IN THIS WEEK'S NEWSLETTER:
- PSP NEWS
- SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
- 2ND GRADE UNIVERSAL SCREENING
- EPICER @ CTE THIS WEEK
- COUNSELOR'S CORNER
- CALENDAR
- FROM THE PRINCIPAL
- NEW FLYERS
PSP NEWS
Save the dates:
Jan 25th 5:30pm - PSP meeting
Feb 11th 5-7pm - All School Dance
Thank you for helping support our school in 2021! Happy Holidays!
FROM SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING - NOELLE DUNKER
What’s Happening in Social Emotional Wellness?
Students will be introduced to a new strategy called EFT (Tapping.) This strategy will be added to their tools that can be accessed to regulate their nervous system when feeling dysregulated by strong emotions.
FROM GIFTED EDUCATION COORDINATOR - ASHLEY JAKUBOWSKI
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).
2nd Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of February 7th. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing:
* If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
* NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
* Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE
* Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
EPICER @ CTE THIS WEEK
Each month we focus more closely on one trait - this month's EPICER trait is: INTEGRITY.
* I am honest
* I show empathy to those around me
* I encourage and support others to do their best
* I do what is right even when no one is watching and it is not the popular thing to do
JANUARY COUNSELOR'S CORNER - JANE STEINER
Healthy Activities Family Night hosted by Sierra Middle School
Each year, Sierra Middle School hosts an evening filled with Healthy Activities through the Sources of Strength program. Some of the activities include yoga, art stations, sports, and games. All families are welcome to join this free event which includes a variety of fun things students and parents can participate in. Hope to see our Cherokee Trail families there!
Mental Health Resources
I Matter – Parents and youth (ages 12 and older) can take a brief mental health screening and schedule 3 free counseling appointments.
10 Mental Health Benefits of Sports
Social Media
Social media is at the forefront of many students’ interests and activities outside of school. While there can be positive takeaways, it can be challenging for youth to navigate. Some data reports that too much social media can be detrimental to their mental health. Keeping the lines of communication open and having a plan to keep up with current apps and setting limits can be helpful. Please take time to look at the two linked articles.
Avoiding Digital Drama
Knowing the Latest Apps
Family Resources
Weekly snack/food bags provided by Parker Task Force – If your family is interested in having a bag of snacks/food sent home in their student’s backpack weekly, please fill out this brief form.
Families with housing instability
Universal Free Meal Benefits
UPCOMING CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL - JOSH MILLER
The Principal Chronicles continue....
The calendar has flipped and the second half of the year has begun. As always, once we get into January the days, weeks, and months start to fly by. It is also the time of year when we really buckle down and push through some serious content. January and February are traditionally really good teaching months. There are also quite a few four day weeks so the staff and students can recharge over some long weekends.
On top of that, with COVID cases going through the roof, we are missing quite a few students and staff who are out sick. We are keeping our fingers crossed we can weather the storm and make it through this month as intact as we can be. Thankfully the District gave each room in our building an air ventilator that cleans the air fully every hour, so that should help keep our kids healthy and safe.
On the personal side, Winter break went pretty well. Christmas was a lot of fun and it was great to spend time with my parents and sister in Fort Collins. After Christmas, I spent some time in California. I was always under the impression that it never rains in Southern California or maybe that is just a song? Either way, it rained the entire time I was there. It was still pretty and green, but not being able to be outside and stay dry was a bit challenging. All in all, it was a good trip. I wish I had some better stories from the break but actually it was fairly mundane - which is fine with me since most of my other breaks have been pretty nuts. I guess dealing with all of the COVID fun and games will have to suffice.
That is it for this week's edition, stay tuned next week when the Principal Chronicles continue ...
NEW FLYERS
ARCHIVED FLYERS (ALL)
* Science Matters STEM club (flyer)
* Chaparral Wrestling Club (flyer)
* join CUB SCOUTS (flyer)
* SARAH'S SPANISH SCHOOL (flyer)
* STEM CLUBS (flyer)
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE: The Douglas County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, genetic information, or physical characteristics, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment of, or employment in educational programs or activities. The School District’s Compliance Officer is Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0067. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public.