New to ACMA?

New to a new school, one of the biggest questions is how to get to know other kids. While there is no one blueprint, good advice is to get involved, say hello, and be open to conversation. You will find many of the students at ACMA to be really friendly. You will also have a few great opportunities to get familiar and more comfortable before the “real” first day of school.

 

During Back To School Night, you and lots of ACMA students will be on campus. You may see some friendly faces then, and can ask questions of current ACMA students who will be giving campus tours. 

 

New Student Day is a great day to make connections. All students new to ACMA will come to school, meeting together, doing some get to know you activities, spending time with current ACMA students who are volunteering to welcome new students, and go to all of your classes.

 

The next day school begins for everyone, and we’ll all have opportunities that first week to get to know each other, laugh, and welcome everyone to our new campus (and heck, it’s a new campus for everyone, so you are not alone!).

The School Supply List is located on our school website: ACMA School Supply List

You will find a final schedule online through ParentVue or StudentVue the week before school starts.

ACMA has two offices. Go to the Main Office to see the Principal or Asst. Principal, conduct a financial transaction, all attendance issues, if you are sick or picking up a sick child, student medications, inquire about community facility use and for general school information. Visit the Counseling Office for, lost & found, transcripts and academic records, college and career planning, or to speak with a counselor. NOTE: All visitors must check in at the Main Office.

The best way to keep abreast of what's going on is to read our electronic newsletter in Announcements, Monday Message and Hello from ACMA. Through this communication, we attempt to convey key information about topics and events that are of importance to the entire school community.

No. Just no. For safety’s sake all students are required to stay on campus for the duration of the school day. In addition, once student arrive by bus or by car in the morning, they must stay on campus.

This year ACMA, along with all of the other Option Schools, Comprehensive High Schools, and Comprehensive Middle Schools, is revising its approach to Cell Phones. In years past we have had a policy of “off and away” that worked in many instances, but was not universally successful. As we know, cell phones can be a great distraction and some studies show major impacts on students that stem from the rise of these devices. Our goal in 2024-2025 is to help students focus on instruction and as a result we are joining the other secondary schools in an approach marketed as “Pack it or Park it.”

This approach requires students to have their devices off and away at the start of class time and acknowledges that cell phones will not be used as part of instruction. Students may use their devices before school, after school, during passing time, and at lunch.

It is our approach that cell phones, smartwatches, wireless earbuds/headphones, etc., will be stored in classroom holders at the beginning of each period and will not be used during class time, including in hallways or bathrooms. Personal tablets and other large devices must be kept in student backpacks unless otherwise instructed. Students may access their devices during passing times and at lunch.

 

Devices out during class time will be collected and sent to the office until the end of the school day. On the third rule violation, or for violations of a more serious nature, devices will be returned only to a parent/guardian. Exceptions to the policy will be made for students with 504s and IEPs that allow for an accommodation only accessible through a smartphone, such as blood sugar monitors, hearing aid controls, etc. We’re taking this action to prevent learning loss and distraction and promote the social-emotional health of our students. Families who need to reach their students in case of an emergency should call the school office.

District funding allocations cover our basic instructional costs. However, arts programs are expensive due to the very nature of the work. They require purchases of consumable materials, specialized equipment and maintenance, costuming etc. Assessed course fees assist with these costs. The assessment of fees may pose a financial hardship for some families. We have a confidential process that is easily accessible to assist, as needed. Contact the Main Office for fee assistance.

Yes. New Students will pick up their Chromebook on New Student Day or on the first day of school. Please read the District policies for your students Chromebook. BSD DIGITAL RESOURCES

What’s the deal with these pictures of murals?

Since ACMA opened in 1992 student artwork has been an integral part of our little art school. This exuberance of art manifested itself on the plaster walls of our original campus (in the CE Mason Elementary School building). When that building was demolished in the summer of 2019 there was no way to save the original murals, but we took high resolution photographs of the paintings and put them on the posters you see around campus.

Do we have a mascot?

Proudly, nope. As a collection of artists, divergent thinkers, and wildly creative souls, limiting ourselves to one mascot seems somehow out of character (Go ACMA Unicorns?). There are those who would love a mascot (Llamas, Mona Lisas, and Van Gogh-fers have all been suggested), and for them there is absolutely no rule that says they can’t make their own t-shirts! Officially, however, we’re just ACMA!

 

Do we have assemblies?

We do, though they often look a little different from the “pep rallies” you see at more traditional schools. At ACMA we have monthly assemblies (during our Senior Capstone Lunches) during which students might hear from a specific artistic discipline, watch a student film, or get information on wellness or safety. In addition, we have visits from guest artists throughout the year (such as dancers from China, touring classical musicians, or professional storytellers).

 

Silly photos?

While the student photos that appear on ID cards are pretty traditional, students have the option to take silly photos for the yearbook. These range from simply slipping on a wacky hat or oversized glasses provided by our yearbook editors, or bringing in something more ...creative to pose in or with. This marvelous ACMA tradition is a fun example of the playful personality of our school.