Greetings!

Welcome to the first installment of our Weekly Updates for the 2025-26 school year.  Think of this as a weekly message sent with much care to keep us all on the same page as we go on this journey together on behalf of the young people we all cherish. I will send you an email each Sunday morning throughout the year.  Please make the careful reading of this message part of your routine at a convenient time prior to end of day Monday in order to get the most traction from the info. Thank you, in advance!

Good News:

We are excited to welcome our students to campus this week and to see all parents on Zoom on Monday.  We’ve planned, prepped, painted, potted…even as I fine-tune this message this Sunday morning there are early risers on campus making magic….and now we are eager and ready to launch this new year.

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Last week we welcomed many new students, student ambassadors and members of the Class of ‘26 to campus.  Kudos to theater teacher Katie for planning and hosting three very successful days of “soft orientation” for our newest students. We also hosted three family gatherings at Lakewood Social and from all accounts that schedule addition is a “keeper.” Many thanks to our admin team - Wendy, Logan, Amy S and Amy C for all of the background and front-of-house work in our multi-layered launch sequence that opens a new school year.

Also, special thanks to Lori, Charlotte, Leah, Rachel and our building and grounds team of Greg, Tyler and Josh for all of the attention to details large and small to create a welcoming backdrop to our activities.

We wrapped up our Teacher Work Days on Friday with a baby shower for Sarah.  She and her husband Zach are expecting a baby girl In late September.  It was lovely to gather in joyous anticipation and Michelle did a beautiful job orchestrating our colleagues to participate in the surprise.

REMIND:

If you have not already, please watch the Parent Orientation pre-recorded info before attending Monday’s live Zoom meetings. Kudos to Amy C for coordinating the scripts and to Irfan for filming and editing it all.  We hope this hybrid format allows you to partake when the time is most convenient and to focus on the info that is most relevant to you.

Monday, August 25

- Whole School Parent Orientation - a required parent event

- On Zoom Live - 10:30 AM and 5:30 PM. 

- Choose a timeslot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A8AF22ABF49-57975245-camelot

-7:00 PM- Zoom meeting for all families interested in Fall Soccer

 

Wednesday, August 27- First Day of School

-Student  Orientation (Special dismissal times - see below***)

- No before or after school programming

 

Thursday, August 28

-Student Orientation (Special dismissal times - see below***)

-No before or after school programming

 

Friday, August 29 - Early Dismissal for ALL!

-       Student Orientation (Special dismissal times - see below***)

-       Last day for Soccer Sign up

 

 

NEWS:

Over the summer veteran teacher Tom Mitchell had some new opportunities emerge aligned with his many talents and passions outside the classroom. He has decided to pursue these avenues and we wish him all the best and look forward to his visits and updates in the coming months.

Other recent news is that Magda Sledzik Sims will be on medical leave for the first part of the school year.  We have created a schedule that allows for her return to some of her favorite things, such as Linguistics and Model UN, later in the year. We look forward to having Magda’s wonderful presence back in our midst soon and know you join us in sending her well wishes. Meanwhile, we are honored to welcome Christine Donovan Ball to our ELL teaching team. Christine brings many years of experience to this task and is eager to meet and support our international students.

ANNOUNCE:

 

Ultimate Frisbee Event- Saturday, September 6

DISCover Ultimate Day for beginners/first time players

,

Triangle Ultimate is hosting DISCover Ultimate Day, a free, two-hour clinic designed specifically for middle and high school-aged players who are new to the sport. This event is part of a national initiative led by USA Ultimate to introduce more young people to the game. This is a great, low-pressure way for kids to learn what ultimate is all about through fun games, basic skills, and team-building activities.

Event Details

 September 6th

 9:00am - 11:00am

 Pleasant Park, Apex or Piney Wood Park, Durham

 Free for all participants

 Geared toward beginners / first-time players

 DISCover Ultimate event page: https://www.triangleultimate.org/e/2025-discover-ultimate

 

FAMILY EVENT - Star-gazing at the farm!- Friday, September 12

For all aspiring astronomers or casual star enthusiasts, Mr. Thomas will be hosting an all ages star-gazing opportunity at the Camelot Farm on Friday, 09/12 from 7:00-9:30pm. This is a beginner-friendly event, and we will spend some time identifying basic constellations, discussing the moon, and Mr. Thomas will have a telescope set up.

Enrollment is limited to 12 carloads (due to parking limitations).  Students grades K-7 must be accompanied by a parent.  Parents of all age students are welcome and encouraged to attend.  Sign Up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054BADA62BA4FD0-58119465-camelot#/

 

CELL PHONE and SMARTWATCH Registration:

 

All students who will be bringing a cell phone or smartwatch to campus need to have a parent register the device in advance by using this form:

https://forms.gle/TB7ivLj5T76Nj9648

 

Note: Students with a medical device should note that on the form for special handling

 

Parent Service Opportunity:   Fuel the Faculty! 

As you know, the faculty has meetings at 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM during student orientation.  In response to many inquiries as to how parents can assist we’ve created this opportunity for those who would like to provide refreshments for one of our meetings.  Please sign-up for a slot on this link.  Our headcount for these meetings is 22. Your contribution/services count as one semester of Parent Service credit for one student!  Thank you, in advance.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA4AF2FA2F58-58132340-fuel

 

 

Wellness Reminder:

As eager as we are to gather with everyone this week, please keep sick students home from school and report the absence and symptoms to attendance@camelotacademy.org.

I look forward to seeing you on Zoom tomorrow and on campus in a few days!  I send you heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to collaborate and create a wonderful school year for your family.

Best,

Thelma

 

UPCOMING:

 

Monday, September 1 - Labor Day

-       School closed

 

Tuesday, September 2 - First Day of Classes

-       Before and after school programming begins

-       Soccer practice begins

 

Friday, September 12- Friday, September 19 - Upper School X Schedule

 

Friday, September 19 - Parent Night (a required parent event)

-       Staggered times after school

 

Wednesday, September 24-Friday, September 26 - Faculty Retreat

-       School closed

 

 

***Special Orientation Dismissal times (to allow for full faculty meetings each day):

 

Wednesday and Thursday, August 27 and 28:

NatureStart and Kindergarten - 12:00 PM

1st-5th grade - 2:45 PM

6th-9th grade - 3:00 PM

10th-12th grade - 3:10 PM

Friday, August 29

-NatureStart, Kindergarten and 1st-5th grade - 12:00 PM

-6th-9th grade - 12:15 PM

-10th-12th grade 12:30 PM