2026-2027 Family Weekly Update
ACES Eagles,
What an extraordinary week it has been across our ACES school community! Throughout Red Ribbon Week, our Eagles embraced each day’s theme with enthusiasm and school spirit. Whether through creative dress-down days, classroom discussions, or campus-wide activities, our students demonstrated that being a leader means caring for ourselves and one another. The smiles, energy, and participation seen throughout our hallways—and highlighted across our social media platforms—tell a powerful story: ACES knows how to come together for an important cause while having a great time doing it. Excellent!
Last night’s Trunk or Treat was, without question, the most successful in ACES history. From the creativity of our trunks to the joy on our students’ faces, the evening showcased the very best of our ACES school community. To every staff member, volunteer, parent, City of Aventura leader, and community partner who helped make the event possible: thank you. Your time, creativity, and heart transformed an already-beloved tradition into a truly memorable experience.
This week also marked the launch of Tap Into Excellence 2027, an initiative that will send a small group of ACES staff members to the Dominican Republic this summer to help bring clean running water to remote communities. We are equally excited about our first fundraiser in support of this, the V.I.E. Lunch Experience. Congratulations to today’s winners:
- K-4 Building: Leia M. – Grade 3
- 5-8 Building: Maria Cecilia A. – Grade 6
Remember—our next drawing takes place on November 10 and we will announce two new winners! A few weekend thoughts… To those who will be celebrating Halloween tomorrow, we hope it is full of treats and only fun tricks! Registration for our three-part parenting book study closes this Sunday, November 1 – don’t forget to sign up and invite others to join you! Your clocks need to be set back one hour this weekend (Saturday evening/Sunday morning) as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. After an exciting, robust week like this one, the positive feeling we all have keeps getting stronger: It is an excellent time to be an Eagle!
In Excellence,
Dr. Beck
We invite all ACES families to share their feedback by completing the CSUSA 2026-2027 Fall Parent Satisfaction Survey. Your input plays an important role in helping us strengthen schoolwide initiatives and reflects the continued partnership that makes our ACES community so special.
Last year, we created parent committees around several topics highlighted in the Parent Survey. ACES listened, parents partnered with us, and together we turned feedback into action! These conversations helped lead to improvements such as streamlined newsletter communication, increased uniform accessibility for our middle school students, improved breakfast options in the cafeteria, and more.
Earn 1 volunteer hour by emailing a screenshot of your completed survey to acesvolunteers@aventuracharterk8.org.
Thank you for taking the time to share your voice. Your feedback matters, and it helps make ACES even better!
Safety First!
At ACES, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. Maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment requires the cooperation and vigilance of our entire school community.
We would like to remind all families that weapons and weapon-like items are strictly prohibited on campus, regardless of their size, appearance, intended use, or whether they are considered toys. This includes toy or replica weapons, pocketknives, 3D-printed items resembling weapons, and any object that could be used to threaten or harm another person.
Even when an item is brought to school without harmful intent, serious disciplinary consequences may apply in accordance with school policies and applicable safety requirements.
We ask parents and guardians to take a few moments to regularly check their child's backpack and belongings, discuss the importance of making safe choices, and reinforce that items resembling weapons should never be brought to school. When in doubt, please leave the item at home.
School safety is a shared responsibility. Through open communication, awareness, and a commitment to following established safety procedures, we can work together to protect our students and maintain the positive learning environment every Eagle deserves.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping ACES safe.
Excellence. Purpose. Growth. Safety Always Comes First.
Morning Carpool Drop-Off Reminders
To help morning drop-off run safely and smoothly, please have your child ready to exit with their backpack and belongings before entering the carpool line. Students should exit from the passenger side, and drivers should remain in their vehicles, pull as far forward as possible, and keep handheld devices put away in the designated school zone. A quick goodbye helps keep the line moving.
Main carpool begins at 8:00 a.m. Students may arrive starting at 7:30 a.m., but staff and volunteer assistance is unavailable until 8:00. When possible, families are encouraged to arrive between 7:45 and 8:00 a.m. The City of Aventura Recreation Center is an additional drop-off option; middle school and upper elementary students are encouraged to use it. Please follow the directions of City of Aventura police officers, ACES staff, and volunteers.
Late Pick-Up Fees Have BEGUN
As Quarter 2 begins, please note that late pickups were tracked during Quarter 1 without penalty. Families have two courtesy late pickups of up to 10 minutes for the remainder of the school year; fees apply when a pickup is more than 10 minutes late.
Beginning in Quarter 2, late pickup fees are $2 per minute after the designated carpool end time: 3:20 p.m. for Grades K–5 and 3:45 p.m. for Grades 6–8. After the first time a family is more than 30 minutes late, they will need to open an account with the City of Aventura Recreation Center for last-minute aftercare.
Questions may be directed to Ms. Stacy Mogull, AP of Operations, at stacy.mogull@aventuracharterk8.org.
This is a reminder that Tuesday, November 3, 2026, is Election Day, and while Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) will be closed to students, ACES will remain OPEN for a regularly scheduled school day.
ACES follows its own school calendar, which may differ from the MDCPS calendar. All ACES students are expected to attend school on Tuesday, November 3, and regular school hours, instruction, and dismissal procedures will remain in effect.
We encourage all parents/guardians to review the ACES school calendar when making family plans to avoid any scheduling confusion.
Help make Thanksgiving brighter for families in need! ACES is partnering with Big Mama and the Team of Life for our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, running Wednesday, November 4, through Thursday, November 19.
Each grade has assigned donation items, so please check the flyer for your child’s list. Donations will be collected in the breezeway, and families at every grade level may also contribute Publix gift cards. Every donation makes a difference—and participating families may submit one parent volunteer hour in PowerSchool.
Thank you for helping our ACES community share the spirit of giving!
On Thursday, 11/12 students will have the opportunity to retake their photo. Makeup Day pictures are for:
- Students who were absent on the original picture day (9/24)
- Students that are new to the school, or
- Students who purchased a package and are unhappy with their photo. Students must return the original package on makeup day.
- Makeup photos are NOT for students who simply need or want a new ID Card. ID reprint requests should be sent to Ms. Shawn - shawnda.simmons@aventuracharterk8.org
For those who would like to purchase their photos you may still order print by clicking here. As a reminder, students must be wearing their polo uniform top for their photo.
Great news, ACES families! All Spirit Shirt orders placed on or before October 9 have been distributed! Orders placed after October 9 will begin going home next week—ahead of schedule! Shirts will continue to be distributed in the order purchases were received.
Mark Your Calendars! Students can officially begin wearing their new Spirit Shirts on Wednesday, November 4, and every ACES Spirit Wednesday thereafter, along with last year's Real Eagles of Aventura spirit shirt.
Featuring Romero Britto's vibrant “American Freedom” artwork, this special-edition shirt celebrates a colorful piece of our ACES campus!
Missed Out? It's Not Too Late! Spirit Shirt sales are still open! Shirts are available in student and adult sizes, with short-sleeve and long-sleeve options. Even our four-legged family members can join the fun with matching dog bandanas!
Show your ACES pride and be part of the Spirit Wednesday tradition! Order through My School Bucks today:
ACES parents and City of Aventura residents are invited to join Principal Dr. Andrea Beck for a thoughtful exploration of Dr. Shefali’s Raising Conscious Daughters and Raising Conscious Sons.
Designed to support parents and caregivers, each three-part book study will feature guided discussions, meaningful reflections, and engaging activities focused on strengthening connections and encouraging conscious parenting.
- The Raising Conscious Daughters series will meet on November 9, December 14, and January 11.
- The Raising Conscious Sons series will meet on November 16, December 15, and January 12.
All sessions begin at 5:00 PM and will be hosted at Aventura City of Excellence School. Participants may register for either series or both and should be prepared to read the assigned sections before each meeting.
Space is limited, and an RSVP is required by November 1. Register at HERE
What is "Tap Into Excellence?"
This Summer, a small group of teammates from ACES is kicking off a first-ever Tap Into Excellence, a service initiative with BLUE Missions. They will be helping to build out a water system that will bring clean running water to approximately 108 families in the communities of Cantabria y Marivázquez in the Dominican Republic. Throughout the year our ACES school community will be invited to participate in FUNdraising initiatives that will help to bring our first team's 'Strong Minds & Good Hearts' to the Dominican Republic!
Help ACES & DSAHS Staff Make a Difference
Help us bring clean running water to the Dominican Republic! Our first Tap Into Excellence 2027 fundraising opportunity is all about putting the FUN in fundraising! Our V.I.E. (Very Important Eagle!) Lunch Experience Raffle exclusively gives ACES students the chance to win a truly special lunchtime experience, complete with lunch delivered to campus, invited guests, and a staff member of their choice. We hope our Eagles will be excited to support a meaningful cause while having a chance to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience right here at school.
- Congratulations to the V.I.E. winners from today's drawing:
- K-4 Building: Leia M. – Grade 3
- 5-8 Building: Maria Cecilia A. – Grade 6
- The next drawing has been scheduled for Tuesday, 11/10 (tickets must be purchased by 11/9, 4:00 pm).
Raffle tickets may be purchased on MySchoolBucks:
Great schools thrive when communities come together! ACES and Don Soffer invite local businesses, families, and community leaders to make a lasting impact through our Community Partnership Program.
By becoming a partner, you can help enrich educational programs, create meaningful opportunities for students, and strengthen the connection between our schools and the Aventura community.
Together, we can invest in today's students and build a stronger community tomorrow!
Interested in becoming a Community Partner? Scan the QR code on the flyer to explore partnership opportunities, or contact Alexandra Peña at communitypartners@aventuracharterk8.org.
ACES and Don Soffer are excited to invite our families to the 4th Annual Night of Excellence on Saturday, March 13, 2027, under the stars at The Abbey at Aventura Mall!
Join us for a memorable evening celebrating our schools and the incredible community that supports them. Enjoy delicious food, exciting raffles, and a silent auction, all while coming together to make a meaningful difference for our students and schools.
Early Bird Tickets Are Just $99! Take advantage of this special pricing before January 1, 2027, and secure your spot for this wonderful evening. Click HERE to purchase your tickets! Earn volunteer hours for attending this wonderful event!
Want to Get Involved? Families can also earn volunteer hours by supporting this special event. Whether through volunteering or contributing to our auction, there are meaningful ways to participate!
Interested in volunteering or learning more? Please connect with your school's parent representative:
ACES Families: Natalie Saltz — nsaltz@gmail.com
Don Soffer Families: Nais Baruch — naisbaruch@hotmail.com
Let's make this year's Night of Excellence a celebration to remember!
Attention Parents! Pre-order your child’s 2026–2027 Yearbook now at the lowest price of the year!
Early Bird Special:
- Order by December 1st for just $45
- Add personalization for $10 more
Don't miss this chance to lock in the best deal and preserve your child's school memories! Order online today at:
- www.yearbookordercenter.com
- School Code: 10205
- Prices will increase starting December 2nd
11/6: Raising Competent Teenagers
In this workshop, parents are introduced to six aspects of teenagers becoming confident and successful in school and the community. Parents are given specific ideas to teach and encourage the following:
- Developing self-discipline
- Establishing good routines
- Getting involved in school activities
- Being a good problem solver
- Following school rules
- Having supportive friends
11/13: Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
In this workshop, parents/caregivers are introduced to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Diagnosis Treatment Steps to take to support children and adolescents across the lifespan.
UPDATED with TWO New Clubs
We are pleased to offer the following ACES After-School Enrichment Programs for the 2026–2027 school year. Led by our own ACES teachers and staff, these programs provide students with engaging and enriching experiences in the safe, familiar environment of our campus while offering families the convenience of on-campus pickup when each session ends.
All programs require parents to submit a registration, and all payments are made on My School Bucks, including the registration fee.
If you have questions about a specific program, please contact the lead staff member listed for that program.
ACES Technology Platform Access Guide
Navigating ACES technology platforms just got easier! Our new Tech Platform Access Guide provides families with a convenient overview of the digital tools used at ACES, including the Dadeschools Portal, PowerSchool, Schoology, Clever, LiveSchools and additional learning apps. The guide explains the purpose of each platform, who uses it, how to log in and where to access it. Families are encouraged to keep this quick-reference guide handy and consult their Parent Access Letter when setting up parent accounts.
To download the file CLICK HERE.
