Monthly Newsletter

Families,

Come see the Center I learning space, meet the staff, and learn about what to expect in the '23-24 school year!

When:

Tuesday, August 22, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

August is here!  I have a couple of short updates to share.

Summer Hours – It’s been great having students and families by to visit and spend some time here with us.

8/3 & 8/4 - Closed

8/5 – Open 10-2

8/9 – Closed (This is new.)

8/10-8/12 – Open 10-2

Week of 8/16 – Closed

8/23 - First Day of School

If you would like to schedule a time to stop by and tour the space, you can book an appointment online here: http://calendly.com/mpcraddock/tour

Schedules – Your schedule will be posted in PowerSchool to see at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 8/17.  We begin correcting any errors in schedules tomorrow after our systems finish transitioning over to the new school year.  If there are any issues with your schedule, I or your school counselor will be reaching out to you.

Open House – Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 17^th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.  Meet your teachers, grab some swag, tour the space – drop in any time.  There will be no formal presentation during this time.

That’s all for now.

mc

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

http://centerone.k12albemarle.org

Dear Students & Families –

I’m proud of the hard work you all have put into your classes over these first several weeks.  I know that our current state has impacted everyone differently, but your work ethic and consistency has been a major bright spot.

I wanted to share with you an update on your Government class and how it will proceed as you finish PLS 211 and move on to PLS 212.  The end of PLS 211 (US Government I) will be November 2^nd.  With a passing grade, you will have earned 3 college credits and established a final grade for your college transcript at that time.  In college terms, you will be starting a new course PLS 212 (US Government II) on November 9.

A new instructor will be joining us for PLS 212, Mr. Stan Scott.  Mr. Scott’s experience includes a distinguished military career, degrees in political science, public policy, and economics with additional doctoral work in international relations and public policy at George Washington University.  In addition Mr. Scott brings considerable academia experience having taught political science and public policy at the University level and has published work and presented papers in these areas.

With the shift in professor, there is new opportunity to revisit the format of the course with opportunities for live discussion and consistent course meetings similar to what you are experiencing with the rest of your courses.  Mr. Scott will begin reaching out with more details as we get closer to the start of class (make sure you are checking your PVCC email!) to help ensure a smooth transition.

If you have any questions about this, please let me know.

(Ms. Blevins will continue as your instructor for English 112 when it begins Nov 9)

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

http://centerone.k12albemarle.org

Hello Dual Enrollment Students and Families –

I hope your first week went well – did you know you are 1/8 (12.5%) of the way through English 111 and Government 211?  It is going to go by in a flash.

I wanted to put forth a few very important dates along with some information on how each date impacts you.

9/16 (This Wednesday!) – Last day to drop free and clear.  You can drop either course without any impact to your college or high school transcript.  Obviously, you need English and Gov to graduate so this would take the form of just switching into a high school level course should you decide to make a change.

10/12 – Last day to Withdrawal.  After 9/16, your college transcript has started.  You can still leave the class without impacting your GPA, but your college transcript will still show you attempted the course with a “W” as a final grade.  Your high school transcript would still not be impacted as it would just be a change in level if you withdrawal from the college course.  Excessive numbers of withdrawals can impact access to financial aid next Fall. 

11/2 – Last day of first session.  This marks the end of English 111 and/or PLS 211.  Your final grade will be reflected on your college transcript and factored into your college GPA.  You must have a grade of “C” or better to move forward to English 112 and/or PLS 212.  Students with a “D” or “F” will be placed into a high school level course to finish out the semester.

I know in a perfect world that none of these dates will matter as I hope everything will go smoothly.  If you feel like you are off to a bumpy start in either course, please reach out to me to discuss.  Our goal is always to help you complete these courses successfully and there are additional supports we can layer in.  Please don’t be shy about reaching out for help.

Please let me know if you have any questions regarding the above information.

-Mike

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

http://centerone.k12albemarle.org

Dear Students and Families,

It's here!  The first day of school is upon us.  Let's start with the nuts and bolts.

All Zoom links to connect into classes will be posted in Schoology: http://lms.k12albemarle.org 

The daily schedule is posted up on our website: https://centerone.k12albemarle.org/center-i-home

You can find what classes you are in on Parent Portal: http://sis.k12albemarle.org 

We are on standby at Center I HQ - ready to help:

Call: 434-244-8900

Text: 434-987-9649

Email: mcraddock@k12albemarle.org

What can you expect this week?

Teachers have worked hard to put together thoughtful, engaging experiences that both begin introducing the content of the course while allowing everyone the time and grace to get into a rhythm of this new learning environment.  We want to learn more about each student this week and we have some pieces in place to help with that.  We want to start the process of building a community where each voice is heard and can influence the path forward.  The reality is this: it won't be perfect on day one.  We have designed the best we can to this point and your feedback, interactions, and progress will influence every next step along the way.  Simply put, we need each and every one of you to make this the best it can be.

I look forward to hearing about your first day and wish everyone a great start to the new year.

-Mike

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

434-244-8900

http://centerone.k12albemarle.org 

Dear Students and Families –

I would like to officially welcome you to the 20-21 school year.  It marks a major milestone at Center I as we open the Information and Communication Technology Academy (ICTA), welcome an expanded teaching staff, and take on the challenges and opportunities that 2020 has given us.  We are excited to get started!

Note: This email and all future updates emailed to families will be posted to our website at https://centerone.k12albemarle.org/updates

Moving forward we will recognize specific audiences for our emails based on the semester that you are enrolled with us.  Semester 1 students will get an uptick in messaging over the next two weeks and Semester 2 will hear from us again as we roll into 2021 and prepare to start that semester.

Parent Portal Opened Monday 8/24 – Check you schedules!

You can login to Parent Portal by clicking here.  You will be able to see from there when your classes at Center I will be held, along with your teachers.  Have questions or want to talk it through with us?  Give us a call: 434-244-8900

Third and Final Town Hall will be held Wednesday, 8/26 @ 7:30 PM

We hope you can join us for our third and final town hall tomorrow, Wednesday 8/26, at 7:30 PM.  Zoom information is below:

Zoom Meeting – Starts 8/26 @ 7:30 PM

https://k12albemarle.zoom.us/j/98889397805?pwd=bFJBNFdTZmJRRkxoZFlzZGIyTkVVdz09

Meeting ID: 988 8939 7805

Passcode: 608783

Phone in at: 312 626 6799

Second Town Hall Recording is Online

Did you miss the second town hall and want to catch up?  Click here to watch it.  Password: 2pPc.d7h

PVCC Students – IMPORTANT – Due ASAP

Are you taking a PVCC class through Center I?  If you have never taken a PVCC class before, please click here to complete the PVCC application.  Once complete – email me (mcraddock@k12albemarle.org) your PVCC ID # - also called the EMPLID.  If you have taken a PVCC class (Dual Enrollment or on Campus) – I need you to login to myPVCC by clicking here and look up your student number.  Once in myPVCC look for the Student Information System (SIS) link – click that – and you will find your ID # (EMPLID) at the top of the center tab.  If you need hep with any of this, call us and we can help!  434-244-8900

We are here for you!

Need to talk through anything?  Have questions?  Call or email and we can set up a time to chat.  We know this is an unusual start to the school year and we want you to feel confident and comfortable heading in.  You can reach us any time at 434-244-8900 or mcraddock@k12albemarle.org

Stay safe and healthy!  We will see you soon!

Mike

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

http://centerone.k12albemarle.org

Dear Students and Parents - 

I am writing to check in with you regarding Center I for the upcoming school year.  Last Thursday the ACPS School Board announced schools will open September 8th in a virtual format for most students as described in Stage 2 of the reopening plan.  As an ACPS school Center I follows the direction of the Board and will open in this format.

When will I take my Center I classes?

Your schedules are being built at your base school and this will determine whether you will attend Center I during first semester or second semester.  Due to the switch to semester based classes, Center I students will participate every day for a semester instead of every other day all year long.

How will the Center I Seniors be scheduled?

PVCC classes at Center I will also follow the ACPS stage 2 reopening format and again, students will take their PVCC classes either first semester or second semester.  We will continue to operate on the PVCC schedule as promised with two 8 week sessions so you can take advantage of completing your coursework ahead of the ACPS semester deadlines.

First Semester

First 8 Weeks - 9/8-11/5

Second 8 Weeks - 11/9-1/19

Second Semester

Third 8 Weeks - 2/1-3/25

Fourth 8 Weeks -  3/29-5/27

What will it be like to take courses in the ICT Academy @ Center I?

Until we can bring you to Center I, we are building systems to bring Center I to you.  Part of the ICTA experience is having access to equipment and software that may not be available or easily accessible at your base school, so we’ll arrange delivery/pickup to your door.  In addition we are committed to providing a project-based learning environment - we design ways to build, invent, and collaborate at a distance.  In the ICTA you won’t have four different teachers planning their own thing independent of each other - the teaching team will have a unified schedule, streamlined communication, and projects that are designed to build knowledge and skills across disciplines.  Weekly plans with daily goal setting will be published in advance with lots of opportunity for 1 on 1 and small group interactions.  We look forward to showcasing the best of what this remote learning opportunity can look like until we can return to school.

How can I keep up to date about Center I and the ICT Academy?

First and foremost, we are here for you any time - call us or email with any questions.  We understand there is a lot of uncertainty around the start of this school year and sometimes talking through specifics regarding your family might be best.  Also, join us for weekly town hall meetings as we approach the start of the year.  We will be answering questions live via Zoom.  Links to the Zoom meetings will be published on our website as we get closer to the event.

8/12/2020 - Noon

8/20/2020 - 7:30 PM

8/26/2020 - 7:30 PM

Finally, please take some time to look over the ACPS Return to School web site: https://www.k12albemarle.org/acps/return-to-school/Pages/default.aspx  There is a lot of information here and many answers to common questions can be found.

We are looking forward to the upcoming year and excited that you will be a part of it.

-Mike

Michael Craddock

Director, Center I

Click here​ for the slide deck from our information nights held in the Winter of 2019/20.​