ACE ACADEMY Seminole Place
February Newsletter
Dear ACE Academy Families,
I hope this letter finds you well. We are grateful for your partnership and pleased to share important updates, celebrations, and helpful information from ACE Academy. Thank you for your ongoing support in making our school a welcoming, engaging place for every student.
Important Announcements — Upcoming ACE Academy Events
- 02/26 — Topnotch Computers field trip (12th Cyber students)
- Students attending: 12th-grade Cyber pathway. Please ensure permission slips and any required forms are returned ASAP if you haven’t done so already.
- 03/10 — Senior PVCC field trip
- Seniors: visit to Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC). This is a great opportunity for students to explore college options—Return permission forms by March 5th
- 03/18 — Conferences
- Parent/teacher conferences — more details (times and sign-up links) are below. We encourage families to schedule a time to discuss progress and goals.
Celebrations from this Month
- Valentine’s Day celebration: Students made and decorated cupcakes — a joyful community activity that showcased creativity and teamwork.
- Karaoke event: Our Juniors and Seniors organized a fun karaoke session that entertained the school; several staff members joined in, bringing lots of laughs and school spirit.
- Upcoming field trips: We’re excited about the learning opportunities ahead—these outings expand students’ real-world experiences and support classroom learning.
We are grateful for your ongoing support in fostering a positive learning environment for all our students. Your involvement makes a real difference.
With appreciation,
Jay Thomas, Principal
Calendar of Events
ACPS Calendar linked HERE
ACE Academy Events
02/26 Topnotch Computers field trip (12th Cyber students)
03/06 Video/Media Technology 3- Field Trip
03/10 Senior PVCC Field Trip
03/18 Conferences
03/25-SAT DAY
03/27-DE English classes visit UVa Library
05/14-Senior Capstone Ceremony
ACE Students and Families ~
We are excited to let you know that we have partnered with ACPS Child Nutrition and on Friday we began offering a bagged breakfast option for students at a cost of $2.00 per meal. Students should report to Lena Campbell at the front desk when entering ACE Academy to request breakfast. Pre-ordering is NOT required, but to ensure accurate billing, please have students’ PIN numbers ready.
Each bagged breakfast would include one of the following options:
- Muffin with a cheese stick, milk, and juice
- Assorted cereal with a cheese stick, milk, and juice
- Cinnamon roll with milk and juice
- Mini pancakes with milk and juice
- Cherry or apple Frudel with milk and juice
- Mini Cinnis with milk and juice
Karaoke
Ms. Bell singing! Amazing!
Karaoke
Enjoying some downtime from class.
Valentine's Day Cupcake Celebration!
Just for fun!
Can you help us????
We are seeking donations of items such as pool tables, air hockey tables, ping-pong tables, or similar equipment for students to use during lunch. If your family has an item you would be willing to donate, we would be more than happy to accept it.
Our Featured ACE Students!
🎮GAME DESIGN🎮
What is your name, what is your pathway, and how many years have you been coming to ACE Academy?
“My name is Jack Dennis, I'm in Game Design, and I've been coming to ACE Academy for 2 years."
Why did you decide to join ACE Academy?
“I heard about the game design program from my friend. I had been doing game design for a while so this was perfect for me.”
What are your favorite things about being at the ACE Academy campus versus your base school campus?
“Freedom. All my needs are met on an individual level, which gives me more control on my studies.”
What has been your most favorite thing you have created while attending ACE Academy?
“My favorite thing I've worked on is the game we've worked on in game design, which is an online multiplayer fantasy game, it was a lot of fun.”
What project are you currently working on?
“I am currently working on brainstorming ideas for a new game.”
How does attending ACE Academy help you prepare for the future?
“It is teaching me how to be independent and giving me practice teaching myself things independently.”
What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?
“I like mountain biking, programming, and eating food.”
💻CYBERSECURITY💻
What is your name, what is your pathway, and how many years have you been coming to ACE Academy?
“My name is Finton Naugton, I’m am a student in cybersecurity and I've been coming to ACE Academy for two years.
Why did you decide to join ACE Academy?
“I thought it would be a good opportunity”
What are your favorite things about being at the ACE Academy campus versus your base school campus? “My best friend goes here and it feels great to see them every other day, due to us going to different base schools and there are so many more resources here to help me to develop my skills for later on in life.
What has been your most favorite thing you have created while attending ACE Academy?
“I wouldn’t say things I’ve created more so being able to compete in competitions alongside my class mats”
What project are you currently working on?
“Well I am creating a cafe internet system. I have to set up everything like a normal cafe would be though it’s had i am able to work though it”
How does attending ACE Academy help you prepare for the future?
“There are significant resources that help you study for things in the future like cybersecurity has helped me know so much more about computers i didn’t know about before hand”
What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?
“I don't have much spare time much anymore but time to time I like to play games with friends when I can”
📹VIDEO & MEDIA TECHNOLOGY📹
What is your name, what is your pathway, and how many years have you been coming to ACE Academy?
“My name is Leo Harris, I’m am a student in Media pathway and I've been coming to ACE Academy for three years.
Why did you decide to join ACE Academy?
“I’m really artsy and love everything creative. I was drawn to this school because of all the creative things it offered and that I could learn from it.
What are your favorite things about being at the ACE Academy campus versus your base school campus? “I like how ACE Academy is a smaller school and I like the amount of freedom I have at ACE. I feel more comfortable in this school because teachers are more approachable and have more respect for us as students. With the classes being smaller we get to know our teachers in a different way that allows them to respect us as students.
What has been your most favorite thing you have created while attending ACE Academy?
“That would probably be my senior capstone project. I am making a Star Wars costume of my favorite character Ahsoka Tano. It’s one of the most hands on project I have ever done and am trying so many new things to create this project. I am working with another classmate and the collaboration with others is also great.
What project are you currently working on?
I am really focused on my senior capstone project.
How does attending ACE Academy help you prepare for the future?
“I feel like my relationships at ACE Academy allows me to feel like an adult. For example when talking with Mr. Berry about my project, I can bounce ideas off of him and receive feedback as if I am an adult working on a project.
What are your favorite things to do in your spare time?
“I like to game. My favorite games are Marvel Rivals and Hellriders 2. I also like to draw, listen to music and write.
Group: CENTER 1 FAMILIES
English 9 Honors
Students in Mrs. Bell’s 9th grade class have just finished reading Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and are now using the text to prepare for their third quarter SOL exam on March 11th. Using their skills in close reading and analysis, students have made posters to argue whether or not Oedipus has gained wisdom through his trial. Oedipus Rex has been one of our most engaging texts this year because of its striking and complex themes, but students have handled its complexity well and are growing ever closer to answering our core question: “Why do we read literature?”
AP English Language and Composition
Students in Mrs. Bell’s 11th grade AP class have recently finished reading The Crucible by Arthur Miller and are holding a mock trial on February 19th: “The People vs. Abigail Williams.” In the trial, students will utilize their argumentative skills to prove that the defendant, Abigail Williams, is or is not guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the case of the Salem Witch Trials. The jury, Mr. Peck’s 11th grade US History Honors class, will help determine the verdict of the case. In all of the excitement of the trial, 11th grade students are also preparing to take their 11th grade Reading and Writing SOL exams in early March.
DE College Composition II
Students in Mrs. Bell’s 12th grade DE class have been busy writing and rewriting drafts of their research papers and will soon begin the peer review process to prepare for their midterm submission. Simultaneously, progress has been made on our class electronic literature project, which is meant to explore the theoretical framework of semiotics as well as the ever-expanding field of the digital humanities. As we move into our last few months of senior year, students will be visiting the UVA Edgar Shannon Library for a field research experience where they will do research for their final term paper for the course. Permission slips will be distributed in early March for this field experience.
Physics
This month, we have finished up our unit physics in action where students finished by doing a project where they got to analyze an athlete’s motion with physics principles. We are now working on our next unit: let us entertain you where we are diving into the physics of waves and sound.
Image of standing wave on a string
~Mr. Bertram
World Geography
This past month, Dr. Mound's World Geography students completed the second state-mandated DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay, which asks students to explain how economic development affects standards of living. This DBQ built upon the class’s study of the Americas, which focused on economic geography. Students finished their unit on the Americas with a map and vocabulary quiz before moving on to study Europe.
U.S. History
This past month, Dr. Mound's U.S. History students completed their examination of rising post-1960s grassroots conservative activism, the economic crises of the 1970s, and how both culminated in the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. Students then began work on the second state-mandated DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay.
Government
This past month, Dr. Mound's Government students completed their second state-mandated DBQ (Document-Based Question) essay, which looks at mass incarceration.
February Cyber & IT Fundamentals Update
IT Fundamentals:
The IT Fundamentals class has officially entered the Game Design phase! Students are using Construct 3, a professional-grade logic-based engine, to bring their scripts to life.
Current Focus: Students are moving beyond simple movement to "event-based" programming—learning how to trigger actions, manage player "health" variables, and design win/loss conditions.
Cybersecurity I:
Cyber 1 students have taken their first steps into the world of Web Vulnerabilities.
"WarGames" Analysis: By watching the classic film WarGames, students explored the history of "wardialing" and the critical importance of human ethics in automated systems.
Hands-on Labs: The class is utilizing the OWASP Juice Shop. Students practiced Cookie Manipulation, learning how attackers hijack sessions by altering the data stored in the browser.
Cybersecurity II:
Cyber 2 has shifted focus from the "Core" of the network to the "Edge" where users connect.
Routing Protocols: Students used Cisco Packet Tracer to simulate and compare RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, learning how data finds the most efficient path across a global network.
"The Fast and the Ethernet": In this collaborative challenge, students troubleshot complex scenarios involving VLAN tagging, duplex settings, and port security.
Wireless Standards: We moved into the physics of Wi-Fi, comparing 802.11 standards and frequencies. Students are currently preparing for the "Wi-Fi Security Showdown," where they will build and defend wireless networks.
Cybersecurity III:
Our Cyber 3 students are diving deep into the Indicators of Compromise (IoC). This month is focused on recognizing the "fingerprints" left by attackers.
Malware Classification: Students are identifying the differences between Worms, Fileless Malware, Rootkits, and RATs (Remote Access Trojans). They completed labs on detecting and responding to malware-based attacks.
Network & Physical Attacks: We explored the mechanics of DDoS, On-Path (Man-in-the-Middle), and DNS attacks. A highlight this month was the hands-on lab focused on Understanding On-Path Attacks, where students visualized how data can be intercepted between two points.
Application Security: The month concludes with a focus on Injection Attacks (SQL and Command Injection) and URL Analysis, teaching students how to read web server logs to find malicious activity.
Video Media & Technology
February Video & Media Technology Update
Video and Media Tech. I:
Students in Video and Media Tech I are creating mini historical documentaries focused on the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement. This project introduces students to the Ken Burns effects, narrating their own scripts, and conducting research on a historical figure of their choice.
Video and Media Tech. III:
Students in Video and Media Tech III are currently enrolled in an audio production crash course with our community partners at the Music Resource Center (MRC). They are working in small groups using digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Reaper. This course is designed to introduce students of all learning levels to audio production equipment and techniques.
Senior Capstone:
Seniors enrolled in the Capstone course will continue refining their project ideas, prototypes, and designs, with the goal of completing a rough concept by the end of the quarter. Senior students who would benefit from additional time to develop their capstone will have the opportunity to transition to an alternate assignment during the final quarter of the school year to ensure they successfully complete the Capstone course.
IT Fundamentals
The students have finished a space shooter video game using the Construct 3 game engine.
Game 1
They are currently working through a 2D adventure game.
Game 2
Game 2 students have been learning how to program a basic car minigame.
Digital Visualization
The students have animated a human figure to show emotion using only body language.
We are approaching cold and flu season. We need to have a signed copy of the medication release form on file to administer any medication to students. If you would like the option for us to administer medications to your student, we need a signed copy of the medication release form. Please have you student pick up a form from the nurses office or you may print off the attached form. Parents will need to provide medication with students name and DOB on bottle . ~Zina
Dear Families,
We’d like to share a list of local community resources that offer support in a variety of areas, including mental health services, food and housing assistance, and opportunities to give back through donations or volunteering. We know that everyone’s needs—and ways of supporting others—are unique, and we hope these resources are helpful for you or someone you know.
Help Happens Here- Mental health services
Street Sheet Resources for Charlottesville and Albemarle-
Comprehensive list for all kinds of resources