Welcome back after an unexpectedly long weekend! This week is going to fly by because there is no school for students on Friday, as well (it’s a staff professional development day). And Thursday is check! Students, you know what you need to do. Staff is here to help you reach your goals, but it ultimately comes down to you to get the work done! You’ve got this.
 
A note on wellness: if you have been following the weekly family updates from the district, you have seen that COVID cases have increased district-wide over the past couple weeks. Please, please stay home if you are feeling unwell. We have systems in place to allow you to keep working if you are symptomatic but still feel up to progressing with your work. Remember these key tools:

• Your contract: it’s electronic for a reason. You can still fill it out from home! Check your e-mail at the beginning of the week for the notes from our morning meetings to be sent out.
• E-mail your advisor and teachers about what classes you’d like to take or assignments you’d like to work on. Send one e-mail to everyone… no reason to write out the same e-mail three times!
• Keep a book with you at all times! When all else fails, READ. Take notes/annotations, communicate with Taylor about turning in journals or with Nancy or Amy about R&W for Science or SS - reading and writing is something you can always do if you have a book or a National Geographic with you. We have plenty.
• Log in! Earn attendance from home. Show your engagement and stay in touch about your progress.

 
It’s hard to stay home from school, but it’s necessary these days to keep everyone safe. If you have to stay home for a day or two, let us support you from here so you can still be connected and making progress!
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Natalie is grateful to Finn, Jordyn, and Kelvin for passing out candy after the elementary school parade on Friday
  • Natalie is grateful to Trevor for inspiring the oatmeal bar on Thursday (woo hoo National Oatmeal Day!)
  • Natalie also appreciates Logan, Sam, and Corbin for engaging in the college visits to CMC and Western State last week
  • Maddie appreciates all the teachers for being so patient with her
  • Amy is grateful to all the students who helped create the Dia de los Muertos ofrenda
  • Taylor appreciates how great the students were during the play last week and for working hard in the module
  • Christine is grateful to all the ways Jeannette supports our community
• Other announcements
  • We have a new water cooler! The water will be coming this week. We’ll get it up and running as soon as possible. Please only use it for drinking water, as we are paying by the jug.
  • What’s with the welcome pumpkin in the entrance way? At our back to school open house, one of our families found a phone outside and brought it inside. We couldn’t tell who it belonged to, so Christine answered it the next day when it rang, in hopes of figuring out who the phone belonged to. The person calling was the owner, using a friend’s phone. He and Christine arranged for Christine to send it back to the owner. The owner sent CCHS a donation in gratitude, and his friend carved us the pumpkin! 
  • Advisory competition for November: hours of community service completed
  • Día de los Muertos ofrenda: take your offerings off by the end of the day

Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Khan Academy
• Block 2: Credit Scores and Bankruptcy (Personal Finance)
  • What is credit? How do you build a credit score and maintain it? What are the advantages to having good credit? 
  • Make a PowToon describing credit system and how to maintain it

English  

• Block 1: Reading and Writing
  • (also Senior Research for Logan and Corbin)
• Block 2: The Pedestrian
  • Short story focus: “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury (science fiction)

Social Studies

• Block 1: Elections
  • Focus on state and local elections: what’s on the ballot?
  • Presentation from Scott Hartmann, League of Women Voters
• Block 2: Reading and Writing for SS
  • Focus on current events: read articles from various news sources

Science

• Block 1: Oceans, Sharks, Plastics
• Block 2: Plan block

Natalie

• Head’s up for next week: cover letters, interviews, and resumes
• Jr. Optimist: meeting Thursday? Stay tuned!

 
Practicum

• Tuesday: Advisory
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: none (Friday schedule)

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: no morning advisory (Monday schedule)
• Wednesday: everyone has Mindfulness and advisory check-in
• Thursday: everyone has regular Advisory

Community Service

• Tuesday
  • 1 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Museum
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks

 
Credit Celebration

• Jake - Senior Seminar

General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Kelvin is grateful to Jordyn for making fudge last week
  • Nancy appreciates Karen, Jeannette, Danny, Amy, and Taylor for holding down the fort while Christine and Natalie were out last week
  • Jeremiah is grateful to Nancy for being awesome
  • Christine is grateful to Sam and Jeannette for making breakfast burritos this morning!
• Other announcements
  • Clubs - complete the survey to declare your preferences
    •  Dance: PE or Elective
      • Salsa, line dances, waltz, rhumba 
    •  Guitar: Elective
    •  Jr. Optimist: Elective
    •  Slam Poetry: English
      • Read slam poetry, write it
    •  Spanish: Elective
  • Interested in taking CMC classes next semester? Talk with Christine to learn more
• Stock Market Game update - current standings:
  • 1st: Danny’s advisory (Corbin currently has the highest return on his investment!)
  • 2nd: Taylor’s advisory
  • 3rd: Nancy’s advisory
  • 4th: Amy’s advisory
• Contract #5
  • Check: Thursday, November 4 (no school for students Friday)
  • Minimum points: 68
• Contract celebration (contract #4)
  • Highest points: Kelvin (100)
  • 100% logins: De’Quan

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Khan Academy
• Block 2: Social Class: Power

English  

• Block 1: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
  • Read the story, watch the play at BVHS
• Block 2: Reading and Writing

Social Studies

• Block 1: Plan
• Block 2: Día de los Muertos
  • Learn about tradition and culture behind the holidays
  • Learn about the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation

Science

• Block 1: Thunder, Lightning, Snow, Rain
  • Learn about meteorology 
  • The climate in Nancy’s room is going to be awesome!
• Block 2: SmartMoves - Health
  • Brandon from Boys and Girls Club is teaching

Natalie

• Block 1: College and Careers (senior trip)
  • Field trip to CMC Leadville on Wednesday, Western State on Thursday

 
Practicum

• Monday: Advisory activities
• Tuesday: Adulting
• Wednesday: Clubs - fill out survey! (see link at the top of the notes)
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Off - if you have permission from your advisor
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• Monday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Ark Valley Humane Society
• Tuesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Museum
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks
  • 1:00 p.m. - Adopt-a-Grandparent

 
Credit Celebration

• Jake - Science
• Jake - Health
• Jordyn - Integrated Math B
• Corbin - Reading and Writing
• Corbin R&W for Science
• Johnny - Technology
• Keenan - General Science
• Greg - Discovery

Welcome to another wonderful week in the magical world of alternative education! Christine and Natalie are at a conference Monday through Wednesday, but everyone else is here (welcome back, Karen!), so you will all be well taken care of. If you have Christine- or Natalie-specific questions, you can still reach them by e-mail or text. Natalie may not respond right away, because she may be exploring the St. Louis arch… but Christine will see your messages!
 
Remember that Friday is check. Work with your teachers and your advisor to make a plan to complete work as you go this week to avoid the Friday rush. 
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Kelvin is grateful to Jordyn for making some really good jalapeno poppers for the school 
  • Danny is grateful to Nancy for setting up their field trip to the bird sanctuary last week 
  • We are ALL grateful for Karen being back this week!
• Other announcements
  • Breakfast update: due to severe staff shortages in the kitchens, we won’t have choices for breakfast for the time being. The kitchen will send over a set number of breakfasts, and we will distribute them based on what is available and who would like breakfast. 
    • If we have more students wanting breakfast than what is sent over, we can grab extra breakfasts from Avery Parsons.
    • We’ll all need to be patient with this for the time being - everyone is doing their best to meet meal needs
  • To inspire more students to apply to college and university Colorado has free application days!  All residents of Colorado who are applying for undergraduate programs at all state public and some private Colorado colleges and universities are eligible to submit their admission applications for free between Oct. 19 - Oct. 21, 2021.
  • FREE night at the Drive In (Whoop, Whoop).  
    • Monday October 18th (TONIGHT) come watch Venom:  Let There Be Carnage free for all Teens - start time is 7:30PM.
  • Jr Optimists will be meeting Thursday during office hours to create a scarecrow. 
  • Adulting this week will be with Kari from Sol Vista and the topic will be anxiety, learn what it is and how to manage your anxiety.  Don’t think you have anxiety?  Come check it out anyway and learn how to support your friends.
• Schedule notes
  • It’s a full five-day week! 
  • Last week of first quarter - last week of first quarter clubs 

Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Khan Academy: Priority goes to students who still need to take NWEA tests - but you all need math too!
• Block 2: Technology

English  

• Block 1: Plan block
• Block 2: [Edgar Allen] POEtry: Focusing on “The Tell Tale Heart” as well as a couple of Poe’s famous poems & then creating an evidence based argument over the sanity of the main character in the short story!

Social Studies

• Block 1: Economic Systems Monopoly: Learning the difference between capitalism, socialism, and communism - by playing monopoly!
• Block 2: Vietnam War: Watching a couple episodes of Vietnam documentary as well as learning about some protest songs from the era 

Science

• Block 1: Chemical Equations (Bubbles, Fire, and Color!): Learning about what a chemical equation is, how atoms rearrange, etc. 
• Block 2: R&W for Science: All students need a full credit of R&W Science & R&W Social Studies as well as your R&W English

 
Practicum

• Monday: Advisory or all school activities
• Tuesday: Adulting - Kari from Sol Vista.  Topic: Anxiety 
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Off - if you have permission from your advisor
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• Monday 

1 p.m. - ARK Valley 

• Tuesday
  • 1 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Turner farm or Museum
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks
  • 1:00 p.m. - Adopt-a-Grandparent

 
Credit Celebration

• Haven’t processed credits from last week; we will celebrate finished credits next Monday Morning Meeting!

Many thanks to the students and families who joined us last week for conferences! It’s always helpful to check in on progress and goals. We will continue our ILP process over the course of October with the goal of having this initial round complete by the end of the month so we can move ahead with long-term goals and targeted interventions.
 
For families who weren’t able to come in during our conference window, you can still reach out to your student’s advisor to schedule a conference in the next couple weeks.
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Natalie appreciates Kelvin and Jordyn for presenting at the Optimist meeting last Thursday 
  • Nancy is grateful to all the students who went to the farm and helped process vegetables
  • Natalie is grateful to Keenan for donating hay bales to make a scarecrow
  • Justin appreciates Jordyn for being a good friend and his brother
  • Christine appreciates Jake for spending his weekend on his service learning project powerwashing the school
  • Jake appreciates Christine for helping him get the power washer over the weekend
• Other announcements
  • NWEA make-up: if you did not finish testing last week, we will arrange for a time for you to finish this week
  • School photos will be returned by the end of October
  • Back/side doors: please do not use - always use the front door for safety reasons. Leaving out the back door without permission is an automatic pink sheet
  • Scarecrow contest is coming! Stay tuned for details
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is playing soon at BVHS!
    • Performances are 10/29 (7:00 p.m.), 10/30 (2:00 and 7:00), and 10/31 (2:00)
    • Bvhsco.booktix.com
  • Are you Interested in a part time job washing dishes? 
    • 100 Elk (part of Adventure Unlimited Ranches) is looking for support
    • $12.50 an hour, about 2 hours each shift; transportation might be available
    • Talk to Christine if you are interested
• Contract #4
  • Check: October 22
  • Minimum points: 68
• Contract #3 celebration
  • Highest points: Kelvin (106!)
  • 100% logins: Jordyn

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Plan block
• Block 2: Physics of Flight
  • Field trip to the Raptor Rehab Facility (with Science module)
  • Leonardo da Vinci: birds are obeying the mechanics of physical law - if they can do it, man will someday be able to, as well
  • Learn to calculate lift
  • Build your own aircraft

English  

• Block 1: Reading and Writing
• Block 2: Teach Me Something [Construct]
  • Research and make solid PowerPoint, give a presentation
  • Learn about a subject that interests you

Social Studies

• Block 1: Shackleton’s Antarctica Expedition [World History or Geography]
  • Earnest Shakleton’s survival story: ship got stuck in ice! Find out what comes next...
• Block 2: Three Branches of Government
  • Counts towards Government credit

Science

• Block 1: Birds of Prey (a.k.a. Raptor Attack!)
  • Field trip to the Raptor Rehab Facility in Pueblo 
• Block 2: Keenan’s Physics of Skateboarding 
  • Guest teacher Keenan! 
  • Forces and Newton’s Laws and how it comes together to allow you to skateboard
  • DOK with SketchUp: design a skateboard park

Natalie

• Block 1: College and Careers: Careers exploration
  • Research careers you are interested in
  • If you don’t know if you need C&C, talk with Natalie or check your ICAP credit tracker

 
Practicum

• Monday: [no school]
• Tuesday: Advisory activity - circle up in the Commons to start
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall
  • Jr. Optimist crew will meet

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: no morning Advisory (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

 
Credit Celebration

• Jake - Physical Wellness
• Logan - Work Experience
• Logan - Government
• Grace - Earth Science

Thank you to students and staff alike for participating in last week’s “Non-Little Annie School Community Event Extravaganza!” Although it wasn’t what we were expecting, the time was filled with valuable and positive moments of play and community building. Thanks to Jake, De’Quan, and Tyler for being our student leaders and to Amy for leading the Leadership module!
 
Fall conferences are this week on Tuesday and Wednesday after school. Students, you’ll spend some time in Advisory prepping documents and starting your Individual Learning Plan, if you haven’t already done so. Parents/guardians, please reach out to your student’s advisor or to Karen to schedule a time to come in, if you haven’t yet done so.
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • A student is grateful to his cat
  • A student is grateful for attending a Broncos game
  • Danny is grateful for Jordyn for sharing delicious pralines she made
  • Natalie is grateful to the CCHS Jr. Optimist Club for brainstorming activity ideas
  • Nancy is grateful for the not-Little Annie campfire and for Natalie leading Mindfulness
  • Taylor is grateful for how supportive the staff and students are
  • A student is grateful to his dad for fixing his laptop
  • Christine is grateful to Karen for helping arrange logistics around Little Annie and not-Little Annie
  • Natalie is grateful to Jake and Sam for coming to the Senior meeting on Friday
• Other announcements
  • School photos are this morning starting at 10:00. If you would like to order photos, pick up a form from Karen. Even if you don’t want to order photos, you’ll need to get your photo taken for school records
  • NWEA testing is happening this week - everyone will cycle through Danny’s room during the week
    • Please do your best on these tests; remember that you can earn points for improving your score, hitting cut scores, and raising your score after hitting the cut score. 
    • These tests also provide us very valuable data on our atypical approach to curriculum and skills
  • Student survey: each year, the district collects feedback from students, families, and staff on how we are doing with our academics, our learning climate, and our systems. Students will be taking the survey this week during advisory. Please give your honest input! We really value the feedback we get on this survey.
  • Fridge: top food is personal, middle shelf is community shelf
• Schedule notes
  • No school Friday for all and Monday for students! Woohoo!
  • Thursday - a Check day - is a Friday schedule
• Contract celebration from contract #2
  • Highest points: Kelvin and Jordyn (tied at 88!)
  • 100% logins: De’Quan, Keenan, and Johnny

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: NWEA proctoring
  • Everyone from other modules will filter through each day (one module per day)
• Block 2: Math Skills

English  

• Block 1: Reading and Writing
  • Limited to six students - sign up on the board
• Block 2: Hero’s Journey
  • Analyze stories through the structure of the hero’s journey (which is more common than you might realize!)

Social Studies

• Block 1: Reading and Writing for Social Studies
  • Remember: modules for this credit happen in the SS classroom, but they go towards an English credit. You are practicing English skills using SS/history content. If you need more English credits (which you probably do!), this module is for you!
• Block 2: Geography of Europe
  • Mapping work, geographic facts, fun game called Geo Baseball 

Science

• Block 1: Digestion and Food
  • Max 8 students
  • What does it mean that you are what you eat?
  • Wednesday: work at the farm - dig up vegetables and break down the farm (earn Community Service points)
• Block 2: Plan

Natalie

• Jr. Optimist meeting Thursday at lunch
• Seniors: watch your e-mails for info about upcoming college trips
• FAFSA just opened; fill out to get free money for college (Natalie e-mailed a link)
• Two scholarships available already - seniors, check your e-mail

 
Practicum

• Monday: Advisory - prep for conferences and ILP’s
• Tuesday: Adulting - Neuroscience of Juggling
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: none (Friday Schedule)

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Off - if you have permission from your advisor
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• Monday
  • 1:00 p.m. Ark Valley for those who have completed the training
• Tuesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Museum
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks

 
Credit Celebration

• Abigail - Discovery
• Finnley - Discovery
• Justin - Discovery
• Kelvin - Discovery

Good morning, everyone! 
 
We have a couple big weeks coming up:

• Discovery concludes this week!
• Our first all-school overnight of the year is this week - Wednesday and Thursday. Unfortunately, given the rain in the forecast, we might need to rethink our camping trip. We will discuss in advisory today and make a final call on our plan.
• Fall conferences are next week - October 5 and 6 (parents/guardians, contact your student’s advisor or Karen to schedule a time)
• NWEA testing is next week - October 5 - 7

 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Nancy is grateful for the rock climbing trip last week
  • Taylor is grateful to Christine and Natalie for helping out when she was out
  • Nancy is grateful for the Van Gogh Alive trip - for students for going, for 
  • Christine is grateful to students impacted by teacher absences on Friday; thank you for being flexible and patient!
  • Karen is grateful to Mason’s mom, Michol, for bringing in snacks for the front basket
• Senior Meeting Friday at 12:00 with pizza
  • Talk about College and Careers, Senior Trip, other senior support
• Jr. Optimist Meeting this Friday morning
  • You don’t need to believe the cup is half full, but you need to believe there is a cup!
  • Meet at 8:00 to talk about what fun activities we can do
• School spirit
  • Staff are the team winners - coffee bar in Christine’s office tomorrow
  • Kelvin wins for participating every day!
  • Maddie and Jeremiah win for rocking PJ day
  • Trevor winsfor rocking Western Day
• Other announcements
  • Little Annie: we might need to shuffle our plans based on the weather forecast, unfortunately! We will still do an overnight… what else could that look like? What if we do a school sleep in? Are there other local spots where we could go that provide more shelter and comfort? We will discuss duinr Advisory this afternoon
  • NWEA next week - stay tuned for details
  • School photos are Monday, October 4
    • All students and staff will get a photo taken for ID purposes; students, if you want to order prints, Karen has the forms
• Contract #3
  • Check: October 7
  • Minimum points: 80 (includes overnight points)
• Contract celebration - we’ll do next week for contract #2 to give Danny and Taylor time to process contracts

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Plan block
• Block 2: Discovery support

English  

• Block 1: Reading and Writing
  • Check in with Taylor each day
• Block 2: The Folklore, the Myth, the Legend (and Fairytales)
  • Learn about stories and oral tradition - and write your own myth

Social Studies

• Block 1: History of the Environmental Movement in the US
  • Combo module with Science
  • High Creek Fen field trip tomorrow
  • Roots of environmentalism
• Block 2: Little Annie Leadership - 4-5 students
  • Organize camping gear
  • Counts as leading a field trip
  • Leave No Trace principles

Science

• Block 1: Science Skills
• Block 2: Fen
  • What is a fen? A type of wetland - rich, biodiverse
  • Field trip: citizen science (water quality monitoring, hiking)

Natalie

• Last week of Discovery 

 
Practicum

• Monday: Advisory or all school activities
• Tuesday: Adulting
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Off - if you have permission from your advisor
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• Monday
  • Ark Valley training today at 1:00
• Tuesday
  • 1 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • 1:00 p.m. - Turner Farm
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks

 
Credit Celebration

• De’Quan - Geometry A

​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

 
 

​We are excited for our first field trip this week! The Silver Cliff trip is a great opportunity to get to know each other and have some fun while the weather is still beautiful. See below for more info about the trip. 
 
It was great to see 8 students with 100% logins! Keep it up. :)
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • A student shared gratitude for his parent for driving him to school
  • Nancy is grateful for students for sticking with it with work last week and for the new students being so awesome
  • Danny is grateful to Jeannette for bringing breakfast to the Community Center during Disco
  • Maddie is grateful for Taylor and Amy for being good teachers
  • Jeannette is grateful for Kaileb and Jeremiah for working so hard last week
  • Shon is grateful to be visiting
  • Christine is grateful for students who participated in community service last week, especially for helping set up for Applefest at Turner Farm
• Other announcements
  • Silver Cliff field trip Wednesday - all-school trip
    • Breakfast and lunch is included for all students
    • Bring a water bottle, good shoes, swimsuit/towel, sunscreen, book
    • We’ll be back between 2:00 and 2:30 - students will be dismissed but are welcome to stay at school
    • We’ll do clubs on the field trip
    • Earn 10 points towards contract for participating
  • Desktop stations are working! Feel free to use if they are available (please log out when you are done)
  • Thank you card - please sign for Anna from Buena Viking
  • We’ll have PB&J supplies on hand in the kitchen for students. Please keep your own dishes and knife for making your sandwich. If you need supplies, we can help you get some from New Bees; just talk with a staff member about it, and we’ll make it happen!
• New contract: #2
  • Check is 9/24/21
  • Minimum points: 68
• Contract celebration
  • Highest points: Grace (90!)
  • 100% logins: Corbin, De’Quan, Grace, Jordyn, Kaileb, Kelvin, Logan, and Trevor!

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Khan Academy
  • Sign up on Danny’s board
• Block 2: Stonks
  • Stocks and stock market
  • Funds, S&P 500, Dow Jones, day trading, etc. - great primer on stocks
  • We’ll be doing a stocks challenge in advisory this fall, so this module will help you understand how to do that!

English  

• Block 1: Plan block
  • If you are close to graduation and need need need Reading and Writing, talk with your advisor and Taylor about doing R&W during this block
• Block 2: English Skills - for new students
  • Close reading, annotations, and analytical essay

Social Studies

• Block 1: Discovery support
• Block 2: Intro to Economics
  • Basic concepts - start slow. No prior knowledge needed!

Science

• Block 1: Farms and Food
  • Where does food come from?
  • Visit a local farm tomorrow - learn about how food comes from farms and the process to get to our plates (wear shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty)
  • Learn about agriculture and food production in the US
  • If you need Health, Nancy can accommodate
• Block 2: Service Learning
  • If you are heading into Senior year and need to do your project, now is the time to get started! If you started last year, you can pick up where you left off

Natalie

• Discovery journey continues this week!
  • Transactional analysis
• Available second block to support students as needed

 
Practicum

• Monday: Advisory or all school activities
• Tuesday: Adulting - Diversity meeting
  • Keri from Sol Vista is coming to speak
  • Suicide Prevention Month - suicide protective factors, what to do if you or a friend needs help
• Wednesday: Clubs (at Silver Cliff)
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Off - if you have permission from your advisor
• Thursday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness

 
Community Service

• September 27th: Ark Valley Humane Society training
  • Complete your waiver and online form
• Tuesday
  • 1 p.m. - Mini Blessings
• Wednesday
  • None because of Silver Cliff field trip
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks
  • 1:00 p.m. - Adopt-a-Grandparent

 
Credit Celebration

• Jordyn - Earth Science
• Sam - Technology

 

Welcome back after a long weekend! 

Our first contract check is this Friday. Remember that contracts serve as short term goals, and it’s important to meet those expectations so you can stay on track - but it’s still earning credits you really want to reach for! As you choose classes, consider credits you are closest to finishing so you can wrap them up, rather than having a handful open at once. (That’s sometimes unavoidable, yes, but be intentional as much as possible so you can move along and feel the accomplishment of closing credits!)

For check, confirm with your teachers this week when DOK drafts need to be submitted to give enough time for revisions on Friday as needed. Typically, that’s before the end of class on Thursday. And remember: revision is a natural part of the learning process! It doesn’t mean you are in trouble or did something wrong, you’re learning as you go.
​
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude
  • Maddie is grateful for her papa and step grandma for taking her on outdoor adventures this weekend
  • Kelvin is grateful to have had extra time for gaming over the weekend
  • Keenan is grateful for his new dog
  • Nancy is grateful to everyone for a strong first week back
  • Christine is grateful to Amy and Taylor for jumping all in last week
  • Jeannette is grateful to Trevor for helping out at Turner Farm last week
  • Jeremiah is grateful to Nancy for helping everyone get back in the groove last week
  • Karen is grateful to students who have volunteered to lead Mindfulness during advisory
• Other announcements
  • Our first all-school field trip is next Wednesday, September 15! We’ll be going to Silver Cliff Ranch for a day of fun together. We’ll do some advisory challenges, have club sessions, and then play in the afternoon. Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to take advantage of the hot springs pool!
    • Transportation and lunch will be provided for all students
  • Nurturing Parenting class starts September 9
    • In Salida or over Zoom on Thursdays 
    • Open to kids 12-18 and their caregivers
    • Earn Health points for completing the class
    • Flyer is next to Natalie’s office and in the back hallway
  • Safe2Tell program in Colorado - anonymous tip line
    • Looking for youth advisors: if you are interested, talk with Natalie
    • Health points for participating on the advisory
  • ElevateHer fall programming
    • Earn Health and/or points for participating
    • Participate after school or Saturdays
  • If you want to go to Ark Valley for community service, return your waiver!
  • When you log in this week - still Contract #1
  • Menus are posted on the bulletin board in the Commons if you want to know what’s coming up
  • Mindful ambassadors: meet Karen in the Commons during Office Hours to make a plan
• Schedule notes
  • Condensed schedule again this week - Tues/Thurs advisory rotations will be Wed/Thurs
  • Contract check is on Friday
    • Contracts need to be turned in to your teachers by 12:00 on Friday
      • If you are still working, get whatever you can signed off by 12:00 but come back after lunch to continue working on your unfinished assignments

Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: Discovery - new students
• Block 2: Khan Academy
  • Sign up on the whiteboard inside Danny’s room

English  

• Block 1: Poetry Schmoetry
  • Talk about what poetry is, different forms it can take
• Block 2: Reading and Writing
  • Sign up on Taylor’s door - limited to 10 students

Social Studies

• Block 1: Work Experience
  • You can sign up no matter where you are in the credit; you will be working at your own pace with Amy’s support 
  • Sign up on the whiteboard in Amy’s room
• Block 2: Landmark Supreme Court Cases
  • How does the Supreme Court work? How have landmark cases affected our lives?

Science

• Block 1: Rocks and Minerals
  • Learn to identify rocks in the area - includes a hike tomorrow
• Block 2: Discovery - new students

Natalie

• New students are in Discovery this week: retreat week at the Community Center!
  • Both blocks with fun stuff mixed in

 
Practicum

• Monday: [no school]
• Tuesday: Diversity Meeting - Anna Winger from Buena Viking!
• Wednesday: Clubs
• Thursday: Office Hours and Study Hall

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: [no morning Advisory b/c of 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: help prepare for the Applefest this weekend
• Thursday
  • 9:00 a.m. - Food Backpacks
  • 1:00 p.m. - Adopt-a-Grandparent - starts next Thursday

 
Credit Celebration

• Jordyn - Biology

 

Welcome back! It is so good to see all our returning students (and nice to see all your faces, literally!), and great to welcome our cohort of new students. As we head into this new year, let’s be patient with each other… not only will it take some time to get back into the rhythm of school and sort out inevitable technology complications and module needs, but there’s a lot going on in the world that can lead to frustration or uncertainty. We are all here to support each other.
 
Students: please get into a routine of checking your e-mail regularly (at least once a day). The school, your teachers, and your advisor will be sharing important resources and information by e-mail throughout the year. Checking e-mail regularly is a good habit to get into so you don’t miss important information!
 
General announcements

• Moments of gratitude!
  • Gratitude to Natalie from Danny for the snack and coffee bars at orientation last week 
  • Gratitude to Christine from Danny for getting all the laptops assigned and set up this weekend!
  • Gratitude from Karen to the students for all showing up on time for our first day
  • Gratitude from Christine to Steve (maintenance/custodian) for taking such good care of the building and property over the summer
• Other announcements
  • Please return your paperwork to Karen! And if your parent/guardian has not yet completed online registration, please do that as soon as possible
  • Login form for students is on school website under Student Resources 
  • Students - give feedback on club choices! There is a survey being sent to your school email.
• Schedule notes
  • No school Friday or next Monday
• Contract #1
  • Check: September 10, 2021
  • Minimum points: 61
    • As a reminder - minimum points are calculated based on 80% of the total points offered over the course of the contract. If you are here and are engaging, you should have no trouble earning minimum points, if not all the points offered!
    • Earning points is helpful to know you’re staying on track with short-term goals, but also keep in mind that you want to be finishing those credits so you can move up the Road to Graduation

 
Teacher info
 
Math

• Block 1: CCHS Skills - new students
  • All the information students will need in order to be successful at CCHS as well as out in the world
• Block 2: Data in Nature
  • Observe and analyze trees to learn how to collect and interpret data

English  

• Block 1: Men with Beards Write Stuff (Be Curious)
  • Intro over transcendentalism, students will study transcendentalist authors/writing and practice living deliberately. 
• Block 2: English Skills - new students
  • Grammar, Reading and Writing basics 

Social Studies

• Block 1: Geography Vacation
  • Intro to Geography
  • Students will learn about various countries and then create their own 
• Block 2: The UN
  • If you know what “UN” stands for, you know how important it is and should sign up! If you don’t know what “UN” stands for, then you should sign up to learn!

Science

• Block 1: Do You Need to Chill? (Health)
  • Students will examine stress, the effects of stress, and the impact of it on our bodies. The DOK will be a manifesto. 
  • FYI: Nancy will be offering health modules approximately once per month 
• Block 2: What is Alive? 

• Learn all about taxonomy by investigating organisms outside

Natalie

• CCHS Skills and Advisory 

Practicum

• Monday: Advisory or all school activities
• Tuesday: Adulting - Brainstorm over what students are interested in learning about!
• Wednesday: Clubs - Be SURE to fill out that survey we sent to your email!
• Thursday: none (Friday schedule)

 
Advisory

• Tuesday: Taylor/Amy Mindfulness; Danny/Nancy advisory
• Wednesday: Taylor/Amy advisory; Danny/Nancy Mindfulness
• Thursday: no Advisory (Friday schedule)

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 (starting soon)
• Announcement: Ark Valley is back! For any students who missed walking and help taking care of the puppies :) If you are interested, talk with Jeannette about completing the online paperwork

Credit Celebration

• Kaileb - Geography
• De’Quan - US History
• De’Quan - Earth Science
• De’Quan - English Foundations
• De’Quan - Health
• De’Quan - Personal Finance
• Mason - General Science
• Tyler - English Language Composition
• Tyler - Earth Science
• Tyler - World History
• Logan - English Literature
• Logan - R&W for Social Studies
• Henry - Creative Communication
• Henry - Reading Studies
• Trevor - World History
• Kaileb - US History
• Jeremiah - Earth Science
• Jeremiah - English Skills
• Jeremiah - US History
• Shon - Geography
• Shon - Geometry B