CMS Cougar Courier
2nd Quarter 2021-22 School Year November 19, 2021
Important Dates:
- November 22 - 26 - Thanksgiving Break
- December 9 - Choir Concert - CMS Commons
- December 17 - January 3 - Winter Break
A Safety & Security Update from SRO Corbin
Hello Cresthill Family,
I would like to discuss traffic and parking. As you are aware, traffic is very hectic in the morning and afternoon. Here are a few things to think about:
- If you drive your child to school, you could have a determined drop off and pick up point near the school but not on campus so that you avoid dealing with many of the traffic issues.
- Please do not drop your child off at four way stops or mid-block along Cresthill Ln.
- If your child is in a bus boundary, please consider using the bus instead of driving your student each day. This will lower your stress level and help lessen the amount of traffic.
- Please be patient with other children and parents. I wish for everybody to be safe and we would much rather a child be tardy than injured because someone is in a hurry and makes a mistake.
- As the cold weather moves in, this adds more cars into the mix. Please try to leave earlier. Traffic is much better before 7:00 am.
Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done with the design limitations of the streets and parking area of Cresthill Middle School. As we all know, our population continues to grow, which adds to the volume of traffic we see here at Cresthill.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep everyone safe at Cresthill!
Masks
We hand out thousands of masks every day that end up littering the campus.
Thank you!
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS)
On Tuesday, December 14th, during all Cresthill Social Studies classes, students will take the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS). It is an important survey about student health and behavior. The survey will ask students about health topics including exercise, diet, alcohol, tobacco, drug use, mental health, suicide, bullying, sexual behaviors, and how they have been affected by the COVID19 pandemic. The survey also asks students about school life, school safety, trusted adult relationships, and other things known to be connected with healthy choices.
Click on this LINK, to preview a copy of the HKCS. Students do not have to take this survey. The survey is optional and anonymous. It takes no longer than one class period to complete. The survey process will protect your student’s privacy. No information is collected on the survey that can identify a student. Only your child will know how he or she answers the questions. Students do not get school credit for taking the survey, and there is no penalty for not taking the survey. Students who take the survey may choose not to answer a question.
Click on this LINK to read more information about the HKCS. If you choose to OPT your child out of the survey, please click on this LINK, print and fill out the form, and return the form to the Main office by Monday, 12/13/21. If you are in need of a hard copy of the OPT out form or have any questions, please reach out to Gina Chambers at gmchamber@dcsdk12.org or (303) 387-2807. Thank you.
2022 Apple Awards
Team Summit
In advanced language arts students are continuing to read Patrick Ness's, The Knife of Never Letting Go, and following the protagonist's "hero's journey" (Joseph Campbell). All classes will complete the winter (midyear) iReady reading test during the week after Thanksgiving break.
In social studies classes students were introduced to the novel Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. We will be reading this novel all the way up until Winter Break. In addition to just being a really great read, the novel will allow students to compare and contrast between the Yellow Fever epidemic that gripped our country in the early years as a nation, to the pandemic we are living through today.
In Wellness classes, next week you are encouraged to get outside, get some exercise and enjoy being around those you love! When you come back from break we will start our basketball unit, and watch the documentary “The Social Dilemma”.
Science classes will be starting their weather unit. They will research/collect data on the worst snow storm, hurricane and tornado in the United States within the last 93 years.
Reminder that ALL assignments/test retakes for our waves unit will no longer be accepted after the Friday we get back from break.
Team Summit wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving Break!
Team Horizon
Team Trekkers
In Wellness, students continued their work in our Tobacco topic. Students learned about teen e-cigarette/vaping statistics and the harmful health impacts it can have on the teen body & brain. After break students will be completing their class magazine project.
In Language Arts, the students read non-fiction articles pertaining to the background information in our upcoming book Animal Farm. They were also introduced to the non-fiction reading strategy "T.H.I.E.V.E.S.". We will begin reading the book after break.
In Science- “I am very proud of our students for doing so well on the Unit Test for Earth Science. They demonstrated tremendous growth in their understanding of Earth's Geologic Processes- Way to go Trekkers.Enjoy your holiday break.”
Finally in Social Studies, the class focus was on the theory Guns, Germs & Steel which explains how some countries developed more rapidly than others and were able to expand and conquer much of the world because of geographic luck. Have a great break!
Team Legend
Legend students will continue to learn more about weather and climate. A big lab was turned in this week and students did an excellent job on it.
ADV: As we head towards Thanksgiving, naturally, our focus turns to saving dogs! Our persuasive speeches to our peers, in which we attempt to save our poorly critters take place this week- I cannot wait. Other than that the little troopers are working on the last preparatory points for their multi-paragraph essay on We Were Liars. We are also examining Dahl's creepy classic story 'Lamb to the Slaughter' as exam preparation. We shall compare and contrast this with two other short stories - 'the Sniper' and 'Some of Us have Been Threatening Our Friend Colby'. Then...Macbeth! Yay!
Health & Wellness: We are in the midst of evaluating Healthy vs Unhealthy relationships utilizing our Y.E.S.S. program run through the Sheriff’s office. Deputy Hathway will be here to help us navigate those topics. Trust that our main goal will be the SEL skill of “Relationships Skills” and “Self-Management”.
Social Studies: This week we are digging deeper into the causes of the Revolutionary War. Partners have been assigned a specific cause to read about, research and take notes. They will then create a product of their choice and “teach” their cause to the rest of the class. Happy Thanksgiving!!
Team Navigators
Wellness classes are studying the effects of nicotine on the body and learning how tobacco advertisers target teens so they become lifelong users.
In social studies we continue to explore issues in Africa. We are currently studying how colonization impacted Africa and the role geography has in inequality.
Science class we began physics this week. We are learning to describe and measure motion.
In language arts this week, students continued their examination of moral ambiguity with the final formative assessment of Chapters IX-X of Animal Farm. In addition, students engaged in a comprehensive review and assessment of the eight parts of speech (noun, pronoun, adjective, verb, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection).
Team Explorers
Language Arts
This week in language arts, we are going to continue to read the novella, Animal Farm by George Orwell. We are going to read chapter 5 this week in class. We are also going to be starting our NGO speeches. There will be a vocabulary quiz this Friday on week 3 words. The words and definitions are on my Google Classroom!
Science
This week we begin one of my favorite topics, Physics. This is a unit that has many opportunities to get out of our seats and move and investigate around the room. The trade off for all of this fun, is that I will be sending home some of the reading material as homework. This idea is called a “flipped classroom” where the research is done ahead of time at home and then students can put it into practice at school. Students will need to keep up with what I hope are short assignments at home. This week we start with “Who is Isaac Newton?” and our assignment is to create a comic strip about one aspect of his many interesting achievements.
Another piece of information, DON’T MISS OUT on an opportunity to see physics in action at an Optional Afterschool Enrichment opportunity at iFly Denver. See the following link for more information. (Below) Space is limited so sign up quickly.
Social Studies
This week we are learning about the scramble for African colonies by Europe, how Africa broke free from their colonization, the demographics of modern Africa, and Apartheid in South Africa.
Wellness
This week in Health, we are finishing our discussion on tobacco products. We will have our tobacco test on block day this week. If your child will be leaving early for Thanksgiving Break and will miss the test, they need to take it before they leave. We decided to change our P.E. unit because of the inconsistency with temperatures throughout the day. Our Flag Football unit will now be in the spring. Instead, we are doing our Floor Hockey unit! We will be in the gym on Tuesday, block day, and Friday this week!
Defend the Den
CRESTHILL MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS - 7TH GRADE GIRLS BASKETBALL!!!!!
A huge reminder to all of our CMS families that 7th grade girls basketball starts on Dec. 6. Any and all of our amazing 7th grade girls are invited to be a part of the action - ZERO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. Please visit our CMS Athletics page to find out about the specific registration steps. Please remember that an up-to-date Physical is REQUIRED in order to participate (NO PHYSICAL = NO PARTICIPATION). If you have any questions please reach out to our amazing CMS Bookkeeper and Athletics Administrative Assistant, Stephanie Young, at 303-387-2816 or stephanie.young@dcsdk12.org. You can also reach out to our CMS Athletic Director, Brad Wiidakas, at bpwiidakas@dcsdk12.org. Thanks again and GO COUGARS!!!!!
From the Counseling Office
Parents, THANK YOU for helping with our food drive! We collected SO MUCH food, hygiene items, and necessities for families who need them! We appreciate your selflessness, kindness, and the beautiful lesson we're teaching our youth at Cresthill.
DCHYC Member/Stakeholders,
The Douglas County Healthy Youth Coalition (DCHYC) and St.Andrew United Methodist Church will host the upcoming Parent and Trusted Adults Series open to the public, registration is required.
Thursday, December 2, 5:30-8pm (including dinner)
Raising Resilient Young People
Thursday, December 9, 5:30-8pm (including dinner)
Supporting the Physical and Academic Success of our Youth
Location: St. Andrews United Methodist Church, 9203 S. University Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
(see attached flyer)
About the Speaker
Nick Thompson is a therapist and podcaster who consistently delivers digestible and actionable content to aid parents and trusted adults in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Community Partners
DCHYC intends to continue to collaboration with the following partners to deliver content that meets the needs of Douglas County families:
St. Andrew United Methodist Church-Wellbeing Initiative
Douglas County School District (counseling team)
Mental health/treatment providers and our parents/trusted adults
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Denver Springs for financial support of the Parent and Trusted Adult Series.
What is a Trusted Adult? A trusted adult is someone that young people perceive to have their best interests in mind; someone they trust when they want moral support, accurate information or direction to helpful resources without judgment. Adults do not determine whether they are considered trusted -- young people make that determination based on their positive experiences with those adults. Trusted adults can be teachers, mentors, coaches, grandparents, extended family members, neighbors, clergy and parents.
DCSD Middle School Honor Ensemble Concert
I hope you are well! I wanted to personally invite everyone to the 6th Annual Douglas County School District Middle School Honor Ensemble Concerts on Saturday February 12, 2022, at 1pm at Castle View HS! This is an outstanding event that showcases some of the best young musical talent from all across our district. We would absolutely love it if you could attend. The invitation is inserted AND attached below!
For more information about this awesome district sponsored, teacher run, and student inspired organization, please go to our website
DCSD Middle School Honor Ensembles Website, or check out this PHENOMENAL video the district media department did for us about the Honor Ensemble a few years ago:
DCSD Middle School Honor Ensembles Video.
Thank you and we hope to see you all there!
Yearbook Orders
Donations Needed
Cougar Mart School Pride Items
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.