Dear CIS Families:

As we approach the last two months of the school year, it is important that we continue following our school policies.  

Attendance

Every day counts in April and May.  Please make every effort to ensure your child is present and on time.  

Early Morning Drop-Off

MYP students may be dropped off at 7:45 a.m.  and PYP students may be dropped off at 8:00 a.m.   Students dropped off earlier than their designated time will be sent to before care with Ms. Gaby Escobedo.  There is a fee for before care through the CIS PTA.  

We have had incidents of students hiding in the bathrooms because they do not want to go to before care.   Please help us keep your child safe by encouraging them to go to before care if they arrive earlier than their designated time.    

Dress Code

As you know the dress code policy has been modified with the help of the Student Council and the School Advisory Committee.  Please take the time to review the dress code policy with your child by clicking on this link: Dress Code    Beginning this week, the dress code will be enforced and students will be assigned detention for not conforming to the uniform policy.

-------------------------Testing Reminders---------------------------

This week we continue testing students in grades 3rd - 8th, and 10th on the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment (NMSBA).  The testing dates will be March 19th - April 3rd.  Students in grades 6th - 10th  need to be at school by 7:50 during to ensure testing can start on time.   Some students require extra energy during testing, so we encourage you to send an extra snack with your student to eat before testing.

Please remember that this Wednesday is an extended day schedule and that Friday is a day off.

Wednesday March 27- FULL DAY

Friday March 29- No School - Vernal Holiday

If you have a student in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th, it is essential that you do not schedule any appointments for them during our testing schedule.  Below are some testing tips for you to keep in mind to support your child.

Test Taking Tips for Parents

• It is important for your child to stay relaxed for the test.
• Let your child relax for a few hours before bedtime. Try to avoid stressful situations for your child.
• Encourage your child to do well but don't pressure him/her. You may stress him/her out.
• Keep a positive attitude about tests. Plan on celebrating the beginning and end of the testing period.
• Talk positively about the test with your child it will help relieve stress about test taking.
• Mark down test days on your calendar so you and your child are both aware of testing dates.
• Make sure that your child gets enough sleep on the night before the test.
• Make sure that your child gets up early enough so that he/she will be on time to school.
• Ensure that your child eats a healthy breakfast and avoid heavy foods that may make him/her groggy and avoid high sugar foods that may make him/her hyper.
• Praise/reward your child for doing their best on the test.

Warmest Regards,

Dr. Elsy Diaz

Why do students have to take the test?

The SBA serves several purposes:

• The state-mandated, standardized test is used to assess whether students meet grade-specific state standards.
• The SBA will serve as the high school exit exam for the first time this year. Students in the class of 2013 and beyond will have to pass the reading, math and science sections of the high school SBA by the end of their senior year in order to obtain a high school diploma.
• The state's new A-F school grading system relies heavily on SBA results

Dear CIS parents, friends and family,

We are fast approaching our big fundraising efforts and we need your help to be successful! In the next couple of weeks, we are asking the teachers and staff to help give each family a request for help with our fundraising efforts. We are asking each family to assist where they can. This can be through donations, selling or buying a ticket to our exciting silent auction event, donation of goods or service to our silent auction event or volunteering your time.         

SPRING SILENT AUCTION AND THEATER NIGHT-

The "Producers" with ALT and CIS

SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, May 23, 2013 we will be having an evening of wine, silent auction and theater. We need your help with any of the following:

-Silent Auction items

-Ticket sales
go to www.cisfoundation.com for more information!

BRICK FUNDRAISER

            Our goal is to raise $50,000 with this project for our future building. Dedicate a brick for your student, family, loved one that will be placed forever at our building. Bricks will be displayed at our school in a non permanent location for everyone to enjoy. Please go to www.bricksrus.com/order/cis.

            Thank you to those families who have donated to date and I know that many families are still planning to!

            -The family of Che Fox

            -The family of Aubrey Broderick

KID'S TRIATHLON

May 11, 2013

Rio Rancho Aquatic Center

745 Loma Colorado Dr. NE

The Kinds-Only triathlon is New Mexico's only triathlon event dedicated for children ages 13 years and younger. Kids will participate in a traditional swim-bike-run course with varying distances based on age and ability level. For more information contact the race director, Joe Marino at joerunBikeSwim@gmail.com

Remember, as we continue to identify a permanent location for our school, we are looking to raise $400,000! The Foundation is also under United Way so if you contribute through your company and they match your gift, remember to put CIS Foundation! All donations are tax deductible!

We will be holding our Annual meeting for the Foundation on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 where we will be electing new board officers. Also, check out the CIS Foundation Website made possible by Tammy Spatz! www.cisfoundation.com 

Sincerely,

CIS Foundation Board

Please email Katie Hutchinson at hutch0603@yahoo.com with any questions!

Challenge Club