarantined- 16
Secondary
Draper 3: Cases 2, Quarantined- 5
West Valley 2 Sec: Cases- 9, Quarantined- 5
Cases Quarantines
Draper 1 0 10
Draper 2 2 16
Draper 3 2 5
ELC 0 0
West Valley 1 5 11
WV2 Elem 2 10
WV2 Sec 9 5
Salem 0 16
Carolyn Sharette
Executive Director
Cell: 801-808-3933

1.7.21 Email – 3 Important Updates

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.

Instructor Positions Available – 12.29.20

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

D2 Newsletter 12.18.20

Happy Holidays!

We want to wish you a wonderful holiday season! We hope you enjoy this time with your families. We look forward to starting school again on January 4th. 

Upcoming Events

Dec. 19 to Jan. 3  –  No School – Holiday Break

January 4  –  Welcome back to school

January 6  –  Off Campus Term 3 Pick Up, 9am – 11am

5th Grade Holiday Concert

Enjoy this amazing performance by our fifth grade students.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14IYZdu4jsV6ccRRtZhzZEBnEhFul5jEE/view 

Spelling Bees

It’s that time of year – to get ready for the annual spelling bees! Off-campus students who want to participate will need to come on-campus to compete in both Class Bees and the School Bee.

  • Class Bees: January 19th – January 22nd (Teachers will each have one winner to participate in the School Bee)
  • School Bees: 
    • 1-3 grades February 2nd, 1:30 – 3:00 pm
    • 4-6 grades February 12th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
  • Regional Bee: March 20th

Click here for list

Hygiene Drive Results

Our campus donated just under 10,000 items (our original goal was 1500 items) with the final tally at 9707 items!

Special shoutout to Mrs. Etchemendy’s class (of only 17 kids) who brought in 1527 (27 items more than the school goal) items all on their own.  

You are all amazing!

Science Fair Winners

  • 1st- Vaishnavi Kothamasu
  • 2nd-Eva Shumway
  • 3rd-Levi Kim
  • Honorable Mention-Elinor Brown
  • Honorable Mention-Ruby Erickson
  • Honorable Mention-Jackson Davis
  • Honorable Mention- Estrella Rodriguez-Hamon

These winners will move on to the Salt Lake Charter Schools Science and Engineering Fair which will be held virtually on Friday, February 5, 2021. We need at least 3 judges from our school. Please contact jelliott@apamail.org if you are willing to help.

Off Campus Term 3 Pick Up – January 6

Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044FAAAB2CA1FD0-term1 

Yearbook Orders

Yearbooks are available for a discounted, pre-order, price until December 18.  Order yours today!

https://www.purchaseyearbook.com/Customer/Home/Index?prepay=DRAPER2APA2021 

Sibling Enrollment – Incoming Kindergarteners

Do you have children you would like to enroll at American Prep next year? For example, incoming kindergarten siblings? Or siblings that attend others schools? NOW is your chance to get priority enrollment for next year. Please apply as soon as possible, since our lottery starts soon. We can offer you priority if there are seats available, but if the seats are filled by lottery you may end up on a waiting list. Here is the link: https://www.americanprep.org/enrollment/utah-application/ 

This is separate from re-enrollment (when you indicate whether current students will return). That will happen in February or March.

COVID Updates

Governor Herbert has announced that students exposed to COVID-19 at school while wearing masks do not need to quarantine. This will be so helpful for our students and teachers to avoid disruptions in learning! Watch for more updates as we return to school in January. 

We remind you to keep students home if they have ANY symptoms of COVID-19.

School Lunch

Because of COVID, our menu is subject to change.  Whenever possible we try to serve the specific lunch as listed on the menu, but there are occasions when your student will be presented with an alternative lunch that meets the nutritional requirements and your child’s specific dietary restrictions. If your student cannot eat the lunch presented, they should go to the lunch staff who will provide an adequate meal. We will continue to serve Regular (with meat) or Vegetarian (without meat), Gluten Free, or Dairy Free.  We CANNOT guarantee the specific item will match the menu.

Get a Free Beanie!

Receive a free APA beanie ($20 value) when you place a Spirit Wear order of $30 or more!

 https://www.americanprep.org/store/ 

Fee Schedule Review

The Governing Board will consider the 2021-2022 Proposed Fee Schedules for all American Preparatory Academy schools on Tuesday, December 15th at 7 PM. This meeting is open to public comment. For more information, please see the meeting agenda posted 24 hours in advance at: https://www.americanprep.org/uca-2020-board-meetings/

December Theme

December Builders Theme

Thank you to all our students for participating in December’s theme by watching for, and filling, the needs of others! Parents, we hope you have been experiencing some of this in your homes. It is a wonderful Builder’s trait to see things that need to be done without being told or asked – and we have made progress as we’ve worked on this value, this month!  We are creating a wonderful community together as we unite in looking for ways to help.  We challenge each of you to change the world for the better by practicing Kigatsuku.

Upcoming Events

Dec. 14 to 18  –  Order Hope Coins

Wed. Dec. 16  –  Crazy Sock and Tie day

Thurs. Dec. 17  –  Free Dress Day

Fri. Dec. 18  –  Jeans Day 

Fri. Dec. 18  –  Report cards come home

Dec. 19 to Jan. 3  –  No School – Holiday Break

Heroes for Hygiene – December 3 to 17

We are Heroes of Hygiene!  And we proved it by working together to accomplish something amazing.  Thank you for your willingness to give to others.  We are proud to be part of such a generous APA family.

We will be tallying up all the donations at the end of the week, and sending our donations in to Globus Relief on Friday.  We will let you know our total contributions in the newsletter when we return from our holiday break.

Because we have met our goal of 1500 items, students may wear CRAZY SOCKS and CRAZY TIES this WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16th.  And because we DOUBLED our goal of 3000 items, we will have FREE DRESS DAY on this THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17th.  Congratulations to our amazing families!

Please remember the following guidelines:

  • Clothing must be modest (not too tight) and in good repair
  • Shorts and skirts must be no more than 3” above the knee
  • Shirts must have sleeves, and all text must be appropriate for school

Order Hope Coins – December 14 – 18

You asked and now it’s here! Hope coins may be purchased in bulk for neighbor, family or friend gifts December 14 – 18. Coins will not be available after Friday, December 18th.  Orders may be requested and paid for online at https://www.americanprepfoundation.org/hope-coins.  Purchases may also be made through the front office secretaries. All paid orders will be delivered to your students by the end of the day on Friday.

You may purchase single coins or coins packaged in hope coin envelopes with labels. A flyer with an order form has been attached.   Purchases made on Friday will be limited to bulk coins without the individual envelope option. Thank you to the many parents who reached out and asked for this opportunity. We wish you the best holiday cheer as you share the gift of kindness!

Hope Coins Flyer

Jeans Day – December 18

Watch for a sticker coming home on Thursday so you know if your student qualifies to wear jeans! Here are the guidelines – https://draper2.americanprep.org/jeans-day/.

Yearbook Orders

Yearbooks are available for a discounted, pre-order, price until December 18.  Order yours today!

https://purchaseyearbook.com/ Code: DRAPER2APAYB2021

Winter Dress for Recess

To reduce the number of students on the playground at one time, some classes have recess early in the morning when the temperature can be cold.  Please send students with warm winter coats, gloves, a hat and a scarf (if needed).  We encourage you to label all items, especially coats! When it’s extremely cold, instructors will keep students inside for recess and/or shorten time outside. 

Get a Free Beanie!

Receive a free APA beanie ($20 value) when you place a Spirit Wear order of $30 or more!

 https://www.americanprep.org/store/ 

Fee Schedule Review

The Governing Board will consider the 2021-2022 Proposed Fee Schedules for all American Preparatory Academy schools on Tuesday, December 15th at 7 PM. This meeting is open to public comment. For more information, please see the meeting agenda posted 24 hours in advance at: https://www.americanprep.org/uca-2020-board-meetings/

School Lunch

Because of COVID, our menu is subject to change.  Whenever possible we try to serve the specific lunch as listed on the menu, but there are occasions when your student will be presented with an alternative lunch that meets the nutritional requirements and your child’s specific dietary restrictions. If your student cannot eat the lunch presented, they should go to the lunch staff who will provide an adequate meal. We will continue to serve Regular (with meat) or Vegetarian (without meat), Gluten Free, or Dairy Free.  We CANNOT guarantee the specific item will match the menu.

American Preparatory Education Foundation

Michelle Goudge, Executive Director

e: mgoudge@americanprepfoundation.org | p: 801.661.1928

www.facebook.com/pg/americanprepfoundation

www.americanprepfoundation.org

 

Thank you so much to everyone who has contributed to the 2020 Holiday Giving Campaign. With every donation, big or small, we are getting closer to our goal!

Please watch this short video request from Brian Hanks, an APA parent and American Preparatory Education Foundation board member, regarding our 2020 holiday gift to APA teachers and staff. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOMonHJLcfY&feature=youtu.be

 

As you are aware, we are working towards gifting nice, zip-up jackets to all APA teachers and staff members who teach, support, and care for our students as this year’s holiday gift. The jackets are a special way to commemorate 2020 and to show how much we appreciate our teachers and staff for going above and beyond to educate and care for our students. Contributions can be made at https://www.americanprepfoundation.org/2020-holiday-giving-campaign. Thank you for your support!