'M'MMM 21 September 2021

​It’s spirit week! See below for details. All students and staff are welcome, though not required, to participate. Also see below for info on the Homecoming dance. Football game on Saturday is at 1:00, if you’d like to attend!
 
One of our priorities the next couple weeks will be creating Individualized Learning Plans. Students, expect Christine to pull you out of class for 10 or 15 minutes to lay the groundwork for your ILP so that we have drafts ready by parent/guardian conferences the first week of October.
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Three cheers to Abby for cheering at the football game on Fri and to Henry for playing in the marching band!
  • Danny is grateful to Natalie and Christine for setting up tables for the BV Strong dinner yesterday
  • Nancy is grateful to her advisory for not letting her fall off the wall at Silver Cliff
  • A student gave appreciation for their cat not ripping up a new chair
  • We appreciate all the students who came to the Silver Cliff field trip last week!
  • Many thanks to Jordyn for cooking breakfast burritos for students this morning!
• Other announcements
  • Coat of Arms competition winner: Taylor’s advisory!
  • Spirit Week schedule and competition
    • Tuesday - Pajama Day 
    • Wednesday - Western
    • Thursday - Tacky Tourist
    • Friday - school spirit
    • Competition is by color of the road (see list outside Christine’s office)
      • Earn points by participating each day
      • Winning group gets...
  • Homecoming: 
    • Parade Friday at 5:30, followed by Powder Puff game and bonfire
    • Football game Saturday at 1:00
    • Dance Saturday at BVHS from 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
      • Tickets are $15 and can be bought in advance or at the door; talk to Christine if you want to go 
  • Thank you cards: sign cards for New Bees, Kari from Sol Vista, and the Silver Cliff Ranch crew 
  • Individualized Learning Plans - Christine will be meeting with each student over the next couple weeks to draft ILP’s (talking about strengths and challenges, goals, and targeted support)
    • We will review ILP drafts with students/families during October conferences
  • NWEA testing: first week of October
    • These tests give us really helpful data on our program strengths and any gaps. Please do your best! They are not timed
    • Earn points for reaching the cut score or improving your score
  • Little Annie overnight: next Wednesday and Thursday (September 28-29)
    • We will celebrate the conclusion of Discovery and officially welcome new students into our school community
    • Classes and clubs will be held up at Little Annie
    • We will send out a packing list and do some prep next week
    • Returning students: interested in being a leader for the trip? Talk with Amy
      • All students need to lead a field trip before they graduate. This is a great opportunity to fulfill that requirement!
  • Diversity field trips
    • Recovery Storytelling Friday, October 8, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
      • Meghann Perry - a person in recovery herself with a history of trauma who shares stories of healing and recovery to help others
      • Talk with Natalie if you want to go (leave at 5:30, back by 9:30 or 10:00)
      • Earn points
    • Thomas Fluharty, illustrator - Sunday, October 3, 5:00 - 7:00
      • Visiting artist in Westcliff
      • Illustrator for Mad Max magazine
      • Started doodling as a kid, got into drugs, father was murdered - lots of stories to tell
      • Talk with Natalie if you are interested
• Logins: it is still contract period #2
  • Morning login needs to be before 12:00, afternoon login needs to be after 12:00 to count
• Print your contracts when they are approved and give a copy to Karen

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Khan Academy
• Block 2: Senior Seminar - Social Class
  • What is social class? Where do we fit in? How does it pertain to us?
  • How can we move up and down the social class system?
  • Class for seniors and juniors

English  

• Block 1: Discovery support
• Block 2: Van Gogh Alive
  • Paired with Science module
  • Field trip Wednesday to see the Van Gogh Alive in Denver
    • Immersive experience of his life and paintings
    • Breakfast and lunch included for all students
  • Learn about Van Gogh, write poems as odes to his paintings

Social Studies

• Block 1: Plan block
  • If you don’t need English and Math, talk with Amy about doing Work Experience
• Block 2: Social Studies Skills

Science

• Block 1: LIGHT
  • Paired with English module - includes field trip
  • Learn all about light - infrared, UV, gamma
• Block 2: Life Skills 1 (Health)
  • Required for Health credit (both parts 1 and 2)
  • Rock climbing Thursday afternoon

Natalie

• Discovery - two weeks to go!

 
Practicum

• Monday: none (no school)
• Tuesday: Adulting - Claudia and Matt - Sound Healing
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: none - Monday schedule
• Wednesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• Tuesday
  • 1 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Museum
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks
  • 1:00 p.m. - Adopt-a-Grandparent
    • Gardening outside
• Next Monday: bring your waivers back for Ark Valley training!

 
Credit Celebration

• Johnny - Algebra 1B
• Logan - Algebra 1