CMS Cougar Courier
1st Quarter 2022-23 School Year August 12, 2022
Important Dates:
- August 17th - Defend the Den Fund Raiser Assembly -
- August 18th - Back to School Night - 5:30 PM - 7 PM
- August 22nd - Student Photos - Wellness classes
- September 22nd - Student Photos - Make ups
- September 28th & 29th - Student Led Conferences
Team Juniper
In language arts this week, students began their examination of the strengths it takes to grow up by reading, communicating, and writing about Chapters 1-2 of Touching Spirit Bear.
In science this week students are learning about the scientific method. Thank you for all the bubble gum donations for our first lab experiment coming up next week.
Math: This week we spent a few days getting to know each other and playing math games to get back into the school mindset. On Wednesday and Thursday we took a math placement test that will help ensure each student is placed in the correct math class. Friday, we will begin working on numbers and operations in our EnVision Curriculum.
In social studies, we spend some time getting to know each other and take the beginning of the year assessment answering the question "Why is the world the way it is"? I am looking forward to teaching our Junipers the key components of social studies which include history, geography, economics, civics, and government of the eastern hemisphere.
In Wellness this week students are learning the importance of warmups, fitness and the health triangle.
Team Piñon
Welcome back to school, team Piñon! We are excited to spend the school year with your students. Every week, we will be sending out a blurb of what’s happening in class. This will include reminders, upcoming tests, and any fun stuff that we are doing in class that week. On team Piñon, we will strive to be kind and respectful to everyone. We look forward to the year and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out via email. Go team Piñon!
Health class reminder: Every student must have a spiral notebook by Monday 8/15. Also, students will be dressing out for the gym on Tuesdays, their block day, and sometimes Friday. Please make sure your student has their gym shoes.
Team Aspen
Language Arts: We had a wonderful week in Language Arts! All students need to turn in their signed syllabus this Friday, and bring a composition book to class starting Monday 8/15. Both 7th and 8th will be starting their first whole class novel which we will read in class.
7th Grade AND 8th Grade: Next week in class we will join Google Classroom as well as get organized for the school year. Students should have a binder OR folder OR Trapper Keeper for this class and we will set it up together. Students will also be giving me their first writing sample. We also will be talking about rights and responsibilities and how they relate to the classroom. Students will be taking a Pre-test on their Block Day that they DO NOT need to prepare for as this will be used to collect data on growth throughout the year. They will be given the same test at the end of the year in order to measure that growth for the year. At the end of the week we will tackle a reading together.
In Wellness class both 7th and 8th graders have been getting outside and participating in cardiovascular activities. I hope they are coming home and letting you know how hard they are working! The weather is very warm, so water bottles are encouraged! In the classroom, the 7th graders will be working on the health triangle and the 8th graders will be working on body systems.
Math:
7th Grade AND 8th Grade: In class next week, we will be joining Google Classroom so students are able to access their work/ homework. Please make sure your student brings their device OR that you fill out the form that your student needs to borrow a device. Students should have: a binder with loose leaf paper and dividers, a notebook, pencils, and a calculator. I do have some calculators for students to borrow but sometimes it's best if they have their own.
Science 7th & 8th grade- What a fabulous 1st week! Thank you for sending us such amazing kids. We will continue to cover the scientific method next week. Students should have a science spiral notebook each day and their computer charged. Looking forward to seeing them Monday!!
Team Blue Spruce
Social Studies with Ms. Rabinovich: Next week in social studies, we will be continuing our analysis of "historical tools", which is our first unit of study this year. We will begin our week by examining examples, and non-examples, of plagiarism. Students will then practice differentiating between primary and secondary sources as well as identifying the benefits and downsides of each type of source. We will wrap up our week by discussing the idea of "historical bias", and how it affects the way we read primary and secondary sources.
Blue Spruce Language Arts (Kelly)
Week One, Q1 (quarter One) L1(Lesson One),2 & 3
Gen Ed & Advanced
During this introductory week, both groups had similar
tasks. We have considered the role of creativity in self-
expression and in creating the world as we understand it. We
have analyzed the world’s shortest story*, and ‘completed’ it
with an alternative ending. Together we have looked at Visual
Literacy- and ascribed story elements to a picture of an angel.
Both groups have read Tolstoy’s story ‘Two Brothers’ and
written an analytical paragraph in response to our first
Common Assessment. We have visited Library orientation and
picked out reading books for our classes. Finally, we have
begun to look at connotation and denotation as we begin to
formulate ideas for our communal Vampire Poem for
competition.
Math 8 students are exploring variables, and expressions with manipulatives called “algebra tiles”. The algebra tiles make abstract concepts concrete. These manipulatives emphasize a mathematical process over memorizing steps. They reach all types of learners and engage all three types of learning styles (auditory, kinesthetic, and visual).
I hear and I forget – I see and I remember – I do and I understand – Confucius.
Algebra 1 students are exploring nonlinear functions and how to describe a function
completely. The new functions are introduced through 3 math labs in collaborative teams. Once all students have access to a Chromebook/Computer then homework will be assigned through the student's online textbook.
Mrs. Hobby
Team Blue Spruce
Wellness with Mr. Hanson: We are getting outside and enjoying an extra dose of Vitamin D and getting our bodies moving after a spectacular summer break.
Team Evergreen
This week in Algebra we investigate functions and determine order of different functions to result in a given output based on an input. In Geometry we discussed what symmetry and the number of lines of symmetry a shape may have. We continued this outside to discover symmetry in the real world. In Math 8 we took a look how to convert rational numbers into fractions based on either terminating decimals or repeating decimals.
Social Studies:
Welcome back new 8th grade Evergreen families! I am really excited to be working with you this year! This week in Social Studies, we have spent time getting to know each other and what a GREAT bunch! We also did a pre-test and have been learning some new vocabulary to get the year started! Feel free to email me if you need anything.
HEALTH & WELLNESS - TEAM EVERGREEN
Welcome to the 1st week of Health & Wellness!!!!! We have had a BRILLIANT beginning to our year. I am beyond impressed with your son/daughter and the culture we are building to passionately pursue excellence in all that we do as a crew. Please, please, please make sure that you have read through the detailed parent letter that went home this week that outlines the "Big Rocks" for our class. We are going to be rockin' and rollin' next week with our themes of Boundaries & Permissions as human beings so be sure to touch base with son/daughter often to to stay in the loop. YEEHAW.
Science:
It's been wonderful meeting all the students this week! In science we reviewed content and expectations for the year which can be found in the syllabus linked to my page on the CMS website. We've discussed the importance of scientific literacy and reviewed making and interpreting graphs. Next week we'll continue to review some science fundamentals before we head into our first unit on energy.
Best,
Christina Bailey
Language Arts
It was an absolute pleasure to see and/or meet your 8th grade Language Arts student this week. By reviewing the green "Welcome Letter" distributed to each Evergreen student in Language Arts, you can get a feel
for the classroom expectations, supplies needed and novels that we will read this year. All supplies should have been brought to school by Friday. Students took their Baseline Writing Assessment this week so I am able to see where each student is at in terms of writing skills. Students also had a chance to visit the library for library orientation. I'm excited for another great week next week!
In partnership,
Emily Fields
Student 1:1 Chromebook Distribution
Dear Cresthill Families,
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! A special welcome to our 7th graders and new 8th graders and a warm "welcome back" to our 8th grade class. As we get into our school year, I wanted to be sure to remind families who are in need of borrowing a Cresthill-owned device (Chromebook) for use this school year that we will be conducting our distribution of student loaners on Monday, August 15th during the school day. All academic teams have devised a plan for bringing students to the library for this distribution. If your student will be bringing their own device, then you may stop reading and carry on to the rest of the newsletter. Otherwise, please continue on.
If your student is borrowing a Cresthill device and charging block/cord for the '22-'23 school year, you (parent and student) must date and sign the Laptop Agreement Form and either turn it to the main office, bring it to the distribution on Monday, or email it to our CST, Julie Bach (jabach@dcsdk12.org) before picking up the device. Students who are borrowing from us will receive a Chromebook and the accompanying charging block/cord and are strongly encouraged to purchase a protective sleeve and/or shell. Any damage to either the device or the charging block/cord will be charged to the student's account -- please take special care of what is being borrowed!
If you would like more information including purchasing options in regard to our "1:1 Student Device" program at Cresthill, please head over to the appropriate page on the Cresthill website.
Should you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wakefield (mdwakefield@dcsdk12.org) or the above-mentioned Julie Bach.
Thank you!
Defend the Den
Hello Parents and Families!
We are excited to offer a way to give back to Cresthill Middle School. On Wednesday August 17th we will be kicking off an event to help raise funds that will benefit our students and staff. Our Step it Up program, will help with funding for CMS Premier Cycle Studio, Gaga Ball Mobile Pit , 9 Square in the Air , Heart Zones in addition to: new technology, curriculum enhancements, and innovative learning materials.
It is going to be AWESOME; we are excited to get started!
A few things to note:
This program will be very easy for you. It only requires about 10 minutes of your time.
Your students can earn great rewards, just for their effort. No money required!
This is an online, donation-based fundraiser, and the email and text message donation requests can go to people you know anywhere in the world. That means no direct pressure on your shoulders.
Students will be bringing home more information next week after our kick-off assembly. Please help your student register and complete the Golden Ticket assignment THAT VERY NIGHT! All students who complete the Golden Ticket assignment will receive fun PRIZES and it does not require any money to register. We will also have some fun drawings for a $250 Amazon Gift Card and four Mini Party Fridges stuffed with CASH!
I will be sending a few more emails throughout the two-week program. Please contact me directly if you have any questions.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Pappalardo
Principal
Cresthill Middle School
Order your Yearbooks now! Save money and get free icons!
New York/DC 8th Grade Trip
Highlands Ranch High School LAX
HRHS LAX will be holding a special training camp for Middle School players on August 28th from 2pm-4pm at the HRHS Turf Field. Cost $20
All interested players can reserve their spot by registering thru Team App or sending an email to kirahjohnson@hotmail.com.
Educational Assistant IV positions open at Cresthill Middle School
Cresthill Middle School has openings for six Affective Needs aids.
Do you love working with children?
Please see our posting linked below.
"This position is Responsible for providing assistance to special education teachers. Assists in the instruction, medical, and health needs of special education students. Provides some clerical support to teachers. May provide assistance with a variety of daily functions such as toileting, feeding, and life skills instruction. Collaborates and consults with special needs team and other specialists. Develops and promotes good community relations among various community members and school clientele."Donations Needed - 1st Quarter
Supporting Cresthill
Once logged into your King Soopers or City Market account go to: Savings and Rewards > King Soopers Community Rewards then you can search for Cresthill Middle School either by name or YJ180 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a loyalty card.
Box Tops for Education
No need to cut out box tops anymore. It’s digital!
Download the Box Tops Mobile App
Set up your Username and Password
Find your school: Type in Cresthill and click on Cresthill Middle School when it appears Click on the right arrow
Complete your Profile and you are done!
Now when you shop simply scan your store receipt and watch the donations that are made to our school!
American Furniture Warehouse
NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE
The Douglas County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual
orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, age, marital status, genetic information, or physical characteristics, disability or need for special education services in admissions, access to, treatment of, or employment in educational programs or activities. The School District’s Compliance Officer is Ted Knight, Assistant Superintendent, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, complianceofficer@dcsdk12.org, 303-387-0067. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public.