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Kodiak ROAR: Reminders, Opportunities, Achievements & Requests, 
a CSS eCommunication newsletter
  Reminders  
Black Forest League Concert & Art Exhibit      
Friday, April 8, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Louise Honnen Tutt Field House


More than 330 students will be on campus on Friday, April 8, 2016 representing 9 schools from across the Black Forest League. Talented instrumental student musicians will spend the school day in collaborative clinics and workshops led by guest conductors. A finale concert will be given in the evening as all the musicians gather in the Field House for a truly awesome performance. 

Student artwork will also be on display in the Louisa Performing Arts Center gallery. Student submissions came from schools across the Black Forest League and top works were judged and received recognition.
ECS Presentations and Final Reflections      


As the Upper School Experience Centered Seminars came to a close many of the seminars contributed final reflections and even a vlog (video blog) to close this dynamic learning opportunity.

On Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 7:15 p.m. in the Louisa Performing Arts Center all the ECSs will make a presentation on the essential questions tackled during the seminar. All families, all ages are invited to come and watch these presentations.

Experience Centered Seminars (ECSs) are an integral part of the Upper School program and give our students the skills necessary to conduct large-scale investigations in college and beyond. Each March, our students participate in a three- to four-week-long study that immerses them in academic subjects through a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach. ECS's approach broad, interdisciplinary questions to optimize the teaching of critical thinking, organized inquiry, in-depth analysis, and synthesis of information. They demand direct active participation and primary research in an environment outside of the classroom. Academic requirements include oral and written presentations, term papers, group work and projects, or final exams. The ECS experience sets our students apart as they move into the collegiate world and beyond.

Tanzania ECS Blog or follow them on Twitter @CSSTanzania2016
Cuervnavaca ECS Blog
Tall Ships ECS Blog
World Religions ECS Blog
Engineers and Entrepreneurs ECS Blog
Harvard ECS - Independent Study    
Upcoming in Sports  

Upper School Boys' Volleyball: 
Thursday, April 7, 2016 - CSS at Fountain Valley at 6:00 p.m. 
Thursday, April 14, 2016 - CSS at CSCS at 6:00 p.m. 

Upper School Girls' Soccer: 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - ECA at CSS at 4:15 p.m. 
Saturday, April 9, 2016 - CSS at Front Range Christian at 3:30 p.m. 
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 - St. Mary's at CSS at 4:15 p.m. 
Thursday, April 14, 2016 - CSS at James Irwin at 4:00 p.m. (early dismissal at 2:45 p.m.). 

Upper School Girls' Tennis: 
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 - CSCS at CSS at Memorial Park at 4:00 p.m. 
Thursday, April 7, 2016 - CSS at Vanguard at Bear Creek Park at 4:00 p.m. 
Monday, April 11, 2016 - St. Mary's at CSS at at Memorial Park 4:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, April 12, 2016 - Fountain Valley at CSS at Memorial Park at 4:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - Salida at CSS at Memorial Park at 4:00 p.m. 
Saturday, April 16, 2016 - CSS at LaJunta at 10:00 a.m. 

Middle School Girls' Soccer: 
Wednesday, April 6, 2016 - Vanguard at CSS at 4:00 p.m. 
Monday, April 11, 2016 - Monument Academy at CSS at 4:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - Colorado Springs Charter at CSS at 4:00 p.m. 
Friday, April 15, 2016 - Manitou Springs at CSS at 4:00 p.m. 

Middle School Boys' Lacrosse: 
Monday, April 4, 2016 - Sharpshooterrs (6th East) at CSS at 5:00 p.m. 
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - Patriots (7th) at CSS at 5:30 p.m. 
Thursday, April 7, 2016 - CSS at Colorado Academy (7/8) at 4:00 p.m. (early dismissal at 2:00). 
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 - Sharpshooters (8th) at CSS at 5:00 p.m. 
8th Grade Literary Coffee House       
Friday, April 15, 2016, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Trianon

The 8th Grade English class will share of literary works created this year. The students have diligently accomplished a variety of literary stylings and will present these pieces in a coffee house setting.
Bye Bye Birdie    
Friday, April 29 & Saturday, April 30, 2016
Louisa Performing Arts Center

Elvis sighting on campus!
The Upper School drama department will present Bye Bye Birdie in a delightful spring musical on April 29 & 30, 2016.

Follow preparations for the play on the Upstagers instagram feed here.
Register for CSS Summer Camps 
Lego Camp
The Colorado Springs School has been providing camp experiences for 30 years. All programs are open to the public. CSS is thrilled to welcome back long-time partners ---
  • Challenger British Soccer*
  • US Chess and Active Learning Camps*
  • Legos*
  • Science Matters in America*
  • Mad Science* (NEW in 2016)
We are pleased to announce the return of developmental and skills-based athletic camps:
  • Basketball Camp* with Coach Vicki Vaughan
  • Volleyball Camp* with Coach Misti Johnston and Bre Cullity Williams '09
Click here to view CSS summer camps.

* Indicates these groups will feature a donated campership at the Masterpiece Gala & Auction on April 16, 2016.
  Opportunities 
Buy Your Gala Tickets; Online Remote Bidding Open on a 100+ Auction Items    
Saturday, April 16, 2016, 5:00 p.m., The Pinery  



Get ready to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) at this year's event as we boast our new tech-savvy platform with online ticketing, mobile bidding, pre-swiped credit cards, bidding scoreboards and easy electronic check-out! Our guests will also enjoy several student drama and musical performances during the gala. Please purchase your tickets by Tuesday, April 12, 2016.



Can't join us at the event? No problem - bid with us from around the world using the Gesture platform. Register and receive a text message alerts as to the progress of your bidding. We encourage you to still bid on auction items even if you can't attend the event. All registered bidders agree to comply with the auction rules and remote bidders assume the cost of shipping final purchases if you can't pick them up from the school.

Childcare available through special Saturday Night Out for K-5th grade students.   
 
Please contact Jessica L. James, Director of Advancement and Communications regarding any gala or auction questions at (719)434-43506.
  Achievements 
Achievements 

Wow, it must be spring and it is time to celebrate. Our CSS students are earning recognition and accolades from all walks. Enjoy these and many more shout outs on our Facebook page!

National History Day Honors 
Congratulations to our 9th Grade class for 17 incredible submissions to this year's National History Day competition. We were told it
was one of the largest and most competitive years ever. All of our students did a great job - and special congratulations to the following:

Katherine H. and Payton M. were finalists for their documentary on the Berlin Wall. They moved on to the second and final round, where we were told they lost by a tiny margin to finish in 4th place (the top 3 go on to the State tournament later this month) 
 
Gabriel G. won 2nd place in the Website competition for his project on Admiral Perry and the Opening of Japan. He will be taking his website to Denver to compete in the state tournament in a few weeks! Luke W. and Jacky Z. were finalists in the group website category as well, ending up in 4th place. Their website was about the 442nd Regiment - the Japanese American combat team in World War 2.

A special thanks to Dr. Longo and Nadja Hunter, both of whom volunteered to be judges for the NHD competition that was held over the weekend at Colorado College.

Young Peoples Art Exhibition
Sixth Grader, Josephine K. received 2nd place in the Jewelry category in the 54th Annual Pikes Peak Regional Young Peoples Art Exhibition. Her artwork along with Ty W., Autumn C., and Ethan H. are on display at the Imagination Space in the Citadel Mall until April 16, 2016.  
 
Eagle Scout Project Completed
Tenth grader, Joe L., and his fellow Scouts from Troop 101 (hosted by CSS), family members, and friends constructed the new horseshoe pit on CSS grounds, located by the pond. Joe built the horseshoe pit as part of his Eagle project which also included flood mitigation at CSS by building 132 feet of reinforced levee, removing and adding onto landscape steps of the Children's Schools steps, building and installing a floating duck house for the School's pond to provide a safe roosting area for the wild duck, and building and installing a turnkey Horseshoe pit. Joe led 377 man hours over two days. Joe presented Mr. Biedermann with his donation to CSS of two sets of horseshoes in their own wooden boxes to be used by the CSS community. "Camaraderie is one of the greatest parts about the sport of horseshoes. There's always a lot of laughter, and if you have any stress, you can go out there by yourself or with friends and just play and forget your troubles." said Joe. The horseshoes are available for use through Mr. Biedermann.
 
Poetry Accolades
Han M. and Sarah W. received top recognition at the Fountain Valley School Poetry Contest for their contributions in the English and Translations categories. Han took 1st place and Sarah took 3rd! Some 65 high school students submitted over 120 poems for the contest, which was judged by Janice Gould, poet laureate of the Pikes Peak Region. Great job!

Welcome Future Kodiak

At the Children's School assembly this morning sweet Ella was welcomed to campus as a special guest! Congrats to 5th Grade teacher, Mr. S. and his wife Emily on their beautiful daughter.  
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 
2016-2017 Calendar Announced 

Calendar We are thrilled to announce the 2016-2017 Major Dates calendar for next year.

Click here for the calendar link.

Here is to the year ahead! 
Table of Contents: In This Issue
BFL Concert & Art Exhibit
ECS Presentations
Upcoming in Sports
8th Grade Literary Coffee House
Bye Bye Birdie
Summer Camps
Buy Your Gala Tickets; Online Bidding Open
Achievements
Major Vacations and Important Dates for 2016-2017
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.