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Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Valley Academy Charter School
Is there after school care?
Yes! Carbon Valley Academy offers an after school program designed to help your kids complete their homework and have some fun after school. The club is run by a licensed teacher and meets every day after school from 3:15 - 6:00 pm. The cost is $5 per child per day. The fee includes a snack, help with homework, and fun activities. Please go to the After School Care page for details on the program.
Are there be after-school activities and sports?
Carbon Valley Academy offers many exciting enrichment programs, such as band, chess, science, art, and sports clubs. Please visit the Enrichment Programs page for details.
At the present time there are no organized after-school sports teams. We look forward to offering sports in the future as parents and teachers are available to coach. However, Colorado state law allows students in charter schools to participate in sports at their neighborhood school. The Carbon Valley Recreation Center also offers sport programs for middle school students.
Does Carbon Valley Academy offer art and music classes?
Yes, these classes are offered and emphasize art and music history and appreciation. Also please visit the Enrichment Programs page for details about after school programs.
Carbon Valley Academy offers a before school program for parents that need to drop off their children at school before the school day starts. Beginning at 6:00 am, parents may drop off their children at school where they will receive supervision and a breakfast snack. The cost is $5 per child per day.
We are at 4040 Coriolis Way in Frederick, just off Weld County Road 18 and the I-25 Frontage Road. Additional information can be found here.
No. We encourage parents to carpool.
When is the first day of school? Do you have the same calendar as the school district?
The first day of school is the same as the St. Vrain Valley School District. Our school calendar is similar to the school district, though we schedule different teacher work days and parent/teacher conference times.
Charter schools in Colorado are public schools started by a group of community members who wish to see an alternative in public education in their community. They have been approved by a local school board. There is no tuition because it is funded through tax dollars like a neighborhood school. Typically charter schools are more rigorous and offer a different curriculum. In addition, they allow for creative options for teachers and administration to benefit students who are not being challenged to their potential, for whatever reason, by their local public school. They are governed by a parent and community member board of directors, not their local board of education, though they are ultimately accountable to them and the tax payers and must submit an application every three to five years to continue school operations.
What is the average class size?
Our original charter called for an average class size of 23. During our contract negotiations with the district for the 2006/2007 school year, we decided to raise the number to 25 so that we could compensate for periodic fluctuations in enrollment.
We understand that increases in class size raises concern with some parents. We are sensitive to this issue as well and are working to be sure that classes are managed well, instruction is appropriately high, and that the addition of two more students does not bring the entire group down. Further, we have hired a team of Instructional Assistants that reduces the student/adult ratio. Carbon Valley Academy is confident that the additional two students will not have a negative impact on the individual education of any given student.
How do I contact Carbon Valley Academy?
Our address is 4040 Coriolis Way, Frederick, CO 80504. You can call us at 303-774-9555 or email us at help@cvamail.com. Additional contact information can be found here.
Do charter school students take the CSAPs? Do you teach to the test?
Yes, Carbon Valley Academy students take the CSAPs just like other public school children. We use a Core Knowledge based curriculum that meets or exceeds Colorado's Academic Content Standards - standards on which the CSAP is based on and on which it tests.
What is the Carbon Valley Academy curriculum?
Carbon Valley Academy uses a Core Knowledge based curriculum that meets or exceeds Colorado’s Academic Content Standards. The curriculum is research based, time tested and content rich. It is based on the Core Knowledge sequence, a highly specific, rigorous study of knowledge and skills to guide schools in planning and development of a coherent curriculum. Both qualitative and quantitative data indicate that schools using the Core Knowledge sequence demonstrate high levels of academic achievement.
For a more in depth view of our curriculum, click here.
What about the character education and discipline policies?
For a full listing of our code of Conduct and Disciplinary policy, click here.
Carbon Valley Academy is a “school of choice” which means parents and students choose this method of education versus their neighborhood schools. Since we have behavioral expectations for our students in the classroom, all parents and students are given a complete discipline policy at the beginning of their school year and must sign a contract with Carbon Valley Academy in order to complete registration.
Our Code of Conduct is founded on the following nine character traits:
1. Responsibility
2. Work (ethic)
3. Compassion
4. Patriotism
5. Courage
6. Friendship
7. Honesty
8. Perseverance
9. Self-discipline
Each month, one trait is highlighted in classroom instruction and in school newsletters through stories, poetry, artwork, etc. Individual student conduct reflecting these traits are rewarded with special privileges, recognition and awards. Details about Character Education at CVA can be found here.
When does school the school day start and end?
School begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.
How do I know if my child is enrolled or if they're on a waiting list?
According to federal law, as a charter school we must have a lottery system for enrollment. Lotteries are held the first non-holiday workday of each month. Being in the lottery does not necessarily mean that your child is on a waiting list since all students have to go through the lottery system to be enrolled.
Please call Steph Kajcienski, Carbon Valley Academy's Registrar, at kajcienskis@cvamail.com to make arrangements to get your enrollment materials. She will notify you if your child is enrolled or on a waiting list. Click here for additional enrollment information.
What about English as a Second Language?
ESL services are available.
What can I expect on the first day of school?
Please read the First Day of School document for a schedule of the day and our drop off/pick up procedures. This document will be available before the first day of school.
What about foreign language instruction?
Students take Spanish as a foreign language starting in kindergarten.
How are charter schools governed?
The Carbon Valley Academy is governed by a Board of Directors. Currently, members are the parents of children who attend CVA. Board elections will be held yearly. The Board also hires and supervises the principal who in turn hires and supervises school staff and runs the day-to-day activities of the school.
For additional information, please see the following pages: bylaws, board meetings, minutes, and agendas.
What is the homeroom and group system?
Students complete history, science, art, music, physical education and Spanish with their grade level. Students are assessed before beginning coursework to determine where the best placement is for them in language arts and mathematics. Depending on how they assess, they may be able to work at their own grade level or higher with other students in groups that best challenges them in math and language arts.
Please know that we do our best to ensure that your student is placed at their best place within the curriculum and in some circumstances a parent/teacher conference may be necessary to have your input. We also do our best to put students together with students of similar age groups.
How old does my child have to be for kindergarten?
According to Colorado state law for public schools (HB 02-1349) students must be five-years-old by October 1, 2010 for kindergarten in order for the school to receive funding for that student for kindergarten AND the following year of first grade. More information is available here.
What days and times does kindergarten meet?
Kindergarten meets five days a week in the morning and in the afternoon. The schedule is as follows:
Kindergarten Half Day AM – 8:05 am - 11:05 am
Kindergarten Half Day PM – 12:15 pm - 3:15 pm
Are Carbon Valley Academy teachers licensed?
The Colorado Board of Education approved Carbon Valley Academy's Teacher Induction Program in May 2006. This allows us to move teachers from "provisional" licensure to subsequent licensure levels. The Board of Education also permitted us to include "emergency and temporary" license holders in our program as well.
Is there a school lunch program?
Yes, we have a lunch program! Please go to the Lunch Program page for full details.
Is there any help for kids who qualify for free and reduced lunch?
Yes. Those qualifying for free or reduced lunch are assisted. You can pick up forms from Steph Kajcienski to apply for the program.
What is Carbon Valley Academy’s mission?
The mission of the Carbon Valley Academy is to provide rich content and solid skills instruction in an environment that champions character and personal academic achievement. To find our more about the Carbon Valley Academy mission, click here.
How do I find out the latest news about the school? How do I know what’s going on at CVA?
Throughout the school year, we send out information to all our CVA families in the form of monthly newsletters, letters from the principal, weekly Stallion Express email newsletters, and so on. In order to save costs and expedite communication, our preferred method of communication is via email. If you do not have email, you may be contacted by phone. To sign up for our email communication program, please click here.
Please check the website often, especially the CVA Home page for updates on what’s going on with the school, and the Board of Directors page to find out what’s going on at board meetings. The Calendar page is a helpful resource as well. Additionally, CVA is on Facebook and updates are posted here.
If you have any questions or would like more information contact us at help@cvamail.com.
What is the parent involvement (volunteering) policy?
Each family commits to contributing a minimum of 30 volunteer service hours per school year (50 hours for families with two or more enrolled students). Any family member, including grandparents, can participate in meeting this requirement. A list of needs and volunteer opportunities are made available to parents throughout the year.
Please see the Volunteer page for more information on how you can help.
Currently, the preschool has a fenced-in area with pea gravel, new playground equipment that was installed during the summer of 2007, and a shaded area. The older students have a large fenced-in field (almost three acres) behind the school that's been cleared and checked for safety.
There is a large blacktop area complete with lines for foursquare and hopscotch. Also, our PE teacher has purchased portable basketball hoops, balls, jump ropes, and other play equipment. There's plenty of room and lots of things to do during recess!
See the facilities page for photos of the playground area.
Do you offer PE (gym)? Do you have a gym in the building?
You bet! We have have a PE teacher and a large area with high ceilings that serves as our gym. We also have lots of athletic equipment including permanent and portable basketball hoops.
Yes! Please contact Preschool Director Jodi Jansen at 303-678-7486 if you are interested in enrolling your younger child in a Core Knowledge based preschool. Click here for more information about Preschool.
Who is the principal? Who are the teachers?
Our principal is Lisa Gjellum who can be reached at gjelluml@cvamail.com or 303-774-9555. See the Faculty page for pictures and bios of staff members. Or go to the Teachers' Pages for more information on what's going on in the classroom.
Does Carbon Valley Academy have an affiliated PTO or a PTA?
Carbon Valley Academy has enormous amounts of opportunities for parents to get involved in the success of the school. Not only is parental involvement encouraged, it is mandatory at CVA. Parents who are looking for ways to support the school should visit the school website for volunteer opportunities and make sure the Volunteer Coordinator has their email address and phone number. Creating opportunities for school/parent collaboration is the heart of a quality PTO or PTA. Given the fact that such cooperation is inherent in CVA's community, we accomplish that goal in a more wholesome and organic fashion. Further, all efforts by CVA parents (fundraising or otherwise) are leveraged for CVA classrooms and do not go towards paying dues to an out of state organization or to cover unnecessary bureaucratic costs.
Does Carbon Valley Academy offer Special Education?
Yes. Please provide a copy of your IEP to the school in the spring or alert your teacher of any special concerns that you may have about your child. If you are concerned that your child needs services, please talk to their homeroom teacher or Dr. Marsh who is in charge of Special Education for CVA.
Is there a tuition charge for a charter school?
No! CVA is another option available to you, paid by Colorado taxpayers. Fees, however, are charged for before and after school care and some extracurricular activities.
Is there a uniform (dress code) policy?
Yes. To view the uniform policy, learn why there is a uniform policy, and learn where to purchase the uniforms, please click here.
Volunteering – how can I get involved?
Please see the Volunteer Opportunities page for more information on how you can volunteer.
