Cahuilla Desert Academy Newsletter

Students enjoyed the month of October with College and Career Week and Red Ribbon Week celebrations. Moving in to the month of November, we begin to reflect on what we are grateful and thankful for. At CDA, we are grateful for the families and communities in which we serve. We are thankful that we get to do this work each day. We hope that our families reciprocate these sentiments as our educational partners. We are all here for the same outcome: to foster life-long learners, preparing all students for college and career pathways whom will contribute to our global society. Share with us what you are grateful and thankful for at CDA using the Google Survey link below.

Remember that CDA students are Respectful, Independent, Scholars that Excel (RISE)! Red-tailed hawks RISE!

Dr. Anna Santa Maria

Principal

Cahuilla Desert Academy

• 11/02/2022- Suicide Prevention Presentation @ 9am in Parent Center, English Session
• 11/03/2022- Suicide Prevention Presentation @ 9am in Parent Center, Spanish Session
• 11/05/2022- CANCELLED Campus Beautification & Saturday School
• 11/05/2022- ASES Dodgeball Tournament @ Desert Mirage HS Gym 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
• 11/08/2022- SSC Meeting on Zoom @ 6:00 p.m.
• 11/11/2022- No School, Veteran's Day
  
• 11/15/2022- ELAC Meeting on Zoom @ 5:30 p.m.
• 11/21/2022 - 11/23/2022- ASES 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
• 11/21/2022 - 11/25/2022-- Thanksgiving Break
• 11/29/2022- Coffee With the Assistant Principal @ 9:00 a.m. in Parent Center

The CDA Math Department focuses on the domains of number and operations, algebra and algebraic thinking, measurement and data, and geometry. Our Math team uses conceptual activities that provide students opportunities to see what Math looks like. Then, teachers move to procedural lessons that focus on the formula or rules that must be applied. Finally, the Math teachers work on problem solving (relational knowledge) that allows students to apply math to the real-world.

The CDA Science Department teaches our students using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to expand our student's scientific thinking. Seventh grade students learn about life science with units on molecules to organisms, ecosystems, hereditary, and biological evolution. Eighth grade students learn about physical science with units on matter and its interactions, motion and stability, energy, and waves and their application. The science department provides students with multiple opportunities to grow through experimentation with hands-on learning.

CDA's School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) goal one aligns to our district goal that states CVUSD will ensure a safe, positive, and respectful school environment and culture for all students and staff. To do this, we must monitor our data and create an action plan with steps we will take to improve our campus climate. Below is data from the Panorama Survey and the steps we plan to take to continue to improve our school climate in a positive manner.

For the 2021-2022 school year, student focus groups shared they would like to have one lunch so they can spend time with their friends and so they are able to join campus clubs. In addition, students felt that more plants and trees needed to be planted around campus to be a welcoming environment. For the 2022-2023 school year we have one school lunch where students are able to socialize with all of their friends and join clubs during lunch. At the end of October 2022, the maintenance department came in and cleaned up our planters and planted several plants and trees around campus. We will continue to bring student voice to our conversations around creating a safe and positive school climate at CDA.

Everyday we look forward to seeing the students and staff at CDA. Please remember that the first bell rings at 8:55 a.m. each morning. To ensure your child has a well-balanced breakfast, we recommend students arriving by 8:45 a.m. so they can benefit from our school breakfast and be ready to learn by 9:00 a.m.. It is important for students to be in school daily so they do not fall behind on their studies and to socialize each day with their peers. If your child is ill, we recommend they stay home until they recover. You can email the absence information to wendy.rodriguez@cvusd.us.

ASES is currently accepting applications. We offer Dance, Cheer, Art, Gaming, Drumline, Sports, Leadership, DJ, and SPARKS every day after school. ASES also hosts field trips throughout the school year to sporting events such as hockey, baseball, and soccer games, etc. Join in the fun!

• 11/05/2022- Campus Beautification & Saturday School 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• 12/07/2022- DELAC Meeting @ 5:30 p.m. on Zoom

• 12/08/2022- A-G College Requirements Presentation @ 6:00 p.m. on Zoom

• 12/09/2022- Coachella Parade

• 12/13/2022- Coffee With the Principal @ 9:00 a.m. in Parent Center

• 12/16/2022- End of 1st Semester

• 12/19/2022- 1/6/2023 - Winter Break