Back to School - 2023/2024
Welcome (back) ACDS Families! We are excited to welcome you and your children back to school!
Preparations for the upcoming school year are in full swing. Please find below various information and checklists for preparing your student for the upcoming school year.
The below lists, procedures, and events are subject to change.
Class Schedules
The Veracross Parent Portal continues to be open throughout summer. Fall class schedules (including electives for middle schoolers) will be visible toward the end of August. New families will receive their log-in information for Veracross separately.
Update your Profile
- Family Information: Please make sure your cell phone is current and in the right format 000-000-0000. This will ensure you receive emergency texts or communications sent via SMS.
- Household Contacts: Please ensure all family members that reside with you are added to your Household Contacts.
- Pick-Up Authorization: You should have at least one other person besides yourself authorized to pick up your child.
- Review Medical Profile: Please make certain your student's medical insurance, medicines taken, and medical conditions are all current.
- Review Directory Preferences: You can choose how much information is shown in the directory.
Veracross Help Sessions
We will host 3 half-hour Zoom sessions to help you navigate updating your information in Veracross which is required to be completed before the start of school. Join the Zoom and update your record in real-time with human help! Links to the Zoom sessions will be added here closer to the session dates.
- Tuesday, August 15 at 9 a.m.
- Wednesday, August 16 at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, August 18 at 1 p.m.
Allergies
If your student has a food allergy, please use the "Medical Action Plan" form that is available under your child's profile in the Finalsite Enrollment system (look under "Internal & Optional Items").
Immunization & Health Records
California Senate Bill 277 requires all students attending public or private school to be immunized. The personal belief waiver is no longer available to families. Exemptions will only be made for medical reasons and a licensed physician must complete a medical waiver. All new students entering Almaden Country Day School must present a current immunization record, with all immunizations showing the month, day, and year administered. Covid vaccination is not required. If you have not done so already please upload to Finalsite Enrollment system by August 15, 2023.
For the students in the following grades, the following additional records are required:
- Pre-K Students:
- 1st Grade Students: Health Examination for School Entry
- 7th Grade Students: Tdap Booster Immunization is required. Please upload a copy of your updated child's immunization record to School Admin showing this booster, the month, date, and year administered.
If you have any questions, please contact Angela Henze, Registrar.
School Uniforms
The intent of our school uniform policy is to contribute to an environment that encourages learning without distractions, provides a structure that respects individualism, and promotes a sense of community and togetherness.
Lands' End is our official provider for most school logo gear (Uniforms: 900164773).
The ACDS Uniform Exchange on campus is full of donated, gently worn uniforms that are free for parents to take as needed as well.
Uniform Exchange is open during normal school hours.
PE Uniforms
PE uniforms are required for students entering grades 5-8:
- The PE top and shorts can be purchased directly from the school. The PE shirt and shorts are in-stock on campus and orders can be picked up from the front office between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PE sweats and sweatshirts are optional. PE uniforms can also be purchased directly from Lands End.
- If you ordered PE uniforms from Lands End but they do not arrive in time, PE uniforms can be purchased from the school. Lands End allows you to return your order even if it is branded for a refund.
- The PE uniform must be worn to all PE classes.
Hot Lunch Program
ACDS is pleased to offer a hot lunch program through The Pasta Market. Ordering opens on August 28. To learn how to register for a new account or how to update your existing one, please visit our Hot Lunch page below.
Extended Care
We offer complimentary before-school care for students in Kindergarten to 8th Grade, and after-school care for Pre-K to 8th Grade for a fee. Registration for before-school care is not required, but we ask all parents to follow the drop-off procedures using the Brightwheel app. Registration for after-school care was sent out in late July.
Birthday Book
Birthday Books are a wonderful way to foster your child's love of reading, help grow our library and ensure our library collection reflects our population's interests and diversity. Click below to schedule a birthday book delivery for your child for the 23-24 school year or click here to learn more about the Birthday Book Program. If you want to submit the donation and delivery request closer to your child's birthday/half birthday, schedule a calendar reminder event a month before the delivery. Schedule that reminder today, since time has a way of flying by. Thank you for supporting the ACDS Library Program with your birthday book donations!
Order Cougar Spirit Shirt
- Pre-K - 5th Grade: No need to order. Spirit tees will be handed out by homeroom teachers to students in Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade.
- 6th - 8th Grade students: Please complete your child's spirit shirt size order form by August 18 at the latest; these shirts are worn as a class to promote class unity and school spirit. If you do not select a t-shirt size for your child by September 1st, a size will be selected by the staff.
Summer Reading
Reading is one of the best ways to prevent the "summer slide." In the context of relaxation and summer adventures, a moderate amount of summer reading is important for children to maintain their literacy skills. For students entering Grades 5 - 8, there is required reading to be completed before the start of school. Below is a link to our required (Grades 5 - 8 only) and recommended reading lists compiled by our librarian and classroom teachers.
Class Supply Lists (by grade)
ACDS will provide the majority of classroom supplies. In addition, each grade has a list of supplies that need to be provided including a medication and/or comfort kit which will be kept on campus. Like the shortened supply lists, most of the emergency supplies will be provided by ACDS. Families must provide any required medication in case of emergency. For Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students, families may also choose to provide an item that will comfort the child.
| Class Supply Lists (by grade) and Medication Kits | |
| Pre-Kindergarten | Fourth Grade |
| Kindergarten | Fifth Grade |
| First Grade | Sixth Grade |
| Second Grade | Seventh Grade |
| Third Grade | Eighth Grade |
| The Learning Center (TLC) | |
Drop-off and Pick-up
For the safety of our students, staff and community, we ask all parents to follow our drop-off and pick-up procedures.
Important Dates
For New Families Only
- August 29, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Pre-K - 5th Grade New Family Event, Pre-K play yard and Rainbow Playground at ACDS
- August 30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. - 6th - 8th Grade New Family Middle School Ice Cream Social, Middle School Quad at ACDS
- September 6, 8:40 - 9:30 a.m. - New Family Orientation in the Fisher Event Center (for new parents, directly after Welcome Back Parents Social)
For Returning & New Families
- August 31, 5 - 7:30 p.m. - TLC Pool Party at Pinehurst Cabana Club (For new and returning TLC families ONLY)
- September 5 - Class Gatherings for all students (see details below)
- September 6 - First Day of School
- September 6 - Welcome Back Parents Social in Ravel Courtyard (for all parents), 8:10 - 8:40 a.m.; (New Families stay for orientation at Fisher Event Center from 8:40 - 9:30 a.m.)
- September 22 - Food Truck Friday (Community Event), 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
School Calendar
To see more events we typically hold throughout the year, click here.
School Hours
Classrooms open at 7:50 am for all grades.
Complimentary before-school care is offered for Kindergarten to 8th Grade students.
Pre-K 1/2 Day: 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Pre-K Full Day: 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kindergarten: 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (2 to 3:00 p.m. is optional supervised, child-directed play)
1st - 8th Grade: 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
After-School Care is offered for Pre-K to 8th Grade students for a fee.
Athletics
We are proud to offer an after-school sports program for students in Grades 5 - 8 and Cougar Sports Clinics for students in Grades 1 - 6. For more information on how to sign-up for the sports teams in the fall, click below.
Clubs & Activities
Our campus is host to a variety of after-school activities that extend the interests and talents of our students. Click here to view a sample of our activities. Our Office of Student Life will send out information to all families about the clubs and activities available throughout the year and how to sign-up.
iVolunteer
As a member of the parent community, every parent is encouraged to attend events on campus and to volunteer to help support these events throughout the school year. Volunteer opportunities are available exclusively online on iVolunteer.
Signups for room parents are available now, and sign-ups for the remainder of the fall volunteering opportunities will go live at 5 pm on Sunday, September 10.
Field Trips
Throughout the year, classes will go on pre-planned field trips. At times, we need parent drivers to help take students to/from the field trip location. If you would like to volunteer to be a parent driver, please complete the MVR form and turn it into the front office.
Stay Connected
Follow the steps on our Stay Connected page to ensure you don't miss out on any important ACDS news and information. Please note: the link below is on our private Parent's Corner section. Once you receive your Veracross login, you will be able to access the page.
Back to School Events For New Families only
Pre-K - 5th Grade New Family Event
When: August 29, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Who: New Pre-K to 5th Grade families
Where: Pre-Kindergarten play yard and Rainbow Playground
Middle School New Family Event
When: August 30, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Who: New Middle School families
Where: Middle School Quad
New Family Orientation
When: September 6, 8:40 - 9:30 a.m. (directly after Welcome Back Parents Social)
Who: Parents of new students; All new parents are strongly urged to attend as we will cover a lot of vital information about our school, philosophy, programs and opportunities.
Where: Fisher Event Center Auditorium
What: After parents drop children off for their first day of school, ACDS hosts the New Family Orientation. There is a brief presentation where administrators and Parent Service Auxiliary (PSA) board members address FAQs and parents enjoy refreshments, meet and mingle with other parents, and sign-up for a variety of volunteer opportunities.
Back to School Events For All New and Returning Families
TLC Pool Party
When: August 31, 2023 at 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Who: All new and returning TLC families
Where: Pinehurst Cabana Club, 886 Lewiston, San Jose
Kindergarten Lemonade Party
When: September 5, 2023 at 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Who: All Kindergarten families
Where: Kindergarten Quad
What: This is an opportunity for new and returning families to meet their children’s teachers, see their new classrooms, and enjoy lemonade and cookies. Children and parents are encouraged to explore the classrooms and chat briefly with the teachers. The Lemonade Party interactions help children overcome their "jitters" before classes begin, making the first day of school more relaxed, fun and productive.
Pre-K Lemonade Party
When: September 5, 2023 between 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. (each family will receive their time slot from their teachers)
Who: All Pre-Kindergarten families
Where: Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms and Play Yard
What: This is an opportunity for new and returning families to meet their children’s teachers, see their new classrooms, and enjoy lemonade and cookies. Children and parents are encouraged to explore the classrooms and chat briefly with the teachers. The Lemonade Party interactions help children overcome their "jitters" before classes begin, making the first day of school more relaxed, fun and productive.
Grade 1 - 5 Park Meet-n-Greet
When: September 5, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Who: All Grade 1-5 families; Parents must accompany their children. Please note there is no school on this day.
Where: Greystone Park
What: This informal gathering is held at Greystone Park adjacent to the school and offers students and parents a chance to reconnect with familiar friends and meet new ones while enjoying popsicles. Elementary teachers are on hand to greet parents and students, as well as answer any questions.
Middle School Ice Cream Social
When: September 5, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Who: Grades 6-8 students only (parents can head to the Duvall Courtyard)
Where: Middle School Quad & Blacktop
Please note there is no school on this day.
What: The Middle School Welcome Event is a fun kickoff event to welcome students to the new school year. Students will meet their teachers, welcome our new students, and reconnect with old friends, all while enjoying a sweet treat. PLEASE NOTE: 1:1 laptops for middle school students will be distributed at the end of the first week of school.
Middle School Parents Mingle
When: September 5, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Who: Grades 6-8 parents & family members, including younger siblings (or feel free to attend the Grade 1-5 Meet-n-Greet if you have elementary-age children)
Where: Duvall Courtyard
Parents drop their children off. Please note there is no school on this day.
What: Meet other middle school parents and get a tour of our new Speech And Music (SAM) Building after dropping your child off at the Ice Cream Social.
Welcome Back Parents Social
When: September 6, 2023 from 8:10 to 8:40 a.m.; New Families stay for orientation from 8:40 - 9:30 a.m.
Who: All returning and new parents
Where: Ravel Courtyard (& Fisher Event Center Auditorium for New Family Orientation)
A time to catch up with old friends and meet new ones on the first morning of school.
Additional Information
Yearbook
Visit the Jostens website to learn about the unique personalization options for your child. Each student enrolled at ACDS will receive a yearbook packed with student and family events from the year. This year you can be creative and add additional personalization to your child’s book to make their yearbook a unique copy just for them to treasure.
Graduation Yearbook Keepsake
Your child's 8th grade yearbook is a great way to remember and share in your child's last year of school. Creating a yearbook ad to honor your child is not only easy—it helps mark their place in a one-of-a-kind, permanent keepsake for the entire school. Ads may be created online or using the yearbook ad form. Create your ad by October 31 for special early bird pricing.
Yearbook Business Listing
Let other ACDS families know about your business with a yearbook ad. Early bird pricing ends October 31. To order your business ad, please contact yearbook advisor, Mrs. Sarah Bratcher or the yearbook staff at yearbook@almadencountryday.org.
ACDS Business Listings
If you are interested in sharing your business with the ACDS community, please participate in our ACDS Business Listings.