World Compass Academy engages and inspires learners in a safe, challenging,
and individualized learning environment, which cultivates and fosters character,
a lifelong love of learning, and the skills to engage in the global community.
September 21, 2017

2018-19 LOTTERY DATES/SIBLING ENROLLMENT 


The World Compass Academy lottery for the 2018/2019 academic year will be held on 
December 5, 2017.  Incoming siblings of current students, Founding Families, and children of Staff must submit an  Intent to Enroll by  October 13, 2017 to be eligible for priority enrollment.

Once a student is enrolled, his/her younger siblings will be automatically enrolled in their respective grades, assuming an Intent to Enroll is submitted by October 13 (prior to the general lottery for that grade,  assuming there are available openings). Multiple birth children will be enrolled together regardless of class size, except in the case of Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten.

All siblings who submit the ITE by October 13 are given priority and will be enrolled in any available spots before new students from the general public.

All families who have completed Intent to Enroll forms will be notified of their admission status via e-mail by December 8th, or the next business day. Families will have 48 hours to either accept or decline enrollment.

Currently enrolled Preschool, Pre-K, and K-7th Grade students do NOT need to submit an ITE form. Please read the complete Enrollment Policy  here. If you have any questions, please contact the Lottery Coordinator,  Heidi Bohrer.


ADMIN LETTER


Dear WCA family, friends, and community!

We are so excited about the start of the 2017-2018 school year! As you know, we are all working hard to help our students learn and grow in meaningful ways.

Special thanks to our parents/guardians for attending our Goal Setting Conferences at the end of August. These meetings are important for supporting our foundational pillar of Mastery Based Learning through differentiation and ability grouping. Also, thanks to our Back to School Night participants who helped support our school goal of increased communication between home and school that includes opportunities for training our stakeholders.

Additional kudos to our school community for helping to make our before school drop-off and after school pick-up run smoothly. While our commissioned traffic study has been underway, we have been running with a 10 minute average of high traffic flow (with the average max length extended to 15 minutes in certain areas)!

On the academic front, we have seen our school performance continue to expand and grow. I am proud of the fact that we have been given the highest level of the CDE 4 tier rating system (Performance Level). The state's report card for WCA shows that we are on track for increasing proficiency and growth in both Math and ELA (English Language Arts). We still have work to do to help meet the school's goal of being the top performing charter school in Castle Rock, Douglas County, and the state of Colorado.

For those attending my Back to School Night presentation, you will recall that I am asking for your help in reaching our testing goal, starting this year. In case you have not heard, the
 U.S. Department of Education has changed the state of Colorado's testing requirements. As a result, we are now required to meet the 95% testing participation rate for eligible students testing in grades 3rd - 7th (WCA will now be penalized for students who opt out of state testing). If we exceed 5% of WCA students opting out of testing, then WCA will automatically drop a CDE rating level, moving from Performance to Improvement Plan. So, please join us in having your student(s) do their best and help us hit the 95% minimum participation rate so that WCA can achieve awesome test scores and school ratings!

On a different note, construction is scheduled to start at the end of October with an all-school celebration/groundbreaking at the beginning of November. Please stay tuned for more updates about upcoming events and celebrations (such as our cultural awareness celebrations in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish).

Thanks again for partnering with WCA!

Lance Howard
WCA Principal

WCA BOYS' BASKETBALL TEAMS

 
We are excited to announce that we had 21 students join the WCA Cougars Boys' Basketball Team. The season begins  October 1 . Watch for home/away game schedules. Please come out and support your Cougars Basketball Team! 
GO COUGARS!

PIZZA FRIDAYS!


WCA will be hosting Pizza Fridays throughout the school year, and the funds will go right back to the school! Pizza will be provided by an outside vendor and delivered to the school on ea ch of the following dates:

September 29
October 27
December 1
December 15
January 26
February 23

Parents may order the pizza slices through My Kids Lunch, our lunch caterer, following the same  process you use for ordering hot lunches. Please note that the pizza will not be provided by
My Kids Lunch, but from an outside vendor. Please order at least 48 hours in advance. Pizza will be the only hot lunch menu option available on the above dates.

We are offering Cheese and Pepperoni slices. Pricing: $3.00 for one slice, $5.00 for 2 slices and $7.00 for 3 slices. We apologize, but gluten free options will not be available. Please send your child with their own beverage, as those won't be provided. We need parent volunteers to help serve pizza. SIGN-UP HERE!

Pizza Fridays are a way to build school community and offer a delicious lunch option for our students at the same time. Please consider ordering on the above dates! Questions? Please call the school office at 303-814-5200.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


WCA Facebook Page . Be sure and "like" us on the  WCA Facebook Page .  This is another great way to stay in the loop!

Follow us on Instagram! Did you know WCA is on Instagram? Follow us! @wcacougars

6th Grade Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting . Join us TONIGHT at 6:00pm in the cafeteria.
Come find out all of the details for this overnight field trip. Sixth Grade is participating in Outdoor Education from October 25-27. Outdoor Education will be held at  Stone Canyon Outdoor Edventures in Larkspur, CO, approximately 25 minutes from WCA. Participation is encouraged, but optional. The cost $225. Need financial assistance? Please contact  Pam Enz.

NO SCHOOL . There will be no school tomorrow,  September 22 . This is a Professional Development Day.  

Monthly Formal Uniform Calendar.   Please click here  to view the calendar for October.
There will be a school assembly on October 13 (focus on manners).


CULTURAL CORNER


Our Mandarin students will celebrate the Harvest Moon Festival on October 4 by participating in special activities (stories, videos, crafts) during their Mandarin class!
The Harvest Moon Festival is also referred to as the Mid-Autumn Festival and is a
centuries-old tradition celebrated in China and many parts of Asia. Families and friends
gather together to eat mooncakes and celebrate the abundance of life. The full moon is
symbolic of wholeness and reunion.

mooncake
The entire school will have the opportunity to experience the "taste" associated with thi s celebration by eating mooncakes, a traditional dessert eaten during this holiday. The mooncake is made of flour in a round shaped cake with lotus pastry, nuts and other fine ingredients in side. The round shape represents the full moon - unity, happiness, good fortune and health. Eating the mooncake makes you happy!  Sharing the mooncake with friends makes them happy!

Moon cakes can be purchased for $5 each through My Kids Lunch. The mooncakes are listed as an Add-On item on the menu for October 4. You may only order online (no orders will be accepted on October 4), and orders need to be placed at least 48 hours in advance. There are a limited number of mooncakes available. We are excited to see what the interest level will be!


KIDS' NIGHT OUT



Friday, September 29
6-10 pm

Bounce House/Pizza/Crafts/Games/Movie
World Compass Academy
All Kids and Ages Welcome

Please email: [email protected]
if you have any questions and to sign up!
 
Cost: $25 for 1st child, $35 for 2-3 children, $45 for 4 or more children.

Deadline to sign up is Wednesday, Sept 27 


GIFTED CORNER


Battle of the Books
WCA would love to try to compete in the Douglas County Libraries Battle of the Books this year.
It is a fantastic opportunity for voracious readers in grades 3-6 to battle with knowledge and share their love of reading.  

A few rules about participating in Battle of the Books:
  • WCA must provide 2 teams, one 3rd/4th, and one 5th/6th.
  • Each team must consist of 5 members and 2 alternates.
  • We will need a coach for each team. If you are interested in coaching, please let me know!
  • Teams will participate in one to two battles from January 29, 2018 - March 9, 2018.
  • The district battle will take place Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
  • Battles can take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday evenings between 4:00pm and 8:00pm.
Please contact Kate Parker if your child would like to participate.

Did you know?
While not all children follow the same mold, there are some trends that can be identified between gifted children as well as bright, or talented children. If you have any questions about these general characteristics, please feel free to contact Kate Parker.

Characteristics of a Bright Child
Characteristics of a Gifted Child
Needs 6-8 repetitions for mastery
Needs 1-2 repetitions for mastery
Knows the answers
Asks the questions beyond the answer
Finds satisfaction in knowing the answer
Tends to show perfectionistic characteristics
Prefers the company of age level peers
Prefers the company of intellectual peers


NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE


"The best way to help avoid getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine," said Dr. David Markenson, ChiefMedical Officer at Sky Ridge Medical Center and Chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. "Everyone six months of age or older should get a flu vaccine, especially pregnant women, those younger than five and age 50 or older, those with certain chronic medical conditions, people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, health care workers, and teachers and those who care for or are in contact with children less than 6 months in age who cannot be vaccinated themselves."

In addition to getting vaccinated, the Red Cross has some simple steps people can take to help prevent the spread of the flu. Parents can also practice these things with their kids to help keep them well:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn't available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
  • Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water is not available use an alcohol based hand-rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home if you're sick. 
  • How does someone know they have the flu? The common signs of influenza are high fever, severe body aches, headache, being extremely tired, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and vomiting and/or diarrhea (more common in children).
  • If someone in your household does come down with the flu, here is the best way to care for them:
  • Designate one person as the caregiver and have people in the house avoid close contact so they won't become sick.
  • Make sure the person stays at home (until 24 hours after the fever is gone) and rests.
  • Designate a sick room for the person if possible. If there is more than one sick person, they can share the sick room if needed. If you have more than one bathroom, have sick people use one bathroom and well people use the other one. Give each sick person their own drinking glass, washcloth and towel.
  • Keep either in the sick room or near the person - tissues, trash can with lid and lined with a plastic trash bag, alcohol-based hand rub, cooler or pitcher with ice and drinks, cup with straw or squeeze bottle to help with drinking, thermometer, humidifier (this extra moisture can make it easier for the sick person to breathe), facemasks (sick people should wear a facemask if available when they leave the sick room or are around other people).
  • Give plenty of liquids (water and other clear liquids) at the first sign of flu and continue throughout illness to prevent fluid loss (dehydration). Sick people with the flu need to drink extra fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.
  • Treat fever and cough with medicines you can buy at the store. Remember, when ill, children should never be given aspirin or aspirin containing products - especially with the flu.
  • If the person gets very sick, is pregnant or has a medical condition that puts him or her at higher risk of flu complications such as asthma, call the doctor. Keep everyone's personal items separate. All household members should avoid sharing pens, papers, clothing, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils unless cleaned between uses.
  • Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.
  • Wash everyone's dishes in the dishwasher or by hand using very hot water and soap.
  • Wash everyone's clothes in a standard washing machine as you normally would. Use detergent and very hot water, tumble dry.
How can I learn more? Ask your health care provider.  Call your local or state  health department. 
Contact the Centers for  Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC): - Call  1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO)   or - Visit the CDC website. 


PTO


Teacher Breakfast. It is time for monthly teacher breakfasts to start! On  September 27,
6th and 7th grade will host a snack bar for the teachers. If you are the parent of a 6th or 7th grader, please consider donating an item for our fabulous teachers! You will be able to drop any non-perishable items at the front desk beginning on Tuesday. When you drop off, please clearly mark that they are for the teacher breakfast. Please bring any perishable items Wednesday morning from 7:00am - 9:00am.  SIGN-UP HERE! Thank you for supporting our wonderful teachers!

Ready? Set. Give! 2017 is in full swing! We're already at 14% of our initial goal of $15K and 7% of our overall goal of $30K. Let's keep the donations coming for a new outdoor classroom, bleachers, and an improvement project to be voted on by the parents of WCA. PTO will be celebrating the first class to hit 100% participation (with a reserve met) with a pizza party or something similar. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated.

In addition, some parents are motivating individual classes by offering celebrations if certain goals are met. The classroom challenges have been issued and they keep coming. Our kids are going to have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. Let's continue to encourage teamwork and participation.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact PTO directly.

CALENDAR REMINDERS



TONIGHT 6th Grade Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting, 6pm
September 22 NO SCHOOL/Professional Development Day
September 25 Girl's Volleyball @ Home vs North Star Academy, 4:15pm (Rescheduled)
September 29 Kids' Night Out, 6-10pm
October 3 WCA Board of Director's Meeting, 6:30pm
October 4 Harvest Moon Festival 
October 6 Early Release Day @ 12:30pm for Full Day K - 7th
October 6 NO SCHOOL for Half Day K and Preschool
October 9 NO SCHOOL/Columbus Day
October 13 FORMAL UNIFORM DAY/School Assembly
October 13
 Deadline to submit 2018-19 ITE for Incoming Siblings


2490 S. Perry Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Main Phone: 303-814-5200
Attendance:  303-814-5280
Nurse:            303-814-5260
Preschool:     303-814-5214

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