WGO - ES Archive: January 15

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Issue #20: January 15, 2026

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From the Principal

Ms. Michelle Alzamora

Dear Families,

Last week, we briefly touched upon our ES Promises: to be safe, to be kind, and to be responsible. As we settle into the second semester, we want to expand on these and share how they serve as the foundation of our school culture. At ACS, we believe that providing a common language for behavior helps students navigate their school day with confidence. These promises guide our interactions in every space.

Our Three Promises

I am Safe: Making choices that keep ourselves and others physically and emotionally safe. This includes following safety rules, being mindful of our surroundings, and speaking up if we see something unsafe.

I am Kind: Kindness is at the heart of our community. It means treating everyone, including ourselves, with respect, empathy, and compassion. It includes using kind words, helping others, and celebrating our differences.

I am Responsible: Doing our best, being accountable for our actions, and contributing positively to our school community. This includes completing our work, following directions, and taking care of school property.

Extending the Promises to Home

Reinforcing these promises at home strengthens the connection between school and family life. We invite you to use this language in your daily routines. Here are a few ways to incorporate the promises at home:

Discuss the Promises: Talk about what each promise means and brainstorm examples of how to live them out in the community.
Use the Language: Refer to the promises during daily tasks. For example: "I appreciate you being so responsible by preparing your bag for tomorrow."
Role-Play Scenarios: Practice how to react in different situations, exploring how to remain safe, kind, or responsible even when things are challenging.
Positive Reinforcement: Acknowledge and praise your child when they demonstrate these qualities. "I noticed how kind you were to your sibling; that made a big difference!"
Family Meetings: Dedicate time to discuss how your family can work together to uphold these values.

By working together, we help our students develop strong character and build lasting, positive relationships. We believe these promises are essential for creating an environment where all students can thrive.

Yours,
The ES Admin Team

Snowy Day Process

As we move into colder weather, we wanted to remind you of our Snow Day process. If we are notified “last-minute,” there will be no learning expectations set for your children that day. If we have advanced notice and/or if the snow day extends to multiple days, then Middle and High School students could expect the following:

Online learning day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., following the regular rotation schedule.
Teachers will post assignments and instructions on Google Classroom by 10:00 a.m., designed for students to work independently at their own pace or synchronously with the teacher present via Google Meet.
During their assigned teaching blocks, teachers will be available online to provide one-on-one support through email, Google Meet, or chat

Elementary parents will receive an email from their child’s homeroom teacher with directions for the day.

We recognize that not all families may be able to participate fully in online learning due to potential outages. Please prioritize your child’s well-being, and know that our counselors are available via email for support if needed.

PE Footwear Reminder

Now that we're in the wet season, we wanted to share a quick reminder about footwear for PE.

For safety during PE activities, students need to wear proper athletic shoes. While rain boots are perfect for walking in the rain, they're not ideal for PE as they can make it hard for students to move safely and comfortably.

Please consider sending a spare pair of shoes that your child can keep at school and change into for PE class. This way, they can stay dry on the way to class but still participate safely!

Thanks for your help!

From the ES Learning Commons

Reminder: Our Book Trivia Mini Emoji Challenge starts on January 18th.

Our students did an amazing job on the Cover Challenge, and we can now reveal the books for the 2026 Book Trivia Challenge. To access the books on Epic, follow this link