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PARENT EMAIL BULLET:  FEBRUARY 24, 2012

QUICK VIEW  

• Key Calendar Dates
• Current Information
• Parent Volunteer Corner
• Class Specific Announcements
• Spiritual Life and Service
• Academic and College Counseling
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Athletics

KEY CALENDAR DATES

• February 27-March 2 (M-F)    6^th Grade Science Camp     
• March 9 (F)                               NO SCHOOL
• March 16 (F)                             NO SCHOOL, Teacher Inservice 
• March 8-10, 15-17                    Hello, Dolly! High School Musical, tickets here
• March 22 (Th)                           8th Grade East Coast Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Theatre (Note: date change!)
• April 2-6                                     High School Service Trip Week
• April 6 (F)                                  6th/7th Grade Release 12:15 p.m.
• April 8 (Su)                               He is Risen!  Have a Blessed Easter
• April 9-13                                  NO SCHOOL, Easter Break
• April 17 (Tu)                              NHS/NJHS Induction Assemblies
• April 21 (Sa)                             7th/8th Grade Jr. High Banquet (details TBA)

CURRENT INFORMATION    

Receive a $500 Tuition Referral Credit for Referring a 6th Grade Applicant:  You are our best advertising!  We currently have spots available in the 6th grade.  To thank you for your support, you can receive a $500 credit towards tuition, a class trip, or service trip during the 2012-2013 school year for referring an applicant to our 6th grade.   In order to receive the credit, the applicant must have submitted a complete application, which includes turning in all references and completing the testing process.  Tuition credits will be awarded completed applications submitted between February 16, 2012 and August 1, 2012.  Please let Michele Duncan, Admissions Director, know if you have referred a 6th grade family during this timeframe by emailing michele.duncan@tka.org.

TKA Financial Assistance for Current Families: During this enrollment season, we have become aware that several TKA families are struggling to stay at TKA due to finances.  Years ago, TKA established The Bridge Fund for families who have been at TKA for a few years but need some financial assistance to be able to stay at TKA.  These are often single-parent families, families experiencing unemployment or medical conditions. We need to raise more money to help the families in need.  If it is on your heart to assist families financially, please send your check (payable to The King’s Academy) to the Business Office, and mark “Bridge Fund” or on the memo line.  Any contribution amount is greatly appreciated. 

2013-2014 Calendar:  For the past year or so, TKA has explored the concept of making some notable adjustments to our 2013-2014 school calendar.  Many groups and individuals have been deeply involved in considering the pros and cons, and evaluating various calendar options, including our Staff Forum participants, the School Improvement Council members, students, faculty, staff, parents, and Board members.  The clear direction from this input was to make two calendar changes, in order to achieve a number of expected positive results.  The two adjustments to our 2013-2014 calendar are planned as follows:

• Aligning the semester break with our Christmas break
• Extending our Christmas break to a three-week period

Many, many details have yet to be worked out, which we will be ironing out this coming fall.  But we are prayerful that, overall, this calendar change will simply be another example of TKA doing things even better for kids and families, under guidance from the Lord.  To God the glory!

• "Year At A Glance" Calendar for 2012-2013
• "Year At A Glance" Calendar for 2013-2014
  For any questions about the calendars, please contact Mr. Matt Nisbet, Director of Operations.

Important Reminders From the Student Attendance and Activities Office (SAO)

• How to Report Your Student Absent:  Please  A) Call the 24 hour SAO Attendance Line at (408) 481-0150 or B) email SAO@tka.org. Telling your student's teachers is not an official way of reporting an absence and may negatively affect your student's attendance record.

• Do You Have Plans for Your Student To Be Absent Four or More Days? Parents, you or your student must pick up a Warranted Absence form from the SAO, complete the form and turn it in to the Dean of Students office at least one week prior to the absence.

Grade Detail Viewing Windows for Semester 2:

• After 6 weeks:  Wednesday, February 29* – Wednesday, March 7
• After 9 weeks:  Wednesday, March 21 – Wednesday, March 28
• After 12 weeks:  Wednesday, April 18* – Wednesday, April 25
• After 15 weeks:  Wednesday, May 9 – Wednesday, May 16
• Before Finals:  Wednesday, May 23 – Friday, May 25

*Progress Report/Report Card release dates for Semester 2:

• 6-week Progress Reports released Wednesday, February 29
• 12-week Progress Reports released Wednesday, April 18
• Semester 2 Report Cards released Friday, June 8

Summer Projects:  Our very supportive landlord, FUHSD, has indicated they are planning on completing a few summer projects this coming summer.  We can look forward to both their projects, and some TKA projects, in order to put us in good condition for school next fall.  Here is a summary of the areas to be addressed:

• W Building re-roofing
• Downspouts by Gym and S Building being re-routed underground
• Main parking lot repaved
• Main athletic field refurbished
• Softball beyond-centerfield leveled and reseeded

Many more important ideas are on the drawing board, but these financially-achievable projects should make the campus safer, cleaner, and a more attractive place to go to school.

Back Gate:  We now have a new AUTOMATED back gate installed in the exit lane to Duane Avenue.  No more worrying about being locked in late at night or on the weekends!  Just proceed close to the gate, and the in-ground sensors will trigger an automatic cycle of opening the rolling gate.  For TKA employees or volunteers who may need to come in on the weekend, if the gates are closed, just proceed on Duane to the same lane (entering through the exit lane).  There is a mounted keypad on the left.  Type in 1-2-3-4, and the gate should open as described above.

Drop-off and Pick-up Hours at TKA:  Parents, we are first and foremost concerned with the safety of your students.  To that end, we are seeing an increasing number of students dropped off too early and picked up too late.  Please review the following guidelines and make the necessary transportation arrangements.

• We do not recommend you drop off your student earlier than 7:45 a.m.  Staff do not supervise students prior to that time.

• 6^th -8^th grade students who remain after school more than 30 minutes are required to report to After School Care.  After School Care is available until 5:30 p.m. at a cost of $4/hour.

• ALL students should be picked up from TKA by 5:30 p.m., unless they are involved in a school-supervised afterschool activity. In this case, students should be picked up within 30 minutes after the activity ends.

From the Business Office:  In order to ensure your student will be enrolled for next school year, please submit the following:

• 2012-2013 Contract of Agreement, one per family.
• $225 non-refundable re-enrollment fee per student.
• $900 Student Fee for next year’s 9^th graders (current 8^thgrade class). 
• Online Re-enrollment:  An email was sent by Judi Squires, Registrar, on Thursday, January 19,  with subject heading "TKA Online Re-enrollment."  It is important to locate this email to complete the re-enrollment process because each email has a personalized family link to complete the online portion of the re-enrollment.  The email also contains the Contract of Agreement for 2012-2013.  If you are unable to locate that email, please contact our Help Desk at Help.Desk@tka.org.

2012-13 Course Selection:  The deadline to complete the online process and turn in the hard-copy course selection sheet is March 1.  After your student has received their materials, they may log into their Student Portal to make their online course selections. If they need to make a change to their online selections, they may go back into the portal as many times as needed up until March 1 when the access will be locked. Students needing guidance with their choices may make an appointment with the Counseling Office for grades 9-12, or with the Registrar’s Office for grades 6-8.

• 2012-2013 Course Catalog linked here
• 2012-2013 Fees for Athletics, Visual and Performing Arts, Electives
  
• P.E. Waiver for Visual and Performing Arts Students: For students who intend to participate in VPA dance, drama, instrumental music or vocal music courses, TKA will make available a waiver for one semester of P.E. during the 7^th - 10^th grade years to allow for continuity in VPA courses. The waiver is applicable at TKA only and is not transferable to other schools, should the student transfer.

Summer School: If your student needs to remediate a course because they received a D or F in the first semester, or are currently receiving a D or F, it is time to start locating and enrolling in summer school classes. These classes fill up very quickly and by the time you receive your student’s final report card it will be too late to enroll in most classes. A student who is earning below a “C minus” level in math will not be eligible to advance to the next math level next year. If they repeat the course in summer school with a higher grade, they will be allowed to move on. Colleges usually will not recognize “D” grades in a subject, so your student should consider taking the class over to improve the grade. Summer school should be taken at a fully accredited institution that issues an official transcript. 

TKA Summer School:  At this time, TKA anticipates offering Algebra 1 (remedial), Geometry (remedial), American Sign Language II, TKA 101 (6^th grade study skills), Study Skills, Art Studio, Introduction to Bible, and Camp College. More information will be coming soon.  For questions about TKA summer school, please contact Mr. Matt Nisbet.

Jim Burns Parenting Seminar: We are thrilled to bring Jim Burns, Executive Director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University, to speak to our community on "Teen*ology: The Art of Raising Great Teenagers" on Tuesday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. in the TKA Theatre.   Please feel free to forward this flyer and invite other parents who could benefit from this special seminar to join us! Free admission.

TKA Alumni News:  Check out our TKA Alumni page to see pictures of the TKA's Class of 2001 ten year class reunion.  Spread the word that TKA's Class of 2002 will be holding their ten year reunion this June 23, 2012, and TKA's Class of 2003 is in the initial stages of planning their ten year reunion for 2013.  For more information, email alumni@tka.org.  Please help spread the word to alumni regarding the upcoming reunions and let them know to stay in touch with TKA by completing the alumni network survey.  If you have a Facebook page, please “like” our TKA Alumni Facebook page at:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kings-Academy-Sunnyvale-CA-Official-Alumni-Page/182802707602

TKA Library Media Center:  Our library collection includes the following engaging books by Susan Wise Bauer:   

• The Well-Educated Mind: a Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had The Well-Trained Mind: a Guide to Classical Education at Home
• The History of the Ancient World from the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome The History of the Medieval World from the Conversion of Constantine to the First Crusade
• The Story of the World: History for the Classical Child, Volumes 1-4

We welcome parents of current students to utilize our print books, eBooks, audios/videos, and library online subscriptions.  Please explore library resources by visiting our Library Media Center webpage.  Library hours are posted on our website. The best time for parents to check out/return library materials is after the last bell of the school day.

TechKnowHow Summer Camps at TKA:  These camps are for kids ages 5-14.  Early Bird Registration Discount through March 15.  For more information, read this informational flyer to learn about the camps offered at TKA. 

PARENT VOLUNTEER CORNER

Seeking Old Androids and Computers:  The Technology Department is looking for donations of old Android cell phones and working desktop/tower computers. For a new programming class being offered in fall 2012, we will need six to ten Android phones for use in lab assignments. If you have one you would like to donate, please drop it off in the main office and mark it attention Mr. Philip Wang.

Still Seeking Snacks/Set-up Help for Tuesday, February 28, Staff Meeting:  If you are able to bless the staff with snacks or by helping that day, sign up on this Jooners sheet.  Thank you kindly!

Mexico Prayer Team Opportunity: For parents unable to go to Mexico, but desire involvement, we have a great opportunity for you. Be a part of the “Mexico Prayer Team.”  Prayer needs could be sent to you via email!  For more information, please contact Mrs. Linda Tatsuno at ltatsuno@sbcglobal.net.

Parents Do You Love to Organize?  Love Students?  Mrs. Cindi Sweet is looking for a few spring helpers to assist with organizing and room clean up for the spring projects.  Help includes filing, cutting, prepping gifts for the Mexico service trips, and gluing art to boards. No art experience necessary, just a willing heart. Times are flexible TO YOUR SCHEDULE.  Some take home jobs are available too!

Handy Man or Woman Help: We also need a few moms or dads who have interior design, furniture do-it-yourself skills, or wood working skills to come lend a hand and encourage students during our C Period furniture unit the next several weeks. Contact Mrs. Cindi Sweet for more specific time periods and info.

CLASS SPECIFIC ANNOUNCEMENTS 

6^th Grade - Please Pray for Us! The 6^th graders will be at Science Camp on February 27-March 2; we would appreciate everyone including the 6th grade in their prayers.

6^th grade Wax Museum: Parents, you don't want to miss experiencing the 6^th grade Wax Museum on Monday, March 5, in the “W” building during periods B, C, D, F, and G periods.  Bring your relatives, friends, and a camera! 

8^th Grade East Coast Trip Meeting Date Change!  It has been decided to change the date to Thursday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m. in the Theatre in order to get important information out earlier.

9^th Grade Alice in Winter-Wonderland Banquet! Be sure the Alice in Winter-Wonderland Banquet is on your calendar! It's guaranteed to be a well-attended and unforgettable event. Students will enjoy a delicious Buca di Beppo dinner and enjoy time with friends in fabulous finery. Competitions will result in generous prizes. The Banquet will take place on Saturday, March 3, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Valley Life Center Church, 3421 Monroe Street, Santa Clara, 95051. The attire will be semi-formal: Girls, TKA appropriate dress or skirt. Boys, a nice shirt and tie, perhaps a dinner jacket. The cost will be $25.00, but if students pay ahead, the cost is only $20.00 with a V.I.P. raffle ticket thrown in! Bring your own teacup for an extra raffle ticket! Questions? Please contact Mary Jane Klope at maryjane.klope@tka.org. Looking forward to seeing your freshmen in all their splendor for an evening they will long remember.

9^th-12^th Grade High School Special Event:   Attention High School parents and students! Save the date: Saturday, May 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m.  Student Council is putting on a new fun-filled event for high school students. P.S. Get out your boots and your plaid flannel... You won’t want to miss this! More info to come soon.

12^th Grade Cal Grants Verified:  The Registrar’s Office has submitted verified Cal Grant GPA’s on behalf of the Class of 2012 senior class.  Funded by the state of California and administered by the California Student Aid Commission, Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college.

12^th Grade Senior Retreat:  To reserve your son or daughter’s spot for the Senior Retreat, please submit a $200 (non-refundable) deposit to Cora Bell by March 23.  The remaining $200 payment along with the Senior Contract and Forest Homes Medical Consent form is due by Friday, April 27.  Note: The deposit and remaining $200 payment should be in the form of a check made out to TKA with “Senior Retreat” in the subject line. Please do not combine this with other payments for the school. For more details, click here.

12^th Grade - Auditions for Graduation Speakers/Musicians:  Interested students should pick up an application now from the SAO or Mrs. Bell.  Applications must be turned in to Mrs. Bell no later than Monday, March 19.  Auditions for musicians will be held on Wednesday, March 21, at lunch and auditions for speakers will be on Thursday, March 22, at lunch.

SPIRITUAL LIFE AND SERVICE 
 

Mexico Service Trip Student Fees Due Now: The final payment was due to SAO onTuesday, February 21.  Remember, please do not write student’s name on the check.  Please add a note instead.  If you are unsure of your remaining balance, please contact Mrs. Geralyn Giese. Thank you!

TKA Mexico Service Trip Medical Forms: In a short six weeks, we will transport 370 high school students into Mexico to serve the people of Tecaté!  Part of the process is insuring we have the most current medical information on file for your student.  In the last six months, if you have had any changes to your student’s medical information (e.g., medication, dosage, allergy, insurance administrator, or phone number) it is imperative you update your student's record.

Mexico Trip Vehicles Still Needed: One of our biggest expenses in sponsoring this trip is the transportation.  Rental vans are costly, and non-refundable reservations must be made early. Consequently, we greatly appreciate those of you who would be willing to loan us the following:  

• A mechanically sound passenger vehicle with seatbelts for 7-10 people.
• A vehicle to be used locally for the week by someone who is loaning their vehicle to the Mexico trip.
• If you can help, please contact Mrs. Barb Schulenburg. 
• Please download the Vehicle Information Form.  Complete and return to SAO/Attn: B. Schulenburg
  

Service Trip Scholarship Application Now Available: For those students who are in need of additional financial assistance for their service trip, please submit this scholarship application no later than one month before the trip.  Please submit your application to Mrs. Barb Schulenburg in the SAO.

ACADEMIC AND COLLEGE COUNSELING

UC Berkeley Open House: UC Berkeley’s annual open house, “Cal Day,” will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The open house offers a glimpse of life as a Berkeley student. Labs, classrooms, and libraries will be open as well as many research museums not normally available to the public. There will be information sessions by many academic departments along with Q&As with current undergrads. Guided tours of the campus, residence halls, libraries and other sites will be given. A complete schedule of activities will be online by March 29 at calday.berkeley.edu.

Spring College Fair: The Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) is holding a college fair at Mission College on Thursday, April 19. This fair allows students to interact with admission representatives from a wide range of postsecondary institutions to discuss course offerings, admission and financial aid requirements, college life in general and other information pertinent to the college selection process.  For more information and times, please visit www.wacac.org/collegefairs.  To pre-register, please visit www.wacaccollegefair.com.  

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

Winter Guard Performance: The Winter Guard will perform :

• Saturday, February 25:  Fallon Middle School in Dublin at 6:20 p.m.  Tickets:  $10.00 per person.  
• Saturday March 3: Oak Grove High School. (285 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose, CA), Show Begins:   5:30 p.m.; TKA performs about  6:20 p.m.; cost:  $10.00 per person; seniors $8.00.

Winter Percussion will make their season debut Friday, March 2.  Competition at Wilcox HS Santa Clara begins at 5:30 p.m.  TKA Percussion performs at 6:50 p.m.  Come support our WP team.  Admission is $10.

Hello, Dolly! Tickets are available from this website link: www.tka.org/tickets. Tickets will be $12/adult, $10/student.  In addition, a $.50 surcharge per ticket will be added to your online order.  Please remember to PRINT your receipt – it is your ticket!  No additional tickets will be issued.  For the first time at TKA, Group Tickets will be available for $8/ticket when ten (10)  tickets are purchased in advance for the same show. 

• Group Tickets may only be purchased by contacting Mrs. Rhonda Irwin at (408) 481-9900 x4227 during school hours beginning Tuesday, February 7.  No group tickets will be sold at the Box Office at performances.  Note: The group organizer is welcome to copy their receipt as needed and distribute to members of their party.  Late seating or lost tickets in a group must contact the group organizer.
• Online Sales for each performance will close three hours before that performance.  The TKA Theater Box Office will open one hour before each show for sales to any performance.  Patrons with special seating needs are welcome to contact Mrs. Rhonda Irwin for assistance.
• Note Regarding Theatre Seating: Because this production will have a runway, Row A is being removed in the center section only.  Thus, in the center section only, Row B becomes the front row. 
• Click here to view cast list.
• Grand Central Cast:
• Thursday March 8, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday March 10, 7:00 p.m.
• Friday March 16, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday March 17, 1:30 p.m.
• Harmonia Gardens Cast:
• Friday March 9, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday March 10, 1:30 p.m.
• Thursday March 15, 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday March 17, 7:00 p.m.

ATHLETICS

***Sign Up Today for Athletic Team Alerts!  Click here for instructions.*** 

All Winter Sport Athletes: Once your winter season is over, athletes need to turn in uniforms to their head coach. Student are not eligible to participate in a spring sport until the uniform is turned in.  Any uniforms not turned in will be charged to the athlete’s parent.

Junior High Tackle Football:  Any  6^th or 7^th grade boys interested in playing junior high tackle football next year, please contact the Athletic Office as soon as possible. We must have 25 committed players by Friday, March 16, with a check of $450 in order to move forward with a team. If you have any questions, please contact the Athletic Office at athletics@tka.org.

TKA Summer Camps:  Click here to read about our many summer sport camps and begin online registration. TKA camps are led by our top coaches and will fill up quickly.  Please sign up today!  Camps offered in 2012 include:

• Coed Basketball
• Junior High Wrestling
• Junior HIgh Flag Football
• Youth Football Conditioning
• Junior High Tackle Football
• Boys Soccer
• Freshmen Football
• High School Coed Volleyball
• High School Coed Tennis
• Junior High Coed Volleyball

THIS WEEK IN SPORTS:  Go Knights!  

Monday, February 27

• 3:00 PM Boys Varsity Golf at Sacred Heart Prep, Facility: Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball at San Jose High School, Cancelled
• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Home Saratoga High School, Facility: TKA Baseball Field
• 4:00 PM Girls JH Var B Basketball vs.The Girls Middle School, Facility: TKA GYM #2-Santa Clara Community Church
• 4:00 PM Boys JH Var A Soccer vs. Pinewood High School, Facility: TKA Football/Soccer Field

Tuesday, February, 28

• 3:00 PM Girls JH Var A Basketball vs. Crystal Springs Uplands School, Facility: TKA GYM #2-Santa Clara Community Church
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball at Monte Vista Christian High School, Facility: Monte Vista Christian High School
• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball Away Monte Vista Christian High School, Facility: Monte Vista Christian High School
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Tennis at Menlo School, Facility: Menlo High School
• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Tennis vs. Menlo School, Facility: Sunnyvale Municipal Tennis Center
• 5:00 PM Girls JH Var B Basketball vs. Pinewood High School, Facility: TKA GYM

Wednesday, February 29

• 3:00 PM Boys Varsity Golf at Fremont HS-Sunnyvale, Facility: Sunnyvale Municipal Golf Course
• 4:00 PM Boys JH Var A Soccer vs. Crystal Springs Uplands School, Facility: TKA Football/Soccer Field
• 6:45 PM Boys Varsity Volleyball at Los Gatos High School, Facility: Los Gatos High School

Thursday, March 1

• 3:00 PM Girls JH Junior Var A Basketball vs. Priory School, Postponed
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Baseball Away Cupertino HS, Facility: Cupertino High School
• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball vs. Cupertino HS, Facility: TKA Baseball Field
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Tennis vs.Home Priory School, Facility: Sunnyvale Municipal Tennis Center
• 4:00 PM Girls JH Var A Basketball vs. Castilleja School, Facility: TKA GYM #2-Santa Clara Community Church

Friday, March 2

• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Baseball vs. Lynbrook High School, Facility: TKA Baseball Field
• 3:30 PM Boys Varsity Tennis at Fremont HS-Sunnyvale, Facility: Fremont High School
• 3:30 PM Boys/Girls Varsity Swimming at Palo Alto Spring Kickoff Invite, Facility: Palo Alto High School
• 3:30 PM Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball Home Wilcox (Adrian) High School, Facility: TKA GYM
• 4:00 PM Boys JH Var B Soccer vs. Sacred Heart Prep, Facility: TKA Football/Soccer Field
• 5:00 PM Boys Varsity Volleyball vs. Wilcox (Adrian) High School, Facility: TKA GYM

Saturday, March 3

• 8:30 AM Boys/Girls Varsity Track Away Willow Glen Invitational, Facility: Willow Glen High School
• 9:00 AM Boys/Girls Varsity Swimming Away Palo Alto Spring Kickoff Invite, Facility: Palo Alto High School
• 9:00 AM Boys Varsity Volleyball at Los Gatos Invitational, Facility: Los Gatos High School
• 4:30 PM Girls JH Junior Var A Basketball at Pinewood High School, Cancelled