ACP Winter Newsletter
November 2024

Our Mission
Partnerships combining the resources of the community, family, and the Academy provide an authentic learning environment in which students become active learners through an alternative and recovery High school program.
Students empowered with HOPE develop a feeling of success as they work through real-world projects as valued members of the learning community.
Quick Announcements
- Thanksgiving Break: November 25th-November 28th
- Winter Break: December 23rd-January 2nd
Upcoming Events
Christmas Movie Night
Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM-7;00 PM
Location: Academy with Community Partners High School
433 N Hall Mesa AZ 85203
- Hot Chocolate
- Cookie Decorating
- Bring a Chair or Blanket
Cocoa with Santa
Date: Wednesday, December 18th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Academy with Community Partners High School
433 N Hall Mesa AZ 85203
Fun for the whole family! Cookie Decorating/Ornament Decorating/Hot Chocolate/Meet and Greet with Santa/Music
Message to Families
Message from the Superintendent, Dr. Kayleen Marble
As we enter the holiday season, a time filled with gratitude and togetherness, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support and partnership in creating a positive learning environment at ACP. We are incredibly thankful for the dedication of our students, staff, and families who contribute to our vibrant school community every day. This month, we will be focusing on several community events like our Thanksgiving feast, a movie night, and our Cocoa with Santa event. We hope that you will join us for these events meant to celebrate our school and students. We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season filled with moments of joy and reflection.
Message from the Dean of Academics, Ms. Molly Ryan
It is hard to believe that we are days from December. It seems like we just started the year. This year has been about bring the “Community” in Academy with COMMUNITY Partners. We had a great turn out to Trunk or Treat with the community and families. We have Thanksgiving Feast, Movie Night and, SANTA is coming to ACP for the community and families. The staff and students will have tables for decorating cookies and making ornaments.
I want to thank all the students who come daily on time and complete all their work. We have seen a trend, students who come daily and work in class, pass classes. We have so many tardies and absences and the hours do not get made up, so students may pass the class, but hours hold them up from getting the credit. Remind your student we have many opportunities to make up hours during the week. If you miss school or are tardy it is your responsibility to make up these hours.
We want to thank all the people who donated to the Feast this year and are coming to help and meet our students. We are so grateful to all of you for opening your hearts to our wonderful students and families.
We are so proud of our students and families and look forward to seeing you at the Cocoa with Santa event.
Message from the Dean of Students, Mr. Chester Freas
Families, students, friends, coaches, and peers,
Wow, Block 3 is here, and I am so excited for all the hard work we’re seeing and noticing! The Trunk or Treat event was such a hit, and I heard Santa Claus is coming next! But before that, we have our Annual “Feast,” and there will be so much food. I want to extend a huge thank you to the people and organizations who have donated and are planning to help on that day.
In closing, we are so proud of all the work being done by our teachers, students, administration, and families.
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Message from the Operations Manager, Mr. Taylor Sorensen
Just a quick reminder from the School Operations Team:
🔄 Update Your Contact Information
It’s important to keep your contact details current! If you've recently changed your phone number, email, or emergency contact, please let the school office know ASAP so we can keep our records up to date.
📅 Attendance Reminder for our Online Students
As we approach Thanksgiving and winter break, these upcoming breaks offer a great opportunity for students to catch up on any missed time and course work. We encourage all students to stay on top of their assignments and use this time to finish strong.
Weekly Time Requirement for Online Students: 25 Hours
Staff and Student Spotlight
Students of the Block
Block 2 Students Shine Bright!
On Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, we had the pleasure of celebrating the amazing efforts of our block 2 students for the 2024-2025 school year! These hard-working students were recognized with certificates, cheering on their dedication and accomplishments. To top it off, they enjoyed a well-deserved lunch together, filled with smiles and good times.
School Spotlight
Community Partnership - Helton Tool and Home
A Big Thank You to Helton Tool and Home!
We want to send a HUGE thank you to the owners of Helton Tool and Home for their incredibly generous donation of custom sweatshirts designed by our students! These sweatshirts will be proudly worn by all our ACP students and staff, and we couldn’t be more excited. Your support means the world to us and truly makes a difference in our community. Thank you for helping us bring some extra school spirit and warmth to our campus! We are so grateful for your partnership.
Small Group Workshops with our School Counselor
ACP offers small group workshops with our counselor, Carla Mannes, designed to support our students in developing essential skills for both academic and personal growth. These workshops will focus on fostering positive relationships, enhancing communication, and promoting life skills.
Trunk or Treat Event
What an amazing time at our Trunk or Treat event! Over 100 people joined us for an unforgettable night filled with fun, awesome games, great music, and of course, tons of candy! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out and made this event a blast—your costumes, energy, and smiles made it truly special! We can't wait to do it all again next year!
Staff Pumpkin Carving Activity
Last month, our staff truly brought their A-game to the pumpkin carving activity! The teachers carved some amazing pumpkins that had us all impressed and laughing. Huge shoutout to everyone who participated—your talent made this event a spooktacular success!
ROAR
Mighty Lions Choose to ROAR
R - Respectful
O - Open-Minded
A - Achievers
R - Responsible
Key Components of ROAR
Clear Expectations: We establish and communicate clear behavioral expectations for students across different settings within the school. This helps students understand what behaviors are expected and how they can achieve them.
Positive Reinforcement: We recognize and reward positive behavior through various incentives and praise. This reinforces desired behaviors and encourages students to continue making good choices.
Benefits of ROAR:
- Improved Behavior: By focusing on positive reinforcement and clear expectations, ROAR helps reduce behavioral issues and promotes a more respectful and cooperative school environment.
- Enhanced Learning: A positive and supportive environment allows students to focus on learning and achieve their academic goals.
- Stronger School Community: ROAR fosters a sense of community and belonging among students, staff, and families, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive school culture.
Attendance Matters
- 2 Absences Per Month X 9 Months of School = Less Likely to Graduate from High School.
- Did you know? People with a High School diploma make more than $1,000,000 in a lifetime over those without a High School diploma.
- A child who is 10 minutes late misses 32 hours a year of lost instruction.
- Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade.
Sports Corner
Flag Football Season Recap & Basketball Update
The flag football season has officially come to a close, and our Lions have made us proud with an outstanding performance, securing 2nd place in the state! Finishing the season with an impressive 20 wins and 5 losses, the team showcased incredible skill and determination.
We are excited to announce that six of our players earned All-State honors:
- Psyruhs Carson – 1st Team All-State
- Julian Ybarra – 1st Team All-State
- Julian Rivera – 2nd Team All-State
- Demise Kimble – 2nd Team All-State
Additionally, Jayden Chatman and Chris Vasquez received Honorable Mention recognition.
Looking ahead, basketball season is underway! Be sure to check the schedule for upcoming home games and support our teams as they continue their journey.
Student Activities Corner
Student Council Club
President & Advisor Luncheon at the Mesa Convention Center on Thursday, November 7th, 2024
The ACP student council made the most of the event by stepping out of their comfort zone and engaging with other school leaders. Upon arrival, they separated into different student groups, taking part in various activities designed to encourage idea-sharing. The event featured a keynote speaker, whose insights inspired the students, followed by a formal lunch where they had the chance to network and discuss important leadership topics with peers from other schools.
Afterward, the ACP student council reconvened as a group, and the leadership team shared their key takeaways from the luncheon, reflecting on how the experience helped them grow as leaders and collaborate more effectively with others. It was an enriching event that allowed them to expand their horizons and build valuable connections.
Art Club
Gardening Club
The Gardening Club has been busy sprucing up the back planter boxes, clearing out weeds to make way for new plants to bloom starting in January! It's all hands on deck as we prepare to transform the space into a vibrant garden full of fresh growth and colorful surprises. Get ready for some fun digging, planting, and watching our hard work blossom into something beautiful!
Tax Credit Donations
Remember that each year there is an AZ tax credit of $200 for individuals and $400 for families when you donate to a school. This means that if you give a donation of that amount to the school (with receipt) you get that as a tax credit back on your AZ state taxes. Business/Corporate donations can be up to $800. These donations are used to help our sports and other extracurricular activities. Please talk to Ms. Ramos at the front office if you'd like to make a donation. For more information, you can go to https://azdor.gov/tax-credits/public-school-tax-credit
Student and Parent Password Resets
Forgot Your Password?
Contact the School Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com for assistance.
Student and Parent Resources
Leadership Team
Dr. Kayleen Marble
Superintendent
Ms. Molly Ryan
Dean of Academics/Special Programs Manager
Mr. Chester Freas
Dean of Students/Athletics Director
Mr. Taylor Sorensen
Operations Manager
Ms. Kristina Norris
Student Success Coordinator
Mrs. Shannon Holec
Graduation Coach
Ms. Carla Mannes
Counselor
Mrs. Aimee Dunford
Lead Teacher
Ms. Devon Green
Testing Coordinator
Family Income Forms
Family income forms play a crucial role in supporting our school and students. As you receive this form from our office, please take a moment to complete it. Family income forms are essential for determining eligibility for various federal and state funding programs. These forms help schools qualify for funding that supports educational resources and services.
Staff Qualifications
Parents and guardians may request information about the qualifications of their teachers at any time by emailing our Operations Manager, Taylor Sorensen at tsorensen@accelschools.com. These are also available at our school office at 433 N Hall in Mesa, AZ.
Questions? Call our front office at 480-833-0068

