The Alternative View
October 8, 2020
Center Alternative School
Website: https://www.center.k12.mo.us/center-alternative-school
Location: 8434 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-349-3440
Twitter: @CenterAltSchool
Upcoming Dates
- 10/9 -- Tutoring 8:00-11:45am
- 10/12 -- Jostens senior presentation at CAS (A group)
- 10/15 -- Jostens senior presentation at CAS (B group)
- 10/16 -- Tutoring 8:00-11:45am
- 10/21 -- Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
- 10/23 -- End of Q1 (semester 1 at CAS); Tutoring 8:00-11:45am. ALL WORK DUE!
- 10/28 -- Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
- 10/29 -- NO SCHOOL. Parent/Teacher Conferences (virtual)
- 10/30 -- NO SCHOOL
- 10/31 -- Halloween...be safe!
Principal's Update
To clarify, students are separated into two groups, A and B. A group attends in-person school on Mondays and Wednesdays; B group attends in-person school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays are tutoring for those students who are failing 1 or more courses.
Here is the important part: When students are scheduled to be at home (either M/W or T/Th), this is a school day, NOT a day off. Teachers are providing in-person instruction, then students are expected to complete assignments posted to Google Classroom when at home. When students don't complete their assignments, this puts teachers in a time crunch...and time is not plentiful right now. Work can often be completed in a short amount of time which will then prepare them for the next day's lesson. Please encourage and support your child during their at-home school days.
Because we are on a 4x4 schedule, the "semester" will end on October 23rd, and the next "semester" will start on October 26th. While students only have 4 courses to track at any given time, it is imperative that they stay on top of that work.
As always, we are here to help and support your child's road to success. Please let us know if you need anything.
Matt Woolf
Principal -- Center Alternative School
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, 10/21, 3:30-7:30
Wednesday, 10/28, 3:30-7:30
Thursday, 10/29, 8:00-11:00
To book your conferences, please follow this link to our CAS Sem 1 Parent-Teacher Conferences page. Be sure to complete all sections including selecting a teacher. You will need to schedule an appointment for EACH teacher or staff member you'd like to meet with.
Once you book a slot, a Microsoft Teams meeting link will be created and sent to both you and the teacher. Just log on a few minutes before your appointment and you'll be ready to go!
Bus Routes
Below are the current stops and pickup times. Please use the stop closest to your home.
7:41 81st & Wabash
7:28 99th & Walnut
7:31 1301 E 89th St
7:37 Troost & Pres Ave
7:21 99th & Locust
7:44 80th & Walrond
7:25 Wornall & 90th st
7:37 8000 Garfield
7:33 89th & Wayne
7:26 89th & Washington
7:44 77th & Agnes
7:15 Minor Dr & Oak st
7:23 87th & Wornall
7:40 77th & Agnes
Friday Tutoring Bus Schedule
1) 1301 E 89th st in front of complex @ 7:24 2) E 99th st & Locust @ 7:31 3) CMS Driveway @ 7:35 4) 8817 Wornall RD the North East side of the intersection in front of ECE @ 7:39 5) Prospect Ave & 79th st @ 7:45 6) The Paseo & 80th st @ 7:47 7) CAS @ 7:50
Seniors looking ready for their last school picture day!
Suggestions from Leadership to successfully manage hybrid learning.
Social Studies Update
Modern American History:
Students just finished a project in which they imagined themselves as farmers making the journey West during Westward Expansion. We are now moving into the Industrial Age, learning about new inventions, technologies, and the economic boom of that time.
U.S. Government:
Students are taking a close look at our founding documents. We have learned about the key ideas in the Declaration of Independence, and are now beginning to study the Constitution. Students are also trying out different methods of taking notes to learn what works best for them.
Science Update
Hello CAS parents and students!
It's hard to believe we are almost through the 1st quarter. Time has flown by! There have been many successes so far this year and I am looking forward to many more. Below is an update for CAS High School Science.
- Environmental Science - We have been studying earth's different Biomes and how Natural disasters impact humans and the economy. Students did an outstanding job creating their Biomes in class! Our next unit will look at ecosystems and how organisms interact.
Please remind your student to check Google Classroom during each of their Virtual days. They can be found under the "Classwork" tab in the At Home - Virtual Assignments topic. Thank you for your support and please let me know if there is any way I can help your student on these assignments.
Biome Example #1
Biome Example #2
Please complete your virtual assignments at home
Nurse's Nook
So far, temperature checks, mask wearing, hand sanitizing and screening questions on student and staff arrival each day have gone pretty smoothly. Two areas we need to see improvement are students bringing and wearing their masks every day. Although we have some to give if needed, it should be a rare occurrence. Also, proper wearing of the mask is essential. It needs to cover the nose and mouth, not be sagging down. They should not be taken off unless eating/drinking/or outside in a socially distanced setting. Please reinforce these areas of improvement with students. We have made it in person for a month successfully, though, and that should be celebrated!
ELA Update
English 12: We’ve started reading our novel The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini. We will complete a project using themes, characters, turning points and symbols to create a “Kite Project” over the novel. This will serve as their end-of-quarter assessment. Students will be expected to virtually complete any reading that we are unable to complete in-person. Our work calendar and activities are outlined in Google Classroom, including a PDF copy of the novel for at-home reading on Fridays.
English 11: We have started our second unit for the quarter. We are using the play, The Crucible by Arthur Miller as an anchor text to explore the Puritan Influence in Early American Literature. We will complete a study on themes, characters, and symbols and use the information to create an infographic-style book cover on the play. This will serve as their end-of-quarter assessment. Photography and English 11 are collaborating to create this project by combining skills and concepts from each course.
FACS
Math Update
Geometry classes have been focusing on Transformations the past few weeks in class. Students have been learning about translation, reflection and rotations. Students are starting to focus on Symmetry this next week. We started a Symmetry Drawing Project, where students used their names to construct a symmetrical design. One class focused on using rotational symmetry, while another class used another format to create a similar symmetrical design with their initials. Students then used complementary colors from previous Art knowledge to color their designs. Students will work on Angles in their next unit.
Algebra classes have been focusing on solving equations. Students started with fundamental knowledge on order of operations, using the distributive property and solving 1-step equations. Students have been working super hard this past week on using this knowledge to apply to solve multi-step equations. I have been excited to see growth in several of the students as they make the transition into this class. Students will begin work on inequalities the next 2 weeks. The students will have a Unit 1 test the week of October 19th. Students will receive a study guide next week.
Ms. Jarusha Geringer
Center Alternative School
Secondary Math Teacher
Assistant Coach - Yellowjacket Soccer (Boys/Girls)
(816) 349-3668
Hybrid Art Classes at CAS
The Hybrid model of instruction was designed here in the Center School District to help students achieve. This is true in their art classes as well as their core classes. The idea is that the student comes to school every other day. This allows us to keep our classes sizes down for the safety of our students and staff as well. The days they do not come to school, they still have work to complete. This is true in every single class. The assignments provided through Google Classroom are designed to prepare them for the next day of in person instruction. If students “take the day off” they come to class unprepared on the day we have in-person instruction.
Another factor to consider is the change to block periods. This means we will have four semesters instead of two. Our first semester will end on October 23rd and grades will be due at that time. Without the work at home, the student will not have the time to finish the course work in the short time we have.
Even with these restrictions, students are still producing some really incredible works. We have finished a unit in drawing and have begun another with paint.
Suicide Awareness
TALK
Having no reason to live
Feeling like they are a burden to others
Experiencing unbearable pain
Talking about killing themselves
MOOD
Depressed
Loss of interest
Anxiety
Irritability
Rage
BEHAVIOR
Withdrawing from activities
Sleeping too little or too much
Giving away possessions
Isolating from friends & family
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Student Cell Phone Policy
Just a reminder...
The district student cell phone policy ("Away for the Day") states that student cell phones should be off and off your person from 8:00am until 3:00pm. When students violate the policy, the following consequences will be assigned:
- Phone pouched or confiscated, returned to student at the end of the day
- Phone pouched or confiscated, returned to parent for pickup.
- Phone pouched or confiscated, returned to parent for pickup. Parent/admin conference
Further violations will results in steeper consequences such as turning over phone upon arrival to school.
Students who refuse to comply will receive 3 days OSS and will be required to pouch the phone upon return from suspension.
We enforce this policy to help students focus on learning and to minimize drama from social media while at school. Thank you for helping support our school and, most importantly, your child.