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Kodiak ROAR: Reminders, Opportunities, Achievements & Requests, 
a CSS eCommunication newsletter
  Reminders  
Cheer on Your Kodiaks!   Kodiak Bear  

Upper School Girls' Volleyball:
Friday, October 23, 2015 - CSS at Simla; JV at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 - Possible District Play-off game (TBA).
Saturday, October 31, 2015 - District Playoffs (TBA).
Upper School Cross-Country:
Saturday, October 31, 2015 - State Cross-country at Bear Creek Park (TBA).
Upper School Mountain Biking:
Sunday, October 25, 2015 - CSS at NICA State Championships in Eagle, CO at 8:00 a.m.
Middle School Girls' Volleyball:
Friday, October 23, 2015 - CSS at Simla: "A" at 4:30 and "B" at 5:30 p.m. (early dismissal at 2:30 p.m.).
Saturday, October 24, 2015 - CSS  "A" team at BFL League Tournament at Kiowa at 9:00 a.m.
5th/6th Girls' Volleyball:
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - CSS at Skyway Elementary at 3:40 p.m.
Wednesday, October 21 - CSS at Cheyenne Mt. Elementary at 3:40 p.m.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 - CSS at Vanguard at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 29, 2015 - CSS at Gold Camp Elementary at 3:40 p.m.
Boys' and Girls' Middle School Basketball:
Monday, October 26, 2015 - First Practice at 3:30 p.m.
Drive with Pride!

Are you driving with Kodiak Pride? Thank you to all CSS parents for spreading the good word about CSS. Last week, CSS distributed new License Plate holders to families and students in car lines. Bus riders also were given holders for their family cars.

If you did not receive one, or need extras, please drop by the Trianon to obtain your CSS license plate holders and drive with pride!
Reminder: Picture Day Retakes on Wednesday!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015, 8:15 a.m. - noon 

100% guarantee. If you were not 100% satisfied with your pictures, Lifetouch will retake your pictures.

If you were not satisfied with you first picture package, return it on retake day for a 100% guarantee. Love your portrait or Lifetouch will retake it (or refund)! Use mylifetouch.com and the Picture Day ID:  to place new orders if you were absent the first picture day.
To provide you with outstanding customer service Lifetouch's school support specialist is Jami Wellmann. She is available to lend any additional assistance. Her e-mail is jwellmann@lifetouch.com  jwellmann@lifetouch.com or her phone number is (719) 314-1589.

Inclement Weather Procedures
As cooler weather approaches, please use the following means to learn of an inclement weather delay or cancellation:
  • First, tune into local television and radio stations, or their websites, for listings.
  • Visit the school's website, at www.css.org In the event of a delay or cancellation, the school's website will display prominent weather-related messages. Please refresh the homepage to ensure proper viewing.   
  • The school's Facebook page will announce weather-related news. 
  • Call the school's general line at (719) 475-9747. A recorded message will convey any weather-related announcements.
  • ParentAlert: To receive a text message alert about delays or cancellations, please include your cell phone information in RenWeb. Students may also list their cell phone information. Please be sure your settings are activated to receive text messages. CSS TESTED THE PARENTALERT SYSTEM AT 12:15 P.M. ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015. If you did not receive the alert please reference instructions here.
As always, we encourage each family to use good judgement about the roads and conditions in your area and stay safe. 
Monthly Parent Coffee Connections Off And Running!
 
In partnership with the Parents Association, the Head of School, Aaron Schubach and Academic Dean, Eric Gaylord, will present monthly coffees focused on stimulating educational topics. Come and enjoy the hospitality along with a 20-minute, 6-slide presentation and opportunity for Q&A. Start off your day a cup of joe and some food for thought!  These presentations are open to all parents in all grade levels.

We enjoyed a great audience with for this past Monday's first presentation on Data Driven Instruction with Mr. Gaylord. He spoke about testing metrics such as ASPIRE, CWRA+, ACT/SAT and APs. Look for Mr. Schubach's blog post next week for a recap on these important topics. Watch Mr. Gaylord's webcast from the other week.



Monday, November 2, 2015, 8:10 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Louisa Performing Arts Center
Topic: The Marshmallow Test. Learn about non-cognitive skills with Mr. Schubach. Learn more about RULER and concepts like grit and growth mindset.

Click here for future dates and upcoming topics.
  Opportunities 
Claremont Challenge Exceeded!

The Annual Fund is off to a solid start for this year's fundraising efforts to "say yes to students." Earlier this month, we reached our stated challenge of jump starting the year with 40 Claremont Society level donors. In fact, we exceeded the goal and more than 50 donors have contributed $1500 or more to the school's Annual Fund! We are thrilled to have this positive momentum carry us into end-of year charitable giving as the 2015 tax year comes to a close this quarter. 

We will celebrate a commitment to leadership giving at the Claremont Society reception on Wednesday, October 28, 2015. The event will be hosted by CSS Parents, Lorn and Perry Sanders at their hotel and restaurant, The Mining Exchange. We are still accepting donations at all levels, but a donation of $1500 or more will earn you an invitation to the Claremont Society reception. Honoring the $10,000 challenge gift donor will be a highlight of the evening.

Additionally, the school is formalizing a new Lifetime Giving Society which will be debuted at the Claremont Society reception. Donors who have contributed cumulatively more than $50,000 are being invited to the reception. These Lifetime Society donors represent 60 donors who have contributed more than $20 million to the school since its founding. Many of these donors represent generations of parent contributors who are now proud parents of alumni. It will be an inspiring night for all those who commit to leadership giving at CSS.  

Can't give at the Claremont level, we invite you to make a participation gift at the level right for you and your family. Please proudly make a gift that is personally meaningful for your family. It is important as a school that we strive for 100% parent giving. 

Say "Yes!" Make a Gift Online Today!

Feel free to contact Jessica James, Director of Advancement and Communications at jjames@css.org or call her at (719) 210-3499 to discuss your gift, setup a recurring credit card donation or installment payments, or to consider the significant tax advantages available through the Child Care Tax Credit offered through the State of Colorado. 

  Achievements 
Achievements 
 
Eagle Scout Honors Confirmed

Freshman, Gabe G. '19 is confirmed as a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. This is Boy Scouting's highest rank. Gabe has been a scout since first grade and earned the Arrow of Light, Cub Scouting's highest award.

Thanks for allowing CSS to be part of your Eagle Scout project --- your positive improvements across campus are appreciated.


Welcome Faces & Our Culture

Welcome to our six new students from Guatemala! Through the Faces & Our Culture program they will be studying in our Middle and Upper School and living with CSS families over the next several weeks.

Click here to learn more about the Faces & Our Culture program.

Middle School Soccer Recap

The MS Boys' Soccer Team closed out its season with a 3-0 victory against Widefield last Monday.

The team finished with a 6-5-1 record. On Wednesday, October 19, a spirited parent/player/staff game and recognition ceremony concluded the season.

Amy Paschal was thanked as the team parent by Coach Tony Bigbee.

Click here for a recap of accolades and pictures.

Under the Microscope
Fifth Grade has been learning about cells, namely the functions of each part and the differences between plant and animal cells. Mr. Gaylord shared his passion for biology with students when he joined 5th grade to lead them in a pond study.

They learned how to make a wet mount slide to examine under a compound microscope. They also used petri dishes containing pond water on a dissecting microscope and were able to observe a multitude of single cell organisms. We were able to identify many animals: the flatworm planaria, several water fleas, and tiny crustaceans called ostracods. Several students were able to find spirogyra and adjust the focus enough to see the cell wall and nucleus of the sea plant.

There was so much learning about cells and microscopes happening that day, but perhaps the most powerful lesson was the importance of not drinking the water, even if it looks clean!

Kids in the Kitchen
Two CSS PreK students were tv stars in a Kids in the Kitchen segment for The Junior League of Colorado Springs.

Click here to watch Charlotte H. and Ryder L. in this video.
Submit Achievements and Photos  
Parents and teachers are encouraged to submit nominations and digital photos of student achievements to Jessica James, Director of Communications, at jjames@css.org. These extracurricular achievements make us a well-rounded school and highlight the many unique talents and passions of our student body.  Each week, a diverse selection of achievements is highlighted in ROAR.
  Requests 
Kodiak Kids Playgroup  


Kodiak Kids will start up with a NEW day/time/room for 2015-2016! We are thrilled to welcome back all of our Kodiak Kids and new families with newborn - 3 year-olds on Tuesdays (during the school year). Kodiak Kids will be held on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. in the Children's Library in the Children's Academic Center on campus.

#free #opentothepublic #CoSprings #playgroup

Click here for more details.
Table of Contents: In This Issue
Cheer on Your Kodiaks!
Drive With Pride!
Picture Retake Day!
Inclement Weather Procedures
Parent Coffee Connections
Claremont Challenge Exceeded
Achievements
Kodiak Kids Playgroup
Join Our Mailing List
Mission: Through superior academics and mentoring, The Colorado Springs School prepares students to think independently and meet the challenges of a dynamic world with leadership, ingenuity, problem-solving skills, and personal integrity.
To submit content for future Kodiak ROAR communications, please email details to
Jessica James, Director of Communications, at jjames@css.org.