Clay Academy Bulldog Bulletin
August and September 2025
Dear Clay Academy Families,
Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating summer. It's great to see hallways and classrooms filled with the energy of our students and staff once again. There’s a special excitement that comes with the start of a new school year, and it’s a privilege to see everyone back in the swing of things.
As we settle back into our daily routines, I want to extend my thanks for your continued support and trust in our school community. The partnership between teachers, staff, and you, our families, is what makes Clay Academy such a special place for students to learn and staff to work. We're all dedicated to making this a year of great progress and success for every person!
We also have a new member of our team to introduce: our therapy dog, Diesel! Diesel will be on campus to provide comfort and support to our school community. Therapy dogs have been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, and we're excited to see the positive impact he'll have on our school environment. He's already made a few new friends and is getting used to his new home here. Diesel's picture is below.
I’m looking forward to a fantastic year ahead!
Let’s make it a great start to the 2025-2026 school year!
Dr. Dan Palombit
Principal
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
In Elementary art, we have been learning about the elements of art. We are working on learning about different types of lines. We made line monsters and line lions. We are learning how to use watercolor and what happens when we mix colors together. Students are working hard and doing great in art.
As a new teacher to Clay Academy, I am so excited to share how wonderful our start to the school year has been! The 1st and 2nd graders are settling into routines and we are enjoying getting to know one another. Each day we build stronger connections, share lots of smiles, and celebrate small successes together. I look forward to all the learning, growth, and fun this year will bring! Mrs. M Room 4
The beginning of the school year in 3rd and 4th grade has been such a pleasure! Every day, we are working to get to know one another better and become a class family. We are reading The Magic Tree House as a class and learning about the various adventures Jack and Annie take in The Magic Tree House. In math, we are beginning to focus on multiplication and place value. It has been such a joy to see our class acting as role models for their younger peers and celebrating each other's accomplishments!
To start off the STEM year, we have completed several teamwork related building activities. A few classes have already earned an elephant toothpaste day! Check out the Facebook page to see some videos. Students in Ms. Price’s class are learning about variation in traits. We will dip our toes into heredity and how dominant and recessive genes impact genotype and phenotype. In Ms. McCutcheon’s class, students are learning about maps, the design process for engineers, and how to use our measuring tools. Students in room 6 are learning all about the water cycle.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Arndt, Physical Education Teacher
We are starting with rolling and throwing games. To practice these skills, we are playing games like watch it and battleship. Watch it is a game of two teams protecting their pins while simultaneously trying to knock down all the pins on the other side. Whoever knocks down all the pins wins the game. We play three rounds of the game. The other game we play is battleship. In this game, there are four teams. Each team has one teammate on a scooter whose job is to get the balls from the middle and bring them back to their teammates. The other teammates have to knock down the other teams’ pins. After two teams have had their pins knocked down, those teams merge with the two remaining teams. The team that knocks down all the pins of the opposing team wins. We have also been playing kickball.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER UPDATE
Mrs. Adams, School Social Worker
Welcome back to school! It has been fun catching back up with all the students and hearing about their summer adventures. Please don’t forget to complete the new releases of information sent home for this school year. If you would prefer a paper copy sent home please let us know. The releases are necessary for coordination of care with any outpatient providers to ensure the best care possible for your child. We will continue to work on social skills and coping skills this year. Attached are the links to the curriculum used by elementary schools. Your students have used these in the past and are familiar with the content.
My contact information is:
Jennifer Adams, LCSW
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
In middle school art, we have been learning about the elements and principles of art. Students learned about the elements through a virtual escape room. Students worked on All About Me collages to get to know one another. Students just finished zentangle/line watercolor hand canvases. Students are now learning about the famous artist Paul Klee. Overall, the students have been great in art.
It's an exciting time here in middle school! The halls are once again buzzing with the sound of students. It feels like just yesterday we were saying goodbye for the summer, and now we're diving headfirst into a new school year filled with learning, friendship, and fun.
We know that the first few weeks can be an adjustment, but it's also a chance to create new routines, catch up with old friends, and make new ones. This year promises to be an incredible journey, and we're looking forward to all the amazing things we'll accomplish together.
Remember to keep an eye on our school calendar for all the upcoming events, and don't hesitate to reach out to your teachers or the front office if you have any questions. We're all here to support you and make this a fantastic year.
Let's make it a great one, Bulldogs!
MIDDLE SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Arndt and Mr. Tschappat, Physical Education Teachers
We have been doing our flag football unit. As a part of this unit, we are working on throwing, catching, and teamwork. We have also been going up on the stage and working out and doing cardio on the bikes and ellipticals. The next unit we will do involves speed ball. It is a mix of handball and soccer.
MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR UPDATE
Ms. Sarich, School Counselor
Welcome back to school! It has been fun catching back up with all the students and hearing about their summer adventures. Please don’t forget to complete the new releases of information sent home for this school year. If you would prefer a paper copy sent home please let us know. The releases are necessary for coordination of care with any outpatient providers to ensure the best care possible for your child. We will continue to work on social skills and coping skills this year. Attached are the links to the curriculum used by middle schools. Your students have used these in the past and are familiar with the content.
My contact information is:
Beth Sarich, LCPC, CADC
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
BIOLOGY
We're starting our course with the fundamental building blocks of life itself. Get ready to explore the fascinating world of cells, the microscopic factories that make up every living thing, from the simplest bacteria to the most complex organisms. We'll also delve into the chemistry of life, examining the macromolecules like DNA and proteins that govern how cells function. This is a journey to understand how life works, from the smallest scale to the interconnectedness of entire ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Get ready to dive into the principles of ecology, examining how organisms interact with each other and with their environment in intricate ecosystems. We will also investigate the Earth's major systems, from the geosphere and atmosphere to the hydrosphere and biosphere, and understand how they work together. This course is your chance to gain a deeper understanding of the pressing environmental issues facing our planet today, from climate change to biodiversity loss.
ALGEBRA 1
This year, we're building the foundational skills you'll need for all future math courses. We'll start by revisiting the language of mathematics, focusing on how to translate real-world problems into algebraic expressions and equations. Our first major unit will tackle linear equations, teaching you how to solve for unknown variables and graph straight lines. You'll also learn the power of functions and how they can be used to model relationships.
PRE-VOCATIONS
Students are currently working on great skills they possess which lend themselves to various occupations. A career interest inventory guides them into careers that match their interests and skills. Soft skills and hard skills have also been studied. Ask your student what these are and how they are different!
ENGLISH 9
We're kicking off the year by building a strong foundation in both reading and writing. Get ready to explore a variety of texts, from compelling short stories and poems to thought-provoking non-fiction articles, all while developing your skills in critical reading. You'll also learn the essential steps of the writing process, from brainstorming and outlining to drafting and revising.
ENGLISH
We are reading two novels in high school: Love Simon and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Both novels bring tension felt by teens in the real world. Working alongside our very own Mrs. Kraneman, students find a safe space to discuss mental health issues that teens face.
WORLD HISTORY
Welcome to a new year of world history! We're kicking off the semester with a fascinating journey back in time to the dawn of civilization. Get ready to explore the incredible achievements of early ancient societies, starting with the Mesopotamians, who developed the first writing system, and the Egyptians, famous for their monumental pyramids. We'll also delve into the rich history of early Asian civilizations, including the innovations of the Indus Valley and the foundations of Chinese dynasties. You'll discover how these ancient peoples shaped the world we live in today. Prepare to be amazed by the ingenuity and complexity of our ancestors!
US HISTORY
Welcome to a new year of U.S. History! We're starting our journey at the very beginning, exploring the diverse peoples and cultures that inhabited North America before European arrival. Our first major unit will then focus on the pivotal period of colonization, examining the motivations and struggles of early European settlers. We'll trace the formation of the thirteen colonies, from the rocky shores of New England to the plantations of the South, and analyze the complex interactions between settlers, Native Americans, and enslaved Africans.
GEOGRAPHY
Our first units will explore the fundamentals of physical and human geography, from the powerful forces that shape our landscapes to the cultural and political patterns of human civilization. You'll gain a deeper appreciation for the unique characteristics of different places and the incredible diversity of our planet. This is more than just memorizing capitals—it's about understanding how the world works.
ART
In high school art, we have been learning about the elements of art, which they did through a virtual escape room. Students have been learning about color theory, and finished color wheel eyes. Students also learned about cubism and color theory, and finished a project on their spirit animals. We have just started a project on name graffiti, and students are working hard on their canvas.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In high school Photography, students have been learning about the different parts of a camera. They are learning about the elements of photography and went on a photography scavenger hunt. We are learning about exposure and all about the settings on our cameras.
HIGH SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Arndt and Mr. Tschappat, Physical Education and Health Teachers
We have been doing our soccer unit. In this unit we have been working on passing, receiving, and teamwork. We have also been going up on the stage and working out during Fitness days doing cardio on the bikes and ellipticals.
High School Counselor
Mrs. Kraneman, School Counselor
We have had a great start to the 2025-2026 school year! It was so wonderful to see all of our high school students back at school! Please contact me if you ever have any questions or concerns. Your child does better emotionally, socially and academically when home and school are on the same page with a plan for their success. If there are any changes with your child’s outside services that would require a consent for myself or Clay Staff to communicate with them, please contact me and I will email or send home the appropriate consent forms.
My contact information is:
Dawn Kraneman, LCPC, High School Counselor
815-206-3816 or
815-527-6368 (Google Voice # if you prefer to text)
Let's Pull Together for Ronald McDonald House Charities
We are excited to start our very own classroom collection: a pop tab collection for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)! You might know RMHC for its wonderful mission to support families of children who are sick or injured, providing a "home-away-from-home" near hospitals.
What are Pop Tabs?
Pop tabs are the small, aluminum pull tabs found on the top of soda cans, soup cans, and some pet food cans.
Why Collect Them?
Instead of throwing them away, these small aluminum tabs can be recycled. The money generated from recycling the tabs helps RMHC with operating costs and supporting families in need. It's a simple way for our class to make a big difference in the lives of others.
How to Help:
Save Your Tabs
Send Them to School
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
- September 10, 2025: Picture Day
- September 18, 2025: Half Day; Early Release @ 12:00pm
- October 8, 2025: Half Day; Early Release @ 12:00pm
- October 8, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00pm-9:00pm
- October 9, 2025: No Student Attendance Day
- October 9, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences 9:00am-9:00pm
- October 10, 2025: No Student Attendance Day
- October 13, 2025: No School Columbus Day
- October 14, 2025: Classes Resume
HALF DAY / EARLY RELEASE
Clay Academy's first half day/early release is Thursday, September 18, 2025. Dismissal time on a half day/early release is 12:00pm, which is a change from the previously communicated time of 11:30am. Due to some unavoidable and unforeseen circumstances, Clay Academy's dismissal time had to be changed to 12:00pm. School starts at the same time on these days. Doors open at 8:00am and the first bell starts at 8:30am.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
SAVE THESE DATES! October 8 and 9, 2025 are Parent/Teacher Conferences. Clay Academy staff are looking forwarding to meeting with and sharing students' successes with families. Conference sing up opens the week of September 15, 2025 and Clay Academy conference sign up takes place directly with each student's case manager. Case managers will reach out directly to families to coordinate conference meeting dates and times and to provide virtual meeting login information and directions. Be on the lookout for email communication from your child's case manager.
General Information
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
- Students release from school at 12:00pm
- Conferences held 4:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday, October 9, 2025
- No school for students
- Conferences held 9:00am - 12:00pm; 1:00pm - 4:00pm; and 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday, October 10, 2025
- No school; schools and office is closed
Monday, October 13, 2025
- No school; schools and office is closed for holiday observation
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
- Regular school schedule resumes
About Clay Academy
Website: ca.woodstockschools.org
Location: 112 Grove Street, Woodstock, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 337-2529
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clayacademywoodstock