AS ALWAYS - CHECK OUT OUR COLT EXPRESS AT CCCSCOLTEXPRESS.BLOGSPOT.COM to read what is being shared with our entire community!
UPCOMING Holy Week Plans
Holy Week is QUICKLY approaching! We will continue with our "traditions" of interactive Stations of the Cross on Holy Thursday! Our plan will go as it has in the past except of Pre-K will join us...
Full-Day Pre-K (Ms. Paige/Ms. Lynsey) - Station #1
Mrs. Leckey - Station #2
Ms. Wilson - Station #3
Ms. Baca - - Station #4
Mrs. Maloney- Station #5
Mrs. Ortiz - Station #6
Ms. Gonzales - Station #7
Ms. Corbett - Station #8
Mrs. Gieck - Station #9
Mrs. Nuvolini - Station #10
Mrs. Bruno - Station #11
Mrs. Conlon - Station #12
Mrs. Hennessey - Station #13
Mrs. Degenhart - Station #14
Class Jobs: Decorate your door BEFORE Holy Week begins and create an "activity" with your class that demonstrates your station. 8th Graders will once again come to teachers at 12:35 to be told what to do and then LEAD the stations.
Schedule for the Day:
We will begin stations with 7th graders starting. We will start each grade level 10 minutes later -
We will begin stations with 7th graders starting. We will start each grade level 10 minutes later -
12:45 - 7th Graders to Station #1
12:55 - 6th Graders
1:05 - 5th Graders
1:15 - 4th
1:25 - 3rd
1:35 - 2nd
1:45 - First
1:55 - Kinder
2:05 - Pre-K
2:05 - Pre-K
This year, we will end our stations in the sanctuary - kneel in prayer for quiet adoration as each group gets there. When Pre-K arrives, we will stop adoration and pray all together. Please feel free to ask parents to come to the sanctuary to join their students in prayer and then return to the gym for dismissal.
Here's the GREAT website for Catholic Teacher Resources that Ms. Gonzales found!
I have only heard from a few of you on this! Please - check out this Catholic Teacher Resource at: http://catholicteacherresources.com - take the "tour" then let me know what you think! If we are interested, we can do an HSA grant for the $295 yearly fee if you all believe it would be beneficial!
Bloom's Integration
We have talked about the importance of using Bloom's in writing your lesson objectives but how can we drill down and effectively use Bloom's Taxonomy to improve instruction and increase student engagement? Here are a few great links...
IPad Apps for Elementary Bloom's
Apps for Bloom's
26 Keys to Student Engagement
3 Meaningful Ways to Connect with Your Students
Here's Another Cool Way to Use Technology to Incorporate Bloom's!
IPad Apps for Elementary Bloom's
Apps for Bloom's
26 Keys to Student Engagement
3 Meaningful Ways to Connect with Your Students
Here's Another Cool Way to Use Technology to Incorporate Bloom's!
Follow Kim and Maureen on Twitter
Maureen and Kim have really gotten into the Twitter revolution! It is amazing the professional development you can experience by following the right people! If you want to see where we get a lot of the things we share with you and who we follow, follow us on Twitter! Our "Handles" are: Kim - @skschindler5 and Maureen - @KowalskyMaureen
New to Twitter? We have numerous experts in the building! See one of us OR Nicole Gonzales or Maxine Hennessey for a quick tutorial! It's super easy!!
- Here's a link on WHY educators should be involved in Social Media: Why Educators Should DO Social Media
- How do you get started using social media in the classroom? Guidebook for Using Social Media in the Classroom.
- Worried about using Social Media in the Classroom - here's a link to help: Rethinking Social Media Restrictions
Common Core Catholic Identity
InitiativeHave You Flipped Your Engaged Learning, Project-Based, Student-Centered, Creative, TEAL, Authentically Assessed, 21st Century, STREAM, Inquiry Classroom?
Jim King
Executive Director NCEA Elementary Schools Dept.
“Anyone
spending just a bit of time in our field knows that we can be a trendy group.
Some ideas are here today and gone tomorrow like musical one-hit-wonders.
Engaged learning is not one of those trends. As the idea has grown over the
decades, so has the need for this style of learning. Text book driven, teacher
centered instruction is not meeting the needs of all of today's learners. The
style can promote narrow understanding, limited comprehension, and a lack of
critical and creative thinking skills. Students need to have conceptual,
critical thinking, collaborative abilities for a successful future.
We are
witnessing another generation of learners whose skills needed to be successful
professionals will once again be very different from those of their parents. In
a 2010 study by IBM of top 500 executive leaders, the biggest area of concern
was hiring employees who were skilled to cope with the rapid state of
organizational and societal change. The old model of teacher centered education
does not serve our current generation of learners because they do not have the
same needs of past generations.
Engaged
learning calls for students to be active in the learning process. Discovery,
inquiry, and exploration all play active roles in this process. Instead of
textbook driven worksheets, teachers who espouse the engaged learning model
give students the opportunity to dig into material and challenge them to
explain what they have learned through a variety of formats. Teachers who are
excited about the engaged learning model should learn about such key components
as Authentic Assessment, Project-Based Learning, Problem-Based Learning, and
Inquiry-Learning.
All over the
country, teachers, principals, and entire dioceses are transitioning away from
teacher centered education and over to this active form of student learning.
The STREAM movement (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics) is completely grounded in the Catholic approach to dynamic
learning. STREAM is purposeful about taking Catholic teaching and incorporating
it as a critical component of the learning process. If your plan is to have
students who are problem solvers, why not have them solve real-world problems
from a Catholic lens of world justice and the Gospel?”
http://www.ncea.org/department-news/have-you-flipped-your-engaged-learning-project-based-student-centered-creative-teal
TEACHEREASE
Search/Copy
Curricula
To help teachers find useful digital activities
for the classroom, TeacherEase now includes a searchable database of curricula:
lessons, web pages, instructional videos, etc. Resources are rated by
TeacherEase users; the best will top the search results. Teachers can share
their favorite resources to improve content available to the community. To get
the database started, TeacherEase pre-populated the database with about 8,000
professionally created resources. TeacherEase included a new search
functionality inside the copy curricula wizard. To access, go to: Instructor Main > Search/Copy Curricula
Friday, April 4 -Tonight!!! CCCS Staff Hosts Parish Soup Supper at 6 PM in Parish Hall - we need LOTS of soup and coverage for set-up and clean-up so please sign up with Dawn!
Monday, April 7- Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 8- Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 9 -7th graders to SMHS for Diocesan 7th Grade Visit Day- parents take to and pick up from SMHS; 5, 6 and 8 Grade Awards Assembly (BEFORE MASS) - 1:15
Thursday, April 10 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; 7th grade to International Towne
Friday, April 11 - SPIRIT DAY - students wear CCCS or "Holy Spirit" shirts with uniform bottoms for PK-8
Saturday, April 12 - American Heritage Girl FULL DAY event at CCCS- we will let you know if they will be using your room this week!
Sunday, April 13 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday - wear Mass uniform to CC Church and receive a free dress down pass!
Monday, April 7- Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 8- Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 9 -7th graders to SMHS for Diocesan 7th Grade Visit Day- parents take to and pick up from SMHS; 5, 6 and 8 Grade Awards Assembly (BEFORE MASS) - 1:15
Thursday, April 10 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; 7th grade to International Towne
Friday, April 11 - SPIRIT DAY - students wear CCCS or "Holy Spirit" shirts with uniform bottoms for PK-8
Saturday, April 12 - American Heritage Girl FULL DAY event at CCCS- we will let you know if they will be using your room this week!
Sunday, April 13 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday - wear Mass uniform to CC Church and receive a free dress down pass!
Monday, April 14 - Holy Week Begins - Have DOORS Ready; no homework or school extra curricular activities; Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 15 - Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 16 - Mass Uniforms for K-8; SAC Board Meeting - 7:45 AM
Thursday, April 17 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; Holy Thursday Celebration at School
Friday, April 18 - GOOD FRIDAY - No School
Sunday, April 20- EASTER!!!
Monday, April 21 - EASTER MONDAY - No School; 8th Graders Leave for 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
Tuesday, April 15 - Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 16 - Mass Uniforms for K-8; SAC Board Meeting - 7:45 AM
Thursday, April 17 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; Holy Thursday Celebration at School
Friday, April 18 - GOOD FRIDAY - No School
Sunday, April 20- EASTER!!!
Monday, April 21 - EASTER MONDAY - No School; 8th Graders Leave for 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
Reminder of THINGS to DO:- Review Ms. Gonzales' Website idea and send thoughts to Kim
- Mark your calendar for THIS FRIDAY's PLC from 1-4 PM.
EVENTS COMING SOON:
Wednesday, April 30 - Corpus Christi Confirmation for 8th Graders - 7 PM, CCCC
Thursday, May 1 - HSA Board Meeting 7:30AM
Friday, May 2- First Friday Adoration - 11:15-11:45; Noon Dismissal, Staff PLC 1-4 PM
Monday, May 5-Friday, May 9 - Teacher Appreciation Week - schedule coming soon!
Wednesday, May 7 - May Crowning and Rosary at 8 AM
Tuesday, May 6 - Second Graders Retreat at Salesian Sister's Convent - 8:15AM-2:45PM
Tuesday, May 6 - Second Graders Retreat at Salesian Sister's Convent - 8:15AM-2:45PM
Thursday, May 8 - Mother's Day Muffins with Mom - 7AM in Cafeteria; No School Mass - Pastor's Meeting with Bishop
Friday, May 9 - Spring Fling Art and Talent Show - 5:30PM- Doors Open to tour building-wide Art Show and HSA-sponsored Dinner served in Cafeteria; 6:00PM - HSA General Meeting and SAC State of the School in Gym; 6:30PM - Preschool-8th Grade Talent Show in Gym
Sunday, May 11 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday; NCEA Pastor Appreciation Day!
May 12-May 15 - 8th Grade Finals
Thursday, May 14 - SAC Board Meeting - 7:45AM; Light of Leadership Mass for 7/8 Graders - 1:45PM
May 12-May 15 - 8th Grade Finals
Thursday, May 14 - SAC Board Meeting - 7:45AM; Light of Leadership Mass for 7/8 Graders - 1:45PM
May 15, 16, 20, 21 - 6/7 Grade Finals
Thursday, May 15 - 8th Grade Practice for Baccalaureate Mass - 1PM-3PM; 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral - 6PM
Friday, May 16 - Last Day for 8th Graders
Monday, May 19 - St. Mary's High School Graduation - CCCS in session
Tuesday, May 20 - 8th Grade Breakfast and Awards Presentation in Parish Hall -8-10AM; 8th Grade Graduation Practice in CC Sanctuary -10-11AM; 8th Grade Graduation Mass in CC Sanctuary- 5:30PM
Wednesday, May 21- Pre-Kindergarten Graduation -10AM in Gym; Kindergarten Graduation - 11AM in Gym; Full Day of School for 1st-7th Graders; All Preschool-7th Grade Students will take things home today
Thursday, May 22 - CCCS Annual Field Day for 1st-7th Graders
- Parents - please plan to stay for the day or drop off and pick up at the SMHS Grace Center - 1655 Pirate Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
- Lunch Sponsored by HSA-Annual Dads Cooking Lunch
Friday, May 23 - Last Day of School for 1st-7th Graders; Noon Dismissal
Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day - School Offices Closed
Tuesday, May 27-Friday, May 30 - Teacher Professional Development Days; Report Cards, ITBS Scores, School Supply List mailed out to families by end of week
Saturday, May 31-Sunday, August 2 - Building and School Offices Closed for Summer
PLC Schedule and Themes for the Next Few Weeks:
- Preschool/Pre-K PLC - Tuesdays at 7:00 AM
- K/1/2 PLC - Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
- Middle School PLC - Tuesdays at 12:00
- 3/4/5 PLC - Tuesdays at 11:10 AM
- Week of April 7- - Regular PLC -Theme: Student Engagement and The 10-Minute Classroom Makeover - please bring a copy of your individual and student data reports that you are completing this Friday afternoon. TWBAT identify different ways to increase student engagement in the classroom by examining their classroom environment.
- Week of April 14 - Regular PLC - Theme: Positive Communication with ALL Parents. TWBAT discern positive ways to communicate will all parents - especially the HCPs.
- Week of April 20 - We will flip-flop DATA Meeting to this PLC as Maureen is in DC with 8th Grade- bring your progress monitoring data for March to this meeting. You will be discussing these with your teams. Preschool will be lead by Jen will run; K/1/2 will be lead by Barb; 3/4/5 will be lead by Veronica; MS will be lead by Holly
- Week of April 27 - Regular PLC -Theme: Teacher Report Card Part 1; Using the Teacher Report Card (Mrs. Kowlasky/Mrs. Schindler will give this to you at the meeting), TWBAT to the evaluate themselves based on their student's responses. These should be brought to next week's PLC.
- Week of May 4 - Regular PLC -Theme: Teacher Report Card Part 2; TWBAT be able to evaluate their student's responses to their Teacher Report Card with their team.
- Week of May 11 - Regular PLC - Theme: Principal / Instructional Leader Report Card; TWBAT give feedback to Instructional Coach and Principal in today's PLC.
- Week of May 18 - NO PLCs this week!
2014-2015 School Year Dates to Put on Your Calendar Now
We wanted to get you some dates to be able to start planning for next year! We are really excited about next year! A few things you will see that may look a little different for the 2014-2015 school year are:
- We are combining our Ice Cream Social and our Back to School Night into ONE NIGHT- our goal is to get information to families BEFORE school starts so our students and families are able to hit the road running for a successful year. Please see the schedule below.
- The second piece we are implementing is assessment (testing) days. This is a very common practice in other schools and allows for students and teachers to get to know each other both personally and educationally! 6th-8th Grade students will have group testing, as noted below, but Preschool-5th Grade students will have a special one-on-one time with their teachers that parents will sign up for between August 4 and August 11. We will also have pay-based extended care available for families if needed on these assessment days.
So here is how our calendar looks for the first few weeks of August:
We wanted to get you some dates to be able to start planning for next year! We are really excited about next year! A few things you will see that may look a little different for the 2014-2015 school year are:
- We are combining our Ice Cream Social and our Back to School Night into ONE NIGHT- our goal is to get information to families BEFORE school starts so our students and families are able to hit the road running for a successful year. Please see the schedule below.
- The second piece we are implementing is assessment (testing) days. This is a very common practice in other schools and allows for students and teachers to get to know each other both personally and educationally! 6th-8th Grade students will have group testing, as noted below, but Preschool-5th Grade students will have a special one-on-one time with their teachers that parents will sign up for between August 4 and August 11. We will also have pay-based extended care available for families if needed on these assessment days.
So here is how our calendar looks for the first few weeks of August:
Monday, August 4 - School Offices Open for 2014-2015 School Year, Teacher Workday
Tuesday, August 5 - Teacher Workday
Wednesday, August 6 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Thursday, August 7 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Friday, August 8 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Ave Maria Catholic School
Tuesday, August 5 - Teacher Workday
Wednesday, August 6 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Thursday, August 7 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Friday, August 8 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Ave Maria Catholic School
Monday, August 11- Ice Cream Social & MANDATORY Parent Orientation Night
- 5:00-6:30 PM- Ice Cream Sponsored by HSA in Gym
- 5:15-6:15 PM
- 6:45-7:15 PM- 6-8th Grade Parent Orientation in Cafeteria
- 6:45-7:45 PM - New Parent Orientation for all Preschool-Elementary Students with Administrative Staff - Procedures, Teacher Ease Training, etc. in Computer Lab
- 7:15-7:45 PM- 6th Grade Question/Answer Session in Mrs. Bruno's Room with all middle school teachers
- 5:00-6:30 PM- Ice Cream Sponsored by HSA in Gym
- 5:15-6:15 PM
- Preschool-Elementary Classroom Parent Orientation, School Supply Drop Off and Assessment Sign-Up Time - teacher presents at 5:15 and then repeats again at 5:45
- Student Council Led Tours - starting at front door every 15 minutes
- Middle School Locker Set-Up Time and School Supply Drop Off
- Teacher Ease Refresher Drop-In Time with Mr. Smith in Computer Lab
- 6:45-7:15 PM- 6-8th Grade Parent Orientation in Cafeteria
- 6:45-7:45 PM - New Parent Orientation for all Preschool-Elementary Students with Administrative Staff - Procedures, Teacher Ease Training, etc. in Computer Lab
- 7:15-7:45 PM- 6th Grade Question/Answer Session in Mrs. Bruno's Room with all middle school teachers
Wednesday, August 13
- First Day of School (Student Orientation) for 1st-8th Grade - 7:40AM - Noon
- AM Open House for Preschool, 1/2 Day Pre-K, Jr.K and Kindergarten
- PM MANDATORY Individual Assessments for Preschool- 5th Graders- parents sign up for one assessment period for today, Thursday or Friday
- PM MANDATORY 7/8 Grade Group Testing from 12:00-2:00 or 2:00-4:00 - parents sign up for one assessment period today
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from Noon-4:00 PM - please sign up at the front office by August 11
Thursday, August 14
- Full Day of School for 6th-8th Graders only
- MANDATORY Individual Testing Day for Preschool-5th Graders-parents sign up for only one testing period
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from 7:45-2:45 PM - please sign up at the front office by August 11
Friday, August 15
- Full Day of School for 6th-8th Graders only
- 6th Grade Assessments while at school today
- MANDATORY Individual Testing Day for Preschool-5th Graders-parents sign up for only one testing period
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from 7:45-2:45 PM -- please sign up at the front office by August 11
Monday, August 18- First REGULAR Full Day for ALL Preschool-8th Graders
Have a SUPER DUPER Blessed Week!
