On Friday, ACDS embarks on a five-week journey to raise $525,000 during our Annual Giving Campaign. Our campaign chairs, Kelli Kaplan (Molly ’22, Noah 7th, Aiden 5th) and Daya Karam (Julian 5th, Lucas K) invite you to join them in supporting the campaign that touches every student, every teacher, every day. 

For more campaign information, FAQs, to donate online or learn if your gift can be matched by your employer, visit this page.

We need you for Friday’s Cougar Games! Volunteer opportunities for setting up, cleaning up, and staffing game stations for Cougar Games on Friday, October 7 are available now. This is a great way to have front-row seats to the Cougar Games – the kids’ giggles and smiles are not to be missed! Family members are also allowed to come on campus as spectators and cheer on their children.

Monday, October 3
Silly Sock Day
(with school uniforms)
 
Tuesday, October 4
Favorites Day - Share your passion, be it a hobby, favorite band, favorite Broadway show, sports team, and more
(with uniform bottoms)
 
Wednesday, October 5
PJ Day*
(no uniform required)
*Please choose PJs that adhere to the general uniform guidelines and allow students to participate fully in the school day. Regular shoes should be worn (not slippers, Crocs, flip flops, etc.).
 
Thursday, October 6
Favorite Color or Tie-Dye Day - Wear your favorite color or tie-dye tops and/or bottoms
(no uniform required)
 
Friday, October 7
Cougar Pep Rally and Cougar Games - Students wear class color shirt, gym shorts, and athletic shoes
 
Cougar Games Day & Pep Rally Schedule
8:15-9:00 AM - Pep Rally (Period 1)
9:05-9:50 AM - 8 and Pre-K (Period 2)
9:50-10:00 AM - Recess
10:05-10:50 AM - 7 & 2 (Period 3)
10:55-11:40 AM - 5 & 1, Middle School lunch (Elem. Period 4) 
11:45-12:30 PM - Elementary Lunch, Volunteers lunch (MS Period 4)
12:35-1:20 PM - 6 & K (Period 5)
1:20-1:30 PM - Recess
1:35-2:20 PM - 4 & 3 (Period 6)
2:25-3:10 PM - No Cougar Games activities (Period 7)

Class color shirts were handed out to students this week, and your child should have given you their tee to wash in time for the Cougar Games next Friday. If they did not, it may be hiding in their backpack. Please be sure to have your child try it on for size. If the t-shirt does not fit AT ALL, please let us know by Monday, October 3, and we will do our best to assist (we do not have many spare shirts). Any later and we may not be able to accommodate the request.

A select number of before- and after-school activities are still available for sign-up. For more details, date and times, and to register, please visit our Clubs & Activities page.

• [Grades 2-8] ACDS Band: No experience required. If you’re interested in learning a new instrument, improving your current skills, and playing in a group, sign up now! Check the website for more details.
• [Grades 1-4] Little Cougars Soccer Clinic: No experience necessary! This clinic will teach the basics of playing soccer, participants will build skills, and play games. 
• [Grades 5-8] Girls Who Code: Interested in learning how to code? Budding coders and beginners are invited to join this club to learn to create websites, apps, games, and more! Starts TODAY at 3:15 PM and meetings will be on Fridays.
• [Grades 6-8] Dungeons & Dragons: Whether you’re a seasoned DM or want to try this popular RPG and storytelling game, there is space for you! This club will start on October 4 and will run on alternating Tuesdays after school.
• [Grades 6-8] Math Club still has room for our middle school students who are interested in expanding their math knowledge through games and fun applications. Starts on October 20 and meetings will occur on alternating Thursdays after school.

If your child will not be at school, please call the front office to report the absence. You are also welcome to email your child’s teachers, however, it is imperative that you alert the front office at (408) 997-0424.

Beloved author of both graphic novel series and chapter books, Jennifer L. Holm will be visiting grades 2-5 *virtually* to promote her latest addition to the BabyMouse series.  

About BabyMouse: Once Upon a Messy Whisker
Babymouse has a BIG imagination. In her dreams, she's the BEST at everything -- she's the coolest, the smartest, the strongest, and she DEFINITELY has nice, neat whiskers! In real life? Not so much. But WHAT IF Babymouse could make her fantasies come true...?

Order your book online at Hicklebee’s to have an autographed bookplate added to your purchase.