February 9, 2014 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy Valentine's Day!
This week we continue the focus on light! Jesus reminds His disciples (and us) that we are called to be the LIGHT of the world - to not hide the light of Christ but to let it shine!!! The last line of the Gospel this Sunday gives us a different idea of light however! This reminds us that our actions and words can either represent light or darkness. How is your attitude or interior disposition a form of light? How can we be light to each other in our school community or to our own families?
This Week On the Way to Mass..Begin a conversation about what has gone well or made each of you feel GREAT during this past week. Why?
This Week On the Way Home from Mass...After hearing this week's Gospel, reflect on moments that did not go well this past week. How might changing the way you look at the situation or adjusting your "light" to look at it differently have improved the situation?
Living the Word This Week
This week, we will celebrate St. Valentine's Day. Although St. Valentine has been removed from the official Church calendar, the day retains the tradition of letting people know how much we love them! In addition to our class parties for Preschool-5th Graders, or cards for family and friends, try to think if there are people who may be overlooked and send them a note or card of love! BE THE LIGHT!!!
Celebrating FAITH Next Week - February 16, 2014 - Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Happy President's Day!
Next week Jesus' words in the Gospel speaks to His disciples (and us) about how we are called to live!!! We notice that Jesus shifts the focus from the action itself to the thought or feeling before the action. Is Jesus calling our attention to the significance and power of these thoughts and feelings? Or take the command to "let your yes mean YES" and your no mean NO." It is really hard to be direct and honest but children need this from their caregivers. No means no. Faltering from this creates a lack of security for children. The family is the best place to learn how to express ourselves clearly and truthfully!
Next Week On the Way to Mass...Note the words "oath" and "vow" that are in this week's Gospel. Discuss when these words are used - in marriage, in a military ceremony, when agreeing to serve in public office, etc. Discuss with your child(ren) why are these words important to such important commitments.
Next Week On the Way Home from Mass...After hearing this week's Gospel, discuss with your family Jesus' directive to mean what we say. Is this easy? What strategies do you use to make this easier to do?
Living the Word Next Week
Next week, we will celebrate President' Day with no school on Monday, February 17th. Although President's Day is certainly not a celebration on our Church calendar, this is a great day to discuss the importance of our right to vote and our responsibility to hold those that lead our city, state and national governments accountable too vote for us! Discuss with your child this week how Jesus speaks to living our faith in not only our actions but in our thoughts! How do we hold our governmental leaders to honesty and integrity. Talk about why truth and honesty are fundamental to healthy personal and communal life.
WEATHER and OTHER EMERGENCY ALERTS
With so many recent weather delays, we wanted to remind parents that we use www.flashalert.net to communicate weather and other emergency (lock-outs, etc.) alerts to parents and the media. This is a GREAT tool as not only will you receive email communications but you can also receive text messages within seconds of the posting. As a reminder, weather postings are NOT available for CCCS on Fox. We recommend, if you you choose to find out about closures via the media about our closures or delays locally on KRDO Channel 13. They seem to be the most accurate. To receive weather and emergency alerts via email and text messages, please go to www.flashalert.net and complete the following:
1. Click on Colorado Springs on the map
2. Click on Private and Charter Schools
3. Click on Corpus Christi
4. Enter your email address
5. Follow the directions for continuing to enter your phone number to receive texts
VOTE for CCCS for Best In the Springs (AGAIN)
Last year we won our first "Best of the Springs" award and we were so thankful for your votes in making this happen! Well, it's that time of year again!
A few months ago we asked you to nominate Corpus Christi in the Gazette's Best of the Springs. Thanks to your nominations, we are contenders in 4 categories - Best After School Program, Best Elementary School, and Best Preschool and Best Day Care! Please take a few minutes now and VOTE. Here's how:
A few months ago we asked you to nominate Corpus Christi in the Gazette's Best of the Springs. Thanks to your nominations, we are contenders in 4 categories - Best After School Program, Best Elementary School, and Best Preschool and Best Day Care! Please take a few minutes now and VOTE. Here's how:
- Go to http://www3.gazette.com/thebestofthesprings/
- Click on the Click Here to Vote Now tab
- Choose the FAMILY tab on the left side of the page
- Vote in the following areas: Best After School Program, Best Elementary School, and Best Preschool and Best Day Care
- You can also click on Best Middle School and fill in Corpus Christi Catholic School at the bottom.
- Join us at the event where they announce the winners! More info to come on this!
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!
Also, if you are interested in serving on March 17 or 18 as a parent the team will interview, please let Mrs. Schindler know at kschindler@corpuschristicos.org. Thank you!
Middle School teachers are dedicated to providing additional assistance to middle school students each day from 2:45-3:15 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Students just need to get a hall pass from the designated teacher during class and then let parents know they will be staying after school for the day!
As a reminder, when middle school students are absent, they need to plan to stay after school to meet with teachers to discuss their missing assignments. Our school policy is that they have one extra day for each day they are absent to complete a missing assignment and still receive full credit. Not turning in an assignment during this time period constitutes a ZERO for the assignment - no matter the reason for the absence.
Middle School Teachers Available to Assist Students
As a reminder, when middle school students are absent, they need to plan to stay after school to meet with teachers to discuss their missing assignments. Our school policy is that they have one extra day for each day they are absent to complete a missing assignment and still receive full credit. Not turning in an assignment during this time period constitutes a ZERO for the assignment - no matter the reason for the absence.
A Mother’s Perspective on Scouting
My name is Catherine, and I have 6 children from age 19 down to 4. Each is unique in so many ways - but common in their values and formation. Just over a year ago I asked my son Tommy what he might want for Christmas. His answer was simple “I want to be a Cub Scout!” He had been talking about it since Kindergarten and was now in 2nd grade. I had put off signing him up due to hectic schedules and fear of over committing our family. However, the day after Christmas we drove over to the Boy Scout office and registered. The excitement on his face, and the pride with which he stood in his uniform was worth more than words can capture.
Over the last year Tommy has been his happiest when doing his Scouting activities. He eagerly caught up with his Den and took on additional challenges. Over the summer he participated in local day camps and met other boys with whom he could enjoy these new activities. This year he is developing his leadership skills by leading activities with younger scouts so that together they can achieve awards.
Can we be good Catholics and still have Tommy be a Scout? That was the question my husband and I struggled with based on some recent decisions by Boy Scouts of America around membership eligibility for boys. We knew many families who made the tough decision to take their sons out of Scouts after years of involvement. I can’t and won’t speak for others - but we decided that Tommy could continue to be a Scout and grow in faith without sacrificing his morality. The BSA completes extensive training of adult leaders, maintains controls to assure the safety of our boys, and has not changed it’s basic mission captured in the Scout Oath
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
Sexual activity of any type is strictly against the rules of Scouting. Despite all the attention in the media, I still watched closely for statements from our Catholic leaders. Their response to the changes and commitment to Catholic Scouting reassured me of our decision. Organizations continue to change, and we will continuously re-evaluate all activities in which our children participate. This will be no exception.
Learning from other families further down the Scouting journey than we are, I was exposed to faith based activities for our Scouts through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (www.nccs-bsa.org). Tommy participated in a retreat in the Fall, and has since then completed activities with our family to deepen his appreciation and understanding of the Rosary in addition to learning more about Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. I am excited to continue to travel with him through “Footsteps of American Saints” as we learn about Elizabeth Ann Seton, Carlos Rodriguez and so many others as a way to supplement his Catholic education and character development at Corpus Christi and in Cub Scouts.
If you ask Tommy what his goal is, he will tell you he wants to be an Eagle Scout. He is in awe of those he has met, and strives to carry himself with that strength, dignity and confidence. Ask him what his favorite parts of Scouting are, and he will likely tell you all about the camps, especially learning how to use a bow and arrow, and snacks after meetings. Ask me, and our goal is the same! However, my favorite part of Scouting is walking our neighborhood in the freezing cold as Tommy collected almost 300 lbs of goods for Care and Share; watching his confidence grow as he knocked on doors to sell popcorn - and having him develop goals and push himself to reach them; standing outside King Soopers with boys and parents singing Christmas carols; watching him wear his uniform with pride and encourage younger Scouts to try new activities; the excitement in his step when he went on his first day camp, but the responsibility he gained when learning target practice; and hearing Tommy bounce down the stairs after finishing homework to see if I have time to work on Catholic achievement with him - and having him lead our family through the Rosary to do so.
What do Tommy and I hope for in the future? To see more boys from our church and school proudly wear their Scout uniforms, to grow our Corpus Christi Pack 21, and to have families encourage our boys to further develop their character and faith while making a difference in our community.
Of all the things my children have asked for at Christmas time - this was the wisest request, and one that I know will continue give back to Tommy and our family far more than we ever expected. I encourage families of young boys at Corpus Christi to consider Scouting!
In Christ.
Catherine Krause
Catherine Krause
New ATTENDANCE PHONE LINE at CCCS
Now available is our new CCCS attendance line. By calling 719-632-5092 and pressing extension #106, you will be able to leave a message concerning absences, tardies and another attendance related message. We are excited to have this new line so we can better be able to serve our community by knowing quickly when students are absent or tardy. As a reminder, when calling into this new line - we ask that you call your child in each day they are absent or tardy.
Allergy Alert
As most of you know, we work under delegation of a registered school nurse here at Corpus Christi. At our last monthly visit, our nurse has given us direction related to any students who have allergies to such things as peanuts, bee stings, etc. Many students, with these type allergies, already have medications such as epipens and the required medical paperwork here at school in case of such an emergency but we have a few that do not. A private list of these students is available at all times in our school office and the cafeteria and it is noted whether or not we have meds available. Teachers are also informed on how they need to handle each situation if needed.
PLEASE NOTE: From this point forward - if a student has an allergy and we do not have emergency response medication or paperwork at our school office - 911 will be called immediately and then parents will be called, per our delegating nurses' direction. If your child does have an allergy and you would like emergency response medications to be kept here at school, please contact Dawn Ambuul or Nichole Munoz to acquire information on how to make this happen.
TEACHER EASE CALENDAR
As always, we try to keep our calendar here on this blog as accurate as possible - however sometimes rescheduling must occur. Please note that the calendar link on your Teacher Ease main page is always CURRENT and AVAILABLE to see what is happening for the day/the week and months in advance! We encourage you to check this out before calling the school as Mrs. Dawn Ambuul is working hard to make sure it is ALWAYS accurate!!
ITBS Testing Coming February 24-28
As you may or may not be aware, the vision for CCCS for this year was to pilot the online version of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) for the diocese as we are the most technologically equipped. We found out this last Friday that Riverside Publishing is having numerous issues with the implementation of the online version. We have therefore, chosen to go with the regular - paper/pencil implementation that we have done for many years in the past.
Please mark your calendars for the week of FEBRUARY 24-28 as our ITBS testing period. It is VERY important that students get a good night's sleep and be prepared to do their very best. Please do not plan extra night activities or appointments for this week and try to have your child at school on time each day. We will also have no homework that week to allow students to rest and be prepared for the next day's testing.
Even though our school makes a point to not "teach to the test", this test data is used internally to place students appropriately in classes, programs and in recommendations for placement for high school for 8th graders. Therefore, understanding of the importance of this week's testing is important for all to understand.
Get TEXTS from CCCS!
Please mark your calendars for the week of FEBRUARY 24-28 as our ITBS testing period. It is VERY important that students get a good night's sleep and be prepared to do their very best. Please do not plan extra night activities or appointments for this week and try to have your child at school on time each day. We will also have no homework that week to allow students to rest and be prepared for the next day's testing.
Even though our school makes a point to not "teach to the test", this test data is used internally to place students appropriately in classes, programs and in recommendations for placement for high school for 8th graders. Therefore, understanding of the importance of this week's testing is important for all to understand.
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 non-emergency announcements and reminders via text message!
To subscribe, simply text: CCCS27 to: 96298 to start receiving text announcements and reminders from our school! We currently have 30 individuals who have signed up! Let's make this grow so it can be an effective communication tool!
!SCRIP CARD Competition!
A text will be sent out soon via SchoolTextLine! Once the text is sent, you will be challenged to be the first parent to come to the front desk and show us the text to win a FREE SCRIP CARD! To subscribe, follow the directions above to get entered in our competition!!
901 North Logan Avenue
!SCRIP CARD Competition!
A text will be sent out soon via SchoolTextLine! Once the text is sent, you will be challenged to be the first parent to come to the front desk and show us the text to win a FREE SCRIP CARD! To subscribe, follow the directions above to get entered in our competition!!
St. Mary's National Honor Society Book Drive
St. Mary's National Honor Society is sponsoring our annual Book Drive January 21st thru March 9th. We are partnering with area Catholic schools to donate books to local organizations (i.e.,Catholic Charities, Children's Literacy Foundation, and local school districts). We are looking for gently used books (children thru adult). If you are cleaning closets, please keep us in mind. All donations can be dropped off in the designated box in the front office of CCCS or at St. Mary's High School!
St. Cecelia 5th Annual Music Festival Solo and Ensemble Contest | |||
Date: Saturday,
March 8, 2014
Time: 8:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Location: Divine
Redeemer Catholic
School
REGISTRATION PRICES BELOW ARE GOOD THROUGH FEBRUARY 13, 2014- (must be postmarked by February 13, 2014) - paperwork available at www.teacherease.com in the digital locker.
*SOLO PERFORMANCE w/ needed accompaniment = $45.00 per student
(music must be submitted to Barbara Daugherty @ Divine Redeemer, no later than Feb.
28, 2014) Additional family member w/ needed accompaniment = $30.00.
*SOLO PERFORMANCE w/ no needed accompaniment =$25.00 per
student (i.e. piano solo or outside DR provided piano accompaniment )
Additional family member w/ outside accompaniment or piano solo = $10.00.
*ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE=$10.00 per student
* ADDITIONAL SOLO PER STUDENT =
$10.00 For instance: $45.00 instrumental solo + $10.00 vocal solo.
IF REGISTATION HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 13th
THE FOLLOWING EXTRA FEES WILL BE REQUIRED:
*LATE FEE of an additional $10(per student) for registrations received/postmarked
between February 14, 2014 and February 28, 2014
*LATE FEE of an additional $20(per student) for registrations received/postmarked
after March 1, 2014—No Registrations
accepted after March 5, 2014
*****Please access the registration form in the digital locker section of www.teacherease.com and make send all registration paperwork and payments to : Divine Redeemer
School
Get your Yearbook for 2013/2014
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.
SMHS FREE TUTORING
SMHS National Honor Society began their 2013-2014 peer-tutoring at St. Mary's (3:30-4:30) on Wednesday, January 8th. They will be offering this free opportunity every Wednesday for students K-8th grades. SMHS is more than willing to help with bus transportation Please contact Mrs. Robyn Cross for more information or to arrange transportation to St. Mary's at rcross
Flu Season Is HERE!! - UPDATED WELLNESS POLICY now available in Digital Locker
Flu Season has hit Colorado Springs with it's annual vengeance! :( Please reference our new document from the Colorado State Health Department entitled - "How Sick is TOO sick?" for the our updated school wellness policy in the digital locker of www.teacherease.com
SCRIP Info!
As a reminder, in January 2013, we began a diocesan mandated requirement that each family participate in our school SCRIP program or pay a flat fee instead of participating. As we put this incremental plan in place the first year requirement was that every family bring in a profit of $75 in SCRIP percentage credit or pay the $75.
Here's How it Works:
As an example, we get an average of 5% back on SCRIP cards. This means that for every $100 purchased in SCRIP cards, the school receives $5. By just purchasing $1500 over this last year in SCRIP that earns 5%, families have been able to meet the $75 requirement. The balance will be due on or before completion of re-registration for 2014-2015.
As stated, this is a three year incremental implementation for our school with the final 2015 year profit expectation capping at $275. In this final year of implementation, once this $275 has been met, all "extra" profit will come back to families in the form of TRIP (a Tuition Reimbursement Incentive Program) which will be credited to their tuition accounts. Many families in other schools use SCRIP to pay most of their tuition just by buying gift cards to make their regular family purchases!!
Beginning this month through December, 2014, the expectation is that each family will purchase enough SCRIP to bring in a profit of $175. So using the 5% idea again, that would mean purchasing $3500 in 5% Scrip cards. As always, if you do not wish to participate, a flat payment of the $175 (or $75 for this year) is always acceptable *.
* Scrip requirements for new families to our school are based on the number of months of attendance and they are not responsible for the total amounts.
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:
Sunday, February 9 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday - come to CC Mass for a dress down pass when you wear your CC Mass uniform
Monday, February 10-Everyday Uniform for K-5; Square One Art Begins
Tuesday, February 11 - Everyday Uniform for K-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8; School Pastor/Principal's Meeting at Corpus Christi 8:30 AM
Wednesday, February 12 - Mass Uniform for K-8; 1:45 - School Mass
Thursday, February 13- V-Day Shirts with Uniform Bottoms; Valentine's Day Parties for Preschool-5th Graders - 11-Noon; NOON DISMISSAL; Parent-Teacher Conferences - 3PM-7PM; 8th Grade Bake Sale during conferences
Friday, February 14- NO SCHOOL; Parent/Teacher Conferences - 8 AM-NOON; Teacher Comp Time from Noon-3:15 PM; 8th Grade Bake Sale fundraiser during conferences
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.
- Complete your re-registration paperwork and call Al Chromy with any questions!
WHAT'S COMING SOON:
Monday, February 17- NO SCHOOL - President's Day
Tuesday, February 18 - Everyday Uniform for K-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Tuesday, February 18 - Everyday Uniform for K-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, February 19
- SAC Meeting - 7:45-9:00 AM
- Mass Uniform for K-8
- 9-10:30 AM - Preschool/Pre-K and Kindergarten OPEN HOUSE for all parents interested in these programs for the 2014-2015 school year
- 1:45 - School Mass
Thursday, February, 20 - 9-10:30 AM - Preschool/Pre-K and Kindergarten OPEN HOUSE for all parents interested in these programs for the 2014-2015 school year
Friday, February 21- JEANS DAY; 1:45 - 8th Grade Melodrama Dress Rehearsal in Gym
Friday, February 21- JEANS DAY; 1:45 - 8th Grade Melodrama Dress Rehearsal in Gym
Saturday, February 22 at 6:30 pm in Gym- 8th Grade Melodrama "Saga of the Golden Horseshoe"
Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28 - ITBS TESTING! No Homework this week!
Saturday, March 1 - (RESCHEDULED) HSA SPAGHETTI DINNER and BASKET RAFFLE - 6 PM in Gym!!
Monday, March 3-Friday, March 7 - ITBS Make-Up Days
Wednesday, March 5th - NO SCHOOL - Staff Lenten Retreat at Sacred Heart Retreat Center! Celebrate Ash Wednesday as a family!
Thursday, March 6 - HSA Meeting 7:30 AM
Friday, March 7 - SCHOOL IN SESSION
Sunday, March 9 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday
Monday and Tuesday, March 17-18 - AdvancEd Review Team at CCCS - more info to come
Wednesday, March 19 - St. Joseph Day Donuts with Dad in Cafeteria beginning at 7:00 AM - 5-8th Grade Awards 3rd Qt. Assembly to be RESCHEDULED to April 9th before Mass.
Monday, March 24-Friday, March 28 - SPRING BREAK - NO School!
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