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There are so many times throughout the year that our Placer Academy tuition-free charter school community of families and area businesses come together to support our school. But one of our favorite events is Harvest Fest!  It’s Here!
On Friday, October 28 you’re invited to join us on the campus of Placer Academy from 5:30-7:30pm for a free event for the whole family. This year celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Harvest Fest, and there are many reasons why it’s been around this long! It’s Fun! The Placer Academy Charter School grounds will be transformed into a carnival of games and entertainment. Face painting, giant Jenga, cornhole, mad science, a sensory station, pumpkin patch rock painting, trunk or treat…the list is long, and every year includes fun new activities that you and your family will be sure to enjoy! It’s Free! Harvest Fest is sponsored every year by the PAC Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Admission and games are always free of charge. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, including snacks from Messy’s Tacos food truck and Snowie King snow cones. It’s For You! This PAC event is open to all PAC families - from TK-6th grade. And alumni are welcome too! Come visit and stay for a little or a lot - it’s a great way to connect with other PAC families and make some new friends! We hope you’ll join us for this memorable fall tradition at Placer Academy. Harvest Fest is just another reason why Placer is a special place for all learners. Find out more and enroll today!
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Placer Academy Charter (PAC) is a tuition-free charter school that is known for a high standard of academic excellence in all TK-6th grades. But academics are only part of what we teach at PAC. Another equally important part of our mission is to facilitate the development of self-confidence so that our students can reach their true potential. We do this through a defined system of social emotional supports, and school-wide behavior expectations. We use Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) in our classrooms, which focuses on prevention over punishment. Because we believe that teaching students about good behavior is more important than telling them.  R.O.A.R. PAC teachers use behavioral expectations to establish a classroom culture where appropriate behavior is the norm and where all learners can thrive. One of the ways we do this is through a simple acronym: R.O.A.R. Respect Organization Attitude Responsibility Everyone at PAC learns R.O.A.R. - including students, teachers, and families, too! We have signs in our classrooms, hallways and common areas that serve as reminders of R.O.A.R., and illustrate easy ways to integrate these behaviors into a school day. The elements of R.O.A.R. are a common language shared by all grades. Outside the Classroom R.O.A.R values don’t stop at our classroom doors. PAC students are encouraged to share stories of positive behavior, and are rewarded with “R.O.A.R. Tickets” for exhibiting R.O.A.R. values inside and outside of school. Many families model our R.O.A.R. values at home, reinforcing classroom social and behavioral expectations. And our small school environment makes it easy for teachers to reach out and partner with families to address challenging behaviors before they escalate. R.O.A.R. in Action We start our school year off with a focus on “R” for “Respect”. Respect is a big concept to grasp, especially in our younger grades. But the heart of respect is caring. We teach our PAC students that respect has two parts:
Students will be learning about this important character quality during their morning meetings and in their Social Emotional Learning time each day. Teachers will lead classroom conversations and encourage students to give examples of what is having respect and what is showing respect. At the end of the month, one student from each class who exemplifies the “Respect” character quality will be rewarded with a PAC Proud award at our October All-School Rally. Some examples of “Respect” in action at PAC include:
About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. “It is a place that truly nurtures all learners. Students AND teachers can feel safe and supported exploring their passions. The teachers and staff are the most devoted group of educators I've ever come across!” (Sabrina Oyola, 3rd/4th Grades) “PAC feels like family. I can't think of a better way to spend my days than connecting with those around me so that we can inspire and empower each other.” (Jenny Long, TK Aide) “I work at PAC because I love the small school feel!” (Jenny Kuwazaki, 6th Grade)  Placer Academy is a tuition-free, inspirational school where TK-6 students get the support they need to succeed. From motivated learners who enjoy extra academic challenges to engaged students who may need a little support, our school lifts all learners in a warm classroom environment. And who is responsible for this exceptional work? Our teachers!!
Studies show that a great teacher can increase the test scores, graduation rates, and college attendance of students. Placer Academy teachers are motivators, coaches, and listeners who connect with our students in so many important ways. They offer encouragement and build confidence around learning - and support parent involvement in their child’s education. In fact, year after year our caring, talented teachers are cited as the top reason why Placer Academy families enroll their children in our school. Supporting Our Learners At Placer Academy, many of our teachers have Masters degrees in education. Most bring over a decade of teaching experience to our classrooms, and the results speak for themselves. Our school is a warm and welcoming space where learners thrive in thoughtfully organized classrooms. Because many Placer Academy teachers have taught here for years, they often teach multiple children from the same family. This enables our teachers and families to really get to know each other - helping to develop trusting relationships and build effective communication that benefits learners of all ages. Investing In Our Teachers Every Friday is early-release day at Placer Academy. After students leave our campus, our teachers participate in ongoing teacher training programs, learning new tools in classroom management, curriculum development, and more. It’s also time for our teachers to work together as a team - relying on each other to share best practices, utilize data, and support each other in the important work of teaching. On Fridays and during the summer break grade level teachers share planning time around curriculum-based projects. Our entire teaching staff also receives extensive training on social-emotional learning topics - including a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that integrates behavioral expectations with academic enrichment and interventions. MTSS helps our teachers support students' academic, behavioral, social, and emotional success, while maintaining the whole-child, high quality instruction that Placer Academy is known for. Placer Academy’s talented teachers are ready to welcome your student into our school. Contact us and come see for yourself! We hope you’ll join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. Fall is here and so is back-to-school time for our tuition-free charter school. Are you new to the Rocklin area and looking for a TK-6 school? Are you searching for a school that better aligns with your family’s learning goals? Or are you a homeschool family that’s considering jumping back into a classroom setting? Well, we are here to tell you that it’s not too late - to inquire, to tour, and to enroll at Placer Academy!  Enroll Anytime
As a public charter school, Placer Academy accepts students throughout the school year. If you feel uncertain about the fit of your current school, come take a tour and learn more about our Project-Based Learning and Core Knowledge® curriculum. Our students take ownership over their work and are free to explore subjects in greater depth, at a pace and level that reflects their abilities. And for students who need academic support, we provide classroom aides, reading and math intervention, and special education services. Transferring Is Easy Whether you are moving to our community or just changing schools, transferring to Placer Academy is an easy process. Our staff are here to help you navigate the steps of student withdrawal and enrollment and begin school on a timeline that works for you. Student Transitions - We Can Help Being a new student is never easy. But at PAC, your learner will feel welcomed and included from the moment they walk through our doors. Each of our TK-6 grades feature small class sizes with low student-teacher ratios that ensure every student is seen and heard. PAC students enjoy more individual attention, increased participation, and better communication with our teachers than at larger schools. Our new social emotional learning curriculum - Everyday Speech - supports learners in all grades with mindfulness practices and integrated teaching that builds personal skills. A Community for All As a “Parent Cooperative School”, we are committed to partnering with parents on every stage of a learner’s journey. Our teachers communicate regularly with families to help you stay up to date on your child’s learning. We love seeing caregivers as helpers in our classrooms, and all PAC families are encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year. Whether you’re a busy working parent or a retired grandparent, we’ll help you find volunteer opportunities that work for you. When your child enrolls at Placer Academy, your entire family will be welcomed as a valued part of our community. Want to learn more? Contact us and come see for yourself! You can enroll anytime! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free charter school that partners closely with our families to support student learning. Each year, we kick off our school year with a special program that bridges student learning in school and at home.
How it Works “One School, One Book” brings together the entire Placer Academy community to read one book, over two weeks at the start of the school year. We select a different book each year, and choose one that can be read aloud to students in all of our TK-6th grade classrooms. Families share the reading experience with their children, and teachers explore book themes with their students in the classroom. This year, “One School, One Book” concludes with a school wide celebration where students share their culminating projects on September 30. “One School, One Book” inspires our students by engaging them in reading both at school and at home. Many times, the topics of our books present opportunities for families and classrooms to share thoughts and ideas in a deeper way. By encouraging daily family participation, PAC students and their caregivers can enjoy sharing a quiet space, away from the sensory stimuli of home life. At the conclusion of our “One School, One Book” program each year, many students and families report increased connection and engagement with the joy of reading. What a wonderful outcome for our learning community! Our 2022 Book Selection This September, we will be reading “Stella Diaz Has Something to Say”, by Angela Dominguez. Each Placer Academy student will receive a copy of the book to keep. We know that our families will end up cheering on this delightful character as she works to find her voice – and she might help inspire some students to find theirs. “Stella Diaz” is one of a large series of books written about and for young readers, giving students the opportunity to explore more books once they finish this selection. Everyone Can Join “One School, One Book” brings our entire school together to read the same book - including students, teachers, families, administrators, and aides ! We’ll be reaching out to families at the start of school to share grade-appropriate resources. Building Hearts and Minds “One School, One Book” inspires readers - but the impact doesn’t stop there. Each year our Placer Academy community looks forward to it as a school spirit-building experience bringing together our young and old buddies to share and read the book. We plan grade-level STEM activities around themes in the book. And the culminating celebration brings together our entire school community to celebrate the joy of reading. We hope you’ll join us! Ready to join our Placer Academy community and share the love of reading? Contact us and enroll today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  Placer Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that serves TK-6 grade students with exceptional academics in a warm classroom environment that nurtures all learners. But we are also a “Parent Cooperative” school that relies on family participation and partnership to engage our students. So what does that mean for Placer Academy families? It turns out, a lot!
Volunteers Are Valued Here Placer Academy was founded with a commitment to partnering with families in their children’s learning. Unlike traditional public schools, we purposefully engage parents and caregivers in the work of our school - as hands-on volunteers and for feedback on how we are doing. Whether your child is coming from a parent-led homeschool environment or a more traditional public school, you’ll enjoy opportunities to connect and engage with our learning community. All PAC families are encouraged to volunteer a minimum of 30 hours per year. No matter what your schedule, we will work with you to find appropriate and convenient ways to get involved in your child’s learning. Parent volunteers help us throughout the year as classroom support, field trip chaperones, Facility Clean Up Day helpers, and more. For parents and caregivers with limited time to give, we offer take-home projects that enable you to volunteer hours on a schedule that works for you. Our Leaders Listen Parent engagement doesn’t stop at our classrooms. Our Executive Director, Jill Godtland, and Principal, Kathy Putkey, spend time getting to know our families, too. Throughout the year, we host “Coffee and Conversations” that welcome families to our campus to spend time with Jill and Kathy. These casual events are a great way to get high-level updates on our school, discuss any concerns you may have as a parent, and connect more deeply with our Placer Academy leadership. An Engaged PTO The PAC PTO is an active and fun way to get involved with our school. Each year our PTO raises funds to support classroom supplies, field trip scholarships and special enrichment activities. They coordinate the Beautofull Made Art Show and Auction, jog-a-thon, ice cream social, and more. Interested in getting involved? Attend an upcoming PTO meeting and find out how you can help. Parents Are Leaders, Too As a public charter school, Placer Academy is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. We are always looking for parents to step up into roles on our Board and leadership committees, and if this is something you would like to explore, contact a Board Member to find out more. Join Us! Partnering with families is just one of the many ways that Placer Academy ensures student success. We serve TK-6 students with tuition-free charter education. Find out more and join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  Visitors to Placer Academy often comment on our warm, friendly and focused classroom culture. Our TK-6 tuition-free charter school takes a “Whole Child” approach to education, which nurtures many aspects of child development, including physical and mental wellness, and social-emotional learning.
Our Approach “Whole Child” learning also guides the way that we approach behavioral challenges in the classroom. Research shows that schools using traditional and more punitive types of discipline continue to experience ongoing disruptive and destructive behavior. These discipline methods are often reactive in nature and tend to focus on short-term solutions. Typically, a child is disciplined after the problem behavior occurs and little is done to teach appropriate behaviors or prevent the occurrence of further problem behaviors. Placer Academy teachers use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and responsive classroom practices to promote positive behavior, focusing on prevention - not punishment. Through these innovative practices, we seek to establish a classroom culture where appropriate behavior is the norm and where all learners can thrive. School Culture PBIS is an evidence-based system of support that includes proactive, holistic strategies for defining teaching and supporting student behaviors to create a positive school environment. Our system is implemented in all areas of our school, including classrooms, hallways, outdoor play areas, and restrooms. From the moment our students arrive on campus, they are guided by clear routines and expectations around behavior. Our teachers model positive dialogue and body language and treat our students with respect. Every class opens with a “Morning Meeting” to set the tone for the day and ends with a “Closing Circle” to talk about highs and lows. These conversations encourage respectful learning and help regulate emotions, while giving our teachers a defined space to address and support any emotional or social challenges that may arise during the day. ROAR Values One of the core virtues of Placer Academy is the belief that social emotional learning and character education are critical in a connected and caring community. Our school culture is built on common values that all Placer students (and our families!) know as “ROAR”:
Outcomes The result of our PBIS approach speaks for itself. Placer Academy is a safe, caring, nurturing learning community that helps children grow academically, socially, and emotionally. By setting clear behavioral expectations and directly teaching students about those expectations, we maintain a positive atmosphere for all learners. Find out more and join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. Do you have a busy family who may benefit from some extra childcare? Does your child need a little academic support or enrichment outside of the school day? Come jump into Placer Academy’s Lion’s Den! Lion’s Den provides high-quality afterschool care for grades TK-6 in a safe, joyful environment. Interested? Here are some great reasons why you should check it out!  1. Academic SupportWe offer schoolwork completion time with adult supervision and academic support when needed. For students with specific needs, our Lion’s Den staff collaborate with Placer Academy teachers for additional support with schoolwork and other assignments. 2. Curriculum-BasedWe offer weekly curriculum-based projects that are aligned with Placer Academy’s Core Knowledge curriculum. We also offer arts, crafts, and STEM activities each week. Daily outside playtime includes free choice along with organized, staff-led games and other physical activities. 3. Did We Mention Snacks?Nutritious snacks are provided each day! It is not necessary for students to bring their own snack; however, it’s permitted to do so if preferred. 4. Lion’s Den Hours & FeesOur afterschool program for TK and Minimum Days meets Noon-5:30pm; K-6 meets 3:00-5:30pm. We also offer a limited TK program Monday-Thursday from noon-3pm for families that only want to make one pick-up trip. Fees vary depending on the number of enrollment days (2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week). Enrollment is free for families who qualify for free lunch, and families who qualify for reduced lunch receive a 50% discount. Visit our Lion’s Den handbook for details. 5. Our New After School DirectorIn fall 2022, we will welcome Ms. Kendel Tapia as our new After School Director. She brings many years of experience working with after school programs, summer camps, and sports programs. She’s ready to welcome our Placer Academy students and families to the Lion’s Den, and says “I can’t wait to meet all of you and create an environment that is safe, fun, and ready to explore!” Enroll Today!To enroll, simply contact the front office at (916)259-1688 to ask for a copy of our Lion’s Den enrollment form. Once your form and deposit are received, you’ll be notified of your child’s acceptance and placement in our program. Still undecided? Contact us and come see for yourself! The Lion’s Den serves Placer Academy learners of all ages with safe and stimulating after school care. Join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  For students of any age, school can be stressful. Academic expectations, social pressures, even navigating a building can be challenging for students to manage. At Placer Academy, we understand these challenges and support our TK-6 students with innovative programs and initiatives. But sometimes, our simplest solution is also one of the most effective: buddies.
Bigs and Littles Placer Academy’s Buddy program is called “Bigs and Littles” for a reason. We pair up older grade students with younger ones. Buddies are typically assigned by teachers and the pairings meet once a month throughout the school year. Learning Together Buddies work on shared projects together, often tackling the same topic with age-specific assignments. Projects with buddies may include reading, math and STEM activities. This year, our third graders helped their first grade buddies with research on animals, and worked together to design and present a google slideshow presentation on their learnings. Our fifth graders and TK students worked together to learn about plants through art and science projects. A Helpful Hug Our Littles love seeing their Big Buddies around school during the school day. They run up and hug them at recess, and sometimes that friendly face is all it takes to turn a challenging day into a great day! Everyone Benefits Buddy systems give Big Buddies an opportunity to shine outside of an academic realm - as leaders and as friends. It rewards social emotional intelligence, builds self-esteem, and helps students of all ages feel at home within our learning community. And our Littles benefit too - through connections with role models that they can look to for guidance and support. Encouraging an atmosphere of cooperation and support across grades is just one of the many ways that Placer Academy cares about our students. We serve TK-6 with tuition-free charter education. Find out more and join us today! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now.  The Golden Ratio. Fibonacci’s Numbers. The Da Vinci Code. From the ancient Greeks to modern artists, we have long been fascinated with spirals. They are beautiful patterns that represent complex mathematical equations and are present in nature, architecture, and even the Mona Lisa. But did you know that spirals can also inspire curriculum? At Placer Academy (PAC), our innovative TK-6 Core Knowledge curriculum features sequenced, project-based learning that is organized in a logical order, so knowledge builds on knowledge. Content and skills spiral within and through the grades, ensuring that our students enter each new grade with a foundation of understanding and ready to learn. The Core Knowledge approach engages all TK-6 learners at PAC. Research has shown that these early years are the most impactful time to help children lay the groundwork for language development and future success. PAC’s Core Knowledge builds on strong foundations of language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science, visual arts, and music.  The heart of our Core Knowledge curriculum is the “Sequence” - a planned progression of understanding that builds student knowledge chronologically or thematically grade by grade. For example, PAC second graders learn about ancient Greece - specific events, people, and contributions to civilization, including democracy, poetry, and philosophy. These concepts are then revisited in later grades in deeper ways. Core Knowledge also encourages different grades to partner on subjects, including cross-grade level buddies working together on reading and math skills and “Fun Fridays” all-school projects. And our hands-on approach brings learning to life with STEM challenges and history reenactments.
Core Knowledge curriculum equips PAC students with the background knowledge they will need as they enter the more specialized curriculum of high school. It inspires our learners, and sets them up for success. Interested in learning more? The founder of Core Knowledge has published a series of books for parents that details curriculum year-by-year, including specific steps that caregivers can take in supporting their learning. And contact us to find out how PAC can inspire your students today for success tomorrow! About Placer Academy Placer Academy is a TK-6 tuition-free, public charter school serving students in Rocklin, Lincoln, and Roseville CA and the surrounding areas. Placer Academy inspires with hands-on, Project Based Learning, giving each student the support they need to succeed. Our caring teachers and staff encourage families to be closely involved in our tight-knit community, and we partner with many area businesses on inspiring service learning projects and field trips. Join our public charter school today! Enrolling now. |
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