September 2012 - The Vanguard School

The Vanguard Voice
Volume 18, Issue 1
In this Issue:
www.cmca12.com
High School Retreat a Success!
by Cooper Benson, Senior
High School Retreat..……………………………1
Letter from the Executive Director……………...2
College Kindergarten’s Red Carpet Start………..3
Curricular Updates…..…………………………..3
Welcome from the Board………………………..4
Student Spotlights……………………………….5
4th Quarter Honor Roll………………………….6
4th Quarter Principal’s List……………………...7
Coach’s Corner………………………………….8
Vanguard Boys Tennis…………………………..9
Support our PTO……………………………….10
Dates to Remember:
September 17 Progress Reports
September 19 Picture Day
September 27 Grades 7-12 Sub
Training
September 29 Fall Carnival
October 1 Count Day
Progress Reports
October 9 Board Meeting
PTO Meeting
October 15 Progress Reports
October 19 Quarter 1 Ends
October 20 Vanguard Homecoming
For more details on these events,
and to see additional events, visit
The Vanguard School always starts
the school year right. The first day for
an average high school is a day of
syllabuses, supply lists, and reviewing
summer reading. Vanguard, however,
has a different philosophy. Instead of
a dull beginning, our students and
faculty bond during a trip full of
challenges and fun.
This year’s retreat was at Camp
Shady Brook, a change of venue from
Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je, the location for
the past three retreats. After
organizing into groups of about ten
students and two teachers each, on the morning of August 15,
the students left on the scenic two-hour drive from the school to
Camp Shady Brook. Arriving and unloading was followed by a
brief orientation and lunch, and then the groups began their
activity rotations.
Camp Shady Brook offered a great selection of activities for the
students and faculty. Many challenged themselves on the high
ropes course, rock climbing wall, and Giant’s Ladder. Teams
developed during the low ropes courses and Initiative Games,
as a series of problem-solving activities stressed communication
and teamwork as the keys to success. Shady Brook also offered
the summer camp staples of archery, canoeing, and hiking.
Camp staff also gave the campers ample free time to play
games on the field, nap, or just relax with friends. The seniors
also had the privilege of swimming in the lake during one block
of free time. Thursday evening the upperclassmen faced the
lowerclassmen in a fierce game of capture the flag. While there
was no winner, both sides had fun.
After the game, the closing campfires convened. The freshmen,
sophomores, and upperclassmen each had their own campfire
and supply of s’mores. The groups used this time to talk about
the upcoming year and tell stories. The next morning, the
groups participated in a final activity, packed up, and headed
home. Although exhausted, the student body was unified and
invigorated for the new Vanguard school year.
www.cmca12.com/calendar.
1
From the Executive Director
Dear Parents,
Although we are now nearly a month into the new school year, I want to welcome you back.
Thank you to everyone who attended one or more of the Back to School Nights. We very
much appreciate being able to make that connection with you as we start the year. We’re
off to an excellent start, and I’m excited about all that this year has in store for us.
As we begin each new school year, there is great sense of opportunity and excitement for
what is to come. An academic year, unlike most other fiscal or business years, provides
such a distinct beginning and ending. I think for most educators, certainly for me, the
sense of a new beginning in August far outweighs that of January 1 st. Similar, though, to
New Year’s Day, the beginning of the school year brings much reflection on the prior year and goals for the
next time around, as well as a number of ideas to improve what we have done before.
As always, our goals this year start with fulfilling our mission to the greatest extent possible. Further
developing our students’ character and academic potential is the focus of all that we do. To that end, and
based on a lot of analysis last year, we have an upgraded Saxon Math curriculum this year from kindergarten
through eighth grade. The new material will advance into the high school next year. Likewise, we have
initiated a new writing curriculum from kindergarten to sixth grade called Every Child a Writer. In the high
school, we have increased the number of electives and now offer eleven Advanced Placement options.
Last month we received our Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) scores from the spring. We
did well in many areas and not as well as we’d like in others. Our teachers, team leaders, building leaders,
and I have begun examining the data to find ways to build on excellent performance and to improve all other
areas. Over the next couple of months, we’ll work to identify ways we can create better growth and success
for our student body as a whole and each child individually.
Even as we dig into the task of identifying areas for improvement and strategizing pathways forward, it is right
to acknowledge and celebrate the successes that our students have achieved. For the sixth consecutive
year, The Vanguard School is the top performing high school in Colorado on the CSAP / TCAP. Our students
had the highest ACT scores in Colorado Springs for the third straight year. Last year’s graduating class of 27
students earned over $3 million in combined scholarship money. That group included two National Merit
Scholars. This year’s senior class of 46 students has four National Merit Semi-Finalists.
These amazing accomplishments, and there are many more that I don’t have the space to include, are the
result of an aligned, coherent program from kindergarten through twelfth grade that has a singular focus on
developing our students’ character and academic achievement. Our teachers and staff share a common
vision, our students buy into it, and our parents provide outstanding support all along the way.
Yes, I’m excited to see what this year has in store for us. We have begun this new year intent to do even
better in developing our students from College Kindergarten until we send them off to college. I get to
proclaim their many accomplishments, but even better, we all get to see first-hand the real growth that occurs
in so many ways with each of our students. Thanks again for joining us for this year. It promises to be an
exciting and ultimately fulfilling journey.
Sincerely,
Colin T. Mullaney
Colin T. Mullaney
Executive Director
2
College Kindergarteners Receive Star Treatment
by Teacher Lili Mueh
Standing on a red carpet in front of a
Cheyenne Mountain Charter
Academy backdrop and being
photographed, each new
kindergartner at Cheyenne Mountain
Charter Academy was made to feel
special and welcome.
One hundred twenty-six
kindergartners began CMCA’s
College Kindergarten Program on
August 15th. This will be the school’s
18th year of preparing kindergartners
for a life time of learning.
Kindergartener Brian Xiao
Kindergartener Abigayle Godfrey
Curricular Updates
by K-4 Assistant Principal Kayla Rotz
Saxon Math
For the past several years, our students have been in two math programs: Connecting Math Concepts and
Saxon Math. When groups finished Connecting Math Concepts Level C in the primary grades, the students
moved into Saxon, which continued as the math curriculum through high school. Last year a decision was
made to standardize the math curriculum by teaching just Saxon Math, beginning in kindergarten. What
follows is a brief description of the program, which includes two parts: K through 3 and Intermediate 4
through Course 3.
Saxon Math K through 3 is a hands-on math program designed by Nancy Larson. The series uses a
multisensory approach to teaching and is designed for heterogeneously grouped children. The math
concepts in this program are not taught in chapters, but rather throughout the year in increments. In a
nutshell, the curriculum fits CMCA’s mission in terms of content as well as pedagogy – it works well with our
achievement groups, encourages critical thinking, and gives the teacher the tools to deliver explicit and
consistent instruction.
Each lesson includes the following components: Math Meeting, covering calendar skills, number patterns,
weather, graphing, time, money and mental computation; Fact Practice, which involves mastering math facts
using different strategies; New Concepts taught through teacher-led instruction and some hands-on learning;
and Written Practice, where new concepts and previously learned concepts are practiced and reinforced. In
order to support your child at home with math, look for the Guided Class Practice (Side A)/Homework (Side
B) worksheets. The teacher will guide students through Side A during class; Side B is the students’
homework. You may refer to Side A for help, as those problems involve the same concepts addressed in the
students’ homework on Side B. Additionally, a “School-Home Connection” newsletter will come home every
ten to twelve lessons, summarizing what your student has been learning in math, while offering suggestions
for additional learning.
(Continued on page 10)
3
Welcome from the Board
Welcome from the Board of Directors to the new school year.
Veteran families know that our school is run by the administration
and governed by the Board. We want to give you some information
specifically about our governance to help you understand how the
school functions.
In the spring, the parents of the students at CMCA/Vanguard elect
qualified directors for various staggered terms. (Qualifications are
in the publicly available bylaws.) No compensation is provided for
board service, and CMCA/Vanguard joins many schools and
districts throughout the state of Colorado in allowing employees to
serve as directors under the policies of both D12 and the Charter
School Institute.
Stephen Bowlby, Board President
We encourage consideration of Board candidacy throughout the year in precisely the same way
as we encourage all volunteer activity at the school. Productive, positive participation of families
strengthens all schools. Many, if not most other volunteer opportunities offer immeasurably higher
impact and influence on the day-to-day education and safety of our students. If you want to serve
your students, you can find many ways at our school, and we welcome your participation at every
level.
The Executive Director manages all aspects of the school, and The Board sits in governance. We
engage in analysis, perspective, advice, financial oversight, and participate in plotting the longrange course of the school including its development internally and externally. To do so
effectively, the board finds many sources of knowledge and understanding helpful.
The Board’s recent activities included the expansion of the program from its historical K-8 roots to
include acquisition of the Corona campus land and the creation of our high school, which has just
graduated its third class, garnering over three million dollars in scholarship awards. We completed
the final build-out phase of the high school building.
We’ve approved moving forward with new Saxon math and writing curricula, both critical areas for
students. Our K-4 building will get much-needed attention this coming summer and already has
upgraded HVAC in the multi-purpose room and will receive security and other enhancements.
We are especially proud of the partnership with the PTO, which has been so instrumental in
improvements to all campuses: fences, play equipment, and much more. The PTO is a real group
of heroes to the school.
Our students perform among the highest levels of achievement in the state, and the success of
this graduating class proves our time-tested curriculum and methods, and underscores the
importance of dedicated staff providing the solid foundation from which students achieve and
surpass their goals.
Join us in sharing the goals that our students have: to prepare, to dream, and to succeed. It takes
all of us of different backgrounds, skills, perspectives, and abilities to work together productively
and positively at all levels to reach the goal of making our students successful.
4
Student Spotlights
Preston Hartman took
1st place/Best of Show
at the Kit Carson
County Fair.
Kit Carson County fair
was held July 23-28 at
the Kit Carson County
Fairgrounds in
Burlington, CO.
Swimming: Westin Wins State
8th grader, Westin Stieglitz, took 1st place in the
200 & 400 Freestyle Events in the Colorado State
Championship swim meet. He also placed 2nd in
the 50 &100 Free, the 50 & 100 Butterfly, and the
400 IM.
Westin then went to the Western Zone meet
August 7 - 12 and captured a 2nd, 3rd and 5th
place finish to push the Colorado state team to a
first place victory of the best swimmers in the 15
Western states.
The Stieglitz family after the championships
Baseball: District Winners
Sam Kilimann
Mason Collier rounding the base
5
Sam Kilimann and Mason Collier,
two of CMCA’s 7th graders, led
their Colorado Springs Little
League AllStar team to victory
over Academy Little League and
Tri-Lakes Little League in the
District 5 Tournament. The team
went on to represent District 5 at
the state level in Grand Junction.
While the team did not advance to
the Waco, TX, regionals, Sammy,
Mason and the team were
recognized for their strong
character and excellence on the
ball field this summer.
4th Quarter
Honor Roll
4th Grade
Izaiah Hilbert
Keon Lacy
Tylor Myrie
Jennifer Renz
Chance Shoemaker
Mia Smith
Xavier Sweatman
Jaelyn Wilson
Jaylen Winn
Brandon Bowman
Jessika Carkin
Macynn Day
Steven Heath
Ryan Kelepolo
Arianna Lopez
Soleira Lopez
Nia Hill
Caleb Mohr
Kelsey Murphy
Joseph Padilla
Luke Renfro
Rachel Rice
Clara Sage
Timothy Swartz
Kelsea Dye
Teague Hackenberg
Parker Heslin
Charles Ross
Joslyn Samuelson
William Smith
Vanessa Svihla
Jon Swanson
Samuel Ashby
Jordan Byrd
Jewelianna Casper
Dominick Dwyer
Juan Carlos Gutierrez
Deanna Vasquez
5th Grade
Raelynn Blair
Erika Chien
Alizabeth Clay-Del
Rio
Kaylee Cochran
Pasqual DeLuna
Hayden Frear
Leah Hagen
Devin Haller
Preston Hartman
Aden Hatton
Vasilisa Hebert
Brandon Herd
Calvin Hodges
Alana Khederian
Caleb Knierim
Simon Kurtz
Cameron Lang
Duncan Lewis
Tyler Morris
Hans Mueh
Connor Nelson
Vivian Nguyen
Darian Nguyen
Hannah O'Dea
Madeline Palmer
Molly Quesnell
Julia Romero
Grant Shandy
Hannah Sours
Max Stieglitz
Ariana Strong
Narumi Taico Urrutia
Kayla Teel
Annalee TenBrink
Kirk Toland
Lilliana Tomanini
Alix Walters
Lilly West
Brooke Williams
Korey Winter
6th Grade
Nicole Alderman
Jeremy Allgood
Jessica Bye
Tswana Caine
Madeline Campbell
Dylan Cross
Caleigh Daugherty
Jonathan Drosendahl
Fletcher Erskine
Krysten Gard
K.J. Kearns
Samuel Kilimann
Eric Le
Veronica Malkin
Luke Martin
Shelby Mathis
Hannah McReavy
Evan Morgan
Caolinn Mullaney
Tyler Northcutt
Amiya Peddada
Eric Ryan
Kelsey Van Demarr
Mikayla Vasquez
7th Grade
Jordan Adams
Max Anderson
alexander Cadman
Aaryn Callahan
Elizabeth Campos
Emma Card
Krista Davis
Megan Donovan
Kevin Duff
Alexis Fetterhoff
Abigail Hayes
Jabarhi Hill
Grant Hughes
Mitchell Jesse
Sydney Mobley
Destiny Morgan
Keeley Nelson
Angie Nguyen
Ethan Ratzlaff
Adrew Sintas
Gregory Teel
Gabriela Umana
Juliana Wall
8th Grade
Brittany Bargers
Logan Bye
William Chaney
April Eldridge
Brady Gray
Sage LangstonStewart
Miramani LenziniOldaker
Brooke Martin
Samson Rao
Hannah Reed
Kaylah Samuelson
Brian Truong
Anthony Vo
Mikayla Williams
9th grade
Ashley Ames
Carrie Bieganek
Mariah Doom
Leslie Duggin
Amanda Eubanks
Faith Harris
Rachel Hough
Alex Kimzey
Velmarie Kotwica
Susie Kwak
Joshua Leasure
Andrew Lee
Julie Snively
Lilia Stingerie
KaAni Sweatman
The Honor Roll recognizes students who receive
an equal or greater number of A’s than B’s
6
10th grade
Tearza Gregor
Kory Hagen
Amanda Jesse
Erika Kazee
Chantel Ledbetter
Justin Luu
Anna Mohr
Maddison Ratzlaff
Perrin Swoveland
Victor Torres
Ashlyn Williams
Hannah Yu
11th grade
Cooper Benson
Lydia Blondin
Austin Board
Austyn Callahan
Zach Doom
David Flack
Tim Force
Zaynib Hassan
Rachel Hatton
Thomas Hetherington
Claris Park
Addy Reddish
Peri Rose Sykes
Gracie Williams
12th grade
Camilla Colombo
Kelsey Gloss
Karissa Gonzalez-Othon
Sarah Hughes
Melinda Huttl
Nate Lane
Emily Lathen
Madison Mathis
Carlo Sangalang
Aaron Schreck
April Snively
4th Quarter
Principal’s List
4th Grade
Dane Campbell
Shannon Campbell
Makaila Cardello
Logan Criswell
Aidan Hanson
Kayla Harris
Nicole Orphan
Marcus Pestcoe
Chloe Polette
Luke Sperber
Jack Henry Campbell
Tacey Davis
Mitchell Flores
Christopher LaLone
Loren Ruckmich
Bryce Tanner
Sydney Tanner
Robert Book
Victoria Clinger
Quinton Corry
Alexandra Hall
Hsin-Yi Hu
Audrey Safer
Kenton Vu
Sienna Adams
Dominique Clifford
Alyxa Davis
Alexis Duffy
Victoria Hughes
Faith Humbert
Maya Kohlhepp
Anisa Lenzini
Rebekah Melgr
Madeline Moen
Guillermo Morales
Elianna Morris
Ryland Morrissey
Lauren Nardi
Raif Wolford
5th Grade
Kaitlyn DiMarino
William Geoffroy
Harrison Huthoefer
Madison Jones
James Le
Joey Mathis
Mikaela McLean
Adam Novak
Savanna Padilla
Culin Peddada
Thomas Walsh
Alexandra Wolff
Leo Xiao
Konrad Ziegler
7th Grade
Alexander Cadman
Grace Corry
Allison Defosses
Katherine Hall
Jaymison Johnson
Valentyn Katsman
Myranda Kephart
Lexie Kwak
Rachel Leasure
Harley Morgan
Jia Ying Peng
Halle Schmitt
Sullivan Shimek
Westin Stieglitz
Mary Walsh
Tristan Ziegler
6th Grade
Aspen Blair
Olivia Bolton
Ellie Clinger
Isabella Fincher
Seth Fuqua
Lydia Henline
Gina Kwak
Lauren Lee
Kinsey Neuner
8th Grade
Macee Carson
Lauren Clark
Eoin Doherty
Jacquelyn Drosendahl
Ryan Hughes
Rebecca Hurlbert
Slade Kelling
Matresa King
Aidan Mullaney
9th grade
Joseph Adducci
Nour Ben Hmieida
Alyx Callahan
Danielle Herd
Justin White
10th grade
Madilyn Drosendahl
11th grade
Savannah Baron
Allison Bieganek
Taylor Jones
Robert Stephens
Jessy Sweet
12th grade
Daniel Doherty
Andrea Kirkpatrick
Thomas Luckett
The Principal’s List recognizes students who receive all A’s.
7
Coach’s Corner
by Athletic Director Dina Fuqua
Vanguard athletics is starting its 7 th year this year. We have made so much progress in the
last 6 years when we started with just a couple programs and a few athletes. This fall alone
we now have 150 athletes competing in 5 high school sports and 4 Jr. High sports. Our
coaching staff is first rate has never been better, and all teams are competing at very high
levels. This fall for the first time ever in our short history, I expect that all of our HS teams will
qualify for post season play.
Josh Starnes has moved up from coaching the JH boys’ soccer team the past 2 years to the
varsity boys team this year. He is a talented player and coach, and the boys have gotten off to
a great start. They are currently 1-1 in their season and 1-0 in Regional play. This team is a
very experienced team and Senior heavy so look for them to have a very successful season
and qualify for post season play.
Scott Simons is new to our coaching staff this fall. He has taken on the challenge of coaching
the boys’ Jr. High soccer team. He is a transplant from Oregon with his wife and 5 soccer
sons. The team has started off with 2 fantastic wins beating ECA 11-0 and Manitou 10-2.
This is a very strong team, and they will have great successes this fall.
Steve Read and Kelly Chermack, as always, have their athletes running all over town to train
for their tough meets. Steve was named Cross Country Coach of the year for his sport last
year and it was well deserved. The team continues to compete above our class, 2A, in many
meets and continues to dominate in their sport. They will certainly have great success in the
Regional and State competitions this fall.
Andrew Sterling is back for his second year as the Jr. High boys and girls Cross Country
coach. Now that he has a year under his belt as a teacher and coach, he has embraced this
Jr. High program, and he is training his runners to be great competitors. Their season is just
starting but look for some great performances from them.
Andrew Soeldner is in his second year of coaching the girls’ varsity volleyball team. The girls
improved significantly last year when he came on board, and they will surely be even better
this year. Coach Soeldner still tapes every practice and game to help the girls improve. The
girls will make it to post season play this year. Come out and support these girls!
Cliff Kirkes is the Asst. to Coach Soeldner and the JV girls’ volleyball coach. He and Coach
Soeldner held summer open gyms for the girls’ volleyball players to help them improve their
skills and get ready for their season. The hard work is paying off, and our teams continue to
improve every year.
Sean Verdu is back again to coach the Jr. High girls’ volleyball team. The Jr. High team is
once again very talented, and they are going to dominate the Black Forest League again this
fall. They dominated and crushed Colorado Springs School in their first match and will
continue to play at a high level with Coach Verdu as their leader.
Dina Fuqua is in her 5th year of coaching the boys’ tennis team. This year is our strongest
team that we have ever fielded. They practiced hard this summer, and there are many new
players learning the game quickly and having great success. The boys won the Fountain
Valley tournament in early Sept. and are currently 3-1 in season play. The boys are poised to
make a statement this year at Regionals.
8
Vanguard Boys Tennis
by Coach Dina Fuqua
The Vanguard boys’ tennis team has gotten off to a great start this season. This is
the first year the Vanguard has fielded a team on its own in 4 years. The boys have
played 2 tournaments and 4 matches so far. The boys won the first tournament of the
year at Fountain Valley on Sept. 1. They beat 7 other teams in the region and were
off to a stunning start. The second tournament they played was at Widefield this past
weekend, and the boys finished 3rd overall but not before our top 3 singles players
swept their individual flights easily over the competition and finished 1st .
The boys have had 4 individual matches, and they are currently 3-1 in dual matches,
losing only 4-3 to a very good 4A team from Palmer Ridge HS. The boys beat
Mitchell, Coronado and Chey. Mtn. HS (V2 team). The boys will play in one more
tournament that will prove very challenging this weekend at Liberty. They will be
competing with 2 5A schools and 1 4A school in that tournament.
The boys have been playing all summer to prep for the season. They diligently came
to summer tennis practices every day to improve their skills and learn more strategy
of the game. For the first time in many years, the boys will have a very good chance
and opportunity to qualify for the State Tennis tournament. Powerhouse Air Academy
has been moved out of our Region, and that leaves a significant chance for Vanguard
to step up and claim that State position.
Austyn Callahan, Joseph Adduci, and
Marci Birkas
Playing #1 Singles this year for the team is a foreign exchange student at Vanguard, Marci Birkas. He has not lost any
matches and is a welcome addition to the team. If you want to see some good tennis, come watch Marci play a match.
Playing #2 Singles this year is sophomore and team Captain, Joseph Adducci. Joseph has tremendously improved his
game this year with all of his tournament play over the summer. Look for him to qualify for the State Tennis Tournament in
October.
Playing #3 Singles is Senior and team captain, Austyn Callahan. Austyn is a 4 year letter winner and is the calmest player
on the team. I can always count on Austyn for a win because nothing rattles him. He will also make a bid for the State
tournament.
Playing #1 Doubles are Robert Huthoefer and Camden Bole. Robert has moved up 3 positions since last year and has
taken on that position with a new partner in Camden. Camden is a home school student, and together they are a force to be
reckoned with. Robert was one of the kids who finished 3rd last year behind Air Academy, so the #1 Doubles team has a
great chance to qualify also.
Playing #2 Doubles are Christian Sucher and Josh Becktold. They are both new to the team this year. Christian moved to
Colorado Springs and Vanguard from Wyoming where he played tennis there. Josh is a new tennis player as of this
summer, and he is one of the fastest learners of the game that I have seen in a long time.
Playing #3 Doubles are best friends, Andy Kotwica and Matt Force. Matt and Andy have played JV for the past 2 years
together, and both broke into the varsity line-up as juniors. Originally they were split up on the team, but Matt broke his
thumb at the Fountain Valley tournament and I had to put them together again. They are the best communicators on the
team as doubles partners which makes them successful.
Playing #4 Doubles are Abdullah Hassan, Kory Hagen and Kyle Neuner. These three have been alternating at the #4
Doubles position since Matt broke his thumb. They are all beginning tennis players but have already in their first couple
months of playing the game pulled off some wins.
My 2 awesome JV players this year are Eoin Doherty and Ryan Hughes. Both are also new players to the game but are
learning fast. They are both a delight to have on the team and continue to progress with their skills every day.
I have 3 great managers on the team this year. Chantel Ledbetter, Jaqueline Gutierrez and Taylor Jones all play on the
Vanguard girls’ tennis team and have helped all of the players improve their skills this season. They are very valuable to me
as a coach because of their knowledge of the game and their willingness to support the program in any way they can.
The Vanguard boys’ tennis team is the strongest team we have ever fielded to date. They will be playing some tough
matches in the weeks to come before going to Regionals on Oct. 4 and 5.
9
Curricular Updates
(Continued from page 3)
When students finish Math 3, they move into the next part of the Saxon program, Intermediate 4
through Course 3. Beginning with Intermediate 4, textbooks replace worksheets, reflecting students’
academic development and maturation. Like Saxon K through 3, Intermediate 4 through Course 3
books incorporate incremental lessons, distributed concepts, and explicit instruction, while
emphasizing enhanced problem solving. The lessons introduce a new component called Power Ups.
During Power Ups, students practice math facts, mental math, and problem solving to increase their
critical thinking skills. Investigations are also included, occurring every ten lessons and providing an
opportunity for students to apply what they have learned from previous lessons in real-world problem
solving.
A sense of enthusiasm accompanies the implementation of our updated Saxon Math curriculum.
Students are engaged and excited about their math learning, and teachers are thrilled to see the best
parts of the Saxon curriculum retained but improved in important ways: concepts that are better
aligned and introduced earlier than ever; curriculum holes filled; and a new emphasis on problem
solving and critical thinking. As with any change, a degree of flexibility will be required as we
introduce the updated curriculum, and we ask for your patience and support as we make necessary
adjustments. Please know that we welcome your feedback as we work hard to ensure our students’
math success.
Every Child a Writer
We are thrilled to have a new writing curriculum in our elementary school. Developed by the National
Literacy Coalition, Every Child a Writer (ECAW) will allow us to standardize writing instruction from
grade to grade, while teaching children writing skills commensurate to their ability levels.
ECAW is a genre-based approach to writing, with a focus on descriptive, narrative, instructional,
explanatory, and persuasive writing. Each genre is taught in a continuum that mirrors the
recommended order of instruction developed by the NLC. Targets are set for the students to master,
and when those goals have been achieved, the teacher will move the group on to the next type of
genre in the continuum. These genres cycle and build on each other, so students will see and
practice key concepts multiple times during a school year.
ECAW instruction includes four parts. First, the teacher models the writing process for the whole
class during a time known as Demonstrated Writing. After Demonstrated Writing, the teacher has
students break into their Differentiated Writing groups. During this time, the teacher works with
smaller groups to produce writing within the given genre. Each piece of writing has instructional
targets which focus on planning, organization, vocabulary usage, structure, and mechanics. While the
teacher is working with one group, the other groups are engaged in Directed Writing. This is a time
when students are able to independently practice the genre and instructional targets taught during
Differentiated Writing. When students have completed both Differentiated Writing and Directed
Writing, they move on to Extended Writing, which is an opportunity to extend their knowledge of
writing to other subjects. Teachers will have students use this time for working on book reports,
vocabulary, cursive, ABC order, etc.
ECAW dovetails well with what we do at CMCA and offers a degree of alignment not previously
present in our writing instruction. We appreciate your support as we continually look to improve the
instruction we provide our students.
10
Support our PTO
Thank you to each parent who has already volunteered with our CMCA/Vanguard PTO this school
year!
This year is off to a fast start. PTO has provided refreshments for all four Back to School Nights and
will conclude our annual Entertainment Book Fundraiser on September 14. We are also hosting two
new events this school year, a Fall Carnival on September 29 and a Holiday Bazaar on November
30.
PTO is also fulfilling wishes of our teachers, staff and administration by funding requests for
technology and classroom supplies. Thus far the PTO has approved partial funding for a safety fence
that will be installed at the Wahsatch Campus near teacher parking along Wahsatch. PTO provided a
similar fence over the summer to the Corona Campus to support student safety along the upper
parking lot carpool line. PTO has also purchased 8 projector remotes to allow teachers on the Corona
Campus to move about their classroom while using overhead projectors in their classrooms.
At the September 11, 2012, PTO Meeting, funding for tables in the Special Ed Department, Carnegie
Leadership Training for our leadership, a volleyball spike machine for our Athletic Department, a
laptop for our Kindergarten Building and a refrigerator for insulin storage in the K-4 Health Office were
all approved. Parents who attend PTO meetings regularly vote on items like these to provide extras for
our school that otherwise would not be able to be purchased.
PTO is looking forward to our first ever CMCA Fall Carnival on Saturday, September 29, from 4:00 to
6:30 P.M. at the Corona Campus. Wrist bracelets will be sold in advance for $12 and will include
admission to most rides as well as some snacks and drinks. Tickets will also be available for
purchasing a la carte snacks and drinks. Watch your student’s Friday folder and look for posters
around the school buildings with more information. We hope you will join us!
Please like our CMCA PTO Facebook page and look for weekly e-mail updates from your friendly
PTO. This is the easiest way for us to keep CMCA and Vanguard families informed and to call for
volunteers.
We look forward to seeing you at our next PTO Meeting on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, at 1:30 pm at
Schlotzky’s Deli near the Wahsatch Kindergarten Building. All parents and teachers are always
welcome!
President Trudy Hackenberg: [email protected]
Vice President Jennifer Heffernan: [email protected]
Treasurer Brooke Bolton: [email protected]
Secretary Taylor Fry-Van Demarr: [email protected]
PTO Liaison Janet Dinnen: [email protected]
PTO website: www.CMCA12.com/Parents/PTO
Facebook: like “Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy PTO”
Email: [email protected]
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Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy
1605 S. Corona Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
Support CMCA with Scrip!
What is "Scrip?"
We have a fundraising program at CMCA/
Vanguard called “Scrip.” Through this program
the school purchases gift cards at a reduced
cost and sells them to you at face value. By
purchasing gift cards through this program, you
are supporting the school with your everyday
purchases without spending any extra money!
Figure out what you plan on spending next
month. See if you can use a Scrip card to pay
for your purchases. Order the cards you can
use.
It's That Simple!
There are 2 easy ways to order gift cards though CMCA’s Scrip program.
1. Fill out an order form (www.cmca12.com/scrip) and return it to the office with a
check made out to “CMCA” by Friday, October 5, 2012. OR
2. Visit ShopWithScrip.com to place your own order from the hundreds of retailers
available. Register with the site and link your order to CMCA by using this code:
5C4CE55628LL8 and send in payment to the front desk. If you have an online
account you will receive a charitable tax donation form at the end of the year.
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