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ACS Newsletter February 22, 2026
- J. Marquice Miller
- 5 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Greetings, Coyote Families.
As we wrap up another week, I want to share how proud I am of our students. We are almost finished with mid-year testing, and our staff is looking forward to diving into the data this week to ensure we are meeting every child’s needs. The dedication across our hallways is palpable, and we are all hopeful for the major milestones ahead.
We’ve started this year strong, and I know we’re all committed to finishing it even stronger. During this busy season, I want to gently remind our community to assume the best intentions in all our interactions. When things get stressful or conversations feel difficult, it’s natural to feel a bit discouraged. However, I truly believe our glass is more than half full—it is overflowing with the talent and heart of our ACS stakeholders.
Thank you for helping us protect the positive environment we’ve cultivated. Your support makes all the difference.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
As a result of the snow, we have to make up time from the school Calendar. Please note that May 13th is a Wednesday, but it will be a FULL day of school, and itwill be a day of testing for EOGs.
TESTING
The testing dates for MOY and Check-ins have been changed due to weather and school closures. Please make sure students are present and on time this week so that they can do their best. We have one more test, and we will be sharing scores with you all soon
5 - 8 Grade NCCI B: Reading | February 23, 2026 |
TESTING INCENTIVES
With students now being tested so much in our state, we wanted to find a way to continue the momentum, ad make sure students were doing their best on assessments, both state tests and even classroom assessments. We will be pushing students to:
Take theri time: No rushing through tests
Use Strategies: TEachers have been working hard to teach strong strategies in the classroom for students to apply
Show Their Work: Showing all of the steps that were taken to solve problems and answer questions correctly.
After the Check-Ins, we will give an academic “Mental Break” to students that actually practiced the above steps. We will also be offering test taking strategies reviews for students that may still need support in implementing thes tools. Please help us by reinforcing these 3 Strategies for students when at home as well!
While we hope that pushing the use of these goals will in turn increase scores and achievement, the incentives will only focus on the effort and focus during assessments, not the actual score.
EMAIL EMOJIS
We’ve recently updated our operating systems to allow the use of emojis in email responses. Though it may be more personal to send a worded email, know that a staff member using this new tool is for efficiency and to acknowledge receipt. AT no point is it the intent to diminish the purpose of your email(s). Please let me know if, at any point, you feel this tool is being abused and that you are not getting the responses you need.
PROJECT CELEBRATIONS
Please see the updated days and times for the Second Trimester Project Celebrations. Though the dates were pushed back because of the snow, we are excited about what the staff and students have put together. Please bring your Kid-Account Cards for early checkouts so that we can smoothly dismiss you from the locations without the need to go to the front office. Please enter and exit based on instructions from your child(ren)’s teachers.
ACS SPORTS UPDATE
ACS Athletics:
As the weather begins to break and warmer days are ahead, we get ready to kick off our ACS Spring Sports Season! Our Girls Soccer & Co-Ed Golf Programs will begin their tryouts this week! Interested 6th-8th-grade students should have an active physical on file with the athletic department and be in good academic standing.
Coach Braxton (Co-Ed Golf) and Coach Deloatch (Girls Soccer) are excited to get to work with our spring sports athletes in our final athletic season of the year! If you have questions about spring sports please reach out to me directly to provide additional guidance.
Darius J. Long
ACS, Athletic Director
SPRING SPORTS 26':
Alamance Community School Middle School Girls Soccer & Co-Ed Golf Tryouts will begin this week! All interested students must have an active physical and concussion form on file with the Athletic Department.
If you are a returning fall sports athlete/winter sports athlete who is in good academic standing. You are clear to try out for spring sports teams as your physical and concussion forms are still good for this academic-athletic year! New athletes must submit a physical and concussion form before trying out for Spring Sports!
Head Co-Ed Golf- Coach Braxton
Go-Ed Golf Tryouts :
When :Tuesday February 24th, 2026
Time: 4:15 pm- 5:15 pm
Where: I-85 Driving Range 2515 Cherry Ln, Haw River, NC 27258
If you have a new physical please give it to Coach Braxton
Parents please be on time for practice drop off/pick up as coaches have additional responsibilities following practices/matches.
Head Girls Soccer- Coach Deloatch
Girls Soccer Tryouts :
When: Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th , Thursday 26th, 2026
Time: 4:15 pm- 5:30 pm
Where: Bill Cooke Park 1010 Townbranch Rd. Graham, NC 27253
If you have a new physical please give to Coach Deloatch & Coach Chelsea
Parents please be on time for practice drop off/pick up as coaches have additional responsibilities following practices/games.
Questions/Concerns about Spring Sports:
ACS AD Contact: dlong@alamancecommunityschool.net
COACHES CORNER:
"It's the little things, Little Things make big things Happen"
-John Wooden, 1910-2010
UCLA Basketball 11x NCAA Men's Basketball Champion
SPORTS PHYSICALS:
Spring Sports are right around the corner, please make sure your middle school student in grades 6th-8th has a physical on file prior to Spring Sports tryouts for ACS Sports! Students would need to submit a new physical examination form and concussion form for 25-26.
5th Grade Families, If you have a 6th grader for the 26-27 school year who may be interested in trying out for any of ACS athletics teams ,please begin to schedule physical appointments as soon as possible.
As we enter the Spring-Summe,r often primary care physicians are booked. We want to ensure your new middle school athlete(s) do not have any delay in their tryouts. Have a question about middle school athletics?
Questions/Concerns about ACS Middle School Sports:
ACS AD Contact: dlong@alamancecommunityschool.net
Sports Physicals & and Concussion Forms Here:
HS SPORTS Transition:
8th Grade Families, If you have an 8th grade student that will be transitioning to HS in Fall 2026', and would like more information on High School Sports please reach out to me. I am here to assist in our Coyotes transition to HS School no matter what school they may attend in Fall 2026!
" Once a Coyote, Always a Coyote"
Questions/Concerns about High School Transitions:
ACS AD Contact: dlong@alamancecommunityschool.net
Darius J. Long, M.S.M.
MS-PE/Athletic Director
APPLICATIONS FOR ADMISSION FOR THE 2026 - 2027 SCHOOL YEAR & TOURS FOR NEW/PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES
The open enrollment application period for NEW students (students not currently attending ACS) is now open and will continue through February 28, 2026 at 11:59 pm.
New/Prospective families can take advantage of one of four school tour opportunities. For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.alamancecommunityschool.net/school-tours
The admission lottery will be held virtually on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM.
Students that are currently enrolled at ACS and returning for the next school year (2026 - 27) DO NOT need to re-apply for admission. Only a completed commitment form is needed. Please complete it if you have not done so!
SIBLINGS OF STUDENTS CURRENTLY ATTENDING ACS
If you have a student who is currently attending ACS and they have a sibling who you would like to attend ACS in 2025-26, you MUST apply for their sibling to attend if they do not already attend this school year.
LINK TO APPLY FOR A SIBLING: https://alamancecommunityschool.schoolmint.net/welcomeback
PTO!
VOLUNTEERING
We have loved having so many volunteers in the classroom! Thank you for supporting our students and staff!
Volunteerism at our school is a way for you, parents and guardians, to learn more about ACS, engage in a positive way with your child’s teachers, and witness firsthand the hard work and dedication that all our staff - teachers, assistants, support staff, and administrators demonstrate each and every day.
It is also a way to support your student and other students by assisting with workstations or small groups, helping with clerical tasks or lunch, and/or reading a book to the class. You don't have to be an educator to volunteer, and everyone is welcome. Please click on the ACS Volunteer Form Link below to find ways you can volunteer to support our school.
26-27 School Calendar
*The Board approved the 2026-2027 calendar at the last board meeting. It can be found on our website and is included here as well for your convenience. Please
Looking for Members to Join our Team.
As we grow to our final capacity (Full 8th Grade class), we will be adding to our ACS team.
Interested or know someone who might be?
Please complete the application below!
Let’s work together to support our students — every day, in every way!
“COYOTE PACK” FACEBOOK GROUP
Current & NEW families, join our Official ACS "Coyote Pack" Facebook Group. In addition to our newsletters and teacher communications, we use this page to communicate important information during the school year. The ACS Coyote Pack FB group is a positive way to connect staff and parents/caregivers, fostering good communication to continue building the caring and inclusive community that many of us want for our students, staff, and families. The ACS Coyote Pack FB group is where you can ask questions, and our staff & involved families can answer questions and provide correct information. Families NEW to ACS are welcome to join as soon as they complete their registration in SchoolMint. Request to join today:
While everyone is invited to join, please be mindful of what is posted. The goal is increased information and positivity.
What have I missed?
Click HERE to access all of the weekly Updates and Reminders for ACS!
IMPORTANT DATES
2/23/2026 | 5 - 8 Grade NCCI B: Reading Spring Sports Tryouts (Girls Soccer & Co-ed Golf) |
2/24/2026 | Last ACS Campus Tour before Lottery Spring Sports Tryouts (Girls Soccer & Co-ed Golf) |
2/25/2026 | WEDNESDAY EARLY RELEASE (Dismissal at Carline begin at 1:15) Spring Sports Tryouts (Girls Soccer & Co-ed Golf) |
2/26/2026 | Spring Sports Tryouts (Girls Soccer & Co-ed Golf) |
2/27/2026 | Spring Sports Tryouts (Girls Soccer & Co-ed Golf) |
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
If you have missed any of the previous newsletters, here are the links.
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