Weekly Parent Update

Action Items

End-of-Year Computer Returns: All laptops must be returned this year for maintenance and servicing. Please watch your email for a return label and instructions. We will be sending out devices for all students registered for Fall 2024 classes in July. All returning laptops must be shipped by May 31, 2024. If you have any questions or concerns, please email books.computers@wacolorado.org. 

Announcements

WAC Graduation: The WAC graduation will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 24, at 6:00 PM MT. The Zoom link for this exciting event will be available in Homeroom the week of graduation. Congratulations to this year’s outstanding graduating class!

K12 National Cook-Off Competition: Does your student love to cook? K12 Enrichment Programs is thrilled to announce a virtual cook-off for students in grades 6-12, where they could win prizes worth up to $1,000! Don't miss out - please submit entries by 3:00 PM MT on May 31. For more information, be sure to visit the K12 Cook-Off page.

WAC Open Meeting: WAC is holding another Open Meeting for all interested parents, mentors, and the public on Tuesday, May 14, at 2:30 PM MT via Zoom. This meeting is a public forum for all interested parents and mentors to stay informed, voice concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback on the current school year. More information about these meetings can be found on the Public Meetings page on our website.

Upcoming Events

May 14: WAC Open Meeting–2:30 PM MT

May 21: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Live Classes–9:00 PM MT

May 22: Lagoon Day (Hosted by LAU)–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 24: Graduation (via Zoom)–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Self-Paced–5:00 PM MT

Dear Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

It was a joy to be in Colorado Springs last Friday evening for our Spring Celebration event! Visiting and having fun with you all was a treat. Several families traveled long distances to be there, recognizing that coming together in person is both meaningful and powerful. Doing so helps foster relationships and perpetuates WAC’s Culture of Belonging. Consequently, we are excited to offer other exciting events next year! Be sure to watch for a survey that will ask for activity ideas and preferences on our upcoming school calendar.

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, deadlines, assignments, and final exams can create a lot of stress. Please encourage your student to reach out to their mentors if they have questions or concerns about their concluding assignments or grades. We are here to support them and help them finish the semester strong. We value our WAC students and families!

It has been our pleasure working with you this year.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell
Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

WAC Graduation: The Williamsburg Academy of Colorado graduation will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 24 at 6:00 PM MT. The Zoom link for this exciting event will be available in Homeroom the week of graduation. Congratulations to this year’s outstanding graduating class!

K12 National Cook-Off Competition: Get ready to show off your culinary skills! K12 Enrichment Programs is thrilled to announce a virtual Cook-off for students in grades 6-12, where you could win prizes worth up to $1,000! Don't miss out - submit your entries by May 31st at 3 PM MT and be ready to cook up some creativity. For more information, be sure to visit the K12 Cook-Off page.

WAC Open Meeting: WAC is holding another Open Meeting for all interested parents, mentors, and the public on Tuesday, May 14, at 2:30 PM MT via Zoom. This meeting is a public forum for all interested parents and mentors to stay informed, voice concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback on the current school year. More information about these meetings can be found on the Public Meetings page on our website.

LAU & WL Lagoon Day: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Learning (WL) invites WAC to celebrate the end of a great school year at Lagoon Amusement Park on May 22, from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM MT in Farmington, UT. Attendees who have registered by May 21 will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at our discounted group rate via email. There is no participant cap, so invite your family and friends! For registration and further event information, please visit the Lagoon Day page on LAU’s website.

Learning Brave Teen Retreat and Tours: WAC’s Leadership mentor, Ross Gilbert, and his wife Skyler, host teen-focused tours all around the world! This year, Ross and Skyler are hosting Teen Retreats in Utah (June 3-7), Austria and Germany (July 22-30), and Italy (October 11-19). These events function as wonderful opportunities for Williamsburg students to connect with the outdoors and celebrate their hard work together. For more information on registration, prices, and accommodations, please visit Learning Brave’s Upcoming Tours webpage.

Upcoming Events

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing

May 14: WAC Open Meeting–2:30 PM MT

May 21: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Live Classes–9:00 PM MT

May 22: Lagoon Day (Hosted by LAU)–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 24: Graduation (via Zoom)–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Self-Paced–5:00 PM MT

Action Items

Parent Satisfaction Survey: WAC values your feedback and would love to know how satisfied you are with our program! Please take a moment to complete this survey and share with us how you think we are doing.

Online Course/Mentor Evaluation Surveys: Online Course/Mentor Evaluation Surveys are now live in Homeroom. Every year, we rely on this feedback to enhance mentoring in the classroom. Please remind your student to complete the survey once for every live and self-paced course they're enrolled in. Surveys are due Monday, April 29th, so be sure your student gets theirs done!

Announcements

Join us Tonight for our Spring Celebration (in-person): Join us for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs tonight, April 26, from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more! To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we’ve reached our cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit our Spring Celebration web page.

Student Body Leadership Applications Close April 26! Is your student interested in being a part of the Student Body Leadership (SBL) Team? Participating in SBL allows students to represent fellow Williamsburg students, plan online and in-person activities, and more! To participate, students must commit to attending a weekly SBL class on Thursday at 1:00 PM and actively participate in one of the five groups that manage the Williamsburg activities (e.g., Inspiration Hour, Thursday Night Live, Discord/Special Online Evening Events, Burger Meets, and Student Outreach).

Students must also:

• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.
• Be a Williamsburg High School Student next Fall (Juniors and Seniors will be given priority).
• Have been a student at WA/LAU/WAC for at least 1 year (2 semesters).
• Be able to devote 2 or more hours per week to this position. 

If your student would like to participate in the 2024-25 SBL, have them fill out this application by Today, April 26.

End of year NWEA Testing: All students in grades 6-10 will be taking the final assessments of the year from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®) for math and language arts. The purpose of NWEA testing is to assess students' academic performance, track their progress, and determine if they need additional support. Students will access the NWEA assessment through an assignment in Homeroom between April 29-May 3. Please help and encourage your student to plan a time to complete these tests before the May 3 deadline.

LAU & WL Lagoon Day: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Learning (WL) invites WAC to celebrate the end of a great school year at Lagoon Amusement Park on May 22, from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM MT in Farmington, UT. Attendees who have registered by May 21 will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at our discounted group rate via email. There is no participant cap, so invite your family and friends! For registration and further event information, please visit the Lagoon Day page on LAU’s website.

Learning Brave Teen Retreat and Tours: WAC’s Leadership mentor, Ross Gilbert, and his wife Skyler, host teen-focused tours all around the world! This year, Ross and Skyler are hosting Teen Retreats in Utah (June 3-7), Austria and Germany (July 22-30), and Italy (October 11-19). These events function as wonderful opportunities for Williamsburg students to connect with the outdoors and celebrate their hard work together. For more information on registration, prices, and accommodations, please visit Learning Brave’s Upcoming Tours webpage.

Upcoming Events

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing 

May 21: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Live Classes–9:00 PM MT

May 22: Lagoon Day (Hosted by LAU)–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 24: Graduation–6:00 PM MT (Zoom)

May 24: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Self-Paced–5:00 PM MT

Action Items

State Testing: Thank you to all the families and students who have been and will participate in state-mandated testing this month. We understand that this will require extra effort from both you and your student! Please encourage your student to communicate with their mentors if they require an extension or modifications to their assignments during test week.

Announcements

End of year NWEA Testing: All students in grades 6-10 will be taking the final assessments of the year from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®) for math and language arts. The purpose of NWEA testing is to assess students' academic performance, track their progress, and determine if they need additional support. Students will access the NWEA assessment through an assignment in Homeroom between April 29-May 3. Please help and encourage your student to plan a time to complete these tests before the May 3 deadline.

Spring Celebration (in-person): Join us for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more! To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we’ve reached our cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit our Spring Celebration web page.

Student Body Leadership Applications are Open! Is your student interested in being a part of the Student Body Leadership (SBL) Team? Participating in SBL allows students to represent fellow Williamsburg students, plan online and in-person activities, and more! To participate, students must commit to attending a weekly SBL class on Thursday at 1:00 PM and actively participate in one of the five groups that manage the Williamsburg activities (e.g., Inspiration Hour, Thursday Night Live, Discord/Special Online Evening Events, Burger Meets, and Student Outreach).

Students must also:

• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.
• Be a Williamsburg High School Student next Fall (Juniors and Seniors will be given priority).
• Have been a student at WA/LAU/WAC for at least 1 year (2 semesters).
• Be able to devote 2 or more hours per week to this position.

If your student would like to participate in the 2024-25 SBL, have them fill out this application by April 26.

Summit Leadership Adventure: Summit Journeys and Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) have partnered together to host the Summit Leadership Adventure course from June 3-7. This course is open to the public, meaning that all Williamsburg students, friends, and family members currently in grades 9-12 are invited to register! The cost for the session is $785 and payment is required at registration. This price includes food, lodging, and all other accommodations and activities. Students who are self-pay and are wanting to register can do so through our Self-Pay Registration form. LAU students can still register without cost to parents by emailing the LAU Registrar. For further information, please visit LAU’s Summit Leadership Adventure webpage.

Learning Brave Teen Retreat and Tours: WAC’s Leadership mentor, Ross Gilbert, and his wife Skyler, host teen-focused tours all around the world! This year, Ross and Skyler are hosting Teen Retreats in Utah (June 3-7), Austria and Germany (July 22-30), and Italy (October 11-19). These events function as wonderful opportunities for Williamsburg students to connect with the outdoors and celebrate their hard work together. For more information on registration, prices, and accommodations, please visit Learning Brave’s Upcoming Tours webpage.

Upcoming Events

April 26: Spring Celebration (In-Person)–4:00-7:00 PM MT

April 29 - May 3: End of Year NWEA Testing 

May 21: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Live Classes–9:00 PM MT

May 22: Lagoon Day (Hosted by LAU)–9:30 AM to 5:30 PM MT

May 24: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Assignments for Self-Paced–5:00 PM MT

Action Items

Communications Survey: At WAC, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it.  Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing! 

Announcements

Student Body Leadership Applications are Open! Is your student interested in being a part of the Student Body Leadership (SBL) Team? Participating in SBL allows students to represent fellow Williamsburg Learning students, plan online and in-person activities, and more! To participate, students must commit to attending a weekly SBL class on Thursday at 1:00 PM and actively participate in one of the five groups that manage the Williamsburg activities (e.g., Inspiration Hour, Thursday Night Live, Discord/Special Online Evening Events, Burger Meets, and Student Outreach).

Students must also:

• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher while maintaining an 80% or above in all classes.
• Be a Williamsburg High School Student next Fall (Juniors and Seniors will be given priority).
• Have been a student at WA/LAU/WAC for at least 1 year (2 semesters).
• Be able to devote 2 or more hours per week to this position. 

If your student would like to participate in the 2024-25 SBL, have them fill out this application by April 26.

New School Phone Number: To make it easier for you to reach our Enrollment and Customer Support teams, we have a new, dedicated school phone number: 303-285-0787. You can also find this new number on our website.

Spring Celebration (in-person): Join us for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more! To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we’ve reached our cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit our Spring Celebration web page.

Summit Leadership Adventure: Summit Journeys and Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) have partnered together to host the Summit Leadership Adventure course from June 3-7. This course is open to the public, meaning that all Williamsburg Learning students, friends, and family members currently in grades 9-12 are invited to register! The cost for the session is $785 and payment is required at registration. This price includes food, lodging, and all other accommodations and activities. Students who are self-pay and are wanting to register can do so through our Self-Pay Registration form. LAU students can still register without cost to parents by emailing the LAU Registrar. For further information, please visit our Summit Leadership Adventure webpage.

Learning Brave Teen Retreat and Tours: WAC’s Leadership mentor, Ross Gilbert, and his wife Skyler, host teen-focused tours all around the world! This year, Ross and Skyler are hosting Teen Retreats in Utah (June 3-7), Austria and Germany (July 22-30), and Italy (October 11-19). These events function as wonderful opportunities for Williamsburg students to connect with the outdoors and celebrate their hard work together. For more information on registration, prices, and accommodations, please visit the Upcoming Tours webpage on the Learning Brave website.

Problem-Solving Olympiad: Does your student enjoy playing games, testing their unique skills, and working as a team in fun competitions? Then they are perfect for the WAC NXTLVL Problem-Solving Olymiad team! NXTLVL is a game-based learning company that is hosting an online competition on May 24 for students ages 11-14. WAC is organizing one team of five students to compete in the competition! If your student is interested in becoming a team member, please contact our Director of Family and Student Support, Joanna Herndon, for more information.

Free Parent Ivy League University Webinar: WAC parents are invited to attend the free Weekend Webinar Series on Ivy League University admissions, led by expert student mentors from Harvard University. Each of the two session are from 9-10 AM EDT. To register for these exclusive webinars, please visit the Weekend Webinar registration form. The Weekend Webinar Series dates and topics are as follows:

• Saturday, April 13: Parent's Guide to Ivy League Career Paths: Nurturing Your Child's Future
• Sunday, April 14: Parent's Guide to Nurturing Ivy League-Ready Personalities: Strategies for Supporting Your Child's Growth

Upcoming Events

April 12: “Once Upon a Dream” Prom–Salt Lake City, Utah, 8-11 PM MT

April 26: Spring Celebration (In-Person)–4:00-7:00 PM MT

May 21: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

May 24: End of Winter Semester

Action Items

Communications Survey: At WAC, we strive to make it easy to find the information you need when you need it. Please fill out this brief survey and let us know how we are doing!

LAU & WL Lagoon Day: Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) and Williamsburg Learning (WL) invites WAC to celebrate the end of a great school year at Lagoon Amusement Park on May 22, from 9:30 AM-5:30 PM MT in Farmington, UT. Attendees who have registered by May 21 will receive a promo code to purchase tickets at our discounted group rate via email. There is no participant cap, so invite your family and friends! For registration and further event information, please visit the Lagoon Day page on LAU’s website.

Announcements

“Once Upon a Deam” Prom at the Capitol: Only 7 days until all 9-12 grade students join us for Prom at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted, you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. For further information, please visit the Prom at the Capitol page on LAU's website.

Spring Celebration (in-person): Join us for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more. To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we’ve reached our cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For registration and further information, please visit our Spring Celebration web page.

Upcoming Events

April 12: LAU Prom (WAC students welcome)–Salt Lake City, Utah from 8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 26: Spring Celebration (In-Person)–4:00-7:00 PM MT

May 21: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

May 24: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

May 24: End of Winter Semester

Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

I hope you all had a refreshing Spring Break!

For my Spring Break, I embarked on an adventure to a new country—Japan! During this trip, I was thinking about our students and the spirit of adventure we encourage them to have here at Williamsburg. With that in mind, I recorded this short video to share my adventure with you! Enjoy!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

State Testing: Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) is taking place throughout April. Thank you to those who have reserved your student’s seat at your preferred location or submitted their waiver. Students who are not registered for state testing need to fill out our Opt-Out Form. Free WAC merchandise will be provided to students participating in the testing at each site. If you have any questions about your student’s upcoming test, please reach out to Heidi Shetka. 

“Once Upon a Deam” Prom at the Capitol: T-14 days until all 9-12 grade students join Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) students for Prom at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted, you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. For further information, please visit the Prom at the Capitol page on our website.

Upcoming Events

April 1: Spring Recess - No classes / Office closed

April 12: LAU Prom (WAC students welcome)–Salt Lake City, Utah from 8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 26: Spring Celebration (In-Person)–4:00-7:00 PM MT

May 23: Graduation–6:00 PM MT

Action Items

Spring Celebration (in-person): Join us for an adventure-filled evening at Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs on Friday, April 26 from 4-7 PM MT. This celebration will feature three hours of jump time, obstacle courses, free food, video games, and more. To make things even better, the entire facility has been reserved exclusively for our school. WAC students attend free, plus, we’ve reserved additional space for a limited number of guests on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once we’ve reached our cap, guests can attend for an additional fee. Each attendee must complete both the Springs Adventure Park and WAC Waiver, available here, before the event. For further information, please visit our Spring Celebration web page.

“Once Upon a Dream” Prom at the Capitol: WAC students in grades 9-12 are invited to join Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) for a Prom night to remember at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted—you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. If would like to attend, please visit LAU’s Prom at the Capitol web page to sign up.

Announcements

Pre-Midterm Assignment Due Dates: This week was midterms, meaning pre-midterm assignments must be submitted by the following dates:

• Live Classes: Pre-Midterm Assignments were due on March 12 at 9:00 PM MT (submissions for these assignments are now locked)
• Self-Paced Courses: Pre-Midterm Assignments due TODAY, March 15, at 5:00 PM MT

After these dates, the assignments will lock, and pre-midterm assignment submissions will no longer be possible.

*Please note that if your student fails their self-paced classes, they may not be able to take self-paced classes in the future.

Upcoming Events

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break–No classes. Offices closed.

April 12: LAU Prom (WAC students welcome)–Salt Lake City, Utah from 8:00-11:00 PM MT

April 26: Spring Celebration (In-Person)–4:00-7:00 PM MT

Action Items

“Once Upon a Dream” Prom at the Capitol: WAC students in grades 9-12 are invited to join Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU) for a Prom night to remember at the Utah State Capitol on April 12 from 8-11 PM MT! Semi-formal dress standards are permitted—you can be as fancy or as casual as you would like. All guests must abide by Student Dress Standards as found within the LAU Policy Manual. If would like to attend, please visit LAU’s Prom at the Capitol web page to sign up.

Announcements

Midterm Assignment Due Dates: Midterms are next week. Students must submit their pre-midterm assignments by the following dates:

• Live Classes: Pre-midterm assignments are due March 12
• Self-Paced Courses: Pre-midterm assignments are due March 15 

After these dates, the assignments will lock, and pre-midterm assignment submissions will no longer be possible. 

*Please note that if your student fails their self-paced classes, they may not be able to take self-paced classes in the future.

WAC Special Programs Meeting: A parent information session surrounding our special programs was held last week. If you missed it, please watch this recording. For further questions about our special programs, please email Jennifer McCorvey.

Spring In-Person Event: Save the date! WAC’s Spring in-person event is happening on Friday, April 26 at the Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs. More information on this event will be available in future updates.

Upcoming Events

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 9: SAT Testing

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break–Offices Closed

April 12: LAU Prom–Salt Lake City, Utah from 8-11 PM MT

April 26: WAC Spring In-Person Event

Action Items

Adventure Fridays Program is Expanding to New Colorado Areas: Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) is now offering Leadership Adventures in the Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, North Denver Metro, South Denver Metro, and Southwest Colorado (Durango/Cortez) areas. For more information on adventure course registration, visit our Adventure Fridays webpage.

• Please note that for each specific location to be viable, we need a minimum of 15-20 students signed up within each county. If you’re interested in registering your student for our 2024-25 Adventure program, be sure to do so as soon as possible—some areas are sure to fill up fast!

Announcements

Spring In-Person Event: Save the date! WAC’s Spring in-person event is happening on Friday, April 26 at the Springs Adventure Park in Colorado Springs. More information on this event will be available in future updates. 

Pomodoro Study Lab Meeting Recording: Parents and students who were unable to attend the Pomodoro Study Lab meeting can still learn about the benefits of building good study habits by watching this recording. 

Special Programs Parent Information Session: Do you or your student have questions about Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or other Special Programs offered at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC)? If so, please come to our virtual parent information session on March 6, 12:30 PM MT to learn about the programs we offer and ask questions. Please contact Jennifer McCorvey for the Zoom link.

Upcoming Events

March 6: Special Programs Parent Information Session–12:30 PM MT

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 9: SAT Testing

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break–Offices Closed

April 26: WAC Spring In-Person Event

Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families, 

Today, I would like to share a summary from the Character Lab’s The Power of Proactivity: You Are Someone, by Angela Duckworth. In the article, Duckworth discusses that being proactive isn't just about having good intentions; it's about actively seeking ways to make a difference and challenging the status quo. It means standing up for ideas, even when faced with opposition. While uncertainty might hold us back, taking that first step can lead to unexpected opportunities and support.

Duckworth uses the example of Alex Freid, the creator of the Post-Landfill Action Network (PLAN), to further their point. Alex’s journey, which began with seeing an issue and acting upon it, shows the impact of taking proactive action. Despite facing doubts and not knowing where to start, his determination and willingness to take charge led to creating lasting change. This shows that by daring to step up and take action, we not only transform our surroundings but also ourselves in incredible ways.

“Try doing something you know someone should do. Try even though you don’t know where to begin. Action is magic.” I hope this is as inspiring a read for you as it was for me!

Warmly, 

Heidi Mitchell
Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Support Your Classmate, Ella H.: Our fellow WAC student and friend, Ella H., has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Because of this, Ella’s family started a GoFundMe account and Ella’s Army—which sells sweatshirts, shirts, and infant bodysuits—to help fund her medical treatments. If you choose to buy any of the merchandise, please be sure to send a photo of you, your family, or your student wearing it to Heather Peine so it can be shared with Ella.

Announcements

Pomodoro Study Lab Session #2 will begin on February 26 and run for three weeks. Through the Pomodoro Technique, the lab is designed to provide students with designated time to work on specific missing assignments and to get caught up if they are behind. If you are interested in your child participating, please contact our Director of Student Services, Jennifer McCorvey.

Student Information Systems (SIS) Scheduled Maintenance: The IT team will be performing server maintenance on Friday, March 8, at 10:30 PM MT. This will make our SIS unavailable for approximately six hours, however, Canvas will be unaffected.

Upcoming Events

March 8-9: SIS Scheduled Maintenance–approx. 10:30 PM to 4:30 AM MT

March 9: SAT Testing

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break–Offices Closed

Action Items

Adventure Fridays is Expanding to New Colorado Areas! Adventure Fridays is a course your student can take that consists of Outdoor Adventures (Fall) and Leadership Adventures (Winter). These adventures act as great opportunities for Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) students to have fun and strengthen relationships with their classmates in person! Colorado areas that now offer Outdoor and Leadership Adventures are Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, North Denver Metro, South Denver Metro, and Southwest Colorado (Durango/Cortez) areas. Please note that for Adventure Friday courses to be viable, WAC needs a minimum of 15-20 students signed up within each county. If you’re interested in registering your student for the 2024-25 Adventure Friday course, be sure to do so as soon as possible—some areas are sure to fill up fast!

Support Your Classmate, Ella H.: Our fellow WAC student and friend, Ella H., has been diagnosed with brain cancer. Because of this, Ella’s family created a website, Ella’s Army, which sells sweatshirts, shirts, and infant bodysuits to help fund her medical treatments. If you choose to buy any of the merchandise, please be sure to send a photo of you, your family, or your student wearing it to Heather Peine.

(Pictured above: Heidi Mitchell, WAC executive director, proudly wearing her Ella’s Army shirt)

Announcements

Self-Paced Course Reminder: Students who are taking self-paced classes must be halfway through their course(s) by March 15. Pre-midterm assignments will not be accepted after the March 15 deadline. If you have a student in a self-paced course, please check in with them to ensure that they are on track. If your student happens to be struggling, please contact their mentor for help.

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) Weekend Testing: Parents of Juniors and Seniors, mark your calendars! SAT weekend testing is officially occurring on March 9 in multiple cities throughout Colorado. More information will come within the next couple of weeks.

Coming Soon: New WAC Merchandise! WAC is excited to announce that new swag will be coming soon to our apparel platform, Public Tee. The official merchandise launch date will be announced soon. In the meantime, take a sneak peek at a couple of our upcoming graphics—designed by one of our students—below.

Upcoming Events

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

March 9: SAT Testing

March 12: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Live Classes)–9:00 PM MT

March 13-15: Study Day and Midterms–No Classes

March 15: Final Day to Submit Pre-Midterm Assignments (Self-Paced)–5:00 PM MT

March 18-22: Spring Break–Offices Closed

Hello Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

We love being on your team as you guide your student on their educational journey! It can be daunting at times, but remember you have access to an incredible toolbox of resources as a parent at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado.

A few resources to note are:

1. Parent Mentor Conferences or Updates (happening now): Sign up to connect with your student’s mentors and see what’s going right in their classes and discuss ways your student may need additional support.
2. Study Skills: Is your student struggling to get their homework completed? Using the Pomodoro Technique, students learn how to create and complete focused study time and how to use strategic breaks for greater productivity. To learn more about this technique, please contact Jennifer McCorvey.
3. Mentor Office Hours: Your student may need specific help or support in their classes (or just want to come to say “hi”). Mentors are available and ready to help during their weekly office hours. Office hours are on their mentor’s Canvas course homepage. 
4. WAC Parent Resource Web Page & On Demand Support Videos: If you or your student need help navigating Canvas, knowing how best to support your student at WAC, or helping your student develop grit, make sure to check out these incredible web pages and video resources!

In the words of Thurgood Marshall, "None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody —a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony, or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots."

Here’s to working together towards success!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Spring Testing Location Sign-Up: Please complete the Spring Testing Check-In form so that we can better prepare for your students during the upcoming testing season. As the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) test and the Pre/Selective Aptitude Test (PSAT/SAT) quickly approach, each parent must fill out a form for their student(s).

Announcements

Parent Mentor Updates and Conferences: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences are taking place now through Wednesday, February 14. Please check your email for instructions on how to sign up.

Class Registration is Now Open! High school students at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) are required to enroll full-time and be on track for graduation unless approved for our Homeschool Enrichment (HSE) program. Middle school students at WAC are also required to enroll full-time unless approved for our Homeschool Enrichment (HSE) program. If you have any registration questions, please contact our academic counselor, Heather Evans. 

Doodle for Google Art Contest: Calling all artists! The Annual Doodle for Google Art Contest is now open to students in grades K-12. Students are invited to create their own Google Doodle for the chance to have it featured on Google.com! To make this even better, students can win scholarships and tech packages for themselves and their school. Doodle submissions close March 14, so be sure to tell your young artist to start creating!

Upcoming Events

February 5-14: Parent/Mentor Conferences / Parent/Mentor Update Requests

February 10: Women in Law Day–Hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder

February 13: WAC Public Meeting

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

Hello Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

I invite you to come together to support one of our students, Ella H., who is bravely battling brain cancer. Her family has created baby, youth, and adult-sized shirts and hooded sweatshirts to raise funds for her medical expenses. To buy one of these products and stand with Ella, please visit Ella’s Army.

If you choose to buy any of the merchandise, please be sure to send a photo of you, your family, or your student wearing it to Heather Peine. These photos will be forwarded to Ella’s family directly, which will allow her to see your support.

Finally, please share this message with friends and family on social media to help maximize our awareness for Ella. Let's show her that she is not alone in this fight!

Thank you for being a part of this compassionate community. Together, we can make a difference!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Spring Testing: We are excited to reveal the locations for our spring Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and Pre/Selective Aptitude Test (PSAT/SAT) testing. Attending these testing sessions is a great opportunity for students to meet in person while fulfilling the state testing requirement. Please complete the Spring Testing Check-In form so that we can better prepare for your students at the selected location.

Announcements

Parent Mentor Updates and Conferences: Parent Mentor Updates and Parent Mentor Conferences will take place from Monday, February 5, to Wednesday, February 14. Stay tuned for an email with instructions on how and when to sign up.

NWEA Results: Parents should have received their student’s NWEA results via email. If you would like the breakdown of the results, please contact our Director of Academics, Camille Christensen, or talk with your mentor at Parent/Mentor Conferences!

2024-24 Applications are Now Processing! You will be notified as soon as your student’s application is complete. Once notification has been received, your student is ready to register for classes.

Upcoming Events

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 5-14: Parent/Mentor Conferences / Parent/Mentor Update Requests

February 10: Women in Law Day–Hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder

February 12-16: Spirit Week!

February 13: WAC Public Meeting

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

Hello Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

I wanted to pass along an insightful message from our sister school’s academic counselors, Kate Chaney and Shauna Larson, for you and your student(s):

At this time of year, you may feel a little overwhelmed because many sources around you are trying to tell you what you “should” be doing. For example, maybe you feel pressured to make some self-improvement goal because that is the “normal” thing. Have you heard the phrase “New Year, new me”? We know we have. But, just because we have entered a new year doesn’t mean we have to set identity-enhancing goals for ourselves. While self-improvement is good for you, you can just set one goal or wait and find a better time of year to focus on goals. If you are happy where you are now, then be happy where you are, and don’t let outside pressures make you feel like you need to change. Practice being okay with doing something that doesn’t follow the norm if you feel it is right for YOU!

January can be challenging for some because of the weather and less time in the sun. Make it a priority to seek out those things that make you happy and do them. Do the other mundane things, too, but make sure you take time to have fun, interact with others, do hobbies you love, eat well, exercise, and do other things that make you feel good!

Try to hang in there! When things feel tough, take it day by day or minute by minute. Make sure to celebrate your victories, however big or small they are!

Have a great semester!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

2024-25 Course Registration: Course registration for the 2024-25 school year begins Monday, February 5! Before you can register your student for classes, you must reapply for the new school year, and your student must be accepted to WAC. To reapply, please log into your parent SIS account and follow the prompts to update any personal information and submit the application. We recommend reapplying and registering early for the best shot at securing your student’s preferred schedule, as classes are first come, first served! Further information regarding applications and course registration is available on the How to Apply & Enroll and Registration (middle school/high school) pages of our website.

Please be sure to note:

• WAC Requires NWEA Tests: WAC students are required to complete three assessments throughout the year. This allows us to monitor student academic progress and adjust support as needed. This is not a state test. Because of this, there is no opt-out option.

Please make sure to watch your email as we continue to send reminders and links. Watching out for these will allow you to officially start your child’s application!

Writing Assessment: The Board of Educational Services of Colorado (BOCES) requires all Williamsburg Academy of Colorado students to take a writing assessment periodically throughout the school year. The purpose of this assessment is to monitor student growth and is required of all Colorado students. This assessment will not have any effect on students’ grades. See this Homeroom assignment for deadlines and further instructions.

K12 Art Competition: Calling all young artists! The K12 Art Competition is open and available to all students in grades K-12. This year’s competition includes digital art, artificial intelligence (AI) art, and many other mediums! Students in each category will compete against their peers within their grade for up to $1,500 in prizes. Submissions are due March 25, so go ahead and encourage your students to get creative.

Upcoming WAC Public Meeting: WAC public meetings are open to the public and function as a space for parents and guardians to have a voice within our school governance. Our next public meeting will be Tuesday, February 13, at 2:00 PM MT via Zoom. If you would like to make a public comment at the meeting, please reach out to our Executive Director 24 hours before the meeting to be added to the agenda. The meeting agenda with the Zoom link will be available on our Public Meetings page 24 hours before the start of each meeting.

Upcoming Events

January 24-26: NWEA Progress Assessment Makeup Days

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 10: Women in Law Day–Hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder

February 13: WAC Public Meeting

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

Action Items

Parent Feedback Survey: At WAC, we value your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete our Parent Survey to help us continue to improve our service.

Announcements

2024-25 Course Registration: Williamsburg Academy of Colorado’s (WAC) course registration is opening for 2024-25 on Monday, February 5. Whether your student is new or returning to WAC, an application for the 2024-25 school year is required before registration.

Please note:

• NWEA Test Requirement: WAC students are required to complete three assessments throughout the year so we can monitor student academic progress and adjust support as needed. There will be no opt-out option.

Please make sure to watch your email as we continue to send reminders and links for registration. Watching out for these will allow you to officially start your child’s application in a timely manner. 

Writing Assessment: The Board of Educational Services of Colorado (BOCES) requires all Williamsburg Academy of Colorado students to take a writing assessment periodically throughout the school year. The purpose of this assessment is to monitor student growth and is required of all Colorado students. This assessment will not have any effect on students’ grades. See this Homeroom assignment for deadlines and further instructions.

Upcoming Events

January 8-24: NWEA Progress Assessments (see Homeroom)

January 24-26: NWEA Progress Assessment Makeup Days

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted

February 5: 2024-25 Class Registration begins

February 10: Women in Law Day–Hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder

February 19: Presidents’ Day–Offices Closed

Hello Williamsburg Academy of Colorado Families,

Welcome back!

Our mission at Williamsburg Academy is to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. Our students agree to continually strive to improve their habits, practice their leadership, deepen their scholarship, attend class, and go outside their comfort zones to learn.

At Williamsburg, our honor code is called the Williamsburg Elevated Ethics. This code includes 4 pillars, which are:

• Build - I build others because I want them to succeed. I build myself by doing hard things.
• Serve - I use my time and energy for the benefit of others.
• Go First - I am a leader. Leadership is making and keeping commitments.
• Respect - I treat others with humility and humanity.

With the previous honor code in mind, the following goes without saying:

• Students should not plagiarize, cheat, or otherwise accept credit for something for which they deserve no credit. Students agree they will not receive unwarranted help from any person and will complete all work for themselves. Students caught cheating will receive failing grades and may be expelled.
• Students should not engage in sexual conversation or harassment with each other.
• Students should not engage in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when a preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, or otherwise targeted by another preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, or mobile phones. We take cyberbullying seriously.

Our Williamsburg Elevated Ethics honor code creates a positive, safe, and thriving environment of learning and friendship for our students. I am delighted that you and your student(s) have decided to join us or continue with us in creating this space for students and families.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Student Body Leadership Video: Our Student Body Leadership (SBL) team worked together and created an informative video! This video showcases the students’ leadership experiences while simultaneously encouraging other students to consider being involved in the SBL team next year!

Announcements

Women in Law Day (WiLD) Event: The University of Colorado – Boulder has invited WAC high school students, specifically young women, to the Women in Law Day Event. The purpose of this event is for young women to learn about law school, discover legal career opportunities through a networking lunch, and envision themselves pursuing an advanced degree. This event is taking place at the Wolf Law Building on the CU Boulder Campus on February 10, 2024, from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM. This event is free, however, interested students are encouraged to RSVP at this link. More information is available on the CU Boulder website.

Pikes Peak State College Opportunity: The High School Programs office at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) is offering 8 new student orientation dates in January. These new orientation opportunities, specifically for new Concurrent Enrollment students, allow students to come to our Centennial or Rampart campus to receive a tour and learn about PPSC. Topics covered will include eLearning (D2L) basics, how to find and review their bill, parking, student life, student email, and the best tips for success. Due to limited availability, students are asked to sign up in advance through this survey. Parents are also invited to attend.

Upcoming Events

January 8: First Day of Winter Semester Classes

January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day–Offices Closed

January 16-19: NWEA Testing

January 29: Fall Semester Final Grades Posted