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Kodiak ROAR: Reminders, Opportunities, Achievements & Requests, 
a CSS eCommunication newsletter
  Reminders  
Masterful Teaching   
Please enjoy this debut video in the newly coined Masterful Teaching video series. In this series we aim to provide insights into curriculum design and how our mission at The Colorado Springs School is delivered to children every day. Over time we will be building a library of these videos to share with families. We hope you are also inspired to share this #TeacherFeature on social media and directly with prospective families. Our teachers at CSS truly set our students on an incredible path.  


This masterful teaching moment in literature is shared with us by PreKindergarten teacher Dawn Rainbowstar. Mrs. Rainbowstar joyfully unravels the teaching technique and philosophy for sharing quality literature with PreK students. 

Videography by Amaya Firestone '11, Communications Assistant.
CSS To Host African-Themed Model UN Conference    

The Colorado Springs School will be hosting its 5th Model United Nations conference, inviting schools from the Colorado MUN division, along with participants from New Mexico and Wyoming, to attend. Thirteen student delegates from Turkey will also be attending, making this an international conference that is sure to broaden the horizons of all involved. This will also be the largest regionally hosted MUN event of the 2015-2016 academic year with more than 200 students from 20 schools participating. The conference will be held in the evening on January 22, 2016, and all day January 23, 2016 at The Colorado Springs School campus.

Click here for more information about this weekend's conference.
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!
Dessert Theatre Fever! 
3rd & 5th Grade Dessert Theatre Performances
Friday, January 29, 2016, 6:00 p.m.
Louisa Performing Arts Center  
Practicing turning out to the audience. 
 All families are welcome to come out to support our young actors and actresses on stage next. Dessert Theatre is a hallmark performance of a child's experience in the Children's School. 
 
The discipline of Theatre enables a child to become more in tune with his/her own unique attributes and gifts. Children are free to identify and solve problems within the rehearsal process, promoting their intellectual curiosity. They grow in their ability to express ideas clearly, helping to build confidence in their own communication skills. Theatre is a truly collaborative art form where children learn to be responsible for themselves and others. This social cooperation reinforces and motivates positive behavior, building personal integrity. The very process of developing a character challenges the child to see the world from a different point of view than its own and teaches him/her how to bring intellect and emotion together. Plus, the art of presenting theatre engages whole minds through the genuine application of literacy and the integration of knowledge across the curriculum.
 
Family Fun Night
Friday, February 5, 2016, 4:00 p.m.
Louise Honnen Tutt Field House
 
All CSS fans welcome! Students of all ages, parents, faculty/staff, alumni, neighbors and friends, grab your favorite blue sweatshirt and join the Kodiaks for a dynamic evening brimming with school spirit. Dust off those cold weather blues and spend a Friday night with CSS.

Kiowa at CSS; JV Girls' at 4:00 p.m., JV Boys' 5:15 p.m.
Varsity Girls' at 6:30 p.m., Varsity Boys' at 8:00 p.m.

Come for the games...stay for the free hotdogs, giveaways, free admission, halftime shooting contests, concessions, Girl Scout cookies, and the pep band!

Calling All Alumni Band Members:
Alumni band members are welcomed to bring your instruments and jump in with the Pep Band. Give Band Director, Mr. Brent Moorhead at bmoorhead@css.org a head's up if you are coming.
Upcoming Middle School Parent Meeting to Learn More About Upper School

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 22, 2016 - CSS at ECA; JV Boys at 4:00 p.m., Varsity Girls at 5:30 p.m. and Varsity Boys at 7:00 p.m. (JV Boys early dismissal at 2:45 p.m.).
Saturday, January 23, 2016 - CSS at Ellicott; JV Girls at 11:30 p.m., JV Boys at 1:00 p.m., Varsity Girls at 2:30 p.m. and Varsity Boys at 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - CSS at Vanguard; 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. (early dismissal JV Girls at 3:00 p.m.).
Thursday, January 28, 2016 - Simla 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.
Upper School Girls' Swimming:
Friday and Saturday, January 22 and 23, 2016 - CSS/FVS at Fountain Fort Carson Invite TBA.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - CSS/FVS vs Liberty at 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 28, 2016 - CSS/FVS at Widefield TBA.
Middle School Basketball:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 21, 22 and 23, 2016; Black Forest League Tournament; TBA
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - "A" team Girls' Tournament at Ellicott TBA.
4tt/5th/6th Boys' Basketball:
Thursday, January 21, 2016 - CSS at Broadmoor Elementary at 3:45 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - CSS at Pinon Valley Elementary at 3:45 p.m.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - CSS at Gold Camp Elementary #2 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
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
Masterful Teaching
Model UN Conference
Be ready for the adventure ahead!
Dessert Theatre Fever!
Family Fun Night!
Upcoming Middle School Parent Meeting
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.