Safety Update from Mr. Mullaney

Please click here to read a safety update from Mr. Mullaney.

Sign up for text alerts from CMCA/The Vanguard School

We have added a text messaging option to our list of ways to communicate with our families should there be any weather delays or emergencies. You are now able to self-register and manage up to three email addresses and/or cell phone text message addresses and receive emergency information just minutes after we post it. These alerts come directly from the FlashAlert service, so you need to specifically subscribe to FlashAlert and create an account to receive these alerts.  To subscribe to these alerts, please click here.

For the third year in a row, the state has cut its funding to CMCA. We continue to work hard to ensure that our quality programs are not affected by these cuts, but we need your help.  Please donate today to help ensure that CMCA continues to provide a high quality education program for your children and for the future.  Our goal is for families to donate $100 for each child attending CMCA or The Vanguard School.  Donations of any amount are appreciated! Bring cash or a check to any building's front office or donate online. We currently have raised over $14,000 with the support of 70 families.   

It's time for the students to "Lend a Hand" by participating in Penny Wars! Collect your pennies and other change to help your grade win the Penny War. Grades 5-8 will be competing against one another, and grades 9-12 will be competing against one another. Pennies will add to your grade total while everything else subtracts from your total. You can build up your grade collection with pennies, and use other coins and dollars to sabotage your opponents!  Bring in your change the week of March 12-15. The winning grades for the 5-8 and 9-12 competitions will be announced on March 16th at assembly.  All proceeds will be donated to the Lend a Hand campaign on behalf of our students.  

Buy SCRIP!

The PTO has generously agreed to put all profits earned from the Scrip Program (Gift Cards) towards staff salaries beginning May!

• Through the Scrip Program, families and staff members can purchase gift cards from hundreds of stores, and a percentage of every card goes towards these PTO profits.
• The PTO will place an order the first Friday of each month.  Gift cards are available within a week of purchase.
• It's easy to purchase gift cards for your normal monthly expenditures (Wal-mart, Shell, Target, Chipotle) as part of a routine.  You are encouraged to use scrip for all your everyday purchases, such as gas, food, and clothing, in addition to gift giving.  Every card adds up to profit and benefits our school.
• All Gift Cards are full value, meaning $25 used to purchase a gift card is worth $25 in the store.
• For more information on the Scrip Program and details of 3 easy ways to order, please click here.   

CMCA Board Election Information  

Elections will be held for three Board positions currently held by Vicki Card, Carole Tripoli, and George Williams during the first week of May. Those who wish to run for the Board will need to submit a letter of intent to the Board prior to the April 4th Board meeting in order to allow time to verify eligibility of all candidates.

Qualifications to run for these three open Board seats are:

• two of the seats must be filled by current parents
• one of the seats must be a D-12 resident, who may or may not be a parent
• a parent is defined as someone with 50% of their eligible children attending CMCA
• candidate must have attended at least three Board meetings in this school year

Dates of upcoming Board meetings: March 7, 2012, April 4, 2012

Summer Enrichment Opportunity

A popular summer program for our students has been the Colorado College Summer Programs for current sophomores and juniors.  To date, five of our students have attended these summer programs, and each gave the experience an "incredible" rating.  

• College Ahead! is an 11-day residential summer enrichment program for rising high school juniors (current sophomores). Students attend on a full scholarship, which includes tuition, room and board, books and field trips. The scholarship is offered to 24 students who are motivated to experience what it is like to take a course at Colorado College, are ready for an introductory college-level course, and want to expand their writing skills (a $2400 value).
• The Southwest Scholars Program offers talented and highly motivated rising high school seniors (current juniors)an opportunity to take a for credit undergraduate course on a full scholarship for full tuition for a 4 semester hour course, room and board, and books (a $4300 value).

Students interested in attending either program can see Mrs. Custer for an application or download application materials from www.ColoradoCollege.edu/precollege.  Application deadline is April 2, 2012. Early application is desirable to ensure enrollment in class of choice. 

Collegeboard Newsletters

Stay on top of college-planning milestones and make smart choices with Collegeboard's newsletters: 

Senior Newsletter 

Junior Newsletter 

Sophomore Newsletter 

Freshman Newsletter 

JH Parent Volunteers We are currently in need of parent volunteers during school hours to help with copying, filing, etc.  Please notify Brenda Hawkins at the Jr. High front office at 719-471-1999 ext. 255 if you are able to help in this way or simply stop by if you have a few minutes.   

Tutors Requested  If you are able to assist with Friday Study Hall tutoring, we would appreciate the help.  Please contact the high school front office at 471-1999 X200, if you are interested.

CMCA is online! Stay connected with CMCA:

1. Vanguard Voice: our K-12 monthly newsletter
2. K-6 Weekly Newsletters: K-6 weekly class newsletters
3. PTO News: PTO updates and events
4. Infinite Campus Portal: check attendance and grades
5. Follow CMCA on Facebook 
6. Follow The Vanguard School on Facebook