Weekly Update 9/22/19
Morning Drop Off
Please please please, if at all possible, turn right onto Mauldin Road in the mornings. When everyone turns left, it backs up the line significantly and causes major delays. We are aggressively seeking our section to be designated as a school zone as well as requesting a "No left turn" sign and policy for our road onto Mauldin Road. We are hopeful the county and DOT can get that done for us soon. In the meantime, please consider turning right to make the line flow smoother.
Students may not be dropped off in the parking lot and walk across the car line unless the parent parks and walks with them all the way to the door. It is very dangerous to allow students to walk across the car line unattended. We will be stationed out there this week making sure people do not do this. We have no problem with you walking your student in but you must park and walk them all the way in if you choose that option.
A few more Morning Drop-off Reminders:
1. Pay attention and move ahead fluidly. The line can get backed up quickly if you aren’t filling in all the spaces. 2. Have your student(s) prepare to exit the vehicle by grabbing their jackets, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. before approaching the drop off zone. 3. Pull up completely to fill the entire drop off zone. Your student is not the only one that would like to get out at the door, but this limits the number of students that can exit their vehicles at the same time. 4. Say your “byes” and “I love you” and “have a great day” before your student gets out of the car. 5. Once your student safely exits the vehicle and the drop off zone is clear, be prepared to exit the drop off zone to allow for more students to be dropped off. 6. Remember: turning RIGHT onto Mauldin Rd and making legal u-turns at the following intersection or taking alternate routes can help traffic flow out of the school property. Connestee Park is an easily accessible area to turn around with a traffic signal and beautiful scenery! 7. If you do need to get out of your vehicle to assist your child or help them with items, please pull all the way forward and into the parking spot on the right or park in the parking lot and do that so the line doesn't back up.
School Fees and Balances
As a charter school, we operate off a very tight budget and every dollar counts. We maximize every dollar to have direct impact on students. With that said, it is very important that all school fees and lunch balances are taken care of in a timely fashion. Notices are sent home frequently as a reminder. Currently, any student with a negative balance of more than $50 will have all money turned into the front office (field trips, events, and other fees) applied directly to that debt first per board policy. Our board is also working on an updated debt policy which will be published in October. Anytime you need assistance or a payment plan, please reach out to us and we will work something out. If you have questions, please let us know.
Fall Festival!
Lead Academy Annual Fall Festival is coming soon! Friday, October 11th at Conestee Park from 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Food vendors, games, face painting, Chili Cook-off, bake sale, inflatables, and more! Free admission. Tickets will be sold on site for games and activities.
Earn bragging rights in our 5th annual Chili Cook-off at the Fall Festival! $5 entry fee. 1st place prize. Entry forms are available in the front office or by emailing: joannaespinosa@myleadacademy.com
Fundraising!
Only one week left for our school fundraiser. Friends and family may shop through your student's catalog or online at fundshoppe.com. Support our school AND students earn super fun prizes! Remember to turn in your student's completed order forms and money inside collection envelopes on this coming Friday, September 27th.
Mentoring Program
Lead Academy is trying to get a mentoring program off the ground for students and families interested in their student having a 1 on 1 mentor to meet with weekly to encourage them, work on life skills, and develop character. We are in need of mentors. You can volunteer yourself as well as connect us with any local businesses, churches or organizations who may be interested in providing mentors for students. We will have an information session on October 3, from 1:30-2:30 at the school for anyone interested in mentoring students or wanting more information on serving as a mentor. This is not an informational session for those wanting a mentor for their students. To sign up, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mentoring-info-session-lead-academy-on-oct-3-tickets-72642988133
5th-8th Grade End of Year Trips
As another great year begins, we are planning some of the best end of year trips ever to happen at Lead!
5th and 6th graders will travel to the mountains of West Virginia to spend 4 days and 3 nights at Ace Adventure Camp. Students are able to truly engage in adventure and curiosity in a way that we just can’t create at school. From white water rafting on a south-to-north flowing river, to rappelling down the face of a mountain like a superhero (or villain if that makes it feel cooler)! Students tackle an alpine tower, play ultimate camp games like capture the flag amid croaking frogs around their cabins, and so much more!
7th and 8th graders will be traveling to New York City! We spend 5 days and 4 nights seeing all that we can of the Big Apple. Students will visit the Statue of Liberty, explore Central Park, have lunch in the heart of Harlem, take a walk to Brooklyn, enjoy the lights of Times Square, reflect on the power and pain of 9/11, and take in one of the longest running shows on Broadway, Wicked! You might even see us on TV when we stop by to watch them film the Today show before heading to the Top of the Rock to get a bird’s eye view of the city!
Both trips have the same payment schedules although the amounts vary. Please contact Mr. Scott with any questions or concerns. We’d love to have all of our wonderful students participate in these life changing experiences!
ACE Adventure Payments
9/16 - $150
10/21 - $80
11/18 -$80
1/13 -$80
2/24 -$80
3/16 -$80
NYC Payments - all payments are $130
9/16, 10/21, 11/18, 1/13, 2/24, 3/16
Payments should be made on time and in full. Failure to do so may result in removal from the trip due to the very strict requirements in place from the companies arranging our travel. All payments must be made by the final payment date. If you are considering using a tax return, please file early in order to have the funds ready to be applied in March. All payments are non-refundable.
Updates from the Health Room
The Nurses Office will NO longer be stocking Tylenol, Ibuprofen or Tums. If your student needs to receive these medications, you will have to have to fill out a form to have the medication available for them. Forms are available in the Nurse's office. Once the form is filled out, parents must bring the medication in the original box, and the form to the nurses office. Students are NOT allowed to bring them in.
Nut Free School!
Just a reminder, we are a nut free campus. To read more about our policy, click here.
Gears is Hiring!
Gears Youth Services is currently hiring part time workers (15-20 hours per week). If interested, contact Gears via email at gearsyouth@yahoo.com.
New App!
LEAD Academy has a new app! Find sports scores, menus, and news updates. Download on Android: http://bit.ly/2YacBnc or iPhone: https://apple.co/2YdqEIO. The app contains forms to submit a parent excuse for an absence as well as a safety form to report any issues relating to bullying or safety.
Box Tops:
Box Tops for education is going digital with a new mobile app! Look for the new Box Top label on school supply purchases, scan your receipt with the new Box Tops app (available on iTunes or Google Play) and money will be added to our school's earnings.
2019-2020 School Calendar
View the 2019-2020 calendar here: https://drive.google.com/open?...
Student Dress Code
Please read the 19-20 Dress Code here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/428336/19-20_Student_Dress_Code_Policy.pdf
No major changes have been made.
19-20 Student Handbook
This year's handbook can be located here: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/428334/19-20_Student_Parent_Handbook.docx
School Fees and Paperwork
Please remember that all outstanding fees and paperwork must be completed before students will be able to receive their chromebooks (grades 4-8).
Important Upcoming Dates
10/2- Dress Down Day $1
10/11- Fall Festival
10/17-10/18 No School- Teacher Workdays