Weekly Parent Update

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!