COUGAR COURIER
March 15th 2019
From the desk of Principal Ruiz
On Wednesday evening, CIA teachers and STCO welcomed the scholars that will be Cougars in the 2019 - 2020 school year. Several current families have asked about the application process for the next school year. Our current families do not need to apply for the next school year. However, if your families has a rising Kindergarten scholar, we will need an application to be completed for a seat to be reserved.
This week our 1st grade scholars celebrated the 120th day of school! Understanding the concept of 120 and the various ways to make 120 is a 1st grade standard that was embedded into each lesson on Tuesday, March 12th.
Our 2nd grade scholars created a "clean school" initiative due to finding garbage on the floors in the hallway. They created posters and a plan to clean the school as a community project.
CIA's 6th grade teams continue to collect and analyze data through the lead testing throughout the community. More details will soon be forthcoming...stay tuned!
The IREAD-3 assessment will be given to all 3rd grade scholars on March 19th, 20th, & 21st. This assessment requires a passing score for 3rd graders to be promoted to 4th grade. We encourage all parents to have their 3rd grade scholars in attendance each day for testing. For additional resources, view the IREAD-3 link included in this week's newsletter.
Report Cards are available in PowerSchool this week on Thursday, March 21st. We encourage all parents and guardians to check the academic progress for their scholar on a regular basis. Mrs. Pol is the contact person if a family needs assistance in accessing the PowerSchool portal.
The ILEARN assessment is the new Indiana test that is designed to measure student achievement and growth according to the Indiana Academic Standards. ILEARN is the summative accountability assessment for Indiana students. This test assesses:
- English/Language Arts (Grades 3-8)
- Mathematics (Grades 3-8)
- Science (Grades 4 and 6)
- Social Studies (Grade 5)
For additional information about the ILEARN assessment, click here.
This week's video was created by the Cougar Cast specifically to welcome the new Cougars for 2019 - 2020 to the CIA family. On Wednesday evening, our team had more than 100 people visit the school, eagerly awaiting the next school year! You will not want to miss the welcome our scholars made for the new Cougars.
Have a wonderful weekend - as always, it is a great day to be a Cougar!
Serving with scholars in mind,
Ms. Angela Ruiz, Ph.D. Candidate, Ed.S.
St. Patrick's Day Parade:
IREAD-3 Assessment for our 3rd Grade Scholars
Cougar Fans are Needed!
NUT(s) about NUT day!
All funds raised will sponsor the Positive Behavior program at CIA.
PTSC Fundraiser:
The fundraiser concludes on March 22nd. All fundraising items must be paid with exact cash or online with a credit or debit card.
In advance, we thank you for purchasing and selling products to raise funds for our scholars to have what is needed to be successful.
6th-Grade’s March Madness Book Challenge
By Alexis Lewis
This year the 6th-grade is celebrating Reading Appreciation month by having a “March Madness” picture book challenge. The March Madness book challenge is that the sixth-grade teachers have to read picture books to the students. All of the students chose a picture book. Each day, after the Homebase teacher reads a book, we have to vote for the best book. Whatever book wins, keeps going against other books. Then the book that loses has to be returned to where it came from. In the end, the last book, the best picture book of all, chosen by sixth-graders, will win.
CIA Athletic Schedule:
Monday March 18th Girls Basketball at CIA
Wednesday March 20th Girls Basketball at LaSalle
Admission at CIA and all Intermediate Center sporting events: adults $3 and scholars K-12 $1.
Spring has Sprung at CIA!
Free Bowling all Summer Long!
ILEARN Assessment for 3rd - 8th Grade Scholars
Frequently asked questions:
Is ILEARN different from ISTEP+, or will it be the same test with a new name?
ILEARN is fundamentally different from ISTEP+. ILEARN is being developed to align to new blueprints and new item specifications. Educator committees will also recommend new proficiency levels and cut scores that will inform how student results are reported.
What standards will ILEARN measure?
ILEARN measures all Indiana Academic Standards, including content literacy and media literacy standards on the English/Language Arts assessments, process standards on the Mathematics assessments, and the new computer science standards on the Science assessment.
How will ILEARN be delivered?
ILEARN is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) for Mathematics and English/Language Arts. CATs individualize the test for students based on their responses to previous questions or sets of questions. This allows for a unique assessment experience for students at their level of mastery, resulting in more precise data outcomes. Science assessments will be an online fixed form assessment for Spring 2019, transitioning to computer adaptive as the item bank increases. Social Studies is an online fixed form assessment.
Can you dance?
Honor Roll (3rd quarter)
Perfect Attendance (February 19th - March 8th)
21st Century Scholar
NO suspensions or Rally Room discipline (January - March 8th)
The tickets will be sold in the main office each morning BEFORE school and during lunch ONLY.
Attendance at school, the day of the dance, is mandatory for entrance to the dance, no exceptions!
The Great Logan Nose on Luncheon
We are excited to announce that our STCO members will be attending the Great Logan Nose on Luncheon next Tuesday, March 19th at the Century Center. This exciting event will be another way for our scholars to shine in the community!
All Things Student Council (STCO) - Aspiring to Inspire
New Student Orientation
According to our incoming families, the STCO tour guides for the New Student Orientation hit it out of the park last Wednesday, “I wanted to let you know that the student council members that gave the tours were SO respectful and really helpful. Their enthusiasm for CIA was awesome!”
Anna Tucker and Daniel Wright were located that the “Clubs & Activities” center explaining what CIA offered, while Allison Yuhase, Braydon Larson, Kylie Bragg, Kyler Misiewicz, Aileen Villafuerte and Miya Mason each led an individual group of at least 20 incoming families around to the different centers. Not only did they lead those families around the school, but they also answered questions, joined in on discussions at the various rotations, and even keep the whole evening running like clockwork! At the final rotation Braydon told me, “Mrs. Greenlee, our group is running a bit behind, so you only have 8 minutes,” and then he set the timer on his phone!
We really have the best of the best scholars here at CIA!
Parent Teacher Student Committee News:
Wednesday, April 10th
Wednesday, May 1st
We look forward to seeing you there!
Theatre Club News:
Clay International Academy is proud to announce its new Theater Club. The Theater Club is dedicated to teaching scholars the art of acting for the stage. Our goal is to have fun, learn, share and grow as performers. We are respectful, creative, willing and dedicated to our craft.
The CIA Theater Club meets bi-weekly from 4:15-5:45.
The first meeting was a success with over 10 scholars in attendance. Scholars were able to get to know each other a little while enjoying fun voice and warm-up games. Our goal is to find short scenes to learn and perform.
The next meeting is Thursday, March 21 at 4:15.
Scholars are more than welcome to bring comfortable clothes to wear as we will be moving around during our performances.
If you are interested in joining, please see Miss Barnhill for a permission slip!
Swoop & Stu’s Reading Club
This is a free game ticket opportunity for your student!
Are you ready to whoop it up at Four Winds Field with your CIA scholar? Well, here is your opportunity! CIA is signed up for their “Swoop & Stu’s Reading Club!” What does your scholar have to do to win a free ticket? READ!
Just have your student meet the reading goal set by their teacher for each of the 4 “bases.” After each base goal has been met, your scholar will also receive coupons for free items from Buffalo Wild Wings, Mutual Bank, Burger King, and finally, a FREE ticket to a SB Cubs game!
CIA is signed up for a reserved group of tickets on the date of Friday, May 24th @ 7:35. Also, at least one adult has to attend the game with your scholar. Discounted tickets are available for $10.00. In case you were wondering, yes, there will be fireworks!
Cougarette Dance Club News:
Practice Schedule:
Until further notice, the CIA Dance team will practice each Monday, Thursday, and Friday after school from 4:15 - 5:50 P.M. All dancers should be picked up at door 18 (in front of the gym) no later than 6:00 p.m. Activity buses are available to transport dancers home if the scholars do not have a ride.
Who Can Dance
Grade 5 - 8 scholars are encouraged to participate as long as they are in good standing in the following areas:
• Attendance (scholars must have 95% attendance or better)
• Behavior
• Academic Performance (“C” average or better to participate with passing grades in all core classes)
The next performance is on March 12th. We look forward to seeing you there!
Gather your Box Tops to raise money for CIA
BoxTops, BoxTops, BoxTops! Keep clipping those BoxTops! Better yet, download the app! Thank you for showing your Cougar Pride and sending them in because the result was $75.00 raised for CIA so far this year!
Ronald McDonald House:
STCO is now collecting pop tabs to donate to the Ronald McDonald House of Michiana. Please send in tabs from cans and send them in to CIA with your student. Student Council students will collect and then donate them to this very worthy charity each year in May.
Principal Ruiz
Email: aruiz@sbcsc.k12.in.us
Website: http://clayintermediate.sb.school/home
Location: 52900 Lily Road, South Bend, IN, USA
Phone: 574-393-4300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClayInternationalAcademy/?hc_ref=ARSPi9IBwtzl5EJdceUcqxSSyItIHbU4cIAKX3ZtMeCZAoKpGJMFSGRmc0FRNLyfIJ0&fref=tag
Twitter: @cia_cougars