Happy First Week of Advent
Maybe you might try these with your family:
Celebrating Sunday- December 8
Today's Gospel is a loud and clear warning for taking time to prepare. For the people of Israel to be able to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah, others had to come before him.These forerunners had to open their minds, hearts and imaginations of the people so that they would be ready to hear Jesus' message. The prophet Isaiah, the Gospel reminds us, foretold of John the Baptist. And John the Baptist preached and baptizes in preparation for Jesus. If we stop to think about this, we begin to realize how God slowly, but always gracefully, prepares His people over the course of time. In this time of great commercialism, how is your family slowing down instead of speeding up during this Advent season?
Maybe you might try these with your family:
- Enjoy the beauty of winter closing in.
- Attend Mass every week and focus on the coming of Christ, not only on Christmas Day but His second coming as well.
- Increase your prayer time - maybe it's around the Advent wreath after dinner.
- Help someone in need - see below the Grandparent Gift idea through Mary Kay! Our entire office staff adopted a grandparent to give little gifts to. Would you like to participate? How about participating in the Giving Tree here at CC or at your own parish?
On the Way to Mass..Find out what each member of your family knows about John the Baptist. A few things to remember: He was Zachariah and Elizabeth's son; He "leaped" for joy in Elizabeth's womb when our Blessed Mother went to visit; He wore animal fur - find out why?; What was his famous quote?
On the Way Home from Mass...Talk about some of the people who helped or are still helping you in your faith journey. These may be parents, grandparents, etc. Ask your child who those people are to them right now?
At school each day during our Advent season, other than on our Wednesday Mass day, we come together as a full school to PRAY the Jesse Tree. It is Jesus' family tree and the kids learn each day the importance of each event or person before Jesus and how as always, God had a perfect plan. It is our salvation story! Google "Jesse Tree" for ways you can implement this very special piece of Advent into your own homes!
Our dear Pope Francis has announced the focus of our new liturgical year - The Year of Consecrated Life! This year, how can you strive toward a more consecrated life? What changes can you make as a family to be more Holy and closer to Christ? Pray with your family about how you can grow closer to Him! Also, the following link is one for a printable liturgical calendar! Enjoy! Liturgical Calendar
THE HISTORY OF THE ADVENT WREATH
“The Advent wreath is part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. However, the actual origins are uncertain. There is evidence of pre-Christian Germanic peoples using wreathes with lit candles during the cold and dark December days as a sign of hope in the future warm and extended-sunlight days of Spring. In Scandinavia during Winter, lighted candles were placed around a wheel, and prayers were offered to the god of light to turn “the wheel of the earth” back toward the sun to lengthen the days and restore warmth.
Our dear Pope Francis has announced the focus of our new liturgical year - The Year of Consecrated Life! This year, how can you strive toward a more consecrated life? What changes can you make as a family to be more Holy and closer to Christ? Pray with your family about how you can grow closer to Him! Also, the following link is one for a printable liturgical calendar! Enjoy! Liturgical Calendar
Mark Your Calendar for our 2013 Annual Christmas Program
Don't forget - our 2013 Christmas Program and Fall Home and School Association Meeting is NEXT THURSDAY night beginning at 5:45 PM! Please look for info from Mrs. Dusbabek via both her blog and email for more information! Also, don't forget to bring Christmas cookies to share!
THE HISTORY OF THE ADVENT WREATH
By the Middle Ages, the Christians adapted this tradition and used Advent wreathes as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. After all, Christ is “the Light that came into the world” to dispel the darkness of sin and to radiate the truth and love of God (cf. John 3:19-21). By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath…
The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. A tradition is that each week represents one thousand years, to sum to the 4,000 years from Adam and Eve until the Birth of the Savior. Three candles are purple and one is rose. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead…”
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0132.html
Downloadable the USCCB Family Advent Calendar Here: Advent Calendar
Downloadable the USCCB Family Advent Calendar Here: Advent Calendar
AdvancEd School Survey and YOUR Participation
Every five years, it is an honor to welcome an AdvancEd (formally known as NCA) evaluation team to CCCS to determine our level of accreditation Your teachers, staff, the Home and School Association Board and the School Advisory Council are well on the way in preparing for this team to arrive here on March 17 and 18, 2014.
We need your input as stakeholders in our school! If you have not done so already, please access our school parent survey at AdvancEd Parent Survey and complete our survey. Your input is greatly needed and will be used in determining the next steps we take as a school! Thank you!
What Are We Doing with the Common Core State Standards?
With the new Common Core State Standards causing such heated press right now - we also want to express what we at Corpus Christi Catholic School, and across our diocesan schools, are doing with the CCSS. First of all - let's clarify terms as the words standards, curriculum, objective, goals and even text books are often erroneously used as synonyms for one another!
- STANDARDS define WHAT children should be able to do (with Mastery) at the end of a grade level. This is the minimum expectation of all students but certainly not the maximum!
- CURRICULUM, like the Core Knowledge Sequence or our Diocesan Religion curriculum, express how and what children need to know to meet these standards.
- OBJECTIVE / GOALS - at CCCS these are posted on the board and in lesson plans for every lesson in every classroom in our school. These statements may read: Student Will Be Able To... (SWBAT) or I WILL BE ABLE TO... (IWBAT). Both goals and objectives can be defined as statements that reflect what learners will be able to do at the end of an instructional sequence; however, there are significant differences between the two. A goal is an abstract and general umbrella statement, under which specific objectives can be clustered. Objectives are statements that describe—in precise, measurable, and obtainable terms—defined and desired learner outcomes.
- TEXT BOOKS (or programs)- only one of the tools teachers used as PART of instruction - they are by no means our curriculum nor the only tool we use.
Please know: EVERYTHING we teach students and what we expect from them comes through the "funnel of our faith"! As educators, we may use "secular" resources such as text books but they are ONLY one of the tools we use to teach our kids! As an example, as you walk by Mrs. Theresa Bruno's middle school Social Studies class, you will see students referencing the Catechism to determine what the Church teaches related to individual historic events. We do not use textbooks as our only resource - they are not the curriculum of what students are learning in our school - they are only one of the resources we use. All this to be said - we are meeting and EXCEEDING the new Common Core State Standards and are more than able to prove mastery of the standards outlined in the CCSS.
I will encourage you to access http://www.corestandards.org/ to see the "whats", or the CCSS standards, by clicking on the Math and ELA tabs on the right on this web page. We as Catholic Educators, through the lens of our faith, determine the "how" we meet and exceed these standards - which will ALWAYS be Catholic!
We are also excited that a team of diocesan religion teachers and our superintendent have almost completed our new religion curriculum. The expected date of release is January, 2014. We will continue, as we have been doing, to follow the Archdiocese of Denver religion curriculum through the end of this year and will train teachers in this new religion curriculum for implementation in 2014-2015.
Along with this religion curriculum and it's overlayed approach across the other curricular areas, we use the Core Knowledge Sequence as our curriculum. This sequence of learning is as stated above taught through the lens of our faith but also aligns to the Common Core State Standards. Please note - our adopted Core Knowledge Sequence and the Common Core State Standards are not the same thing! :) The word choice of "CORE" has caused great confusion. Once again - I encourage you to examine our curriculum at the following links: Core Knowledge Preschool and Pre-K Sequence and the K-8 Curriculum at Core Knowledge K-8 Sequence. To learn even more about the Core Knowledge Sequence please access www.coreknowledge.org.
So here's a few advantages of the Core Knowledge Sequence and why as diocesan schools we chose to adopt this curriculum 5 years ago:
Benefits of Core Knowledge
All Stakeholders Benefit from a Coherent, Cumulative, and Content-Specific Curriculum
For Students
Core Knowledge:
- provides a broad base of knowledge, and
- provides the rich vocabulary needed for reading achievement and academic success.
For Schools
Core Knowledge:
- provides a plan for coherent, sequenced learning from grade to grade,
- promotes teamwork and an institution-wide focus, and
- enables schools to work more effectively while meeting and exceeding state standards.
For School Districts
Core Knowledge:
- decreases the learning gaps caused by student mobility,
- provides a strong foundation of knowledge for success in high school and beyond,
- creates a common focus to share information and expertise, and
- encourages cooperation among schools to provide a quality learning experiences for all students.
For Parents and Communities
Core Knowledge:
- enhances accountability and parental engagement by providing a clear outline of what children are expected to learn in school, and
- provides a common ground for communication—in school and in life.
As always, we will be Catholic! The Common Core State Standards will not change that! We will keep our own standards high and ensure that our faith is always our primary learning focus! Corpus Christi Catholic School is, and always has been, in the "business" of working with parents to form the souls of your children and keep our focus on "Educating each child's mind, body and SPIRIT!"
With the growth of our Preschool and Pre-K, we are looking for a very special person to fill the shoes of ANOTHER Preschool Teacher! Please go to the diocesan website at www.catholicschoolsrock.org, click on the Employment tab at the top and then click on the Employment Opportunities tab on the side to access the job posting. Please note, this job requires all candidates hold a current Group Leader qualified state certification. If you know of anyone that meets this criterion and would love to work with our sweet babies, please encourage them to apply!
Get TEXTS from CCCS!
We are really excited to offer a new tool to our CCCS community! We are inviting parents, students and staff to subscribe to a program called SchoolTextLine so we can share announcements and reminders via text message!
To subscribe, you simply text: CCCS27 to: 96298 to start receiving text announcements and reminders from our school! We currently have 13 individuals who have signed up! Let's make this grow so it can be an effective communication tool!
ADOPT A GRANDPARENT PROGRAM
My name is Bonnie Wilde (you may know me from the Dinner Auction) and I am an Independent Consultant with Mary Kay. My Mary Kay Unit has adopted 300 local nursing home residents who do not have family or visitors for the holidays and we want to present each of them with a special gift for Christmas. This may be the only gift some of them receive this holiday. We are asking local businesses and community members like yourself to adopt grandparents for Christmas. A $10 donation will provide 1 resident with a hand cream and slipper socks or some other item to keep them toasty this winter. A gift tag with your name and Christmas greeting will accompany each gift. This is a charitable donation so I will also provide a receipt for a tax write-off.
Please call me at 719-661-4703 or email me at happybee21@hotmail.com by Wednesday, December 11th if you would like to adopt. Also, adoption forms are available at the front office so come by the school if you would like to participate!
Thanks for helping me to spread cheer this Christmas!!
SMHS Offers FREE Tutoring for all K-8 CCCS Students
St. Mary's High School National Honor Society will begin tutoring every Wednesday after school at SMHS starting Wednesday, December 11th. This free opportunity is open to any student K-8th grade that is in need of extra assistance. Please email Robyn Cross, rcross@smhscs.org for more information.
We are so proud to announce that we have hired our new PE teacher - Mrs. Valerie Wetta! Please welcome Mrs. Wetta to our school when you see her! We are SO excited to have her!
Mrs. Wetta will be taking the athletic director role as part of this job but we will be looking for a person to serve as our facilities manager during athletic events held in our gym - ie, CSAL Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling etc.
Mrs. Wetta will be taking the athletic director role as part of this job but we will be looking for a person to serve as our facilities manager during athletic events held in our gym - ie, CSAL Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling etc.
- On Tuesday and Friday evenings the gym will need to be opened by 5:00 to let players and coaches in
- Additional hours are required for beginning and end of season tournaments
- Games and clean-up are done by 9:00 PM - depending on the CSAL schedule.
- The gym would need to be set up for games and cleaned up following games
- Any "rowdy" behavior would also need to be addressed by this individual
- A prayer and introduction of players is also led by this person
Corpus Christi Annual Giving Tree
Once again this year, Corpus Christi Catholic Church and School are sponsoring an Advent Giving Tree! Please see the flyer titled - GIVING TREE available in the digital locker of www.teacherease.com for more information. Let's let our light here at CCCS shine for others!
NEW SAC MEMBERS and SAC Meeting Notes
Our October SAC meeting agenda and last month's meeting minutes are now posted in the digital locker of www.teacherease.com as well as available on our website - www.corpuschristicos.org! Please note the previous month's minutes are approved at the next meeting time so November minutes will be approved at our December meeting and then posted.
Please note: The SAC now has two new members - Cris Schoon and Jason Homec. Cris is a
Vice President at CB Insurance, earned his law degree and MBA from University of Iowa, and will be instrumental in many areas covered by SAC. Jason is a CPA with the firm Erickson, Brown & Kloster, has one child at Corpus Christi, and also serves on the Bishop's Diocesan Finance Council. Please welcome them both!
The UNIFORM CLOSET is having a SALE!
- Black nylon-mesh Athletic CC SHORTS - CLEARANCE $2.00 A pair. In stock sizes only....no special orders.
- Any NEW Dennis shorts or pants or Nylon Jog pants BOYS or GIRLS - limited sizes available in stock ONLY. CLEARANCE $5.00 each
Donations needed for the Uniform Closet : Clear plastic pant hangers & top hangers: with the medal hook! (If your Christmas shopping....PLEASE ask to keep the hanger...Donate it to our Uniform Closet!)
Check it out! On line ordering for the first ever, student-produced Corpus Christi Yearbook is now available. Please follow the links below to order books, purchase an ad to promote your business or pay tribute to your child. You can also upload your favorite photos from school events for inclusion in the yearbook; action sports pictures are especially needed!
Secure on-line ordering via our publisher’s web site
Cost is $25.00 per book
Deadline for orders is March 31, 2014
To buy a yearbook: https://yearbookforever.com Type in: Corpus Christi Catholic School
Both business ads and personal ads are available
Full Page $60, Half Page $30, and Quarter Page $15
Deadline for orders is March 1, 2014
To buy an ad: https://yearbookforever.com Type in: Corpus Christi Catholic School
Submit your school event photos – Our yearbook team can’t be at all school events. Please upload only clear, sharp images.Our yearbook team will select and edit images as required - thanks for sharing!To upload photos:
- Go to: https://yearbookforever.com
- Type in: Corpus Christi Catholic School.
- Look for: Community Upload (lower right corner of the Corpus Christi page)
- You will need our access code to upload: CCColts (case matters)
Thanks to those of you who have already purchased your yearbook and uploaded photos using the PDF in the digital locker.
by living with an American family, attending an American school, and enjoying American life at its fullest. By hosting, families are able to bridge the gap with Korea in a very personal way.
Safe 2 Tell
Sometimes it is hard for students to report to teachers and parents when there is something going on in their lives that they know is not ok and they don't know what to do about-abuse, suicide, etc. Corpus Christi Catholic School is now partnering with a wonderful organization formed here in Colorado Springs called Safe 2 Tell. Safe 2 Tell - http://safe2tell.org/ is an organization designed to allow youth to anonymously report events that they may not be willing or able to report to adults in their lives. These reports are then sent to the school where we can contact local authorities or parents to get students the help they may need. Please access the website above or call 877-542-7233 for more information.
Here's What Happening NEXT WEEK:
Monday, December 2 - Friday, December 20 - Advent Celebration in Gym EVERY Morning (other than Wednesdays) at 7:40 AM - PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED to join us!
Sunday, December 8 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday; Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 9 - Everyday Uniform for PK-8; 8th Grade Fundraiser - Honey Baked Ham Orders due today!
Tuesday, December 10 - Everyday Uniform for K-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8; NO AM Advent Celebration; Advent Celebration and Christmas program Dress Rehearsal at 1:45 PM
Wednesday, December 11 - Busy Day :) - please see below:
- Mass Uniform for K-8
- Go to classrooms at 7:40
- Advent Confession Time - Begins at 10 AM - YEA! Our second graders are having their FIRST RECONCILIATION today so they will go first! We are SO proud of this great step in their lives!
- Other 3-8 grade classes will be called following 2nd grade beginning with 3rd grade and as is required until all can participate
- 1:45 - School Mass
Thursday, December 12- Everyday Uniform for K-8; Advent Celebration in Gym at 7:40 AM; HSA General Meeting in Cafeteria - 5:45 PM; Christmas Program in gym - 6:30 PM
Friday, December 13 - Spirit Day - regular uniform bottoms and a CCCS spirit shirt or "Holy Spirit" shirt
Reminder of THINGS to DO:- Check out your classroom teacher's blogs! They are working hard to keep you in the loop of all that is going in in their classrooms! This is a great way to be in the "know" of what your students are learning in class! These can be accessed via our website or by following your teachers at the link they have shared.
- We still have families that have still not turned in their UNSOLD HSA Raffle Tickets - please turn these in ASAP as it is the law to collect all unsold tickets under our gambling license! If you do not have them, please contact Ed Wilcox at ed
@mwllccpa.com to report them nonreturnable. Thanks!
EVENTS COMING SOON:
Monday, December 16-December 19 - 7th and 8th Grade Mid-Year Exams - more info from Middle School team to come! :)
Friday, December 20 - End of 2nd Quarter; Preschool-8th Grade - Christmas Parties - 11 AM; Noon Dismissal; Staff Christmas Party Sponsored by HSA - At 12:15ish PM in the Parish Hall
Saturday, December 24-January 6 - Christmas Break
Monday, January 6 - Staff Professional Development Day - Office is Closed and No School for Students
Tuesday, January 7 - Students return from Christmas Break
