 |
 |
HELLO FROM THE LEADERSHIP TEAM
CCDS has a new logo!
With over 20 years of experience serving the educational needs of the greater Chico and Butte County area, the CCDS administrative team has been working this fall semester on articulating what it means to come to school here, work here, and learn here. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where all learners are inspired to achieve their personal best. As we begin work on our strategic plan and building on the hard work of a team of administrators and teachers who attended the Leadership Academy at High Tech High two years ago, we created a new logo and new statements about what we believe in for our students.
Next month, you will see a few changes to our website, newsletter, e-flyers, and social media as we move to new colors and design that include our new logo which is posted below. We hope you like it as much as we do.
Chico Country Day Charter School is known for providing the best education available in Butte County. A current dilemma in education is that we are preparing students for a quickly changing world and job market. We are focused on adapting to students' needs and preparing them for success in high school, in higher education and in the workforce they will enter after graduation. The activities in our classrooms vary based on the student, but students are routinely able to explain what they are learning, why they are learning it and how it connects to other areas of their lives.
We are also a hub for adult learning where teachers and administrators have a place to explore cutting edge educational theory and push the boundaries of what learning could look like for our students. We stay on the cutting edge of educational theory because we understand that not all kids learn the same way, and that styles of learning must be adapted to each student's needs as well as to the ever-changing world they will face as adults.
Our core purpose at CCDS is to educate students toward becoming engaged and thriving learners.
- What we mean by educate is that our job is to teach the knowledge, skills and values that come with academic rigor and developing character. We are accountable for ensuring that students meet competency standards for their grade level.
- What we mean by engaged is that learning should be interesting, challenging and joyful. Learners should see the value of what is being taught and be active participants.
- What we mean by thriving is that students are able to start where they are and do their best, know that they matter as individuals, and feel safe so that they are free to be their best selves.
Our Core Values are:
Collaboration
- We believe that people have a voice and that collaboration between teachers, parents, students and staff will produce the best results for our students.
Deeper Learning
-We believe in utilizing Innovative Educational Practices to deepen learning because we want students to learn how to learn. Our teaching styles are driven by current educational research. We foster an environment where both students and teachers are committed to high expectations for quality work and character/citizenship.
Joyful learning -
We value joy in our learning environment and it starts with our staff being joyful learners. Students can only catch the "joy of learning" from how we lead and teach.
Responsiveness
- We value responsiveness as an organization. Our goal is to shift and change as quickly as we can when we face challenges or find opportunities to change for the better
Community connection
- We value connection to each other to the broader community of Chico, and to the world.
We Believe:
- We believe that education should both engage students and build their character
- We believe in innovation and not maintaining the status quo
- We believe the best learning environment is one where each student's needs are addressed
- We believe in being good to each other and doing work that matters
- We believe that everyone is a learner, including teachers, students, staff and parents
- We believe in the power of community and collaboration
- We believe in celebrating successes
- We believe in taking risks even when you fail, because failing is a key part of learning
- We believe in preparing students to meet the world they will enter as adults
- We believe students should have a voice in their own learning
Thank you to our community for over 20 years of support, thank you for choosing to be a part of Chico Country Day School, and we are looking forward to a very bright future!
|
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who donated to Margaret's fundraiser on #GivingTuesday. We made a whopping $2550! Facebook and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match $1000. All proceeds will be divided equally among grade levels to be used for study trips. We're super excited about this!
Have you noticed anything different about the CCDS Facebook page? Well, we have some social media experts on the job to help us get reminders to you! Thank you to Mark and Shawna Sorenson for volunteering to keep everyone up-to-date! You ROCK at social media and we are grateful for your expertise!
Staff is beyond grateful for all the love you gave us during Staff Appreciation Week. From flowers to dessert, breakfast and lunch to all the sweet notes, we are feeling very thankful for our families. A special thank you to Kerry Hermann and PTP for the time, energy and devotion to pulling this fabulous week together!
The Can Drive produced over 500 cans! Thank you to the leadership class for all their work on this community project. First place winners were the 8th grade class with 119 cans!
Hey, a special thanks to the CCDS staffers who served Thanksgiving dinner at the Jesus Center. You rock!
|
School Messenger Robocalls
As you know, CCDS sent two robocalls on the same day, one about a fundraiser and one that was due to an emergency situation. First and foremost, we want to thank you for your patience during last Tuesday's lockdown.
Our School Messenger system is a great tool and we plan to utilize it for reminders as well as emergencies. If it is a reminder, the school messenger will be delivered to you after school hours. For emergencies, you will be notified immediately by email, phone and text. If you haven't opted in to receive SMS text, you can do so by texting a Y to our school code - 67587.
|
|
A New CCDS Addition
We have a new addition to the CCDS family - a mascot! Our PTP has purchased an eagle mascot costume. Our eagle mascot will "fly in" and visit various events. We are currently collecting name suggestions from the students and will have a naming ceremony at the next rally. We will keep you posted!
|
|
Middle School Fiber Arts Elective
|
|
November Eagle Eye Winners!
Merin Gaddie
Ava Gaddie
Auden McConney
Paige Wellersdick
Milo Drummond
Carly Ann Duggan
Julianna Stephens
Liam Currie
|
|
|
|
Dec 4 Boys Basketball Tryouts 6:30-8 p.m.
Dec. 13 Board of Directors Meeting 5:30 p.m.
Dec 15-16 Eagles Invitational Girls Basketball Meet
Dec 19 Safety Committee Meeting 3-4 p.m.
Middle School
Girls Basketball Game vs. PCMS CCDS Gym
Dec 21 Girls Basketball Game vs. Bidwell CCDS Gym
Dec. 22 Minimum Day
Dec. 25- Jan. 5 Winter Break
Jan. 8 Professional Development - No Student Day
Jan. 9 Back to School
|
|
Chico Holidays Together
This year, 11 different agencies across Chico have banded together in order to target gifts that are very much needed and useful to the people they serve.
CCDS is an official drop-off point for the community, especially for the Jesus Center's drive for flannel shirts. If you would like to help, we have made it easy for you to pick something
 to donate. ASP designed cute gift tags, each containing a requested item. We will have tags hanging on a garden trellis outside the main office.
Please bring your donation (with tag) to the main office or middle school office by Thursday, December 21. Thank you in advance for helping to make a difference!
|
Independent Study and Attendance
The holidays are here and we know this often means out-of-town trips. Please keep the information below in mind as you're making your holiday plans.
Students currently enrolled in CCDS who will be absent from school for three or more days may take advantage of the Independent Study Program.
Parents must submit the
Independent Study Form in full a minimum of five school days in advance
of the
absence to arrange for class work. Mrs. Owen will contact you to arrange a day and time for both you and your student(s) to sign the
contract and go over assignments.
When the student
returns from the planned absence, s/he
must turn in all work to the school office or
Stacey Owen
within five days from the date on the Student Assignment and Work Record (weekend days included) for credit to be earned.
What is considered an excused tardy?
The only excused tardies are medical and dental appointments, illness, funeral for immediate family member, or a legal appointment (i.e. family court).
What qualifies for an excused absence?
The only excused absences are illness or medical appointment, funeral for immediate family member (one day in state, three days out of state), quarantine, court appearance.
The following can be excused with prior written request/ approval from administration: any funeral attendance, religious holiday/observance.
|
Maker Space Grant
A $5000 grant from Lowe's has provided us with the opportunity
to create
and equip a "Maker Space" in our Middle School. This is a fabulous addition to furthering the project work that can be accomplished. Students learned design and simple carpentry skills as they used the space to build artifacts for their current projects that were exhibited on November 28. We can't wait to see what projects happen next.
A big thank you to Lowe's!
|
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE NEEDS GLOVES
GOT ANY EXTRA GLOVES?
Middle School Science class is looking for donations of surgical gloves. Every lab requires 130 gloves. That's a lot of gloves! Any help would be appreciated.
CHECK THIS OUT!
Seventh grade science made globes  of the Earth in 100,000,000 years. The students first made 2d maps. These maps required them to make decisions about how far the tectonic plates will move in both direction and speed and how will land masses above water change in shape as the plates interact over this time period. They found a web site that takes 2d pictures and then turns them into a globe. It is so epic to see these 2d maps as digital globes that you can move around like Google Earth. Check out the website they found: maptoglobe.com.
|
New CCDS Merchandise
(Available Dec. 14)
Guess What!! New CCDS merchandise (with the new logo) will be available for purchase on December 14! We will have hoodies, t-shirts, hats and decals. Stop by either office to get some Christmas shopping done. Coffee mugs will also be available after December 19. A price list will be posted in the next e-flyer.
|
|
CALLING ALL SIBLINGS
Do you have a child enrolled in CCDS and another who will be ready for kindergarten in the fall of 2018?
We need to reserve kindergarten spaces for all the younger siblings coming into CCDS.
The 2018-19 Lottery Application
is now available on the CCDS website and in t
he main office.
Because you are a returning family, you do not need to fill out the proof of residency which is part of the application link.
Please fill out the school application and return to Stacy in the main office. When filling out the application, note the name of your other children attending CCDS.
To enter kindergarten, children need to be 5 by September 1.
Admissions/Lottery Information Night
An Admission/Lottery Information Meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, January 24 in the Middle School Common Area at 6 p.m. This is an opportunity for new families to learn more about CCDS and our lottery process. Mrs. Fischer will be leading the meeting and there will be an opportunity to tour both schools and fill out a lottery application. To RSVP for this meeting,
please click here.
|
LIBRARY TIME FOR 3RD GRADE!
|
|
|
|
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Auction of Excellence is April 7
Save the date for the Auction for Excellence! Our school's biggest fundraising event will be held on the evening of
Saturday, April 7,
at a beautiful new venue: The Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery. Planning is underway and the auction committee can use your help.
Sponsorships: We are looking for businesses and community members to sponsor the Auction for Excellence and help cover the costs of putting on this important event. Sponsorship opportunities range from $150 to $1000 with promotional benefits at each level. Please feel free to print out some copies of our letter and share with your place of work or any businesses you feel connected to. The more sponsors we get, the more funds that can be directed to our school.
SPONSORSHIP LETTER
Donations: We need help gathering items for bidding.
Do you have any connections to local businesses? A rental property that you would like to offer for a weekend? A useful skill you'd be willing to share with the school community? We want to hear from you! Here is an auction item wish list to give you a better idea of what we'd love to see at the auction: Check out our
WISH LIST
here.
|
|
Auditions for the Spring Theater Production
All 6th-8th graders are welcome
Tuesday, December 12, after school
Thursday, December 14, after school
Friday, December 15, after school
Sign up outside the Music Room for your 10-minute spot!
You can prepare a song and/or a monologue,
OR
you can sing a song of Mrs. Greenfield's choice and/or read a scene from one of the plays.
This year's production includes scenes from three different shows:
Pirates of Penzance, Guys and Dolls
, and
West Side Story
. There are singing and non-singing parts available.
If you get a part in the show, you will be automatically signed up for the Theater Elective from January through June.
Mark your calendars for these music offerings
Friday, December 15 - Concert Choir will be sharing a few of their songs at All-School Sing
Wednesday, December 20 -
Concert Choir is caroling downtown after school
Friday, January 19 - 4th grade will be performing Beethoven's Ode to Joy at All-School Sing
Friday, January 26 - Winter Concert for all bands and choirs, 6:30 p.m. in the gym
|
|
High School Information for 8th Grade Families
If you have an 8th grade student, it's almost the time of year to start thinking about plans for high school! While getting enrolled in high school and signed up for classes will be an ongoing process throughout the Spring, there are a few things that you need to be aware of right now!
Form 10: If your child is hoping to attend a high school that is not your school of residence (you live in the Chico High attendance area and they want to attend PV, or vice versa) then you will need to fill out a Form 10 for your child. Form 10 paperwork for the 2018-19 school year is not yet available online, but will be shared when available.
Other School Options...
While many students go to either Chico High or Pleasant Valley High, there are some students who are interested in attending local Charter Schools in the area. Inspire School of Arts and Sciences is one; Inspire's application period for the 2018/19 school year is now open will close January 31, 2018. Here is a link to the Inspire online application.
|
|
Life Skill Spotlight: 4th Grade
PERSONAL BEST
In 4th grade, one of the life skills that we focus on is Personal Best.
WHY TEACH PERSONAL BEST?
Personal Best is a life skill that teaches children to recognize that everyone's best can look different, and to use their individual strengths to meet challenges.
WHY IS PERSONAL BEST GOOD FOR STUDENTS?
-
It allows students to access tasks from where they are and grow from there.
-
It encourages cooperation and de-emphasizes competition in the classroom.
-
It celebrates people's individual differences.
HOW TO TEACH PERSONAL BEST AT HOME:
-
Stay positive about mistakes -- mistakes are how we learn!
-
Focus on the
effort
in the work, not the product.
-
Be a model for your child. They learn by watching you.
BOOKS TO READ:
The Dot
by Peter H. Reynolds
Mud
Pie Annie by Sue Buchanan
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! by Jonah Winter
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
|
|
 |
| Personal Best Inspirational Video |
|
|
|
| A Pep Talk From Kid President to You |
|
|
Holiday Fundraiser
Distribution from our Holiday Sales fundraiser will take place the week of
December 18. Thanks to all of those that helped make this a success.
Mark Your Calendars: Family Night Out
Here's another opportunity to earn money for CCDS and enjoy a meal out. Please mark your calendars!
January 17, 2018, from 4-8 p.m.
- Chipotle (Mangrove Location)
February 28, 2018, from 4-8 p.m. - MOD Pizza
Buy-It-Brick Campaign 1996-2016
In honor of our 20th anniversary last year, we are continuing our Buy-a-Brick campaign.
These beautifully crafted, laser- engraved bricks are a way to celebrate your family's time on campus. This will be an on-going campaign that will not only add beauty to our campus, but will also serve as a visual history of our school and families.
There are flyers in the office, along with a sample brick. The bricks will be delivered in batches to be installed in several locations around campus. Support CCDS and honor your memories!
|
|
Holiday Shopping? Here are some ways to earn CCDS $$$
Amazon
Click here to go to the Amazon page on the CCDS website. Once you're there, click on the Amazon Ad, place your order and CCDS will receive a portion of your purchase. Better yet, bookmark the link so you can always have it handy! You can also designate CCDS as your school on Amazon Smile.
Last year Shoparoo made approximately $225 for CCDS and it's very simple. Shoparoo is an app for your smart phone All you have to do is take pictures of your receipts within 14 days of the transaction. Receipts can be from any grocer, drugstore and convenience store. For every 500 points we receive a dollar. Designate CCDS as your school to support. Invite friends and relatives too -- more supporters means more money!
Boxtops
Don't forget to clip your boxtops! Boxtops also has an app for your phone where you can scan your receipts . Why not? It's easy money for our school!
|
EXHIBITION TIME IS HERE
Exhibitions have been taking place throughout November and will continue into December. Each grade level has been preparing, practicing and fine-tuning; prepare to be blown away if you have not attended one yet. Below are just a few highlights.
Last month KIndergarten invited friends and family to their Alphabet Feast. These little chefs shared some healthy tips and even samples were included.
Last week, the middle school had a podcasting exhibition.
If you didn't attend, you must take some time to check out their podcasts! There are two ways to access the podcast channels. If you have an iPhone or iTunes account, you can search on the podcast app for our channels: [Insert Title Here] and Minds of the Middle. If you do not have an iPhone, you can get an app called "Stitcher" that will work on android.
Click here for the link to Stitcher.
Once you are on Stitcher search for the channels listed above.
A few weeks ago, the fifth grade invited family and friends to check out their Novel Engineering Project.
After reading the novel Hatchet, students identified problems the main character Brian faced while stranded in the wilderness and worked to create products to help solve them. While going through the design process, scholars created prototypes of ideas such as portable water filters, innovative shelters and clothing items, and different tools to acquire food.
We're proud of our students and all they have accomplished!
|
Chico
 Country Day School
102 West 11th Street
Chico, CA, 95928 
(530)895-2650
(530)895-2646 fax
|
|
|
|
|
