CSA Families,
During September, Colorado SKIES Academy learners will be participating in MAP® Growth™ assessments from NWEA®MAP. MAP testing will occur again in January and May. Growth scores help facilitators check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Individual learners and facilitators use results to help create ILP’s (Individualized Learning Plans) for each CSA Learner and track growth throughout the year.
Once the testing window closes, each learner will bring home a Family Report for you to review. These results will provide a complete picture of what your learner knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your student’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years.
All learners will participate in Math, Reading, and Language Arts assessments. Grade 8 learners will also add a Science in addition to these tests. MAP Growth reports provide typical growth data for students in the same grade, subject and have the same starting performance level. For more information, visit the MAP website.
Each CSA learner will be encouraged to partner with facilitators and work toward growth. Families can also encourage academic growth. The more learners read for enjoyment and spend time in relevant Math practice, the more growth opportunities in MAP. Here is a resource from Common Sense Media for Math games, which are a fun and enjoyable way to practice Math. Math Games for Middle School
The Colorado SKIES Academy team is always available if you need assistance or would like more information in regard to MAP assessments. Please let me know if I can assist your family in any way.
Sincerely,
Anne Wodetzki
Colorado SKIES Academy
School Director
anne.wodetzki@coloradoskiesacademy.org
Cell Phone 219-255-8130
On Wednesday, September 8, Colorado SKIES Academy learners enjoyed a visit to the Exploration of Flight – Wings Over the Rockies and some up close time with the Historic B-17.
Save the Date….Get excited for the sixth grade weather balloon launch! On September 24th we will be launching two weather balloons with sixth grade learner experiments attached. We are inviting parents to join us in this fun and engaging event. The CSA Balloon Launch will take place at Exploration of Flight – Wings Over the Rockies. Each balloon will have a frame with a camera, temperature/pressure sensor, satellite tracker, and of course our learner’s projects. The time of launch will be announced as we draw closer to the day. See you there!
School pictures are still available to order please visit Lifetouch. If you were not here for the first day of school, or would like a retake, Lifetouch will be at CSA on Monday, September 20, 2021. Those families interested in retakes will need to return their original school photo taken on August 16.
This past spring, a CSA EduKit program was provided to all Colorado SKIES Academy families through the PAC (Parent Action Committee). The PAC works diligently to support Colorado SKIES Academy through fundraising and special events for all learners and families. IF YOU CHOOSE, Colorado SKIES Academy PAC will accept a donation instead of a refund for your EduKit. Would you please communicate your wishes by sending an email to sarah.phillips@coloradoskiesacademy.org Sarah will be distributing refunds September 15-17. Refunds will be $45. Please email her to schedule an appointment.
Calling all parents! We are looking for parents to be active members in the CSA-PAC. That’s our Parent Action Committee. We are looking to provide a strong organization to help provide extra activities and opportunities for our learners. If interested please email info@coloradoskiesacademy.org
Calling all Dads!!!
Join us at Colorado Skies Academy this coming Thursday Sept 16th starting at 5:30pm for pizza and drinks, and learn more about the CSA Watch D.O.G.S. program and how you can be a Hero of the Hallways…
What are the goals of a WATCH D.O.G.S. program?
1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
Who are WatchDOGS and how does WATCH D.O.G.S. work?
WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school.
What do WatchDOGS do (while they are at school)?
During the day, WatchDOGS may work on different projects with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, patrol the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well.
Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dad dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOG dads are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as a WatchDOG.
Join us this Thursday and learn more about how you can make an important difference in the school and the lives of our students.
Please visit the link below to RSVP for this coming Thursday. If you are already familiar with the Watch D.O.G.S. program from other schools, please feel free to use this link to sign up on the schedule as a Watch Dog for any open shift throughout the school year. Please feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions and we look forward to seeing you all on Thursday. Students learn better, when they feel safe and secure.
Respectfully,
Chris Swathwood
CSA Watch D.O.G.S. Coordinator
720-401-0884
Mark your calendars for September 16, 2021 at 5:30 PM for two very important organizational meetings. The Parent Action Committee and Watchdogs (dads/males) would like to connect with you and share their plans for the school year. Pizza and a movie night will be provided for the learners and siblings while both meetings are in session.
Colorado SKIES Academy would like to offer low-cost before and after-school clubs and programs. Programs and clubs could begin as early as September 13, 2021. After School 3:30 – 5:30 pm and Morning as early as 7:00 am. On Friday, Clubs would be available from 1 pm until 4 pm. Would you please complete this survey if you are interested in participating.
If you are needing to carpool with another family and need help locating someone near you please use this link. Thank you so much, Chris West, for putting this CSA Carpool together!
Colorado SKIES Academy has 2 facebook pages. CSA Family Connections was designed for parents in our school to connect with one another! Then we have one that is our main business page Here. We also have a twitter account @COSKIESAcademy please follow us on our Journey!
Note: Please click the links below to learn more about each event.
Weekly In-Person Tours and Information Sessions:
School Tours for Prospective Families, 10:30-11:30 am, 4:30-5:30 pm on Tuesdays
Monday, February 12:
Simulator Training, 8:30-10:00 am
Monday, February 12:
Talk, Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, “Bettering Human Lives: Perspectives on Energy, Climate, and Poverty,” 10:00-11:00 am
Friday, February 16:
Simulator Training, 9:30-11:00 am
Thursday, February 22:
Regular Board Meeting, 5:45 pm, CSA
Please join us to hear from the CSA learners about their trip to India!
Friday, February 23:
Simulator Training, 9:30-11:00 am
Saturday, February 24:
Public Safety Day, 10:00-2:00 pm
Monday, February 26:
Simulator Training, 8:30-11:00 am
More details to come, but please be aware that the next Presentation of Learning for 6th grade will be on Tuesday, March 5th and for 7th grade on Wednesday, March 6th.
*Admittance to Exploration of Flight is free for CSA Learners with their student membership. The EoF staff has a list of current CSA learners so all they need to do is give their name!
New CSA families receive a 20% discount on family memberships to Wings Over the Rockies Museum, valid at both museum locations (Centennial & Lowry). A daily entry fee may also be paid to gain entry to the events at the museum. Please contact christa.coryell@coloradoskiesacademy.org for more information about museum memberships for CSA families.
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Colorado SKIES Academy will not discriminate in its enrollment on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, need for special education services or need for English language support services. Colorado SKIES Academy will comply with all applicable, approved policies and regulations and the requirements of federal and state law concerning the education of children with disabilities. No student will be denied admission because of academic performance. Please see “Successful Student Characteristics” on our website for further details.
