Weekly Parent Update

Dear Parents,

It has been wonderful to see our students back in their classes and the new school year officially underway! Whether this is your first year at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) or you have been part of our community for years, I hope your student is beginning to find their rhythm, connect with their mentors and classmates, and feel that they have a place here.

One of our core values at WAC is Culture of Belonging. To us, belonging means more than simply being enrolled in a school or showing up to class—it means being known, valued, supported, and contributing to the community around you. Educator Rita Pierson spoke powerfully about the importance of relationships in education, reminding us that “Every child deserves a champion.” At WAC, we want our students to know there are people in their corner who believe in them, and to encourage them to be that person for someone else.

That sense of connection is an important part of our mission to prepare promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders. Leadership begins in the everyday choices we make: reaching out to someone new, contributing to a class discussion, asking for help when we need it, offering encouragement, and choosing to make our community better because we are part of it.

As we begin this new school year together, I hope each of our students will look for ways to learn, grow, connect, and help make WAC a place where everyone knows they belong.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Announcements

Online Thursday Activities: Each Thursday, students can connect with peers and get inspired through our alternating events—Thursday Night Live and Inspiration Hour. These weekly gatherings are a fun way to engage with the Williamsburg community while fueling personal growth. The Zoom link can be found on the front page of your student’s Homeroom Canvas course. Encourage your student to join each week and make the most of these events!

Adventure Mini Golf Event: WAC students, friends, and families are invited to join us at Adventure Mini Golf in Colorado Springs on Saturday, September 12, from 12:00-2:00 PM MT. Play a game of mini golf, connect with other WAC families, and enjoy some time outside at this free event. For more information or to RSVP, visit our Adventure Mini Golf Event web page.

LAU Fishin’ in the Dark Activity: Our sister school, Leadership Academy of Utah (LAU), invites Williamsburg students, along with friends and family, to their Fishin’ in the Dark activity on Friday, September 11, from 5:30-9:30 PM MT.

Spend the evening casting a line, enjoying a catered dinner, and making memories at the beautiful Cold Springs Trout Farm in Ogden, UT. Registration closes Thursday, September 10. For more information or to register, visit LAU’s Fishin’ in the Dark event web page.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Llama Learning Labs and Tutoring (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—9:00 AM-11:00 AM MT

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 11: Fishin’ in the Dark Event (Hosted by LAU in Ogden, UT)—5:30-9:30 PM MT

September 12: Adventure Mini Golf Event (Colorado Springs, CO)—12:00-2:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Action Items

Complete Orientation and Benchmarks: Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC) Students who had not yet completed their Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas by the Wednesday, August 19 deadline have lost access to their other Canvas courses. To regain access, students need to complete both items as soon as possible. If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Customer Support Team.

Colorado Parent & Family Survey: The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is inviting parents and families across the state to share feedback on school choice and the educational options that fit their student’s needs. As a WAC family, you bring a valuable perspective as part of our online public school community. Your input will help shape future education policy. Please share your experience by Monday, August 31.

• Complete the CDE English Survey

• Complete la CDE Encuesta en Español

Announcements

Checking Your Student’s Grades and Progress: If you want an easy way to stay updated on your student’s academic progress, be sure to check out our new video, Student Performance Data, on our On-Demand Parent Orientation web page. This video provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the parent portal, showing you how to check grades, see when your student last logged into Canvas, and monitor progress in each course. It also covers how to identify missing assignments.

Don’t miss this helpful resource! If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our Customer Support Team.

Adventure Mini Golf Event: WAC students, friends, and families are invited to join us at Adventure Mini Golf in Colorado Springs on Saturday, September 12, from 12:00-2:00 PM MT. Play a game of mini golf, connect with other WAC families, and enjoy some time outside at this free event. For more information or to RSVP, visit our Adventure Mini Golf Event web page.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Llama Learning Labs and Tutoring (Check the WAC Hub for the Engageli link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—9:00 AM-11:00 PM MT

August 31: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

September 12: Adventure Mini Golf Event (Colorado Springs, CO)—12:00-2:00 PM MT

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Dear Parents,

I want to talk with you directly about something important happening with Williamsburg Academy of Colorado's (WAC) state authorization.

This week, Education ReEnvisioned BOCES (ER BOCES), WAC's state authorizer, dissolved. I know that sentence alone can be unsettling, so let me tell you where things actually stand: on Wednesday evening, the Colorado State Board of Education approved the transfer of WAC's authorization to District 49 (D49) for the 2026-27 school year. WAC's authorization for this school year is secure, and there is nothing you need to do.

Here's what matters most to me: your student's day-to-day experience at WAC will not change as a result of this transition. Same programs, same staff, same schedules, same support. D49, ER BOCES, and the Colorado Department of Education have worked through this transition at the authorizer level so that our students can continue learning without disruption.

The Williamsburg Family of Schools’ leadership and I have already been looking ahead and working on WAC's long-term authorization. I don't have every answer yet, but I will keep you informed as there are meaningful updates to share.

Right now, our focus is exactly where it should be: on providing your student an exceptional education in a community where they are known, supported, and challenged to grow. Thank you for your trust and partnership. I'm grateful we get to keep moving forward together.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Complete Orientation and Benchmarks: WAC Students who had not yet completed their Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas by the Wednesday, August 19 deadline have lost access to their other Canvas courses. To regain access, students need to complete both items as soon as possible. If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Customer Support Team.

WAC Add/Drop Deadline: Monday, August 31 is the deadline to add, drop, or change your student's classes for the semester. Please review your student's schedule in SIS together to make sure they're not enrolled in a class they've already earned credit for. If something looks wrong, please request a change using this form before the deadline.

Our Academic Counselors can also help with course selection, graduation planning, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary planning. If you have questions, contact your student's Academic Counselor.

Announcements

Introducing A.I.M., Our Approach to AI: Students today have tools that can generate answers, ideas, and even essays in seconds. To help students use AI without letting it do the thinking for them, we’re introducing A.I.M.:

• Acknowledge how and where AI was used.

• Inspect its output for accuracy.

• Make it your own by showing your thinking.

A.I.M. helps students use AI responsibly while building critical thinking, judgment, and ownership of their work. When questions come up, Mentors will start with a conversation and presume good faith. Learn more about A.I.M. on Williamsburg Family of Schools’ AI Policies web page.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Llama Learning Labs and Tutoring (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—9:00 AM-11:00 PM MT

August 31: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To ensure continued access to their Canvas courses, all WAC students must complete their Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas by Tuesday, August 18. Students who do not complete both by the deadline will lose access to their Canvas courses on Wednesday, August 19. If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Customer Support Team.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete these items. If they haven’t created one yet, setup instructions are on page 5 of the WAC Welcome Packet.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Llama Learning Labs and Tutoring (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—9:00 AM-11:00 PM MT

August 18: Student Orientation/Benchmarks Deadline to Complete

August 28: Course Add/Drop Deadline

September 7: Labor Day—No Live Classes, Offices Closed

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Dear Parents,

As we welcome a new school year at Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC), I want to extend a heartfelt welcome to all of our returning students and families, and an especially warm welcome to those joining our community for the first time this year. We are so excited that you are part of the WAC family!

This week, many of us had the chance to connect at our first WAC family event at the Colorado Rockies game. It was wonderful to meet so many families and begin building the relationships that make our school community so special. Moments like these remind us that WAC is more than a school. We are a community where students and families are known, valued, and supported. Together, we remain committed to our mission of preparing promising students for meaningful lives as principled leaders.

Our mission comes to life each day through our core values of Culture of Belonging, Right Action, and Growth. A Culture of Belonging is not just something we talk about. It is part of who we are. We strive to create a place where every student feels seen, every family feels welcomed, and everyone knows they have an important place in our community. When students experience belonging, they are empowered to take right action, embrace challenges, and grow into confident learners and principled leaders.

As we prepare for the first day of school, be on the lookout for more information about Set Up for Success Week, which begins next week with Live Student Orientation. I look forward to personally welcoming your students as we kick off another exciting school year together.

Finally, I am also pleased to introduce our new Assistant Executive Director, Jennifer Hesse. Jennifer brings 20+ years of experience as a school administrator. Her expertise, leadership, and dedication to students will be a tremendous asset to our community. You'll have the chance to hear more from Jennifer throughout the year, and I know you'll join me in giving her a warm WAC welcome.

Thank you for partnering with us as we begin this new year. Together, we'll continue building a community where every student belongs, every family is valued, and every learner is prepared for a meaningful life as a principled leader. Welcome back to WAC!

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

Student Orientation and Benchmark Assessments: To gain access to their other Canvas courses, all WAC students must complete Orientation coursework and Benchmark Assessments in Canvas. Orientation helps students get familiar with their classes, while Benchmarks allow us to personalize learning and improve our course curriculum. They will have Monday, August 10 and Tuesday, August 11 during Set Up for Success Week to work on them, but students may start early if they'd like.

If you or your student has any questions, please contact our Student & Family Engagement Coordinator.

Note: Your student will need an SIS login to complete these items. If they haven't created one yet, setup instructions are on page 5 of the WAC Welcome Packet.

Announcements

Set Up for Success Week: Success Week (August 10-14) is the first week of school and includes a series of important events designed to help your family start the school year strong. All parents should have received an email on Thursday, August 6, with links to your student's Live Orientation Days, a Tech Support Room, and more. Links will also be available to families on the Homepage of the WAC Hub Monday morning.

Be sure to have your student attend both sessions of Live Student Orientation. Doing so will allow them to work on their required Canvas Orientation assignments and Benchmark Assessments.

Parent Back-to-School Night Recording: Our Parent Back-to-School Night was held on Thursday, August 6. If you missed this fun and informative event, you can still catch up by watching the recording here. It's a great way to get oriented, hear from WAC team members, and feel confident heading into the school year.

Tutoring & Study Support: If your student needs help with math or language arts, has questions about another course, or would benefit from extra support this year, they can join our Llama Learning Labs, offered every weekday starting Wednesday, August 12:

• Monday-Thursday - 1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday - 10:00-12:00 PM MT

No sign-up is required for drop-ins, but appointments are also available. Students can access the labs directly through the link in the WAC Hub.

Upcoming Events

August 10: Fall Semester Begins

August 10-11: Live Student Orientation Days—9:00 AM MT (Zoom Link Available on the WAC Hub Homepage)

August 12: Live Online Classes Begin

August 31: Course Add/Drop Deadline

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Dear Parents,

As we enter the final week of the school year and students begin their finals, I want to take a moment to reflect on what a meaningful year this has been for our school community.

This year has been filled with growth, perseverance, learning, and accomplishment. Our students have worked hard, navigated challenges, built new skills, and continued growing into thoughtful young people and principled leaders. It has been a joy to witness that growth unfold throughout the year.

As finals begin, I encourage students to approach this last week with confidence, balance, and focus. Finals are an opportunity not only to demonstrate learning, but also to practice persistence, preparation, and resilience. I hope students take pride in how far they have come and finish the year strong.

I also want to sincerely thank our families for the support, encouragement, and care you have provided throughout the year. Your consistency and involvement make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and in the strength of our school community.

This summer, I hope your family finds time for rest, connection, and renewal. Thank you for being part of the WAC community this year. It has been a privilege to support your students and walk alongside your family throughout this journey.

Wishing you a strong finish to the semester and a joyful start to summer break.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: Students in both Live and Self-Paced classes must submit all assignments by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, all assignments will lock and late submissions will not be accepted. With just one week to go, now is the perfect time to sit with your student, review any remaining assignments, and finish the semester strong!

End-of-Year Computer Returns: As the school year comes to a close, please ensure any student computers are returned promptly. Contact our IT Support Team to request a return shipping label, and please have all computers shipped by end of day Friday, May 29.

Student Computer Renewal: If your student will be keeping their computer over the summer, please complete the Student Computer Loan Agreement to renew their contract for the upcoming school year. Please note that student email accounts and computers will be locked starting Monday, June 1, and will be unlocked on Saturday, August 1, in preparation for the new school year.

Announcements

Durango In-Person Ice Skating Event: Today is the day! WAC students and families are invited to spend the afternoon on the ice at Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area in Durango today, May 15, from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM MT. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the school year and connect with fellow WAC families. Visit our Durango In-Person Event web page for full details and registration.

Graduation Registration: We are so excited to celebrate our graduates next week! Our in-person Graduation ceremony has reached guest capacity, but there is still time to register for the Online Graduation on Friday, May 22. Sign up through the WAC Hub course in Canvas. Please contact your student's counselor with any questions.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Pomodoro and Tutoring Study Lab (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—10:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

May 15: Durango In-Person Event—11:00 AM-1:30 PM MT

May 20: Finals Study Day (No Live Online Classes)

May 21: WAC In-Person Graduation—5:00-8:00 PM MT

May 21-22: Finals Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 22: Final Day to Submit Post-Midterm Assessments—5:00 PM MT

May 22: Online Graduation—(Check the WAC Hub to Register)—6:00 PM MT

June 5: Final Grades Available

June 1-5: Learning Brave Summer Teen Retreat (Ward)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Dear Parents,

With Mother's Day approaching, I want to pause and thank the mothers, grandmothers, guardians, and mother figures who care for our students every day.

So much of a student's growth begins at home. The encouragement, sacrifice, guidance, and love you offer shape who they become. Walking alongside young people through the ups and downs of adolescence is hard, important work—and it matters more than you know.

At Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC), we see it every day. Students thrive when they have caring adults in their corner—adults who keep showing up with patience, support, and belief in them.

To all the women and caregivers who pour into our students: thank you. We are grateful for you, and for everything you bring to our community.

Wishing you a meaningful and restful Mother's Day weekend.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: Students in both Live and Self-Paced classes must submit all assignments by Friday, May 22 at 5:00 PM MT. After this deadline, all assignments will lock and late submissions will not be accepted. With just two weeks to go, now is a great time to sit with your student, review outstanding assignments, and make a plan to finish strong.

End-of-Year Computer Returns: If your student's computer needs to be returned, please contact our IT Support Team to request a return shipping label. All computers must be shipped by the end of the day on Friday, May 29.

Student Computer Renewal: If you plan on keeping your student's computer over the summer, please complete our Computer Equipment Loan Agreement form to renew their contract for next year. Student email accounts and computer will be locked starting Monday, June 1, and will be unlocked on Saturday, August 1, to allow time to prepare for the new school year.

Announcements

Canvas Update: After multiple cybersecurity attacks, Canvas is back up and running, and all classes, clubs, and office hours will resume as normal on Monday. As a reminder, families and students should stay alert for phishing attempts, including unusual emails, unexpected links, or password reset requests that appear to come from Canvas or school-related accounts. While we have not received reports of specific incidents, these are common tactics following breaches like this, so please use caution with unexpected communication.

Ice-Skating Party & Adventure: WAC students and families are invited to spend an afternoon on the ice at the Chapman Hill Ice Rink and Ski Area in Durango, CO, on Friday, May 15, from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM MT. This event is a great way to celebrate the end of the school year and connect with other WAC families. Visit our Durango In-Person Event web page for full details and registration.

Graduation Registration Update: We're so excited to celebrate our graduates at both our in-person and online Graduation ceremonies, and students are welcome to attend both! While our in-person Graduation has reached guest capacity, there's still time to register for the Online Graduation on Friday, May 22, through the WAC Hub course in Canvas. Please contact your student's counselor with any questions—we can't wait to celebrate with you!

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Pomodoro and Tutoring Study Lab (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—10:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

May 15: Ice-Skating Party & Adventure (Durango)—11:00 AM-1:30 PM MT

May 20: Finals Study Day (No Live Online Classes)

May 21: WAC In-Person Graduation—5:00-8:00 PM MT

May 21-22: Finals Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 22: Final Day to Submit Post-Midterm Assessments—5:00 PM MT

May 22: Online Graduation—(Check the WAC Hub to Register)—6:00 PM MT

June 5: Final Grades Available

June 1-5: Learning Brave Summer Teen Retreat (Ward)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!

Dear Parents,

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible Mentors who make our school what it is.

At Williamsburg Academy of Colorado (WAC), our Mentors do far more than deliver content. They build relationships, create engaging and thoughtful learning experiences, and consistently show up with care and intention for our students. Whether providing meaningful feedback, guiding discussions, or supporting students through challenges, their work has a lasting impact.

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to observe our Mentors in action. What stands out most is the consistency of their commitment—creating environments where students feel supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow. It is both impressive and deeply inspiring.

If you have a moment next week, I encourage you and your student to share a note of appreciation with a Mentor who has made a difference. These small acknowledgments mean a great deal.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of a community that values the people who make this work possible.

Warmly,

Heidi Mitchell

Executive Director, Williamsburg Academy of Colorado

Action Items

End-of-Semester Assignment Deadline: As we approach the end of the semester, now is a great time to check in with your student about their progress and review upcoming assignment deadlines. All post-midterm assignments are due by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 PM MT. Staying on top of final due dates can help your student finish strong and avoid last-minute stress—thank you for your support!

End-of-Year Computer Returns: If your student’s computer needs to be returned, please contact our IT Support & Assessments Team to request a return shipping label. All computers must be shipped by the end of the day on Friday, May 29.

Student Computer Contract Renewal: If you plan on keeping your student’s computer over the summer, please complete our Computer Equipment Loan Agreement form to renew their contract for next year. Student email accounts and computers will be locked starting Monday, June 1, and will be unlocked on Saturday, August 1, to allow time to prepare for the new school year.

Announcements

End-of-Year (EOY) Benchmark Testing is on Monday, May 4! Your student’s EOY Benchmark Assessments are now available in the WAC Hub course in Canvas and must be completed by the end of the day Wednesday, May 6. Students who do not complete these required assessments will lose access to Canvas and will not be able to take finals until they are done.

Monday, May 4, is a dedicated Benchmark workday, though students are welcome to begin this weekend—encourage your student to complete them early to finish the semester strong.

May MTSS/Special Education Newsletter: Finishing strong starts with consistency! This month’s newsletter focuses on helping students reset, stay on track, and build momentum through the final stretch of the school year. Check it out for helpful tips and resources to help your student stay on track.

Graduation Registration Update: Registration is required for both our in-person and online Graduation ceremonies, and students may attend both. Our in-person Graduation has reached guest capacity, but students can still register for the Online Graduation on Friday, May 22, through the WAC Hub course in Canvas. Please contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions.

Upcoming Events

Weekly (Monday through Friday): Pomodoro and Tutoring Study Lab (Check the WAC Hub for the Zoom link)

• Monday through Thursday—1:30-3:30 PM MT

• Friday—10:00 AM-12:00 PM MT

May 4: Benchmark Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 15: Ice-Skating Party & Adventure (Durango)—11:00 AM-1:30 PM MT

May 20: Finals Study Day (No Live Online Classes)

May 21: WAC In-Person Graduation—5:00-8:00 PM MT

May 21-22: Finals Testing (No Live Online Classes)

May 22: Final Day to Submit Post-Midterm Assessments—5:00 PM MT

May 22: Online Graduation—6:00 PM MT

June 5: Final Grades Available

June 1-5: Learning Brave Summer Teen Retreat (Ward)

Please check the Parent Resource Center for links to view past Weekly Parent Updates, our Parent Video Library, info about in-person activities, and more!

Adventures course photos are available to view anytime in our Google Drive folder—take a look!