November 25, 2025
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – 10:00 A.M.
We are so excited to host our traditional Grandparents’ Day program tomorrow at 10:00 in the Owen Gwathmey Gymnasium! The special program is for grandparents, grand-friends, and family. This is a special day and is a wonderful way to start the holiday season. Doors will open at 9:00 and we ask that you do not hold or save seats, as we are expecting a big crowd. Please allow as many grandparents to sit comfortably as possible.
We ask that all students dress to impress for our program. Students may wear dresses, skirts, sweaters, blazers, khakis, shirt and tie, etc. NO jeans or sweatshirts, please. Students may leave school with their families following the performance and classroom visits. Lunch will not be served and the afternoon buses will NOT run.
BACKPACK BUDDIE FOOD DRIVE
The friendly Blue vs. White competition was an outstanding show of support for our local community. The teams were tied with offerings received and everyone can enjoy a Dress Down Day on Tuesday, December 2!
CLASS PHOTOS
There is still time to order class photos! These were so fun and you can order online using code FM481380.
THE SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR RETURNS
The Scholastic Book Fair (SBF) is a great way to support our school while finding fantastic books. The SBF is open now through Grandparents’ Day during school hours.
ACDS SERVICE PROJECT
Operation Christmas Child was a HUGE success collecting 152 boxes for children in need. We also raised $741.00 to cover shipping costs. Thank you to all who contributed!!
MUSIC CLASS FEE
ACDS Families: We realized that we did not collect our music fee at the start of the school year. To help support our music program, specifically instrument repairs, replacement, and maintenance, we are asking each student in EC3-7th grade to pay a $20 music fee. This fee will be applied to your FACTS account. Thank you for helping us keep our music program strong and well-equipped for all students!
ESSEX COUNTY CHRISTMAS MOTHER BOOK DRIVE
ACDS will be collecting NEW children’s books to support the local Christmas Mother program. If you would like to help provide books for local children (ages 0-12) this holiday season, please send in new books by Thursday, December 4.
16th ANNUAL RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER ROCKFISH OPEN
Congratulations to Justin Durvin and crew for winning this year’s tournament. The second place captain was Alex Crittenden, and coming in third was Tracy Saunders. The winner of the junior angler division was Landon Williams. Thank you to Herbie and Emily Osburn, Ann Kramer Stinchcomb, Dorie Botkin, and Ayron Pitts for leading this fundraiser.
A BIG thank you to our many sponsors for making this tournament such a success!