Kodiak ROAR: Reminders, Opportunities, Achievements & Requests,

a CSS eCommunication newsletter

Reminders

Masterful Teaching

Science and Mathematics teacher, Andrew Julian shares tools to create efficient classroom projects. During his forces and motion lesson students used classroom time to apply skills in building roller coasters. He supports the use of flipped classroom videos to share important lessons with students and google forms to assess skills and offer individualized feedback. These technology teaching tools free up classroom time for project-based exercises.

The Masterful Teaching video series provides insights into curriculum design and how our mission at The Colorado Springs School is delivered to children every day. #TeacherFeature

Re-Enrollment Begins February 1

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.

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.
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.
Visit here to access Re-Enrollment Resources.

If you have questions or would like help with the 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.

AP Parent Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 2016, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Trianon, Terrace Room

As students and families begin the process of signing up for next year's classes, this is an opportunity to learn more about the Advanced Placement program and the specific AP courses being taught next year. All US parents welcome; this meeting will be especially helpful to current sophomore and junior parents.

This Week In Sports

Upper School Basketball:

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.

Friday, February 5, 2016 - Kiowa 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. (FAMILY FUN NIGHT).

Saturday, February 6, 2016 - CSS at Calhan; 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 26, 2016 - CSS/FVS at Liberty at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 28, 2016 - CSS/FVS at Widefield at 4:00 p.m.

Friday, February 4, 2016 - CSS/FVS at TPL Championships TBA.

Middle School Girls' Basketball:

Saturday, January 30, 2016 - CSS "A" Girls' at Ellicott tourney at 9:00 a.m.

4th/5th/6th Boys' Basketball:

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 - CSS at Pinon Valley Elementary at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 - CSS at Gold Camp Elementary at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, February 3, 2015 - CSS at Cheyenne Mt. Charter Academy at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 4, 2016 - CSS at Cheyenne Mountain 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.

Countdown to Graduation: Last Chance to Order Graduation Announcements

Friday, February 5, 2016, Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Maytag Dining Hall

Class of 2016 place your graduation announcements now online! The very last day to order is Friday, February 5. Herff Jones will be in Maytag on 2/5 to assist with any last-minute orders or feel free to contact them at (719) 573-1384.

Each senior family will receive a $30 credit from CSS for placing an order with Herff Jones. For additional support, please contact, Receptionist, Ann Runte at (719)434-3510 to guide you with your order.

Adventurer to Keynote Mission Day

Thursday, February 11, 2016, 8:10 a.m.

Louisa Performing Arts Center

The Colorado Springs School is honored to welcome adventurer, photographer, and philanthropist Jake Norton as the keynote speaker for Mission Day. The keynote speech is open to the public and will take place February 11, 2016, from 8:10-9:10 a.m. at the Louisa Performing Arts Center at The Colorado Springs School.

Jake is a man of many talents and is described as all around humble and kind. He is a Seven Summits guide, a National Geographic photographer, the founder of Challenge21 (a non-profit aimed at bringing safe drinking water to communities in need), film maker, inspirational speaker, and was a team member on the expedition that discovered George Mallory's body on Everest in 1999.

Click here to read more about Jake Norton's speech, titled Finding Joy- in Life and Career, Jake will speak to the Upper School students about the importance of finding, discovering, and creating joy. Joy - not happiness.

Opportunities

Masterpiece Gala & Auction

Saturday, April 16, 2016, 5:00 p.m., The Pinery

Momentum is building for this year's gala & auction. With proceeds to benefit arts and technology, this year's volunteers are actively soliciting auction items and securing sponsorships to highlight this mission-motivated celebration.

Get ready for BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) at this year's event as we will boast a tech-savvy platform with online ticketing, mobile bidding, pre-swiped credit cards, bidding scoreboards and easy electronic check-out! Watch your inbox for more details.

Event highlights:

Silent Auction featuring items such as student creations, front row seats at graduation, summer camps, community sociables, getaways, and ever-popular themed baskets
Wine Cork Pull - Take a chance to pull the best vintage
Mix & Mingle - Meet new people with open seating and dining and dessert stations
Student performances will captivate the crowd
Auctioneer and retired Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers will entertain as guests Raise Your Paddle and participate in the Live Auction. Live auction items will include a 4-week campership at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park and a Mexican Riviera getaway.
Finish the evening with s'mores and nightcaps around the campfire overlooking the city.

Childcare available through special Saturday Night Out for K-5th grade students.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessica James, Director of Advancement at (719)434-3506 or jjames@css.org.

Interested in donating auction items, contact CSS Parent and Auction Chair, Don Gibson, P'27.

Interested in donating wine to the cork pull, contact CSS Parent, Kristal Alfonso, P'24 or Donna Taylor, P'20, P'18

Interested in sharing a talent/expertise and hosting a Sociable, contact CSS Parent, Lina Klaus, P'27, P'25.

Achievements

Model UN Conference Hosted By CSS

The school's Model UN team members and advisors organized a two-day conference with councils focused on African themes and events. The event hosted this past weekend drew more than 200 students from 20 schools into the competition. Thirteen students even traveled from Turkey to participate --- making the event truly an international affair. Councils were hosted on Friday night and Saturday.

Click here for pictures of the Model UN competition.

A special thanks to all the families who hosted the delegates from Turkey from the weekend and all who served as judges for the competition (including 6 alumni from 1970-2015).

Families enjoyed hiking and showing our visitors from Turkey around the Pike Peak region.

In the Fast Lane

Congrats to Kaela G. '17 for taking 6th place in 50 Freestyle at the Fort Carson Invitational.

Hard Work with Mr. Vasquez

Director of Facilities, Mr. Vasquez made a special visit to PreK to teach students how to use a vice and a saw to cut wood at our classroom workbench. This is just one of the active steps students are learning in their woodworking and building theme.

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

Re-Enrollment Begins February 1

Dessert Theatre Fever!

Family Fun Night!

Upcoming Middle School Parent Meeting

AP Parent Meeting

This Week in Sports

Winter Test Prep

Tech Trends at CSS

Order Graduation Announcements

Keynote for Mission Day

Masterpiece Gala and Auction

Achievements

Major Vacations and Important Dates for 2016-2017

Inclement Weather Procedures

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.