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ACS Newsletter October 24, 2026
Greetings, Coyote Families!
Thank you all for such a full and great week! This week, we will continue testing and celebrate a wonderful Spirit Week. A few notes:
Please make sure you are on time for school. Students miss valuable instruction when they arrive late and are picked up early, especially when it is habitual.
It is equally important for students to arrive on time during testing. We use these results to drive further instruction and prepare students for EOY and EOGs. It is difficult to obtain reliable data when a student arrives late, disrupts the testing room, or is rushed and frazzled before taking the test.
Please read the newsletter in full and let us know if you have any questions.
Red Ribbon Week 2026: October 26–30
This week, our school is proud to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest and longest-running drug-prevention awareness program. Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of making healthy choices, resisting peer pressure, and committing to a safe, drug-free lifestyle.
2026 Theme: "Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free.™"
This year’s national theme—created by Connecticut middle school student Ava Tackett—reminds students that heroes aren't just fictional characters in capes. Everyday heroes can be classmates, friends, family members, and teachers who lead by example, support one another, and make positive, healthy choices.
How You Can Participate at Home
Prevention starts with open communication. We invite families to join the conversation at home by taking a few moments this week to discuss healthy decision-making:
Talk About Everyday Heroes: Ask your child who their positive role models are and how they can be a positive influence on their friends.
Set Clear Expectations: Reaffirm your family’s values around health, safety, and making responsible choices.
Take the Family Pledge: Encourage your child to promise to stay drug-free and look out for their peers.
Thank you for partnering with us to build a supportive, healthy environment for our students!
TRUNK OR TREAT IS COMING TO ACS!
Get ready for a fun-filled evening with our Coyote Pack!
Tuesday, October 28th
4:30–6:30 PM
ACS Middle School Gym Parking Lot
Come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy an evening of trick-or-treating, decorated trunks, and family fun!
Food Truck available for food and snacks
Kona Ice will be on campus
Digital literacy, math & science activities will be available for families to enjoy at home
Family Parking: Elementary carline loop & main building parking lot
We can’t wait to see our Coyote Pack for a spooktacular evening!
We hope to see you there!
Important Update: New Attendance Codes & Procedures
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) recently introduced new attendance tracking codes to help schools maintain more precise records. Here is what you need to know about how tardies, checkouts, and attendance codes are tracked at ACS:
• 3-Day Window for Notes: As outlined in our ACS Parent-Student Handbook, written excuse notes must be submitted within three (3) school days following a student’s return to school for an absence, tardy, or early check-out to be considered excused.
• Medical Notes Requirement: All tardies and early checkouts will be recorded as unexcused until an official doctor or dentist note is provided. Please submit all medical notes by uploading them directly through our Student Absence Form within that 3-day window.
• New Checkout Codes:
1P – Used when a student is checked out after the halfway point of the instructional day for a lawful reason (e.g., medical appointment).
2P – Used when a student is checked out after the halfway point of the instructional day for an unlawful reason.
• Understanding How Codes Work: Attendance codes show the specific reason a student missed instructional time, which is separate from whether they are officially absent under state law. For instance, if your child is checked out early after completing more than 50% of the instructional day, an Unexcused Early Checkout code is logged. These early checkouts will show up in attendance screens and the Campus Parent Portal, it does not count as an official absence in state reporting or core attendance, but does reflect instructional time that the student missed.
If you have any questions about these updated procedures or need help with the Student Absence Form, please feel free to reach out to Leslie Jewell.
ACS Sports Corner
Alamance Community School
Winter Sports Tryout Week 10 10/26-10/30
ACS Cheer Tryouts Oct. 26th & 27th 4:00 pm-5:30pm
Coach Schiltz & Coach Hodges (ES GYM)
ACS Girls Basketball Tryouts Oct 26th & 27th 4:00 pm-5:30 pm
Coach Chelsea (MS Gym)
ACS Boys Basketball Tryouts Oct 26th & 27th 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Coach Richardson (MS Gym)
" We are looking forward to an exciting Winter Sports Season. Come help us pack the Coyotes Den out during Basketball Season." Darius Long , ACS Athletic Director
Attractions Coupon Fundraiser:
We would love to partner with you! Our Athletic Department is raising funds for all of our athletic teams! Attractions Coupon Fundraiser kicked off on 10/16/26! Purchase a coupon book for $25 Today! Coupons Savings Book has over $4600.00 in savings from your favorite restaurants/businesses and vendors! Sample books should be returned or purchased by 10/30/26!
Parent Pack:
Fall Sports Uniforms should be returned immediately. Please wash the uniform and have your coyote return the uniform to Coach Long office in the MS Gym.
PMAC News:
Stay Connected in every season! https://www.piedmontathletics.net/
ACS 2026-27 Yearbooks are on sale now!
Guarantee you receive a copy of the 2026-27 ACS Yearbook!
Don't Miss Out - Order Today!!
We do not order extra copies, so please make sure you order and pay online if you want a copy.
$36 each - online only - Deadline is March 15, 2027!
How to Purchase
Visit the ACS Yearbook Store
Click the Order Button
Enter your student's information, then click add to Cart
Then proceed to the checkout process when ready.
New this year - Donate a Book!
Donations are greatly appreciated and offer all students the opportunity to have a keepsake of their school year forever. As you proceed through the checkout process, there is an option to Donate a Book as well. Please consider adding one or more donated yearbooks to your purchase if you can, and we will make sure donated books go to students who are unable to order. Thank you!
All yearbook orders are shipped in bulk to the school in the spring and will be distributed by ACS before the end of the school year.
https://shop.yearbookmarket.com/yb115739
Coyote Cafe!
Please stop by the Elementary Gym every Thursday from 7:45-8:15am for a delicious snack or drink for only $1. All proceeds benefit the ACS Food Pantry.
Attractions Coupon Fundraiser:
Want to help the ACS Athletic Department raise funds for our athletics teams? We will begin our Attractions Coupon Fundraiser on 10/16/26! Purchase a coupon book for $25 and help all of our schools' athletic teams! Coupons Savings Book has over $4600.00 in savings from your favorite restaurants/businesses and vendors! Sample Books will go home this week!
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