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ACS Newsletter January 11, 2026
- J. Marquice Miller
- Jan 11
- 10 min read
Greetings, Coyote Families.
We have had a strong start to the second Half of the year! Thank you all for supporting our students and staff in making and keeping ACS a great place to learn and grow! We have many moving parts in the next two months, so please read through the entire newsletter and attachments. over the next two months, so please take a moment to review the entire newsletter and its
ANTICIPATION OF INCLEMENT WINTER WEATHER
This upcoming winter season, be aware that there is potential for school delays and closures. Although we are not part of the surrounding larger districts, we will keep you informed as early as possible and base our decisions on the safety of our community, as well as the decisions made by neighboring districts and schools. For any decision made, you have to right to make a different decision, based on your and your Child(ren)’s safety and comfort.
ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR
Alamance Community School is now accepting students for the 2026-27 school year! Interested families can apply for our admission lottery today at https://www.alamancecommunityschool.net/admissions
If you are a current ACS student, you do not need to reapply for admission. Do you know a family that would love ACS? Share this Link!
COMING SOON: 26-27 COMMITMENT FORM FOR RETURNING FAMILIES
We are preparing for the 2026-27 school year. In doing so, we need your help to get an estimate of the spaces available to new applicants. Since your child is already enrolled, it will not be necessary for you to reapply. However, we need to know of your intent for your student to return to Alamance Community School next year.
To collect this information, a commitment form will be emailed to all current parents/guardians on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The deadline to hold your child's spot for the 2026-27 year will be February 6, 2026. Please watch for this information via email and Campus Parent on January 20.
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.
Remember: Students who are currently enrolled at ACS and returning for the next school year (2026 - 27) DO NOT need to reapply for admission. Only a completed commitment form is needed.
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:
4th ANNUAL COYOTE CONNECTIONS
We are looking forward to our next Coyote Connections! It will be earlier this year to ensure we allow school access for open enrollment and that staff and families have a moment to connect, preparing students for end-of-year testing.
A parent Panel will give background and insight and answer questions. There will be information sessions from each grade level and tours for prospective parents. There will also be apparel being sold. This event will take place on February 12, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The New family tours will take place at 5:30.
Save the date picture
CELEBRATING ART CONTEST WINNERS
Thank you to everyone who entered their beautiful artwork into the final Celebrating Art Contest. Six of our students had their projects selected for publication. Congratulations to all our students!
Aubrey Annas, Grade 3
McKinzie Baldwin, Grade 3
Scarlett Huckabee, Grade 3
Hadley Huckabee, Grade 1
Hayden Jones, Grade 2
Aubree Watson, Grade 2
MORNING CARLINE REMINDERS (DROP-OFF)
We are noticing an increase in congestion and delays during morning carline, which is impacting students' arrival times. Please help us ensure a smooth drop-off by arriving early, ideally before 8:00 AM. Arriving by this time allows your student to be in line and on their way to class promptly.
Here are some tips to make drop-off smoother:
Prime Arrival Time: Between 7:50 - 8:05, Carline tends to be less crowded, making it the ideal time to arrive.
Prompt Line Movement: Though the line may appear long, it moves steadily, especially early in the morning before larger groups arrive.
Avoid the Late-Front Drop-Off: The front area takes longer, so using the carline is typically faster and more efficient.
Please do not drive around the cones once they are put into place. Staff must enter to start the day. If there is no staff on duty, especially in the Middle School-Only line, you must sign in at the main office. Please note that students arriving after 8:15 will be marked as tardy. Families with excessive tardies will need to meet with Mr. Miller and our social worker, Mrs. Gittens, to address attendance issues.
CLASSROOM SHOWCASE!
Every month, we will showcase some of the great things happening in our classrooms. This will allow insight into the wonderful work that our students ad staff are doing in the halls and classrooms of ACS!
Mr. Smith and our Middle School Animal Science Students participate in a hands-on project creating European mounts of whitetail deer skulls for their taxidermy unit.
MID-YEAR TESTING COMING SOON!
We will start our Mid-Year Assessment window at the beginning of February. It is essential that students attend school every day and arrive on time to maximize their learning. This will give us the best data to make adjustments and finish the year strong! mClass will take place daily in K-3 classrooms, and the North Carolina Check-in Schedule is provided below.
Monday, February 2: 5 - 8th Grade (Reading NCCI)
Tuesday, February 3: 5 - 8th Grade (Math NCCI)
Wednesday, February 4: 5/8th Grade (Science NCCI)
Thursday, February 5: 3-4th Grade (Reading NCCI)
Friday, February 6: 3-4th Grade (Math NCCI)
PTO UPDATE!
Happy New Year, ACS Families!
We’re excited to kick off the new year with lots of PTO fun and support for our school community. Please take a moment to check out the updated 2025–2026 PTO event calendar and details on our upcoming “Snotty Nose” Supply Drive happening NEXT WEEK!
Your support helps us make a big difference for our students and teachers—thank you for being part of our ACS community!
Warmly,ACS PTO Board
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 a small group, helping with clerical tasks or lunch, and/or something as simple as 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
WINTER SPORTS UPDATE
Happy New Year from Alamance Community School Athletic Department! The Coyotes fresh off of winter break would play host to Piedmont Middle School Athletic Conference school Burlington Christian Academy. This match-up would be the second game of conference play between the two. Teams are excited to continue their second half of the season!
This week Girls & Boys Basketball Team will enter their 9th week of the season. The Coyotes will host games against non-conference Roxboro Community School Bulldogs & (PMAC) conference school The Burlington School Spartans. Coyotes will finish the week with an away game vs. (PMAC) conference school Grace Christian Academy.
ACS Week Recap:
1/8 Home Basketball vs. Burlington Christian Academy (PMAC)
The Lady Coyotes would play host to the Lady Royals of Grace Christian Academy in their first game of 2026! Team would have a tough start to the game with the Lady Royals going up 8-0. But Guard #4 Julia Herman-Defrancesco would steal the ball to get a break layup to conclude the first quarter 10-2. The Lady Coyotes would have a tough night, from the field converting on only 3 FGs, 6th grade Center #12 Peyton Swann would finish the game 2 points, 6 rebounds. The Lady Royals would take the conference win 36-7.
The Coyotes of would play a tough defensive Burlington Christian Academy Team. The Royals of Burlington Christian Academy came out with an aggressive 3/4 court pressure, forcing the Coyotes to turn the ball over several times in the first 6 minutes of the game. The Royals would capitalize off strong fast break play to take the 16-9 lead in the first quarter. But the Coyotes would not let up, the team would continue to attack the basket lead by team Captains 7th PG #2 Ali Mohamed and 7th Grade Forward #23 Camden Hawkins.
The two would combine 7/10 (70%) from the free-three line. Camden Hawkins would score a career high 22 points in the game on 7/11 FG's. Coyotes would go into the locker room down 20-36. Team would rally in the second half, swinging the ball, making the extra pass, and playing balanced defense to get back in the game. Burlington Christian Academy continued with aggressive defensive play. The Coyotes would go on a 21-20 run to finish the game. The Royals of Burlington Christian Academy would pull away late with the win 57 to 41.
ACS Basketball Next Up:
1/12
Home Basketball vs. Roxboro Community School
Time: Girls Tip 4:15 PM Boys Tip 5:30 pm
Admission: $5.00
Address: ACS Gym
1/13
Home Basketball vs. The Burlington School (PMAC)
Time: Girls Tip 4:30 PM Boys Tip 5:30 pm
Admission:$5.00
Address: ACS Gym
1/15
Away Basketball vs. Grace Christian Academy (PMAC)
Time: Girls Tip 4:30 PM Boys Tip 5:30 pm
Admission: Adults $5.00 Students $1
Address: 415 Roxboro Rd. Haw River, NC 27258
ACS Athletics a look Ahead:
2/3 & 2/5 PMAC Basketball Tournament Week (More Info to Come)
2/10 1st Annual Students vs. Staff Basketball Game 4:30 pm ($5.00)
(The Girls & Boys Basketball Teams will take on your ACS Staff*)
COACHES CORNER:
" Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the Me for the We."
-Phil Jackson ( NBA Hall of Fame Coach, 11x NBA Champion, 6 Chicago Bulls, 5 Los Angeles Lakers, Coached Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal .)
SPORTS PHYSICALS:
Middle School students in grades 6th-8th interested in trying out for ACS Sports 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 that 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-Summer often primary care physicians are booked. We want to ensure your new middle school athlete(s) does not have any delay in their tryouts. Have a question about middle school athletics?
Sports Physical and Concussion Form are required to try out for sports teams at Alamance Community School. These forms can be found and printed on the link below:
Thanks for supporting ACS Athletics!
Darius J. Long, M.S.M.
MS-PE/Athletic Director
Alamance Community School
336.270.5052 (ext. 505 )
LOOKING FOR MEMBERS TOJOIN OUR TEAM!
We are seeking licensed teachers to support our Middle School ELA and EC Students. We are also seeking additional substitutes.
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
1/12/2026 | Home Basketball vs. Roxboro Community School Girls 4:15 pm Boys 5:30 pm |
1/13/2026 | Home Basketball vs. The Burlington School* (PMAC) Girls 4:15 Boys 5:30 pm |
1/14/2026 | Wednesday Early release ACS Tours for New Families 2:30 -3:30 |
1/15/2026 | Away Basketball vs. Grace Christian Academy* (PMAC) 4 pm Girls Boys 5:15 pm |
1/19/2026 | Martin Luther King Holiday No School for Staff or Students |
1/20/2026 | Home Basketball vs. Gorman Christian Academy Girls 4:15 pm Boys 5:30 pm |
1/26/2026 | Home Basketball vs. Carter School of Digital & Visual Design Girls 4:15 pm Boys 5:30 pm |
1/29/2026 | Away Basketball vs. Clover Garden School Girls 4:30 pm Boys 5:45 pm |
2/2/2026 | TESTING 5 - 8th Grade (Reading NCCI) |
2/3/2026 | TESTING 5 - 8th Grade (Math NCCI) 2025-26 PMAC Basketball Tournament vs. TBD School Girls Boys 5:30 pm |
2/4/2026 | TESTING 5/8th Grade (Science NCCI) |
2/5/2026 | TESTING 3-4th Grade (Reading NCCI) 2025-26 (PMAC) Girls & Boys Basketball Championship Girls 4:15 pm Boys 5:30 pm |
2/6/2026 | TESTING 3-4th Grade (Math NCCI) |
2/9/2026 | Trimester 2 Project Celebrations 4th Grade: 10 am 6th Grade: 11 am 1st Grade: 1 pm |
2/10/2026 | Trimester 2 Project Celebrations 7th Grade: 10 am 5th Grade: 11 am 8th Grade: 1 pm 1st Annual Student vs. Staff Basketball Game 4:30 - 6:30 |
2/12/2026 | Trimester 2 Project Celebrations Kindergarten: 10 am 2nd Grade: 11 am 3rd Grade: 1 pm Coyote Connections (4:30 - 7) |
PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS
If you have missed any of the previous newsletters, here are the links.