April 6, 2014 - Fifth Sunday in Lent!
Death Leads to New Life
As we listen to this Gospel story of Jesus' raising of Lazarus two weeks before Easter, we might ask ourselves:
- Who in this story is like me?
- Am I like Mary or Martha, grieving someone or something I love?
- Am I like Lazarus, dead in some way and in need of new life?
- Am I like Jesus, consoling the grieving and giving hope?
This Gospel reminds us that for Christians, death does not have the final word. Instead, death leads to new life. We do not deny the part of death or the reality of grief, but in their midst, we hold fast to promise that, like Lazarus, we too will rise.
This Week On the Way to Mass..Discuss the signs of Spring you may be seeing.
This Week On the Way Home from Mass...Talk about the story of Lazarus on your way home. How have you experienced "life" after "death"?
Living the Word This Week
We all participate in the cycle of life - death - new life. Sometimes for new life to break through, something must die. Plant a few fast-growing seeds (grass or wheat seed, for example). point out to your children how the seed must be buried in dirt to be able to grow. Then watch over the next few weeks how the new green begins to sprout!
April 13, 2014 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of The Lord
Why the Change?
Today we celebrated Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and we begin this most HOLY of weeks! Our Lenten journey is coming to an end. Notice how crowds ask, "Who is this?" This is a good question for us to ask as well. Who do you believe Jesus is? Who would you say he was if you were there standing in the crowd? Who is Jesus for YOU and how are you sharing that through both word and example?
Next Week On the Way to Mass.. Note that this is the beginning of Holy Week and share with your children that today we will begin our celebration of the liturgy with a procession and blessing of the palms.
Next Week On the Way Home from Mass... Talk with your children about what changes you observed in Mass today: the red vestments, the reading of the Gospel before the procession, the tone and feel of the music, and the blessed palm branches.
Living the Word Next Week
When you get home today, place the palms you received at Mass today in your prayer space. Talk about with your children that as we began Lent we received ashes (from last year's burned palms) and now we receive these vibrant new palm branches. Although this is a solemn week as we journey with Jesus through his Last Supper and His agony and Death on the Cross, we can begin to prepare for Easter by cleaning our homes and planning for our Easter celebration!
WE DID IT!
We are so proud of our students, teachers, staff and other stakeholders for achieving the prestigious recommendation of accreditation through the highly esteemed AdvancEd process! We also achieved accreditation for our entire school - Preschool-8th Grade which has not occurred before for our Early Childhood program! Some of the commendations the team expressed were:
1. CCCS is INCREDIBLY welcoming!!
2. CCCS has enthusiastic leadership!
3. It is evident that KIDS ARE LEARNING!
4. CCCS has a collaborative culture among our teachers and staff!
5. CCCS has above all - a STRONG Catholic identity - both in instruction and the interactions among all!
So as you can see - we are VERY proud of how well we were evaluated by the AdvancED team and are pleased that we continue the honor of being recognized as a nationally accredited school! A huge thank you to all of our stakeholders who helped out in so many ways! We could not have done this without you! A full report will be available to our school in June after the final approval has been completed. We will be using this information among our administration, staff, and School Advisory Council (SAC) to plan next steps in our journey of continuous improvement!
FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK and TWITTER
We have really been working our Facebook and Twitter pages. We now have 300+ followers!
That is HUGE for a school our size! We have some great things to share! Check us out!
Follow us on Facebook at: Corpus Christi Catholic School, Colorado Springs
Follow Us on Twitter at: @CorpusCOS
9:00AM-2:00PM
Check out the digital locker of www.teacherease.com to access the flyer and the sign up link!!! As a reminder, students should be dropped off and picked up from SMHS and there is no school for 7th Graders on April 9th at CCCS!
7th Grade STUDENT
AGENDA
9:00-9:10 Check–In9:10-9:20 Ambassadors: Meet Your Team Members
9:20-9:45 Team
Ice-Breakers
9:48-10:32 7th
Grade Classes: Chemistry/ Spanish/ Biology
10:35-11:15 Lunch with
your Team/Freshman and Sophomore Ambassadors Meet Shadows
11:24-12:08 Shadow 4th Period:
Freshman/Sophomore Classes
12:10-1:30 School
Tour/Games: Rotations
1:30-2:00 End of Day
Activities
PARENT
AGENDA
9:00-9:15 Meet n
Greet Current Parents
9:15-10:15 Intro. To
St. Mary’s: Administrative Panel
BREAK
10:30-11:20 Shadow a 3rd
Period Class/Take a Tour
11:30-11:45 Learn More
about our Academic Support Center
11:45-12:15 Senior
Ambassador Panel Q&A
12:15-12:45 Lunch (Cove)
12:45- 1:15 Presentation
on NEW Program:“Project Lead the Way: Engineering Program”
1:15-1:30 Meet with
Admissions/Q & A
1:30-2:00 Join 7th Graders for End of Day
Activities 
We are so proud of our CCCS students and how well they did on their ITBS testing! We wanted to share with you their 2013-2014 class cumulative grade equivalent ITBS scores and let you know that individual scores will come home with final report cards at the end of the year!
Also, please access www.teacherease.com for a letter from our Superintendent, Mrs. Holly Goodwin, about the new testing format and how we are using this data in our diocese! As a reminder the expectation we would have is that students be at their grade level in the 8th month, i.e, if a student is a 3rd grader, the national average would be a 3.8. As you can see, the longer students are in our school, the larger the growth!
Here's our FANTASTIC Grade Equivalent ITBS Class Averages:
Grade 1: 2.1
Grade 2: 3.3
Grade 3: 4.3
Grade 4: 6.4
Grade 5: 7.1
Grade 6: 8.1
Grade 7: 10.3
Grade 8: 11.8
Wow! As you can see, 8th Graders scored 3 Grades above the National Norm! Our CCCS students and teachers ROCK!! We are SO proud of you all!
American Heritage Girl "Daughters of the King" Girls Retreat Coming Soon!!!
Sign up now for a GREAT event CCCS is hosting - it's the Daughters of the King (AHG) Girl's Retreat for 1st-8th grade girls on April 12! Please go to the Digital Locker Section of www.teacherease.com for the flyer for this great event and to sign up! It is going to be a beautiful day!
May Crowning
Mark your calendars! Our Annual May Crowning of Mary and Rosary this year will be held on May 7th at 8AM. It is a beautiful event! Please note the following:
- All students are asked to bring at least 1 flower to school to offer to Mary and a Rosary
- All First Communicants will wear their First Communion clothing and bring their regular uniform to change into later
- All 8th Graders who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation will dress in their Confirmation clothing and may stay in these clothes for the day: Button down shirts, ties and slacks for boys and Modest Dresses for girls
- Parents are ENCOURAGED to join us in this beautiful day!
As Lenten projects, our school is participating in two different events. We have first of all distributed the Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowls. Please have your child earn and collect funds and fill the bowl with their coins. We will be collecting these at our school mass on April 16. This is a great way for students to practice Alms giving by giving what they have to others.
Here is a link to an article about how CRS Rice Bowls affected a 3rd Grade Classroom:
Lesson in Faith
Another project we are working on is through www.freerice.com. Students go onto this website - answer questions and then earn FREE RICE that the sponsoring companies send to hungry people around the world! We are planning a FREE RICE day in technology in a few weeks but we want students to have the opportunity to get started on earning free rice for the hungry! 
Here is a link to an article about how CRS Rice Bowls affected a 3rd Grade Classroom:
Lesson in Faith
Diocesan School Calendar for 2014-2015 NOW Available
Can you believe we are in full swing in planning for the 2014-2015 school year? Now available in the digital locker section of www.teacherease.com is our finalized diocesan school calendar for the 2014-2015 school year! Please access this calendar for general full diocesan school dates. To see what is happening at CCCS - go to the calendar on www.teacherease.com for more articulated day-to-day events for Corpus Christi individually!
Can you believe we are in full swing in planning for the 2014-2015 school year? Now available in the digital locker section of www.teacherease.com is our finalized diocesan school calendar for the 2014-2015 school year! Please access this calendar for general full diocesan school dates. To see what is happening at CCCS - go to the calendar on www.teacherease.com for more articulated day-to-day events for Corpus Christi individually!
It's that time of year again! We are looking for some new additions to our Home and School Association Board! For the 2014-2015 school year, Mr. Ed Wilcox will be serving as our President/Treasurer as well as the HSA Representative on the School Advisory Council. Mrs. Michelle Giancamilli and Mrs. Jackie Rodriguez will serve as our Vice Presidents! Mrs. Markita McKamey has served as our secretary but with Brianna graduating, we are looking for a new SECRETARY and a MEMBER AT LARGE! Please access the HSA Application in the digital locker section of www.teacherease.com if you would like to serve in either of these rolls!
CCCS Text Line
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!
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 60 individuals who have signed up! Let's make this grow so it can be an effective communication tool!
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 Coming Up:
Friday, April 4 -Tonight!!! CCCS Staff Hosts Parish Soup Supper at 6 PM in Parish Hall
Monday, April 7- Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 8- Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 9 -7th graders to SMHS for Diocesan 7th Grade Visit Day- parents take to and pick up from SMHS; 5, 6 and 8 Grade Awards Assembly (BEFORE MASS) - 1:15
Thursday, April 10 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; 7th grade to International Towne
Friday, April 11 - SPIRIT DAY - students wear CCCS or "Holy Spirit" shirts with uniform bottoms for PK-8
Saturday, April 12 - American Heritage Girl FULL DAY event at CCCS- see digital locker for a sign up sheet
Sunday, April 13 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday - wear Mass uniform to CC Church and receive a free dress down pass!
Monday, April 7- Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 8- Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 9 -7th graders to SMHS for Diocesan 7th Grade Visit Day- parents take to and pick up from SMHS; 5, 6 and 8 Grade Awards Assembly (BEFORE MASS) - 1:15
Thursday, April 10 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; 7th grade to International Towne
Friday, April 11 - SPIRIT DAY - students wear CCCS or "Holy Spirit" shirts with uniform bottoms for PK-8
Saturday, April 12 - American Heritage Girl FULL DAY event at CCCS- see digital locker for a sign up sheet
Sunday, April 13 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday - wear Mass uniform to CC Church and receive a free dress down pass!
Monday, April 14 - Holy Week Begins - no homework or school extra curricular activities; Regular Everyday Uniforms for PK-8
Tuesday, April 15 - Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 16 - Mass Uniforms for K-8; SAC Board Meeting - 7:45 AM
Thursday, April 17 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; Holy Thursday Celebration at School
Friday, April 18 - GOOD FRIDAY - No School
Sunday, April 20- EASTER!!!
Monday, April 21 - EASTER MONDAY - No School; 8th Graders Leave for 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
Lunch/Recess Volunteers:
A HUGE thank you to our lunch/recess volunteers! You help keep our kiddos safe and allow for our teachers to have a break at lunch! Thank you so much for your help! If you have been looking for ways to volunteer and would like to volunteer to serve in May, please see Nichole Munoz, our Volunteer Coordinator. The time we ask that volunteers be here is only from about 10:20-12:45 and it is a fun way to serve our school and be with your kiddos!
Schedule for April:
April 7 - T. Delgado & A. Cerda April 8 -T. Delgado, A. Cerda
April 9 - K. Baker, Julie Ambuul, J. Meyers April 10 - K. Mosier & C Pepper
April 11 - T. Malec, C Bralick, R. Gayton April 14 - M. Donahue & T Delgado
April 15 - T. Delgado & A. Cerda April 16 - K. Baker, G. Piadad & J. Meyers
April 17 - M. Donahue & C. Pepper April 22 - M. Franco & G. Piadad
April 23 - C. Bralick & S. Mang April 24 - C. Pepper & C. Bralick
April 25 - T. Malec April 28 - M. Donahue & C. Bralick
April 29 - M. Franco & R. Gayton April 30 - J. Meyers & S. Mang
Tuesday, April 15 - Everyday Uniforms for PK-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8
Wednesday, April 16 - Mass Uniforms for K-8; SAC Board Meeting - 7:45 AM
Thursday, April 17 - Regular EVERYDAY uniforms for PK-8; Holy Thursday Celebration at School
Friday, April 18 - GOOD FRIDAY - No School
Sunday, April 20- EASTER!!!
Monday, April 21 - EASTER MONDAY - No School; 8th Graders Leave for 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
Lunch/Recess Volunteers:
A HUGE thank you to our lunch/recess volunteers! You help keep our kiddos safe and allow for our teachers to have a break at lunch! Thank you so much for your help! If you have been looking for ways to volunteer and would like to volunteer to serve in May, please see Nichole Munoz, our Volunteer Coordinator. The time we ask that volunteers be here is only from about 10:20-12:45 and it is a fun way to serve our school and be with your kiddos!
Schedule for April:
April 7 - T. Delgado & A. Cerda April 8 -T. Delgado, A. Cerda
April 9 - K. Baker, Julie Ambuul, J. Meyers April 10 - K. Mosier & C Pepper
April 11 - T. Malec, C Bralick, R. Gayton April 14 - M. Donahue & T Delgado
April 15 - T. Delgado & A. Cerda April 16 - K. Baker, G. Piadad & J. Meyers
April 17 - M. Donahue & C. Pepper April 22 - M. Franco & G. Piadad
April 23 - C. Bralick & S. Mang April 24 - C. Pepper & C. Bralick
April 25 - T. Malec April 28 - M. Donahue & C. Bralick
April 29 - M. Franco & R. Gayton April 30 - J. Meyers & S. Mang
- 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!
Coming Up Soon:
Wednesday, April 30 - Corpus Christi Confirmation for 8th Graders - 7 PM, CCCC
Thursday, May 1 - HSA Board Meeting 7:30AM
Friday, May 2- First Friday Adoration - 11:15-11:45; Noon Dismissal, Staff PLC 1-4 PM
Monday, May 5-Friday, May 9 - Teacher Appreciation Week - schedule coming soon!
Tuesday, May 6 - Second Graders Retreat at Salesian Sister's Convent - 8:15AM-2:45PM
Wednesday, May 7 - May Crowning and Rosary at 8 AM
Thursday, May 8 - Mother's Day Muffins with Mom - 7AM in Cafeteria; No School Mass - Pastor's Meeting with Bishop
Thursday, May 8 - Mother's Day Muffins with Mom - 7AM in Cafeteria; No School Mass - Pastor's Meeting with Bishop
Friday, May 9 - Spring Fling Art and Talent Show - 5:30PM- Doors Open to tour building-wide Art Show and HSA-sponsored Dinner served in Cafeteria; 6:00PM - HSA General Meeting and SAC State of the School in Gym; 6:30PM - Preschool-8th Grade Talent Show in Gym
Sunday, May 11 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday; NCEA Pastor Appreciation Day!
May 12-May 15 - 8th Grade Finals
May 12-May 15 - 8th Grade Finals
Thursday, May 14 - SAC Board Meeting - 7:45AM; Light of Leadership Mass for 7/8 Graders - 1:45PM
May 15, 16, 20, 21 - 6/7 Grade Finals
Thursday, May 15 - 8th Grade Practice for Baccalaureate Mass - 1PM-3PM; 8th Grade Baccalaureate Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral - 6PM
Friday, May 16 - Last Day for 8th Graders; Yearbook Signing from 1:45 PM-2:45 PM
Monday, May 19 - St. Mary's High School Graduation - CCCS in session
Tuesday, May 20 - 8th Grade Breakfast and Awards Presentation in Parish Hall -8-10AM; 8th Grade Graduation Practice in CC Sanctuary -10-11AM; 8th Grade Graduation Mass in CC Sanctuary- 5:30PM
Wednesday, May 21- Pre-Kindergarten Graduation -10AM in Gym; Kindergarten Graduation - 11AM in Gym; Full Day of School for 1st-7th Graders; All Preschool-7th Grade Students will take things home today
Thursday, May 22 - CCCS Annual Field Day for 1st-7th Graders
- Parents - please plan to stay for the day or drop off and pick up at the SMHS Grace Center - 1655 Pirate Heights, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
- Lunch Sponsored by HSA-Annual Dads Cooking Lunch
Friday, May 23 - Last Day of School for 1st-7th Graders; Noon Dismissal
Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day - School Offices Closed
Tuesday, May 27-Friday, May 30 - Teacher Professional Development Days; Report Cards, ITBS Scores, School Supply List mailed out to families by end of week
Saturday, May 31-Sunday, August 2 - Building and School Offices Closed for Summer
2014-2015 School Year Dates to Put on Your Calendar Now
We wanted to get you some dates to be able to start planning for next year! We are really excited about next year! A few things you will see that may look a little different for the 2014-2015 school year are:
- We are combining our Ice Cream Social and our Back to School Night into ONE NIGHT- our goal is to get information to families BEFORE school starts so our students and families are able to hit the road running for a successful year. Please see the schedule below.
- The second piece we are implementing is assessment (testing) days. This is a very common practice in other schools and allows for students and teachers to get to know each other both personally and educationally! 6th-8th Grade students will have group testing, as noted below, but Preschool-5th Grade students will have a special one-on-one time with their teachers that parents will sign up for between August 4 and August 11. We will also have pay-based extended care available for families if needed on these assessment days.
So here is how our calendar looks for the first few weeks of August:
We wanted to get you some dates to be able to start planning for next year! We are really excited about next year! A few things you will see that may look a little different for the 2014-2015 school year are:
- We are combining our Ice Cream Social and our Back to School Night into ONE NIGHT- our goal is to get information to families BEFORE school starts so our students and families are able to hit the road running for a successful year. Please see the schedule below.
- The second piece we are implementing is assessment (testing) days. This is a very common practice in other schools and allows for students and teachers to get to know each other both personally and educationally! 6th-8th Grade students will have group testing, as noted below, but Preschool-5th Grade students will have a special one-on-one time with their teachers that parents will sign up for between August 4 and August 11. We will also have pay-based extended care available for families if needed on these assessment days.
So here is how our calendar looks for the first few weeks of August:
Monday, August 4 - School Offices Open for 2014-2015 School Year, Teacher Workday
Tuesday, August 5 - Teacher Workday
Wednesday, August 6 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Thursday, August 7 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Friday, August 8 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Ave Maria Catholic School
Tuesday, August 5 - Teacher Workday
Wednesday, August 6 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Thursday, August 7 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Corpus Christi
Friday, August 8 - Teacher Professional Development Day at Ave Maria Catholic School
Monday, August 11- Ice Cream Social & MANDATORY Parent Orientation Night
- 5:00-6:30 PM- Ice Cream Sponsored by HSA in Gym
- 5:15-6:15 PM
- 6:45-7:15 PM- 6-8th Grade Parent Orientation in Cafeteria
- 6:45-7:45 PM - New Parent Orientation for all Preschool-Elementary Students with Administrative Staff - Procedures, Teacher Ease Training, etc. in Computer Lab
- 7:15-7:45 PM- 6th Grade Question/Answer Session in Mrs. Bruno's Room with all middle school teachers
- 5:00-6:30 PM- Ice Cream Sponsored by HSA in Gym
- 5:15-6:15 PM
- Preschool-Elementary Classroom Parent Orientation, School Supply Drop Off and Assessment Sign-Up Time - teacher presents at 5:15 and then repeats again at 5:45
- Student Council Led Tours - starting at front door every 15 minutes
- Middle School Locker Set-Up Time and School Supply Drop Off
- Teacher Ease Refresher Drop-In Time with Mr. Smith in Computer Lab
- 6:45-7:15 PM- 6-8th Grade Parent Orientation in Cafeteria
- 6:45-7:45 PM - New Parent Orientation for all Preschool-Elementary Students with Administrative Staff - Procedures, Teacher Ease Training, etc. in Computer Lab
- 7:15-7:45 PM- 6th Grade Question/Answer Session in Mrs. Bruno's Room with all middle school teachers
Wednesday, August 13
- First Day of School (Student Orientation) for 1st-8th Grade - 7:40AM - Noon
- AM Open House for Preschool, 1/2 Day Pre-K, Jr.K and Kindergarten
- PM MANDATORY Individual Assessments for Preschool- 5th Graders- parents sign up for one assessment period for today, Thursday or Friday
- PM MANDATORY 7/8 Grade Group Testing from 12:00-2:00 or 2:00-4:00 - parents sign up for one assessment period today
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from Noon-4:00 PM - please sign up at the front office by August 11
Thursday, August 14
- Full Day of School for 6th-8th Graders only
- MANDATORY Individual Testing Day for Preschool-5th Graders-parents sign up for only one testing period
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from 7:45-2:45 PM - please sign up at the front office by August 11
Friday, August 15
- Full Day of School for 6th-8th Graders only
- 6th Grade Assessments while at school today
- MANDATORY Individual Testing Day for Preschool-5th Graders-parents sign up for only one testing period
- Fee Based Extended Care Available for Preschool-5th Graders Today from 7:45-2:45 PM -- please sign up at the front office by August 11
Monday, August 18- First REGULAR Full Day for ALL Preschool-8th Graders
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