Poudre Community Academy
Poudre Academy Newsletter
SEPTEMBER 2014
PAGE 1
Principal’s Message
Dear PCA Community,
We had a great start to the 2014-2015 school year! We have
already experienced a tremendous amount of positive moments
with all of the students this year. Everyone seems to be settling
in and we all look forward to continuing this great start as we
move forward.
We have a few things coming up as we finish our 1st quarter of the year. We have our
first SAC meeting of the year which will be held on Monday, October 6 from 5-6pm.
All parents are welcome to attend to discuss how we are doing here at PCA. We also
have 1st quarter exams and parent/teacher conferences coming up in mid-October.
Please check-out our new website for all of the information.
I also want to encourage everyone to show their PCA spirit by ordering items through
our school store. We will continue to take orders for students and staff to buy their
spirit wear. Order forms can be found online at our website, in this newsletter, or in
the office.
As always we are here to serve you and your family. Please don’t hesitate to contact
us for any reason. I invite you to be actively engaged in your child’s education here at
PCA.
Sincerely,
Troy Krotz
Principal
Advertising in this newsletter does not imply endorsement by Poudre School District.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 2
New Faces at P.C.A
Ann Renee Bentley is from Pearl Mississippi.
She came to PCA because she recently moved her
with her family and was looking for a spot in
prouder district. She likes PCA so far because of
thought here that were all family do to a regular
high school where there’s so many face you
wouldn’t be able to bond with. When she’s not
here she’s off her on adventures playing with her
son John Turner or either watching sports. If a soccer game is playing she is sure
enough to be watching.
Favorite Quote: “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in
sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching.”
-Anson Dorrance
Kirstan is from Burlington Colorado,
15 miles from the Kansas Boarder. She came to
PCA because it’s close to home and also to have
the opportunity of enrichment classes and service
learning. When she’s not in school, she likes to do
pottery, float the river, cliff jumping, and bike
riding. Kirstan also wants to give a big thanks to
our PCA staff and student for a big WELCOME to
the PCA. In other words she also wants to let us
know that family and friends are welcome in the art
classroom to see what’s being created.
Favorite Quote: “If it’s in your soul to do it, fate will take you there, and everything
else just a test to, see if you’re the real thing.” –the movie Girl
Derik always has worked at alternative schools
for his whole teaching career. He wanted to teach
at an alternative school in Fort Collins and when
the PCA job opened up he snatched it. He likes
the tight knit community where everyone knows
everyone and he can get to know the students and
staff more closely. He thinks PCA could put a
more life/mind skills class. Like a
communication, anger management and a sort of
discovery problem solving class.
Joani is PCA’s new office lady. She deals with
paperwork, expulsion, the Journey Program, and
home schooled students. Joani is a Colorado
native, born in Littleton Colorado. As a high
school student she attended Columbine High
School. Joani worked at Poudre Valley Hospital,
is a certified health care professional, and has been
in health care for 12 years. She took this job at
PCA to apply her many skills and give back to the
kids she works with.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 3
Attendance
Please remember that we have a new attendance policy this year at PCA. It is very
important that all absences be communicated with the front office. You can contact
Melissa Sugar at 490-3353 or Joani at 490-3178 if your child is going to be absent.
All absences must be excused within 48 hours. Unexcused absences can cause
your child to be removed from the day program and placed in credit recovery.
Please refer to the attendance policy in this newsletter or the student handbook
found on our new website or your student’s planer. Please work with us to
improve attendance.
Important Dates
Oct. 6th – SAC Meeting 5-6pm
Oct. 14th & 16th – 1st Quarter Post Exams
Oct. 14th & 16th – Parent/Teacher Conferences 4pm-7pm
Oct. 17th – No School for Students
Oct. 20 – 2nd Quarter Begins
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Please come by one of our two scheduled times to
meet with your child’s teachers. Teachers will be
available Tuesday, October 14th and Thursday,
October 16th from 4-7pm.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 4
Poudre Community Academy Policies
Zero Tolerance Policy
PCA has zero tolerance for the following actions:
 Possession of drugs.
 Students may not bring any unauthorized drug on campus as defined by the
Poudre School District Code of Conduct.
 Violence toward any PCA community member.
 Those that violate these policies can be removed from Poudre Community
Academy for the remainder of the semester at which time they will be required
to return to their zoned high school.
PCA is a closed campus and students are not permitted to leave campus during
school hours, nor can they have unapproved visitors. Once a student leaves campus
they are not permitted to return to campus that day and will be marked unexcused
absent. This includes leaving campus after being dropped off for school on school
property. If prior arrangements need to be made for appointments, etc, please
contact Joann at 490-3178.
Excessive Absence Policy New
 Students are permitted 5 excused absences per quarter without a doctor’s
note. Absences beyond the initial 5 that do not have a doctor’s excuse with be
counted as unexcused.
 Students are allowed only 2 unexcused absences per quarter.
 All late arrivals and early departures will count toward the quarterly total
 Students that exceed 2 unexcused absences in a quarter will be dropped from
their classes for the remainder of the quarter and placed in the computer lab for
credit recovery from 1-3pm.
 Students in credit recovery will not permitted on campus until 1pm.
 Students will then be placed back into their full schedule at the start of the next
quarter.
Back-to-School Night
Poudre Community Academy had its annual
back to school night on August (blank). Back
to school night is a social gathering for
teachers, students and their parents, where
they can get together at PCA and meet each
other, ask questions and of course have some
good old fashion fun. Principal Troy Krotz,
put on his apron and made some wonderful
barbecue pork for everybody attending to enjoy. Back to school night is a great
opportunity here at PCA because it helps build on the community relationship. It
allows students and teachers to interact on a more casual level outside of school.
Overall it was a great kickoff to this upcoming school year. Thank you to PCA staff
members for all your preparation in making this event happen!
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 5
6th Period Spotlight
P.E is a class of physical education. The kids in this class do
different activities each period whether it’s outside or
indoors in the gym. Heidi has been the P.E teacher for two
years and has brought lots of creativity and a positive
attitude to PCA. Heidi has planned to do many different
sports this year and learn more about the human body.
Q: In your opinion what is the best part of P.E?
A: The best part is running and being fast. Activities like this make you participate
more and have fun.
Q: Would you change anything about this class?
A: Different activities, although Heidi has planned new things
Q: What are you looking forward to this year in class?
A: Getting to know everyone and just enjoy P.E
Q: What have you enjoyed most about P.E?
A: Getting together with friends after a long day of having 5 classes
Halloween Safety Tips
1. Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights after dark.
2. Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at
night without adult supervision; perhaps consider
the buddy system.
3. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
4. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are not
sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as
possible.
5. Check children’s candy before they eat it.
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 6
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Poudre Schools have recently been taking part
in, as well as nominating each other for the
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. What is the ALS
ice bucket challenge you ask? The ALS Ice
bucket challenge is the process of nominating
others to either record themselves pouring a
bucket of ice cold water over themselves
within 24 hours of the nomination to raise
awareness of Lou Gehrig’s disease, or to
donate $100 to ALS charity. The Ice Bucket
Challenge has become a new way to raise awareness of the rare disease and how it
affects people every day.
Lou Gehrig’s disease is a disease where the body gradually
shuts down and stops working. The nerve cells controlling
muscle movement in the brain and the spinal cord shrink,
and disappear, so that the muscles in the body no longer
can receive signals to move. Without the movement or
function of the muscles, they weaken. Eventually
somebody with ALS will no longer be able to move or
speak, but will still be able to feel, see, and hear. They become
trapped within their own bodies; unable to feed themselves or care for
themselves.
Some of the schools taking part in PSD
are Poudre High School challenged Rocky
Mountain High School. Centennial High
School has challenged PCA staff to do
this challenge as well. PCA staff either
has to follow through with the challenge
or donate $100 to ALS charity.
To find out more about Lou Gehrig’s
disease and the ALS Ice Bucket challenge
visit: www.alsa.org
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
PAGE 7
Intro to Service Learning
Deona’s Service Learning
Crafting for a Cause
In this service learning Deona and her students make crafts for a lot of causes. One
of the causes is called OPERATION TOASTY TOES. The students make and send
crochet and knitted comfort items like wristlets, scarves, and head gear for soldiers
that have been in action. They are also making friendship bracelets for the Irish and
PCA kids to create friendship.
Derik and Connie’s service learning
Helping Irish
They take a bunch of students to Irish elementary to do a variety of things with all
the kids and hang out with them. They help administration making copies, and
tutoring the students. To the Irish kids the PCA kids are heroes and they are always
excited to see each other. It also helps the kids learn everyday skills, and how to
handle a lot of situations.
Kirstan’s service learning
Art for the community
They do art within the fort Collins community, for example, empty bowls were they
make pottery for auction. They volunteer at the food bank sometimes throughout the
year. They also make masks for FC MOA an art museum downtown, they help hang
art and galleries too.
Gary’s service learning
Soup kitchen
Gary takes all the students on a scary bus ride to catholic charities and they work in
the kitchen and make lunch for around 200 people every Wednesday. They learn
how a commercial kitchen works and they make a menu and clean dishes. They feed
hungry people who also need it daily. It’s a very amazing cause.
Ann’s service learning
Outdoor service
The whole class clean up the poudre river twice a month and other times they work
with the Colorado state forestry service. With them they work in the plant nursery
(weed pulling), cutting down trees, at risk canyon getting rid of invasive plants. At
Christmas the kids are going to work with Christmas trees giving and setting up trees
for needy families.
Internet safety tips for teens
1. Don’t give out personal information. You should not
share your last name, home address, school name, or
telephone number.
2. Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
3. Always tell your parents right away if you read anything on the internet that
makes you feel uncomfortable.
4. Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. Just because
someone says they are is a “12-year-old girl” does not always mean they are.
5. Remember, just because someone asks for information about you does not mean
you have to tell them anything about yourself!
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
Students Work
This month’s student work comes from Connie’s English Classes
Max Mckita 8/25/14
Hated, Depressed, Crying, Cutting, Death
Music, Bands, Horizon, Trouble, Fights
Bullied, Homeschooled, Sleep, Bed, Family
Summer, Friends, Playing, Longboard, Video Games
Travel, Bikes, Strong, Cars, Caring
Cat, Food, Eating, Fire, Home
Words
by:Roman Guzman
Opressing depression me
Pigment same love
Gay stereotypes sitin
Shadows change hate
Church tramatising difference
Voiceless annointed genre
Comment words wage war
Warmth progresses medication
God damned fake
happiness supports words
depression medication
God hate fake
PAGE 8
SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
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SEPTEMBER 2014
Poudre Academy Newsletter
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