Creative Artifacts
December
Here you will find news, events, and information for Creative Arts Secondary families.
Quarter 2 Conferences
If you need transportation, call Rachel Allen, our family liaison, at 651-744-2634.
6th Grade Update
In Ms. Punyko’s math class, 6th graders have been learning how to multiply and divide fractions using models and visuals to support them. In reading and writing, students are working on informative essays to be able to teach their peers something they are interested in. In MN studies, students created a parfleche, which is a Dakota container in which they received kind messages from their classmates. In science, students just took a test on the periodic table on Friday.
You may see 6th graders practicing their typing with the addition to typing club. It supports students with interactive games and competitions in how to type effectively.
7th & 8th Grade Update
OT math students in Ms. Ludwig’s class are investigating patterns and using logic while learning about old cryptography techniques such as substitution codes, pig pen cyphers, and symmetric code.
9th & 10th Grade Update
Students in Algebra Support are building catapults and trebuchets to model quadratic equations. What a great way to connect art and math!
Ms. Ayala’s high school Math Concepts class has been working on collaboration this quarter through activities that help build both math-related reasoning and interpersonal skills. We started the quarter with a simple numbers activity where students worked in groups of 3 or 4 to circle as many numbers in order as they could in 3 minutes. Students then reflected on what good collaboration or teamwork should look like, sound like, and feel like. We made these reflections visual and hung them up around the room as reminders.
This week, we tried the “Pringle Ringle Challenge,” where teams try to stack Pringles chips into a full, upright circle.
(Here’s a video to give you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apJtZX39i80)
None of the teams were able to get a full circle in the time we had, but a couple groups made some good progress, and it was great practice for working together! We hope to try it again as a whole class another time.
In AP Literature and Composition, students have been studying multiple literary theories and analyzing texts of varying difficulty through literary lenses of their choice. Students have also been practicing their writing skills, taking several short essays through the writing process. They have already shown amazing growth!
11th & 12th Grade Update
English 11/12 students are practicing analyzing arguments using the Jolliffe Rhetorical Framework. Soon they will be creating their own arguments using the same methods we have been studying. Sorry, families, but your teenagers are about to become better debaters!
Creative Writing students are about to publish their short stories. Please ask your teenager about the literary art they have created!
Arts Update - Arts Pathway Choir Festival
AVID Update
In November, High School AVID students met and had lunch with their eMentors at AgriBank in downtown St. Paul. They have been emailing back and forth for the past 8 weeks, learning about professional responsibilities and sharing about their experience in school, long-term goals, and interests. They had a lot of fun visiting AgriBank and hope to have their eMentors visit them next time.
The Middle School AVID students had a visit from some students at the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and recently visited Metro State University. They also have been interviewing teachers to find out where they went to college, what led them to teaching, and they're current long-term goals.
Library/Media Update
During conferences on Thursday, Mr. Swan will be giving away free children's books again to encourage families to read together at home. If you have children's books you would like to donate, please contact Mr. Swan, our librarian. Thank you!
As always, if you have any questions about the space, the books we stock, or anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out at eric.swan@spps.org or 651-744-1319. Thanks, and hope to see your students in the library soon!
Counseling Corner
Have your student contact the counselors for more information.
High School Counselor: Ms Jackie Rogalski jackie.rogalski@spps.org
Middle School Counselor: Dr. Eboni Bell eboni.bell@spps.org
Upcoming Events at CASS
Dec. 10 - Band Concert @ 6pm
Dec. 12 - Quarter 2 Conferences & NHS Induction
Dec. 20 - Middle School Dance (during the school day)
Dec. 23-Jan. 3 - Winter Break
Jan. 6 - Classes resume
Creative Arts Secondary School
Kristen Lynch
Assistant Principal
Guillermo Maldonado Perez
Family and Community Liaison
Rachel Allen
View our complete staff directory here.
View our MDE Report Card here.
Email: rachel.allen@spps.org
Website: https://www.spps.org/creativearts
Location: 65 East Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-292-3480
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sppscass/
Twitter: @sppscass