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Welcome CCDS families!
Over the summer, we all take time to relax, reconnect, and rejuvenate in anticipation for the upcoming school year. As August approaches, the energy and buzz around campus begins to take on a new excitement, as we all are eager to welcome your students back to school. This year is no different. Today as I walked around campus, I could feel the love and joy as teachers are planning together, Stuart is touching up paint, Lisa is working on the newsletter, Jamie is checking in all of the newly arrived curriculum, and Stacy is talking with a new family as they register for our school. We need to do all of these things during the summer, but it's really the students who we are here for and who we can't wait to welcome back. We love your students and are so grateful that you choose to send them to school here. Thank you!
We hope to see you all at our
Back to School Picnic
on Wednesday, August 15th from 11:30-12:30. I mentioned this in the welcome letter that was mailed home, but we do hope to see you all at school that day for lunch. Bring a blanket and your picnic lunch - we can't wait to see you all then!
The first day of school is Thursday, August 16th. School begins at
8:30am
. We will have flag salute on the blacktop of the elementary campus all together before heading to class that day. Adults are welcome to stay on campus during that time. During the year, we do all-school flag salute on
Monday mornings
on the blacktop (unless it's raining). Please join us when you're able to. It's a great time to hear announcements and connect with other parents.
This year, we will be sending the larger newsletters like this three more times: fall, winter, and spring. On Mondays, we will send an e-flier with more pertinent, timely reminders and information. As always, be on the lookout for emails from classroom teachers as well. Clear and regular communication is a high priority for us and we would love to hear how we're doing in this area.
As I mentioned in the letter home, our K-5 teachers received training this summer and will be implementing a new language arts curriculum. We are all very excited about this shift and appreciate the bridge that this curriculum provides between necessary literacy skills, Common Core Standards, and meaningful Project Based Learning. The foundations of this curriculum are:
Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High Quality Student Work
. For more on the Dimensions of Student Achievement, click
here
. Our teachers will continue to be creative professionals, and will now have a supportive curriculum to ensure that all students are challenged, engaged, and empowered in their learning.
CCDS is a place of learning, from our youngest learners at the preschool through to our most veteran staff members and every single person in between. This year, as we take on learning a new curriculum, we will all be stretching as learners, much as your students do each year as scholars. Our theme for this year is a series of three short sentences:
Leap in. Get stumped. Push through.
We meet each spring as a staff to discuss the new theme and this concept really resonated with us. This theme invites us all to be intellectual risk-takers, to push beyond our current understanding, and to stick with the struggle. I know I can even embrace this as an adult, finding ways to leap in, get a bit stumped and even stuck, and then push through. I hope that you are able to use this verbiage at home as well, observing and talking about how this plays out in your own lives. We'd love to hear your examples!
Thank you for choosing CCDS as the place where your student learns and grows. We cannot wait to welcome you all back at the picnic on August 15th and on the first day of school on the 16th. We know that each year will be filled with celebrations, appreciations, and forward progress and can't wait to see what's in store for 2018-2019!
Warmly,
Wendy
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Recess Before
Lunch Trial
Chico Country Day School will pilot a "Recess Before Lunch" schedule through the end of September. If it is successful, we will continue for the year. The research shows that playing first then eating lunch results in healthier food choices, a more settled lunch time, and less discipline problems. Ten states have adopted this policy for their schools. Students will have time to wash their hands prior to eating. Read more about it
here.
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STAY INFORMED
Opt-In to Receive Texts from CCDS
CCDS has a text message alert service through School Messenger. We use this to send reminders, updates and of course any emergency info. If you would like to receive SMS texts from CCDS, please text "Y" to the short code "67587".
Like:
Follow us:
Instagram:
chicocountryday
Join:
and
CCDS Free Source,
a
Facebook group set-up
to harness some of the talents, services, and supplies that our families can offer to support our school. Check it out!
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Wish List 2018
Many of you have inquired about school supplies for the upcoming year. Instead of individual supply lists, we have grade-level and department wishlists. Shared materials and common supplies are crucial for creating a classroom space built for collaboration. If you're able to donate toward the needs of the grade level, supplies will be distributed to all students from there. Students will have access to supplies at school regardless of whether or not their families have made a donation.
Click the following link:
grade-level wish list
.
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Aug. 8
Board of Directors Meeting 5:45 p.m.
Open
session begins at 6 p.m. Middle School/Room 7
Aug. 15 Back-to-School Picnic, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Aug. 17
Welcome New Parents' Breakfast 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Aug. 20 Back-to-School Night, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 All-School Skate at Cal Skate 3-5 p.m.
Aug. 29 PTP General Meeting, 8:45-9:45 a.m./CCDS Gym
Sept. 3
Labor Day - No School
Sept. 5
Minimum Day
Sept. 7
Picture Day
Sept. 12 Board of Directors Meeting,5:30 p.m.
Open
session begins at 6 p.m. Middle School/Room 7
Sept. 28 Jogathon
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First Week of School
Wednesday, August 15 - Back-to-School Picnic
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 16 - First Day of School: We will begin our day with flag salute on the main campus! Campus opens at 7:45 a.m., school begins at 8:30 a.m.
We will be following the minimum day schedule:
Start Time
End Time
KIndergarten-3rd Grade
8:30 a.m. 12:15 noon
4th-8th Grade
8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Friday, August 17- Join PTP for the "Welcome Back Parents" Continental Breakfast from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
It will be under the big tree near the Main Office. Come introduce yourself!
Friday, August 17, Blue Oak Live Scan, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Blue Oak Mobile Live Scan Service will be on campus during the Parent Breakfast. Cost is $67 with a $5 donation back to CCDS. Live Scans will be in the After School Room (located next to the main office). There will be another opportunity to complete this during Back-to-School Night. Live Scans are required to take part in any field trip.
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Save the Date for the 1st All-School Skate!
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WELCOME to New CCDS Staff
We will be welcoming some new teachers to our staff this year. Nicole Quintero will be joining our team as a 5th grade teacher. Nicole has a strong science background and has spent much of this summer planning and preparing to welcome her new class. Michael Armenta is a credentialled PE teacher and will be teaching middle school and 4th and 5th grade PE. He brings many years of experience, a positive energy, and a lot of enthusiasm to his work. Britta Goldmann will be teaching K-8 art. She is a local artist, an experienced teacher, and was a faculty member several years ago when she taught Spanish in the Middle School. Welcome back, Britta!
We also learned recently that Mr. Barbera will be moving on to a new opportunity in the Bay Area. We are excited for him and his new opportunities, but will miss him here at CCDS. We wish him well and will introduce you to our new Social Science teacher soon!
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General Homework Philosophy
We believe in supporting curiosity and joyful learning. We believe in nightly reading for all students. We believe the most important academic work should happen during the school day. We believe in the collaboration, critique, feedback, and revision that happens during classroom work time. We believe in students having space in their afternoon/evening for play and outside interests. We believe in family connections with school and will provide ways for you to connect with your child's learning in ways that will enrich his or her school experience. We value and prioritize the time, effort, and energy students put into their learning here at school and want to give them the space to play, help around the house, pursue outside interests, and read nightly.
Research about student learning supports moving away from nightly or weekly homework packets at the elementary level. For additional reading on why we have made this shift, please see the articles referenced below. There is also tremendous research about the benefits of reading each day. In addition to students reading each day, when we take time to read in front of our kids and model this as a priority, there is an additional positive impact for students.
Middle School homework will look a bit different than elementary, including nightly math practice. Teachers try very hard to assign homework that feels manageable for students to complete, keeping in mind the full day of learning they have already completed. If at anytime, you notice that homework is feeling overwhelming and time-consuming, please reach out to your child's teacher and share your observations.
Above all, we want to support literacy and building a community of readers. Please help us at home by prioritizing reading, asking your student questions about their learning, and supporting the joyful learning that makes CCDS such a special place.
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We are offering two rounds for 1st-5th grade. You may choose to attend 1st or 2nd round.
The Schedule:
5:30-6 p.m. Round 1 1st-5th Grade
6:10-6:40 p.m. Round 2 1st-5th Grade
6:50-7:30 p.m. Kindergarten (classroom)
6th Grade (Gym)
7th-8th Grade (classroom)
For your convenience, Blue Oak Mobile Live Scan Service will be on campus. They will be here from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 22 which is next door to Miss Nye's kindergarten room. Live Scans are $67 with $5 donation back to CCDS. This is great opportunity to complete this requirement needed to drive on field trips. The live scan only needs to be done once while your student is at CCDS.
Back-to-School Night is a parent only event. Please line-up your babysitter! Please be considerate of our neighbors when parking and be prepared to walk a couple blocks during all-school events.
Looking forward to seeing you!
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Choir 2018-19
Choir rehearsals begin Monday, August 27.
Beginning Choir- 2nd Grade and Up
Concert Choir - 5th Grade and Up
For detailed information on joining choir and sign-up sheet, please click the link below.
Band Program 2018-19
This year we are moving the age for Beginning Band up to 5th grade. There won't be a "Beginning Band" this year, but beginning 5th graders may still sign up. Beginners will be on the fast track in the Intermediate Band.
Parents of beginning 5th graders should contact Mr. McKenzie by email ASAP
Beginning Wednesday, August 29, Intermediate Band will meet Wednesdays and Fridays from
4-5 p.m. Students are expected to attend both days each week.
Middle school band members will split into two groups: "Concert Band" for 6th grade and older, and "Symphonic Band" for students who meet the required level of accomplishment.
Auditions for Symphonic Band will be conducted during the weeks of
August 20 and 27 All middle school band members should attend those rehearsals, even if they don't audition. A special rehearsal schedule and instructions will be emailed to all middle school band families for those two weeks.
Beginning in September:
Concert Band will meet on Wednesdays and Fridays from
2:55-3:55.
Symphonic Band will meed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from
2:55-4:15
Mark your calendars!
Winter Concert ~ Friday, December 14, 6:30 p.m. in the gym
CMEA Band Fesitval - March 8
CMEA Choral Festival ~ March 15
Spring Concert ~ Friday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. in the gym
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Fall Sports Update
CCDS Basketball Open Gym
All 2018-19 6th-8th graders are welcome to attend! Coach Williams will be overseeing the open sessions. Parents are welcome to watch. For questions, please email
Jordan Williams.
Monday, August 6: Girls 5-6:30 p.m. Boys 6:30-8 p.m.
Monday, August 20: Girls 5-6:30 p.m. Boys 6:30-8 p.m.
Volleyball
Open Gym
Volleyball season is coming! Two open gyms have been scheduled for all interested 6th-8th graders (boys and girls) to learn rules and technique or just get warmed up for the upcoming season.
Wednesday, August 8, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday, August 9, 4-6 p.m.
Tryouts
Middle School Volleyball tryouts are August 15 - 16 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the CCDS gym. This is a co-ed program, with two teams. One team consists of 6th & 7th graders while the other is 8th graders. If your child makes the team practices will be 3:30-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, on the days there are no games. Games are Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please email
Mrs. Chapin or Mrs. Wilson
.
Stay tuned for Cross Country Team information!
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Welcome Back! We are so excited to LEAP into the new year with you! We will be at the Back-to-School Picnic on
Wednesday August 15 to celebrate with popsicles! We would love to answer any questions you might have about PTP and how you can help out in the coming year. There are so many great ways to be involved with our school community, and we are are always happy to get new ideas and suggestions for ways to inspire and involve our parent community.
On Friday morning,
August 17, we are excited to again
host a Welcome Back Parent Breakfast
after drop-off. We invite all parents, new and returning, to come and mingle, have a breakfast bite. It is a great time to ask PTP and administration any questions you might have. See you at the big tree by the office!
Following tradition, we will have our first all-school skate at Cal Skate
Friday, August 24 after school from
3-5 p.m. This is a great way to end the first full week of school and celebrate with your friends! This is another opportunity to reconnect with CCDS families. Please make sure you join our Facebook group
Chico Country Day PTP to keep updated on PTP events!
Our PTP board for the 2018-19 school year is: President: Lesley Christopher, Vice President/Elect: Kerry Hermann, Vice President: Clara Ellis, Treasurer: Linda Patterson, Secretary: Maci Wise, Information Officer: Jenny Maiorano, Committee Officer: Charity Chain. We also have one PTP officer position open, Community Outreach. This position is new for us this year. Ideally this person will help with PTP hosted events (popsicle party, welcome back breakfast, classroom award parties), help think of new ways to include our parent population, help with community communication and gets to hang out with really fun people! Come and talk to us about joining the board or how you can help this year.
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Hours
Monday through Friday, 2:15 - 6 p.m.
(530)895-2650 Ext. 218
Please contact Angela for any billing questions.
ASP Contracts
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The CCDS After School Program is carefully considering the addition of a morning care program, possibly from
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
We would like input from our parents about this option prior to any decision to move forward. We would very much appreciate your participation in a very short survey!
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Important Dates in the Preschool
Preschool Parent Night:
Wednesday, August 8, 5-8 p.m. in preschool room (Parents only)
Returning families 5:30:6:15
New families
6:45-7:30
Preschool Open House
Wednesday, August 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Parents and kids welcome!
Lucky Ladybugs 9:00-9:30
Monkeys
9:45-10:15
Brave Bears
10:30-11:00
Funny Frogs
11:15-11:45
First day of preschool:
Monday, August 27 Tuesday, August 28
Frogs
8:30-11:30 Bears: 8:30-11:30
Monkeys
12:15-3:15 Ladybugs 12:30-2:45
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Yes, I want to help earn money for CCDS
CHECKLIST
AMAZON
- Shop and earn money! Click on the following link below and
earn
up to 10% in referral fees every
you
SHOP AMAZON
.
BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION
- Don't forget to clip those little
"Box Tops for Education
" coupons found on many products
(i.e. Kleenex, yogurt, cereal). Return them to the envelope in
your child's classroom. Every year the CCDS PTP garners at
least $500
through this simple program.
TARGET - Designate CCDS as your school of choice in
Target's Take Charge
of Education. When you use your
REDcard, CCDS receives a percentage of what you
SHOPAROO - This is a new one and so easy! Just download
the app to your
phone and designate CCDS as your school
to support. All you have to do is take pictures of your
receipts within 14 days of the transaction. Receipts can be
from any grocer, drugstore and convenience store. For
every 500 points we receive a dollar! You can invite friends
too - the more the merrier!
ESCRIP
- Fundraising program that allows participating
merchants to contribute a percentage of your grocery
loyalty cards, credit card and debit/ATM card purchases to
School.
RALEYS - Do you have a Something Extra Rewards Card?
When you shop at
Raleys and use this card, designate
CCDS and we will receive a percentage of what you spend.
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Chico
 Country Day School
102 West 11th Street
Chico, CA, 95928 
(530)895-2650
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