Friday, August 28, 2026
Dear American Academy Parents,
Welcome back to another great school year — and another summer that somehow flew by! I hope your family had some much-needed downtime and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful summer weather.
While our Dean, Ms. Silva, is out, you will be receiving the Dean’s Digest from Ms. Anderson and Ms. Gallagher.
We are so excited for a new school year! There are many exciting new things happening this year, including the launch of our new behavior system.
As we begin this school year, we are excited to introduce our families to the AA Character Compass, our K–8 behavior and character framework being implemented consistently across all three American Academy campuses.
We look forward to a wonderful year filled with growth, learning, and new adventures. Thank you for partnering with us as we support our students in making positive choices and becoming their best selves!
Our goal was not simply to introduce another behavior program. We wanted to create a consistent and sustainable framework that grows with our students from Kindergarten through 8th grade — one that is aligned across all three campuses and rooted in the AA Character and Manners expectations that are already such an important part of who we are.
As our students grow, the tools we use will grow with them. What will remain consistent is the language, expectations, celebration of positive choices, accountability, and opportunities to reflect, learn, and try again.
K–2 | Learning Through Coins & Reflection
Our youngest Rebels will use a visual, hands-on coin system. Students can earn coins for exemplary choices and may “pay” a coin when their choices negatively impact themselves, their peers, or the classroom. When appropriate, Rebel Reflections will help students think about their choices, make things right, and practice a better choice for next time.
Families will be able to follow their child's progress through a color-coded behavior calendar housed in the red folder.
Grades 3–5 | Building Independence & Accountability
As students grow, the system grows with them. Students will transition to a Rebel Reflection/Rebel Reward Card, kept in a plastic sleeve inside their planner.
Students can earn merits for going above and beyond our everyday expectations. Every four merits earns a Rebel Reward! When students make choices that do not align with AA Character and Manners, Rebel Reflections provide an opportunity for reflection and accountability. Consequences progress in increments of four, allowing students to learn from choices while understanding that repeated behaviors require increased accountability.
Parents will receive communication when Rebel Reflections and Rebel Rewards are documented.
Grades 6–8 | Preparing for Greater Responsibility
In Middle School, students transition to a Demerit/Merit Card, housed in their laptop case. This continues the same framework while providing the increased independence and accountability appropriate for our oldest students.
Students may earn merits for above-and-beyond positive choices, with a reward earned for every fourth merit. Demerits address choices that do not align with AA expectations, with progressive consequences occurring at every fourth demerit. Students who complete the trimester with zero demerits will also be celebrated with a donut party!
The Character Compass isn't about expecting perfection. Kids are going to make mistakes — that's part of growing up. Our responsibility is to help them learn from those moments while also recognizing the many positive choices they make every day.
Whether a student is 5 or 14, we want them learning to ask:
What choice did I make?
How did my choice impact others?
Which AA Character trait can help guide me?
What can I do differently next time?
Our hope is that by creating consistency across grade levels and all three campuses, our students will spend less time learning a new “system” each year and more time developing the character, self-awareness, responsibility, and decision-making skills that will serve them far beyond American Academy.
What’s Happening Around Campus:
As the school year gets underway, students will begin to develop their routines and study habits. The staff of American Academy Lincoln Meadows will encourage students to put their best foot forward and enjoy the educational journey they are embarking on.
September 17th (National Date for Constitution Day) - on Thursday, September 17th students throughout the building will be participating in activities in their classrooms to celebrate Constitution Day.
October 28th (National Date for First Responder Day) - on Wednesday, October 28th American Academy will celebrate National First Responder Day. Any first responders are welcome to join us for a delicious breakfast from our incredible PTO. More information to come soon.
November 11th (National Veteran’s Day) - on Wednesday, November 11th American Academy will honor Veteran’s Day with our annual pancake breakfast and assembly. More information to come soon.
American Academy Mission Statement:
As a family that is a part of such a wonderful school, we would like to remind you of our mission at American Academy that our staff uphold as they are teaching your children.
American Academy will achieve academic excellence through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to provide our children with the tools to become the leaders of tomorrow. Together, our students, faculty, parents, and community will cultivate character, civic responsibility, and intellectual development.
THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY MISSION
A science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) emphasis
Consistent character development
A school culture of respect and responsibility
American Academy Character:
During the months of August and September our character focus will be on Respect and Responsibility. Over the course of the month, teachers will incorporate lessons on respect and responsibility into their planned lessons and activities. Staff throughout the building will encourage students to show respect and responsibility and model the behaviors we expect to see from our students.
What’s Happening Outside of Campus:
As technology continues to advance, so do the outside pressures that our students face. From YouTube Challenges to marketing of hazardous items to today’s youth the only way to stay abreast of all of it is through daily research. My hope is that the information provided in this section can give parents a starting ground of what is going on and open communication lines in regard to social media, hazardous items, and how to lead by example versus following the “cool” new trend. By no means am I able to list everything that is going on through social media, but hopefully this acts as a starting point.
Communicating with Your Student About School
Internet & Social Media Awareness
Currently, the internet has many different challenges that are tempting kids to make very unsafe decisions. Active conversations with your children regarding social media and internet awareness are a great starting point to protecting their personal information and the content they are exposed to.
It is recommended by multiple sources that all social media (Tik Tok, SnapChat, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.) has an age requirement of 14+.
We are excited to partner with you as we launch the AA Character Compass and look forward to watching our Rebels grow throughout the year.
Here’s to a wonderful school year and a fresh start for every Rebel!
Sincerely,
Kassy Anderson and Lauren Gallagher