We end each of our weekly staff meetings with celebrations and appreciations -- a way to recognize the positive impact someone has made to our community.  I'm writing this part of the newsletter to you all as we wrap up our 20th year BBQ celebration and plans are in full swing for the Harvest Fair on October 28. The ways in which you all contribute toward making CCDS a joyful learning environment is something I'd love to take a moment to celebrate. From greeting each other in the morning, welcoming new families, supporting field trips in many ways, attending our project exhibitions as curious audience members -- you each contribute to our culture in meaningful and impactful ways. Thank you!

As we head in to October, project work is getting into full swing. Projects are designed around an essential question -- something open-ended that allows for different access points, encourages inquiry, and interests students. During this work, students will often consult with experts in the field, complete field work to help inform their inquiry, and share their learning in unique and creative ways for an authentic audience at an exhibition. In a nutshell, Project Based Learning (PBL) asks us to facilitate deep, meaningful, joyful, purposeful work for our students. Below is a quick glance at the projects students are working on this fall:

Grade Level	Project Title	Essential Question(s)
K	Eating the Alphabet	How can we teach others about healthy food choices?
1	KIndness Project	How can we spread kindness to others?
2	Matter that Matters	How can 2nd graders make matter matter?
3	Looking Back so we can Go Beyond	Can undertanding local history affect our choices today?  Can learning someone else's story deepen my perspective about our community?
4	Personal Narrative Book	What is your story?
5	I Love Chico: Memoirs	How can we share our personal experiences with our community through heartfelt writing?
6	This I Believe	What do you believe to be true?
7	Weaving the World of 300	How can we display the connections between global regions and 300 CE?
7	Middle School Garden	How can you make a difference? How can you impact our community?
8	Science Misconceptions - Veritasium Project	How can we use video to correct science misconceptions in the general public?

Below is a bit more information for families regarding the LCAP, safety drills, and the Chico Parade of Lights.

Learning Opportunities:    Here  is a resource titled "Charter Schools 101" from the California Charter School Association. In addition, the funding formulas for schools now are called the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and a portion of this is a supplemental grant called the Local Control Accountability Formula (LCAP). If you are interested in learning more, here is the  Guide to LCFF and LCAP.   

We have reviewed our safety protocols at the start of this new school year and run through drills and procedures with the students. In addition, on October 20, we will participate in the Great California ShakeOut, an earthquake and preparedness activity sponsored by the  Earthquake Country Alliance .

Last, but not  least , Chico Country Day School will be participating in the Chico Parade of Lights this year on October 15  at 7:30 p.m. The float is being created by the Middle School Leadership class with the help of PTP and will have musicians and singers playing "20 Years Strong." Students may walk alongside the float, but must have a parent accompany them.  Get out your CCDS swag, vintage or new, and join us in celebrating our 20th year. Look for the meeting time and place in our next e- flier .