Over the years, we have had some wonderful groups from both CCA itself and the community come to present their talents to us for the performance part of the festival in the past years. This year, as we have such a delightful mix of cultures here at CCA, we want to fill up our performances with predominantly students and their families. If you have a student excited about performing, please contact Mrs. Shana Alaniz at salaniz@cherrycreekacademy.org.

We also want to encourage CCA families to share their traditions, food, arts, music, language, dress, and more with each other in the class room "countries". The country leads for the above countries are looking for more help in their rooms. Thank you in advance for considering being part of this community-building event!

Please click on one or both of the links below to volunteer.

To volunteer to represent a country (either from the above list or a new one):

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090b4aa5ad2fab9-country3 

To volunteer to help with the Festival in general:www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090B4AA5AD2FAB9-multicultural2   

Girls and Boys Basketball 

Boys Coaches - Mr. Rider, Mr D Loomis, Mr. A. Loomis

Girls Coach - Mr. Hargreaves.  

Tuesday 20^th - Aurora Academy

            Boys Away 4:15/5:15 - Girls Home 4:15

Thursday 22^nd - Academy Charter

            Boys Home 4:15/5:15/6:15 - Girls Away 4:15

Tuesday 27^th - Parker Core Knowledge

            Boys Home 4:15/5:15 - Girls Away 4:15

Semi Final Games - Thursday 29^th - Boys at CCA/Girls at Aurora

Championship - Wednesday Feb. 4^th - Boys and Girls at American

Players must be picked up by 5:15 or will be sent to Champions.

Parents, have you hit 20 volunteer hours yet? (10 for single parent families)  Second quarter marks halfway through the school year to meet your goal for volunteer hours. Please remember to log your volunteer hours. 

You will receive a "parent volunteer report card" via email so make sure that you have done your homework and entered your hours.  Click here for the link to log your hours and the link to find volunteer opportunities.   

Remember attendance at both Senate Board meetings (2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm) and PTO meetings (3rd Friday of the month at 8:05 am) also count towards volunteering.    

Lunchtime Ice Cream and Popsicles, Only $1!

Don't scream for ice cream, bring $1 every Friday and enjoy tasty treats! Your dollars benefit the 8^th grade Washington DC Trip.

Not a full day CCA student? No problem! Half Day Kindies, parents and volunteers are welcome to bring $1 and drop by the lunchroom from 10:40 am - 1:00 pm and enjoy a treat as well! So be part of a CCA tradition and help an 8^th grader achieve their dream!

Superintendent Harry Bull moderated the panel of 10 current high school students and two graduated alumni. Bull is a proud supporter of student involvement in the arts, and cited a statistic from a study conducted by The Education Commission of the States in 2008. According to the study, 85 percent of business executives have difficulty recruiting individuals who possess creative ability.

"When you're involved in the arts as a student, it really does enhance creative ability," Bull said. Creativity gives students a unique viewpoint on critical thinking and problem solving.

Karen Fisher, Board of Education member, discussed the importance of art in high school after giving a board update. "The one common denominator of our very highest achievers is the arts," Fisher said. The panel consisted of diverse students whose involvement in the arts covered a wide array of artistic ability. All the students agreed that involvement in all art positively impacted them throughout their high school years.

Cameron Adams, a junior at Endeavor Academy, said he turned to music after his father passed away four years ago. Adams plays guitar, sings and beatboxes. He said the arts helped him become resilient and gain confidence in all his projects.

Many of the students paid tribute to music or art teachers as their mentors. Students praised these teachers for educating them on more than just art, but teaching them life lessons along the way.

"It was the support of fantastic educators who push me to be fearless in pursuit of the arts," said Chris Zheng, a senior at Cherry Creek High School. "I was taught you don't make art to impress people - you make art to make art."

Some of the other students pursued passion in photography, drawing, dancing and even museums. Rinesty Rusli, a senior at Overland High School, is a current intern at the Denver Art Museum. She said she loves to consider the thought process behind the art on display, but she said it's easy to get too absorbed into analyzing art. "Don't overthink it," Rusli said. "You have to take a step back sometimes."

All the students agreed being involved in the arts has led them to be better leaders, more compassionate people and more balanced in their day-to-day life.  

By Sara Spritzer, intern with Cherry Creek Schools Communication Services.

Mark Your Calendar for 2/3 - to hear Lauren Kerstein, LCSW, speak about handling stress in children.

Join PIN! PIN is looking for help with website management, social media, and greeting parents at our presentations. Call Barb Goettelman at (303) 759-9560 or email  PIN@friendsofCCSD.org  to find out more.                      

 www.PINccsd.org  

Tuesday, February 3^rd, 2015

9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

What's a Kid to Do?

Anxiety and Stress in Children & Adolescents

Anxiety and stress are very real in the lives of our children and adolescents. Join PIN at our next meeting to learn how we can provide kids with tools that will increase their ability to manage the stressful moments they encounter. In this presentation, Lauren Kerstein will:

1. Provide insight into what anxiety looks like in kids (it isn't as straightforward as it seems)
2. Attempt to sort out the role that normal child development plays in anxiety
3. Offer ideas for increasing your child's capacity for flexible thinking
4. Fill your toolbox with strategies that will help your child manage stress

Lauren Kerstein is a child and family psychotherapist, adjunct professor, national speaker and the author of books, chapters, and articles in the mental health field. She has written a children's picture book, A Week of Switching, Shifting and Stretching my Thoughts, and a workbook, My Sensory Book: Working Together to Explore Sensory Issues and the Big Feelings They Can Cause.

Parents, school administrators and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend PIN's free presentations. No need to RSVP-just come! Presentations are FREE and are held the first Tuesday of each month at:

Student Achievement Resource Center (SARC)

14188 E. Briarwood Avenue, Centennial

(South of Arapahoe Rd., between Potomac and Jordan Roads)   

Visit www.PINccsd.org for Podcasts and Meeting Highlights

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Mar. 3^rd         Why Do Kids Act That Way? Parent coaching to replace strife with peace in your home

April. 7^th       Deal with it! Coping and caring for your child with mental health issues