Back to School Night

We held our first Open House of the school year this past Monday, September 22.  What a wonderful event!  Over eighty families attended, following their children's class schedule, meeting teachers, and learning how to access grades online.  ACC faculty were able to share their course syllabi and expectations, and parents had the opportunity to ask questions and share strategies to maximize student success.  Pictured above were our welcoming team of ACC students, who signed parents in and made sure that the evening went smoothly.  

Our next event for parents is our Parent Council meeting this Thursday, October 2.  We will create goals for the year, and elect a parent representative to the Governing Board.

Friday Night Lights

I had a wonderful time this past Friday evening at White Stadium, watching the Brighton Bengals defeat Trinity Catholic in convincing fashion.  The Bengals team consists of Brighton High School, Boston Community Leadership Academy (BCLA), and Another Course to College.  I'm thrilled to have several ACC young men playing on the team this year, including a few freshmen, such as Varsity player Jonathan Rosa.  Last year, the Bengals took home a Superbowl Championship, and we're hoping for a second victory in 2008.

We encourage our students at ACC to get involved in the athletics offered at Brighton High School.  This fall, our girls are playing Volleyball and Soccer.  Also, ACC teachers Ms. Brewer and Ms. Waldman have started a Running Club for any interested ACC boy or girl, regardless of experience.  

Off to a Great Start

School began on Thursday at 8:00 a.m. At 8:10, I walked the hallways to make sure that all of the new students had found their way to first period. You could have heard a pin drop. Students were already hard at work in their classrooms, eagerly getting started on their lessons: setting up binders, reviewing course expectations, engaging in a debate about the beginning of civilization. I smiled, and thought to myself, "This is the ACC way."

We had an extremely smooth opening, with excellent attendance on the first two days of school. Last year, we collected data about our students, and found that our students who consistently made the honor roll were those with the fewest absences and tardies. As was witnessed on the first day of school, we get right to learning at 8:00 a.m., and you miss important information if you arrive late. This is why we are beginning a Recovery period this year. If a student is late to school, he/she will have to make up the missed time doing homework at the end of the day.

By now, all students should have received an agenda book in which to record their homework assignments, project due dates, and other appointments. As early as freshman year, we emphasize the importance of staying organized. Our seniors are balancing five rigorous academic courses with the college application process, and they truly appreciate the necessity of good time management.

From the smiles on the faces of our staff and students (including Cherisse and Jazmynn, pictured above), I know that this is going to be a fantastic year.