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Kodiak ROAR: Reminders, Opportunities, Achievements & Requests, 
a CSS eCommunication newsletter
  Reminders  
Be ready for the adventure ahead!  
We are fast approaching 2016-2017 re-enrollment; February 1- February 19, 2016.
 
If you have received financial aid or would like consideration for Indexed Tuition (financial aid) in 2016-2017, please complete the following steps.
  1. Complete your indexed tuition application by February 1, 2016. If you have received financial aid from CSS in the past and would like to continue, please log in to your SSS account at www.sssbynais.com and update your financial information for the year.
  2. Complete your re-enrollment package between February 1 - February 19, 2016 in order for an Indexed Tuition determination to be made. All notifications will be sent beginning March 1 to families who have submitted all required application documentation and completed re-enrollment.
Click here for more specific Indexed Tuition process and policy.

If you have questions or would like help with process, please call the Admission Department at (719) 434-3514. We are here to help!
Upcoming Middle School Parent Meetings to Learn More About Upper School
 
Meet the Upper School Teachers 
Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 
Middle School Parents are invited to come to a special event designed for parents to learn more about the Upper School experience.

Parent Advisory Team and Student Panel Night
Wednesday, February 3, 2016, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Middle School parents are invited to a panel discussion with Upper School parents and current Upper School parents. Gain a deeper perspective on the culture, curriculum and challenging opportunities of Upper School.

 
We invite all Middle School parents to watch the shared screencast on the Upper School prior to attending either of these meetings. It is a great primer for follow-up discussions to learn about what differentiates CSS from other schools in the region.  
This Week In Sports  

Upper School Basketball:
Friday, January 15, 2016 - Calhan at CSS; JV Girls' at 4:00 p.m., JV Boys' at 5:15 p.m., Varsity Girls' at 6:30 p.m. and Varsity Boys' at 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - CSS at Hanover; JV Girls' at 5:00 p.m., Varsity Girls' at 6:15 p.m. and Varsity Boys' at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 22, 2016 - CSS at ECA; JV Boys' at 4:00 p.m., Varsity Girls' at 5:15 p.m. and Varsity Boys' at 6:45 p.m. (early dismissal JV Boys' at 2:45p.m.).
Saturday, January 23, 2016 - CSS at Ellicott; JV Girls' at 11:30 a.m., JV Boys' at 1:00 p.m., Varsity Girls' at 2:15 p.m. and Varsity Boys' at 3:45 p.m.

Upper School Girls' Swimming:
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - CSS/FVS at St. Mary's at 4:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, January 22 and 23, 2016 - CSS/FVS at Fountain Fort Carson Invitational

Middle School Basketball:
Monday, January 11, 2016 - ECA at CSS; "B" Boys at 4:00 p.m., "A" Girls at 5:00 p.m. and "A" Boys at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - CSS at Kiowa; "B" Girls and "B" Boys at 4:00 p.m.; "A" Girls and "A" Boys at 5:00 p.m. (early dismissal at 2:15 p.m.).
Saturday, January 16, 2016 - CSS "A" Girls at Vanguard Tournament beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Monday, January 18, 2016 - Calhan  at CSS; "B" Girls at 4:00 p.m., "A" Girls at 5:00 p.m., "B" Boys at 6:00 p.m. and "A" Boys at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday, January 21, 22 and 23 - CSS "A" Teams at BFL Tournament TBA.

4th/5th/6th Boys' Basketball:
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 - CSS at Skyway Elementary at 3:45p.m.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - CSS at Gold Camp Elementary #1 at 3:45p.m.
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - CSS at Broadmoor Elementary at 3:45 p.m.
Winter Test Prep    
Saturday, January 30, 2016, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.           
Sunday, January 31, 2016, 8:00 a.m. - noon   

The Test Prep Workshops will provide test preparation for the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT, both with the essay component. The ACT and the SAT Reasoning Test are college entrance examinations used in the college admission process. Both tests have undergone significant changes, so familiarity with the tests and practice may be even more critical this year.
 
Workshop Dates and Times:
Please note that each workshop will run for approximately 4 hours on the days listed below. This round of sessions is scheduled to fall before the February-June test administration dates and will specifically cover material for both the SAT and ACT with essay component. (We will also offer a series of workshops in April, but avoiding conflicts that month will be tricky, as well as a weeklong workshop in July). Workshops will be held on The Colorado Springs School campus in the El Pomar Academic Center.

Registration and Fees:
These workshops are open to all upper or high school students, but they will be most relevant for those students planning to take the spring/summer tests. This 2-session workshop must have a minimum of 5 students in order to be held. Please plan to attend both sessions. You may mail the attached registration form to The Colorado Springs School, c/o Amy Johnson-Smith, 21 Broadmoor Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. You may also fax the completed form to 719-475-9864, attn. Amy Johnson-Smith or email registration information to ajohnsonsmith@css.org.
 
The cost of the Workshop is $200.00 for CSS students and $225.00 for non-CSS students.
 
Financial assistance is available for students who demonstrate need. Please contact Amy Johnson-Smith for more information. Checks should be made out to The Colorado Springs School and payment must be made by the beginning of the workshop.
Tech Trends at CSS Webinar in the Library Archive     



The Tech Trends webinar presented in December by Mr. Gaylord is archived as a webinar on the website. This presentation included information about the roll-out of Google Classroom as a new Learning Management Systems for students, daily data-driven instruction, and ZPD (zone of proximal development)!

The next Parent Coffee Connection will be on Monday, February 1, 2016 at 8:10 a.m. in Louisa. The presentation will cover Athletics at CSS. Click here for a schedule of future topics.

Find past presentations recorded as webinars on topics ranging from Data-Driven Instruction, to an Upper School program overview, The Marshmallow Test: Non-Cognitive Skills, and State of the School archived on the website in the webinar library.
  Opportunities 
Sweatshirt Second Run 

 
You've seen them around school, and now you regret that you didn't order one....Or maybe you got one for your kid, but you really want one, too!  Well, here is your chance! Due to popular demand, the sophomore class will be offering a second round of Kodiak Hoodie sales. The price is $30 (slightly higher since we are not printing so many this time around) and the orders are due back with payment no later than Monday, January 25th. Don't miss out on this second and final opportunity to add a stylish new black hoodie to your CSS Bear Wear collection. Please see attached order form. Go, Kodiaks!

Click here for the order form.     
  Achievements 
Achievements 

Honor Rolls Announced
Congratulations to all the students who earned honor roll and high honor roll first semester. We applaud your dedication to academic challenges and the pursuit of excellence.

2015-2016 Upper School Honor Roll - First Semester
2015-2016 Middle School Honor Roll and Kodiak Scholars - First Semester

National Geographic Geographyy Bee

The anticipation filled the theatre as twelve students battled for the title of Geography Bee Champion. Each student qualified for the Middle School Geography Bee by finishing in the top four of their class in the grade level competitions. In the end, the winner was Aadi N. '21, and runner-up Gabe E. '21. The winner of the CSS Geography Bee will take a qualifying test to then compete in the state competition later this spring. The finalists included. 
 
6TH GRADE: Henry G., Shively K., Izzy S., and Graham B. 
7TH GRADE: Aadi N., Alair F., Caleb J., Gabe E.
8TH GRADE: Luke S., Kyle J., Matthew P., and Sam J.
 
See if you can answer this sample Geo Bee question: Angkor Thom, a temple complex built by the Khmer Empire, is located in what present-day country?



Physics Lesson

Physics takes their lesson to the playground! #diaryofacsssenior #angularmotion #experientiallearning

Age of Enlightenment

Madam Taylor hosted an Enlightenment Salon and Coffee House with her sophomore World History class. Each student researched and represented a scientist or philosopher, networked with business cards, and conversed representing the beliefs and theories of these enlightened thinkers. The robust gathering offered conversation with with Sir Issac Newton, John Locke, Voltaire, Baron de Montesquieu, Thomas Hobbes, Sir Frances Bacon, Baruch Spinoza, Galileo, Evangelista Toricelli, Jean-Jaques Rousseau, Johann Kepler, Rene Descartes, Sir Robert Boyle, and Johann Kepler.
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 
Major Vacations and Important Dates for 2016-2017 

Click here for a link to the Major Vacations and Important Dates for 2016-2017 (PDF).

Inclement Weather Procedures
As we are in the throws of winter weather, please let us
  • 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. If you did not receive this week's ParentAlert, please contact Nadja Hunter at nhunter@css.org.
As always, we encourage each family to use good judgement about the roads and conditions in your area and stay safe. 
Table of Contents: In This Issue
Be ready for the adventure ahead!
Upcomign Middle School Parent Meetings
This Week in Sports
Winter Test Prep
Tech Trends at CSS
Sweatshirt Second Run
Achievements
Major Vacations and Important Dates for 2016-2017
Inclement Weather Procedures
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.