Springs News
Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, September Edition
A note from Executive Principal, Dave Knoche
I am looking forward to a great year focused on fostering autonomy within students, providing rigorous learning environments and building a culture of support and care.
Back-to-School BBQ
Back-to-School Movie Night
Back-to-School Fun
Campus Life - Class Happenings
Electives
Intro to Engineering learned about the design process by doing several maker’s projects. One group built a 9 ft 5 in paper bridge using nothing but scissors and one sheet of paper. Next, students will be exploring professional practices of Engineering and learning foundational skills for more complex designs.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Dance will take place at the Platinum Room at the Mining Exchange. It’s a great chance for students to have fun and build community!
Student Council will be serving a pancake breakfast for all students on September 18. The members brainstormed ideas for team building activities and decided that serving their peers was the best way to come together and promote teamwork and servant leadership!
Science - High School
In Science class, the students are perfecting the functions of a microscope, learning how to about different types of laboratory equipment and practicing laboratory technique.
Physical Science experimented with homemade bouncy-balls to help demonstrate the scientific method and the importance of writing clear procedures.
Chemistry Class used the inquiry method and their knowledge of physical and chemical changes to test the physical and chemical properties of common household items.
Science - Middle School
Math - High School
High school Math began the year by inviting parents in for an evening of ALEKS Training on August 29th. We answered questions, and demonstrations of how to use ALEKS were provided. If you missed the training, you can view the slideshow here.
Please contact teachers if you need additional training!
Math Activities this month have included Super Hero Drawings (Measurements), Jeopardy (Review of Equation Solutions), Interactive Notebooks, scavenger hunts, and task cards to review and explore the new algebraic material.
Math - Middle School
English - High School
We have started supporting each other in our work, growth, and goals. What an amazing way to build connections and community within the blended learning environment.
All classes have been doing a lot of preparation for the upcoming school year. One of the first steps was practicing some 21st Century Skills like the following:
Google Slides
Google Chrome Bookmark Tools
Utilizing Google Chrome bookmark tools by bookmarking all of our English resources in one location that is linked to ANY COMPUTER a student logs into with Chrome...HELPFUL!
Old School Writing
There was also some amazing evidence that OLD SCHOOL writing in class. A student HAND WROTE an entire first draft of an essay in CURSIVE! --->
#happyenglishteacher
English - Middle School
Social Studies - High School
High school, American Government class, is exploring the Constitution and relating it to how it affects the students today while the US History classes are delving deep into the effects of the Reconstruction Era and how that has shaped some of the civil rights and liberties citizens experience today. World History class jumped right into exploring the difference between war and revolution and applied those titles to the Seven Year’s War, the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and Napoleon’s rise to the top. Each class continues to work on hands-on activities and relating history to our everyday lives.
Social Studies - Middle School
In Social Studies this week, we concluded our vast study of Maps. We have begun the lesson by analyzing different types of maps, identifying the similarities and differences, reading maps, and how they function.
Using the acronym D.O.G.T.A.I.L.S. as the rubric - Date, Orientation, Grid, Title, Author, Index, Legend, Scale - each student started creating their own map. More specifically, their route from home to school. In addition to solidifying the lesson by having the students create products, they are learning about location (absolute vs. relative) and their surroundings.
Elementary - ARC
Grades 1-5 are working on a new reading curriculum called ARC (American Reading Company). The curriculum blends project-based learning and language arts through the use of Research Units. All students are researching to become subject matter experts in their chosen topic. At the end of the unit, every student will be publishing a book to demonstrate their learning. Each grade has their own focus: first grade- wild and endangered animals, second grade- bugs in their ecosystems, third grade- weather and climate, fourth grade- animal adaptations, fifth grade- ecosystems. The Elementary teachers also had a Donors Choose project funded to get a bookbinding machine to help publish the students’ informational books.
Elementary - Reading Challenge
Back in May, the Elementary teachers sent out a challenge to all of the returning Elementary student families. It was a chance to read 1000+ minutes over the course of the summer to keep up those reading skills. These eight stellar students completed the challenge and got to have a pizza party with their teachers over lunch. Way to go, readers!
We are looking forward to doing another reading challenge during Fall Break.
Elementary - Living Science
Springs Studio had a little visitor recently. We were lucky enough to come across a “living science lesson.” The students really enjoyed looking at the baby bunnies in their burrow. Only one rabbit was brave to come outside!
Meet SSAE's New Staff Members
Susie McClain - High School Math
Looking forward to a transformational year.
John Lohmann - Middle School Social Studies
I recently moved to Colorado from Iowa. I am happily married and have two beautiful Labradors. I have been teaching for four years. I love history and drinking coffee.
Kris Murphy - Special Education
I have been with D49 since 1999 as a PERA, Special Education Teacher, Substitute, and I've worked for D49 Kids Corner.
No matter where I wander off, I always come back.
Katy Swan - Counseling
Nicole Book - Receptionist and Health Asst.
Angela Amthor - Student Success Coach
2017-2918 Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Jenn Aubain
Family Engagement Council
Our Family Engagement Council is responsible for making recommendations to their principal concerning priorities for; spending school funds, making recommendations concerning the preparation of the school’s performance, improvement, priority improvement or turnaround plan (whichever is applicable), and meeting at least quarterly to discuss implementation of the school’s plan and other progress pertinent to the school’s accreditation contract with the local school board. The Educator Evaluation and Support Bill of 2010 (S.B. 10-191) also authorized School Accountability Committees to provide input and recommendations to District Accountability Committees and district administration concerning principal development plans and principal evaluations. To become a member, please fill out the FEC Nomination Form.
Family Engagement Council Meetings are held at SSAE from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm on:
September 11th
November 27th
February 12
April 30
June 4th
Counselor's Corner
Senior Info:
Now is the time to start solidifying your post-secondary plans whether that’s college, apprenticeships, military, etc. See Mrs. Pethtel if you want to talk about this.
If you weren’t happy with your SAT score, you can retake it or take the ACT. You will sign-up on with your parents at www.act.org or www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org.
October 1st the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aide) will open. Parents, you will need your 2017 tax information for this. The earlier you fill it out, the better!
Junior Info:
This is a great year to start thinking more about your future! Search colleges and programs. Research careers or the military.
Bulk up your resume by getting a job or volunteering.
You’ll take the SAT in April, and it isn’t too early to start preparing now. There are free practice questions on www.collegeboard.org.
Freshmen and Sophomores Info:
It’s never too early to start exploring college, military, and other future options. www.CollegeInColorado.org has a lot of great resources.
Remember your grades matter in high school, so be on top of your work!
As you know the graduation requirements have changed for you. Instead of just earning 24 credits, you will also need to demonstrate mastery. To earn credit for your courses you need to earn a 70% or higher in all your courses.
Concurrent Enrollment Information:
11th and 12th-grade students who are interested in taking PPCC classes in January and have not taken any before must fill out an application. Please see Mrs. Pethtel for the application which is due on Sept. 7th.
New and Current CE students will have an advising meeting scheduled with Mrs. Pethtel between Sept 10th - Oct. 5th to register for Spring classes.
Springs Studio Clubs
Community Service Club - Mrs. Olson (jolson@d49.org)
First and Third Tuesday each month - Starts September 4th
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Recycling Club - Mrs. McClain (smcclain@d49.org)
Every other Thursday - Starts September 20th
3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
ACE Maker's (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Club - Mr. Wixom (jwixom@d49.org)
Tuesday/Thursday - Starts September 6th
3:15 to 4:30
HS Student Council - Mr. Wixom (jwixom@d49.org)
Meeting Thursday's
Ongoing
MS Student Council - Mrs. Mooney (cmooney@d49.org)
Meeting every Wednesday
11:20 am - 12:10 pm
National Honors Society - Mr. Mogensen (kmogensen@d49.org)
Meeting Monthly at Lunch - Starting August 30th
11:45 am - 12:30 pm
President - Haley Edwards
Vice-President - Hunter Edwards
Secretary - Cameron Fajardo
National Juniors Honor Society - Mr. Guest (mguest@d49.org)
Meeting dates/times - TBD
President - Jazz myn McKenzieVice-President - Daniel Leon
Treasurer - Toban Mallo
National Art Honor Society - Mrs. Wichman (kwichman@d49.org)
Meet Quarterly - Starting in September
Time: TBD
Members were picked at the end of last school year for this year. In April, there will be emails and announcements about joining for next year.
Upcoming Events
Don't forget to check our website calendar for detailed information.
September 11th - Family Engagement Council
September 12th - Middle School Parent University Training
September 19th - Skate City School Event
September 21st - Wishing Star Farm Pumpkin Patch (Elementary Students). See website for further information
September 22nd - Fall High School Dance - Midsummer's Night Dream
September 24th - Picture Retake Day
September 25th - Harvest Moongazing Night (High School)
September 28th - Living Wax Museum at 2:00 pm at SSAE