Principal Newsletter April 2026

APRIL 🌷

April 20: Q3 Report Cards Posted in Jupiter

April 20: Gr. 3 - 5, PSSA ELA, Sect. 1

Our students and teachers have been working hard to increase reading and math performance, and we are eager to show off our skills! State testing is a requirement for all students. Their scores are sent to their future schools as part of the students' academic record, and our scores as a school are in part how we are measured among our public and charter peers.

Some Test Day Tips:

• 🌜 Get a good night's sleep!
• 🍎 Eat a healthy breakfast. We also provide breakfast as usual.
• 🧦 Comfortable Clothing: Wear layers in case the testing room is warmer or cooler then they prefer.
• 🕗 Be on Time: If they are eating breakfast at school, this will allow them time to eat.
• 📗 Bring a book to read. Students must sit quietly until all are finished. A book that is not related to test-taking or that teaches ELA strategies is allowed.
• 😊 Positive Affirmations: Remind them that they are prepared and to do their best!

State regulations require the testing environment to remain secure at all times. This includes any electronic devices that could provide assistance, allow communication with others or take photos or videos of test content. This includes cell phones, smartphones, smartwatches, smart glasses, E-readers, Nooks, Kindles, iPods, tablets, camera-ready devices, and any other electronic devices capable of these functions.

If your child does not need their cell phone, it should be left at home. Otherwise, students will be required to turn it off and hand it in during testing. Phones will be visible and safe to ensure their security and testing security. Phones and other devices will be returned to students to put in their bookbag when testing has concluded each day.

Note: students in grades 4 & 5 are provided with school calculators for the Math PSSA.

To celebrate our students' efforts, we hold a daily PSSA Carnival!

We will have music and games outside each day after the test. BRING A TOWEL if you want to sit outside and relax! Students can earn prizes and candy for winning some of the games! To earn tickets for carnival games and snacks, students must:

• Arrive on time.
• Use resources available, such as scratch paper, calculator, reference sheets and online tools.
• Taking their time; not finishing too soon.
• Being respectful of others by being quiet during and after testing.

DONATIONS NEEDED

• Goldfish crackers (small, individual bags)
• Pretzels (small, individual bags)
• Bottled water - 8oz (small)

* If your child cannot have pretzels, Goldfish crackers or candy, please contact office@artsacademyecs.org

Clearances that are current, within 5 years, are required. See the form below to express interest in chaperoning or volunteering with us!

AAECS Parent Clearances Information

ArtsQuest – Summer Art Camps

Offers weekly summer camps focused on hands-on art experiences including painting,

sculpture, and creative projects for students in grades K–12. See link for more information.

https://www.artsquest.org/education/camps/

Camp JCC – Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley

Provides a full-day camp experience with swimming, sports, arts, and team-building activities in

a supportive and inclusive environment.

Ages: Pre-K–10th grade

https://lvjcc.org/camp

Da Vinci Science Center

STEM/science camps for students in Pre-K–8th grade, offering weekly sessions throughout

the summer.

https://www.davincisciencecenter.org/summer-camp/

Future Stars Camps

Sports and STEAM-based camps for ages 5–13, focused on skill-building, teamwork, and

active learning.

https://www.futurestars.com/locations/cedar-crest/

KidsPeace Sarah’s Smile Summer Program

Therapeutic ABA-based summer program for ages 6–20, running Monday–Friday

(8:30 AM–1:00 PM), focused on building independence, communication, and social

skills for youth with autism.

https://www.kidspeace.org

Lehigh Valley Academy Summer Camps

Academic, STEM, arts, and activity-based camps for elementary through high school students,

offered in weekly summer sessions focused on enrichment and hands-on learning.

https://www.lvacademy.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=1000785&id=0

Lehigh Valley Sports Turf Summer Camp

Offers active, play-based summer camps with weekly themes, special events, and field

trips for children who enjoy sports and movement.

Ages: 3–12

https://lehighvalleymoms.com/2026-lehigh-valley-moms-summer-camp-guide/

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Offers hands-on summer camps focused on animals, conservation, and interactive learning for

elementary and middle school students.

https://www.lvzoo.org/education/summer-camps/

Moravian Academy – MAX Summer Camp

Offers a variety of weekly summer camps focused on STEM, arts, sports, and hands-on learning

experiences for students of different ages.

https://www.moravianacademy.org/max-summer

Northampton Community College – Summer Youth Programs (Horizons for Youth)

Provides weekly summer camps for students in grades K–8 featuring STEM, arts, sports,

cooking, and more in a structured and engaging environment.

https://www.northampton.edu/education-and-training/community-education/horizons-for-

youth/summer-youth-programs.html

Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center

Offers gymnastics and activity-based summer camps for children ages 3–12, with half-day and

full-day options.

https://www.parkettes.com/summer-camp

Pieces of Mind – Summer Camps 2026

Offers half-day summer camps focused on art, creativity, self-care, and social-emotional

development for children and teens. Camps include hands-on experiences in mixed media,

painting, cooking, and wellness activities. See link for more information.

Half-Day Camps ($250):

• Mix It Up/Mixed Media Art Camp (Ages 11–18): June 15–18, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

• Camp Calm (Ages 8–10): June 22–25, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM

• Art Explorers (Ages 8–13): June 22–25, 1:00–4:00 PM

• Color Your World Art Camp (Painting/Acrylics/Watercolor) (Ages 6–10): July 6–9, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

• Camp Chill (Ages 5–7): July 13–16, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM

• Draw Your Dreams Art Camp (Ages 6–10): July 13–16, 1:00–4:00 PM

• Camp Care: Self-Care Camp for Girls (Ages 11–15): July 27–30, 9:30 AM–12:00 PM

• Art Fusion/Mixed Media Camp (Ages 14–18): August 10–13, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

• Creative Canvas/Mixed Media Camp (Ages 11–13): August 17–20, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

• Chopped Cooking Camp (Ages 9–17): July 27–30, 1:00–4:00 PM

Summer Pop-Ups ($15 each):

Optional add-ons during select camps (Camp Calm & Camp Chill). Campers may bring lunch and

stay from 12:00–12:30 PM.

• Fidget Fun (Ages 7–11): June 22 & July 13, 12:30–1:00 PM

• Creation Station (Ages 5–12): June 23 & July 14, 12:30–1:00 PM

• Crafty Creations (Ages 8–12): June 24, 12:30–1:00 PM

• Origami Hour (Ages 5–12): July 15, 12:30–1:00 PM

Discount:

Returning campers save $20 with code “welcomeback”

Location: 1005 Brookside Rd, Suite 50, Allentown, PA (Near Costco)

Website: https://piecesofmind.org

River Crossing YMCA

Provides a variety of traditional day camps including sports, arts, and STEM for children ages

3–15, with multiple locations and financial assistance available.

https://ymcarivercrossing.org/summer-camps/lehigh-northampton

St. Luke’s Summer Camps

Resource #1: Baseball Programs & Events

Baseball-focused opportunities designed to help children build skills, confidence, and teamwork

through structured instruction and play.

https://www.stlukessportscenter.com/events/baseball/

Resource #2: Open Play

An open play opportunity for children to run, play, and stay active in a safe, indoor turf

environment while building social skills and having fun.

https://www.stlukessportscenter.com/events/openplay/

Resource #3: Rookie Sports Program

A beginner-friendly program for young children (ages 2–6) focused on learning basic sports

skills through fun, engaging activities led by trained coaches.

https://www.stlukessportscenter.com/rookie/

Resource #4: Summer Camp – St. Luke’s Sports Center

A structured summer camp for boys and girls ages 4–13 offering weekly sessions with sports,

activities, and field trips in a fun, active environment.

https://www.stlukessportscenter.com/SummerCamp/

Wildlands Conservancy

Offers nature-based summer camps focused on outdoor exploration and environmental

education.

https://www.discoverlehighvalley.com/events/wildlands-conservancy-summer-camp-2026/