Columbia Families,

Cougar
News
January 2010
Columbia Middle School • 17600 East Columbia Avenue • Aurora, Colorado 80013
Steve Hamilton, Principal
Carla Stonbraker, Assistant Principal
Connie Wint, Assistant Principal Janelle Phillips, Dean of Students
Phone: 303-690-6570
Attendance: 303-326-1651
Fax: 303-326-1251
Columbia Families,
We have now reached the end of the quarter, and we want to clarify
changes to the grade book setups that you will now see in parent
portal. This is our ongoing communication with you to simplify
and clarify the grading process. All content areas have come up
with a system, specific to that content, to manage their grade books.
As an example, if you have a 6th grader and a 7th grader in math
the grade book will have the same setup. These are specific to the
content areas since each content has different types of work.
Math:
Standards Folder: Labeled with the Standard Name and will include: classwork, exit tickets, quizzes, and major assessments that
demonstrate a student’s progress toward proficiency. Small letters
will indicate minor tasks or assessments and capital letters will
indicate major assignments or assessments.
Homework Folder: This folder will be under Work Habits- will
be updated weekly with a 4-3-2-1-0 based on the frequency of
completed work. Other Work Habits (Effort, Engagement and
Responsibility) will be combined with the homework work habit
at progress and quarter. Comments will be used as needed for
clarification.
Literacy:
Literacy teachers will divide their grade book into two sections.
The first section will contain classwork, any practice work, and
homework, and will be named “Classwork/Practice/Homework”.
This work is work that students will complete before proficiency
is determined. This work may be completed independently or in
pairs/small groups. The second folder, “Tests/Projects/Essays” will
contain work that is completed 100% independently and will be
used to determine whether or not the student is proficient.
The Work Habit score will be updated at least once every two weeks
noting the student’s progress with effort, engagement, responsibility, and preparation.
To help clarify which assignments focus on reading and which assignments focus on writing, teachers will begin each assignment description with “Read” for reading and “Write” for writing assignments.
Social Studies:
Social Studies has two folders: Assessment and Practice. Each folder
will list the standards, such as Economics and History. The “practice”
folder will have a +, -, or m. Plus means completed assignment as
directed; understood material. Minus means didn’t finish assignment,
didn’t do as directed, or didn’t understand material. “M” means missing assignment because of absence or refusal to do assignment.
The “assessment” folder will have A, P, PP, and U grades.
Social Studies will also have a Work Habits folder in the work habits
section that will be updated every two weeks.
Science:
Science has two folders: Standards Progress and Homework/
Classwork/Practice. The Standards Progress folder will include
tests, quizzes, and other assessments to determine proficiency. The
Homework/Classwork/Practice folder will include various assignments that are done either at home or in class that allow students to
build specific skills.
Electives:
Electives has two folders: All Standards and Work Habits. The standards folder will have work completed that will indicate proficiency
and the work habits folder will be updated to indicate student effort,
engagement, responsibility and homework as appropriate for those
elective classes.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact your child’s
teacher.
Steve Hamilton, Principal
Columbia’s website address: http://www.aps.k12.co.us/columbia
English Language
Development (ELD)
•
During January students will be taking the CELA test (Colorado English Language Assessment) to measure the progress
made over the last year in English for students learning a second
language.
•
A reminder that the ELA Parent-School Advisory Council
(EPAC) meeting will be held on
CyberCafe
The CyberCafe is open every Monday, Wednesday (except for staff
meetings), and Friday in Mr. Wohler’s computer lab. It is open until
4:00! Students working on school projects are given 1st priority.
Knitting Club
Childcare will be provided. Spanish translation will be available.
For more information, please contact Angel Chamberlain or Linda
Mejia at 303-690-6570.
Columbia has a new club. The Wednesday Afternoon Knitting
Club. We would like to solicit donations, such as knitting needles,
crochet hooks, or yarn, from the community for students who
want to learn the art of knitting and crocheting, but do not have
the resources to get supplies themselves. We would also like to
extend an invitation to any member of the community that would
like to join and learn how to knit, or share their expertise with our
students. If interested in donating to our club, or joining please
contact Ms. Tutak and Ms. Wilbanks
EQUESTA
Please Join Us!
EQUESTA continues to meet every Tuesday in D 204. This is
Columbia’s Horse Club where we foster and share our love of horses.
We study disciplines, breeds, colors, anatomy and do some fun
arts/crafts with a horsey twist. All grade levels are invited to join
us. See Ms. Cheney for more information.
As we plan for the future, it is important to build on the success
achieved through VISTA 2010 and adapt it into a new strategic
plan, VISTA 2015.
Tuesday, February 16, at 9:30-11:00.
Aurora Public Schools, Educational Services Center 2,
15751 East 1st Avenue, Conference Room A
Hoops are Happening !!
Boys’ basketball practice will begin January 19th. All 7th and 8th
grade boys are invited to play! 7th and 8th grade teams will compete
against all other Aurora middle schools. Games start in February.
Come and cheer for the home team!
Please demonstrate your dignity and sportsmanship by following
these rules:
• Please cheer for Columbia, not against the other teams.
• Please refrain from coaching from the stands.
• Please go easy on the referees. Their job is difficult enough.
• Please do not stomp on the bleachers or harass players at the free
throw line or respond to any comments by opposing fans.
Basketball championships are March 13th at Aurora Central High
School.
Thanks for your support,
Coach Epstein
Coach Pope
The APS Board of Education and Leadership Team are conducting a listening tour to gain feedback from stakeholders on the
VISTA 2015 strategic plan draft. Feedback will be integrated into
VISTA 2015 to ensure that it reflects the goals and values of the
APS community.
Please join us at a special session for parents on:
Wednesday, Jan. 27
6 p.m.
North Middle School
12095 Montview Blvd.
Aurora, CO 80010
To view the draft plan, visit VISTA 2015 Web site at vista.aurorak12.org. You may also share your thoughts on the draft plan
through the confidential online survey at vista.aurorak12.org/
survey/. The survey is open until March 8.
APS Launches
Computer Kiosks at
Town Center Mall
APS parents now have access to computer kiosks at the Town Center
at Aurora mall. The kiosks allow parents to view their children’s
Parent Portal accounts, find information on the APS Web site, or
browse mall shopping opportunities.
8th Grade Students
Request Courses for
Gateway High School
& 8th Grade Parent
Night – January 19, 2010
The APS Parent Portal is part of the Infinite Campus student
information system. The portal is a secure, confidential Web site
that allows parents to view current information about their child’s
attendance, grades, class assignments and other resources. To access
the Parent Portal, parents must request a Parent Portal ID from
their child’s school and then follow the online instructions to set
up the account.
During January, counselors from Gateway High School will be visiting the 8th grade classrooms to discuss which courses students will
need to take for 9th grade. Students who plan to attend Gateway
High School will receive a Gateway Program Planning Guide and
a Freshman Course Request 2010-2011 form. The Course Request
Form must be completed by the student, initialed by the English,
Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language teachers for
the appropriate course and signed by the Parent or Guardian.
The computer kiosks are located on the first level of the mall near
Guest Services, and on the second level in the food court. The
kiosks are a joint venture between Aurora Public Schools and the
Town Center at Aurora mall and are provided as a free service to
APS parents and students.
Honor students who wish to continue taking honors level classes
during high school will need to sign up for MYP Honors classes or
the Galaxy Program using the Gateway High School MYP Honors
Program & Galaxy Program Freshman Registration 2010-2011
form.
“We know that parental involvement is critical to student achievement.
Our computer kiosks will be especially helpful to parents who don’t
have home computers. This is one more way we can partner with the
community to help students succeed.”
- Anthony Sturges, APS Chief Operating Officer
To assist with questions and concerns that parents and students
might have with the course selection process, there will be an
8th Grade Parent Night
Gateway High School
January 19 at 6:30pm
During this evening, parents and students will receive information on how to be a successful high school student at Gateway, the
course registration process, general information on IB-Middle Years
Program (MYP), Pickens Technical College options, clubs, athletics
and other activities in which students may become involved while
a student at Gateway High School.
PBS Parent PRIDE List
The faculty of CMS would like to recognize the following parents
for their commitment to PRIDE. Their willingness to go above
and beyond for their child, the faculty, or the school is greatly appreciated. They have positively affected the lives of all who enter
our doors and give us a true picture of what perseverance, respect,
integrity, discipline, and excellence means here at Columbia Middle
School.
Cassandra Allen-Brown
nominated by Lisa Cheney
Lenny and Becki Fleck
nominated by Pamela Birx & Michelle Searles
Perseverance, Respect, Integrity,
Discipline, Excellence
Penney Lewis
nominated by Linda Mejia
Awarded to:
Bret and Cathy Mulqueen
nominated by Kim Nave & Vicki Wright
From:
Helen Wilson
nominated by Tami Blasius
AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2009-10 CONSTRUCTION CALENDAR
IMPORTANT DATES
AUGUST 2009
JULY 2009
S
M
T
W T F
1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 13 14 15 16 17
19 20 21 22 23 24
26 27 28 29 30 31
S
4
11
18
25
S
S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
OCTOBER 2009
S
M
T
W
S
1
8
15
22
29
JANUARY 2010
M
T
W
T
F
1
3 4 5 6 7 8
10 11 12 13 14 15
17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29
31
M
T
W
W
T
F
M T W T F S
2 3 4 5 6 7
9 10 11 12 13 14
16 17 18 19 20 21
23 24 25 26 27 28
30
SEPTEMBER 2009
S
T
1
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
27 28 29
S
2
9
16
23
30
S
T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
M
W T F S
2 3 4 5
9 10 11 12
16 17 18 19
23 24 25 26
30
DECEMBER 2009
S
T
1
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
27 28 29
M
W
2
9
16
23
30
T F S
3 4 5
10 11 12
17 18 19
24 25 26
31
MARCH 2010
FEBRUARY 2010
M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28
M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
MAY 2010
JUNE 2010
APRIL 2010
S
T
NOVEMBER 2009
T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
S
M
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
S
S
M
T
1
6 7 8
13 14 15
20 21 22
27 28 29
W T F S
2 3 4 5
9 10 11 12
16 17 18 19
23 24 25 26
30
July 27, 28
July 29
July 30
July 31
Aug. 3
Aug. 4
Aug. 5
Aug. 12
Sept. 7
Sept. 18
Sept. 28
Oct. 1
Oct. 2
Oct. 26-30
Nov. 25
Nov. 26-27
Dec. 8
Dec. 9
Dec. 21-Jan. 1
Jan. 18
Feb. 4
Feb. 5
Feb. 15
Feb. 23
Feb. 24
March 29-April 2
April 29
April 30
May 3
May 13
May 14
New Teacher Conferences (District)
New Teachers Report (Building)
All Teachers Report - (Building)
Teacher In-service - (Building)
Teacher In-service - (District)
All Teachers Report - (Building)
First Day of School - Grades 1-12
First Day of School - Kindergarten
LABOR DAY
K-5 Individual Literacy Plan - Early Release
K-5 Individual Literacy Plan - Early Release
Last Day - Q1
Teacher Workday
Fall Break
Parent Conference Exchange Day
THANKSGIVING
Last Day - Q2/First Semester
Teacher Workday
Winter Break
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
Teacher In-service
Parent Conference Exchange Day
PRESIDENTS DAY
Last Day - Q3
Teacher Workday
Spring Break
Last Day - Q4/Second Semester
Teacher Workday
Teacher In-service
Graduation for HHS, RHS, William Smith
Graduation for ACHS, GHS, Pickens Technical College
1st Quarter – 41 days
2nd Quarter – 39 days
3rd Quarter – 40 days
4th Quarter – 41 days
80
81
= Holiday
= In-service Day, No Classes
= Teacher Workday,
No Classes
= Parent Conf. Exchange
Day, No Classes
= Teacher Conference/Report
= Graduation
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Matthew L. Cook, President
Jeanette S. Carmany, Vice President
Jane F. Barber, Secretary
Peter Cukale, Treasurer
Judith Edberg, Director
Mary W. Lewis, Director
Amy Prince, Director
Columbia Middle School
2009 – 2010 Yearbook order form
Student Name________________________________
Home Phone # _____________________
Grade_______ Date___________
Cell # ________________________
Homeroom______________________
Don’t miss the chance to capture your child’s Middle School memories by ordering a full color
yearbook, DVD or both!
(Check one please)
$10.00 Yearbook – 44 page full color book with student grade level photos,
staff photos, and 8th grade baby picture page.
$10.00 DVD- with clubs, sports and activities along with candid shots of kids
during the year.
$18.00 Yearbook & DVD- The best memory package.
Total Paid______________________
Cash______________
Check # ________
Please make checks payable to Columbia Middle School.
Columbia Middle School
January 2010
MONDAY
B
4
11
A
3:30
Volleyball
Tournament 7C,
8C @TBA
7A, 7B, 8A, 8B
Elimination
@TBA
18
TU ESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
5
6
7
A
B
A
12
13
B
A
14
FRI DAY
8
B
SATURDAY
B
15
16
A
Volleyball
Championships
@Gateway HS
8a.m.-12p.m.
3:30
3:30
7C & 8C @ TBA
(if needed)
19
3:30
7B, 8B
Opening
Rounds/Semifinal
s @TBA
20
B
A
7A 8A
Opening
Rounds/Semifinals
@TBA
21
22
9
A
17
B
No School
Martin
Luther King
Jr. Day
Boys’
basketball
practice
starts
25
26
27
28
29
B
A
B
A
B
3rd Quarter Mid
Term Parent
Conferences
4 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
30
AURORA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
JANUARY 2010 SECONDARY LUNCH MENU
*may contain pork
MONDAY
4
TUESDAY
5
Smothered Nachos
Twisted 3 Meat or Chicken
Pizza
WEDNESDAY
6
Chicken Nuggets
French Toast Sticks
Angel Biscuits
THURSDAY
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
11
12
Hoagie Sandwich
Nacho Bar
Tomato Soup
Chicken Fried Steak
Oven Baked Chicken
Hot Dinner Roll
Baked Potato & Sour Cream or Butter
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
13
Cheesy Bread Sticks w/marinara sauce
Chicken Patty Sandwich
19
20
NO SCHOOL
Spicy Chicken Sandwich
French Dip w/au jus
Variety of Fruits
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
15
Hot Dog
Chili Dog
Stuffed Pepperoni Sandwich
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Individual Galaxy Pizza*
Chicken Buffalo Tenders
Bread Sticks
8
Chicken Fajita
Fish Sandwich
14
Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich*
Taco Bar
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Yellow Birthday Cake
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
18
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
FRIDAY
7
Cheeseburger or Hamburger
Sloppy Joe
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
21
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Fried Steak
Hot Rolls
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
22
Cheeseburger
Hamburger
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Chicken Fajita
Rib B Que Sandwich*
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Molasses Cookie
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
25
Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich*
Hot Dog
26
27
Chicken Patty Sandwich
Waffles & Sausage Patty
28
Rotini w/meat sauce
Cheese Quesadilla
Bread Sticks
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
29
Chicken Buffalo Tenders
Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwich*
Cheesy Nachos,
Sloppy Joe
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Applesauce Bread
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Variety of Fruit
Variety of Vegetables
Note: 1/2 pint of milk is included with each lunch. Choices Include – 1% Chocolate Milk, 1% Lowfat Milk, & Skim Milk.
Looking for part-time work while your children are in school? If interested in working for Nutrition Services, apply at 1085 Peoria, Aurora or online http://www.aps.k12.co.us ($10.00/hr).
Columbia Middle School
80 Airport Boulevard
Aurora, Colorado 80011-9314
Aurora Public Schools
Non Profit
Org.
U.S. postage paid
Aurora
Public Schools